New CD Release….

The long awaited 30th Anniversary recording, SOUL MEETING”, will be released in August, 2011. The record features 12 amazing tracks. 7 originals and 5 “re-imaginations”, including two by the late great Solomon Burke. “Don’t Give Up On Me”, which has a wonderful Lee Thornburg horn arrangement a la Ray Charles, and “Soul Meeting” which features 5 singers: Bill Champlin, Max Carl, Mike Finnigan, Tim Scott and Mark Campbell all sharing the lead. Also, The Rolling Stones classic, “Under My Thumb” in the spirit of Otis Redding, circa 1969. Also included are Burt Bacharach’s, “Walk On By” and Otis Redding’s, “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” – Featuring 2010 America’s Got Talent winner, Michael Grimm. The original songs include:

”Ride The Rocket”, describing lead singer, Mark Campbell’s high school days, ”Soul Man” is a tribute to all the legendary soul singers who have passed away, “Sha La La” is an ode to street corner singers, and “I Just Need You”, sung by bassist, Bruce Atkinson is a Sam Cooke influenced shuffle. The bluesy, funky tracks: “What You See Is What You Get”, and “A New Past”, a song penned for this album and sung by former, Jack Mack and 38 Special lead singer, Max Carl. “Hard To Fall” is a gritty get down to the bone Rock and Soul groove. Former band members: John Paruolo, Kevin Cloud, Lee Thornburg, Tim Scott, Rick Shlosser, Tony Braunagel and Jim Coile all appear on the project in addition to a special guest appearance by blues legend, Curtis Salgado, 2010 Blues Foundations Soul Blues Male Artist of the Year..

The Band is also working on dates for Fall of 2011 as well as an extensive tour in 2012.

From Jack Mack “Come celebrate our 30th anniversary and release of our new CD at Harvelles in Santa Monica, Aug 27, 2011.”

For more information on Jack Mack go to www.jackmack.com

Video of Jack Macks new song Sha La La

Greg Adams posts shorts stories from his career in music on the East Bay Soul Facebook page.  Here is a replay of one of those stories.

Greg Writes: In the late ’70s and through the ’80s we (TOP) would play Harrah’s Casinos in South Lake Tahoe and Reno 3 times a year. One week back to back. At this time we were playing the Cabaret, not the headliner’s room, The High Sierra Theater. I think that’s what it’s called at the lake, anyway.  We’d do 2 sets a night alternating with the topless/magic show.

This particular week, Sammy Davis, Jr. was in the big room. How cool was that?  In between our shows we’d scoot in and grab an empty seat or stand in the wings backstage and catch part of his show. He’d do the same sometimes when we were playing our set. Once again, how cool was that? Sam the man!

You could tell he was mellowing with age very gracefully, yet he was still very on top of his game and lived up to his legendary status.  He really would push the audience’s buttons when need be.  As the week went on, the hang got cooler and cooler. As the last night of his and our week came closer, he said, “Hey man, let’s have a party after the gig on Saturday”. A party with Sammy Davis Jr. Once again, how cool is that? Con Conk a Jong  In his suite no less! Oh, by the way, did anybody know that he cooked gourmet Chinese food? He spent the day cooking in the hotel kitchen 8-course dinner for about 25 of us, cast and crew, from both our bands, and the T and A show. Unbelievably delicious! He made a list for the kitchen to get the items he needed and they came through with everything.

So here we were. It looked like a scene out of Playboy After Dark, what with all the dancers languishing, and I mean languishing around the suite. Only thing missing was Hef.
As we ate, he very humbly held court and for about an hour answered questions and told stories about his career. Unbelievable Rat Pack stories. Can’t repeat them here. Never will. How cool was that? A once in a lifetime experience for me.

For more on Greg go to www.gregadamsmusic.com

10. Bacardi 151 in your commute coffee thermos.

9. Spend the day bar hopping, slap fighting and wrist wrestling on Harley’s with band members.

8. Go to lunch with the babe receptionist and don’t come back.

7. Whoever announces your real age gets eyebrows shaved while napping.

6. Its Birthday not Birfday, dork.

5. Sit down, have a smoke, tell a joke, and clown some old folk.

4. Re gifting should not include open bottles of carbonated liquor.

3. Any cakes without your name on it are stolen.

2. Potato salad is considered a thoughtful gift as long as you give the Tupperware back.

1. It is customary if given a Lottery ticket, to break off the giver half, should you win anything over a Hunnad.