SIRIUS BRINGING BACK STUDIO 54 MUSIC DAYSThe Again

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THE WEB GOSSIP

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Mick Jagger

MIRACLE MEN --- Mick Jagger's Super Heavy super group’s debut album is almost out and is immediately creating controversy seemingly everywhere … especially with the music geeks. To wit: This response posted over the assertion that the song was just another reggae song: “Since when does another commercial reggae song have 3 different singers from different backgrounds playing individual parts that create its own style, yet keep their backgrounds distinct. Sure, it has the traditional reggae beat and a Reggae singer (Damian Marley), but that's about it. It's got the soul of Joss Stone, the rock of Jagger and Stewart, the celtic-influence with the violin, and the Indian influence of A.R. Rahman. So, it's definitely not just another commercial reggae song.” Touchy … right? Reggae always been a touchy subject: sure, many think Eric Clapton invented it with his terrific song “I Shot The Sheriff” in 1974, but the reality is that it grew up in the Jamaican-region for years; the genre motivated as much by pure music as deep, sociological feelings in the region. The song was written by the father of reggae, Bob Marley; who in his career, he passed away in 1981, distinguished himself for his exemplary music and lyrics; including "No Woman, No Cry," "Redemption Song" and "One Love." Personal note: I was taken to a Bob Marley concert by August Darnell (Kid Creole & The Coconuts) in the 80's at Madison Square Garden and I was transfixed .. for the entire show! In fact, now that I think about it, I haven't seen anything like it since! It was, off the charts. Now, back to Jagger-gate: I think that if we can give anyone a well-due pass here, it's Mick. In his legendary and storied career, he's actually always embraced reggae music and world music in general. If it wasn't for personalities like him, and Clapton, reggae may have stayed a deep, dark secret. Groups and artists like Jimmy Cliff, Burning Spear and Toots and the Maytals were only found and later-revered because of the actions by Mick and Eric. Now that I think of it, the late-great club My Father's Place in Roslyn, Long Island had a weekly reggae night that featured the best of the genre; and, even had Mick and Keith Richards as frequent guests (and, btw: what ever happened to that great book on that revered club that came out almost a year ago? Still would love to see it Eppy and Steve!). Super Heavy's track "Miracle Worker" is one awesome track; although it perhaps would have been better if it came out at the beginning of summer rather than the last two weeks, as the groove and energy is simply transcendent. Truth be told, it's really not all that different than from what a Stones-reggae track might sound like. I will admit right out, Joss Stone's voice melded with Jagger's is pure gold. My God, what a voice she has ... I'm actually surprised she's not a bigger-name ... but, after this, she will be! Damian Maley's reggae bursts and chants are certifiably authentic and Dave Stewart .... is well, Dave Stewart. The accompanying video strangely reminds me of 1981's "Waiting On A Friend," by the Stones; and, there's a touch of "Slumdog Millionaire" thrown in for good measure too. Simple, direct and, oh so much fun, it sorts of continues my recent musings on how we seem to have returned to some fun and rather interesting videos. It's about time I'd say. There's been a lot of discussion whether this group was whipped up by Mick to offset the terrible barbs Keith put in his recent book on him ... sort of 'Keith ... look what we could be doing!' Dunno ... but if the album is as much fun as this song and video ( I mean, Mick in a pink suit and essaying a shaman-doctor called Dr. Trik!) ... I can't wait for it next month!

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Sir Paul McCartney

DISCO BISCUITS --- Don't know whether you caught this in the storied pages of the New York Times last week, but it appears that our satellite-friends at Sirius/XM Radio today are launching a four-on-the-floor channel called Studio 54; a round-the-clock broadcast of dance and disco hits, rare remixed and deeps cuts (???), many from the collections of key DJs at the time and all overseen by the channel's executive producer John 'Jellybean' Benitez. To be honest with you, I was heavily involved in the whole scene back then; working with DJs, like Jim Burgess, Richie Kaczor, Freddie Bastone, John Luongo, Larry Levan, Mark Berry, Shep Pettibone … and, to a certain extent, even Benitez, who played at one of the reigning clubs back then called The Funhouse on West 26th street here in NYC. Interestingly enough, the whole PR-campaign (certainly a new concept to DJs back then) was engineered by David Salidor … who's still doing the whole PR-thing today. Back then, no DJ had a press agent, let alone most of the clubs, but his star took off and soon was mixing records by Paul Simon and Paul McCartney. Benitez ended up as a paramour of Madonna; mixing and producing several of her records; ran his own high-financed record company and production company; amassed a huge publishing company; got married; had two kids and then sort of went under the radar. Now, I still love to listen to records from this era, but was there really an outcry for a whole station? As I remember it, disco was a celebration of the times and the fact that everyone could be famous for 15 minutes ... especially when they entered a club like Studio 54. These days, Nirvana would seem to be more the order of the day ... at least musically. Says Benitez, "None of these songs have music videos, or very few of them so as soon as you hear the song, it really triggers an emotion rather than a visual. You could be in high school, college, you could be dancing on a speaker in a nightclub. It touches people in a way that current music doesn't." Point taken, but with things like The Tea Party and Michelle O'Bachman in the air ... I don't know if this was the best time to do something like this. Me? I'll listen ... but, I'd give this thing maybe 3, 4 months!

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Micky Dolenz

HERE THEY COME --- Assembled in Los Angeles in 1966, The Monkees Emmy Award-winning television show spotlighted the group (featuring Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith, Peter Tork & Micky Dolenz) as the tried to make it big in the music world. The show helped promote the band's albums and singles, helping to bring songs such as "I'm A Believer", "Last Train To Clarksville", "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" and others to the upper reaches of the chart. Season 1 features the first 32 episodes on 6 discs. Season 2 features the final 25 episodes on 5 discs. Interestingly enough, the first round of DVD issues were via Rhino, this set is via Eagle Rock. They're also working with Amazon.com to put the titles up for pre-order, where the customer can lock in copies at a discount (list price, as previously reported, is $69.98 per season). The studio additionally has confirmed the street date of September 27th. We believe that the second set will include the 1969 reunion telefilm "33⅓ Revolutions Per Monkee," but we haven't confirmed that with the studio so far. We're also aware that the box art and studio description mention "25" episodes for the second season, when it seems "26" should be in order (all 26 are listed in the studio info!); we'll try to look into that, too. And confirm as to whether all the music, as originally broadcast, will be present. Stay tuned and we'll try to let you know!

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DOLENZ TIME --- Speaking of Monkees ... Micky Dolenz will be in NYC the middle of September with a bevy of activity and some surprise club-appearances. We've been sworn to secrecy. but will have an opportunity to invite some readers to these shows. Stay tuned for the news!

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VACAY TIME -- I'm off to parts West for two weeks. See you when I return!

Photos By: Walter McBride/Cortes/Dziekan/Retna

SIRIUS BRINGING BACK STUDIO 54 MUSIC DAYS

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