tag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:/blogs/latest-newsLatest News2018-11-24T13:19:17-05:00Monterisi Music Stovefalsetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/55255122018-11-23T17:34:02-05:002023-12-10T12:06:24-05:00GRATITUDE: SUPER SUMMER 2018<p><span class="font_large">Pausing now at this Weekend of Thankfulness to look back on the massively musical summer of 2018. Unprecedented in terms of gigs played, geography covered and variety of venues. This summer brought many sweet musical moments with the Maine bands, including The Live Edge Fest, The Dylan Project shows at Skidompha, and some wonderful waterside venues like Coveside, The Contented Sole and Schooner Landing. Jane's Great Dane played three dates on the West Coast, including two with the awesome Dan Bern, and its own high voltage moment at Whiskey A Go Go.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Another exciting event was recording at Panoramic Studios up the coast from San Francisco, on a hill above Stinson Beach. We did some fine work and had a blast.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Feeling lots of gratitude and camaraderie with my band mates, all of whom made the music fun and creative.</span></p>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/53722702018-08-02T15:11:31-04:002023-12-10T12:06:24-05:00Jane's Great Dane / West Coast Dates<p>Dear music fans: </p>
<p>Next Tuesday, August 7, 2018 Jane's Great Dane will be performing at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley, California (2020 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA) backing up the great troubadour Dan Bern. Quoting the Washington Post: "Dan Bern strums drop-dead gorgeous melodies like a demon with his tail on fire; and expresses his love for humankind through scabrous, literary, skeptical rhymes full of hyper articulation and the tormented self-knowledge of the really, really smart." Come be blown away by Dan's awesome music, as so many others have. Check him out at: www.DanBern.com. </p>
<p>The next night, Wednesday, August 8, 2018, we will perform at the legendary Whisky A Go Go on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles (8901 West Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood). We are super excited: as long as there has been a Los Angeles rock scene, there has been the Whisky A Go-Go, which has played host to some of rock 'n' roll's most important bands including the Doors, Janis Joplin, Van Halen and Led Zeppelin. I mean COME ON, GET REAL! Please note that our set is a 30 minute set starting at 7 p.m. Please be prompt, as we only have that limited time... </p>
<p>Then, on Thursday, August 9, 2018, we will be backing up Dan Bern again at the Bootleg Theatre (2220 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles). You don't always get second chances in this life. But to see Jane's Great Dane backing up Dan Bern - you get a second chance! Dan is prolific and awesome to the core, with 25 albums and a phenomenal musical range exceeded by very few. Here are links to a few of his bazillion songs, which should keep you exploring his music for years: </p>
<p>Alaska Highway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip4zC5uur3g; </p>
<p>Tiger Woods: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z14Wy5HRHv0; </p>
<p>Workingman's Reward: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb9Q6L9YoRM; </p>
<p>Lithuania: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVwV3IM3HHk. </p>
<p>If you are in California, please come see us at one of these great venues. Also, our new album, "Jane's Great Dane: Live from the Bitter End" is now up on Spotify. Give us a listen: https://open.spotify.com/track/2o9PhELcqGlw2DPy8ozfMN?si=cr-hD_DJSNqxLQOl7ugvNQ </p>
<p>We love you! </p>
<p>Yours in Music, </p>
<p>-Jonathan Plaut (vocals, guitar) </p>
<p>-Steve Ferrara (vocals, guitar) </p>
<p>-John Monterisi (vocals, guitar) </p>
<p>-Jeff Garmel (saxophone) </p>
<p>-John Cajolet (bass) </p>
<p>-Marcos (blues harp) </p>
<p>-Lou Serio (drums) </p>
<p>www.JanesGreatDane.com</p>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/46841072017-04-25T09:56:57-04:002021-08-14T02:32:19-04:00Swinging at Sunset Now On Sale<span class="font_large">The new A Team Band CD, Swinging at Sunset, is now on sale at the Store page of this site. It sounds good, looks good and will provide many hours of happiness (if not enlightenment) !<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/20bec8372246b472c06fcbe55d729601332efee8/medium/4pan1t.jpg?1493128572" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/46604052017-04-06T09:12:55-04:002022-05-30T05:12:14-04:00Swinging at Sunset <span class="font_large">The new A Team Band CD is <em>Swinging at Sunset</em> and it is almost ready for prime time. The music itself is "in the can," all mixed and mastered by Ducky Carlisle. The artwork and copy is getting a final look-over. Then, just replication needs to be done. Very exciting! Here is the inside panel and CD design:</span><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/a619d98bd928af4cfdb39c5a349e4b2ba9c7efc8/medium/img-5046.jpg?1491484301" class="size_m justify_center border_" />Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/46151502017-03-03T11:36:09-05:002022-05-29T07:16:00-04:00photo by Steve Edson<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/85e8a7e66617c361cb9c41d482f3d25232c1db96/original/john-monterisi.jpg?1488558880" class="size_l justify_center border_" /> .... for the inner panel of the new A Team Band CD, <em>Swinging at Sunset</em>.Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/46000412017-02-21T10:25:12-05:002021-08-20T05:45:02-04:00Jane's Great Dane / Reason to Leave<span class="font_large">Jane's Great Dane, fresh from a recent gig at Thunder Road in Somerville, has released a follow-up to its first recording, <em>Ramon</em>. The new tune is Jon Plaut's <em>Reason to Leave, </em>engineered lovingly by Steve Ferrara, who also provided drums and keys. Mark contributed mando, I played some guitar, and The Jeffs supplied horns. Jon sings lead, and Steve and I contributed background vox. <br><br>Jon created a JGD promo video from clips he filmed in the last two years, with <em>Reason to Leave</em> as soundtrack. It's fun and good music. Please check it out on my Jane's Great Dane page, or here: </span>
<p><a contents="&nbsp;https://youtu.be/648MzmhR8L0" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/648MzmhR8L0"> https://youtu.be/648MzmhR8L0</a></p>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/45397502017-01-06T10:31:35-05:002021-12-31T00:37:27-05:003 new A Team tunes benefit Health Access Sumbawa<span class="font_large">All proceeds from the sale of downloads for the three newest tunes by The A Team Band --- <em>One or Two, I Got the Fear Again, </em>and <em>Good to Be Queen --- </em>will benefit Health Access Sumbawa and my buddy Jack Kennedy's malaria clinic. See </span><a contents="http://www.healthaccesssumbawa.org/home.html" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.healthaccesssumbawa.org/home.html" style="font-size: 1.4em;">http://www.healthaccesssumbawa.org/home.html</a><span style="font-size: 1.4em;"> . I've been to the clinic and seen Jack's terrific work. Please go to the Listen and Watch page to hear and buy the new music. Thank you for your support! </span><br> Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/45171212016-12-19T12:31:06-05:002022-06-01T20:13:28-04:00doing what you love / making money<span class="font_large">I'm a big fan of Derek Sivers, founder and former owner of CD Baby, musician, writer, and generally interesting guy.<br>His latest article is about how to do what you love and fulfilling the need to make money. I don't always agree with Sivers, but I think this article makes a lot of sense for 95% of us, me included.<br><br>Please check it out here: <a contents="https://sivers.org/balance" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sivers.org/balance"><span style="font-size: 12px;">https://sivers.org/balance</span></a></span>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/45052702016-12-10T11:17:50-05:002022-05-23T03:40:44-04:00Three in the can<span style="font-size: 17px;">The A Team band has been busy recording at The Pond, and I now have rough mixes for three tunes, with final mixes scheduled after Christmas. As always, these tunes are stylistically very different --- a fairly uptempo swing blues called <em>Good to Be Queen </em>with Maria Jacqueline on lead vocal, a 70s Philly soul opus (almost 5 minutes long!) called <em>One or Two </em>with David Fuller doing the honors with the mighty Talisker Horns, and<em> </em>finally, a Tom Waitsian paean to paranoia called <em>I Got The Fear Again, </em>featuring<em> </em>a more stripped-down band with my new friend Tom West on piano and accordion (and Ducky on drums).<br>Lots of fun and good music coming, very exciting!</span><br><br> Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/44374102016-10-25T22:24:58-04:002022-08-02T02:35:26-04:00KING RO SESSION<span class="font_large">I can't exactly say how long it's been going, but it's four or five years, anyway. In the small town of Rond Pond, Maine, down aways on the Pemaquid Peninsula, in front of the King Ro Market (the only grocery/beer/supply store), a musical scene has developed. First, it was just a few guys getting together on Monday evenings to toss around some bluegrass tunes. Then a local musician named Steve Bixby (Katadhin Valley Boys) took the lead to bring in a few ringers on banjo and fiddle and --- presto!--- the King Ro Session began to swell in numbers. Folks came out with a pizza from the Market and some beers or soda and sat in their beach chairs or a blanket. Some sat in their cars, like an old time drive-in. Maybe 15 or more musicians picked bluegrass tunes in a circle, and took turns with tune choices and solos. <br><br>This year the crowds reached 60 or 70 during prime summer. Steve still comes down sometimes, but the music and players are more diverse. Mark Jespersen plays Dylan. Roger Selverstone is a pretty consistent participant, and calls for Steve Earle or <em>Mr. Spaceman. </em>Alan will call <em>Will The Circle Be Unbroken </em>and so on around the circle for two hours, from 5 until 7 pm. It is interesting that new players show up every week. In fact, we've seen some real hotshots from Virginia, Texas and Nashville pros show up and sit in. Sometimes BJ and his wife Lori, owners of King Ro, will come out, and BJ will sit in. In the winter, the session continues indoors, inside the Market.<br><br>The scene is a bit like Norman Rockwell. A relaxed, completely unpretentious time of family fun and pretty good music. The first time I saw it, I got a bit choked up. This is small-town America in a good moment: sunlight waning, kids and dogs and snacks spread out on the lawn, and a homemade, random band of new friends chugging through <em>Mountain Dew </em>with gusto. I don't think it gets better. <br><br>Here is an early video from 2012. Steve Bixby, on bass fiddle, leads the band through my original<br>tune, <em>Playing Bluegrass Music at King Ro</em>:<br><br><em> <iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="JprW7tmnmM4" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/JprW7tmnmM4/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JprW7tmnmM4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></em></span><br><br> <p> </p><br> Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/43664712016-09-10T20:40:41-04:002021-05-23T23:20:43-04:00 John Ianelli, gone too soon<span class="font_large">This week I lost a new friend, a perfect bandmate, and one super-talented musician. <strong>John W. Ianelli</strong> from Lincolnville, Maine was a member of our band <strong>32 North</strong>. When he didn't show up for Friday's band meeting, we knew something was terribly wrong. We learned that John died suddenly from a stroke earlier in the week. Frank, Roger, Gary and I are still reeling from the news and the deep sense of loss it brings. <br><br>John was a fabulous dobro player, and a master of those "rolls" aficionados of the instrument love to hear. Our set included several old-timey instrumental tunes that we all looked forward to, and an original composition named <em>LT </em>in honor of his girlfriend Lisa. John was tall, lanky and very soft-spoken. He had one of the best smiles I've ever seen. A wicked talented musician and a wonderful human being. <br><br>Here's John fronting <em>Panhandle Rag </em>last weekend: <a contents="https://youtu.be/fLNrhR_6I0I" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/fLNrhR_6I0I"><span style="font-size: 12px;">https://youtu.be/fLNrhR_6I0I</span></a></span><br><br><br><span class="font_large">Rest in peace, John. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/711e5e5f6800890212c79fb0bf51da1eaa4d5c79/medium/img-5848.jpg?1473554224" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span><br> Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/43433462016-08-26T12:39:45-04:002017-01-16T11:01:29-05:00Getting the Sound Right<span class="font_large">One of the greatest challenges that faces any band is finding the proper sound equipment/set-up to get the music across sounding good. Our "rhythm and bluegrass" project, <strong>32 North,</strong> is experimenting with playing acoustic instruments (except for an electric bass) and using only a few strategically placed microphones to get the job done. The set-up requires players and singers to move around the mics when they are soloing or singing. This is old-style bluegrass stage craft, and you can see it executed with élan watching Jerry Douglas's Earls of Leicester on tour this summer. <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/d14720c4fb35ef625aee1dfc3404f53ae27763fb/medium/img-3540.jpg?1472229391" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><br><br>We played this way at The Contented Sole last gig. With five players and singers we were not entirely satisfied that everyone was properly heard. So maybe three mics with two dedicated to ambient sound? A work in progress...<br> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/ef37eaafa572fb800697610c640b9343f8b8874c/medium/img-3654.jpg?1472229549" class="size_m justify_right border_" /></span>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/42726882016-07-11T09:01:16-04:002016-07-11T09:01:16-04:00SUMMER IN NEW GigLAND<span class="font_large">I am on a music marathon this summer.<br>I just counted 30 gigs in my calendar from June through mid-September. They happen in three New England states, with three different bands---- in bars, clubs, concert venues, rock the block events and farmers' markets. One gig in June was played at a bean hole supper, where they bury a cauldron of bean casserole with burning embers to bake overnight. Many gigs are at the venerable Maine institution The Lobsta Bake. Two days a week the Hinges are entertainment for 40-75 tourists seeing New England and Nova Scotia by boat. They kick their trip off with a lobsta feed done old-fashioned style under a tent at Sharpe's Wharf in Rockland, Maine. My pay for that gig is $60. or more for an hour and a half. Most gigs pay less. Some pay a bit more. The best gigs include food from the venue --- pizza, baked fish tacos, a killer mushroom swiss burger from the St. George's River Cafe in Warren. The farmer's markets give us fresh produce and other products (see post below). We're also doing a few free gigs, for The Jefferson Historical Society or the like.<br>The down side of this punishing gig schedule is a bunch of driving and less down time at the lake. The upside is that I'm seeing more of mid-coast than I ever have, I'm hanging with some great kindred spirits and I'm learning a ton of Americana and even country music. <br>Have guitar, will travel!</span>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/42161482016-06-06T17:18:53-04:002022-08-10T03:49:08-04:00Farmers' Markets as a venue<span class="font_large">I was pretty skeptical about playing acoustic at a farmers' market, but I have to say it has a lot to recommend it. Note that this is not the biggest paying or most glamorous gig one could play, but it's easy, fun and interactive. People listen and sometimes take your card for future reference. And there <em>is</em> compensation.<br>While each of the five or so markets I've played in the last year across midcoast Maine has its own rules and terms, the general experience is fairly straightforward. The band or group gets a small tent or overhang (or if you're lucky, an old cider press --- tres cool), puts out a tip jar, and plays for a few hours while the market is in swing. In most cases we play acoustic, although Rockland, for example, wants electric. The vibe is absolutely great --- fresh air, lots of different people, kids and the vendors themselves. You may make $10. per person in the tip jar, but there are other benes. At one of the markets we get a fresh, hot pizza, or a blueberry lavender tea. And all of them pay us with a large bag or basket of produce, cheeses, soaps, candles, breads and baked goods, lots of good stuff worth a good deal of money (maybe $20-$25 per person retail). And you're done by 1 pm latest. A pretty sweet way to spend a morning...<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/2bc27ae9836b60c4ba70a5fac7b965f953666b7c/medium/img-1187.jpg?1465247906" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/41702892016-05-07T18:03:22-04:002017-01-16T11:01:29-05:00Music Against Malaria<span class="font_large">Recently I traveled to Sumbawa, Indonesia, to visit my friend Jack Kennedy and the clinic constructed there by Health Access Sumbawa <a contents="www.healthaccesssumbawa.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.healthaccesssumbawa.com">www.healthaccesssumbawa.com</a> <br>I am very excited about this project and the work HAS is doing to eradicate malaria from three isolated towns on the island. In order to help, I am donating part of my music earnings from this coming summer/fall to HAS. Also, all the proceeds from the sale of <em>Fingersnap of Time </em>on the "Listen & Watch" page are being donated. So far, we are over $200.<br>Please check out the HAS web site and consider a donation to this very worthy cause, either through buying an mp3 on this page or through the HAS web site. Thanks and bows to everyone who has already participated!</span>
<div class="captioned justify_center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/5e31c237a550ac75b4cf237a153921d882a2c289/small/img-2861.jpg?1462658546" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><p class="caption">The clinic, unfurnished</p></div>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/40645972016-02-28T16:07:38-05:002017-01-16T11:01:29-05:00JGD at THE MIDDLE EAST 2/12/16<span class="font_large">Over 100 paying fans saw Jane's Great Dane play the band's best set to date at The Middle East in Cambridge, MA on February 12. High points were a polished version of Jon's haunting <em>Reason to Leave</em>, Steve and John covering David Bowie's <em>Starman, </em>a perfect <em>Ramon</em>, and Maria and Carl performing Orbison's <em>Crying</em>.</span>
<div class="captioned justify_center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/efcd7cf8496da1e800d9d45103f0860bb7d974c8/medium/img-2767.jpg?0" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><p class="caption">photo by Steve Edson</p></div>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/40646362016-02-28T16:06:22-05:002017-01-16T11:01:29-05:00The Cracker Box, Fort Myers, FL<span class="font_large">Yes, it is the oldest restaurant in the area; yes, it is full of "crackers" and yes, this is the Real Deal when it comes to country western and Old Florida Ambience. When someone from the band yells "Yo," everyone takes a pull from their beer. In mid-February I sat in for a few nights with The Cracker Box Band and also Bobby D. and it was a blast. Learned a bunch of tunes, too.</span>
<div class="captioned justify_center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/f26e4936296ee24cd16180877525c5f7be19b41c/medium/img-2682.jpg?0" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><p class="caption">Jody, about to kick off 'Satin Sheets'</p></div>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/40531062016-02-21T20:48:57-05:002016-02-24T18:19:43-05:00RAMON Released!<span class="font_large">Jane's Great Dane has finished and mixed its first studio recording, a Monterisi composition titled <strong><em>Ramon</em></strong>. This tune features Maria J. Hauser on lead vocals, and also includes wonderful musical contributions by the band: Jeff Cox (trumpet), Jeff Garmel (sax), Steve Ferrara (guitar+vox), Seth Pappas (drums+percussion), Jon Plaut (vox), Carl Hauser (bass+vox), and John Monterisi (guitar+vox).<br><br>You can hear the tune here, and buy a download for a buck on the "Watch & Listen" page.</span>3:10Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/40202532016-02-02T08:45:36-05:002017-01-16T11:01:29-05:00JANE'S GREAT DANE PREMIER AT THE MIDDLE EAST<span style="font-size: 17px;">Jane's Great Dane will play its first gig upstairs at The Middle East on <strong>Friday, February 12 at 8 PM</strong>. A cool, crisp set with some new originals and fan-friendly covers. This should be a lot of fun. Hoping to see some friends.<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/f50fdb9a4760bca567e0e024a6c119a472bbc307/small/poster-for-show.jpg?1454020506" class="size_s justify_center border_" /></span>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/39718732016-01-04T15:22:12-05:002016-01-04T17:33:14-05:00Anthony Doerr reviews Fingersnap!<span class="font_large"> Today in my e-mail in-box I found the following note from The Pulitzer-Prize winning, <em>NY Times-</em>top ten selling, National Book Award Finalist, Anthony Doerr. He is author of the amazing novel <em>All the Light We Cannot See.</em> It was an NPR interview with Mr. Doerr that inspired my latest tune, <em>Fingersnap of Time.</em></span>
<p>Dear John Monterisi, <br> <br>Thank you for the CD and the kind letter. I listened to your song just now with my whole family and we were all grooving—love the mood, the refrain, the solos, and especially the vocals. A lovely piece of work. <br> <br>Just as <em>All the Light We Cannot See</em> was inspired by so many different books, songs, and films, I’m so touched and gratified that my novel, in its small way, might have inspired more art-making in the world. <br> <br>Wishing you every happiness in the new year, <br> <br>Anthony Doerr</p> <span class="font_large">Naturally, I am happy to hear from The Man Himself, and thrilled to know he's digging the tune!</span>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/39693892016-01-02T22:44:53-05:002016-01-04T15:10:57-05:00The Worst Pop Song Ever Recorded <span class="font_large">Okay, let's restrict this to pop songs that made it onto the radio. Otherwise, there's just too much bad music out there. I've been thinking about the question for awhile. And I know there are many contenders we can agree on, even if this realm is a pretty subjective one. <br> Most of ABBA and Michael Bolton's catalogs are hard for me to listen to. My buddy JDP can't stand Starship's <em>We Built This City on Rock and Roll, </em>and "Amen" to that. The Bellamy Brothers <em>Let Your Love Flow </em>is pretty putrid, as is Debbie Boone's <em>You Light Up My Life. </em>And anything from Anne Murray. We could go on. <br> My friend Steve used to call up band-mates and sing a few lines of <em>Hitchin' a Ride </em>before hanging up with a smirk, knowing that whoever answered the phone would be walking around with that stupid song stuck in his head at least part of the day.<br> Well, here's my vote. I have always hated <strong><em>Seasons in the Sun, </em>the Terry Jacks tune</strong>. I had almost forgotten how bad it sounds. Today, I was in an "urban ware" shop in Waltham when this tune came out of a boom box. I had to run away in horror.<br> Later I did some research and learned a few interesting things. One is that Rod McKuen co-wrote the English-language version of this Belgian tune. That alone could explain my animus. The other thing is that the original French-language version is a sardonic ballad about a man saying goodby to his adulterous wife, her lover, and a priest he has argued with. He's sarcastically saying they should sing and dance when he goes (Cf. </span><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span class="font_large"><a contents="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasons_in_the_Sun" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasons_in_the_Sun">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasons_in_the_Sun</a> ).<br>That's pretty cool, but it's not part of the insipid Terry Jacks version.<br> I can't even post it here. It's that miserable.</span><br> </span>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/39658232015-12-18T19:17:25-05:002015-12-18T19:18:36-05:00Jane's Great Dane Records<span class="font_large">For the first time ever, <strong>Jane's Great Dane</strong> is heading into the studio to record a tune. On January 9 we're planning on recording <em>Ramon, </em>an original tune Hipsocket occasionally played live. Maria will do the honors on vocals. </span>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/39452532015-12-02T09:49:22-05:002016-10-25T21:36:34-04:00FINGERSNAP OF TIME Release<span class="font_large">I am delighted to offer <strong>The A Team Band'</strong>s newest tune, <em><strong>Fingersnap of Time</strong>, </em>featuring Maria Jacqueline Hauser.<br>Please give a listen here or at the Watch and Listen! page and <strong>please purchase a download of this tune at the Watch and Listen! page</strong> to support our newest charity partner, Health Access for Sumbawa. This fine organization, led by my friend Jack Kennedy, is delivering health services and malaria prevention measures to Sumbawa island in Indonesia. See </span><a contents="http://www.healthaccesssumbawa.org." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.healthaccesssumbawa.org">http://www.healthaccesssumbawa.org. </a><br><br><span class="font_large">Enjoy the tune, leave comments, and thank you!</span>4:56Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/39355052015-11-25T16:37:45-05:002015-11-25T16:39:49-05:00The A Team Band records<span class="font_large">Last weekend, November 21-22, the <strong>A Team Band</strong> returned to its studio home, "The Pond," to record its most recent track, its first this year. We recorded <em><strong>Fingersnap of Time</strong></em>, a tune I wrote this summer inspired by an interview I heard with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Anthony Doerr (<em>All the Light We Cannot See). </em>The band had a lot of fun hanging out and recording. One of the great pleasures for me was my first experience with a new vocalist; Maria Hauser from <strong>Jane's Great Dane</strong> did the honors.<br>The rest of the band: Peter Parcek ( electric guitar & ebow), Marc Hickox (bass), David Sparr (keys); John McGovern (trumpet/solo), Jeff Garmel (tenor sax), Scott Shreve (drums) and me (acoustic guitar). Of course, our Fearless Leader, Ducky, acted as camp counselor for the weekend. <br><br>Hard to describe this tune. A bit of pop ballad, a bit of Nora Jones, a bit of jazz.<br><br>I'm really happy with the results and my rough mix is about 95% finished. I will post and sell here in short order.</span><br><br><span class="font_regular"> </span>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/39221462015-11-10T09:33:59-05:002017-01-16T11:01:29-05:00 CLUB PASSIM 11/8/15<span class="font_large">Wow, that was fun! Jane's Great Dane had its best gig to date this past Sunday at <strong>Club Passim</strong> in Cambridge. This is one of the most venerable stages in New England, where Dylan, Muddy Waters, Tom Waits, Joan Baez, Tracy Chapman and others have performed. JGD played a set of roughly 20 tunes to a virtually full house, with sparkling originals and interesting treatments of covers. Special moments were Maria's work on my own <em>Ramon</em> and <em>Tracks of My Tears</em>, Steve's "really Rod" take on <em>Reason to Believe, </em>and Jon's tunes. We have been invited to return, so more on that soon.<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/724d6c346e17c4778997177efe06b06bb61b0a94/medium/img-2301.jpg?1447165901" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/39033832015-10-20T11:21:44-04:002017-01-16T11:01:29-05:00Gigging in a snow squall<span class="font_large">Incredible, but true! Jane's Great Dane played the fancy <strong>Newton Harvest Fair</strong> on October 18, and for a few tunes, it was actually snowing on the band. It was too cold to play lead, and my Strat required tuning after every song. Still, a very spirited effort and a few wonderful moments, including Maria's rendition of Roy Orbison's <em>Crying, </em>and my new fave, Tom Waits' <em>Way Down in the Hole.</em></span>
<div class="captioned justify_center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/1bd951a82dd94e7b77ed132b65bacf2b0d8b6e90/medium/img-2283.jpg?1445354396" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><p class="caption">Jane's Great Dane, and local painter inspired by the music</p></div>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/38811152015-10-03T11:23:02-04:002017-01-16T11:01:29-05:0032 North at Little Brown Church<span style="font-size: 17px;">On September 26, our mid-coast Maine band <strong>32 North </strong>played the historic Little Brown Church in Round Pond. The band is Gary McCue on guitar and vox, John Ianelli on dobro deluxe, Roger Selverstone on mando, Chuck McGregor on upright and electric bass, and me on guitar and vox. There was a lively crowd and some great music, including some of Gary's originals. Here is a youtube link to our performance of the Seldom Scene tune, <em>Wait a Minute: </em></span><a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fljNxd8IKPI&amp;feature=youtu.be" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fljNxd8IKPI&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fljNxd8IKPI&feature=youtu.be</a><span style="font-size: 17px;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/e241ec712efb8b6264c917d23fc984b9d5a0d6be/medium/img-2216.jpg?1443885706" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/2229a77d9fee8ab0f32e75d77c742bca878ca68f/medium/img-2211.jpg?1443885617" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/38520012015-09-12T11:24:48-04:002017-01-16T11:01:29-05:00Summer Music Midcoast Maine<span class="font_large">Summer goes by so quickly! We shared many fine musical moments in Maine this summer, and my thanks to all the good friends and new acquaintances who came out to play. Some of these outings include <strong>Music Under the Moose</strong> in Friendship hosted by Bill Case; </span>
<div class="captioned justify_center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/6dd44f5df76171a2a2a639307f53284f73614f03/small/img-1860.jpg?1442071049" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><p class="caption">sign outside the community center</p></div><br><span class="font_large">the Waldoboro Cider Hill Farmer's Market; the Lobster Bake with Nan Jones and her crew in Rockland; the great small-town America experience of the <strong>King Ro session</strong> in Round Pond (all year on Monday evenings); and outside at The Bistro in Waldoboro with Gary and Charles. <br><br>A special shout-out to brother Charles Chiarchiaro for hosting the <strong>Pontooners</strong>, a boat band of five special musicians who play acoustic music on Lake Damariscotta, stopping at different ports or docks to entertain the masses. Fueled with drink and good camaraderie, this floating flock of players created some buzz and press coverage..<br> </span>
<div class="captioned justify_center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/1abdd3dc369b2fcc4a78eaab142a1deb63d04860/medium/img-1936.jpg?1442071374" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><p class="caption">The Pontooners</p></div>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/37855992015-07-21T10:52:36-04:002017-01-16T11:01:29-05:00Hipsocket Rides Again!<span class="font_large">Our seven-piece soul band <strong>Hipsocket </strong>recently celebrated 20 years of high-quality, good time music. At this point the band is mostly inactive as everyone follows his or her own projects, but we reunited for two wonderful private gigs this month. First, on July 1, Hipstahs played a corporate gig at the NE Aquarium for Iconics Corp. This constellation of the band featured David Fuller on drums and singing lead with Debra. Then on July 18, we played for the Eastern Yacht Club in Marblehead with a line-up that saw Scott Shreve's return to the drum kit, while I assisted Debra with some lead vocals and the Marvin/Tammi duets. <br><br>In both cases, we were all very happy with our work, the great vibe and ease with which we delivered the tunes. The second gig produced stellar versions of <em>Bruised But Not Broken </em>(included below) and <em>Shaky Ground</em>. Highlights from the first gig were <em>Let's Stay Together</em> and <em>Strong Mojo</em>.</span>
<div class="captioned justify_center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/40c60d1d11f06c2ca9ced4d97a61f62009d14a5c/medium/img-1597.jpg?1437490915" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><p class="caption">Under the tent at Eastern Yacht Club</p></div>4:24Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/37662892015-07-05T15:16:14-04:002017-01-16T11:01:29-05:00 The Bixby Annual Pickinic<span style="font-size: 17px;">This one of my favorite Fourth of July traditions. Steve and Robin Bixby have been hosting bluegrass pickers (especially the tribe known as Manic Mountain) at their spread in Round Pond, Maine for about 15 years. Pot luck, drinks to wet your whistle and some amazing bluegrass picking that goes on all day and most of the night.</span><br><span style="font-size: 17px;">This weekend folks gathered on Friday afternoon and got the good vibes and energy flowing. Here is snap I took while the tent was cranking. So much fun! I think blue grass people are the friendliest people on the planet.<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/aa3e65ebd9e0ab41ce33ca2d2467ecedcf38c5fd/medium/img-1812.jpg?1436123742" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></span>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/37578322015-06-28T14:39:25-04:002015-06-28T14:47:43-04:00Recording in Maine <span class="font_large">Several of us guys are doing a small recording project up in mid-coast Maine, and I'm getting excited about it. Originally the brainchild of Gary McCue (guitar and vox), Roger Selverstone (mando and vox) and me, we have drafted the very talented John Ianelli (dobro) and Manic Mountain's own Paul "Wolfie" Wolf (washboard/ percussion). The tune is Gary's composition <em>Tell Me That You Love Me </em>which has some nice uptempo cajun flavor. We are working on arrangement and parts and hope to begin recording over 4th of July holiday.<br><br> With all the good musical talent around mid-coast Maine, I'm happy to be involved in an effort to polish and record some of it. More on this soon!</span><br> Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/37414002015-06-14T18:01:40-04:002017-01-16T11:01:28-05:00"Who Was That Masked Man?"<span style="font-size: 17px;">It was Sanford, who played the last Blackstrap gig dressed as the Lone Ranger, complete with gun, holster and the whole nine yards. No one was terribly shocked, as you can tell from Jeff Cox in the background. Always an interesting night with Jane's Great Dane.</span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/b0e523a53c50adf845d651d3732a2d95142b7416/medium/img-1743.jpg?1434319000" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/37163062015-05-26T16:55:42-04:002017-01-16T11:01:28-05:00Fish Ladder Fest, Damariscotta Mills, ME<span class="font_regular"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/ffb1f249fb70e59c0b672146b1321cb02ac5ec9e/original/image1.jpeg?1432673401" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span><br><span class="font_large">Over Memorial Day weekend, the <strong>King Ro Session</strong> players were called upon to close the fest-ivities for the end of the first day. Bill, Chuck, Roger, Sylvia and John are pictured here having a laugh before the set. Chuck II on stand-up bass is barely visible in the background and Charlie is off to the left side and not pictured here. This is part of the crew that plays in front of the King Ro general store in Round Pond Monday nights during the season. Good music, good fellowship, always a good time. A tune from this set appears on the Midcoast Maine Music page.</span>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/37016122015-05-10T14:14:02-04:002017-01-16T11:01:28-05:00Gigging on the Farm<span class="font_large">Enjoyed a good afternoon gig this weekend at Aldermere Farm in beautiful Rockport, Maine. This is the premiere Maine farm for Belted Galloway cows, a very distinctive breed. The event was its annual "Calf Unveiling" Day, which makes one wonder who veiled those calves in the first place. Charlie and I sat in with our friends The Rusty Hinges. My favorite moment was playing Seldom Scene's <em>Wait A Minute </em>with Brian on mando.<br>But the real stars of the day were the cows themselves: </span><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/f4e84080566175b6784a4265006f81d32af73640/medium/img-1676.jpg?1431281614" class="size_m justify_center border_" />Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/36623752015-04-16T20:53:09-04:002015-04-19T16:50:28-04:00Jane's Great Dane Unleashed!<span class="font_large">A rip-roaring good time at <strong>The Hard Rock Cafe</strong> last weekend, with a strong first gig and a draw of three figures. Lots of fine moments, including Eric's rendition of Elton John's <em>Take Me to The Pilot, </em>and taking the crowd to church with <em>Oh, Mary, Don't You Weep. </em>Special guest Paul "Wolfie" Wolf on washboard and percussion has become a part time Great Dane, and we are so pleased about that! <br><br>Here is one of my fave moments. This is Paul Simon's <em>That Was Your Mother </em>from "Graceland." Jon sings lead.</span><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="im5lK7eqF88" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/im5lK7eqF88/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/im5lK7eqF88?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/35283152015-02-13T12:51:35-05:002017-01-16T11:01:28-05:00Jane's Great Dane: the First Gig<span class="font_large"> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/2f7f3ea60dab8a18f580867d316cddaff500ecae/medium/jgd-band-poster-4-2015-hard-rock-gig.jpg?1423849240" class="size_m justify_left border_" /> The "Americana Plus" band of your dreams (and mine) is preparing for its first gig at The Hard Rock on April 11, 2015. So far I can tell you there will be variety, tight harmonies, and toe-tapping, danceable tunes for your enjoyment. Here is a poster for the gig. Please feel free to share, and thanks! </span>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/35181152015-02-09T22:54:10-05:002017-01-16T11:01:28-05:00RECENT GIGS IN FLORIDA / part 2<span style="font-size: 17px;"> Then there were two gigs at The Cracker Box on McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers. I think "Cracker" is used advisedly in this context. But a hoot, for sure. A tradition here is someone in the band yelling "Yo!" followed by everyone in the bar responding in kind and taking a good pull at their beer bottle.<br><br> One of the waitresses could sing quite well, and might decide at any random moment to grab the mic and count off a tune. I had the pleasure of playing guitar with the house band while she belted out Deena Carter's </span><em style="font-size: 17px;">Did I Shave My Legs for This? </em><span class="font_large">It will stay with me for some time...</span>
<div class="captioned justify_center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/ab069a4d2c5ab474043d608b58ebba07be6070f4/medium/img-1453.jpg?1423540372" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><p class="caption">The Cracker Box</p></div>Monterisi Music Stovetag:www.monterisimusic.com,2005:Post/35180972015-02-09T22:38:58-05:002017-01-16T11:01:28-05:00RECENT GIGS IN FLORIDA / part 1<span class="font_large"> My buddy Charlie C. invited me down to the Ft. Myers area a few weeks ago to fish and gig a bit. I sat in on mostly electrified acoustic gigs playing country and pop tunes using my Taylor 614ce. My favorite gig was accompanying Joe Sun and Austin Church at a "Tiki Hut" gig at Jensen's on Captiva. Joe Sun had a 70's country hit with <em>Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You</em>, a tune that Dolly Parton covered. Joe and Austin did a polished set that included <em>That's Alright, Mama </em>and <em>Ring of Fire </em>and other toe-tappers. I was honored to be aboard. Jensen's is a real taste of old Captiva.</span>
<div class="captioned justify_right"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/e22cd2a7a9da88bac9c03becd46f4578add505be/medium/img-1440.jpg?1423538971" class="size_orig justify_right border_" /><p class="caption">Gentle Austin, me and Joe</p></div>
<div class="captioned justify_left"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/161109/38b5d3ac3a5d0be0e7c50959c68e30015c41dec5/medium/img-1436.jpg?1423538985" class="size_orig justify_left border_" /><p class="caption">the Tiki 'stage (see guitar case)</p></div>Monterisi Music Stove