Bruce Gaitsch Coolnight Interview English 10022009
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INTERVIEW COOL NIGHT – BRUCE GAITSCH by 10/02/2009
You are part of our favorite guitarists with Michael Landau and Steve Lukather, What is your feeling about Mike and Luke? Wow. I am incredibly honored to be in the same sentence as Mike & Luke. Both of them play rings around me. I was the guy that stared in awe of Luke on stage in Toto when he was 16. He still amazes me with his energy and the passion that is so obvious in his playing. He is a genius...simple and pure. Now Mike is another type of animal…though he can amaze with his flash and brilliance, to me...he shines in the studio and left to his own devices. No one can do what he does....his parts and planning of his first basic track are worthy of Stravinsky or the great French film composer Gabriel Yared. There is a song called "Heavenless" that I wrote with Dutch rock star Ilse DeLange. On her CD "Clean Up". The band was Vinnie Colaiuta, Neil Stubenhaus, Greg Phillinganes, Michael Landau on electric and me on acoustic. What Mike did on one stereo pass would take other guys 20 years to do if they could ever think of it much less play all the parts and sounds that he did in one 5 minute live pass. We only got to play that song once in the studio. That's what you hear on her CD and it's perfect. I listen to it often to remind myself of Mike’s genius. He is the real deal.
When did you get start playing guitar? When I was 8 years old. My father taught me to play.
You have worked on several albums with Richard Marx (nine of his and many others he has produced including the new George canyon CD recorded at Richards home studio in 4 days.) Timothy B. Schmit. (Just the two I produced) How did you meet these two artists? I met Richard when he was just a kid in Chicago singing commercials for his dad. I did sessions in Chicago for 10 years and worked for Richard’s dad a lot. So we met in the studio and he was my first co-writer. We have been friends for over 30 years now. I love the guy. Interview Bruno Fabrigues for Cool Night – Bruce Gaitsch by 10/02/2009
Timothy I met when he and I started writing for his 2nd solo CD. We connected with Will Jennings who wrote the lyrics and we had a great time making the record and doing the TV shows for promotion of the 1st single "Boys Night Out" I was even in the video for the second single...a great guy who still lets me know when the Eagles will be in town and gets me tickets and passes.
In France, you were discovered by the Madonna’s hit "La Isla Bonita". How did you get involve in this classic Pop/Rock album "TRUE BLUE"? I wrote "La Isla Bonita" with Madonna and Pat Leonard. Pat and I were friends from the Chicago session days and we had a little work studio in Pats basement. He was working with the Jacksons and was trying to write something different for Michael. He was stumped on a bridge for a little Latin thing he was working on and I went over and heard what he had and sang him the bridge. It took 3 minutes. Luckily for us Mr Jackson wasn't interested in the music so at my urging Pat sent it to Madonna in China while she was filming Shanghai Surprize with Sean Penn. She wrote the words and when she got back we demoed it in our little studio and as they got more songs for the record I was playing on the demos and so when they made the record I was lucky enough to be asked by Pat to recreate my parts. It didn't hurt that I was one of the only guitarists Madonna knew in LA. That's how I got to play on the Stephen Brey compositions.
Your musical journey is really varied, between your sessions work, the King of Hearts period and your solo career. What is your prefered period and with your experience, what you prefer now to do? I am a very lucky man. All of the periods have always over lapped. The King of Hearts record was recorded while I was working with Richard on his music and Pat on the Madonna "Like a Prayer" record. In LA it was a magical time. Great music being made that was very successful world wide. My solo projects came about because of my writing with so many wonderful people and sometimes the music didn't make their new record so I had these gems sitting around. I still am doing many things, playing, writing and recording with The Emotional Rex (Kelly Keagy and George Hawkins JR) playing live with Peter Cetera and Harry Shearer, recording for my friends Nicolas Peyrac and Cy Curnin here in my home studio. I am looking forward to writing more with Ilse, playing live with Janey in Europe, writing and recording and playing with Bill Champlin when we both have the time. I love all of the aspects of my musical life and I prefer to do what ever comes my way. It is never boring.
Have you some recent news about Tommy Funderburk, Have you keep the touch with him? Tommy and I try to get things started every other year and for some reason nothing happens. He is very involved with his label out in LA and I wish him well.
In addition of your guitarist career, you also compose. Where do you find all your inspiration? When I write guitar music the inspiration comes from the guitar and my mood…when I write songs with artists I am inspired by the mood, and the co-writer. When you find a great co-writer you hold on to them…the magic is amazing. Ilse and I have written 50 songs...all of them are great. Some greater than others but all are from a very cool place. They capture the time and
Interview Bruno Fabrigues for Cool Night – Bruce Gaitsch by 10/02/2009
place of the writing…I love that.
In France, no news about you since your last solo album "SINCERELY"? What have you do during all these years? I have been playing live a lot more than I used to and I love it. The gigs with orchestra for Cetera are a blast and a challenge. I have been doing that for 6 years now. GO to Allmusic.com and look at my credits…the list continues…The Harry Shearer anti Bush gigs were incredible fun and what a great band. Check him out at HarryShearer.com. The last couple years Janey and I have been focusing on her new CD as well as the new Bossa Nova Hotel record each of them were at least 2 years in the making.
Can you tell us more about the making of the "SINCERELY" album? It is a tribute to the McPherson guitar? Matt McPherson asked me to do a CD for his label. I was thrilled and I got to do it my way. His guitars are the finest acoustic guitars ever made. There is no argument. So I wrote the songs and recorded them in a matter of a couple weeks. His guitars inspire me everyday. Yes it is a tribute to how great one acoustic guitar can sound. My highest compliment was when I played Matt himself the 5.1 mix (still unreleased) at George Massenburg’s studio here in Nashville. Matt cried...he had never heard his guitars sound so great on a recording. Howard Levy and Janey add so much to the musicality of the recording.
Interview Bruno Fabrigues for Cool Night – Bruce Gaitsch by 10/02/2009
If you look back in the past, which album makes you the most proud? "SINCERELY" because it is the most...me.
You have worked with Tommy Denander for the album "COUNTERPARTS". What the story behind this album and your meeting with Tommy? The funny thing was we never met for the making of that record. He sent me tracks to play on and I sent him tracks to play on. It was a cross Atlantic endeavour. We met via the internet…we have a mutual friend in Japan who runs a Westcoast site. Takeshi Itoh introduced us. We are now planning another CD...we will try to meet for at least one meal for this one.
Can you give us some anecdotes on each of your albums? Which is your prefered with the time? "A LYRE IN A WINDSTORM": Janey had just finished singing the backgrounds for the entire record. She was very very pregnant and went into the back bedroom to lie down. A few moments later I thought I heard feed back in the track I was mixing and I stopped the tape to hear Janey screaming because her water had broken and little Samantha was on her way into the world. "APHASIA" Going to NYC with one song to record and 3 hours booked with Jim Beard, John Patitucci, Billy Ward and myself. We recorded "Inside My Piano" in one take and then I quickly wrote out a chart for another idea I had that morning and we recorded "Aphasia" in one take. I then had John play electric on "Ten below Zero" and we were done with 2 hours to spare. Way overqualified band…Oh My God... "NIGHTINGALE" staying up late every night for a month recording solo guitar ideas because Richard Marx said I should do more guitar on my records...Thanks Richard…you were right. "SINCERELY" Listening to the 5.1 mixes with Steve Perry in LA and he's got his eyes closed and is way into it... My preferred with time is all of them. A lot of me is in them all, history and everything emotional. They are like photo albums for me.
We forget something important in your eyes: the stage. Do you still perform live or making some gigs? I love performing live more than ever. Janey and I are rehearsing her material so that we can, just the two of us, represent her new CD. The Emotional Rex play live too and it is a blast. As well as the Cetera with orchestra gigs…I am going to Manila Tomorrow with him.
Is there a musician, a singer or a band with whom you have not worked so far and with whom you dream to record an album? I am a very lucky guy and I think I have played with almost all of my idols. I think if there was one person I'd want to work with now it could be Ringo Star, or Joni Mitchell, or is it Wayne Shorter?
Interview Bruno Fabrigues for Cool Night – Bruce Gaitsch by 10/02/2009
Can you tell us about your actual playlist? My iTunes playlist is very short, here it is. "Fragile", "A Thousand Years" Sting "Negative Girl", "What A Shame About Me", "Glamour Profession", "Babylon Sisters", "Pixeleen", "Green Book", "Aja" Steely Dan "Angel" Sarah McLachlan "Don't Give Up", "Red Rain" Peter Gabriel "Tears of Hercules", "All Show", "Spain" Marc Jordan "Coyote", "A Case Of You" Joni Mitchell "The Last Days Of Summer", "Wayward Lover" Gino Vannelli "September" Earth, Wind & Fire "Maxine", "Ruby Baby" Donald Fagen "The Heart Of The Matter", "The End Of The Innocence" Don Henley "I Can't Make You Love Me (Edit) " Bonnie Raitt "Uninvited" Alanis Morissette
What do you think about the early 80s music revival (for us Westcoast/AOR music) characterized by artistes like Airplay, Marc Jordan and Michael McDonald...? I have always disliked the Airplay record. I know all of those guys and they are the best singers and musicians in the world but...it is so pristine like many things Jay does, so much so that it has no feel, no heart and soul.....to me. Marc Jordan's new CD's are way better than his early ones…tho I can hear how great he was, even then. Mike McDonald…just love his voice…always have.
A few words to each of these artists. Airplay…Now I know why Tommy wasn't on the cover… Marc Jordan...Darling…you make my favorite records…please keep em coming. Michael McDonald…get back to where you belong pal...write another "I Can Let Go Now" or just sing it more often..
What are your immediate plans? And your future plans? Heading to Manila tomorrow for one concert with Peter there and then back on Monday. Writing and recording with the Emotional Rex. Getting some gigs with Janey and touring Europe this summer… (Fingers crossed) Getting the Bossa Nova Hotel record nominated for a Grammy.
What make you the most proud in your musical career? I am most proud of the life I have spent with the incredibly talented people I can call friends...Parties at Randy Waldman's house with Jeremy Lubbock playing "The Christmas Song" Making Vinnie that burger, the comraderie and mutual respect. Of the worlds finest. What are the musical meetings that you were impressed the most? Jimi Hendrix, Nah...Maybe Interview Bruno Fabrigues for Cool Night – Bruce Gaitsch by 10/02/2009
Bill Champlin is sitting down at the piano, or just recently Pat Leonard and Adam Cohen...Making that record was a labor of love. Every song. Unbelievable.
One last question, (a tough question), what do you think about the career of your wife Janey Clewer. I have said it before and I will say it again. My wife is the most talented person that I know (and I know a lot of extremely talented people) her career does not reflect her talent. She should be the biggest star in the world; she is amazing…in every way. I am devoting my life right now to helping her do more music, live. When we play together I am blown away, constantly. No one should have the talent, the beauty and grace she has. I am so proud to be included in her plans. We went to Italy a few years back to perform two shows…it was a dream come true. We will be doing that a lot more. From now on.
The Cool Night team is proud and happy that you have taken the time to answer these questions.
Thank you for asking them, I hope I didn't write too much. Bruce
Interview Bruno Fabrigues for Cool Night – Bruce Gaitsch by 10/02/2009
You are part of our favorite guitarists with Michael Landau and Steve Lukather, What is your feeling about Mike and Luke? Wow. I am incredibly honored to be in the same sentence as Mike & Luke. Both of them play rings around me. I was the guy that stared in awe of Luke on stage in Toto when he was 16. He still amazes me with his energy and the passion that is so obvious in his playing. He is a genius...simple and pure. Now Mike is another type of animal…though he can amaze with his flash and brilliance, to me...he shines in the studio and left to his own devices. No one can do what he does....his parts and planning of his first basic track are worthy of Stravinsky or the great French film composer Gabriel Yared. There is a song called "Heavenless" that I wrote with Dutch rock star Ilse DeLange. On her CD "Clean Up". The band was Vinnie Colaiuta, Neil Stubenhaus, Greg Phillinganes, Michael Landau on electric and me on acoustic. What Mike did on one stereo pass would take other guys 20 years to do if they could ever think of it much less play all the parts and sounds that he did in one 5 minute live pass. We only got to play that song once in the studio. That's what you hear on her CD and it's perfect. I listen to it often to remind myself of Mike’s genius. He is the real deal.
When did you get start playing guitar? When I was 8 years old. My father taught me to play.
You have worked on several albums with Richard Marx (nine of his and many others he has produced including the new George canyon CD recorded at Richards home studio in 4 days.) Timothy B. Schmit. (Just the two I produced) How did you meet these two artists? I met Richard when he was just a kid in Chicago singing commercials for his dad. I did sessions in Chicago for 10 years and worked for Richard’s dad a lot. So we met in the studio and he was my first co-writer. We have been friends for over 30 years now. I love the guy. Interview Bruno Fabrigues for Cool Night – Bruce Gaitsch by 10/02/2009
Timothy I met when he and I started writing for his 2nd solo CD. We connected with Will Jennings who wrote the lyrics and we had a great time making the record and doing the TV shows for promotion of the 1st single "Boys Night Out" I was even in the video for the second single...a great guy who still lets me know when the Eagles will be in town and gets me tickets and passes.
In France, you were discovered by the Madonna’s hit "La Isla Bonita". How did you get involve in this classic Pop/Rock album "TRUE BLUE"? I wrote "La Isla Bonita" with Madonna and Pat Leonard. Pat and I were friends from the Chicago session days and we had a little work studio in Pats basement. He was working with the Jacksons and was trying to write something different for Michael. He was stumped on a bridge for a little Latin thing he was working on and I went over and heard what he had and sang him the bridge. It took 3 minutes. Luckily for us Mr Jackson wasn't interested in the music so at my urging Pat sent it to Madonna in China while she was filming Shanghai Surprize with Sean Penn. She wrote the words and when she got back we demoed it in our little studio and as they got more songs for the record I was playing on the demos and so when they made the record I was lucky enough to be asked by Pat to recreate my parts. It didn't hurt that I was one of the only guitarists Madonna knew in LA. That's how I got to play on the Stephen Brey compositions.
Your musical journey is really varied, between your sessions work, the King of Hearts period and your solo career. What is your prefered period and with your experience, what you prefer now to do? I am a very lucky man. All of the periods have always over lapped. The King of Hearts record was recorded while I was working with Richard on his music and Pat on the Madonna "Like a Prayer" record. In LA it was a magical time. Great music being made that was very successful world wide. My solo projects came about because of my writing with so many wonderful people and sometimes the music didn't make their new record so I had these gems sitting around. I still am doing many things, playing, writing and recording with The Emotional Rex (Kelly Keagy and George Hawkins JR) playing live with Peter Cetera and Harry Shearer, recording for my friends Nicolas Peyrac and Cy Curnin here in my home studio. I am looking forward to writing more with Ilse, playing live with Janey in Europe, writing and recording and playing with Bill Champlin when we both have the time. I love all of the aspects of my musical life and I prefer to do what ever comes my way. It is never boring.
Have you some recent news about Tommy Funderburk, Have you keep the touch with him? Tommy and I try to get things started every other year and for some reason nothing happens. He is very involved with his label out in LA and I wish him well.
In addition of your guitarist career, you also compose. Where do you find all your inspiration? When I write guitar music the inspiration comes from the guitar and my mood…when I write songs with artists I am inspired by the mood, and the co-writer. When you find a great co-writer you hold on to them…the magic is amazing. Ilse and I have written 50 songs...all of them are great. Some greater than others but all are from a very cool place. They capture the time and
Interview Bruno Fabrigues for Cool Night – Bruce Gaitsch by 10/02/2009
place of the writing…I love that.
In France, no news about you since your last solo album "SINCERELY"? What have you do during all these years? I have been playing live a lot more than I used to and I love it. The gigs with orchestra for Cetera are a blast and a challenge. I have been doing that for 6 years now. GO to Allmusic.com and look at my credits…the list continues…The Harry Shearer anti Bush gigs were incredible fun and what a great band. Check him out at HarryShearer.com. The last couple years Janey and I have been focusing on her new CD as well as the new Bossa Nova Hotel record each of them were at least 2 years in the making.
Can you tell us more about the making of the "SINCERELY" album? It is a tribute to the McPherson guitar? Matt McPherson asked me to do a CD for his label. I was thrilled and I got to do it my way. His guitars are the finest acoustic guitars ever made. There is no argument. So I wrote the songs and recorded them in a matter of a couple weeks. His guitars inspire me everyday. Yes it is a tribute to how great one acoustic guitar can sound. My highest compliment was when I played Matt himself the 5.1 mix (still unreleased) at George Massenburg’s studio here in Nashville. Matt cried...he had never heard his guitars sound so great on a recording. Howard Levy and Janey add so much to the musicality of the recording.
Interview Bruno Fabrigues for Cool Night – Bruce Gaitsch by 10/02/2009
If you look back in the past, which album makes you the most proud? "SINCERELY" because it is the most...me.
You have worked with Tommy Denander for the album "COUNTERPARTS". What the story behind this album and your meeting with Tommy? The funny thing was we never met for the making of that record. He sent me tracks to play on and I sent him tracks to play on. It was a cross Atlantic endeavour. We met via the internet…we have a mutual friend in Japan who runs a Westcoast site. Takeshi Itoh introduced us. We are now planning another CD...we will try to meet for at least one meal for this one.
Can you give us some anecdotes on each of your albums? Which is your prefered with the time? "A LYRE IN A WINDSTORM": Janey had just finished singing the backgrounds for the entire record. She was very very pregnant and went into the back bedroom to lie down. A few moments later I thought I heard feed back in the track I was mixing and I stopped the tape to hear Janey screaming because her water had broken and little Samantha was on her way into the world. "APHASIA" Going to NYC with one song to record and 3 hours booked with Jim Beard, John Patitucci, Billy Ward and myself. We recorded "Inside My Piano" in one take and then I quickly wrote out a chart for another idea I had that morning and we recorded "Aphasia" in one take. I then had John play electric on "Ten below Zero" and we were done with 2 hours to spare. Way overqualified band…Oh My God... "NIGHTINGALE" staying up late every night for a month recording solo guitar ideas because Richard Marx said I should do more guitar on my records...Thanks Richard…you were right. "SINCERELY" Listening to the 5.1 mixes with Steve Perry in LA and he's got his eyes closed and is way into it... My preferred with time is all of them. A lot of me is in them all, history and everything emotional. They are like photo albums for me.
We forget something important in your eyes: the stage. Do you still perform live or making some gigs? I love performing live more than ever. Janey and I are rehearsing her material so that we can, just the two of us, represent her new CD. The Emotional Rex play live too and it is a blast. As well as the Cetera with orchestra gigs…I am going to Manila Tomorrow with him.
Is there a musician, a singer or a band with whom you have not worked so far and with whom you dream to record an album? I am a very lucky guy and I think I have played with almost all of my idols. I think if there was one person I'd want to work with now it could be Ringo Star, or Joni Mitchell, or is it Wayne Shorter?
Interview Bruno Fabrigues for Cool Night – Bruce Gaitsch by 10/02/2009
Can you tell us about your actual playlist? My iTunes playlist is very short, here it is. "Fragile", "A Thousand Years" Sting "Negative Girl", "What A Shame About Me", "Glamour Profession", "Babylon Sisters", "Pixeleen", "Green Book", "Aja" Steely Dan "Angel" Sarah McLachlan "Don't Give Up", "Red Rain" Peter Gabriel "Tears of Hercules", "All Show", "Spain" Marc Jordan "Coyote", "A Case Of You" Joni Mitchell "The Last Days Of Summer", "Wayward Lover" Gino Vannelli "September" Earth, Wind & Fire "Maxine", "Ruby Baby" Donald Fagen "The Heart Of The Matter", "The End Of The Innocence" Don Henley "I Can't Make You Love Me (Edit) " Bonnie Raitt "Uninvited" Alanis Morissette
What do you think about the early 80s music revival (for us Westcoast/AOR music) characterized by artistes like Airplay, Marc Jordan and Michael McDonald...? I have always disliked the Airplay record. I know all of those guys and they are the best singers and musicians in the world but...it is so pristine like many things Jay does, so much so that it has no feel, no heart and soul.....to me. Marc Jordan's new CD's are way better than his early ones…tho I can hear how great he was, even then. Mike McDonald…just love his voice…always have.
A few words to each of these artists. Airplay…Now I know why Tommy wasn't on the cover… Marc Jordan...Darling…you make my favorite records…please keep em coming. Michael McDonald…get back to where you belong pal...write another "I Can Let Go Now" or just sing it more often..
What are your immediate plans? And your future plans? Heading to Manila tomorrow for one concert with Peter there and then back on Monday. Writing and recording with the Emotional Rex. Getting some gigs with Janey and touring Europe this summer… (Fingers crossed) Getting the Bossa Nova Hotel record nominated for a Grammy.
What make you the most proud in your musical career? I am most proud of the life I have spent with the incredibly talented people I can call friends...Parties at Randy Waldman's house with Jeremy Lubbock playing "The Christmas Song" Making Vinnie that burger, the comraderie and mutual respect. Of the worlds finest. What are the musical meetings that you were impressed the most? Jimi Hendrix, Nah...Maybe Interview Bruno Fabrigues for Cool Night – Bruce Gaitsch by 10/02/2009
Bill Champlin is sitting down at the piano, or just recently Pat Leonard and Adam Cohen...Making that record was a labor of love. Every song. Unbelievable.
One last question, (a tough question), what do you think about the career of your wife Janey Clewer. I have said it before and I will say it again. My wife is the most talented person that I know (and I know a lot of extremely talented people) her career does not reflect her talent. She should be the biggest star in the world; she is amazing…in every way. I am devoting my life right now to helping her do more music, live. When we play together I am blown away, constantly. No one should have the talent, the beauty and grace she has. I am so proud to be included in her plans. We went to Italy a few years back to perform two shows…it was a dream come true. We will be doing that a lot more. From now on.
The Cool Night team is proud and happy that you have taken the time to answer these questions.
Thank you for asking them, I hope I didn't write too much. Bruce
Interview Bruno Fabrigues for Cool Night – Bruce Gaitsch by 10/02/2009
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