first blog of 2010 - January 1, 2010
Happy New Year! Indeed.
SO: do I need to keep a blog separate from the one on my website? I love blogging, and naturally I want to reach as many readers as possible. What do y’all think?
Lemme know.
Be well
JM
John Montagna: Archives
Magic Time - December 30, 2009
Home with my Ladies, enjoying the alternate reality that is the time between Christmas and New Year's. Holiday was beautiful. Santa got it right: Beatles Mono Box looked gorgeous under the tree!
Working a private party for New Year's, then spending the early part of 1-1-10 digging the annual Honeymooners Marathon on Channel 11. (Yes, I own all 39 episodes on DVD, but they're just different coming on TV on New Year's Day.) January is turning out to be pretty busy, and obviously you'll hear all about it here: Hay Jude, NAMM, etc.
Music I discovered in 2009:
Tuung - Good Arrows
Juliette Commagere - Queens Die Proudly
Pugwash - Giddy
Monsters Of Folk
Also rediscovered Squeeze and XTC in a big way, and of course the Stereo and Mono Remasters of The Fab Four reminded me who's really in charge (as if I'd forgotten).
I wish you all that you wish for yourselves for 2010, and I thank you all for your continued support and enthusiasm for my work!
Happy New Year
Be well
JM
let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...when i have a night off!! - December 19, 2009
NYC getting pounded with snow today, How does that affect my ability to get to and from my gigs, you ask? Depends on the location of the job site; in this case the Westin on 43rd Street in Times Square.
I never, EVER drive into Times Square. I'll never deal with that traffic again. Usually I'm in TS to play BB King's, where there's a nice house bass amp. Westin, not so much. So I went commando-style on this one.
Parked the car in an indoor garage on East 9th St first. (Keepin' it dry.) Humped amp and bass into subway, rode up to Times Square fairly easy. Rocked gig, then packed up to head out into The Storm.
Rolled amp on cart thru 4 inches of snow, past happy, partying, amp-free New Yorkers out on the town. (Try it some time and get back to me.) Humped amp and bass back down into train, rode down to 8th ST & B'way. Rolled amp on cart thru now-deeper snow, past more happy, partying, amp-free New Yorkers out on the town to 9th St garage. Loaded into the warm, dry car. Drove slowly to FDR Drive, sat in Brooklyn Bridge-related traffic, opted for the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel instead (now a $5.50 toll).
Got to my Brooklyn 'hood in less than an hour, then spent 15 more minutes negotiating a knee-high snow bank, wheels spinning in place, before settling into my parking space. Left amp and cart in car. Now I'm in my kitchen, shirtless and shoeless, enjoying a piece of dark chocolate and a cup of decaf with added cinnamon and cardamom.
John: 1
Old Man Winter: 0
Be well
JM
I never, EVER drive into Times Square. I'll never deal with that traffic again. Usually I'm in TS to play BB King's, where there's a nice house bass amp. Westin, not so much. So I went commando-style on this one.
Parked the car in an indoor garage on East 9th St first. (Keepin' it dry.) Humped amp and bass into subway, rode up to Times Square fairly easy. Rocked gig, then packed up to head out into The Storm.
Rolled amp on cart thru 4 inches of snow, past happy, partying, amp-free New Yorkers out on the town. (Try it some time and get back to me.) Humped amp and bass back down into train, rode down to 8th ST & B'way. Rolled amp on cart thru now-deeper snow, past more happy, partying, amp-free New Yorkers out on the town to 9th St garage. Loaded into the warm, dry car. Drove slowly to FDR Drive, sat in Brooklyn Bridge-related traffic, opted for the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel instead (now a $5.50 toll).
Got to my Brooklyn 'hood in less than an hour, then spent 15 more minutes negotiating a knee-high snow bank, wheels spinning in place, before settling into my parking space. Left amp and cart in car. Now I'm in my kitchen, shirtless and shoeless, enjoying a piece of dark chocolate and a cup of decaf with added cinnamon and cardamom.
John: 1
Old Man Winter: 0
Be well
JM
my life according to facebook, 2009 - December 18, 2009
Only about half of my status updates fit onto this collage, which means that there were too many, which means that I spend too much time on Facebook!
Be well
JM
weekend check-in - November 28, 2009
Recovering from a glorious food coma, gotten from having about 20 people in our home on Thursday for a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I even got some sage wisdom from the turkey pan: ALWAYS SUPPORT THE BOTTOM. Good advice, no matter how you interpret it!
Today I'm doing a photo shoot for Diller, Scofido & Renfro, aka the architects/design team responsible for the renovation of Lincoln Center. They're planning a multi-media display within the center, featuring images of musicians. That's where I come in. I actually don't know much more than that, other than to be at a photo studio on 26th Street later this afternoon with my axe and my 'tude. Stay tuned for more info, as I quite possibly could become a fixture of the 21st Century NYC landscape. (Not that I'm not already, you understand.
Always support The Bottom.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Be well
JM
Today I'm doing a photo shoot for Diller, Scofido & Renfro, aka the architects/design team responsible for the renovation of Lincoln Center. They're planning a multi-media display within the center, featuring images of musicians. That's where I come in. I actually don't know much more than that, other than to be at a photo studio on 26th Street later this afternoon with my axe and my 'tude. Stay tuned for more info, as I quite possibly could become a fixture of the 21st Century NYC landscape. (Not that I'm not already, you understand.
Always support The Bottom.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Be well
JM
tgif - November 20, 2009
Just finished off breakfast with Francesca. Tremendous gig at Cabaret Duplex last nite with The Maxes (Josh & Julie), featuring my drum bro Rich Zukor pounding them pagan skins. (And a nice turn by pianist Greg Mayo.) Set was early enough to allow for a dinner out with my Wife afterwards. Good times.
Got my paws on Zukor's Beatles Mono Remasters as well; being blown away. Report to follow. Sunny day here in Brooklyn, time for a walk!
Be well
JM
Got my paws on Zukor's Beatles Mono Remasters as well; being blown away. Report to follow. Sunny day here in Brooklyn, time for a walk!
Be well
JM
easy like sunday morning - November 15, 2009
Blessed Day Off, chilling with my ladies, shopping and strolling. Friday nite's solo bass & vox set at Perch was fabulous, if I do say so myself. Finding my groove as a solo performer is a fun ride! Many thanx to all who made it out. I even sold a few of the "Killed CDs!" (Read news item below.)
Thursday nite I hit it at the Cabaret Duplex with The Maxes, featuring my drum brother Rich Zukor on the skins. I'm just busy enough, which is how I like it. Life is grand!
Be well
JM
Thursday nite I hit it at the Cabaret Duplex with The Maxes, featuring my drum brother Rich Zukor on the skins. I'm just busy enough, which is how I like it. Life is grand!
Be well
JM
Musician kills intruder with solo album! - November 12, 2009
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK - NYC-area bass guitarist and recording artist John Montagna fought off an unwelcome guest Thursday morning, using his primary weapon of choice: his music!
An unidentified insect "the size of a sun-dried tomato," according to Mr. Montagna, scurried down the wall of his Brooklyn home, ultimately hiding behind a bookcase while his wife, Jill, trembled and said "EEEEwwwww!"
After an unsuccessful attempt to evict the critter with a vacuum cleaner, Mr. Montagna paused to consider another option. Suddenly, the repulsive polypod ran across the living room floor, in a brazen (if not ill-advised) escape attempt.
Without saying a word, Mr. Montagna grabbed a cardboard box containing 40 copies of his latest critically-acclaimed CD "Senza," and in one swift motion flattened the fuzzy fellow. All that remains of the unfortunate infiltrator now is a stain upon the bottom of that box.
"Thank God for 'Senza,' that's all I can say," says Mr. Montagna, who is also a prolific video blogger and noted Beatles expert. "Besides being loaded with tasty bass playing and catchy hooks, it will protect you from undue harm. Anyone who thinks that CDs are becoming obsolete needs to think again; this could have happened to anybody."
Mr. Montagna also added that the 40 copies of "Senza" in that box/weapon are "priced to move." Listeners who want a piece of rock and roll history can visit johnmontagna.com and click on "Shop."
-TOM WALSH (staff writer)
An unidentified insect "the size of a sun-dried tomato," according to Mr. Montagna, scurried down the wall of his Brooklyn home, ultimately hiding behind a bookcase while his wife, Jill, trembled and said "EEEEwwwww!"
After an unsuccessful attempt to evict the critter with a vacuum cleaner, Mr. Montagna paused to consider another option. Suddenly, the repulsive polypod ran across the living room floor, in a brazen (if not ill-advised) escape attempt.
Without saying a word, Mr. Montagna grabbed a cardboard box containing 40 copies of his latest critically-acclaimed CD "Senza," and in one swift motion flattened the fuzzy fellow. All that remains of the unfortunate infiltrator now is a stain upon the bottom of that box.
"Thank God for 'Senza,' that's all I can say," says Mr. Montagna, who is also a prolific video blogger and noted Beatles expert. "Besides being loaded with tasty bass playing and catchy hooks, it will protect you from undue harm. Anyone who thinks that CDs are becoming obsolete needs to think again; this could have happened to anybody."
Mr. Montagna also added that the 40 copies of "Senza" in that box/weapon are "priced to move." Listeners who want a piece of rock and roll history can visit johnmontagna.com and click on "Shop."
-TOM WALSH (staff writer)
keeping up - November 9, 2009
Un-seasonably warm here in NYC. Got outside with Francesca earlier today, now enjoying some Daddy Time while she naps.
Friday nite was the George Harrison tribute at Hofstra University, with Joshua Greene, Godfrey Townsend and the gang. Excellent show, made even more special by the appearance of As Kindred Spirits, doing all things eastern. Also got a chance to belt out a few lead vocals on a Harrison-heavy Beatles request set afterwards. Good times.
Editing the next Beatles remaster review as we speak, stay tuned.
Be well
JM
Friday nite was the George Harrison tribute at Hofstra University, with Joshua Greene, Godfrey Townsend and the gang. Excellent show, made even more special by the appearance of As Kindred Spirits, doing all things eastern. Also got a chance to belt out a few lead vocals on a Harrison-heavy Beatles request set afterwards. Good times.
Editing the next Beatles remaster review as we speak, stay tuned.
Be well
JM
dream diary: wtf? - November 2, 2009
Had a disturbing dream last nite, and I'm feeling like I need to share it.
I was hanging out at the Air America Radio studios with my bass and my amp, when Marc Maron came in and started recording an episode of his WTF podcast. I was impressed, and (I'll admit) a little star-struck, but I had to leave to get to a gig. I gathered up my bass and my amp and headed out, but after walking a few blocks away from the studio I stopped in my tracks. I decided that I ought to go back and introduce myself to Maron, since I'm such fan of his. I turned around, leaving my bass and my amp in the street, and ran back to the studio.
I found him, said hi, and he was friendly but a little distracted since he was busy recording an episode of WTF. i was a little disappointed that he wasn't in the mood to hang, but I got the hint that he was busy so I took off quickly.
I ran back to the spot where I had left my gear, and everything was gone. Bass, amp, cables; the only thing left was the hand truck that I carry my amp on. i immediately felt like an idiot: why would I leave thousands of dollars of gear unattended in the middle of a busy street? so I could meet Marc Maron? I mean, the guy's brilliant and everything, but now my stuff's been stolen! I can't do my gig tonite, and now I also have to explain to The Wife how I allowed thousands of dollars of gear to be stolen so I could meet Marc Maron. I started freaking out in the street, when I turned around and noticed a bunch of tough-looking dudes selling basses off of a blanket on the street.
I immediately ran over to them, looked over their selection of weird-looking basses, but I didn't see mine. I accused the dudes of stealing my axe and hiding it, which they denied of course. But right before the argument escalated into a physical confrontation, I woke up.
I'm relieved that I still have my gear, but I'm trying to make the connection between meeting Marc Maron and my gear being stolen. Any ideas?
Otherwise, it's a glorious Autumn in NYC.
Be well
JM
http://wtfpod.com (Explicit content, so watch your ass.)
I was hanging out at the Air America Radio studios with my bass and my amp, when Marc Maron came in and started recording an episode of his WTF podcast. I was impressed, and (I'll admit) a little star-struck, but I had to leave to get to a gig. I gathered up my bass and my amp and headed out, but after walking a few blocks away from the studio I stopped in my tracks. I decided that I ought to go back and introduce myself to Maron, since I'm such fan of his. I turned around, leaving my bass and my amp in the street, and ran back to the studio.
I found him, said hi, and he was friendly but a little distracted since he was busy recording an episode of WTF. i was a little disappointed that he wasn't in the mood to hang, but I got the hint that he was busy so I took off quickly.
I ran back to the spot where I had left my gear, and everything was gone. Bass, amp, cables; the only thing left was the hand truck that I carry my amp on. i immediately felt like an idiot: why would I leave thousands of dollars of gear unattended in the middle of a busy street? so I could meet Marc Maron? I mean, the guy's brilliant and everything, but now my stuff's been stolen! I can't do my gig tonite, and now I also have to explain to The Wife how I allowed thousands of dollars of gear to be stolen so I could meet Marc Maron. I started freaking out in the street, when I turned around and noticed a bunch of tough-looking dudes selling basses off of a blanket on the street.
I immediately ran over to them, looked over their selection of weird-looking basses, but I didn't see mine. I accused the dudes of stealing my axe and hiding it, which they denied of course. But right before the argument escalated into a physical confrontation, I woke up.
I'm relieved that I still have my gear, but I'm trying to make the connection between meeting Marc Maron and my gear being stolen. Any ideas?
Otherwise, it's a glorious Autumn in NYC.
Be well
JM
http://wtfpod.com (Explicit content, so watch your ass.)
shape shifting - October 6, 2009
Tuesday nite, just put the baby to bed.
Got some spectacular news today: Apryl Allen, an artist I've worked with recently, has won the NAMMY (Native American Music Award) for "Best Pop Recording" for the title track of her CD "Shape Shifter." I co-wrote 2 of the songs on Shape Shifter with Apryl, and played bass on 5 of them, so naturally I'm proud and trilled to be on a project that's getting some major attention!
In other good news, the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (aka NARAS, aka the Recording Academy, aka the People Who Give Out the Grammys) accepted my application to become a "voting member." So this weekend I did something I've never done before: I voted for Grammy nominations! The timing couldn't be better, since Apryl and "Shape Shifter" have been pre-nominated in several Native American categories. Let's see what the New Year brings us all...
Go to http://aprylallen.wordpress.com for more info. Congratulations Apryl!
Be well
JM
Got some spectacular news today: Apryl Allen, an artist I've worked with recently, has won the NAMMY (Native American Music Award) for "Best Pop Recording" for the title track of her CD "Shape Shifter." I co-wrote 2 of the songs on Shape Shifter with Apryl, and played bass on 5 of them, so naturally I'm proud and trilled to be on a project that's getting some major attention!
In other good news, the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (aka NARAS, aka the Recording Academy, aka the People Who Give Out the Grammys) accepted my application to become a "voting member." So this weekend I did something I've never done before: I voted for Grammy nominations! The timing couldn't be better, since Apryl and "Shape Shifter" have been pre-nominated in several Native American categories. Let's see what the New Year brings us all...
Go to http://aprylallen.wordpress.com for more info. Congratulations Apryl!
Be well
JM
- - September 25, 2009
Checking in to stay current. Autumn in NYC is sweet so far. Enjoying a slower schedule, which means more time with Francesca. Solo bass & vox tonite at Perch Cafe on 5th Ave right here in Brooklyn. Coffee and ELO taking effect as we speak. Life is grand!
Be well
JM
Be well
JM
-- - September 12, 2009
Packing up, getting ready to fly home to my ladies today after a triple-shot of Alan Parsons Live Project.
9-9-09: Potawatomi Casino in Milwakuee (500 seats) rocked as usual, even though it was the first gig with the regular band since July. The "first gig back" is always the time to shake the dust off, and usually half-way thru the set we hit the groove and stay on it.
9-10-09: Bottleneck Blues Bar, at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, MO (300 seats). Tiny club. Played two one-hour shows, just enough time to warm up a bit and then get outta there. Second show crowd was more fun (they usually are!).
9-11-09: Star Pavillion, at the Ameristar Casino in Kansas City, MO (1300+ seats). Much bigger venue, biggest on this run. Could easily fit five Bottleneck Blues Bars inside this place. Crowd was lit up and energized from the moment we hit stage. Awesome. Hope to return to this venue next year.
Worked the merch table shamelessly all three nights as well, which paid off quite nicely. Flying home today, getting in with an evening free to chill-ax at home. Life is grand!
Be well
JM
9-9-09: Potawatomi Casino in Milwakuee (500 seats) rocked as usual, even though it was the first gig with the regular band since July. The "first gig back" is always the time to shake the dust off, and usually half-way thru the set we hit the groove and stay on it.
9-10-09: Bottleneck Blues Bar, at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, MO (300 seats). Tiny club. Played two one-hour shows, just enough time to warm up a bit and then get outta there. Second show crowd was more fun (they usually are!).
9-11-09: Star Pavillion, at the Ameristar Casino in Kansas City, MO (1300+ seats). Much bigger venue, biggest on this run. Could easily fit five Bottleneck Blues Bars inside this place. Crowd was lit up and energized from the moment we hit stage. Awesome. Hope to return to this venue next year.
Worked the merch table shamelessly all three nights as well, which paid off quite nicely. Flying home today, getting in with an evening free to chill-ax at home. Life is grand!
Be well
JM
9/9/09 - September 8, 2009
beat-ard (BEET-ard): An obsessive, compulsive, incurable fan of The Beatles and their works (group and solo). Will wait in lines at record stores at midnight for new product. Knows every lyric and chord change to every song, can recite dialog from the films, quotes from interviews, etc. *See "Beat-ardedness" (disease).
Exposure to other genres of music (jazz, hip-hop, classical, etc) will help manage the condition, allowing the Beat-ard to live a relatively normal life. But on days when, say, the ENTIRE REMASTERED CATALOG IS BEING RELEASED, AFTER 22 YEARS OF LISTENING TO CRAPPY DIGITAL TRANSFERS MADE BEFORE ANYONE KNEW HOW TO ENGINEER IN DIGITAL, one is advised to stay out of the Beat-ard's way.
So there's this cd store that's like a 20 minute walk from our hotel in milwaukee and they're releasing the remasters at midnite so i'm gonna go downstairs and see if anyone wants to go with me and then we'll come back and listen to them cause the rooms here have really great-sounding JVC desktop stereo systems so we can play them real loud and stuff..
All you need is love!
JM
Exposure to other genres of music (jazz, hip-hop, classical, etc) will help manage the condition, allowing the Beat-ard to live a relatively normal life. But on days when, say, the ENTIRE REMASTERED CATALOG IS BEING RELEASED, AFTER 22 YEARS OF LISTENING TO CRAPPY DIGITAL TRANSFERS MADE BEFORE ANYONE KNEW HOW TO ENGINEER IN DIGITAL, one is advised to stay out of the Beat-ard's way.
So there's this cd store that's like a 20 minute walk from our hotel in milwaukee and they're releasing the remasters at midnite so i'm gonna go downstairs and see if anyone wants to go with me and then we'll come back and listen to them cause the rooms here have really great-sounding JVC desktop stereo systems so we can play them real loud and stuff..
All you need is love!
JM
- - September 4, 2009
Checking in to stay up to date. Rounding off a splendid week in Tucson, AZ with the family. (That's Francesca up there, running thru Udall Park in Tucson.)
Flying home to NYC on Monday, back out again on Tuesday nite for a triple-shot of APLP, then home again Saturday. Not playing a bass for a week wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. (Actually cheated a bit today, while browsing at Guitar Center. But that doesn't count, does it?)
Keep on checking in for more stuff!Be well
JM