Happy New Year.

Short note to let you know where you might catch a screening of The Wrecking Crew in January. Thanks for the support.

Wednesday, January 12th, I will be in Norfolk Virginia
SCHOOL OF MUSIC FOR ARMY, NAVY and MARINE CORPS
Norfolk, VA
Info/Directions on the Wrecking Crew Facebook page

Sunday, January 16th,
NAMM SHOW @ Anaheim convention center
Hot Zone: Rm 204C 10:00am
Must be a member of NAMM
Door Prizes include products from Ovation, Zildjian, Modern Drummer and “Sticks ‘n’ Skins”.

Saturday, January 22 7:00pm
Digital Media Factory
2809 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA
Q&A with Director Denny Tedesco
Followed by a Mixer, Music, Cash Bar

We?ve also just added a feature on the website for visitors to post comments or messages. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Hope to see you at one of the screenings,

Denny

This year, Baron sold his wares at the 10th annual Tiki Oasis in San Diego, an event catering to the tiki industry, played the ukulele with the Wicked Tinkers, and appeared for about eight seconds in The Mighty Uke, a documentary that brought more than 500 people to the Rio Theatre for a strum-along.

The downtown Felton storefront is ‘perfect for us,’ Baron said. ‘I figure it’s only going to get more expensive.’

read more at www.santacruzsentinel.com

For the people who like a wobbly g-string on their guitar to play more expressive I have three versions of the wonderful tune Claire de Lune by turn of the 19th/20th century composer Claude Debussy.

The first is a theremin version with the ultimate degree of pitch modulation.

The second is a violin version with the moderate pitch vibrato that the movement of the left hand permits.

The third and last version is played on harmonica and for me is the winner in the emotion (and sound) department.

So in conclusion: there’s more to an emotional sound than shaky pitch.

I’m going to play on September 11th with Los Apollos, supported by Berlin Beat band The Groovy Cellar. Afterwards I’m going to spin some records, until the sun comes ups again (hopefully).

If you occasionally come by this blog you might have recogned my passion for mid-century asian pop-records. They had their unique qualities. When they covered western hit records the asian touch was most obvious. For my listening pleasure I prefer originals and instrumentals, but anyway.

Here we go!

Here I’m fowarding the latest Wrecking Crew Movie newsletter entirely. These are not my words, but the words of the movie’s creator Denny Tedesco (yes, Tommy Tedesco’s son).

quoting:

Never give up. And never, under any circumstances, face the facts
– Ruth Gordon

Well here are the facts that I will face and conquer, as well as a few questions that need to be addressed.

Why has the film not been released yet?

• I have to pay off the licensing before we can distribute. Pretty easy to understand when you have 133 music cues the majority of which are huge hit records, but without them there is not a story!
• Once we pay off the licensing we will hit the road with the film. Small art house theaters, special events-fund raisers, universities, local music stores. (if they want it, we’ll be there)
• The DVD of the film will have a companion DVD of out-takes.  I continue to shoot more interviews to be included in the 2nd DVD.
• We hope to have a compilation soundtrack to go with it. (CD and LP— dust off the turntable)

Why haven’t I given up?
That wouldn’t be a great example to my children.  The screenings that we have give me hope and faith by the encouraging words from the audiences at Q&As as well as the emails that follow. If they were walking out, then I’d quit. Neither my father nor his friends ever gave up their dream of playing music for a living so I will keep going to share their story.

Why is this film and other music docs of this era important?
If you were an art student and someone asked, “Who is Michelangelo, Picasso or Leonardo da Vinci?”, they know who they were (hopefully). Well I feel the same way about these musicians and artists in the 20th century. Thousands of years of making music, but we are the only generation in the history of mankind to experience the first recordings. We know exactly what the artist meant the piece to sound like. The only way to teach any subject is to know the fundamentals, and what came before us influences what we produce in the future. This is not just music but everyday life.

I guess Ella says it better.

Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong – Ella Fitzgerald

One Last Request…
I received an email from a fan of the movie in Europe. He loved the film which is very gratifying, but then he said he bought it on the internet. Oh wow! I hope that’s not true. If it is, I beg you with all of my heart -? please, please don’t buy this film until you receive an official announcement from me that it’s available to purchase. You’ll be the first to know if you’ve signed up on the website.

I have spent 14 years of my life, trying to make this dream come true. I can’t even imagine the kind of person that would do that. That is bad Karma.

(If you want the Wrecking Crew Film with Dean Martin as Matt Helm — that’s different… go for it)

My other request goes to others who have made copies from screeners without my permission. Some of you I know. (this is different then selling it)

I truly thank you so much for the greatest compliment by bootlegging the DVD. And the buzz is the best thing that keeps others wanting to see it which is awesome. But it doesn’t get me across the finish line.

Ask any musician how they would feel if they found out someone didn’t buy their album because they already had a copy. (hit home?)

But please at least send a donation to help me pay for the rights. It’s tax deductible. Send me the matinee price if you watched it during the day. But if you watched it at night with a room full of musicians, please think of it as a cheap night out with friends.

If you’re one of the many tour buses that had the chance to view it and liked it, dedicate a song from your band. (details on website).

Enjoy the out-takes and please tell others to sign up on the site. It’s the most important need next to raising donations.

Thanks.
Denny
www.wreckingcrewfilm.com

It’s not all electric guitar led instros, but all great! Surf is on another list, mind you. Please come back to comment here when you find something of interest.

200 Awesome Instrumentals on YouTube

Domenic Priore writes this, check it out here:

Pop expo: A column explained.

Sven Kirsten compiled a magnificent collection of tunes to pull you in.

Sound of Tiki CD Art by Kevin Kidney 2008, originally uploaded by Miehana

Special book available for Brian Wilson fans. Here’s a quote from Facebook:

Genesis Publications Launch Limited Edition That Lucky Old Sun featuring unique collaboration between Brian Wilson and Sir Peter Blake

London, 17 June 2009 – Genesis Publications, the world’s leading publisher of signed and numbered limited edition books and fine art prints, today announces the launch of That Lucky Old Sun, an extraordinary book and print set that is the culmination of a unique collaboration between one of popular music’s most revered figures, Brian Wilson, and one of today’s greatest British artists, Sir Peter Blake.

As Brian prepares to tour Europe and North America in 2009, this fine art boxed book and print set will launch with just 1,000 copies available worldwide. Described by Brian as ‘a spiritual record’, it includes 12 exclusive new prints created by Peter, presented as numbered, fine art serigraphs.