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The widest read, 'delivered to your Email box', weekly music Ezine on the Music Net.
The Archive - '2'
A FREE service from 'The
Serious Writers Guild' at MAKEHITS.COM
Written by Dec Cluskey with a little bit of help from his friends.
This Email first mailed to all Members of 'The Serious Writers Guild' and subscribers to 'One Minute With Dec' on
01 Dec 2006
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=================================
'One Minute With Dec'
Since 1996
"My Emails Are Written With Good Humour And Should Be Read With A Smile"
[-The views of any contributor to 'One Minute with Dec' are not necessarily the views of Dec Cluskey-]
"Love is something eternal - the aspect may change but not the essence." Vincent Van Gogh
MENU:
Alan Freeman [Fluff] R.I.P.
Alan [Fluff Freeman] passed away this week .... beloved of all in the UK for his Top 40 chart shows. He was a dear friend for all of our Recording Career, originally from Australia.
He became a member of The Grand Order of Water Rats which is the most prestigious, exclusive body of show Business men in the world .... 170 members world wide and less that 800 members in total since it's inception in 1889.
Alan was awarded the unique honour of being made King Rat [as was I].
Anecdote: we went on a charity cruise organised by Freddie 'Parrot Face' Davies .... Many stars were on board including Con and Dec The Bachelors and Dickie Henderson etc. Our mornings were spent at the bar on the aft deck basking in the sunshine.... Dickie walked up to us "what are we drinking?" ... Me: Dry Martinis"... Alan: "I can't remember when I had a dry martini at 10 am in the morning" .... Dickie: "I can't remember when I haven't had a dry martini at 10AM in the morning!"
We shall miss Alan, particularly for his 'messy' look .... But didn't it look good? His huge carry-all bag which he seemed to have with him constantly [we never did find out what was in it].
But most of all we shall miss him for his deep sincerity, his deep affection for his friends [and Con and I were in that circle] ... And his enormous ability to give of himself .... Particularly in supporting The Grand Order of Water Rats .... He died whilst living at Brinsworth House a beautiful home for those who have enjoyed a full live in Show Business ... Originally founded and funded by The Rats!
See picture of Alan presenting us with the 'Shooting Star' award for highest entry in the chart that week www.thebachelors.co.uk ... boy, do I look young?
Fluff
has suffered from chronic arthritis for some years and was recently in hospital
for five weeks. Happily, he was able to return home to Brinsworth for the last
two weeks. Sheila Gould, the Matron, was with him when he died,
peacefully, last evening.
As
most of his relations live in
Our
condolences go to Fluff’s elderly sister and his nieces and nephews.
"Don't forget your umbrella - I might water the plants today" - God
Unique pictures of me at work!
I am rarely captured on film whilst producing. I just love being in the background and keeping my producing talents reserved for those who want expert advice ... but they got me! In full flight! In Rome!
I was producing Bobby Solo ... a huge star in Italy [much like Cliff Richard in the UK] A film crew were filming a documentary as this project will be massive in Italy and probably the UK... check out the pics. at http://www.justcarmen.us/ go to 'see' .. pics. 4,5,6. Those involved with me were Alan Reeves ... Grammy award winning screen writer and executive producer Giovani Di Stefano ..... international lawyer now representing Sadam Hussein in a humanitarian attempt to avoid his execution [most countries absolutely oppose this sentence] see his history making blog at: http://www.studiolegaleinternazionale.com/blogHome.php4 you can see world history in the making, as it happens .. day by day .... he has called me twice today! You would not believe where from and who he was with.
The project is an album of Duets with JustCarmen and stars from all over the world. What an exciting project to be involved with.
Want good quality band pins to merchandise?
Hope you're fine and dandy! Just wanted to let you know about some dates we're doing in December with the fabulous new 6-piece line-up. Now I know that a lot of folk think there's no need for any drummers in a blue grassy, rootsy Americana band but, hey, we got three! Well, a drummer and two percussionists anyhow, which led Hank Maninger (Hacienda Brothers) to remark, "Hey man, you're the Santana of Country!". I don't know about that, but I do know well be ripping it up on the following dates....
Sat 9th December, The Maverick, Stourbridge
Sat 16th December, The Alex, Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton
Wed 27th December, The Angel, Kingsland, Leominster
I would just point out that the Alex in Chapel Ash is a Hells Angels pub, so best visited by those with a robust sense of humour and not of a shy and retiring nature. The others are all quite genteel! (in comparison).
"Brief is life but long is love." - Alfred Lord Tennyson
A good visual laugh? [this will give you a laugh just before Christmas?]Check out this one...
"The heart that loves is always young." - Greek Proverb
Tip of the Week
Special Characters
Instead of saying 98 cents, wouldn’t it be cooler to say 98¢ - well you can. You can use the ALT key plus a number combination to get fractions or the cent or UKpound sign. You can also write the copyright and registered signs ... You have to use the number keypad (usually located on the right hand side of your keyboard) in order for this tip to work.
ALT + 155 = ¢
ALT + 171 = ½
ALT + 172 = ¼
ALT + 0190 = ¾
ALT + 0176 = °
ALT + 0216 = Ø
ALT + 133 = à
ALT + 134 = å
ALT + 0174 = ®
ALT + 0169 =
©
Bob Osgoodby
"To love abundantly you make it again." - Henry Drummond
Success Stories
Hi Dec
You Tube
"Presents"
Mickey Strange 'Live' @ the State Theatre in Detroit, MI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZzohP2r53s
Another:
Hi Dec
I love the One Minute emails, and the wealth of information contained in them. I can tell you this Dec, that in years to come you will be recognized as a great friend and mentor, if not the greatest, who shared his love and knowledge of Music, and the Music Business to all who would simply read. What you are doing is a great work. I can imagine Ludwig von Beethoven smiling and thinking, ' the world needs more like this man '.
I received an Email from D **** ***** in Nettertal just over the border in Germany with regard to collaboration. He is seeking a lyric writer for his songs. I go to visit with him next Thursday, at his home and studio.
Thank you for that Dec, great idea that of bringing the members together in a mailing list.
Aidan
And another:
Dec,
It certainly is [San Remo Festival still going strong]. My singer (Arianna Sacchi) just won the first eliminations round and is now looking strong for the finals. The song that won the first round was the one I sent you over the mail a while back
Moral: being a student of yours, your name may make the San Remo archives again
Henry
And another:
Yes, I agree with you 100%. I spent 100's of pounds on books on the music business before I found your course. Yours is the only book/course which is of any real help to anyone. Wish I'd come across it earlier!You've helped my sister a lot too.She's just got her first film role. Only 100 pounds a day but it's a good start.Thanks again, David
And another:
Hi Dec,
I’m really loving The Art of Live Performing (I’m on the starter grade). I’ve been a member of the Serious Writers’ Guild for about five years now and The Art of Live Performing was just what I needed to get me all fired up again. The part about not giving up just yards from the finishing line was the one that did it for me. Thank you.
Many thanks for everything Dec. By the way, you say on your CD’s that some people hate you. Well, quite honestly, those people must be mental. I think you’re great. You must have had such a positive influence on so many people’s lives; the knock-on effect of what you teach probably goes far beyond what you could imagine.
From Dec: Yep there is even a website dedicated to attempting to destroy me! Seriously! There are some fruitcakes out there ... one of them was seen in my driveway one night spying on me ...Hmmmmm! I call them 'Self Appointed Examiners of Dec's Material' ... none of the have ever read any book or programme I have written or heard any audio programme I have produced - yet they feel they can criticise? What planet are they on? Not an ounce of success between them.
"Age does not protect you from love, but love protects you from age." Jeanne Moreau
=====================
Charts:
(1) Justin
Timberlake Featuring T.I. .... My
Love Jive | Zomba
(2) Akon
Featuring Eminem ... Smack
That ... SRC/Up Front/Konvict
| Universal Motown
(3) Fergie ...
Fergalicious will.i.am/A&M | Interscope
1) Take
That ... Patience
... (Polydor) .... http://www.takethattv.com
2) Akon Ft Eminem
... Smack That ... (Universal)
.... http://www.akononline.com/
3) Booty Luv ... Boogie 2nite ... (Hed Kandi) ... http://www.ministryofsound.com
1) Take
That ... Patience
... (Polydor) .... http://www.takethattv.com
2) Justin Timberlake Ft Timbaland
... My Love ... (Sony BMG Music)
3)
Akon Ft Eminem ... Smack That
... (Universal) .... http://www.akononline.com/
Hi Dec
If you have the time, could you advise me on the following?
I've recently sold my Akai dps 24 track recorder and am looking at computer based systems.
After researching various systems, apple seems to be the best solution. However, I am uncertain as to which software to choose.
I know pro tools is used by professionals, but the version I can afford at the moment is pro tools Le. This gives sample and bit rates equivalent to my old system. I'm after a more professional sound with much greater depth than before, is pro tools Le up to this or should I invest in pro tools m- powered which is the next step up?
Another route is to use logic pro 7.2 software which is more expensive than Le but offers many more plug ins. I realise that a true professional can use many systems and produce excellent results.
Thanks for your time,
Regards,
G****
My Reply:
G****
I have written loads on this subject ... check out www.makehits.co.uk/artintro.htm .
My advice stretches back as far as 1996 when I was advising guys [particularly with little dosh] to use Atari and hard disc recording ... still a system which is preferred by a lot of big dosh making producers. It is bomb proof, a dedicated system which can be much faster and more flexible than Protools and Logic 7 ... You would be surprised how many times I use it. It is slow saving however ... that is the only drag.
My main system and the system I see used most is Protools .... Industry Standard throughout the world ... I can send stuff to any studio in the world and they can continue the session.
So what should you go for?
Protools HD is the thoroughly professional system working on Apple Mac G5 platform. Cost? Basic around £13,000 but that is only the basic and it only starts there.
Protools LE can produce astonishing results ... but you have to know how to produce and get the most from the gear ... that will take 18 months of constant work with Protools. And that is providing you have proper monitoring and a proper sounding studio. It is worth remembering that you are buying a system not a sure way to produce hits ... think of it as buying a set of Brain Surgeon's surgical instruments - does that mean you can perform a brain operation?
I would suggest you get the Digidesign 002 rather than the Mbox2 as an audio/midi interface. It is dearer but the in/out facilities are much better.
Mbox system with Mac G5 will cost you much less than £2,000 ... the Digidesign 002 version will add around £500 to that cost.
Again, it will take you minimum 18 months to get a great sound. But then you are in there with the 'big boys'.
What you will never see in magazines or reviews is the way you will be limited massively by the CPU [Computer Processing Unit] .... the limitation is in the processing ... which means you will always have to be careful when using plug-ins ... you will quickly run out of power .... it is important to learn the tricks of bussing the FX plug ins etc. You will also have to be careful how many audio tracks you use.
I personally use stand alone FX units and compressors .... I also use a lot of stand alone sound modules [Triton, Motif etc.] with the Protools HD in mega studios they use self powered plug-ins which cost over £1,000 each.
I do not have personal knowledge of Logic 7 [I always go for 'Industry standard'] ... my pal John Lodge [Moody Blues] uses it to co-write from his home near London with Justin Heywood [Knights in White Satin] down in south of France. I am told that overall it is a less powerful tool and the performance is not up to Protools perfection ... it is more favoured by guys involved in mostly Midi production.
G****, as a member of The Serious Writers Guild, you can always talk to me on my private phone in detail.
RegardsDec
============================================
The
gags: ..... No
Sex Since 1955?
An old but still ruggedly handsome Sergeant Major found himself at a
gala event hosted by a local liberal arts college. There was no
shortage of extremely young, idealistic ladies in attendance, one of
whom approached the Sergeant Major for conversation. "Excuse me,
Sergeant Major, but you seem to be a very serious man. Is something
bothering you?"
"Negative, ma'am. Just serious by nature."
The young lady looked at his awards and decorations and said, "It
looks like you have seen a lot of action."
"Yes, ma'am, a lot of action."
The young lady, tiring of trying to start up a conversation, said,
"You know, you should lighten up a little. Relax and enjoy
yourself."
The Sergeant Major just stared at her in his serious manner.
Finally, the young lady said, "You know, I hope you don't take this
the wrong way, but when is the last time you had sex?"
"1955, ma'am."
"Well, there you are. You really need to chill out and quit taking
everything so seriously!? I mean, no sex since 1955!?"
Feeling charitable and a little bit drunk, she took his hand and led
him to a private room where she proceeded to "relax" him several
times.
Afterwards,
panting for breath, she leaned against his bare chest and said,
"Wow, you sure didn't forget much since 1955!"
The Sergeant Major, glancing at his watch, said in his
matter-of-fact voice, "I hope not, it's only 21h30 now."
============================================
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