3/26/04: J.Brooke at Anspacher / CD(s) progress / TM is back / show don't tell

Saw my girl (as if) Jonatha Brooke at the Anspacher Theatre last Fri. (one of the performance spaces in the Public Theatre/Joe's Pub complex on Lafayette). First of all, great venue. Steeply raked stadium seating, not a bad seat in the house. I was in the second row, sitting less that 20 ft. from her. She was, of course, brilliant. Stunning. Inspiring. Her band was fantastic, too. Had me riveted the entire time. The audience was full of many aspiring singer/songwriters like me. I had to wait my turn in line after the show to say "hi". No, she didn't remember meeting me but I think that's a good thing. She can't possibly remember everyone she meets at every show. She's getting too big for that. And good for her. I feel fortunate I got to see her in such an intimate setting before she plays a place like the Beacon Theatre and I'm lucky if I get a ticket before they sell out. The new CD (Back To The Circus) is getting good reviews. Speaking of which...

Found some more money to finish up these two albums. Did a day in the studio a couple of weeks ago. Some of the results are on the Music Pg. Almost done with "Daylight" (no, really), and the compilation is shaping up to be something very special; the songs really flow nicely together. I'll be recording a solo acoustic (maybe I'll add strings) "Deliver Me" for that album next time I go in. Thinking about adding a cover, too, redone MM style (any suggestions?). Then it's about mixing the remaining 3 songs for the MASSIMO EP, mastering and printing inserts. And then they're on their way to you! I'm really trying to stick to July as a deadline with a CD release at The Bitter End in Sept. (band or not!) In the meantime I'm going to book a couple of solo acoustic shows to get me out there and comfortable again. Auditioning a guitar player and possibly a bass player this Sat. Keep 'em coming. I am leaving no stone unturned. I'm bound to find the right guys sooner or later. Hopefully sooner.

Tequila Mockingbird has finally found a bass player so expect us to be playing out soon. If he works out, maybe I'll draft him for the Massimo project. Guitar player, too. We'll see.

That's all for now. I don't have much to say and I shouldn't. I should be doing nothing but playing and recording now instead of finding ways to distract myself like updating this web page. It is cool to write about random stuff from time to time, but it should mostly be about the music. And as far as that goes, it's been the same thing over and over again for months now: I'm working on the CD's, looking for band members etc. etc. I won't be writing anything here for a while. I need to really focus on my craft and my career, find the fire again, buckle down (up?) and get my head in the right place. Don't expect to hear from me until everything is almost done and I have good news to report. Check the Appearances Pg for some possible upcoming solo shows and the Music Pg for the latest studio mixes, but for now I'm I'm sick of talking about all of it. It's either "the CD's are done and the band is playing" or else I have nothing to say and right now I have nothing to say. 'Bye for now...

MM