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Thanks for visiting the site. This is the first of what will be a regular newsletter (irregular?) with random notes from the front, etc. Many thanks to Henry Lefkowitz for putting together and maintaining the site. We will be adding new stuff along the way-- photos, lyrics, gig info, how to order the CD's, etc.
I have a new 4 song EP coming out sometime around April 1st. It features a new song of mine called "I Love to Wake Up in New Orleans"--a bit more "up" than my usual, complete with horn section, The Uptown Horns, and also another new song, "Goodbye to Chinatown." This is the 3rd, and maybe final, in my Chinatown series which includes my earlier songs "Chinatown" and "Chinatown Revisited." At some point I want to combine the 3 into some sort of suite or something with interludes and that sort of thing.
For the 3rd song on the EP I went back into my tape locker to dig out the original version of my song "Long Drag Off A Cigarette." The fourth track is a version of Hendrix's "Manic Depression" that I recorded when I was recording my Vibrolux album. It's a bit loose but it has a vibe.
My next gig is at The Folk Alliance in Memphis on Feb. 14th at 11:30 p.m., in Room L5 at The Cook Convention Center, with David Wilcox, Greg Trooper, and Andy White. I haven't been playing live much lately, as I've been in the studio working on my next album. I'm about half way through it but I couldn't tell you when it will be done. I need to finish writing a few more songs, so I'll probably linger through the summer working on it. My favorite track so far is called "Love is Everything," which is kind of a gospel song. We hope to get The Five Blind Boys to sing on it.
I'll be in touch. As soon as we get my e-mail up I'll look forward to hearing from you.--LJM
Back in New York after a whirlwind 24 hours in Memphis at The Folk Alliance. There must have been at least a hundred acts appearing in that short time. Some highlights of what I saw: David Wilcox playing a great new song about "... breaking the chain of anger", Andy White from Ireland singing his 8 minute epic "Speechless" (real Irish magic), Buddy Mondlock singing his circus song, "The Kid", The Stevens Sisters from Rounder Records- major twang factor. Sorry I missed my Nashville friends Allen Shamblin and Steve Seskin in-the-round and a friend of mine from my New York song circle, Wendy Beckerman--she has a beautiful warm CD called "Mango Moon." Would have Iiked to have seen Kelly Joe Phelps--he plays lap style on an acoustic guitar. My friend Leni Stern raved about a Gospel group called The Campbell Bros. I've just ordered their CDs, as well as one by Kate Campbell.
I guess the next big musical event is the SXSW festival in Austin in March. I won't be there, but my friend Jennifer Kimball is performing there, and I hear that her new CD is just about finished. She has a great voice and beautiful moody songs. I will be at the New Orleans Jazz Festival in May however, whether I'm playing or not. Hope to see you there. I'll be parked at the Gospel tent.
LJM
Just back from playing a writers in-the-round show at The Bluebird in Nashville. I got to see and play with my friend Jennifer Kimball again. She has really put together a beautiful set--great songs, singing, and guitar playing (strumstick and baritone ukulele, too). I got to hear an advance copy of her debut solo album and it's great! I think it's coming out in the fall. Fans of The Story won't be disappointed. The way the songs segue into each other, it really feels like a singular beautiful journey as opposed to "here's one song, and now here's another." I really loved the song "Lullaby" that she closes the album with. She plays it solo without the band, but the production songs are great, too. Really rich in layer and texture with cool stuff going on so that you discover some new beautiful moment on each listen.
My "New Orleans" EP is being pressed as we speak. Sent some advance copies to New Orleans radio and already have a few stations playing it--KSLU in Hammond and WWOZ in N.O. I'll be there April 22-29 and hope to do some live radio shows. Will be playing a solo set at Kerry Irish Pub on April 28th at 9:30 p.m. as part of the LMNOP Festival. Kerry Irish Pub is in the French Quarter at 331 Decatur St. (phone #: 504-527-5954)
In other news--had The Five Blind Boys of Alabama come in to sing on my new song "Love is Everything" last Saturday. Pure, raw, gospel soul! It was a really magic moment that I'm lucky to have captured on tape. I'm putting the Uptown Horns on next week, and then I'll be ready to mix. I'm so excited about it I may put it out as another single (EP?) before the album is finished. Watch for some session photos here on the website.
--LJM
Still recovering from my New Orleans trip. How much chocolate cream pie, etoufee, jambalaya, beignets, red beans & rice, crawfish bread, fried okra, blackened catfish, and grits can one man stand? The answer: alot. The weather was perfect, sunny and warm, around 80 for most of my visit. The fairground has a new layout with the gospel tent moved over onto the concrete leaving more lawn space and no chance of standing in mud should it rain.
Musical highlights: John Fogerty you could feel how excited he was to be there and what an amazing string of hits he's recorded-- "Born on the Bayou," "Willie & the Poor Boys," etc. Galactic, the new Meters-style New Orleans band featuring B-3. B-3 Hammond Organ is my favorite instrument, and it seemed to be emanating from every corner of the fairground. I did an interview at the WWOZ tent live from the fairground. The are playing my New Orleans single, which by the way is now available at Tower Records and The Louisiana Music Factory on Decatur St.
The surprise was how great the LMNOP festival was. This was only the 2nd year, and I predict it will become as big of an event as SXSW (one of its directors is Louis Jay Myers, who started SXSW). Tucked in between the Jazz Fest weekends, it makes a good excuse for going to New Orleans for the full 10-day run each year. I got to meet David Olney and hear him play. He has a string of albums on Rounder Records, and is best known for writing 2 cool songs that Emmylou Harris recorded, "Deeper Well" and "Jerusalem Tomorrow." There was an interesting cast of characters from all over the music world--Scott Billington, from Rounder Records, who produced the new Marcia Ball, Irma Thomas, Tracy Nelson trio album, Charlie Hunter, who manages Dar Williams and Chris Smither, plus assorted booking agents, publishers, and A&R types.
My show at The Kerry Irish Pub songwriter night was a blast--good PA and great crowd. I played my bluesier songs. After listening to the blues on the radio all day & night, if you sang "Both Sides Now," it would come out raw and funky (a great blues station in New Orleans is WODT, 1280AM).
Meanwhile, back in New York--4 shows coming up at Hotel Galvez: May 13th and 20th at 8 p.m. and June 11th and 24th at 10 p.m. On the same bill as Rebecca Martin from Once Blue. I hope to be playing with Lincoln and Denny (my bass & drums trio) at least for some of the shows.
--LJM
It was hard to let go of summer-except, that is, for those days stuck in the city when it was 95 and humid. Have been slowly working on my forthcoming album. Six songs done (except for probable remixing.) Check out the sound clips here of some of the latest batch. Have cut the basic tracks for four other songs and have a few overdubs to do. Bob Telson (who wrote that beautiful song "Calling You") will play accordian, Buddy & Julie Miller, the king and queen of the left side of Nashville will sing some harmonies, etc. Have been playing the occasional gig. It looks like I'll be doing a tour with Rebecca Martin of Once Blue and Jane Kelly Williams. Rebecca is putting together an ambitious plan called The Independence Tour. We will be doing a few warm up nights on Dec. 4 at The Fast Folk Cafe and Dec. 5 at The Living Room. Then it will start officially in February, hopefully. Boston, NYC, Philly , D.C., Pittsburgh, etc. Will keep you informed.
On the song front, check out Leni Stern's new CD "Recollection" available from Rykodisc. She does a funky version of my new song "Richie" and a newly remastered version of my song "Something is Wrong in Spanish Harlem."
P.S. See my ordering page for some new options.
Finally played The Iron Horse in Northampton, Mass. Artistic oasis in the middle of the Great Northwoods. Opened for John Gorka who was a real gentleman. Sat around backstage talking about the joys of fatherhood, songwriting, record-making, etc.
Sometimes being an opening act is tough, but the audience at The Iron Horse was great. Respectful, attentive, and they even snapped their fingers along with me on "Just My Imagination." Really fun night for me. John played a beautiful Sunday evening set. "Love is our Cross to Bear" sure is a great song.
Other news-- working with ASCAP to put together a songwriter interview series whereby I sit and chat with the known and lesser known about the craft of writing, etc. I did several last September at The Fast Folk Cafe that were really fun. We hope to do them live on the radio eventually.
Upcoming gigs--Thurs., Dec. 3, 9:30 p.m., Tin Angel, Philly. Dec 4th, Fast Folk Cafe, NYC in -the-round w/ Richard Julian & Frank Tedesso. Dec 5th, NYC at The Living Room 8:30 p.m. w/ Rebecca Martin & Jane Kelly Williams.
--LJM
By the way, had a great time playing in New Orleans on January 31st. Did Dan Stein's Sunday afternoon show on WTVL and played in-the-round with Anders Osborne, Lenny Deal, & Kim Carson at Carrollton Station that night. Jim McCormick from Caffeine Music has started something great there. Most New Orleans music is party music, which is fine, but it's nice to have an outlet there for acoustic stuff, too. Any excuse to visit New Orleans. The weather was heavenly. 75 degrees and sunny. Caught a couple of pre-Mardi Gras parades. Had plenty of cream pie at The Camellia Grill--red beans & rice, shrimp etoufee, etc., etc.
In other news, almost done with the editing and artwork for my Live CD. Compiled from my "bootleg" tapes of my shows over the past 5 years, some solo, some with the band. Not sure when I'll press it up for release, but watch for some of the tracks here on the website.
Finished all the dates of our mini-tour. Philadelphia is becoming a fun place to play. WXPN has been great in playing our CDs and the house at The Tin Angel was fairly full. Going back on March 22nd to do a benefit show there for XPN.
There's a great vintage guitar store just around the corner on Market St. Wanna buy everything in the store.
Played The Den in New York last Friday and it was pure magic. Everyone was warmed up from all the playing, and the crowd was great. Even my dad was there. First time he's ever seen me play! People said he looks like William Burroughs. We went to an East Village bar afterwards for a few drinks.
Next show is March 15 at the Den again, 8pm., Ave. A & 3rd St., East Village, NYC, in the basement below "Two Bootz" Pizza. Then March 22 at The Tin Angel in Philly. April 5 live on WFMV in East Orange, NJ, 3-5 pm. And April 6 at the Fez, with Rebecca Martin, Jane Kelly Williams, Frank Tedesso, Tim Hill, and Dorothy Scott, 8:30-midnight.
Hope to see you there!
--LJM
Many thanks to Yoshiro Nagato for his pure heart and love of the music, Masa Ogawa for putting out the records and standing behind them, Jun for getting us from A to B with grace & a sense of humor, Sawako & Sakae, Kyoko, Soei, Kohji from Chicken George, Hiro , all the fans and friends & everyone else who helped make the trip a total blast.
Arigato Gozaimasu--LJM
Have been busy in the studio with Jane Kelly Williams--we have been singing together lately and I ended up producing a song for her for an upcoming Christian Music sampler. I'll let you know the when & where on how to find it. I played Dobro on it and had a blast working with her--Ben Wisch mixed. Mostly I've been getting a batch of new songs ready to record-I'm going to record them all fast and cheap to see how they sound and live with them on tape. I found a great new guitar player to record with--Jason Crigler. He has a band worth checking out called "Goats in Trees." I think he'll be sitting in with me at my March 1st Living Room gig. More details on the Euro shows as they come in-LJM
Hey everybody--just back from my Hamburg & Holland tour. Totally exhausted but what a wonderful time it was. The Blue Highways Festival in Utrecht was really something--to be able to wander back and forth between the two stages and see that much cool music in one day in one building was amazing. I kept set lists and a diary for the tour, so as soon as we can get to it we'll post it, along with some news clippings, photos and other memorabilia. Meanwhile I'm in the studio this week to start recording songs towards a new album. Later-LJM
Hey Friends--Just to update on my recording progress--There isn't any! Went in and recorded 11 new songs and after listening, I came out of it feeling like I need to write more before going ahead. It could be a while. In other news, I had so much fun writing my Euro tour diary, that I thought I'd write about my gigs from a not necessarily typical week in New York.
Tuesday, May 22--The Living Room, NYC
In-the-round with Ina May Wool, KJ Denhart, Bob Hillman, and myself. I'd never met any of these folks before--new blood is good. Full house, nice crowd--It's fun to play to new faces in my own hometown in such a relaxed setting. Set list: 1. Richie 2.I Love to Watch a Woman Dance 3. Why's Your Skin So White 4. Faces You Loved.
Ina May was a star on the Boston scene when I first started hearing about her years ago. She sounds great live. KJ Denhart is a cool songwriter-singer. She's a Black girl in her 40's(?) maybe who plays soulful guitar and writes beautiful chord changes. Bob Hillman is from the Elvis Costello/angry young man school and has a very funny song about the New York type who can only exist in New York and takes that obnoxious New York thing with him wherever he goes--the character in the song that is, not Bob. My drummer, Denny McDermott stops by and sits in on conga with me. We have a great unspoken musical connection that developed from playing live and recording so much together. Afterwards, we all head down the street for cheap Mexican food and margaritas.Saturday, May 26--NYC , The Sun Music Company
One of the people who ran the Fast Folk Cafe in Tribeca has opened a small venue on 71st Street in a church on the East Side of Manahattan. I must say I hate spending $12 for a taxi to a neighborhood that reminds me of the funky side of Connecticut-oh, well--call me a downtown snob. Triple bill with with my songwriter pals Tim Hill and Frank Tedesso.
We are the Kings of male singer/songwriter obscurity. Tim has some world-class songs like "Poet's Heart" and "Jesus' Younger Brother." I played dobro and guitar on his last CD and we are soul brothers. Frank is a real charismatic poet, a timeless soul. He has a new song with John Coltrane images in it that's great.
Small crowd on the Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend. New York is a magic place when half the city clears out for The Hamptons-it's quiet and you can get a taxi (still$12 for a ride uptown, though!). Everyone's less stressed and friendlier. I love these gigs with just a few good listeners-so quiet I can sink in to the subtle details of my songs. Relaxing with a few glasses of wine, I get lost in the poetry of Frank and Tim's sets. I hate booking gigs but I love playing. Tell me where to show up and I'd gladly play every night.Set list: 1. Richie 2. Sidewalks of Summer 3. Chain Link Fence 4. Why's Your Skin so White 5.I Love To Watch A Woman dance 6. Folksinger 7. Tar on the Roof 8. Faces You Loved 9. Nobody's Girl
Sunday morning, May 27th--Tenafly, New Jersey
I've been playing in a band with Jane Kelly Williams on most Sunday mornings since January. We play in a 9am service out in the suburban wilds of New Jersey. Jane and I trade off on lead vocals and/or harmonize together on old hymns, her songs and mine, gospel songs we love, etc. Today, amongst other songs, we play my new song "Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love." Haven't played it with bass and drums until now and it really comes alive. Pete McDonald is the drummer, and Dave Richards plays standup and electric bass. Jane uses the B3 organ sound on the synth and it is very soulfully Memphis. Jane is after all a Southern girl with genuine "cracker soul" credentials.
Tuesday morning, May 29th--WNYC, Centre St, downtown New York
My friend Brian Cullman is helping to organize a new interview series for this eclectic radio station. The host and co-interviewer iis a fellow named Jad. Brian is a music producer (he produced Lucinda Williams early Folkways CD.) He is also an award-winning journalist,singer/songwriter and all round interesting person. We meet for coffee beforehand at Les Deux Gamins, one of the ubiquitous French cafes that have sprung up around Soho and The Village. Great French girl artist/dancer/waitresses that break your heart.
Brian and I warm up to what we talk about over a big bowl of Cafe Au Lait. When I find out when the show will be aired, I'll let you know. I raved on about the Music Biz, Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart, my trials and tribulations etc. My voice was scratchy with a cold but probably sounds better that way.
Set List: 1. The Motown Song 2. Long Drag Off A Cigarette 3. Nobody's Girl 4. Folksinger 5. Faces You Loved 6. Can Joe Cocker... 7. For My Wedding 8. I Love To Watch a Woman Dance
Haven't written in since July. The world or at least New York is certainly
a
different place since then. I was in LA on September 11th--glad to have missed
the tragedy and yet sorry to have not been there to do whatever I might have
done to help in some small way. Had planned to do a few gigs in
Holland/Belgium in October, but it seemed not the best time to travel. Am
trying to line up some shows there this coming May with my LA band. The
drummer is Andre Fischer and the standup bassist is David Schwartz. Andre was
in the band Rufus with Chaka Khan and went on to produce Natalie Cole, Dusty
Springfield, Nina Simone, etc. He's one of the few drummers I've known who
responds to the lyrics and the groove, and what a deep groove he has. David
is a soulful player best known these days as a TV and Film composer. He did
all The Northern Exposure shows and is currently doing the Ellen Show. Our
next show is January 14th, 8:30 pm at Genghis Cohen in Hollywood. I've
finished 12 or so new songs and hope to live with them a bit and see if they
fit together as a new album. My favorites are 3 songs I wrote inspired by
Chet Baker. The plan is to string them together as "Chet Baker's Swan Song
Suite." Phew! On my last trip to Amsterdam I found a book about Chet by
a
Dutch writer. It really took over my soul. I went to see the hotel where Chet
died, and somehow, alone in my hotel, I felt as if I knew what he must have
felt those last years of his life, wandering Europe performing and recording.
Hope all's well with all of you--all the best in the coming new year.-LJM
Hey Friends-sorry to have been so long in writing. Have been busy with the
"new" trio in LA. Played every Tuesday in May at a small club/restaurant,
"Genghis Cohen." The best part of the gig was the food and conversation
at
the big round tables after the show. One night we had two guys from
Amsterdam, my long time friend from that mythical town, Bakersfield,
California, show biz pontifications from my bass player and drummer friends,
and various other folks from all phases of my life stopping by the table to
say hello. Worked up a bunch of the new material. Have since rehearsed a bit
more with an aim towards recording.
Played in Nashville one night in May, in the round, at The Bluebird Cafe with
Jude Johnstone (old friend from Maine who wrote some songs for Trisha
Yearwood and the beautiful song "Wounded Heart" on Bonnie Raitt's
new CD),
Gary Nicholson, another Bonnie Raitt writer and killer blues
guitarist/singer. Cindy Bullens is a rock-n-roll/folkie. Cindy lost her
young daughter last year (I believe) to leukemia. She released a gorgeous
album of songs relating to this, some of which she sang that night. Death
seemed to be a major theme slipping in to all of our songs--to be expected I
guess from anyone over 40! Beth Nielsen Chapman sat in and played her killer
song " Deeper Still", that she co-wrote with David Wilcox. Buddy Miller
stopped by and Valerie Carter sat in on the Johnny Cash song "Unchained"
that
Jude wrote. Really magic-small world this big country.
Best part of Nashville for me, as always, is the Black Gospel Music radio
station there. Found a new source for some rousing sermons on CD. Expect to
see my shows get a lot livelier if I can learn anything from these preachers!
Did I mention Manuel--he's the guy who makes the spangled C&W show
suits--ordered a new one for myself. He's a total one-of-a-kind. The suits are
art, not clothes. I think he has one of the original Gram Parsons suits at
his shop. I could spend all my money on Manuel suits, guitars and cars.
(California is amazing in that department. Because of the climate, all the old
60's T-birds are alive and well and rust free.) Stopped in at Gruens Guitars
to drool and dream. Just down the block is Hatch Show Print. They have a
coffetable book out now that's great. Real old timey woodblock letters/poster
art that dates back a hundred years or more.
Meanwhile on the touring front, the Europe shows keep getting booked and
canceled. Very disappointing for me. Gonna have to work harder at putting it
together. Speaking of which, I just finished two new Chet Baker Books, "Deep
In A Dream" and "Looking For Chet." Very dark stuff. Had me wandering
Rotterdam and Amsterdam in my mind. Working on my 4th song about Chet.
One other interesting project I've been working on is songs for the
soundtrack to the new Roman Polanski movie called "The Pianist." This
is a
fascinating true life story based on a book by Wladyslaw Szpilman , who
survived Warzaw in hiding, during The German Occupation of World War II.
Szpilman was a Polish composer before and after the war, and I wrote lyrics
to 4 of his melodies. He wrote a book about his time in hiding that is
stunning and worth your time reading before (and/or after) the film comes
out. I think that several of the songs written to his melodies will be on the
soundtrack and supposedly there will be a related CD of more of his songs
that weren't used on the soundtrack. Knowing the music/movie business as
well as I do, there's no guarantee that any of my lyrics will be used. I
think a great many writers submitted their stuff. I'll keep you posted. The
film won the #1 prize at Cannes this year. Not sure of the release date but
I
think it will be fall 2002.
Wanted to mention some of the interesting covers of my songs that have come
in lately. Eventually I want to have MP3 files available on my site of this
stuff and more, but right now my ambitions outpace my time and money
resources for updating the site. Anyway, Leni Stern has a new CD out called
"finally the rain has come". Nice stuff, w/ Bill Frisell and John
McLaughlin as
guests. We co-wrote a song called "Bury Me Standing", loosely autobiographical
and based on a famous Gypsy Poetess . Leni's website is: http://www.lenistern.com/.
A
Dutch blues artist named Matthieu Brandt did a cool cover of "Stealing
Hubcaps" on his new CD "Back Log". His website is: http://www.swingblues.com/.
Susan
Anton recorded "For My Wedding" on a Live CD from Varese Sarabande
Records.
The New York trimvirate of Cunningham , Crigler & Hill have recorded a killer
version of my tone poem "Spanish Harlem", Tim Hill singing. Katey
Sagal, yes
the actress, recorded a song of mine from Vibrolux called "Many Strange
& Far
Away Things" for something she is/was working on with my friend the producer
Bob Thiele. I don't know any of the release specifics on this but what I heard
in it's unfinished state was great. Bob is a cool guitarist and Greg Leitz
the slide king played cool stuff. By the way, Katey was a singer before her
TV sitcom fame. She was one of Bette Midler's Harlettes at one
point. Something I need to get up on my site is a Christian single I produced
last spring for Jane Kelly Williams. It is from a compilation, and it's cool.
I sang backups on it and played dobro, and it is magic. Some
other covers in the works on the mega-platinum level (hopefully). but I'm not
free to discuss just yet. My friend Perry Sanders in Lake Charles covered my
old Columbia Records single "Just Like Paradise." I love it. B3 and
Black
gospel singers from a church in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge is somehow the dead
center of my spiritual being, whatever that means!
Well, hope all is well with all of you. The show goes on. Hope to see you out
there somewhere-LJM