John Raymond Pollard: Notes

The last two months of 2010 were eventful. Deep in the Red, Black & Blue: Songs for a Great Depression was released followed by Disk Covered 80’s. Thanks for the radio producers who have been playing selections from the new releases and special thanks to Len Rogers and Keith Brown for the radio interviews.

Best wishes to everyone for a happy and healthy 2011.

I recently returned from a few days in the Vale do Capão -- 8 hours by bus from Salvador. The scenery and people were wonderful. I played and sang some of my songs for fellow travelers, who included a disproportionate number of musicians.

I landed in Brazil just in time to avoid the cold that invaded the north eastern USA. So, now I and am getting acclimated to the warmth.
I was nominated for a Pride in the Arts Award. Thank you fans!

I have authored all or part of every song that has been released on my eight prior albums and assorted singles. So, "Disk Covered 80’s" is something completely different for me. I have compressed 11 hits from the 1980’s into 10 cuts. While you’ll recognize the songs, I think you will find them infused with my “alternative world” style. For example, Time After Time and Careless Whisper take on a bossa nova flavor and Caribbean Queen is dressed up in reggae rhythms. Please give it a listen and let me know what you think. This album and the tracks that comprise it are available for purchase only in digital format.

"Deep in Red, Black & Blue: Songs for a Great Depression" is now available for consumption. Treat your ears to a harvest of soothing sounds. You'll find sound clips and lyrics on this site. Music is available form iTunes, CD Baby, and other sources.

All is on track for the release of Deep in the Red; Black & Blue: Songs for a Great Depression. November 1 is the date. Mark your calendar.

Get set for another new album. This will be my first of cover songs -- a collection of songs that were hits in the 1980's. What is it called? Disk Covered 80's. Pardon the pun.

Autumn in New York can be lovely. The next album; Deep in the Red, Black & Blue: Songs for a Great Depression; is back on track for release in November.

The weather in New York on Labor Day was delightful. I spent a little time in the recording studio today and sang a song -- so my voice has returned. We also added percussion bits to another song. The recording project is moving forward.

Recently I sent the master CD for the next album (Deep in the Red; Black & Blue: Songs for a Great Depression) to be manufactured. The manufacturer has advised me that the master CD is lost! I have my fingers crossed that things will work out.

Being ill and suffering a sore throat disrupts one's life. I have been out of commission for the past few weeks. But better days are ahead!

I spent the day with Mark Christensen, owner and Chief Mastering Engineer of Engine Room Audio, who was mastering my next album, "Deep in the Red; Black & Blue: Songs for a Great Depression." Graphic design for the CD package is under way. Look for the album later this year.

Yes, I have two recording projects recently completed. That means it is time to start another. And I am again working in Michael Gilboe's studio on a set of new recordings. I am enthused about the songs and look forward to sharing them with listeners.

Once again in New York, I am catching up on items that have been waiting patiently for attention during the past four months.
The Clinton Community Garden becomes my refuge when I need to get away for a few minutes or hours.
As has been my habit in New York during the past several years, I have been working in the recording studio -- finishing a few projects and beginning a new recording.

John is thrilled to have been awarded a 2009 Pride in the Arts Music Award. A big thanks to all my fans whose votes landed the honor.

Please join me on March 5th at 7 PM at Casa da Musica, Parque Metropolitano do Abaeté, Itapoã, Salvador. I am honored to have been invited to perform at a venue where so many wonderful musicians, including Grammy winners, have performed. I plan to sing original songs in English, Portuguese, and Spanish – and perhaps struggle to express myself to the audience in Portuguese.

I am much relieved after a visit to luthier Jean Paul Charles. My Martin guitar was not sounding well. But for a guitar going to the luthier can be like going to the chiropractor. After a diagnosis and adjustment there was relief!

Character was among the OutVoice 2009 Top 40 Albums. Thanks to all my fans who voted for my work. My most 3 recent releases (Character, Brasilience, and Dreams) made chart appearances throughout the course of 2009. Dreams is currently climbing the chart.

The Romans had it right: time flies. As the first decade of the new millennium draws to a close, I thank my fans for their support.
I released my first recording in 2000. Another six albums and a few singles followed. I have been very fortunate to work with so many talented artists along the way.
Best wishes for a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a happy, healthy, and satisfying New Year.

John Raymond Pollard is honored to be Artists for Equality's featured artist during December 2009. Artists for Equality's mission is to provide common ground on which we will build bridges to a social acceptance of real equality in Human rights for all Humanity. For more information, please visit the Artists for Equality web site.

I arrived in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil earlier this week and asked my friends about Brazil’s recent blackout. They said that, happily, the city had not been affected. When I read a newspaper on the last leg of the trip down, I noticed that a new word of English derivation seems to have entered Brazilian Portuguese: “blecaute,” which is how “black out” would be written phonetically.
Since arriving, I have noted the contrast between the jobs situation in the USA and Brazil. Local news stories feature Ford’s plan to expand its factory which, directly and indirectly, is expected to create 11,000 jobs. Prosperity is showing via more traffic jams from more cars on the road!

Many people ask me about the process of recording an album. Knowing that a picture can be worth a thousand words, I have put up on YouTube a number of videos that feature performers at work in the studio. I am pleased to announce that a short video of Monster Horns playing on the song, The Divide (By the Time I Get to Phoenix), is now available for viewing. The Monster Horns trio is:
• Mike McGinnis, who plays saxophones, clarinets, flutes, recorders, penny whistles, and mouth harps on my four most recent releases as well as a few projects still in the works.
• Jeff Hermanson, trumpet and flugelhorn, can be heard on Dreams, Brasilience, and Character albums.
• Brian Drye begins the Dreams album with amazing trombone sounds on the song, Living an Alternative Dream.
You’ll find the one and a half minute video of Monster Horns doing their thing at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUdDJR81NEs

Today is September 1, 2009, the release date for Dreams. The album is now available from iTunes and in the coming weeks and months, it will be available from additional on-line sources. Of course, you can get CD's from CD Baby. Just click on the link from this site.

Dreams CD's are now available, but not digital versions of songs. I have used CD Baby for on-line sale of my music for the past 9 years. There was never a problem until Dreams!!! After weeks of waiting and numerous contacts, a service rep finally explained that their new system was riddled with bugs and only after they are corrected would digital versions of songs be available from CD Baby and make their way to iTunes and other on-line vendors. Tell me it is just a Dream and that I'll wake up soon to find all is OK.

Tune into WWUH (91.3 FM) Hartford CT on Thursday evening, July 30, at 8:30 PM as Keith Brown interviews John and they talk about Dreams, John's album scheduled for release September 1. http://wwuh.org/