Press release 10/20/00
MUSICAL MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO JOHN LENNON RELEASED
"Thank You for the Music" is the title track on the new EP release by CHRIS. The song pays tribute to the late, great John Lennon and will contain surprises that all Lennon/Beatle fans will enjoy. CHRIS hopes the song will reach out to the new and old generations of Lennon/Beatle fans.
Some John Lennon tributes were done in the form of covers and others written as dedications (i.e. Elton John's "Empty Garden" and Queen's "Life is Real"). CHRIS' takes the approach of summarizing Lennon's life, similar to George Harrison's "All Those Years Ago."
"Thank You for the Music" delves into "deep Lennon trivia" by sampling Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale" (the organ part derived from J.S. Bach's "Air On G"). Beatle historians recall when Lennon bought his psychedelic Rolls in 1967, he had a turntable installed and would play the song repeatedly.
Recorded in studios around the Susquehanna Valley, the production features a Ludwig drumset with pearloid finish, tuned to replicate the classic drum sound of Ringo Starr. The melodic McCartney-like bass line is played on a Rickenbacher bass, filling out the Beatle-ific rhythm section. "I even scooped octaves like Paul," says producer/musician Johnny J Blair, a frequent collaborator with ex-Monkee Davy Jones (whose own legacy owes a debt to The Beatles). Blair's own "sound" has been critically endorsed by Brian Wilson and Euro-pop legend Cliff Richard. His fan-base even includes country/pop sensation LeAnn Rimes.
A Clapton/Harrison-esque lead is cranked out by former David Rose Band guitarist Tim Breon, a session veteran who has worked with Martha Reeves, Neil Sedaka and others. "Small world," notes Blair, "David Rose gigged with Yoko Ono and we get his guitarist jamming on a Lennon tribute."
Adding vocal power to the chorus are gospel recording artists Monette Newsuan (Davy Jones' favourite gospel singer) and Cassie Blair of the Unity Christian Fellowship Gospel Singers.
According to CHRIS, "For almost four decades, John Lennon's music was and still is held in high esteem by many great musicians worldwide, from pop to classical, Especially by his number one fan and early songwriting partner Sir Paul McCartney. John was a 'people's musician.' He always emphasizing 'you' and 'we' in his music, not singing for himself but singing for us! He was a missionary for peace and love and, like many great leaders before him, from Jesus Christ to Martin Luther King, was criticized for his good words."
Producer Blair adds, "Lennon has been cut out as both a dysfunctional rich hippie disconnected from the real world as well as an untouchable proto-Christ, elevated beyond semblance to what he really was. I think of him as neither, and I won't have anything to do with either pole. Veneration of pop stars turns me off. To me, Lennon was an ambitious, talented guy from a single-parent home in a backwater working-class city. He worked his way to the top, earning every dime. He demanded truth and wrote some uplifting songs that made the world a sunnier place. He challenged us from his cultural perch, forcing us rethink attitudes about art, media and religion."
Other songs on the EP include "Angel Eyes," an ode to a friend from Montoursville, PA who lost her life aboard TWA Flight 800. Hungarian spice and a Lennon-style piano flavor "In Cypress Gardens." The lush Euro-soul in "Could It Be Forever?" was well received when the project was premiered at a recent Beatlefest. The spritely "Apple Cider Kisses" (featuring Sarah Keeley of Christian pop group The Frontline Continentals) appeals to both Brit-pop and country audiences. The song was plugged on "Country" KC101.5 FM (Liberty, PA) and CHRIS was profiled on the Saturday Night Dance Party with Joan McKenna. Rough mixes of the EP have circulated in Europe and the US, creating a buzz from other musicians and Beatle associates as well as Beatle fanzines/web-sites worldwide. As one Beatlemaniac exclaimed, "This is a definite must for a serious Beatle completist."
CDs are $8.00 each plus $1.50 U.S./Canada shipping. For overseas orders, please add $2.50 to the CD cost for shipping. Personal checks, money orders, or cashiers' checks only (no cash). Please allow four to eight weeks for delivery. Foreign orders please remit in U.S. dollars and make all checks/money orders out to PICK PRODUCTIONS and send to:
PICK PRODUCTIONS
P.O. Box 152
Cogan Station, PA
17728-0152
U.S.A.
E-mail: pickprod@excite.co.uk
"Thank You For The Music," the upcoming CD-only release by CHRIS pays tribute to the late great John Lennon. This MAXI-SINGLE/EP limited edition release is being produced by Cental Pennsylvania's singer/songwriter/recording artist Johnny J. Blair (former MONKEE Davy Jones' principal music collaborator...who's music has been critically endorsed by Cliff Richard and Brian Wilson of THE BEACH BOYS) and will contain many surprises that all Lennon/Beatle fans will enjoy...reaching out to a new generation of Lennon/Beatle fans as well as the old. The single will be available for the 20th anniversary of Lennon's death, December 8, 2000.
Some John Lennon tributes were done in the form of covers and others written as dedications (i.e., Elton John's "Empty Garden" and Queen's "Life is Real"), but CHRIS' dedication takes a different approach in that the song summarizes Lennon's life...similar to George Harrison's "All Those Years Ago." THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC samples Procol Harem's "Whiter Shade of Pale" (the organ bit clearly defined from J.S. Bach's "Air On G") which was a favourite song of Lennon's. Beatle-History textbooks recall that when Lennon bought his psychadelic Rolls in 1967, he had a turntable installed and would play the song repeatedly. Recorded in numerous recording studios in the Susquehanna Valley, the recording features a Ludwig drumset and Rickenbacker Bass (with a melodic McCartney-like bass line). Guest artists include contemporary Christian GOSPEL/RAPPER recording artist Monette Newsuan (Davy Jones' favourite Gospel recording artist) and Cassie Blair of the Unity Christian Fellowship Gospel Singers...who added vocal strength to the chorus. Even though the single has not been released, it has already received much encouragement and support from Beatle associates and from Beatle fanzines/web-sites worldwide. THIS IS A DEFINITE MUST FOR YOUR BEATLE COLLECTION!!!
So, why John Lennon? According to CHRIS, "For almost four decades, John Lennon's music was and still is held in high esteem by many great musicians worldwide (from pop to classical)...especially by his number one fan and early songwriting partner Sir Paul McCartney. John was the PEOPLE'S MUSICIAN...always emphasizing YOU and WE in his music...not singing for himself but singing for us! He was a missionary for peace and love and (like many great leaders before him...from Jesus Christ to Martin Luther King) was executed for his good actions." He, according to Blair, "has been cut as both a dysfunctional rich hippie disconnected from the real world AND as an untouchable proto-Christ, elevated beyond semblance to what he really was. I think of him as neither, and I won't have anything to do with either pole. Nostalgia goads me and veneration of pop stars turns me off. To me, Lennon was an ambitious, talented guy from a single-parent home in a backwater working-class city. He worked his way to the top, earning every dime. He demanded truth and wrote some uplifting songs that made the world a sunnier place. At one point, he challenged us...from his cultural perch, he challenged us to rethink attitudes about art and religeon. Beyond that, any estimation of his career leads to futile imaginations and a Frankenstinian remake---which Lennon would have despised." THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC is CHRIS' way of honoring and "giving thanks to the man who gave us dreams for a better future!" There's no better way to celebrate the Millenium than by remembering how we got here.
As a bonus, the CD features "Angel Eyes," CHRIS' original tribute to a friend from Montoursville, PA who tragically lost her life aboard TWA FLIGHT 800. Also featured on this disc is "In Cypress Gardens" (a Lennon-like composition, but with a Hungarian touch) "Could It Be Forever?" (plugged at the Lycoming County Beatlefest in January), and "Apple Cider Kisses" (featuring Sarah Keeley from the Christian pop group "THE FRONTLINE CONTINENTALS," best known for their work with Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, etc....which was plugged on "COUNTRY" KC101.5 FM in Liberty, PA in which CHRIS was a "featured" in-studio guest for the SATURDAY NIGHT DANCE PARTY with Joan McKenna last September), plus various mixes.
E-mail: pickprod@excite.com