Latch Music's Ezine #44
"The Zine" content is contributed by Dave Latchaw and colleagues who use the Internet to promote their musical projects. You can check out previous issues at "The Zine" Archives.
- Article: "Janet Jackson, The Grammys and Ralph Nader" by Dave Latchaw
- Guest Artist: John Kaplanis - Rhythmic adventures.
- Featured Web Site: Immediatek.com
- Featured Web Video: Alan Pasqua
- CD Pick: Weather Report "Procession"
Janet Jackson, The Grammys and Ralph Nader
by Dave Latchaw
Another month goes by and it's easy to continue to be cynical about many things in the music bizz, media and politics. Recently, Janet Jackson, The Grammy Awards and Ralph Nader have caught my attention.
Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" has been very entertaining, not just the event, but especially the aftermath. It seems that with so many things going on in the world the media would have more important issues to cover. The outcry from those offended should have never happened. The people who thought that two seconds of a breast on television was offensive should have changed the station long before that particular incident ever happened. It was public knowledge that MTV was producing the entertainment segments of the Super Bowl, not the Christian Broadcasting Network. How can anyone that is aware of television not realize that MTV would be edgy in some fashion? If someone doesn't watch MTV or let their children watch it because of the content, they should have known what kind of thing to expect. The bump and grind dancing before the "wardrobe malfunction" should have been offensive enough in itself. It makes anyone who watched the entertainment section of the Super Bowl and got outraged over that one thing seem puritanical and phony. I have to wonder though, because it sure did inspire the government to some kind of motivated action!
Okay, it may have been a "wardrobe malfunction", but I'm doubtful. Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake could not buy the kind of publicity that was generated from the Super Bowl event. I am sure they were a bit surprised by the hostility, but still it was a media bonanza for them. Weeks later the event is still popping up in various media. I could see Justin wanting to outdo his former girlfriend (Britney Spears) at creating a media event. As far as Janet Jackson is concerned, she's closer to 40 than 20, so her need to generate extreme media exposure with a new recording coming out soon is very obvious. I'm confident that they were well aware of the hugeness of the audience and the great publicity opportunity. I think Janet and Justin would have been better off though if they had just ignored the outrage. They did seem to wimp out by trying to apologize. It is show business, and the people who felt the entertainment was inappropriate should have moved elsewhere with their television viewing. You also have to wonder if the event was a way Janet thought she could help Michael out. The news media sure did change their focus from Michael to Janet.
This is the first year in quite some time that I actually watched the whole of the Grammy Awards. Most corporate music has been boring to me for so long that I just haven't been interested. I'm sure part of the reason I watched this year was because I was curious to see if someone would try to create a controversy bigger than Britney and Madonna or Janet and Justin to increase their media exposure. It was obvious that with the tape delay and other precautions that were taken, the presenters and the different performing acts were all going to play it pretty safe with their parts of the show. What did surprise me was how crap the live sound was. You would think that a musical event of this importance would have the sound well sorted out and it would have been nothing short of brilliant. The best sound crews should have been hired for such an event. If those were the best sound crews, someone should have also been hired to keep them away from the bar. A couple of cool moments for me during The Grammys were seeing Sharon with Ozzy Osbourne, and that Ozzy was well enough participate in presenting an award, also seeing Chick Corea perform with the Foo Fighters. But the bottom line is, the music is what the Grammys are all about, and they really should have had their sound act together.
Corporate music and politics seem similar to me in ways. With the corporate music scene, a few control what the masses will be exposed to musically. In politics, you have two parties (who are more similar all the time) that control the political process for the masses. It is the control and power that comes with big money that each craves. Republicans, Democrats and corporate artists must answer to those who control the money. Both situations stifle free thinking and creativity. The independent artist who has control of their music and isn't beholden to corporate money has the potential for greater creative freedom. The corporate music bizz types and the corporate political bizz types just seem annoyed with anyone who is not dependent on them. The fuss the Democrats have made about Ralph Nader is humorous. They blame Ralph Nader for Al Gore for not winning. With the money and the position of vice president that he had going for him, Al Gore shouldn't have been remotely threatened by Ralph Nader running. If the democrats feel so threatened by his candidacy, maybe they should adopt some of the platforms that made him successful. The Democrats are acting like complete wimps by being bugged and complaining about Ralph Nader. The corporate music scene and corporate political scene will do their best to keep the independents from being successful.
Maybe I have too much time on my hands, I just find corporate media, the music bizz and politics interesting. Why not? I don't bowl or play golf.
Related sites
- Justin Timberlake
- MTV
- Christian Broadcasting Network
- The Grammy Awards
- Ozzy Osbourne
- Chick Corea
- Foo Fighters
- Ralph Nader
John Kaplanis
#1 How did you get started playing music, and what made you choose drums?
I really did not exactly "choose" drums. I spent a lot of time banging on tables, pots and pans, my knee, etc. with my fingers and pencils. My parents saw this, and bought me a drum when I was three years old.
#2 Who were your earliest drumming influences, and how did they help you develop your own style of playing?
My earliest drumming influences range from Don Brewer to Lenny White, and many other drummers. Don Brewer was the drummer for Grand Funk, while Lenny White was Chick Corea’s drummer. My basic 2/4 beat was developed by influence from Don Brewer, while Lenny White helped me develop my contemporary jazz beat.
#3 Who are your compositional influences, and how have they inspired you to develop your own style of composition?
I like Vince Mendoza and Joe Zawinul’s composition styles because they move me in a certain way that other composers cannot. I really can’t explain it. Each time I listen to one of their tunes, I hear something different, learn something new. It seems to me, as a drummer, that these two seem to really think of the rhythm section while they compose, so their pieces "speak" to me in a unique way. When I compose, I try to feel their type of rhythm, meaning, when I compose I start with the rhythm section, focusing on this first.
#4 How has the computer and sequencing enhanced your compositional process?
The computer has really helped me out, and made putting my ideas down easier. I am more of a listener than a writer, so this way I can do a lot of step playing, I can put in certain notes at certain times and add more later. I am not a keyboard player, or advanced at reading, so if I hear something in my head, I can put it into the computer, compose it, and add to it later.
#5 What is your practice routine?
I try to play every night. I really don’t have a routine, I play whatever comes into my head. I work a lot on recording, and I do this almost every night also.
#6 What was it like to study and hang out with Peter Erskine?
Peter is a really wonderful person, an accomplished musician, and now, a great friend. Not only did he teach me different drumming styles, he taught me what to do in different situations....such as how to approach studio work, and how to play with a trio vs. quintet. Even though I only took a few lessons from him, I learned a lot about music and the business.
#7 What are some of your most memorable performing situations, and why?
I once played a clinic with Lenny White here in Fort Wayne with the Dr. Bob Band. I really enjoyed this because he was a big influence on me and my drumming style in my earlier years. When our trio was invited to our sister city in Poland, that was a memorable experience. We played with jazz musicians from all over the world. We met some exceptional people. I played with Joe Beck and a local middle schools jazz band. Joe Beck is an excellent musician, very easy to play with. I played a duet with my father at our Greek church for a dance. That was my very first experience playing in public, and I will never forget that. All my performances with Dave Latchaw and Brian Derek are memorable. These guys are very good improvisers, easy and fun to play with.
#8 What should people look forward to from you in the future?
I am currently working on a CD and Web Page. I hope to play in clubs in the Tri State area with Dave Latchaw and Brian Derek in the near future.
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Click on the links below to check out three of John's tunes! The file will either download to your mp3 player or open in a new page. If a
new page opens, please be patient while the file downloads, and when you have finished listening hit the Back button on your browser
to return to this page. If you need an mp3 player, we recommend
MusicMatch.
Immediatek.com
The Internet is ideal when it comes to shopping for and distributing music. Immediatek has developed software called NetBurn Server which burns music directly to a computer user's cd burner. Downloaded music bypasses the user's hard disk completely and burns directly to a CD-R. Compressed music is not left on the hard disk, which allows for a secure way of legally delivering music to fans that is entirely automated. NetBurn Secure, with a leader in copy protection technology, SunnComm Technologies, enables SunnComm's MediaMax™ copy protection and control which provides a secure disc burning solution. NetBurn protects the copyrights of the artist by requiring either a purchase of the music through e-commerce or through a monthly membership to the Internet site offering the music. Protecting your music is important, and so is selling it! Check out Immediatek.com, it may be the right thing for you and your music.
Alan Pasqua
Alan Pasqua is a brilliant musician who plays piano and keyboards, and composes. I first became aware of him in "The New Tony Williams Lifetime" band along with guitarist Allan Holdsworth. Definitely one of my favorite players and a great influence early on in my musical adventures. On Alan's web site you can check out his bio and discography among other things. I really can appreciate a musician who plays jazz and can rock also. Alan makes a couple of great trio videos available on his site with Peter Erskine on drums and Dave Carpenter on bass. The only drag is that they are too short, but definitely worth checking out. Click here to see the videos.
Related Sites
Weather Report
"Procession"
"Procession" is another gem among the many tremendous Weather Report recordings. The rhythm section for "Procession" is Omar Hakim on drums, Victor Bailey on bass, and Jose Rossy on percussion. This was the first recording post the Erskine, Pastorious and Robert Thomas Jr. rhythm section. "Procession" is a great example of how new members can infuse energy and a fresh vibe into a band and take the music to a new place. The old line up was brilliant, but "Procession" is proof that change can be good. All Weather Report fans have a recording that they personally think is the coolest, and they are all cool in their own way. Being creative and pushing musical growth can alienate fans that want more of the same. If an artist is complacent there is no possibility of exploring new ground. Weather Report was an amazing creative force, and "Procession" is a great documentation of the spirit of Weather Report. It is a must in one's collection. Get it today.
Musicians for "Procession"
Joe Zawinul - Keyboards
Wayne Shorter - Saxes
Omar Hakim - Drums
Victor Bailey - Bass
Jose Rossy - Percussion
Tracks for "Procession"
- Procession
- Plaza Real
- Two Lines
- Where The Moon Goes
- Well
- Molasses Run
Click here to learn more about "Procession"
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