Happy Spring, Everybody!
I write from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Joe Cocker and Company are on a tour of South America at the moment. It's been over twenty years since Joe has been here. The love and appreciation of the audience of all ages is truly a blessing to behold. There are young people who surly weren't even born when this music came out—and I see them from the stage—they know every word to the songs!
I write from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Joe Cocker and Company are on a tour of South America at the moment. It's been over twenty years since Joe has been here. The love and appreciation of the audience of all ages is truly a blessing to behold. There are young people who surly weren't even born when this music came out—and I see them from the stage—they know every word to the songs!
More on this trip in a future update.
The Hard Knocks album has been released in the States. Here's an interview that was on NPR a few weeks back:
http://www.npr.org/2012/02/05/146347486/joe-cocker-the-hard-knock-life-of-a-singular-singer
A summer tour is planned. We'll be on the road with Huey Lewis and the News! Those will be nights of rockin' music!
Looks to be an exciting year, 2012. Before we flew south for the winter, Joe Cocker was back in the studio with Matt Serletic working on a followup to the successful "Hard Knocks" album. I had the pleasure of spending a few days last February at Joe and Pam's home in the Colorado mountains, helping Joe find the proper keys for the new tunes and generally getting Joe's voice warmed up for recording.
The music is always a joy, but the morning hikes were a highlight of my stay. The mountain air is as clean as it gets on this planet—a good balance for the crowds and clutter of city living, especially On Tour city living!
The dogs, Fern and Mickey keep the mountain lion away (and the bear when it's not winter):
Another Adventure!...
Joe's delight... His tomatoes!
Going over new songs in preparation for the studio...
The beginning of February found us in Moscow again, for a private show. Those Russians sure love their Rock&Roll.
(Photo, Norbert Fimpel) Business Class! :
(Photo, Ray Neapolitan)
In other news, my good friend Greg Adams and his band released a new album, "East Bay Soul 2.0".
http://www.gregadamsmusic.com/
Greg and I teamed up to write three songs for this one. One of them, "To Catch A Thief" has seen a strong response as the first single, staying at number one for weeks on the charts for internet radio. Congratulations to Greg and his great band!
My album with Rocky Maffit, All The Lost Angels" is finished and will be released this month. You will be able to get it on all the usual sites, including iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby. I'll send out an official release notice soon.
And lastly, firstly for me, and always, my dear mentor, friend and guide, Michael Melvoin passed away on February 22. We hung just a couple days before, as he was in a bad way physically with cancer, but not mentally or spiritually. I would go visit him and we would spend a bit of time each visit, at the piano. The music helped him leave behind the pain, at least for a few minutes.
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/feb/24/local/la-me-mike-melvoin-20120224
Mike's groove swung so hard. Here he is just a few weeks before:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkQfiGlsVdQ&feature=related
Many stories to be told from the years Mike and I hung and worked together. Stay tuned.
In love and music, he will always be with us.
Thanks for listening!
Love and Light,
Nick
As always, if you would like to be taken off the list for these Updates, send a reply saying bye and it will be done. Peace.
