I Won't Back Down...Stanfordizing a Petty classic

You know when you hear a great song and its power hits all at once?

I'm a big Tom Petty fan, and  I've always loved his song 'I Won't Back Down'.... I heard it on the radio while I was driving right before Rivie was born, and the simple message of the song really resonated with me deeply at that moment as I faced so many unknowns.

I started working out this arrangement on my acoustic guitar plugged into my little fender amp and would play it over and over on the guitar for River as he sat in his little chair watching my fingers go and making funny faces as the delay effect bounced around.  I fell further in love with the song each time I played it and tried to make it my own.   Download it if you like, and please pass it on!

G

New Album: Update 1

After an incredibly productive week and half in the studio with the awesome Shane Smith, I'm back in my home studio, ironing out some vocal tracks with my 2 month old boy River taking a snooze here with me.  He's already feeling pretty comfortable in the studio, is way cuter, and smells much better than many folks I've co-inhabited studio space with.   Here he is, napping the session away as i work:

After the last few weeks, I have basic tracks (meaning my guitar, bass and drums) and my vocals done on over twenty songs!  I've spent a lot of time and money in studios over the years and this was by far the easiest and most productive studio week I've ever had.  I attribute much of that to my incredible band, Matty Alger and Spencer Wright.  These guys really poured their heart and soul into my songs, and after having playing most of them for several years live with me, we didn't need more than  a few takes on each tune.  It's funny how in this age of pro tools and digital recording, a great live band playing together often takes a backseat to creating an illusion of musicians playing together....well not on my new record!  Over the past 4 years or so playing with these guys, I feel like I've really rediscovered the heart of good music and making a great record:  get some great musicians in a room together with solid songs and LET THEM PLAY!  It's seems so simple...and it is...but making records like this takes a lot of experience from everyone involved....It's like doing all the work on the front end rather than editing and trying to create something after the fact.

I'm keeping this new record simple...trying to let the songs and musicians speak for themselves without a lot of bells and whistles.  I'll be heading to the amazing JT's studio in Reseda, CA on fri to get his piano and organ on a handful of these songs, and after a few background vocal and horn section overdubs, this puppy will be cooked up ready for a great mix!

I can honestly say, that this will be my best yet!

More to come

g

New Music: You'll Never Know

This is a new song that I wrote for someone close to me, about the heartache of a lost relationship.  

I recorded this at eStudio International in East Los Angeles in February, and it's a small glimpse of some sounds to come on my upcoming full length record  Download it for free and pass it on!

Video: Downriver - Live in Studio

You'll Never Know - Tracking

I had such a great time in the studio last week, cutting a new song of mine called ‘you’ll never know.’ We went to my friend Shane’s spot called eStudio, and the results are really amazing.  It’s kind of a classic sounding tune, and the three of us playing together in the studio created a lot of energy that really jumps out of the speakers. I’m planning on finishing this sad song this week with an old school horn section that i’ve been doing a lot of sessions with lately.  That last touch, and this track will be all laced up and ready for a great mix. I can’t wait to share it!  Stay tuned.  Meantime, here’s a few pics.  Thanks to John Vanover for stopping by with his camera. -g

Christmas for Two

I wanted to write a Christmas song this year, and following the lead of greats like Irving Berlin, I figured that my Jewish heritage from Mom's side of the family, and the fact that I live in sunny L.A. gave me just the credentials I needed to write a good one... 2013 will be an important year for me, beginning with the birth of my first child in early March.  I'm currently experiencing all of the feelings I've heard that expecting fathers do, including overwhelming joy and anxiety, among many others. I decided to write about my impending fatherhood as the heart of this new song.  It's called 'Christmas for Two,' and it's about spending one last Christmas with Nikole as a family of two. Special thanks to Matty Alger for playing drums, Jacob Claret for the artwork and John Vanover for his contribution to the video.
 

Philly, Thanks for an Amazing night!!

I was blown away by the crowd of great people that packed both shows in Philly on the night after thanksgiving at the Tin Angel.  Thank you all so much for coming!   This was on of my favorite bands that I've ever put together...as you all know, the talent runs deep in Philadelphia...the band featured the incredible Nate Skiles on guitar, Dave Streim on key, Brian Weaver on Bass, my bro Isaac on lap steel and with the addition of the incredible L.A.-based drummer Matty Alger, the fellas took my tunes to higher heights....

With your help, we also raised a few hundred bucks for recovery efforts in Mystic Island, NJ, which was devestated by Sandy.

Below are a some board recordings and a few pics from the night: