Tag Archives: Rhode Island Rock DJ

The Beatles: Best Selling Album of The 21st Century

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On this date in 2000, The Beatles released their first compilation available all on one CD. The title of the album is ‘Beatles 1’ with nearly every number single that the band released from 1962-1970. The release date was chosen based on it being thirty years since the band had broken-up. It is the world’s best selling album of the 21st century with more than 31 million copies sold to date!

Interestingly enough, this was also the date that The Beatles recorded “Please, Please Me”. The singe was released in The USA on Vee-Jay records with a typographical error on the first pressing of the ’45’. It had their name printed as ‘The Beattles’, not The Beatles!

 

The Beatles icon with DJ Mystical Michael

Here is a list of of the songs on ‘1’ from The Beatles Website.

 

1. Love Me Do (1)
2. From Me to You (1)
3. She Loves You (1)
4. I Want To Hold Your Hand (1)
5. Can’t Buy Me Love (1)
6. A Hard Day’s Night (1)
7. I Feel Fine (1)
8. Eight Days A Week (1)
9. Ticket To Ride (1)
10. Help! (1)
11. Yesterday (1)
12. Day Tripper (1)
13. We Can Work It Out (1)
14. Paperback Writer (1)
15. Yellow Submarine (1)
16. Eleanor Rigby (1)
17. Penny Lane (1)
18. All You Need Is Love (1)
19. Hello, Goodbye (1)
20. Lady Madonna (1)
21. Hey Jude (1)
22. Get Back (1)
23. The Ballad Of John And Yoko
24. Something (1)
25. Come Together (1)
26. Let It Be (1)
27. The Long And Winding Road (1)

The Beatles Story

“The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. They became the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in the history of popular music.[1] The group’s best-known lineup consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later utilized several genres, ranging from pop balladsto psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. In the early 1960s, their enormous popularity first emerged as “Beatlemania“, but as their songwriting grew in sophistication, they came to be perceived by many fans and cultural observers as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the era’s sociocultural revolutions.” Wikipedia

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Wedding DJ at Yesterdays in Hazlet, NJ

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Today I get to be the professional Wedding DJ at Yesterdays Restaurant in Hazlet, NJ for an interesting young Bride and Groom. They have chosen a creative and unique array of music that meets the needs of the Bride and Groom and their family and friends. The part that I found the funniest was in the Wedding Planner Guide for Wedding DJ that I provided them with. They added as notes for The Wedding Reception, “Please play some Disco for the Groom’s Mother to dance to. We hate Disco so please don’t play to much, since it is our Wedding and we want to enjoy it too!”. This is one of the reasons why I love being a professional Wedding DJ! Where else can you get the opportunity to be involved in such interesting and unique requests and concerns for family and friends?

Wedding DJ Disco Music

“Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre’s popularity peaked during the late 1970s. Its initial audiences were club-goers from the African American, Latino, gay, and psychedelic communities in New York Cityand Philadelphia during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Disco also was a reaction against both the domination of rock music and the stigmatization of dance music by the counterculture during this period. Women embraced disco as well, and the music eventually expanded to several other popular groups of the time.” Wikpedia

Wedding DJ at Yesterdays in Hazlet, NJ

Yesterday’s Restaurant Hazlet Rhode Island Wedding DJ

 “Yesterday’s Restaurant has been serving the Bayshore Community for over 50 years. Family owned and operated, we pride ourselves on offering the finest authentic Southern Italian & American cuisine. Our newly rebuilt restaurant & banquet facilities offer a wide array of menu options and our dedicated and professional staff is ready to accommodate all of your dining, catering and banquet needs.”

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Yo! Where Are All The Good DJs?

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Yes, that was a real post I saw earlier today. I was scanning the Craigslist postings for professional DJs in the New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania area to see what other Wedding, Event and Party DJs are doing. And I had to actually laugh out loud when I read the title of the post, “Yo! Where Are All The Good DJs?”

I have been a professional Wedding DJ and Party DJ for a long time and the thing I find the most fascinating is what people decide makes a good DJ, a good DJ and what makes a bad DJ, a bad DJ.  In most cases, it is simply a good DJ is a DJ that plays music you like. It has nothing to do with skill, inspiring a crowd, high quality equipment, professionalism, ability to interact positively with guests or any actual ‘talent’. This makes sense since the music industry in general is taste, not talent, driven. The most talented artists rarely get known outside of the community of trained musicians themselves. Physical appearance, stage presence, production and music that meets the tatses a wide range of listeners is typically what earns the highest ratings and $$$. Also, the age of who the music appeals to is significant, since the music industry in the USA is driven by the 13-27 year-old demographic.

The professional DJ business is somewhat different. Aside from playing music you like, which any professional good DJ without an ego can do easily with modern technology, many people do not know how to choose a good DJ, so they use the few distinctions that they know like scratching and so-called ‘beat-matching’.  Both of these skills are just a product of practice, there are no actual ‘talents’, since anyone who practices enough can do them. Talent is something that is demonstrated in a craft or art that practice alone is not enough. Some examples are athletes ands musicians. No matter how much I practice, I will never be as good an athlete as Kevin Durant or Derek Jeter. I will not be a vocalist like Adele or Andrea Bocelli or songwriter like Elton John or John Lennon. Some things cannot be taught, either you have them or you don’t. An exceptional professional Wedding DJ and Party DJ is similar, but maybe not as easily detectable to those on the dance floor, or to those who want to dance but can’t figure out why they are “Not in the mood tonight”. Here is where the subtle distinction between the exceptional professional DJ and the regular professional DJ exists.

What Is An Exceptional Professional or Good DJ?

The exceptional professional DJ inspires you to move even when you are not in the mood, too tired or have to get up early for work in the morning. An exceptional DJ is part of the inspiration that makes dancing such a fun, exhilarating and sometimes ecstatic experience. A great live band is still my favorite form of musical experience but an exceptional DJ can bring something else to the experience that can be equally inspirational.

Fun Party on the Dance Floor with Good DJ Mystical Michael

What makes a good DJ in your experiences?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Wedding DJ Plays Vitamin String Quartet

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I find it so fascinating how many young Brides and Grooms incorporate songs by The Vitamin String Quartet into their Wedding Ceremony, Cocktail Hour and Reception these days. It is great music and makes a sensational bridge between music from several generations.

 

How else would Brides and Grooms be able to include Guns N Roses, AC/DC, Lady Gaga and The Beatles seamlessly together in a Wedding Ceremony or Cocktail Hour except with Vitamin String Quartet?

Vitamin String Quartet Tribute to Guns N’ Roses Sweet Child O’ Mine

Next weekend I am Wedding DJ at a Wedding for a young Bride and Groom that enjoy mostly Rock, Indie and Punk. They are also very conscious of wanting their parents and other guests to enjoy the Wedding . They have put together a really neat bunch of songs by Vitamin String Quartet for the Cocktail Hour. It was fun creating the playlist for the Cocktail Hour since I typically make playlists in advance for Wedding Ceremonies and Cocktail Hours to make sure there is no room for errors at the Wedding.

Vitamin String Quartet Tribute to My Chemical Romance Welcome To The Black Parade

Who Is Vitamin String Quartet?

You Had Me at Cello: Entertainment Weekly Review

“For nearly six years, Vitamin Records has tapped that same symphonic spine with its String Quartet Tribute series, which takes rock music and puts it through an orchestral filter. Aimed at collectors, completists, and fans open to reworkings of their favorite songs, the Vitamin catalog includes 140 classically gassed homages to every three-chord wonder from Metallica to the Darkness. ”I like the tribute to us,” says Nickelback guitarist Chad Kroeger. ”When your music is taken to a different place, it’s an honor.”

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Rhode Island DJ

Wedding DJ Performs at Dark Wedding

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This past weekend I was Wedding DJ & MC for two rather unique Weddings. On Saturday Night, the Wedding was a Dark Wedding with almost everybody dressed in black. This was not your Black Tie Affair, it was more Goth-liike than anything else. The Bride and Groom chose a bunch of really unique songs for the Introductions and Traditional Dances including “The Imperial March”, “Sistinas” by Danzig, “In My Life” by The Beatles, “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd and “I’ll Stand By You” by The Pretenders.  It was fun, creative and their friends and family loved it and their Wedding DJ!

 “I’ll Stand By You” by The Pretenders

“I’ll Stand by You” is a 1994 song recorded by The Pretenders from their sixth studio album, Last of the Independents. Written by Chrissie Hynde in collaboration with the songwriting team of Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg (who used the melody from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Minuet for Lovers]), it was the Pretenders’ most recent significant hit single, and their last successful single in North America.

The song is a power ballad that pledges love and faithful assistance in times of personal darkness. Since its initial release, “I’ll Stand by You” has also become a major hit for British girl group Girls Aloud in 2004 and Carrie Underwood in 2007, both times recorded as a charity single. Wikipedia

Groom Fun At Wedding with Rhode Island Wedding DJ Mystical Michael

I really enjoy working with Brides and Grooms who are interested in creating a simple, elegant and unique Wedding DJ Event.

As a professional Wedding DJ, I always offer my experience and recommendations, leaving it to the Bride and Groom to decide what will best for you. As many Wedding as I am Wedding DJ & MC for, it seems like they would all feel and look the same but they are not even a little bit. I am grateful that the Brides and Grooms that choose me to perform at their Weddings are wanting something that expresses their style, taste and personality. I do not do ‘cookie-cutter wedding factory style’ Weddings and won’t. I think a Wedding is too important for a Bride and Groom to not place their imprint all over it.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Holding Lighters at Concerts Started September 1969

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It was during a concert at the Toronto Rock & Roll Revival on September 13th 1969 the tradition of holding up lit matches and lighters during Rock Shows began. Before The Plastic Ono Band with John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Eric Claption, Klaus Voormann and Alan White came onstage, the MC Kim Fowley asked the audience to light their lighters to welcome them. It became a phenomenon not long after, whenever a Rock Ballad performed at concerts or before concert encores. It does not surprise me that such an honored tradition was birthed at a performance of John Lennon. We do not really have a performer today that symbolizes Peace and Equality to the degree that John Lennon did back then. It felt like that was what he lived for and was so passionate to the extent of being arrested and eventually shot and killed. Few among us have believed so strongly in Peace to suffer such a consequence.

Plastic Ono Band

The Plastic Ono Band is a conceptual supergroup formed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1969 before the dissolution of the Beatles. Among the various other members of the band were Eric Clapton, artist Klaus Voormann, future Yes drummer Alan White,Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett, & friends, the Who‘s drummer Keith Moon, New York band Elephant’s Memory, Billy Preston, Nicky Hopkins, Phil Spector, drummer Jim Keltner, and, in a 2009 revival, Sean Lennon. Wikipedia

 Strange Concert Fact

As a peculiar side note to the concert festival, the rumor that Alice Cooper ate live chickens on stage during concerts also was birthed there. The reality is that somebody threw a chicken onto the stage and he through it back to the individual, who ate it. The rumor stuck with him throughout his career and he became somewhat of a Rock legend in creating an image of Alice Cooper as an insane man. Ozzy Ozborne followed Cooper as Rock’s crazy concert man.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Jimi Hendrix Memories from DJ Mystical Michael (Hey Joe)

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I cannot remember a time in my life when I was not totally enthralled by Jimi Hendrix. I remember as a child hearing Jimi Hendrix massive and soulful guitar riffs and feeling my spine tingle. I remember hearing Jimi Hendrix version of “The Star Spangled Banner” and thinking, that is what we should be singing and pledging to in the morning at school. Jimi Hendrix rocked Woodstock! He died too soon or maybe right on time. Hard to imagine where Jimi Hendrix might have gone next with his guitar if he lived longer.

“Widely recognized as one of the most creative and influential musicians of the 20th century, Jimi Hendrix pioneered the explosive possibilities of the electric guitar. Hendrix’s innovative style of combining fuzz, feedback and controlled distortion created a new musical form. Because he was unable to read or write music, it is nothing short of remarkable that Jimi Hendrix’s meteoric rise in the music took place in just four short years. His musical language continues to influence a host of modern musicians, from George Clinton to Miles Davis, and Steve Vai to Jonny Lang.” Jimi Hendrix.com

I could write all day about Jimi Hendrix and his music weaving its way in and around my life but feel moved to just stop and add a quote and video.

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. Jimi Hendrix

“James Marshall Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942 – September 18, 1970)  Jimi Hendrix was an American musician, singer and songwriter. Despite a limited mainstream exposure of four years, he is widely considered to have been the greatest electric guitarist in the history of popular music, and one of the most important musicians of the 20th century.” Wikipedia

Jimi Hendrix “Hey Joe” Music Video:

http://youtu.be/Lwpr60W7EOk[.embed]

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

100 Days of DJ Music

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Even a professional DJ like myself sometimes gets blown away by the amazing aspects of technology. I noticed recently that I have well over 100 days of DJ Music in my iTunes library!  That means if I start today, September 17th, at the letter ‘A’ in my DJ Music library and let it run continuously till the end, it will play till January of 2013! I have over 106 days of DJ music, is that not unbelievable or what?

 An Exceptional DJ Music Libarary

I remember the days when I would lug six milk crates of albums and 12″ records to each gig and still only honored about 50% of requests from guests at Weddings, Events and Parties. Today, I think I honor somewhere near 98% or so and still trying hard to get closer to 100%. Technology can be amazing when used correctly between the number and diversity of songs in my DJ Music library, the ease in which djay software makes my profession and the mind-blowing clear, clean sound of the  BOSE L1 System. It sure is fun to be a full-time professional DJ these days!

Professional Wedding DJ Music DJ Mystical Michael with Packed Dance Floor at Wedding

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Beautiful Wedding at The Tides Estates

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It is Saturday in September and that means I get to perform as Wedding DJ & MC! Today’s Beautiful Wedding is for a really neat Bride and Groom that we have worked really closely together to create a meaningful and fun playlist of tunes. The Bride is a West Indian woman of Indian descent and The Groom is a White male from New Jersey. They both really enjoy music and it has been fun working with a Bride and Groom that appreciate music as much as they do, and as you know, I specialize in Multicultural Weddings, so, I am looking forward to this afternoon’s Beautiful Wedding.

I am not sure how, but I have never performed as Wedding DJ at The Tides Estates before. They are a well-run establishment on a gorgeous property for a Beautiful Wedding. My limited dealings with staff so far has been professional and supportive.

The Tides Estates Beautiful Wedding DJ

“The Tides Estate was New Jersey’s best kept secret – but not anymore! Now everyone knows the finest catered affairs are at The Tides Estate. From the seven acres of magnificent gardens with beautiful gazebos, to the first class, exquisite cuisine and professional white glove service, The Tides Estate has achieved nothing less than total satisfaction among its clients for over 30 years.

The Tides Estate boasts spacious, tastefully decorated banquet rooms which can accommodate parties of any size. Impressive crystal chandeliers and a strikingly beautiful spiral staircase provide the most impressive setting for any affair.

Where Memories Last Forever…

From the seven acres of magnificent gardens with beautiful gazebos, to the first class, exquisite cuisine and professional white glove service,
The Tides Estate has achieved nothing less than total satisfaction among its clients for over 30 years.”

Can’t Wait for today’s Beautiful Wedding!

Party On The Dance Floor at Beautiful Wedding with DJ Mystical Michael

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Al Green Let’s Stay Together

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Al Green Let’s Stay Together “People are born to do certain things, and Al was born to make us smile.” These are the words of Justin Timberlake about Al Green for Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Al was number 65. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Green in 1995, referring to him as “one of the most gifted purveyors of Soul music.”

 

For me, he is an amazing and a powerful songwriter and singer. He has the unique ability to inspire and soften pretty much anybody. You do not have to like his music or Soul to enjoy and appreciate especially, Al Green Let’s Stay Together.  I remember having the cassette, yes cassette, of the Al Green Let’s Stay Together album. The tape broke from overuse and by that time I had a record player and got the record to play it on vinyl. This is the kind of song that as a professional DJ when you want to slow the crowd down on the dance floor before they get burned-out you can play this song and it even fills the dance floor more than with the party stuff.  You will always get a few couples and future-couples making their way to the dance floor with a sparkle in their eyes for the first time of the night.

 

When Tina Turner’s cover of Al Green Let’s Stay Together first came out, I was a bit bothered by her rendition, not that I didn’t like it, I do. I just felt it did not touch Al Green Let’s Stay Together.  I eventually appreciated the fact that a whole new generation was getting to learn and enjoy Al Green Let’s Stay Together.  Many of them have been turned-on to the original since then too! Professional DJs now have two versions to choose from.

Al Green Let’s Stay Together Music Video

http://youtu.be/COiIC3A0ROM

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ