Tag Archives: The Manor

Amazing Sound, Tragic Event

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This afternoon I had a DJ associate ask if they wound be able to borrow my BOSE DJ gear for a community event this weekend in the New Jersey/New York region. They don’t live in the area and are DJing for a very special situation.  A young man that died tragically this past week hiking in Arizona is having an event held in his honor to support friends and family.

 

Of course, I said, “Yes!” without even having to think about it. I am just glad we are not already hired for this date and time so we can support the cause with the BOSE L1 system.

 

He is both an engineer and an excellent DJ; he and his wife DJ together regularly. I knew this when she asked me and that eventually we would get to the “gear” question when he was able to get in touch with me tonight. I gave him the link to my Equipment Page so he would be able view it and see how fortunate he is to get to play with the best out there.

 

Anybody who knows anything about audio equipment knows how outstanding the BOSE system is. I still get that racing I my heart every time I do my sound check before a gig. I keep thinking at some point it will lose its ‘rush’ for me but has not happened yet. I am like a kid opening gifts on his birthday each time I connect the last cord and crank my system up. I was first turned-on to the BOSE L1 system by the owner of a recording studio I used to work with. He swore by and after one use, I understood why.

 

I remember one time we were setting up for a gig and we both couldn’t stop gushing over the sound like two little geeks with a new techno toy. As is typically the case, the CEO of the corporation that was hosting the event came over and started rubbing his chin and staring at the speaker until he could hold back no longer. “Are they really the only speakers making that sound that is filling this whole hall and sounds like we are at a live concert?”

 

We laughed and the three of us engaged in a conversation about BOSE and our mutual appreciation for their superior technology and performance. It is very sad that this young man has tragically died. I am grateful that I can at least provide the sound system for the community’s support of his family and friends. It is not much but at least it is something.

 

DJ Mystical Michael only uses The BOSE L1 System with Bass for Weddings and Parties

DJ Mystical Michael NJ NY DJ

Two Members of The Monkees Born on This Day

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December 30th brought us two members of The Monkees, Michael Nesmith in 1942 and Davy Jones1945.  The Monkees were a pop group formed by Robert “Bob” Rafelson and Bert Schneider in 1966 for the TV show by the same name. The show had a run from 1966-1968.

 

Initially the members of the The Monkees were not allowed much musical and creative input. They weren’t even permitted to sing live in the beginning. They fought for rights in musical output of the band and eventually were able to tour.

 

The Monkees singles and albums have sold over 65 million copies.  Their first four albums, all went to #1 in the U.S. including three #1 Billboard singles; “Last Train To Clarksville”, “I’m A Believer” and “Daydream Believer”.

 

The Monkees have a peculiar legacy in that they were clearly a pop band created for acting purposes and are still enjoying popular success today.  It is possible that they continue to draw interest as the guys who were not supposed to make-it as musicians but simply a bunch of funny, cute Beatle-like performers.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=XfuBREMXxts

I find it very bizarre they had two members with the same birthday. Happy birthday Mike and Davy.

 

This video was created on December 31, 1966, must have been a birthday present to Mike and Davy.

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

On This Date in 2008: Taylor Swift “Fearless” #1

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On this date, Taylor Swift “Fearless” began a seven week run at #1 on the Billboard Charts. She has continued to demonstrate incredible popularity and critical acclaim.

 

When she was ten years old, a computer repairman showed her three basic chords on the guitar and it lit the fire within her. She claims to have been a victim of bullying in school and felt like she did not fit in. Taylor Swift turned to songwriting to deal with these experiences. She states that her songs are highly biographical and references that they are like reading her personal diary in lyrical form.

 

When she turned fourteen, her family moved from Reading, PA to Nashville, TN to support her musical career. Taylor Swift’s first single released was “Tim McGraw”. She has enjoyed an unequaled run of charting and sales success as a female Country artist and is opening new doors for future Country artists, especially females.

Taylor Swift, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw at Grammy Awards

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Joe Strummer Of The Clash Died On This Day

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Former guitarist and singer Joe Strummer died on this day in 2002. He was co-founder and lyricist for The Clash.  Joe and The Clash were inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. Rolling Stone magazine awarded The Clash’s London Calling album of the 80’s.

 

Strummer had hit a violent member of the audience at a performance in Hamburg, Germany with his guitar. This action facilitated reflection, “I nearly murdered somebody, and it made me realise that you can’t face violence with violence. It doesn’t work.”

 

The Clash were given the title of  “The Only Band That Matters “, which was conceived as a promotional slogan by their recording label CBS Records. They were one of the original punk bands and were widely acclaimed for their highly charged, politicized lyrics and experimental instrumentation. They were one of those bands that constantly pushed the boundaries of music for themselves and their audiences.

 

Some of their hits in The USA include “Should I Stay or Should I Go”, “Rock The Casbah”, “London Calling” and “Train In Vain”. Many artists attribute their desire to be musicians to Joe Strummer and the Clash. Their influence reaches far beyond the Punk scene and maybe even beyond Rock itself.

 

Joe, you are missed but not forgotten.

Joe Strummer & The Clash London Calling

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Engineer With Pink Floyd and The Beatles Born Today: Alan Parsons

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Alan Parsons, studio audio engineer, musician, and record producer was involved with the production of The Beatles’ Abbey Road and Let It Be, and Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon.  He was born today, December 20th 1948. As a music listener and professional DJ in the industry, the idea of working on two of Rock’s greatest achievements is quite a resume to attach to your name.  It is interesting that his participation in these monumental projects still has not brought him the public recognition that one wold assume would come with such great accomplishments.

 

Alan Parsons was only nineteen when he was hired to work at Abbey Road Studios. Soon after that, The Beatles were in the studio recording the album Abbey Road.

 

“But working with The Beatles was an amazing experience. And working with producer George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick gave me a great deal to learn from, and that experience too was amazing. The album Abbey Road was actually recorded very quickly, it was done in about eight weeks which for The Beatles was pretty fast. But I enjoyed every second of it. And I was getting paid to work with the greatest pop band of all time!” Alan Parsons Interview with Joe Matera from Ultimate-Guitar.

 

Alan was a main ingredient in the most successful Rock album in the history of Billboard’s Top 200 album charts.  He engineered its highly technical production with only sixteen tracks in analog.  They did not have digital technology yet.

 

He has been nominated for ten Grammys, which seven were for his critically acclaimed Alan Parsons Project work. Additionally one more for his solo work as Alan Parsons.

Alan Parsons Pink Floyd Dark Side of The Moon

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Hey DJ, Where’s Your DJ Turntables?

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Even with technology being what it is today, I still get asked as a professional DJ , “Where’s your DJ turntables?” from time to time.

 

I hold back my laughter and smile “I don’t use DJ turntables anymore. I just use this MacBook. It does everything I need and more.”

 

“Just the computer? No CD player either?” And they look around my DJ Station searching for the ‘hidden’ CD player or turntable that I must be keeping from him.

 

“It’s just me and this MacBook. Come look at the software I use, it is called djay, made specifically for Mac and iTunes. Works just like a DJ turntable but don’t have to lug around eight racks of records and kill my back, anymore. More importantly, I have about 35,000 songs to honor any requests that I could never do with my vinyl or CDs.”

 

They walk around skeptically and look at the screen, “WOW! Thad is so cool! You’re right; it is just like a DJ turntable. So you can play your whole library right from this thing?”

“Yup. Here me let me show you how I queue up the next song.” He watches like he is seeing the first spaceship land on the moon and invariably, “Unbelievable that you can do that so easily. What did you say the name of this software is?”

“djay. You can download it online and be ready to go in minutes. I recommend it to everyone, professional DJs or folks who just want to play around at home. I think it’s great and I feel like I used to with DJ turntables without all the other problems. But I do miss them sometimes. I miss touching the vinyl itself, otherwise, I’ll statick with my MacBook and djay.”

DJ Turntables vs DJ Software

 

We continue to talk about music and dancing and technology for a little bit. Then they notice my BOSE L1 System and the next conversations starts…

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Max Yasgur, Farm Owner Of Woodstock Festival Born Today

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Today, December 15, 1919, Max Yasgur was born, the owner of the dairy farm in Bethel, New York, where the Woodstock Festival was held in 1969. Max yasgur was a man who fought through significant local resistance to ‘all the long-haired hippies and anti-war young people playing loud music’ coming to the area to make sure the event took place. There were protest signs around town. This was one of the protest signs, “Stop Max’s Hippie Music Festival. No 150,000 hippies here. Buy no milk.”

 

Max Yasgur was initially offered $50,000 to lease the land for the festival. It was a rainy year and he needed the money. He also believed in the right to self-expression even. This was true even if he did not agree with the actions and attitudes of the festival attendees.

 

There is a legend that the locals were selling water to folks at the festival. Max Yasgur apparently was angered by this and slammed his hand on his kitchen table. He yelled “Water is free”. His son, Steve Yasgur, remembers exactly what his father said.  “He told us to take every empty milk bottle from the plant, fill them with water and give them to the kids, and give away all the milk and milk products we had at the dairy.”

 

Woodstock is one of The USA’s largest and most historical musical events. It set the tone for social, racial, religious and artistic shifts that we are still experiencing ripples today.

 

For those who do not know, here is a list of performers at the legendary festival concluding with Jimi Hendrix famed version of “The Star Spangled Banner” on electric guitar:

Richie Havens

Country Joe McDonald

John B. Sebastian

Incredible String Band

Sweetwater

Bert Sommer

Tim Hardin

Ravi Shankar

Melanie

Arlo Guthrie

Joan Baez

Quill

Keef Hartly

Santana

Canned Heat

Mountain

Janis Joplin

Sly & The Family Stone

Grateful Dead

Creedence Clearwater Revival

The Who

Jefferson Airplane

Joe Cocker

Country Joe & The Fish

Ten Years After

The Band

Blood Sweet And Tears

Johnny Winter

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Paul Butterfield Blues Band

Sha-Na-Na

Jimi Hendrix

 

3 Days of Peace & Music

Max Yasgur Woodstock Festival with Jimi Hendrix

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

50 Years Ago Today The Beatles Signed With Brian Epstein

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On December 13, 1961 The Beatles signed with Manager Brian Epstein who later Paul McCartney said, “If anyone was the Fifth Beatle, it was Brian.” Brian Epstein paid for them to record a demo in Decca Studios since nobody thought The Beatles were talented enough to record.  George Martin was impressed with Epstein’s enthusiasm and gave them a listen. He offered them a contract with EMI’s small label Parlophone. That is where The Beatles journey began.

The Beatles – Brian Epstein Tribute – You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away

I wonder if The Beatles would have ever made it at all if not for the coaxing and complete faith that Epstein had that someday they would be an international hit. Hard to imagine growing-up without The Beatles and having them be ‘with me’ throughout my life. Imagine no “Let It Be”.

The Beatles Let It Be

Thanks Brian for your belief in these guys fifty years ago today!

The Beatles Icon

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ

Rhode Island DJ Wedding Garter Removal & Toss Songs

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Often overlooked in the American Wedding Traditions are the Wedding Garter Removal and Tossing.  Strangely enough, Brides and Grooms typically like to have the same song for all three components of the Garter Tradition.

 

A quick history lesson on The Garter tradition. Just like The Bouquet Toss, The Garter Toss is supposed to represent the next single male to get married. It is believed in some traditions that the man that catches the garter will marry the woman that catches the Bouquet. In most cultures, it is simply who will get married next.  While the Bouquet Toss is fun and funny. The Wedding Garter Removal, Toss and Placing it on the woman that caught the bouquet, brings out a more adventurous and racy aspect to the wedding reception. Not all Bride and Groom want to include the Wedding Garter Tradition these days.

 

Here are some popular Wedding Garter songs that are used for all the parts of the Garter traditions from a professional New Jersey & New York Wedding DJ. This is not all the songs we use, but a failry substantial list to begin with. If you have any questions about your Wedding Garter or Bouquet songs, I invite you to contact me for more information.

Rhode Island DJ Wedding Garter Removal & Toss Songs

The Mission Impossible Theme –  Lalo Schifrin

Can’t Get Enough of Your Love – Barry White

Hot Stuff – Donna Summer

You Sexy Thing – Hot Chocolate

Bad Boys – Inner Circle

Foxy Lady – Jimi Hendrix

You Can Leave Your Hat On – Joe Cocker

American Woman – Lenny Kravitz

Fever – Peggy Lee

Another Bites The Dust – Queen

Cherry Pie – Warrant

What A Man – Salt N Pepa

Wild Thing – Toni Loc

Wild Thing – The Troggs

Groom Holds Wedding Garter From Bride

Is there any I left off the list? What are your favorite Wedding Garter, Removal, Toss and Placement Songs?

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & Boston DJ

Ask me about my Rhode Island Wedding DJ & Rhode Island Party DJ Guarantee!

A Celebration of Weddings DJ Mystical Michael Style: The Reception

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After the traditions are completed, we get to turn-up the music and have some fun. Everybody has eaten and is ready to loosen their ties and let their hair down. This is where the Wedding DJ gets to shine and creates the last memories of an incredible journey. The Wedding Reception.

Fun Wedding Reception

See The Groom back right?

 

Fun Vietnamese Wedding Reception

The Brides third dress! Doesn’t she look amazing in green?

 

Fun Wedding Reception

This Bride knows how to have fun at her Wedding!

 

Fun Wedding Party

Like a magazine cover don’t you think?

 

Fun Asian Wedding Reception

They were concerned I would not be able to get anyone to dance:)

 

Fun Multicultural Wedding Party

Trust me, it was hard to not join them!

 

Fun Wedding Party

An August Wedding on a scorching day.

 

Fun Dance Party

We turned the lights down and the volume up!

 

Fun Family Dance at Wedding

Straight from Paris!

 

Receptions. Every one is different but the fun and smiles are the same.

 

DJ Mystical Michael Rhode Island DJ & NY DJ