After our last tour together in 2013 and what turned out to be the last tour of his career, I told Joe I would archive the update emails I had sent from the road and post them.
He said, "That's a good idea, Nick."

About halfway into what turned out to be thirteen years in his band as keyboardist and then music director, I started writing regularly—first to family and a small group of friends to digest the experiences that constant travel can sometimes wash into a blur. Over the years the list expanded to almost a thousand people. The first twenty posts here are the original update emails in chronological order.

I post these to honor Joe and all who worked with him. There are more stories to write. I will continue to gather them and post from time to time and to invite others to contribute.

Come visit frequently, hang out if you want and get to know my experience of this great artist and true gentleman, Joe Cocker.

In Respect, Gratitude and Love,
Nick

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

South America-Spring 2012

Greetings, dear family and friends!  Memorial Day weekend in the States has passed, the unofficial beginning of Summer, at least on the north half of this whirling orb we share.  
















Before the Cocker Mad Dog Tour starts up again in 2012, I'd like to announce the release of my album project, "All The Lost Angels" with longtime friend and writing partner Rocky Maffit.  Rocky is a composer/percussionist/singer/and published author.  http://www.rockymaffit.com/  Included are ten songs, two preludes and five piano pieces.  Every note, breath and word of this album comes from our hearts. The album can be purchased on the Music page of my website, http://www.milomon.com/.  It is also available on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-the-lost-angels/id525527348, CDBaby for an actual CD: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/milomaffit, Amazon and others. 

We would greatly appreciate you writing a review of the album, if you feel so moved, on the iTunes and CDBaby sites. Most of all, hope you take the time to listen. And, Thank You! 

Guest musicians and singers include Yogi Lonich (Chris Cornell, The Wallflowers) and Jeff Tamelier (Tower of Power, Starship) on guitars, Rodrigo Bustos (Australian Singer Vanessa Amorosi) on bass, Troy Donockley (Worldwide Mega-band from Finland, Nightwish) on whistles, Greg Adams (Tower of Power, East Bay Soul) on trumpet. Vocalists, Kara Britz, Olivia Harris and Kate Kuper make appearances, and Fred Kron, Eddie Shea and Rodrigo worked with me on the mixes.


Coinciding with this album release is the launch of the brand new Milomon.com website.  http://www.milomon.com/  Please stop by for frequent visits there.  It's a completely refreshed presentation with new photos and links.  In the coming weeks and months I'll be posting more, including an archive of all past Hard Knocks Updates with photos, stories of the Tower of Power Fortieth Reunion DVD, and upcoming writing, recording and performance sessions.


Usually I write these Updates from the Road but Joe Cocker has been in the studio finishing a new album since we returned from South America last April.  The Hard Knocks title to these writings can now be put to rest.  We'll see what the new recording and upcoming world tour's theme will be.  Joe and producer Matt Serletic have hit their stride together with this second album. (And note, their first went to number one on the charts in Germany and hit the top five in several other European countries!) For the moment, I'm not going to say much, except two words:  Get. Ready.

Last month Joe Cocker and Company returned from an exciting and successful run in South America.  We hit Lima, Peru and Santiago, Chile, and then about a week in Argentina and a week in Brazil. 


With all the air travel, we had backline rental, so my trusty Muse Research Receptor (the rack on the right) was indispensable:


Soundcheck in Rio. Jack Bruno on drums, Oneida james-Rebeccu on bass, Norberto Fimpel on percussion:




When you visit Lima, Peru, take plenty of time for meals!  The cuisine redefines the word "Fusion". Brilliant!:


Sunset, Buenas Aires:


The crowds all over the continent were beautiful in their warmth and excitement:


View from the hotel roof, Rio:


A great thrill to meet Milton Nascimento after Joe's concert in Rio:


This July and August Joe Cocker will be touring the States with Huey Lewis and the News!  This will be a great night of music, music, music. Lots of soulful hits from both camps. See you out there!  The calendar is posted on my new website. http://www.milomon.com/ 

For those of you who haven't already, please visit me on FaceBook. https://www.facebook.com/milomon7  I've succumbed to the FB seduction, as of just last October. It is mesmerizing to say the least, a virtual mechanical bull ride that can somehow keep you in its saddle for even hours at a time, rather than throwing you off. The fact is, I have to say, I have really interesting friends!! 

Feel free to share this, and if you wish to be released from these mailings, just reply to that effect and it will be done. 

That being said, I do love to hear your comments and replies, so please write back and say hello, if the spirit moves. I will do better at responding more promptly. And, feel free to pass this along. Thanks.

It is an honor and privilege to be connected with such ease and abandon as this day an age allows. I do not want to abuse it in any way. Thanks for journeying together with me. 

As a signing off, I share with you a talk from Jeremy Rifkin:
Discuss!... 

Thanks for your time and listening,
Nick
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