| 1:Train kept A Rollin' | |
| 2: Too Hip! Gotta Go | |
| 3: Pietro Pistole (Peter Gunn) | |
| 4: On The Beach | |
| 5: Wonderful World | |
| 6: Atlantis | |
| 7: La Bamba | |
| 8: Crying Waiting Hoping | |
| 9: Sleepwalk | |
| 10: Americano | |
| 11: Up On The Roof |
* click arrow to play sample
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Musicians:
JACKSON MOON:
Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Drums,
Piano
,
JULIAN MEDOR:
Acoustic Bass (track 1)
DAMIAN SMITH:
Drums (tracks 2 8 9 10),
Brass arrangements (tracks 9 10)
JOE ORTIZ:
Drums Piano Brass arrangements (track 3)
DEREK MILLER:
Drums (track 1)
MUSIC '... Model '59' album Review:
Seeing as I'm just another of the many musicians who do this for the love of it, I thought I'd write my own album review. I mean, why not? Seeing as I know these songs more intimately than any independent writer, then who better than to rant on about them and give a totally unbiased comment but myself?
Model '59 pays tribute to my musical roots through a selection of songs from the 50's and 60's Rock'n'Roll era. Recorded entirely in my home studio, I get to play, sing and produce the tracks almost all by myself along with valued contributions from my son Jules, supreme musician Damian Smith, Joe Ortiz and Derek Miller. Recording at my home studio allowed me to get out of cleaning up after dinner and doing other mundane tasks around the house with the excuse that I was on a 'creative high' - a fact my wife is still reminding me of today!
The album opens with the thunderous 'Train Kept A Rollin'. This is pure Rockabilly. I tried to keep the tune as faithful to the original recorded by the Johnny Burnette Trio all those years ago and the track features my son Julian Medor on bass. 'Too Hip, Gotta Go' and Pietro Pistole (Peter Gunn) feature my newly acquired Gretsch Black Phoenix guitar, a huge bodied arch top with a tone to match. Cliff Richard's "On The Beach" is given the 60's treatment courtesy of the vocal harmonies and the Hank Marvin inspired guitar parts.
Sam Cooke's 'Wonderful World' is relaxed and laid back, with a fresh arrangement inspired by a jam session with my good friend Daniel Gare. 'Atlantis', an old Shadows tune was an accidental discovery as I had completely forgotten the song existed until I heard Mark Knopfler performing it on a Shadows tribute album. It's a simple tune with emphasis on the catchy melody line. Perennial favorite La Bamba opens with that familiar riff and chorus. The arrangement sitting somewhere between Richie Valens original recording and the Los Lobos version from the movie soundtrack.
Buddy Holly's Cryin' Waitin' Hopin' is one of my favourite Rock'n'Roll songs ever. My aim was to replicate the classic three piece band line up (guitar, bass and drums) that Holly pioneered. 'Sleepwalk' is given special treatment, predictably, as this is one of my favorite tunes and I made good use of the Gretsch 6120 on this track, where the big full tone of this beautiful guitar is heard loud and clear.
'Americano' explodes with a Big Band feel, courtesy of supreme musician Damian Smith's brass and drum arrangements This song, originally written in Italian for Sophia Loren is sung in English and Italian. I thought it would be a nice touch to retain the Italian chorus so my Italian friends could sing along. The album's final track, 'Up On The Roof' features my love of vocal harmonies. The orchestral arrangement adds a fine touch to this classic track and the outro guitar solo played on my Gibson 335 sounded sweeter than I expected, retaining all the beautiful overtones of one of my favorite guitars.
Guitar Stuff ....
One of the questions I, and most of my guitar playing buddies want to know when listening to an album is 'what guitar is that guy playing'? So, for the benefit of my guitar playing friends and for the time when my own memory escapes me, I'll list the guitars and basses used below. The amps used were a Fender Blues Deville, Gibson GA15R and a POD Line 6. OK, now for those picky guitarists like me that have to know everything, here is the manifest:
Train kept A Rollin'
The main sections rhythm and lead parts are played on my early 1990's translucent blue 3 pickup Fender Telecaster fitted with Kinman Broadcaster pickups on the neck and bridge and a Kinman AVn62 in the middle. This model is officially known as the Tommy Emmanuel 'Journeyman' Telecaster. It is truly an awesome guitar and one the best Tele's I've had the pleasure to play. The slide part is played on my 40th anniversary Fender Stratocaster, fitted with Kinman AVn 62 pickups while the acoustic guitar is my early 90's Martin DC16 GTR-E. My son Julian played bass on this track, a 1980's Fender acoustic bass which I bought off my ol' buddy Greg Goris.
Too Hip! Gotta Go
The finger picking section is played on my Gretsch 6120. I love this guitar!! The lead and comp guitars feature my newest acquisition (at the time...), a Gretsch Black Phoenix. The Black Phoenix was designed by Gretsch in conjunction with Brian Setzer. This extra large bodied arch top features TV Jones classic Filterton pickups in the neck and bridge positions. It's kind of a Tele meets Gretsch sound. The bass part was played using my vintage 1976 Musicman Stingray Bass, a magnificent bass guitar designed and built by Leo Fender.
Pietro Pistole
The lead guitar parts are played on my Gretsch Black Phoenix, the main riff is all Telecaster and Bass supplied on my Musicman Stingray.
On The Beach
This song is ALL Stratocaster. I borrowed Julian's Fender Precision Bass to lay the low notes.
Wonderful World
Features my blue translucent Fender Telecaster, Martin DC16 GTR-E Acoustic and Musicman Stingray Bass.
Atlantis
This tune should have, by rights, been played on a Stratocaster but I found the Telecaster taking over. I let nature take its course. I also used my Martin DC16 GTR-E Acoustic and Musicman Stingray Bass.
La Bamba
This tune is fine combination of a Fender Telecaster and Fender Stratocaster doubling the main rhythm part, with the lead guitar played on the Strat. My Martin DC16 GTR-E filled the acoustic needs and my vintage Musicman Stingray Bass plucked the low notes.
Crying Waiting Hoping
Rhythm parts were played on the Stratocaster and the growling solo plucked through the Gretsch 6120. I used my fender Acoustic Bass.
Sleepwalk
Features the 'oh so beautiful' Gretsch 6120 on the main part, with acoustic duties played on the Martin. My Musicman Stingray Bass shined a bright light on those deep low notes.
Americano
Features the Gretsch 6120 on all rhythm and lead parts, with acoustic duties played on the Martin. Once again, I relied on my Musicman Stingray Bass for those clear deep low notes.
Up On The Roof
The entire guitar parts feature my Tobacco Sunburst 1998 released '58 Gibson 335 reissue and the ever reliable Musicman Stingray Bass for the low notes.