In Another Country
A German, looking for directions in Paris, pulls up to a bus stop where two Americans are waiting.

"Entschuldigung, sprechen Sie Deutsch?" he asks. The two Americans just stare at him.

"Parlez-vous franais?" he says.

The two continue to stare, so the German tries again "Parlate italiano?"

No response. "Hablan ustedes espaol?" Still nothing. Frustrated, the German guy drives off.

The first American says, "You know, we should learn a foreign language."

"Why?" asks the other. "He knew four languages, and it didn't do him any good."

Music happens not just in the notes, but in the spaces in between.

from left to right, Thomas Mark, Tommy Baldu, Jörg Dudys, Willi Wagner, Florian Sitzmann, Vilko Zanki (studio father), and Michael Koschorrek. The guys are watching a youtube video of Keith Richards arguing with Chuck Berry.


I just wound up 4 days in the studio recording the basic tracks of my new album, LIFELINES. Being in the studio with outrageously talented and creative musicians is definitely one of my most favorite things to do! A big bravo goes out to Florian Sitzmann (keyboards, piano and producer) Michael Koschorrek (guitars) Jörg Dudys ( guitars) Willi Wagner ( bass) and Tommy Baldu ( drums and all things percussive). And of course, Thomas Mark, the Obi-Wan of the sound board.
For those of you who don't know, I'm recording an album of mostly songs that I recorded over 20 years ago! Songs from the first 3 albums, C.A.E., Oh, Cae, and The Circle of Love. I'm talking about the 80's here! And the sounds on those old albums are the perfect snapshot of what was "in" at that time. Madonna, Michael Jackson, .... you know! Those 3 first albums were all produced by Dieter Falk and needless to say, he did an excellent job.
But times change.
And it was time to revisit some of those songs again and help them to move into the 21st century. I then polled you folks who read this blog and/or are friends with me on Facebook and the top 8 songs of YOUR voting are the songs we are recording. In addition, Florian and I have written 3 new songs because honestly, we just can't help ourselves! :))
These last few days have been a trip down memory lane remembering the recording techniques of 20 years ago. Reel to reel tape machines, people! And if you make a mistake, the sound engineer had to cut that out with a knife. I am not kidding!
Things are much more relaxed now in a recording studio. Mistakes don't require knives to fix them. There's more space for experimenting and relaxing with each take.
Our motto for this studio session: Less is more. There is a certain maturity in a band that has been playing and recording for a long long time. They know that music happens not just in the notes, but also in the spaces in between. The word that has been used often in the last few days to describe the arrangements and style of this album has been "ausgeschlafen", which means well-rested. Even though we were definitely NOT well-rested, the music sounds like it. I LOVE it!
There's no panic, no chaos. Just well-loved songs and texts getting the attention they deserve.
I hope you like the results....

Teen Binge-Drinking

Last night while I was making Lifelines I watched a documentary on TV about teen alcohol abuse. It's one thing to see images of 20-somethings wasted on alcohol, but quite another to see precious young 13 and 14-year olds binge- drinking with their only goal to get spewing drunk!

Am I so old-fashioned that I just don't get it? Where is the temptation in trying to reach the point that you: can't stand up, don't know who you are or where you are, have vomited and pissed (or worse) all over yourself, and are incapable of defending yourself if you needed to?
The documentary camera team followed ambulances on a typical weekend as they collected HUNDREDS of teens who were passed out and injured or involved in road accidents because of a voluntary action on their part.

I don't get it!
Don't get me wrong. I drink alcohol. Usually in the winter when our heating isn't working. Aside from that, I just don't seem to need it to find life fascinating and entertaining.
Do I sound holier-than-thou?
Now let's get practical. Who's paying for all of those ambulance trips to pick up these kids? They certainly aren't! I am. And you are!
I have an idea: I think that everytime somebody has to be picked up by an ambulance because they haven't controlled their drinking, they should be fined. Maybe 100 euros per trip. That's not a lot, but for a teen it's not a little. I wonder if it might make someone reconsider taking that "one more drink" that puts them over the edge.
And I think that if they have to be picked up twice, they must attend mandatory alcohol abuse prevention classes. How will those classes be paid for? With the fines that they have paid!
What do you think?