Meltdown - Entertainment News and Views -
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
CD Review: “Rat Pack By Request” by Bobby Zee & Zoe
Ok, I know this isn't the kind of music I write about but before you run screaming from the room let me explain. When I was a kid I used to watch old movies on TV from the 1940's and 1950's like the Bing Crosby and Bob Hope "Road" movies and Martin and Lewis' various cinematic endeavors. That was before I discovered rock... But I got to know the kind of music that these guys played. It is kinda timeless and it defines an era much like the Beatles and the Stones and yes, even Elvis defined other eras. I might still listen to it some night when I want something different romantically than coming in after a night at the clubs with my significant chick and banging to Nine Inch Nails for a couple hours. Kinda like a night with some wine and a fire in the fireplace. Hey why not? Christina Aguilera has the whole 40's retro look going right now so why not take a step back in time for an evening when Vegas was the place to be and your connections with the "Wise Guys" who ran the town could mean the party of your life…or the end of it.
“Rat Pack By Request,” a collection of Sinatra’s music, is one of Morpheus Music’s most popular titles. It shows especially hot sales this time of year.
Music lovers continue to enjoy the work of Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and the rest of the pack. Morpheus Music’s CD contains some of the most highly acclaimed songs of the Rat Pack era including, “The Lady is a Tramp,” “Fly Me To The Moon,” “All The Way” and “It Had to be You.”
The musicians who produced this collection for Morpheus Music are somehow reminiscent of the original Rat Pack. They have been referred to as “world-class musicians” & their fearless leader is Bobby Zee on piano. They enjoy playing and creating new surprises together.
For additional information or to join the fan club and mailing list for Bobby Zee & Friends, please contact Morpheus Music at (800) 880-0990 or fax (760) 418-4350 or visit us on the web at www.morpheusmusic.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To schedule interviews, please contact:
Blue Lamp Music at 760-832-7768 or gandalf@bluelampmusic.com
“It’s A Dog’s Life” by Bobby Zee & Zoe
GANDALF & GIZMO, TWO FOUR LEGGED, BUTT SNIFFIN’ PEEIN’ MACHINES
Palm Springs, CA – March 01, 2009
Gandalf& Gizmo – two four legged, butt sniffin’ peein’ machines, also known as man’s best friends, also known as the father and song male Maltese breed doggies owned by two songwriter/recording artists, inspire some funny and completely entertaining songs all about dogs for dog lovers everywhere.
“The songs on this CD are truly a labor of love” said Bobby Zee and Zoe, a long time songwriting duo about their brand new release called “It’s A Dog’s Life” on Blue Lamp Music independent record label. “We just wrote the truth about what our doggies love to do most all day long. That is of course, butt sniffin’, peeing on everything in sight, going for walks, sleeping, dreaming, eating, playing, sniffing crotches, humping legs and doing pretty much whatever they feel like whenever they feel like it with absolutely no shame.”
There are also some touching love songs about the kind of unconditional love that a Dog seems to be willing and happy to give.
Bobby Zee and Zoe plan to donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this CD to their favorite pet shelters, animal rescue missions and other charities that help out their favorite four legged pals.
It’s A Dog’s Life will be released on March 1st, 2009 and will be available at online retailers and music stores across the United States. Please visit the official Blue Lamp Music website at www.bluelampmusic.com for more information.
For interviews and reviews, please contact Blue Lamp Music at 760-832-7768 or email gandalf@bluelampmusic.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To schedule interviews, please contact:
Cheryl Hughey at 314-660-1755 or cherylhughey@charter.net
Musician/Vocalist/Composer Gigi MacKenzie
SKYLARK TAKES FLIGHT AFTER TRAGIC FIRE
Los Angeles, CA – October 19, 2006
Gigi MacKenzie, daughter of famous television and recording artist Gisele MacKenzie, releases debut CD on Morpheus Music label after tragic fire.
“This CD literally came up from the ashes of disaster,” said Gigi MacKenzie. After having recorded the entire CD, Gigi received a call one night that the studio, which contained all of the masters for the CD and all her instruments, had been destroyed by a fire. “The whole record was gone” said the vocalist. Yet, she still managed to “resurrect” it in seven months. “You can quit or push on. We chose to keep going.”
This venturesome vocalist has recorded and performed all over the world with many celebrity artists including Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Nigel Olssen, Davey Johnstone, Dave Koz, Karla Bonoff, David Crosby, Gladys Knight, Marilyn & Alan Bergman, Tom Scott, Sandy West and many more.
You have no doubt heard Gigi on CDs, the radio, TV and in the movies. Having been a top LA studio singer for over ten years, Gigi has recorded national commercials for IBM, Ford and Toyota, major movie soundtracks including “Mr. Holland’s Opus” and the main theme to the hit police drama series, “Nash Bridges.”
"Amazing, sultry, sexy and cool", best describes Gigi MacKenzie's debut album Skylark on the Morpheus Music label. An extremely talented multi-instrumentalist, the singer has a smooth magnetic style with a sultry alto range that has been compared to Sade and the late great Karen Carpenter.
Gigi brings a fresh style to beautiful jazz standards in this electrifying solo album. Her captivating sound that melds sprinkles of R&B with a good dose of modern jazz makes these songs breathe new life. Not only is her voice deliciously magnetic with a huge range, but a sense of intimacy unfolds as she accompanies herself on guitar, drums and percussion as well. These imaginative arrangements will make it feel as if you're hearing these great songs for the very first time.
Skylark is a loving tribute to her mother, the late Gisele MacKenzie, star of both stage and screen. She attained huge popularity in the 1950's when she appeared in such hit TV shows as: "The Gisele MacKenzie Show," "Your Hit Parade" and as a regular on "The Jack Benny Show." Gisele, a major recording artist on Capitol and RCA/Victor Records enjoyed a #1 hit of her own called "Hard to Get" in 1957.
As a tribute to her mother Gigi has, through the power of technology, produced a wonderful heart-warming duet with her mother (a la Natalie and Nat King Cole) from a recording Gisele made in 1956 of "Stranger in Paradise."
Gigi’s voice soars with a collection of fifteen fresh arrangements of her favorite standards and one original. “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “Cry Me a River,” “The Shadow of Your Smile,” “Good Morning Heartache,” “Embraceable You” highlights the eclectic stylings of this dynamic performer. In the tradition of the jazz standards of yesterday, “Let’s Make a Go of It” was written and arranged by Gigi.
Skylark will be released on December 12th, 2006 and will be available at online retailers and music stores across the United States. Please visit the official Gigi MacKenzie website at www.gigimackenzie.com for more information.
For interviews and reviews, please contact Cheryl Hughey at 314-660-1755 or cherylhughey@charter.net.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To schedule interviews, please contact:
Sally Maxwell at 760-327-0784 or info@bluelampmusic.com
A Musical Artist’s Tribute to a Visual Artist Mentor
BLUE LAMP MUSIC RELEASES A TRIBUTE TO A GREAT ARTIST & DEAR FRIEND ROZELL SYKES
Palm Springs, CA – December 2006
A great artist and mentor, Rozzell Sykes, the creator of Saint Elmo’s village, inspired several of the songs on “There’s A Reason”, the new CD from Blue Lamp Music.
If you ever met Rozzell, you would never forget him. He had that effect on the people who were lucky enough to have met him and spent some time with him. Rozzell was a mentor to many young artists. Artists were drawn to Rozzell like a magnet. He had so many amazing qualities both as an artist and as a human being. One of the things he taught his fellow artists was what art really means and how to not be afraid of it. He helped you learn to get out of your own way and allow the art to flow through you. That you are but the instrument of delivery and the art comes from and is created by a higher source. When Rozzell helped a young artist to understand and embrace that concept, the fear of the creative process went away and the beauty and pure joy of the creative experience came alive.
Rozzell said “Hello” to everyone that crossed his path no matter where he was or who he was greeting. That was one of his philosophies. He said “as you go through life, often the only chance you have to give a little love to another person is to say hello in passing.” So Rozzell said hello to anyone and everyone, anywhere and everywhere. Bobby Zee & Zoe wrote a song called “Say Hello” inspired by Rozzell’s “Hello”.
Rozzell would say “Just Be The Best “You” That You Can Be”, or “Just Be The Best At Whatever You Do”. In other words, don’t try to be someone you are not just to please another person. Rozzell’s philosophy was to concentrate on doing your best at whatever it is you do, or being the best kind of person you can be. He would say “Just Be You”, or “Just Be Your Best You”. His idea went along with the old expression “If life brings you lemons, make the best lemonade you can make!” There is a song called “Just Be You” on the CD that was inspired by Rozzell.
Rozzell had another expression he would use from time to time. If someone committed a crime or did something bad to another person or anything that would earn them some bad “karma” Rozzell would say “They gonna have to take a trip to the Window of Dues”. In other words, that person will have some kind of “Dues” to payback for the bad deed they did. Bobby Zee & Zoe wrote a song called “Window of Dues” on the CD.
Bobby Zee & Zoe fuse R&B with Pop and Rock influences. There are twelve original compositions that are filled with the warmth and joy that Rozzell’s kindness and wisdom inspired. There is a duet with Gigi MacKenzie and another duet with Jean Frye Sidwell.
If you would like to see some of Rozzell’s art work or read more about his artist’s community, Saint Elmo’s Village, here is a link http://www.stelmovillage.org/
We give thanks and pay tribute to a great man, Rozzell Sykes, 12-25-31 to 12-19-94
An Artist, A Lover, A Poet and a Dear Friend. we will miss him greatly.
There’s A Reason will be released in December 2006 and will be available at online retailers and music stores across the United States. To hear some samples or for more information, please visit Bobby Zee and Zoe on line at www.bluelampmusic.com .
For interviews and reviews, please contact Sally Maxwell at 760-327-0784 or info@bluelampmusic.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To schedule interviews, please contact:
Robin Post at 760-327-0784 or info@bluelampmusic.com
A Blast from The Past
“JOINT EFFORT” MASTER RECORDINGS RECOVERED
Palm Springs, CA – December 5, 2006
The original master recordings for a “Joint Effort” record originally release on vinyl back in 1980 have been recovered and are finally going to get a proper world wide release on Blue Lamp Music.
Way back in the late 1970’s there was a San Diego based five-piece high energy rock/pop band called Joint Effort. They were well known locally and toured all over California and the Pacific Northwest. In 1980 they recorded and released an album on vinyl called “What We Give”. It became the same sad story that happened to most of the bands in the music industry. Big broken promises, big talk (all lies) and you have to sign all your rights away in blood somewhere after all the fine print on the 30 page recording contract.
The contract has expired and the music and ownership of the master recordings reverted back to the band members!
Now one of the band members owns an independent record label and was able to track down the original master recordings, digitally re-master them and convert them to CD format.
Joint Effort performed to sold-out crowds packed full of screaming fans and had a blast doing it! Their fresh energetic original sound is what landed them a record deal back in 1980. One of the great things about music is that it never dies. Their sound is still as fresh and exciting as the day it was recorded.
Retro is coming back! There is a whole retro movement going on and historically, as every generation matures, what was once new becomes new once again. The brand new oldies. Along with the original audience comes a whole new generation to appreciate the music we all loved when we were kids.
Joint Effort decided that since the original recording was never properly introduced to the music lovers out there, they would give the CD a new name, brand new cover design and graphics and then the music will finally get a proper chance to be heard by anybody out there who would like to listen.
”Amazing harmonies, original songwriting, fresh and cool", best describes the sound of Joint Effort’s debut album entitled “Music In The Mirror” on the Blue Lamp Music label. Five extremely talented multi-instrumentalists, the music has a style that has been compared to Toto, Styx & Loggins & Messina.
Joint Effort brings a fresh style to original compositions in their electrifying debut album. Their captivating sound combines R&B with a good dose of Rock and Pop that creates their own individual sound and style.
Music In The Mirror will be released in December 2006 and will be available at online retailers and music stores across the United States. Please visit the Joint Effort record label website at www.bluelampmusic.com for more information.
For interviews and reviews, please contact Robin Post at 760-327-0784 or info@bluelampmusic.com
Home for the Holidays
Delicious! Here is another holiday delectable from two superb jazz musicians-
-the double Bobby s (Bobby Zee and Bobby Zoe), known as "Bobby Zee and
Zoe" to their adoring public. "Home for the Holidays" contains great jazz
instrumentals from stem to stern. These guys can jam, with a little help from
their very talented friends.
Unlike their first holiday CD (see "Cool Christmas", also reviewed on this
site), "Home for the Holidays" is a bit more raucous, a bit more hard-core
jazz. Although "Cool Christmas" featured well-known selections, "Home for
the Holidays" is more worldly and eclectic, pulling in international pieces such
as "Shalom Chaverim," "Feliz Navidad," "L'Shana Tovah," and "S'Vivon". In
addition, the improvisations here are more free-form than on the relatively
restrained "Cool Christmas."
The opening cut, "Deck The Halls," immediately takes off and disappears into
the stratosphere. The gentle, swinging treatment of "Feliz Navidad" (with lots
of terrific synth vibes) had me swaying in my chair. When the musicians
inventively jam on traditional carols such as "Away in the Manger", the
standard melody slips from view again and again, only to resurface with
sweet recognition. It's a beautiful mix.
This fun and fulfilling holiday CD will delight any jazz aficionado. Bring Bobby
Zee and Zoe "Home for the Holidays" for a jammin' good time.
--Carol Swanson
Christmasreviews.com
Cool Christmas
Cool! Unlike Bobby Zee & Zoe's second holiday album (see review for "Home for the Holidays"), "Cool Christmas" confines itself to popular Christmas standards. These two Bobby’s really know how to swing on this jazzy instrumental collection! This is a great CD.
"Cool Christmas" immediately impresses with a very cool CD cover--lights blaze brightly in a lonely igloo under the northern lights. The music is most impressive, too. Bobby Zee is the master pianist, although his talents extend well beyond the keyboard. His piano stars on most cuts, and he has wonderful support from Zoe (bass guitar) and the other musicians (the sax and flute work is especially fine).
Sleigh bells sound as the album opens--is it Santa Claus? Yes, Zee & Zoe open brightly with a swingin' "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town." "What Child Is This" is another favorite; its swingin' sensibilities had me rocking in my seat. Honestly, every cut is a delight. The tone is almost entirely lively and upbeat, with the exception of a thoughtful and more subdued "Silent Night" to close the disc. The jazz interpretations here are inventive, yet warmly familiar, throughout. The well-known holiday fare comes alive (without disappearing down an improvisational "black hole") under the deft touch of these musicians. I had a broad smile on my face from start to finish.
"Cool Christmas" provides nearly an hour of superb musicianship and excellent production values, putting you in the front row of that intimate jazz club on a December night. So order a drink, sit back, and prepare to be impressed by wonderful jazz offerings again and again and again.
--Carol Swanson
Christy Mauro
Christy Mauro is a multi-talented singer, dancer and actress. She has been performing on both coasts and in Europe since the age of seven. Christy graduated from Dillard School of the Performing Arts. Over the years, she has studied voice with Ladis Lau Vaida, a Hungarian impresario who tutored Katherine Hepburn, Vivian Leigh, Theodore Brickell, and many other legends of the Broadway stage.
Christy has been the opening act for entertainers such as Jackie Mason, Robert Klein, Alan Thicke, Eddie Fisher, Pat Cooper and the late Rodney Dangerfield and Alan King.
Christy's faithful fans have flocked to see her star in Victor/Victoria at the Stage Door Theatre. Other memorable roles across the country include "Eva Peron" in Evita, "Sally Bowles" in Cabaret, "Patsy Cline" in Always at the Silverton Hotel in Las Vegas co-starring Sally Struthers, "Tuptim" in The King And I at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and "Lucy" in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown at Actors Playhouse in Coral Gables (Curtain-Up nomination for Best Actress). Most recently she landed the lead roll of “Roxie Hart” in the Kevin Black Production of Chicago, and “Doris Day” at the Hollywood Playhouse’s, Day After Day.
Christy’s first vocal standards album from Morpheus Music, Torch Songs, features some of the greatest torch songs around. It includes, “That's All, My Funny Valentine”, “Time After Time”, “That Old Devil Moon”, “Music That Makes Me Dance”, “For Sentimental Reasons”, “Close Your Eyes”, “The Very Thought of You”, “As Time Goes By” and many more. Her sultry voice leaves her listeners desiring more.
Contact: Bobby Zee
Morpheus Music
800-880-0990 or fax: 760-418-4350
Email: zee@morpheusmusic.com