Brass Kicks Ass
4/25 – TODAY’S THE DAY !DOC GOES HOLLYWOOD SHIPS TODAY!ORDER YOUR COPY NOW! New classic songs from Doc Kupka as you’ve never heard him. Check back later tonight for lots of new interesting interviews and more!
For more info go to :http://www.strokeland.com/
“Doc Goes Hollywood” can be pre-ordered at www.strokeland.com.
About “Doc Goes Hollywood”:
Best known as a founding member of the legendary Oakland, California horn band “Tower of Power” and a prodigious songwriter, Stephen “Doc” Kupka has once again pulled together the best of the best for this, his latest Strokeland Records release. This release, however, is a major departure from Doc’s trademark East Bay Soul or “snap funk” style. A personal dream of Doc’s for over twenty years, Doc Goes Hollywood is a collection of lush ballads in a modern “Great American Songbook” style.
In the style of the great classic American songbook, these are finely-crafted songs where melody is king and every lyrical turn of phrase has been lovingly crafted to be the best it can be. Written, performed, and engineered to stand the test of time, these songs exude true musical and emotional depth.
Doc Kupka called on his friend and “A-list” Hollywood composer, arranger, and music director, William Ross, to provide full orchestral arrangements. Mr. Ross (whose credits also include Barbra Streisand, Michael Bublé, and top Hollywood films such as “Ladder 49”, “Forrest Gump”, and “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”) delivered arrangements that are simply stunning. Fresh from serving as Music Director for the 2007 Academy Awards, Mr. Ross conducted the William Ross Orchestra through these beautiful arrangements at the Robert Irving Studio in California. Full string, woodwind, and brass sections provide a depth and emotional presence that today’s synthesizers and samples simply cannot match.
Canadian resident blues artist John Lee Sanders turns in a masterful performance on lead vocals in this setting. In addition to his tasteful and soulful lead vocals, John Lee also arranged and performed all of the background vocals himself. These are some of the best vocal arrangements you’re likely to hear anywhere.
Tower of Power drummer, David Garibaldi; bassist Leland Sklar (James Taylor, Phil Collins); pianist Chris Caswell (John Williams); and jazz guitarist Ray Obiedo comprised the all-star rhythm section, with additional guitar parts by former Inner City Records artist Ray Wilkes, and keys by Robert Irving. Tower of Power alums Mic Gillette and Lee Thornburg, along with David Woodford, Nick Lane, Paul Colicchio, and the Funky Doctor himself, Stephen Kupka, provided the world-class horns.
Mixed by fifteen-time Grammy-winning engineer and producer Al Schmitt (Ray Charles, Diana Krall, Steely Dan) at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, Doc Goes Hollywood has a lush, warm sound that perfectly fits the finely-crafted melodies, lyrics, and arrangements. Ron McMaster of Capitol Mastering added the final sheen with the result being a truly world-class production.
If you want to hear beautiful, enduring songs, performed and recorded by world-class masters of their craft, give this release a listen. Produced by Doc Kupka and William Ross, and Executive Producer Chuck Hansen, Doc Goes Hollywood is simply great, timeless music that will touch your heart.
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Check out our friend Chad Rager from this youtube video. The song is “Groovin’ Hard”. Chad Rager is a Strokeland Records artist. Check out his CD at http://www.strokeland.com.
“, released in 1998. We have two songs from this CD in our current rotation “Dr. In The House” and “Cookie”.About Carmen:
Born in Buffalo, New York, and raised in Santa Cruz, California, guitarist Carmen Grillo started his musical journey by playing saxophone and drums at the early age of 5. When his father took a young Carmen to a Ventures concert, he decided then and there he wanted to be a guitar player. Carmen credits The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, George Benson, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin among his early influences.
In his teenage years, Carmen fronted several local Santa Cruz bands, including Feel Machine and White Eyes, and regularly played all the local venues. In pursuit of more creative endeavors, Carmen left Santa Cruz in the late 1970s and moved to Los Angeles. He soon became an in-demand session guitarist and vocalist. His credits in the studio include Bill Champlin (Chicago, Sons of Champlin), Rita Coolidge, Donna Summer, Tom Scott and Tim Weisberg to name a few.
From 1980 through 1986, Carmen toured the world and recorded with Rita Coolidge (Higher and Higher, We’re All Alone), whom he credits with inspiring him to perform at a consistent and professional level night after night, regardless of conditions. Also, during that same time period, Carmen toured with Bill Champlin promoting his solo albums, Bill Champlin Single and Runaway. In 1985, Carmen co-wrote One More Day with James Pankow of Chicago, which appeared on the platinum selling album Chicago XVIII.
Carmen then joined the legendary horn-based soul band Tower of Power in 1988, where he became a driving force within the group. His writing, singing and guitar playing made him easily recognized by music fans around the world. He performed and recorded with TOP for the better part of a decade before leaving in 1997 to pursue other musical interests.
Those interests included opening the doors to his recording studio, Big Surprise Music, where he is a music producer and the chief engineer. One of his first recording projects was his solo debut, Both Sides of the Coin, which showcased all of his talents, from the sensitivity of his lyrics to the fire in his guitar playing. His many recording projects include producing long-time Tower of Power bass player Rocco Prestia’s solo debut, Everybody on the Bus, in 1999, which reunited the original Tower of Power rhythm section. Carmen also recorded TOP’s original trumpeter and horn arranger Greg Adams’ most recent CDs Firefly and Cool to the Touch.
Carmen is currently a member of the Bay Area band the Sons of Champlin, who were an early influence in the San Francisco music scene of the 1960s and 70s. The Sons continue to have a strong and loyal following to this day, and maintain a high level of musicality.
Among his most rewarding experiences now are mentoring others and sharing his vast knowledge, experience, humor and wisdom with future generations of aspiring guitar players and recording engineers, as well as being the Musical Director of Arise Christian Center in Westchester, California. In addition, Carmen is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), which presents the recording industry’s most prestigious award, the GRAMMY.
Carmen lives in Encino, California, with his wife, Denise, and their dog, Rocco.
Check Carmen out at :www.carmengrillo.com
Here is the link: http://santafeandthefatcityhorns.blogspot.com/2008/02/feb-25th-gig-at-palms.html#links