Complete List Of His Works

Yes, I've updated the "Complete List Of His Works" section. My o my, look at those arty albumtitles! Just to make things look complete, I've compiled anything  I've been recording since 1987, when I started my own band with some friends, way back. All played and recorded on those hip, vintage cassettes. In 1998 the digital age started creeping in, so I burned my own cd's (Now On CD) and in 2005 digital distribution became the motto. It's been an intensive journey so far, but I hope it will never stop.....

 just to proof that I really made those cassettes/cd's, for non-believers, I've added a few pictures..

 

1998 A Beautiful Boy And His Dreamsister

2002 He's Your Buddy

• Digital:
• 2015 For Your Pleasure Vol.2
• 2015 Lightning Dutchman
• 2014 For Your Pleasure Vol.1
• 2014 I Mimic Me
• 2013 The Ballooning Brouhaha
• 2012 Art Decoy The Bluebeard Boy
• 2011 Orson Nietes
• 2010 The Vanished Dutchman
• 2009 When The Left Foot Fits The Right Shoe
• 2009 You Know Your Dad
• 2008 Hé José
• 2007 Volumed 10
• 2005 Gift Shot
•  Burned cd's:
• 2004 That's Me With The Ball
• 2002 He's Your Buddy
• 2001 Colour Me Black Or White
• 2000 Thanks For Stopping By
• 2000 Big Shoes To Fill
• 1999 Rub Your Face In It
• 1999 Tarts
• 1998 Now On Cd
• Cassettes 90 min.:
• 1998 A Beautiful Boy And His Dreamsister
• 1998 Shadowworld
• 1998 Every Damn Thing
• 1998 Finest Hour
• 1998 Within The Sphere Of Rhapsodies
• 1998 What Do You Call A Beautiful Day?
• 1997 Zenith Or Zerohour
• 1997 What's Your Next Triumph?
• 1997 Dreamboat With An Edge
• 1997 Expression Of My Own Desire
• 1996 In A Nutshell
• 1996 To Absent Friends And New Acquaintances
• 1996 Long Enough For Ya?
• 1996 Moodswing
• 1996 Vs The Patronizing People
• 1996 Life As A Transparent Movie
• 1995 Ode To A Player
• 1995 Greatest Nix
• 1995 True Blue Kind Of A Guy
• 1995 Starstruck
• 1994 The Trick Of A Kick
• 1994 Samsongs
• 1994 Goodness Knows
• 1994 22th Episode Of Side Effects
• 1993 Dixieland On A Flat hand
• 1993 Non Stop Riot
• 1993 What's The Name Of This Baby?
• 1993 C'est Therdin
• 1993 Step Into My Office
• 1992 Hope I'll Live After I'll die
• 1992 Now She Is
• 1992 You Don't Get It Do You?
• 1992 Quiet Monster
• 1992 On Top Of That Feeling
• 1991 The Zoo In You
• 1991 Hoopla
• 1991 People On Bridges
• 1990 Mr.Thisman's Blue Avenue
• 1990 How Would You Like Your Picnic?
• 1990 Man Enough The June Final
• 1989 Room Of Joy
• 1989 When
• 1988 One Example
• 1987 Valentine Suite

For Your Pleasure...Vol.2!

Just arrived! 22 instrumental songs, only available on Jamendo for now. Especially for video-projects and the like. And easy on the ears, heart, knees, mind and feet. So take them, they are yours.
Sort of an inbetweenie (refreshing for me to work on too!), For Your Pleasure Vol.2 is an ongoing series. Enough material for more pleasure.
My next "straight" album will arrive somewhere... in 2016.

During the process I noticed- by the flow and mostly beachy, summer mood- a little story was evolving while sequeing the songs. A concept? A Hitchcock/ Orson Welles mystery perhaps? Well, let's imagine....
Here's a little storyline I came up with (while listening) for a yet to be made or not to be made movie:

this reckless spy, once a successful operator, has to escape into his silhouette. Now older, washed up, stranded somewhere on a desolate beach, meeting the good (romance), the bad (no cash) & the ugly (fake romance) and getting away with it (with that "Moon Elevator") and finally steps out of his shadow.

Rock'n Roll Me In...Or Out!

Hai folks of the flat earth, what's happening?
I'm in the middle of learning more about the mixing and mastering process while recording new songs, trying to get on a higher level studiowise. Homerecording is tricky, when you're not a pro, but I'm getting better at it- at least what I think- with each new album. I'm learning.
So far I've got 9 songs, some already finished, except for the experimental mastering process. That's the last tweak on the mix.

Here's a one last thing I've done for my last album. Didn't hear it yet? Here you are Spotify
Got this little flashy, funny video for ya, sort of a collage of different versions of me playing  the same song "Rock'n Roll Me In Or Out". Hey it's my holidays by the way! I'm off....

 

 "You keep rolling in rolling out of my life

                                                  You've packed your bags, won't say farewell
                                                  Ain't got no tissues up there in Heartbreak Hotel

                                                 You keep rolling in rock'n roll me out of your life!

                                                 You keep walking in you keep walking out of my life
                                                 I knock at your door you won't open up
                                                 Keep pounding even louder I won't give it up

                                                 You keep ruling me in ruling me out of my life"

Hey, I know that song!

Hi folks, it's hot in da lowlands, but I still keep going!
Yes I am curious and as I stumbled upon those funny, glossy-styled video's I immediately recognized that voice (aargh) and the sound. Most of the songs are licensed by Jamendo. So far I've found 160 (there could be more of course) of them with a lot old, funky dutchman stuff and some do not fit at all:

Dance Till Your Drunk [2005], I Want It Back, Overdone [2005], Desertfly [2007], Making Faces [2008], Mumbo Jumbo Heebie Jeebies [2008], Wonder [2008], Violent Boy [2008], The Root of My Belly [2009], The Greek Way Garden [2010], Back To The Race [2011], Bigger Things [2011], Sugar tune [2011], Stupid Song(s) [2013], Sin Pan Alleyman [2014], Intermission Of Love [2014], Buy (Bye Bye) [2014], Slow Motion Dream [2014], Bomber Drone [2014]Have a great summer everyone!

You Tube advertising

My Personal Vinyl

How ironic: just when you think we'll all go digital, we're going analog. Needle, turntable, grooves, black, sleeves, analog...As a vinyl lover I've always dreamt about having my music on black plastic, until now... just received my own! It's a 10 inch one (25,4 cm), 3 songs on each side, so that way it fits in the post box. I listen while writing this and immediately I recognise those deep, warm nostalgic 70ties sounds, haha. Of course I had to choose which songs would make it. Six favourites from the last three albums are on it. Good fun!

Front

Back

Tube Channel

Just to add another way to find the obvious. Yes, I have one ( JoosTVD's vids) where I upload my own promo videos, but these days YouTube collects all the songtitles associated with the artist. Quite a varied bunch I may say....

                                           Made by online distributioner iMusician Digital

Praise the auteur!

100 pages long! Wow, that's a lot of words. Of course there are these great pictures of intense looking blues artists too to satisfy the view of tired readers. What an honor to be part of the review section (page 59!) of this german online blues-magazine, Wasser-Prawda, standing next to the latest of Boz Scaggs and Van Morrison. I already showed you this great review of my latest album in one of my last blogposts, but there is so much more. I think what this magazine adds to the current "scene" is the balance between the old and the new, the already known and the upcoming unknown. Some forgotten heroes like Andy Fairweather-Low or Leadbelly get large overviews. All written with the love for (blues) music.
Anyway, read the stuff, it's good for the soul!
WP-Magazine pdf

T.B.E.

Someone took notice of a certain soundcloud playlist I was on with "Unscrew Yourself". It read TBE. To Be Edited? No, it's a playlist of personal "To Be Evaluated" choices by Tom Robinson. You know that guy that sang "Glad To Be Gay" and a personal hero of mine songwriterwise. Comes to mind "War Baby", "Listen To The Radio" and "Still Loving You". What he will do with the songs only Joost may know...TBE.

Clever Review In Wasser-Prawda

Now with his sixth review since The Vanished dutchman [2010], Nathan still knows how to impress me with his couraging words. Well, it is his work, he's a journalist, always busy writing in a generous way. Thanks again, I'm very grateful!

It's in german, but I've put an free, loose english translation underneath it.
Here's the original Link

JoosTVD - Lightning Dutchman

German:


Manche Musiker sind einfach zu clever und gleichzeitig zu humorvoll, um in dieser ach so ernsten - und so erfolgsgierigen Welt - erfolgreich zu sein. Bin ich froh, dass jemand wie JoosTVD davon nicht entmutigen lässt und in jedem Jahr dennoch ein Album voller musikalisch großartiger Lieder zu veröffentlichen.
Es geht um Verschwörungen im Whirlpool, Paranoiker mit Knarren, den Narzissmus der Mediengesellschaft oder arme Schuhputzerjungen. Dabei trifft Rock auf Funk, Jazz, Latin und schamlos poppige Melodien. Und zuweilen holt Joost van Dinter sogar einen Slide heraus, um seine Gitarren zu spielen.
Klar gibt es in den Songs jede Menge Humor – wer aber JoosTVD wie ich über Jahre hinweg mit seiner Musik verfolgt, der lernt ihn darüber hinaus lieben als einen unwahrscheinlich reflektierten und feinfühligen Musiker, der einfach lieber drauflos lacht, als über all das Elend zu heulen.

English:
Some musicians are easy too clever and at the same time too amusing to be successful in these oh so serious - and thus successful-greedy world. If I am glad that not everyone allows to discourage the likes of JoosTVD of it who can publish every year an album more fully musically of great songs.

 It is about conspiracy in the jacuzzi, paranoic with rattles, the narcissism of the media society or poor shoeshine boy's boys. Besides, rock on radio, jazz, Latin and shamelessly poppige melodies hits. And now and again Joost van Dinter gets out even a Slide to play his guitars.

Clear there is in the songs a lot of humor – who pursues, however, JoosTVD like me for years away with his music, that learns him, in addition love as an incredibly reflected and sensitive musician who laughs simply rather, than to howl about all misery.

The story behind "Lighting Dutchman"

Songlist & Credits

It's been a year since I delivered "I Mimic Me". And now after an endless and addictive noodling situation in my homestudio, I'm going to tell the story behind them songs. It's always difficult to stop that creative process and give those babies away, but I'm also curious and excited- in a "what will happen with them?" mood. Not that I'm expecting too much...
This time I've chosen more songs than I had in mind, but I think they all fit the complete puzzle as It was meant to be.

Now JoosTVD,  what about touring? Mmmmmm...

Back to the homestudio: how did I do it?

1.Unscrew Yourself
The last song I wrote for this album. Unexpected. After strumming a lot of different D chords, I caught myself singing a simple melody to cheer me and you up! The build-up arrangements were a challenge, breaks and all, but then lightning struck. Now unscrew yourself.

2.Paranoiac With A Gun
Tense, nervous song, a bit like David Byrne's Psycho killer maybe. I wanted a more menacing, crazed voice. so a moment of rage I put down quickly and I think that's why it works. Notice the contrast with the more melodic and softer bridge (where I sing "but it's high....bullet in the sky"). Danceable.

3.Conspiracy In My Jacuzzi 
Hitchcock fantasy. A dangerous story! So I had to switch to narrator. the pitches in my voice were done deliberately. That paranoiac (pt.2) is everywhere, even in your own private bathroom.

4.Don't Do It Again
This song started out with a funky groove looping around and a few guitarchords, but it really caught fire when I wrote the melody on piano. I've noticed that I can create motives and melodies easier on piano than on guitar. Groovy.

5.Lost In The Underground
Pure Songwriting: knocked out guitar and melody parts all at once. Got this upand fast tempo! Which Arrangement? That latin touch was not difficult to choose. Melodies in the instrumental parts were found on piano. Joyful.

6.Rock'n Roll Me In Or Out
Fun fast write. This mirrors the paranoia of song 2 & 3. Blues turnaround outfit with country boots underneath it. I had lots of fun creating melodies. It always puts a broad smile on my face when I hear the first tones. Obvious video will follow...

7.Guru In A Lovetown
Satire on the narcistic way we use the media. One of the first songs I wrote that paved the way for some of punchier directions of this album. Dangerous guru charm!

8.Merenque Me Inside Out
Some ideas reveal their identity a couple years later. This is one of those ditties, where my voice didn't fit with the melody (not what I'd like to hear in my head), not until I found those latinesque melodies on the piano. Simply sung the title  which finished it. Seduction.


9.Limo
I think the first song I wrote for this album. More a vibe. I had a motive on electric piano. I used a fat wurlitzersound to get in the mood. Smooth.

Excited Dutchman

10.But Do I Miss You
Love, o my, what a serious topic... still I can't resist an old fashioned pop ballad about some lost love and I came up with one. Tried to sing with sincere vulnerability. So hard...

11.Never Get Tired
An older idea, first meant to be sung. That didn't satisfy, so I tried it the instrumental way which gave me a chance to experiment with instruments and melodies. Tireless energy.

12.Put Me To The Test
Mood: a little R&B and a smooth funky groove got me this far. A little Innercity Marvin Blues...


13.When The Chili Hits The Fan
Purpose of the song: hot (chili) humor counterbalances the heavy stuff. Just for the fun. After diner.


14.Your Hard-To-Get Got Up And Went
James Brown spoof? That chant ("hard to get"), the slow down effect on horns and funny noises did the trick. Funk me.

15.Shoeshine Boy
Rockish (classic?) ballad. And yes it's personal. Took a looooong time to get that final touch. Even played the solo slide guitar (haha). Even that is personal and not technical. Strength.

16.On A Good Day
Both relaxing and groovy song. Melodies written on the piano.

17.Live It Up For Me
My spanish guitar always brings out a certain latin charm that was the basis for this song. I found some melodic twists and turns (bridge), satisfying enough to be chosen for this abum.

18.For A Lifetime In A Daydream
Dreamy, melancholic popballad written and played in one take on piano.

Well, if you have made it this far, you can relax/ scream/ laugh/ cry/ take a leak. Fill me in!
Thanks for listening. Spread 'em folks!

Happy Dutchman

Your Tube!

As you all know, Youtube is a very populair streamservice, so I've taken the liberty of putting some audio- consisting 5 songs for now- up there. Audio to watch on Your Tube!

German Blues radio

I really liked radio as a kid. I don't listen often now, but this evening at 8 o'clock I'll be listening. Here is Radio Eins Not only I'll be on the playlist (he started the program with Unscrew Yourself), but some of my favourite great bluesplayers and singers are there too.

It's that german journalist Nathan that has added me on the playlist. He has already written some great reviews in his online Art/ Music magazine Wasser Prawda on my albums (like I Mimic Me [2014], The Ballooning Brouhaha [2013], Art Decoy The Bluebeard Boy [2012], Orson Nietes [2011], The Vanished Dutchman [2010] in the past. His review on my new album will come later this week. Wow, looking forward to this! Tune in, drop out!

Inside story! Questionaire

Sometimes you meet the most couraging people without seeing them face to face. Modern times I guess. Had a lovely "encounter" yesterday with a music writer (and other nice music enthusiasts, like Wim Oudijk!), who asked for an interview, well sort of..more like a questionaire. Thanks again for the nice puttings! His blog is HERE


POP'N'ROLL THE FUSION IF YOU DARE 

Thunder and lightning... A fusion you just can't ignore... He's back with a full length album... JOOSTVD is bound to get you smiling whatever style you're in... Welcome...

Sometimes it takes an orchestra,
sometimes a band,
sometimes a duo, every time it's the love for music
and this time it's just one man...

JOOST VAN DINTHER

The disappearing and reappearing
Vanished Dutchman is back with a full length album
and he made a really enjoyable music fusion

that can be tasted HERE
but you should take five to read what the man himself
had to say in his defence:

A short story about who you are and what you do...
I’m now an old(er)looking guy with a kid’s attitude.
Growing up in the seventies (listening to Roxy Music, Can and David Bowie e.a.), I followed in the footsteps of my father, whose collection of history, art books and music inspired me to make music. Now I‘m living the dream of creating songs, recording and spreading them.
I’m collecting myself too of course.

A new album every spring... What's the trick?
I love the album concept. Regular life. Breathing in and out.
Being a family man, trying to enjoy the little things. Boring maybe, not the obvious too much sex/drugs/rock’n'roll lifestyle I guess. I like the working pattern I have developed. It’s like a cycle: ideas pop up, I bring them to life and then hopefully this very intense process starts over. I’m already busy with new songs now this new album is out. Guess you have to be (and I am) kinda disciplined. Work to make it work!

Doing all this work by yourself... You must be a little crazy :) 
Why are you crazy about music?
Yes you have to be crazy! I’m addicted to sound and the “what will happen if I push this button or play that chord the whole time” method. I’m also a fervent listener and a fan of lots of great artists, like Todd Rundgren and Frank Zappa, whose individuality have educated and inspired me to do this
DIY thing.

You can take only one instrument with you. Which one? Why?
To an island? Drums (that’s maybe too heavy to carry with me, but still).
I started out as a drummer. That was the first  reall kick and my direct connection with playing an instrument. Around 1979 Stewart Copeland (Police) provided the stimulation. O my god, I can’t write songs on a cowbell! Maybe an acoustic guitar will do then.

 Admit something that makes (made) you blush?
A lot of people watching at the same time…. at the introverted me.

It's a sunny day, you feel good but real hungry, walk into a restaurant... 
What's your order?
First I’ll take a cold Belgian beer (Palm) to cool off.
If I’m really hungry I’ll order pizza… Hawaii.

How do you perform a live show?
I don’t anymore. I did with a few bands in the Netherlands from 1980 till 1995. First as a drummer, later as a frontman performing my own songs. Acting like a clown on stage. I do like performing, though I don’t see myself as a “good” performer. Not by technical standards I’d like it to be.

 Message for our viewers?
I’m always grateful to new and loyal listeners and as a musician it’s even more rewarding to get feedback on your stuff. It all helps to get better and to keep this “cycle” going. It’s an acting- reaction thing I guess. Just like this interview. Thanks for asking me!

***

Promo video of the new album
starts with a small provocation
but hey... if life gets too complicated...
and you feel screwed up... well... unscrew yourself!

Remember that!

Thank you for visiting!

Lightning Dutchman released and where?

Wow! Fast delivery by Routenote! (will updated when new links arrive) Stream, buy...have fun!
And....why not leave a note? Have a nice weekend. I'm proud.

Delirious Dutchman

Online music stores:

Spotify
iTunes 
Googleplay
Amazon
Emusic
RoutenoteDirect
Deezer
Rdio 
Bandcamp 
SensCritique
Noisetrade
Juno 
7Digital
Qubuz 

Online blogs & platforms

SouthernBluesRock
Common People's Music Bar
Avaxhome 
Musicbay 
World Pop Music Blog
Jamendo 

Unscrew Yourself, video promo "Lightning Dutchman"

Yes! As I write this, the new album is in the distribution process and when approved it will arrive in a few (2 to 4) weeks. Spotify, Deezer and iTunes will be the first streamlinks, the rest will follow. Fingers & legs crossed.
Now get ready for the first promo video, especially if you've got the blues. I've got that sometimes. You'll see what I do in that case in the clip. Guess we all feel screwed up sometimes, so what if I add a "positive" Un on it so we say: Unscrew Yourself? That's it, Say it! Get involved. It's the first song you'll hear when you put on that Lightning Dutchman [2015] album. So enjoy, hope you like...

Next: The story behind "Lighting Dutchman"

Live session......

....but only in pictures. For now. A lot of work has been done there in his homestudio. Wonder which song he's singing....must be one of the new songs! Notice all the albums in the background. No, those can't be his...

Climaxing Dutchman

Jolly Singing Dutchman

"Oe" Dutchman

Percussive Dutchman

Next: Promo video!

Title & Covers for the new 2015 album

Beware, especially the impatient listeners, it's a longplayer (like a double album on vinyl), but relax... it consist mostly of short songs. 18 of them.  I could even choose from about thirty/forty songs. Lucky son of a ...Yes, it's been a very productive ride in my homestudio. But I'm aware...quantity is not quality.
Excited? Me?

I've been in a very electric- no, not in the heavy guitar metal way-state of mind the last year. All that bursts of inspiration, energy coming out, so I came up with this flashy title:

                                                Lightning Dutchman

sure, there are always references......a bluesname like Lighnin' Hopkins? Well, although I'm not a bluesman, I have a few blues chops in my throat, so indirectly it is) To me it sounds cool and nifty.

                                                                            

Frontcover

                                                                                                         The concept: 
Pictures have been taken by my camera-spying spouse Yola on a weekend trip, while climbing an endless dutch tower. I've dealt with the design (the black & white, lightning electricity effect) and what I especially liked about it, was the delusive perspective (upside down) of the staircase. It reminded me of the work of dutch artist Escher. The mystery of that Vanished Dutchguy. Fascinated by gravity and relativity? Take a walk into the illusion of the Penrose stairs
Now look at the covers (two frontcovers!) and tell me where the stairs are:
 

alt.Frontcover 2/innersleeve & Backcover & songlist

Excited! Me? 

Next: live session, New song, video promo "Lightning Dutchman"

2015: what am I here for and what can you do?

Hey, it's 2015 and here we are again: I'm in the last stages of a new TVD album. Slowly, but with the unavoidable bursts of energy (electricity!) and all the practising experiences I've endured, it is all working out smoothly.

Electric Dutchman

One thing I can't do, is to force this music and...the words.. Got one lyric about a past lovestory I can't finish. Yes, she broke my heart. Damn. But I got over it or did I(?), so the obvious, but paradoxal title "But Do I Miss You" came up. The answer? Two ways: I don't miss you at all, I miss you so bad. Dilemma. Well, that became the refrain. But for the rest it's... guess It's all about the right combination of words that have to gel together and for now they are just too cheesy! In the past I used my personal experiences as lyrics, but I try to make them less navelstaring and more "universal". That's where my goal lays here. Love and cheese, aaargh. Bold love then?
What can you do? (Throw money!) Maybe you can send me some alternative words that can give this story a litle more edge.
Really love to experiment with the homestudio though. It's just an addition to the finishing touch, like a simple palette, but with a wide range of colours to choose from if you mix them.

In the following months you can expect a few more posts, updates, so stand by me. BTW, what time is it?
Have a nice day, night or evening folks!

Two Thousand and Fourteen

That's it, this is the end my friends......another year vanished. Let's take a walk back into, mostly my musicyear.

2014: a year of the surprising and unexspected losses:
R.I.P. actors I have enjoyed, like Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robin Williams, but so many in a short time! See a full list IMDB deathlist 2014
To many musicians I have admired, like Bobby Keys, Jack Bruce, Johnny Winter, Bobby Womack,  Jesse Winchester, Paco De Lucia, Phil Everly, Pete Seeger, Joe Cocker (!)
Full Ranker death musicians 2014

A "few" words on Jack Bruce, because he put me on another planet and back. Everyone surely knows Cream, that supergroup from the sixties. Eric Clapton was God (to his fans and media), pushed forward as the star of the band by his american  record label at the time (Atlantic).

Not everyone knows (guess after Jack's death everyone suddenly knows!) that Jack wrote the most adventurous songs and the main hits (with lyricist Pete Brown) for the group. After Cream, Jack pursued his own musical route and his main goal was to test the boundaries in composition and arrangements of a song. His unususal and complex songwriting was a commercial flop in many obvious ways. No instant hits, no white room with sunshine peeking through it. No glamour. Just adventurous music, to keep things interesting. Searching, that was Jack, who could play many instruments (cello, bass, piano, guitar) and used them in his own personal expressive way, often resulting in composing beautiful melodies. As a working musician he became a paradox of styles, as he often guested on other albums from extreme avantgarde (Carla Bley, Michael Mantler, Zappa), "pop" (Lou Reed) to almost straight hardrock (West, Bruce, Laing). The list goes on.


I was just a green kid when Cream played their last farewell concert in the Royal Albert Hall in 1968, so I was a late Jack discoverer. Indirectly, because it was not by listening to his solo albums that already took off in 1969, but through the very intensely and inspired works of Kip Hanrahan. Especially  his 1984 album Vertical's Currency did it for me. In the middle of the sterile eighties, it was such a welcome and organic contrast to discover. That beautiful soft, intense and sensitive voice of Jack's subtle singing, bossa nova styling in the midst of a ritmically masterful band and unexpected songstructures, the whole album oozes and breathes like the human spirit: I couldn't believe that this was the former Cream bassplayer. As if Kip knew how to stir up Jack's eclectic strenghts.
So I seriously went back into his work. I found a bridge to his second 1971 soloalbum, Harmony Row, because of a few new songversions from that on Vertical's Currency, like Smiles And Grins. I was immediately intrigued by the songstructures and eclectic style. After a wild and sometimes fruityless search (it was the bloody eighties remember?) I had all of his soloalbums explored, but at the same time around 1988 Jack was crimically overlooked and seemed passé.

I couldn't believe it. Luckely he came back and got the respect he widely deserved.
I insist you "meet" him. It's not an easy listen at first, but hey, take your time.
Thanks Jack, for your expression and inspiration.







2014: I Mimic Me, my latest collection arrived in april. I'm not as musical as Jack, let that be clear. He's an example for me. Who am I anyway? I can only be grateful that I can bring them albums out. Submitted a few songs to more internetradio than before. Created some funny vids. Lots of airplay, downloads & streaming again, nice words on blogs, reviews, thanks to the digital world. And thanks to you! So musicians: just stay at home folks and meet new people!


By november I put out a short instrumental album, only exclusively on Jamendo, which also specialises in license music. (backgroundmusic/ multimedia projects) So much stuff up there, take a look:
For Your Pleasure Vol.1  

2014: Same as it ever was. Time to listen? Yeah, I follow a few interesting blogs for the more obscure, artists from the past mostly. The missing pieces in my collection.  
The new 2014 albums? Good to see so many great young, talented and enthousiastic musicians these days learning from the roots. A critical note here. Too much to listen to. So many contests. But just too little to mention, sorry. Guess as you get older, you think you've heard it all, ha.  So many releases now are so highly acclaimed by some of the press- so the hashtags on their tweets make the stories popular, it's so ridiculous. Especially in the more "o so intellectual thinking" musicscene. Interesting, fresh, hip. Yes, I'm talking indie. No, I'm not an "indie" fan at all. Is it really Indie in Independent? Or in style? Post Rock? Post what? Empty, vague, confusing and hypocritic words. They talk about it all the time, so therefore it becomes commercial. For me the word "Indie" is just as boring mainstream as U2 became! U2? There, where the money goes. Industry sucks.
It's just music, listen to it. Don't talk just head. Same as it ever was.

Jack is one of the main reasons why I love the searching, the craft of songwriting. 
As Joe Cocker sang his heart out: that's the true artist.
And hey, my list of 2014 consist mostly (!) old "boring" veteran musicians with that consistent craft!
One thing they have in common: they don't have to scream to get attention.

Hipster albums of 2014:

Ben Sidran- Blue Camus

You don't have to shout to be cool! This is smooth, intimate, hipster to the core, very organic. 70(!) old  jazzy beatpoet Ben did it again and his son plays the drums. Hooray!

Leo Sidran- Mucho Leo

Talking about his son (aha the only younger hipster here), what a pleasant surpise to hear these warm, subtle songs.

Loudain Wainwright III- Haven't Got The Blues (Yet)

Nothing new, but still fresh with words. Loudon already stole my heart with his painful sense of humor. Typical: sometimes uplifting, but bitchy folksy, melancholic next. Reflective as a mirror.

Herb Alpert- In The Mood

Yes I'm in the mood. It works, if you're in need of some. Production surprises in colourful arrangements. Herb knows and blows: warm, easy, smooth, just too subtle to call it ordinary muzak.

Neil Young- Storytone

Some critics have slaughtered this cheesy album. I think it's his best since I don't know when. More ambituous productionwise (strings like on Harvest). The full strings/ orchestra is such a beautiful contrast to his fragile delivery.

Ben Watt- Hendra
                           

Everything but the boy. Ben creates a haunting, intimate atmosphere. John Martyn comes to mind.          

Jack Bruce- Silver Rails

Needs repeated listens. Jack's personal vision. Worth it.



Neil Finn- Dizzy Heights

Surprised by this atmospheric, trippy sound. Neil tries to lift up the songs, reaching many dizzy heights.


Quoting former post 2013:"And for the sensational background information, here's a few books I've read this year. As usual, mostly sleezy (auto)biographies. Recommended:"

Victor Bockris- Lou Reed
Donald Fagen- Eminent Hipsters
Graham Nash- Wild Tales 
Rod Stewart- Autobio
Tracey Thorn- Bedsit Disco Queen
Steve Martin- Born Standing Up
David Browne- Fire & Rain 1970
David Byrne- Bicycle Diaries
Don Felder- Heaven & Hell
Judy Collins- Sweet Judy Blue Eyes
Keith Richards & James Fox (Contributor) - Life
Paul Stanley- Face The Music A Life Exposed
Ace Frehley- No Regrets
Peter Criss- Makeup to Breakup
Nick Mason- Inside Out
Rob Chapman- A Very Irregular Head Syd Barrett
Harry Shapiro- Jack Bruce Composing Himself

Shockpopradio 2014 list

Yes, with that 2013 (stupid)song of mine. Ah, what the heck...



ShockPop play list November 30, 2014
Every Sunday, Noon to 2PM Eastern 
on www.ScrubRadio.com 
Podcast Mixcloud

ShockPop podcast - November 30 2014 by Shockpop on Mixcloud

... wherein we dig mostly 2014 releases! It's been a very good year...

1. ShockPop! - ON THE AIR with Sparkwood!
2. The Penguin Party - I Wanna Be A Cult
3. Dana Countryman - The Summer I Turned Seventeen
4. Ali Ingle - The Locker
5. Alex Highton - Everybody Loves You When You're Dead
6. Dead Heart Bloom - Broken Babylon (edit)
7. 8X8 - Stop The Madman
8. Paul Handyside - Love Lies Elsewhere
9. Paul Butler - She runs with the foxes
10. Captain Wilberforce - Johnny Depp Memorial Cafe
11. Les Bicyclettes de Belsize - Beatnik My Guest
12. The JAC (featuring the Christmas Crew) - Sweet Tooth Ache
13. JoosTVD - Stupid Song(s)
14. mylittlebrother - Lovers of Life, Unite!
15. Expo - Old Friends Don't End
16. The Big I Am - Clothes (Snippet Remix)
17. The Click Beetles - The Changes
18. James M Carson - Money (We Don't Need)
19. Joe Crookston - tuesday morning
20. Identical Suns - Show Me A Sign
21. Dermot - This Moment
22. Dave Caruso - I've Tried To Write You
23. Martin Newell - Ghosts Of Christmas
24. Gordon Weiss - Listening
25. Rick Hromadka - Dreams Of A Hippy Summer
26. Alexander Khodchenko - Children Descend To The Balconies
27. Butch Barnette - Good Hot Cuppa Joe
28. Nine Times Blue - This Time
29. Charley Says - Tabletalk
30. The Squires Of The Subterrain - Dr. Van Der Jagt
31. Biscuithead & the Biscuit Badgers - Our Dog
 32. Sonofold - The boil is up to you
33. Wim Oudijk - Tree stands tall at Times Square

For Your Pleasure!

Is this the new album? Naaah...just an in betweenie. All instrumental. Short songs. All kinds of moods. Just listen and get in the mood. Yeah. The real new album will arrive somewhere early 2015. Yeah. Dig.

On your radio

It's always fun to hear your song on the air or on a mixtape. So many talents that need to be heard.
I've already told you about Croydon Radio (London) and here are some other platforms on www to get your music heard. It's all about spreading the goods. Have fun!

ShockPop play list October 19, 2014
Podcast on Mixcloud

Every Sunday, Noon to 2PM Eastern 
on www.ScrubRadio.com

1. ShockPop! is ON THE AIR with Sparkwood!
2. Rick Hromadka - Dreams Of A Hippy Summer
3. Mama Got Five - Ocean
4. The Brigadier - Just a little kiss Miss Busy
5. Danny Trashville - Big Fish
6. The Well Wishers - Over and Under
7. The Hi-Nobles - Big Black Car
8. Paul Butler - Sweet sea creature
9. The Heart Strings - The Five Minute Wonder Boy
10. Baby Scream - Twenty Seven
11. Wim Oudijk - Naughty Little Flea
12. Maxi Dunn - Perfect Sorrow
13. Dermot - This Moment
14. The Mockers - Little Girl Blue
15. The Dixie Bee-Liners - (I Need) Eighteen Wheels
16. Butch Barnette - News These Days
17. Maini Sorri - Moira
18. Toy Horses - Sordid Little World
19. Bigfellas - 4:20
20. Geggy Tah - Giddy Up
21. JoosTVD - Stupid Song(s)
22. Shoes - Out of Round
23. PT Walkley - Leeches
24. Two Sheds Jackson - Memory Lane
25. Paul Butler - I remember Mabel
26. The Milk Carton Kids - I Still Want A Little More
27. Pete McCabe - The 6 A.M. Train
28. Seth Swirsky - Twenty Minutes to Myself
29. Justin Kline - Heart Attack
30. Lannie Flowers - Come On Girl (LIVE)
31. The Legal Matters - We Were Enemies
32. Brian Ray - Sub Atomic
33. The Duckworth Lewis Method - Rain Stops Play


USA Pittsburgh Radio Madein
 

1.	Come Clean	Action Camp	PA	2014
2.	Dark Surf	Action Camp	An Introduction to   Action Camp	2012
3.	You Don't Even Know   My Name	Action Camp	PA	2014
4.	Gasoline	Ben Dumm And The   Deviants	Ben Dumm And The   Deviants	2012
5.	Homestead Greys	Big Snow Big Thaw	Big Snow Big Thaw	2012
6.	Lonesome Highway	Bill Jasper Acoustics	Deviled Soul EP	2014
7.	Today It's Raining On   Just You	Broken Fences	Broken Fences	2013
8.	Deviant	Chalk Dinosaur	Dawn	2013
9.	Doubter's Blues	Chet Vincent and The   Big Bend	Unconventional Dog	2014
10.	Plumage	Dazzletine	Heart, Mind, Bodies	2011
11.	Skin Period	Dazzletine	Heart, Mind, Bodies	2011
12.	Track 04	Dolce Gueverra		2012
13.	S&M	Fist Fight in The   Parking Lot	Fist Fight in The   Parking Lot	2012
14.	Jesus and Johnny Cash	FOOD	Four Pieces From   Candyland	2012
15.	Santa Maria	FOOD	Four Pieces From   Candyland	2012
16.	Train Hound	Grand Piano	America's America	2013
17.	Sailor's Life	Harlan Twins	Old Familiar	2012
18.	Velvet Shoes	JoosTVD	I Mimic Me	2014
19.	Everything you Have	Joy Ike	All Or Nothing	2013
20.	Honky Tonk Angel	Legendary Hucklebucks	Rattle All Night Long   and Shake You	2005
21.	Cowboy's Lament	Lukas Read	Ramble Man, Ramble	2013
22.	Innocents Abroad	Meeting of Important   People	My Ears Are Having a   Heart Attack!!	2012
23.	Keep Your Eyes On Me	Meeting of Important   People	My Ears Are Having a   Heart Attack!!	2012
24.	Allegheny Mountain   Queen	Slim Forsythe	Down on My Knees at   Nied's Hotel Again	2012
25.	Why   Can't I Get Duquesne On This Sad Lonesome Train	Slim Forsythe	Down on My Knees at   Nied's Hotel Again	2012
26.	Major Moves	The Come Up	Change Of Plans	2012
27.	Torn	The Danzas	We're The Boss -   REMASTER	2013
28.	Won't Last	The Options	Rob's Couch EP	2013
29.	Magic Touch	The   Semi-Supervillains	Tricks	2013
30.	She Put a Spell On Me	The   Semi-Supervillains	Tricks	2013
31.	Clambake	The Turbosonics	The Turbosonics	2013
32.	Zombie-A-Go-Go	The Turbosonics	The Turbosonics	2013
33.	Acid Love	Ursa Major	Never Worried About A   Thing in My Life	2012
34.	Getting Warmer	Ursa Major	Never Worried About A   Thing in My Life	2012
35.	I Get Dreaming	Whiskey Holler	Hive Songs	2012
36.	Let's Go Home	Whiskey Holler	Hive Songs	2012

Songwriters fog

No, I don't have writer's block, never met any. Just want to talk a bit about the impenetrable fog that can cloud your overindulgent mind, when you've got a sudden burst of creativity. I've been there a few times. So for the aspiring, enthousiastic songwriters, here's my 50 cents.
Here's your first, ok second. working on it.... no, rewrite, aah here it is....your 550th song. Freshly composed with the help of those unstoppable brains that pour out emotions through your fingertips. "Is it that good? Wow, I can't believe what I just did! And I only know three chords! Better put it on tape now -just like that sleepdrunk Keith Richards did with the riff of Satisfaction- before I forget that special little ditty."

Keith is almost satisfied....

Don't be shy! If you' ve got the drive, the chops, the writings will be all over the place. Go with the flow, don't force it and before you know it, you've got that hook. Next thing, you want to play it over and over again....ok, now stop... before your mind is getting too much out there, like in a constant high. You imagine yourself on a stage in front of thousands of adoring and screaming fans: wow, bang, starstruck!
It's a pity, but there's a- too good to be true- foggy cloud that hangs all over you. There's always hope. Something like a dark vaderish voice comes to the rescue and says: "better come down to earth Luke (Skywalker). Think it over. Let the song breath for a while. You need some distraction, go and do the dishes, walk the dog, or throw out the trash. O, is it that late? Go to sleep. Sweet dreams. When you wake up (look in the mirror of truth first), listen to that wonderful stuff again with fresh ears. Does it still gives you the same thrills and chills? Yes? There it izzzz." Even if you've forgotten to record it, as long as you can remember the melody, there's nothing to fear.
It lies in the continuity of songwriting to build up your confidence and your personal style brothers and sisters. Trust in yourselves. Keep writing, playing, practising. I still do.

The obvious well-intentioned, but often false feedback every artistic talent gets and craves for in the beginning and too soon, is this: do my parents like it? "No mam/dad, stop the biased way of pleasing your obvious talented, but eagerly waiting for approvement son/ daughter!"
Well, it's a start. And even if your friends think your voice has got that special sound that belongs in some hyped TV contest, the best is, in my opinion, the humble attitude way.

JoosTVD used to gig you know...

Recording a song is like a selfie. Listening can be a painful ear experience in the beginning, but it will keep you on your toes. When I used to perform back in the day, we used to record almost every gig. Not just for laughs & kicks alone, but to use it as a truth mirror to get tighter as a band.
These days you don't have to gig to get some attention, although it's the most rewarding situation, if one exposes himself directly.
Find out what's working best for you. Are you an introspective singer-songwriter (James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens) or a frontman (with a band)- songwriter? So why not expose yourself in a small way. Bring your guitar/ bongos/ mouthharp (what else?) and good humour to your friend's party. Invite the whole neighbourhood if you like. Mouth to mouth advertising, next to the social media can be crucial in broadening your horizon.
Laaaaaazzzzzzy?
Hey, the world is flat, because of the unavoidable www, it's easy to try out a few tunes on some of these social interactive platforms (appreciate the feedback and return the favor). Because of the tsunami of songs these days, don't expect anything though. Just write, write, write and after that, write. The Pollock way. Cut/paste words, jumble chords, do it. The next song will/can be better. The most curious, hidden things about myself I have discovered through songwriting. It's a discipline, a way of life, a commitment.
The homestudio then?

Todd at work

A small setup (for example, these days wizz kid Todd Rundgren only uses a laptop, interface software, guitar/keyboard and some already discovered creativity) is enough to get things going and is relatively cheap. There's so much for the DIY on the internet by the way. Take advantage!
So I guess you already know where to go, but as an example I've put a few of my favourite (and if you don't mind, personal) links up here:

Emeraz
Bandcamp
Jamendo
Soundcloud
Reverbnation
Youtube
Amazing Tunes
Fresh On The Net

Yes, there's always more....

Update the up to date

Animated Dutchman

Although I'm in the middle of recording and writing some fresh tunes, there's always other things I have to take care off, like experimenting with the artwork for the new album. By the way, the above rainbow gif pic will not be used as a frontcover. It's just a example of what an amateur can do these days with a modest picture. Just a simple google search (photo-editor) is enough to find some great ones like Lunapic with gif animation. Back to the colourful acid area circa 1967!                                    

As I said earlier, I'm in the middle of recording new songs (these are mostly the most obvious studio  happenings, like writing melodies & lyrics, mixing, arranging, playing and goofing off) and there's a  lot to choose from, worthly of as least two albums(!) What comes quick, will last, that's my motto.   Sometimes I've got a-wow brilliant-idea (on piano or guitar or a lyric) so guickly played, arranged and recorded, that I often stand amazed afterwards. Two days work. For me, that's the most organic and satisfying way to do it. Ok, it's not like the mind blowing fast Pollock method, but hey, I would if I could play all the instruments  simultaneously. I just try to put the ideas on tape in the moment  you're one with the song. Wow, I must have got an acid brain!  I hear you think: "why not put out the songs ASAP then?" Well, that's because I still believe in the concept of making an album as a whole, not just spreading a few songs as loose ends. Fleshing out the finishing touches takes the most time.   The quantity helps for the learning process. Maybe I will put up some rough mixes here on the blog. I  guess it's just the kick of hearing the perfect fitting sounds, melodies and the exploring, experimenting and finishing of your creations, that makes you work faster. And as I'm getting older, the more flexible I've got. I've read somewhere that Prince- guess any prolific songwriter- works all through the night to finish a song, just to get it done.                                                                                                                                                                 So I better move on.....  In the meantime I'll need a title for the new album, suggestions anyone?