Comments on: The Producers: Ã–ysters, Cheap Tricks, and Jake & Elwood Blues

By: Wayne

Wayne — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:07:23 +0000

Listening to Mirrors with headphones is spectacular. Especially “The Vigil”. Great stuff pumped into the head! Even though he had limited vocals on this LP, I thought Eric's work on “The Great Sun Jester” is some of his best vocals ever.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:07:23 +0000

By: Wayne

Wayne — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:07:23 +0000

By: DwDunphy

DwDunphy — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:10:53 +0000

Mirrors is great, but I'll always have a special place in my dark, sticky heart for Fire Of Unknown Origin.

By: DwDunphy

DwDunphy — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:09:39 +0000

Okay, now is the perfect time to ask this question. Lukather is the primary guitarist on Michael Jackson's “Beat It” even though Eddie Van Halen is always the focal point because of the solo. Lukather is the go-to guy for guitar all through the late '70s and the '80s. Aside from being an accomplished guitarist, what was it about him that found him on so many songs? Did producers seek him out for the skills? Was he just eminently available? And what was it like working with the guy anyhow?

By: tom werman

tom werman — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:21:09 +0000

Wow. Now I REALLY have to go back and listen to the album. Perhaps on headphones. Perhaps with a joint. Thanks for the comments.

By: tom werman

tom werman — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:19:31 +0000

Amen to that, brother! The producer frequently does matter more than the bands want to admit — they would never admit that I was important enough to work with them again. It would simply attest to the fact that I played some kind of creative role in their albums. The band is a great one, but they do tend to blame their shortcomings on everyone but themselves. It's a shame, because I never enjoyed being in the studio more — as musicians and colleagues, they were a producer's dream.

By: tom werman

tom werman — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:09:56 +0000

Rick's style of playing really didn't fit the songs. We did give it a try — but nothing satisfactory emerged, so I called the other guys in. Rick agreed. I believe I played the other acoustic rhythm guitar on “Voices”, perhaps because I wanted a specific feel that neither Rick nor Robin could produce. I got along very well with Lukather, and he was able to give me what I felt the song needed.

By: tom werman

tom werman — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:05:49 +0000

I agree with you about Gary — a unique artist. I'm going to give those BOC tracks another listen. Haven't heard them in about 15 years. Thanks for the message. I appreciate the sentiments.

By: tom werman

tom werman — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 20:03:10 +0000

Never heard that particular story, but Donnie was the least trusting and most paranoid artist I ever met. The rest of the band was wonderful. He ruled with an iron fist, and was always sure that someone was out to screw him one way or another. There was no way to win his trust. I did the best I could under the circumstances.