Tag Archives: Rhode Island Rock DJ

Marvin Gaye What’s Going On

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Marvin is and always has been one of my heroes. He has inpisred me to cry, laugh, want to be a better person and get off my butt and dance!  When I was a kid I had this ’45’ and wore it out. I am sure my family was sick of Marvin but not me. When I first became a professional DJ and was aked to do performances at Oldies DJ Parties, I knew I would have a chance to break out my Marvin Gaye What’s Going On and Stevie Wonder records, and did as often as possible.

 

Marvin Gaye What’s Going On in particular has a message that still resonates today. Hate and violence are still a significant current in our culture and globally. At some point we have to chose peace and respect. I think that is part of what he was trying to say in Marvin Gaye What’s Going On. I am amazed at how he could produce songs like this and “Mercy Mercy Me” and then balance them with “Sexual Healing” and “Got To Give It Up”. That sweet voice and passion rang through whatever he touched, Marvin Gaye What’s Going On, and he will be remembered by me and many others.

 

Thanks for Marvin Gaye What’s Going On!

As one of the pioneers of Motown, singer-songwriter and producer Marvin Gaye helped shape the sound of R & B music and is considered one of the greatest artists of all time. ‘I think I’ve got a real thing going. I love people. I love life and I love nature, and I can’t see why other people can’t be like that.’ –Marvin Gaye

 

Marvin Gaye What’s Going On and What’s Happening Brother Music Video

http://youtu.be/RE7-2XWGNk4

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

One Republic Featuring Timbaland Apologize

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One Republic Featuring Timbaland Apologize. I was in a small night club in the city of Osh in Kyrgyzstan. Osh is the second largest city in Kyrgyzstan and sits on the border next to Uzbekistan. I was out having fun with a young lady who is from Bishkek I met the night before at a wedding of one of her cousins.

 

We were dancing to the grooves of the DJ with a mix of Kyrgyz pop, American pop and dance and some current Russian hits.  We barely sat down the first hour we were there with her sister and a friend.  We decided to enjoy some nice fresh cold pineapple juice and catch a breather. Then One Republic Featuring Timbaland Apologize came on and she grabbed my hand as if I did not have a choice but to join her on the dance floor. It was the song we connected the most throughout the night and as someone who had not stepped foot on American soil in well over a year at this point, it was refreshing to hear something that reminded me of home.

 

“OneRepublic is an American alternative rock band from Colorado Springs, Colorado.[1] Formed in 2002 by Ryan Tedderand Zach Filkins, the band achieved massive success on MySpace, becoming the most prominent unsigned act on the website then. They signed onto Mosley Music Group in 2006, and released their debut album, Dreaming Out Loud in 2007. OneRepublic made radio history when with their first single, “Apologize“, received the largest amount of airplay in history with 10,331 plays in one week.” Wikipedia

Nice song with the contrast of gentle beats and voices with the passion needed to grab and hold all who listen. Enjoy! Every professional DJ can play One Republic Featuring Timbaland Apologize and it is great for segueing different genre including Pop, Hip Hop, Dance, R&B, House,slow and up-tempo, really, it mixes well with most music!

One Republic Featuring Timbaland Apologize Music Video

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

The B-52s Love Shack

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The B-52s Love Shack is one of the great party songs of all time for all professional DJs!

I remember when The B-52s Love Shack first came out and all the professional DJs I knew kept adding the newest remix of this as they came out in 12″ form. I think I ended up with three of four versions of The B-52s Love Shack plus the original album version. Today I only have three versions on my MacBook but I like all of them. Both back then and now, The B-52s Love Shack is one of those songs that works with most audiences when a professional DJ needs something to really push the event to the next level and bring out the playful side of all involved.

 

I had the opportunity to see the B-52s at what was fomrerly known as The Gsdrden State Arts Center many years ago with The Violent Femmes as the opening act. It was a great night and a lot of fun and The B-52s Love Shack was one of the highlights of the show.

 

“The B-52s (originally formatted with an apostrophe as The B-52’s) are an American rock band, formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976. From 1976, the group consisted of Fred Schneider (percussion, vocals), Cindy Wilson (vocals), Kate Pierson (keyboards, vocals), Ricky Wilson(guitar), and Keith Strickland (drums). Rooted in New Wave and 1960s rock and roll, the group later worked in many genres ranging frompost-punk to pop rock. The “guy vs. gals” vocals of Schneider, Pierson, and Wilson, sometimes used in call and response style (as in “Strobe Light,” “Private Idaho,” and “Good Stuff“), are a trademark. Presenting themselves as a positive, enthusiastic, slightly oddball party band, the B-52s tell tall tales, glorify wild youth, and celebrate wild romance.”

 

I thought it would be neat to take a quick look at who was part of that Athens music scene. This is what Wikipedia had to say,

 

“The success of Athens’ local bands is apocryphally attributed to “something in the water.” The contributions of Athens to rock, country music, and bluegrass have earned it the nickname “the Liverpool of the South”, and the city is known as a birthplace for both modern alternative rock and New Wave music. Athens was home to the first and most famous college music scene in the country, beginning in the 1970s. The formation of local bands like the B-52s, Ravenstone, Pylon, Widespread Panic, Indigo Girls, Love Tractor, the Georgia Satellites, and R.E.M. had brought Athens rock to national attention by 1980.”

 

Don’t you love the bee hive hairdos on The B-52s Love Shack?

The B-52s Love Shack Music Video

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill Turn Your Lights Down Low

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Two of my favorite artists – Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill on the same song.  To begin with, what a sweet melody and groove, few songs have the beat to match Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill Turn Your Lights Down Low with its cool rhythms and base line.

 

One of the things that I appreciate most about Lauryn Hill outside of her raw talent and passion is her ability to find songs that she cherishes and cover them with taste, respect and a new fresh sound. Unfortunately, many artists today just see dollar signs and make a remix of anything they think will sell. Lauryn is not like this and it shows in all of her covers with and without The Fugees, especially Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill Turn Your Lights Down Low.

“Nesta Robert Marley OM (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981), more widely and commonly known as Bob Marley, was a Jamaicansinger-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae bands The Wailers (1963-1974) and Bob Marley & The Wailers (1974–1981). Marley remains the most widely known and revered performer of reggae music, and is credited with helping spread both Jamaican music and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience.” Wikipedia

Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill Turn Your Lights Down Low is one of Bob Marley’s smooth, soulful beauties that never get old.

Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill Turn Your Lights Down Low has become one of the songs I play as a professional DJ to end the night in environments that it makes sense. A nice way to close down a gig and leave everybody with a smooth, warm feeling.

Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill Turn Your Lights Down Low Music Video

http://youtu.be/JREcKmXDeAs

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Which version do you prefer, Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill Turn Your Lights Down Low or the original Bob Marley version?

Rolling Stones Angie

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Rolling Stones Angie. I was in 7th grade.  I had crush on a young angelic creature named Licia. We talked on the phone almost every night. Licia was tall, beautiful, nice, genuine and most importantly, fun and smart. We used to talk about everything from music to science to social dynamics.

That night I was getting ready to ask Licia on a date, I was procrastinating waiting for the right moment to go for it. That moment came in the form of her favorite song, Rolling Stones Angie.

The Rolling Stones were near the peak of their popularity at the time. Mick Jagger was the international star that he is still known for today. Rolling Stones Angie is one of their best love songs – slow, simple and textured. The video lacks the creativity and polish we are accustomed to today but the song itself holds up well. If you have never heard it, Tori Amos has a haunting cover on her album Crucify.

“Released as a single in August 1973, “Angie” went straight to the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 5 on the UK singles chart. The song was also a No. 1 hit in both Canada and Australia for five weeks each and topped the charts in many countries throughout Europe and the rest of the world.”Wikipedia

Some radio stations made edits because of the length, down to 3 minutes, thereby omitting the longer Coda and the second instrumental sections of the song.

When I hear Rolling Stones Angie, I still think about Licia and that night on the phone sitting at our kitchen table hoping that a girl like her would go out with a boy like me, It never fails to produce a smile. Fortunately I still get requests for Rolling Stones Angie as a professional DJ and wonder if Licia still remembers that moment.

Rolling Stones Angie Music Video

 

Tori Amos Version of Rolling Stones Angie

http://youtu.be/kru916XfPGM

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Led Zeppelin Stairway To Heaven

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I was recently doing some searching online for remixes of Led Zeppelin Stairway To Heaven and other rock classics for a gig as professional DJ. Along the way I found several incredible versions of songs I did not know could be remade with such passion and fire, like Led Zeppelin Stairway To Heaven. It was a pleasant surprise. I was also impressed with some of the respect that these old classics have garnered by those who are musicians and producers.

 

What struck me the most was the actual original version of Led Zeppelin Stairway To Heaven. I did not know it was impossible to forget how powerful and creative a song can be. I have heard Led Zeppelin Stairway To Heaven so many times in my life I forgot what a gem it is. Familiarity breeds contentment, they say. In stepping back and listening to the rhythms, melodies and lyrics I acknowledged what a risk producing a song like Led Zeppelin Stairway To Heaven must have been for them at the time. Or maybe the inspiration was high enough that they did not even realize what they had come up with. I am grateful either way that Led Zeppelin Stairway To Heaven made it to my turntables, CD players and now my MacBook after all these years as a professional DJ.

Here is the original Led Zeppelin Stairway To Heaven:

http://youtu.be/BcL—4xQYA

Led Zeppelin Stairway To Heaven Remixes and Covers

Here are some of the remixes of Led Zeppelin Stairway To Heaven I found that I thought were interesting, I think they are all legal to listen but maybe not download:

Far Corporation Stairway To Heaven:

Mash-up of Stairway to Heaven and Marvin Gaye Ain’t No Mountain Enough:

And Syko Beats Hip Hop Instrumental Version:

Which do you like the best?

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Third World Try Jah Love

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Third World Try Jah Love is a great, fun, feel-good song with awesome rhythm and melodies. It was partially written by Stevie Wonder and he arranged and produced it. For a short time, this song was popular in the club scene with many professional DJs and among open-minded rock listeners. Reggae had not really made its way like it is today in The States except for Bon Marley and Peter Tosh.

 

In case you are interested, “Jah”, from the title Third World Try Jah Love, is from the Hebrew word that is the unmentionable name of God translated into Rastafarian Culture although taken from Hebrew.

 

This version of Third World Try Jah Love is not as good as some others but at least you get to see the band jam and get a feel for Third World Try Jah Love. I invite you to search and listen to the longer studio version with the piano intro for professional DJs. Crank it up and rock!

Update, I was able to find the longer version!

Third World Try Jah Love:

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Rhode Island DJ Rocks

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Being a Rhode Island DJ who started in big Rock clubs, it may seem today since I offer such a diverse collection of music that I ever was a Rocker but I was. In some ways, I still am.

Rhode Island DJ plays The Beatles

Another benefit of modern technology is the ability for a Rhode Island DJ or Boston DJ to grow a huge musical library of many genres. It is fun and not as much trouble as you may think. I find the greatest stumbling block for any Rhode Island DJs is their ego, this may be even more so with Boston DJs, no disrespect intended. So many DJs think that they are the music they play. This may be true for the actual writers and musicians but not necessary for a good DJ.

 

For example, if I am hired to DJ a Sweet Sixteen for a nice Latina who likes Hip Hop, Salsa, Bachata and Reggaeton, does that make me all of those things? If we add Top 40 to the mix does that change who I am?

Rhode Island DJ plays Kanye West

Of course not.

Rhode Island DJ plays Katy Perry

There are many differences between songwriters, musicians and DJs, musical identity is just one. Years of training to excel is another, as is the level of talent to start performing. Let’s not kid ourselves, there are some awful New Jersey & Boston DJs out there performing and getting paid with little or no actual live experience but rarely will a newbie pianist go out and ask for money to perform. They practice and train for years first before having the confidence and competence to get out in front of a real audience. Of course there are exceptions but I think the point is true.

 

New Jersey & Boston DJs are different bread. We can fake our way through the early days with little talent, experience or training. I did. I was performing on radio and in clubs within six months of learning how to DJ, and this was before we went digital and the software did most of the work for you. Today a DJ can get by with little or no knowledge of what makes an exceptional DJ. Those of us who have been doing this for a long time are generally available to offer guidance and direction to new DJs. I do this regularly as DJ and Teacher Coordinator for The Barefoot Boogie in NYC. I am fully aware that when we train a new DJ that he or she is not performing for money but at a social dance event. My training for a new DJ that wants to work for me is much different. It takes many gigs and experience before we can send them out to your event for money.

Rhode Island DJ plays Bob Marley

Back when I first started as a Rhode Island Rock DJ, it was about the music and the music only. My love for being a professional DJ came from being a professional DJ. I did not dream about being a professional Rhode Island DJ but once my hands started cueing up those black vinyl records and the crowd responded; I was hooked. Still am all these years later! I knew even back them I had a gift and it was a gift meant to be shared with others. I may not listen to as much Rock music as I used to but still get fired-up when the right jam comes on the radio or is being pumped out of my BOSE L1 system at a professional DJ gig.

Rhode Island DJ plays Jimi Hendrix

Do you think musicians and professional DJs are similar or different? In what ways are they similar and different?

DJ Mystical Michael – Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

DJ At A Punk-Jazz-Rock-Motown-Sinatra Wedding

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I am aware many professional Wedding DJs like to play just one or maybe two genres at events. It makes sense and certainly is less of a challenge. I mean, you know what will work and have little or no risk involved. I get it, I really do, not every Wedding DJ wants to put in the extra time and effort to maintain such a diverse musical library.

 

For me, being a New Jersey or Boston DJ is not about taking the easier or safer route. Like all performers and entertainers, professional Wedding Disc Jockeys have to determine if the risk worth the reward?

 

I vote yes!

Dancing with Fun Wedding DJ in New Jersey

Saturday night was another fun wedding with a great couple. It was held at a nice venue, The Metuchen Inn in Metuchen, New Jersey. They had very varied tastes and wanted to make certain that their parents, family and friends all had music they would enjoy listening and dancing to. We carefully put together a basic playlist to meet the needs of everybody, not losing sight of the fact that it is their New Jersey wedding and what they want counts greatest.

 

So, we ended up with music all over the map from Dizzie Gillespie and Miles Davis during Cocktail Hour. More Jazz, Eddie Spaghetti and Soul was enjoyed with dinner. When we turned up the volume and tempo, it was Motown (The Temptations), Punk (The Clash), Beyonce, Rock (Def Leopard) and more Frank Sinatra. What an incredibly fun night!

 

Cutting the Cake with Fun Wedding DJ in New Jersey

 

I am totally fine with playing music from one genre but when given the opportunity to make some great segues and mixes, I jump at the chance. Thanks Joey and Melissa for letting me be part of your wedding and your wedding DJ!

Party on Dance Floor with Fun Wedding DJ in New Jersey

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

A Rock Wedding Works For This DJ

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Somehow we have this image in our heads that every wedding must be about dancing.  It is as if the whole guest list of friends and family don’t all dance, the wedding is a failure.

 

Enter Rock Music.

 

 

It is refreshing sometimes to play music at a wedding that is made for listening and not dancing. I love to dance and even enjoy creating sets that inspire others to dance more than dancing itself sometimes. Some weddings are about friends and family having a good time; eating, drinking, sharing laughter and stories and just enjoying being together to celebrate an essential moment in the lives of two people they care about greatly.

 

As a professional DJ, I prepare for each wedding assuming dancing will be a significant aspect of the reception. The choices of music I play often represent this mindset. I notice those who are present at a wedding of Rockers that don’t enjoy dancing begin to get uncomfortable when folks aren’t dancing, as if they are doing something wrong – failing Wedding 101 if you will.  They approach me with with panic in their eyes and ask me, “How are we are going to get everybody up on the dance floor?”

 

“Why do they need to dance? Can’t they just have fun with great music and not dance?”

 

“Humm. I never really thought about it. Why not?”

 

 

This past weekend I had the opportunity to provide professional DJ music for three weddings in four days. Each couple and reception were completely different. It even feels funny to call them all weddings since they have little in common except a Bride and Groom were married and friends and family gathered to celebrate their marriage with them. One of them was a marriage of a young couple who do not enjoy dancing or dance music, in fact most of their friends feel the same way. It took some adapting on my part to let go of the expectation that I needed to facilitate dancing at their wedding.  Of course, some couples will dance to slow songs no matter what a Wedding DJ does and this wedding was no exception. Outside of those few couples, people had a great time with the music they wanted to hear and just enjoying being together to participate in the event they shared with the newlyweds.

 

 

After the wedding, I walked over to the mother of The Bride and apologized that no one danced. She laughed and put her arm on my shoulder gently with a huge smile, “Michael, you are the only person that thought any of us would dance. We didn’t hire you for us to dance. We wanted you here to play great music so we could all have fun! And we definitely did. It was a fun wedding and everybody loved it! Thanks so much, you did a great job! You were exactly what we hoped for.”

 

Shows you how much the professional Wedding DJ knows…

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ