Recording in March, Tour in the Fall
 

http://www.mauinews.com/page/content...al-Reggae.html

Mauui News 1/23/2014

The Green raises the bar for Local Reggae
BY JON WOODHOUSE

Chatting after performing at Willie K's BBQ Blues Festival, Mick Fleetwood confirmed the rumor that Christine McVie will rejoin Fleetwood Mac. Already composing new songs, McVie will begin recording with most of the band members in March. Mick indicated that Christine's rapturously received appearance with the Fleetwood Blues Band in the Castle Theater early last year opened the door for her return. The Mac will head out on the road again in the fall. No word yet if Hawaii is on the radar for shows.

:blob1::D:blob2:

(BTW, "most of the band" I assume means everybody but Stevie...Again.)

It could mean everybody but John, this time.

Stevie's not doing anything right now. She's not on tour and not making an album. There's no reason why she can't be there.

Michele

Michelle, when you say "It could mean everybody but John, this time," do you mean to say that you believe he won't record or tour with them, or just not then because he might have treatments?

-Marty

I somehow doubt that's the case. Stevie hasn't really been a part of Fleetwood Mac's recording sessions since "Tusk," though I'll give you that's mostly true of John, too.

I think it's the four players starting the session, and Stevie will come in (again) when they're doing the vocal overdubs. I bet John wants to do ANYTHING but being sick, and getting back with Mick and Chris, and Lindsey, is just what the doctor ordered.

By the way, all I'm getting is a dead link with that.

Any of mention of a outside collaborating producer along with Lindsey? I sure hope that happens.

I think he will record with them, but maybe he can't go to the studio in March with everyone else right away due to treatment or something.

Michele

Here's the link, but it's behind a paywall. It's an article with a variety of news and only a couple of lines on FM. Michele

http://www.mauinews.com/page/content...al-Reggae.html

Oahu-based reggae band The Green came up with a novel way to open their latest album, "Hawaii '13," - by recording a group of school students performing a Hawaiian chant.


"We wanted to bless everybody who had the album and everybody who worked on the album and give respect to all the forces that made it possible," The Green's JP Kennedy explains. "It was an opening ceremony kind of thing. It was an original chant written by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, a teacher at a Hawaiian immersion school in Honolulu. We were going to go there to do the last track, 'Hawaii Aloha,' with the kids, and then we thought about a chant and she had one. We try our best to express our love for Hawaii, its people and its culture. Reggae isn't Hawaiian music, so we have to try and fit ourselves in somehow."

These rising stars in the world of reggae music made history when they became the first local reggae group to reach Billboard's major mainstream charts, with "Hawaii '13" placing in both the Top 200 albums chart and Hot 100 Singles chart, besides debuting at No. 1 on the reggae chart.



Fans in the islands and beyond are especially attracted to The Green's music for the positive vibes. You just feel good listening to their catchy songs.

"The whole point of reggae music is the uplifting spirit, and being in Hawaii, it's what we grew up feeling," Kennedy says.

On tunes like "Power in the Words," they remind folks "to think about what you say" and avoid negative communication, while the rootsy "Stand and Rise" affirms better times ahead.

With four of the musicians sharing lead vocals, Kennedy, Caleb Keolanui, Ikaika Antone and Zion Thompson, the band also comprises bassist Brad "BW" Watanabe and drummer Jordan Espinoza.

Raising the bar for local reggae bands, along with creating infectious reggae grooves, they demonstrate a gift for crafting beautiful romantic ballads with the track "Chocolate and Roses," which recalls the impassioned work of Frank Ocean.

"We've been waiting to release it for a while," Kennedy notes. "We knew it had great potential, but it's so different. It's one of Caleb's masterpieces. I think you'll see more of that in the future, music that's not totally reggae."

Sometimes described as Hawaii's version of Third World, they reflect the spirited energy of Britain's Steel Pulse, to these ears.

"We're huge fans of both bands and grew up listening to those guys," says Kennedy. "My number one reggae band is Aswad, and I'm a huge fan of Jr. Gong Marley."

Since their days in high school, the members of The Green have relished playing music. "Most of us grew up around musical families," Kennedy explains. "Performing arts from a Hawaiian standpoint is everywhere with hula, luau, all kinds stuff, so we got into playing music with friends in school and forming little bands. A couple of the guys were in a band on the other side of the island and we ended up seeing each other at the weekends in high school. That had a lot to do with us realizing our dreams early on. We were part of a scene already so we could start our careers in a way."

Both Kennedy and Keolanui are nephews of Manao Co. cofounder Danny Kennedy. "So even before we started jamming with friends, we would go to gigs with the uncles and hang out with them and try and get in the studio with them," he continues. "After graduating from high school, I had a little studio set up in my room, and Ikaika and Caleb and Zion would come over, and different bands would be in my house. Then 2010 came, and it was, 'OK, we (got to) do something for real,' and we finished the (first) album."

So what was it about reggae that hooked them? "We were all into it. It was the genre we knew most about, and we weren't supermusicians who could play all kinds of stuff, we were playing reggae. We were getting respect and recognition from our peers, so we were validated in a way. People were always encouraging us. It's only now that we're getting really interested in other genres and doing other things. Back in the day, it was live and die reggae. Now we realize we're fans of all kinds of stuff: James Taylor, country, Etta James, C&K and Kalapana. But when the reggae music hit us, we were in love."

Right after releasing their debut album, The Green went out on tour with Maui's Anuhea. "She got us to open her tour," he recalls. "It was insane, 40 cities across the country. It was the hardest thing ever. We had on average about 10 to 20 people coming to see us. It was rough, and we lost a bunch of money."

After strategizing with their management, they began an intense regime of touring, which gradually increased their exposure and fan base on the Mainland. "We toured for two years straight," he says. "Our fans that we made stayed with us. And we had the opportunity to open for bigger bands. We did four shows with Damian Marley and his brothers. It was unreal. We opened for him in Hawaii a couple of times, but to have him ask us out on the West Coast was sick."

For the future, it looks like The Green's star power will continue to rise. "We're trying to keep on improving," Kennedy concludes. "We're going on the road with Rebelution in the summer, and we're going to do some stuff in Abu Dhabi with the armed forces, and we will head to New Zealand again. South America is a big market we've been trying to get into, so we might be there this year. A lot of offers are showing up."

*****

Chatting after performing at Willie K's BBQ Blues Festival, Mick Fleetwood confirmed the rumor that Christine McVie will rejoin Fleetwood Mac. Already composing new songs, McVie will begin recording with most of the band members in March. Mick indicated that Christine's rapturously received appearance with the Fleetwood Blues Band in the Castle Theater early last year opened the door for her return. The Mac will head out on the road again in the fall. No word yet if Hawaii is on the radar for shows.

*****

Multi-Na Hoku Award-winning duo Hapa returns to the Maui Arts and Cultural Center to play at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Yokouchi Pavilion.

Successive recording has cemented Hapa's reputation for crafting superlative contemporary Hawaiian music. Among their recent works, "Uakoko" was dedicated to the late chanter Charles Ka'upu. And in December, the popular duo of Barry Flanagan and Ron Kuala'au released new CD, "Tuahine," which includes covers of Matisyahu's "One Day" and the instrumental "What I Love" from the movie "Just Go With It."

Tickets are $30 standard and $45 for premium seating; visit www.mauiarts.org for details.

***

Blending Hawaiian chant and English lyrics with hip-hop's gritty dance beat, Sudden Rush made their debut in the mid-'90s, creating a polished, urban sound on songs that explored topical Hawaiian issues like sovereignty, drug use and cultural pride. Guests on their brilliant 'Ku'e" album included Keali'i Reichel, Willie K and John Cruz.

The Hilo-based band will make a rare Maui appearance Friday, playing LuLu's Lahaina. See Events for details.

*****

After playing with the New Riders of the Purple Sage at the close of the year, David Nelson returns to our island with his band to play a few shows at 9 tonight and Friday night at Stella Blues Cafe; 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Iao Theater; and 5 p.m. Sunday at Maui Tropical Plantation.

Tickets for all events are available online at Brown Paper Tickets or at the Wine Corner in Paia.

But Stevie doesn't have a reason to be gone this time. Tom Petty and Bob Dylan don't want her to tour with them. She's not on the TISL tour. She's not in rehab. Why would she sit home playing with Sulamith when she could be hanging out with Christine and the boys?

Michele

I thought he was done with treatment but was just waiting for surgery. The problem is, we don't have enough to form an informed opinion on this. All we can do is speculate. Hell, we don't even know the nature of John's cancer or surgery.

I just wonder what stage of production there in. If it's the preproduction stage, where they go into a studio and work out songs, then yeah, I agree McVie might not be there. But if it's the actual production, then I'm sure he will be there.

You can't take everything word for word literally. Besides, I'm sure it will take more then one month to record an album. All we know for sure is that a new album is on the way! All 5 will be on the record of course.

Because she doesn't necessarily enjoy being in the studio with the band. She's had 15 years to be in the studio with the boys. I don't think Christine coming back necessarily changes her feelings for being in the studio. I think it does change how she feels about making another Fleetwood mac album, but I suspect she still doesn't like actually being in the studio while that is being done. Again, the same is true for John.

I don't think she likes it, but I don't think she finds it as easy to just not show up the way John does. They just say he's on the boat and shrug. With Stevie, I think she has to have a reason to offer them, or she gets more flack for not being there.

I mean, I think more than just being completely absent, she's more likely to show up late and leave early, rather than not come. And when she's there and they're working on music, she'll find the equivalent of Sly Stone's room to go do her thing in.

Michele

As she should. She's a songwriter. She's the one who has said that her songs are like her children. AND she's the one who's most likely to piss and moan about an album she doesn't like. At some point, it's put up or shut up. At least McVie has given us the courtesy of silence.

Of course they're gonna start touring when I have to go bck to college:mad:

Recording is excellent news. I hope to see an album by summer. It is really time for new music.

Great news! I wish there was a bit more confirmation of this. But still, great news.

We can count on Christine, Lindsey, and Mick in the room. Not sure whether John or Stevie will be there. But still, this is a very good sign! It suggests that the three of them are going to build the new album up together, as a group effort--as in their heyday.

Although I would be thrilled to have a new collection of songs on my stereo, I'm cringing a bit to think of Stevie dashing in near the end of the sessions. It just doesn't work that well when she's out of the loop. Either all in or all out really at this point, otherwise why bother?:eek:

I'm not sure she needs a reason. I seriously doubt any of the old patterns will be broken. She will pull five or six songs together, send them in, complain that the band is only using three, and then complain about the production when it's all done.

With any other band, this could happen. With this band, don't expect anything till the end of the year. I'll bet they will start the tour before the album is released.

On the other hand, if Lindsey doesn't tinker too much, and considering he has a few songs already finished, it could happen. I just worry that the songs he has completed are as unappealing as the stuff on the EP.

Geez. A lot of assuming and negativity going towards SN in this thread. Perhaps we should leave the past to the past and see how it plays out first?

I'm just happy they're doing SOMETHING new, even if it's only a limited EP, rather than just straight touring only.

I hope someone thinks to video the recording process, since this would likely be their last go-around with that.

Jamie

Yes but most songs on this effort will not be Lindsey's, so there is plenty of hope as long as the girls bring good stuff.

The difference this time—a big enough difference to change old habits and proclivities—is that a long-absent idol of Stevie's will be there, altering the emotional landscape. I think Stevie will hang out wherever Christine is hanging out.

In fact, I'm already wondering when Christine will move back to California. It's possible that, while she has changed her mind about working in music, she hasn't changed her mind about disliking California. But it's also possible that she wants to live where the living are living once again. I see a possibility that two unattached senior women might even consider living in the same (large) abode together.

Maybe this coming album's wonderful musical pairing won't be Lindsey and Chris; it'll be Stevie and Chris!

Another thought: Maybe the slight consternation we heard in Stevie's and Lindsey's comments last year about Christine's return comes down to embarrassment. They'd both been saying we'd see peace in the Middle East before Christine would ever return to the band. And what happens? Christine returns to the band! It probably made them both feel (through no fault of their own) that they had stuck their foot in their mouth. That's how I would have felt, and that's how I would have reacted after all that time.

Even though they have had quite a few compilations, I wouldn't be surprised if these new recordings add up to 4 songs total and are attached to a new kind of greatest hits project. I might be wrong, but I can't see this band making a whole new record in just a few months.

I admire your optimism, but don't share it. Of all three, at this point Lindsey is the most likely to be creative and push boundaries. But he demonstrated with the EP that isn't what he has planned for a FM album.

Quite possible, maybe a box set type of thing. Which would be a major disappointment.

I just hope he gets into boundary-pushing mode with material from Chris and Stevie. The EP is probably more representative of him working practically alone on his own songs.

Quite a bit of negativity in this thread in general. Why keep predicting that new music is going to be awful? :confused:

I too am very happy that they are working on any music, as someone else said - its a gift!

no. the EP is representative of him working with Mick and John trying to put together songs that he thinks may make SN happy and woo her back into recording with the Mac mode.

Why all the importance of "pushing the boundaries" with this band? What do they have to prove at this point? What's wrong with just a solid/good sound?:shrug:

Jamie

I agree! Everybody is getting their panties in a knot about this or that based upon a little blurb this interviewer got from Mick back on January 11th. If anyone was being honest with themselves, they'd presume that Fleetwood Mac's "pushing boundaries" days are over! SYW nailed that coffin. Christine's return alone all but signals the classic sound will likely be intact. Besides, this is not an official annoucement from the whole band. I suspect things are still being hammered out behind the scenes, more specifically, do they have a record deal? Where are they recording at?? Personally, I'll be waiting for a more official PR annoucement before jumping to any conclusions about where & when Stevie joins the band in the studio. For goodness sakes, they haven't officially even annouced Johns full recovery yet. :shrug:

For me, just keeping it too safe would seem like a sell out. A La the Eagles. I still think these folks have something to say artistically. Lindsey's still making sonically interesting music. Christine pushed her own boundaries on In The Meantime with it's often-dark/angry lyrics. Stevie still dabbles in electronica, country, and pop as a solo artist. There's nothing to say they can't mix up the sound of this Mac record. After all, look what a massive departure Tango was from Mirage. And Tusk from Rumours. They've done it before. I'm not opposed to this album being a classic sounding Fleetwood Mac record... I'd just like some dash of spice to let us know they still give a damn about art, you know? Just look at Johnny Cash. His last albums when he was in his 80s on his deathbed were downright gritty & raw. Wanda Jackson, the Queen Of Rockabilly, is in her later 70s & has had a recent album produced by Jack White, and it was fantastic. Classic yet retains an edge. There's a line Fleetwood Mac can still very much walk between familiar sound, and artistic integrity. :nod:

I don't think you lose integrity if you stick to what you're good at. Still being good at it might even be an accomplishment on it's own.

You're probably right. Though like I pointed out in my previous post, each of the songwriters still made departures & statements with their last solo albums, so why not with Fleetwood Mac? :shrug:

That's why I didn't initially respond to this thread. I have no doubt Mick is telling the truth. But it doesn't seem like anything is set in stone yet, either. There is still a chance the house of cards may collapse.

The logistics are the biggest head scratcher for me as well. Where will they record? LA, Hawaii, or England? LA seems the most likely. But where will Mick, John, and Christine stay while in town? I don't know that any of them own homes there, anymore. I suppose Mick & Chris could bunk at Stevie's mansion while she hangs out in her condo.

I have a feeling the reason we've not heard anything terribly official is because they're probably making their rounds to find a record deal/acceptable deal, too. I'm sure they'll land back at Warner/Reprise, but I sure as hell wish they wouldn't.

Do they even tell people they're cured of cancer anymore? I have several relatives who have been dealing with cancer the past few years. Even when my partner's Dad's cancer didn't show up anymore on xrays, his doctors refused to use any words like recovery, remission, cured, etc. I guess maybe medical lawsuits have dictated this change. :shrug:

I think that if Christine is bringing the "FM", then Lindsey will feel freed up to push boundaries. When it was just Stevie this last time, he tried to be more conventional with his songs (and I like Sad Angel and Miss Fantasy and think they are more interesting than, say, Did You Miss Me) for two reasons:

1. Stevie doesn't like the weird stuff and he was trying to cajole her into an album, so he was on his good behavior.

2. FM needed to maintain their "pop" cred.

Now, Christine is back. She can do the mainstream and he can play around. In fact, he doesn't have to do anything mass appealing with his own music, as long as Stevie and Christine's songs fill that bill.

Michele

I think March is a great time table. If it takes 120-180 days to make the album, then they have August/September to rehearse.

This new album would also mean the set-list would have about 3-6 new songs. I find that exciting.

I really hope it's a full Fleetwood Mac album, like Mirage or Tango.
4 LB
4CM
1 LB/CM
1SN/CM
3 SN

I just pray it's not like The Dance recordingS. Here's my grading on that.

Sweet Girl B+
Bleed to Love Her B-
My Little Demon C-
Temporary One D+

I'd be psyched if it had two My little Demon and Bleed to Love her- quality songs on it.

Yep. I thought both of those were good for The Dance era and SYHA, too.

I'd also welcome two songs as strong as most of the SWS and GOS selections.

Conversely, I'd be kind of depressed if it had two songs of the UTS quality -- although I'd gladly take one was as good as Show You How.

Michele

But I don't think he will record a lot of other LB songs than are already there, and those songs were written with "cajoling Stevie into an album' - vibe. So I think it will be very poppy and safe.
He will have his hands full with arranging and recording Stevie's songs, recording and 'maccing' Christine's songs and the overall production of the entity.