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In April 2009, I posted the piano solo Classical Smackdown. Later that year I orchestrated it, resulting in Symphonic Smackdown. That is still the most fun I’ve had with an orchestration to date (which is saying quite a bit!). Back then, Andy was fast becoming a phenom at MJ for his sax playing prowess and mega multi-genre collab work. Meanwhile Scott had just joined MJ and was making his own large mark as a super-skilled and extremely versatile drummer. Since then I’ve become great friends with both of these guys and have been regularly awestruck at the incredible music they each make.
Enter my long-held fantasy of getting a REAL drummer to go to town on “Smackdown” and a REAL sax wiz to let loose in the boogie parts of the song. I floated the idea with Scott a few months ago, and sent him an AIF of the song, minus midi drum kits (although ultimately I added some orchestral percussion and timpani back in). I also cleared out a space between the two boogie sections and asked if he would try a drum solo there...."You know, like Gene Krupa in 'Sing, Sing, Sing'"!! (Talk about throwing down the gauntlet!) Shortly thereafter, his schedule got very busy and I really thought for a variety of reasons the project just wasn’t going to happen.
Then a couple of weeks ago I unexpectedly got this note from him that said “check the dropbox”! I pulled his file into the song and nearly fainted. I immediately contacted Andy to see if he’d be interested in throwing in with my now rapidly manifesting fantasy. And just a few days later, he sent me back a fabulous sax track! Suddenly I had everything I needed to put it all together. I did some extensive rewriting of various midi instruments to make it all work with these new tracks, and succumbed as usual to OCTD (obsessive compulsive tweak disorder) which of course means I was having WAY too much fun.
After sending my WIP’s back and forth to Andy and Scott a few times and taking in their mixing feedback, I finally got a version everybody could sign off on – WHEW! What a total blast to work with these stellar guys! THANK YOU Scott and Andy for the fun ride! I hope you enjoy Smackdown 3!
Scott - Ludwig Classic Maple drum kit; komplete6 snare
Andy - Cannonball tenor sax
Karen - everything else
**** song photo circa 1966, after a fall saturday spent raking leaves back in CT. when the work was done, my sibs and i got to leap into the gigantic leaf pile. that's my brother, about age 11. or at least, it's his arm. i thought the "3" was especially appropriate!
Enter my long-held fantasy of getting a REAL drummer to go to town on “Smackdown” and a REAL sax wiz to let loose in the boogie parts of the song. I floated the idea with Scott a few months ago, and sent him an AIF of the song, minus midi drum kits (although ultimately I added some orchestral percussion and timpani back in). I also cleared out a space between the two boogie sections and asked if he would try a drum solo there...."You know, like Gene Krupa in 'Sing, Sing, Sing'"!! (Talk about throwing down the gauntlet!) Shortly thereafter, his schedule got very busy and I really thought for a variety of reasons the project just wasn’t going to happen.
Then a couple of weeks ago I unexpectedly got this note from him that said “check the dropbox”! I pulled his file into the song and nearly fainted. I immediately contacted Andy to see if he’d be interested in throwing in with my now rapidly manifesting fantasy. And just a few days later, he sent me back a fabulous sax track! Suddenly I had everything I needed to put it all together. I did some extensive rewriting of various midi instruments to make it all work with these new tracks, and succumbed as usual to OCTD (obsessive compulsive tweak disorder) which of course means I was having WAY too much fun.
After sending my WIP’s back and forth to Andy and Scott a few times and taking in their mixing feedback, I finally got a version everybody could sign off on – WHEW! What a total blast to work with these stellar guys! THANK YOU Scott and Andy for the fun ride! I hope you enjoy Smackdown 3!
Scott - Ludwig Classic Maple drum kit; komplete6 snare
Andy - Cannonball tenor sax
Karen - everything else
**** song photo circa 1966, after a fall saturday spent raking leaves back in CT. when the work was done, my sibs and i got to leap into the gigantic leaf pile. that's my brother, about age 11. or at least, it's his arm. i thought the "3" was especially appropriate!
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eddie! (thanks!)
thank you for coming by, we appreciate it!
michaeljayklein
I originally responded with "HOLY CRAP" and then "WOW"!!!!!!!!! but now that I can contain myself, I can finally say "HOLY COW" and "WHOA!!!!"