"These Troubled Times"

It's been a while since we have heard from singer/songwriter/actor Jay Jacobson. His last album "The Ride" was released in 2014. It produced an acclaimed animated video for the single "I Lived." Jay also starred in his own successful and acclaimed one man show "Mental Creatures" that he performed at The Lounge Theater in Hollywood. 

So where in the world has Jay been? Well you are about to find out!

MS: How's "The Ride" been since 2014? You've been pretty quiet since then.

JJ: Unfortunately, not by choice. I was nearing the end of recording my next CD, “Travelogue”, when I came down with a rare auto-immune disease. I’ve been on heavy medications, and couldn’t really function. I’m now in the process of reducing my medications, and starting to somewhat function again. The goal is to keep the disease in remission and get back to functioning normally. It’s been quite “a ride”, pun intended. 

MS: Well you are back with a quite timely single "These Troubled Times" give some insight into the creation of it.

JJ: Almost all of my songs reflect what I’m experiencing as I go through my life. I can actually see my journey if I look at my CDs one by one. I came to a point, just before COVID, where I felt I needed to say something about the state of the world. I think just about everyone is scared or suffering to some degree, no matter what your political outlook. We’ve gotten so full of greed and anger, and so far from empathy and caring for one another. I felt the need to say something about it. 

MS: I cried when I first heard it, while the whole song is great, these lyrics: "A nation stands in need Capitalism has turned to greed, We killed off the dream we had, And threw away the seed" really nailed it.

Hi Jay!

JJ: Thanks! The fact that you were moved is a huge compliment. I certainly hope the song inspires people to be kind, loving and generous. It seems there are definitely more of those qualities appearing, with the quarantines all over the world. I can tell you from being sick, something like that changes one’s perspective as to what’s important in life. And while there are some people who still haven’t gotten in touch with a “bigger” picture of life, it seems like a majority of the world has. This pandemic will definitely change the world and we have a chance to make it a better place. Hopefully, that is how this will play out. 

MS: Any plans for a video?

JJ: I’m actually in the process of working on one now. I’m a bit slower at things than I normally am, so it will come out sometime after the song’s release. 

MS: Spill the tea, what was it like singing back-up for Liza Minnelli?

JJ: First of all, it was a major thrill to sing with her. I saw her in concert several times in the 1980s and she would make the hairs on my arms stand on end. She is probably one of the greatest live performers of all time. As for working with her, she was always very nice and professional. One thing that surprised me was that she would be smoking while singing during rehearsals. It didn’t seem to affect her singing though, and in the end she delivered an amazing performance, as she always did. 

MS: You did a one man musical show "Mental Creatures" that was very successful. Give some 411 on it.

JJ: “Mental Creatures” was definitely one of the highest points in my career and life. It started out as a way to combine my songs with my acting, and I started to write a show around some of my songs. At one point, I suddenly realized I had something to say, and form that point on, the show took on a life of its own. It took four years to write. It was a show about living life fully, no matter what is thrown at you. The degree we can feel happiness, pain, anger, love, and so on, is the degree to which we can be fulfilled. I played 8 characters (or nine?), with no costume changes, and only a chair on stage. I would change my voice and physicality with each character. There were three main characters: a young painter from the south with his first gallery show ever; a middle aged female window, who starts dating again for the first time in years; and an elderly man, moving into a retirement home. The show was narrated by a singer-songwriter. A huge compliment I would often get is that people expected the other characters to come out at the curtain call, forgetting that I played each character. I was shocked night after night, week after week, at the overwhelming reaction. After the show I would be told over and over by people how moved and inspired they were, and many would still be sobbing, and tried but couldn’t speak. It was a huge success, with rave reviews, and I learned a lot by doing that show. It kind of spoiled me as an actor, in that it was in something that had a lot of meaning for me, and I got to play many different characters through their breakdowns and breakthroughs. And I got to sing my songs and connect with an audience. It was magical. 

"I Lived"

MS: Ever planning on resurrecting it again?

JJ: I keep getting asked that over and over, usually by people that saw it and want to see it again. I would love to do it again, so if any of your readers knows a theater looking for a one-man-show, definitely let me know! The show was taped, so I do have a record of it. I thought about putting segments on my website, but the sound and lighting aren’t particularly good. it was a filmed play after all. 

MS: OK, I know you are a film lover. Which film do you wish you could have done a song for most?

JJ: A film that comes to mind immediately, is “Call Me By Your Name”. There was so much emotion at the end, a perfect set up for a great, emotional, beautiful song. And I did love what Sufjan Stevens came up with. 

MS: What actress would you like to work with the most and why?

JJ: Definitely Meryl Streep. She is so present and so great at listening which is key to great acting. I think I’d learn a lot from her. Also Toni Collette, Jessica Lange or Saoirse Ronan.

MS: To be, or not to be?

JJ: That is the question. “To be” definitely! Life is filled with hardships, and “troubled times”, but there is so much beauty and love in the world too. Quality of life is determined by how we relate with what it presents us. Nothing ever stays the same and all things, good and bad, eventually pass. Life is a mixed bag, but it is definitely an adventure to be experienced. 

MS: Let's do Thai Food again soon.

JJ: I’m totally down for that!!

"These Troubled Times" is out today, check it, and everything Jay at the links below -

LINKS:

WEBSITE:  jayjacobson.com

THE RIDE: http://www.jayjacobson.com/the-ride

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thejayjacobson/

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/theJay-Jacobson

TWITTER: http://twitter.com/theJayJacobson

iTUNES: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/jay-jacobson/id205327016?uo=4

Surfin' Bird!

Surfin' Butler!
Gerard Butler

"A-well-a everybody's heard about the bird!, Bird bird bird, b-bird's the word" Surfin' Bird, The Trashmen 

You've heard of the Surfin' Bird, now there is the Surfin' Butler, Gerard Butler that is. In the midst of a Los Angeles heat wave Gerard was caught surf board handed heading to the ocean in Malibu.

Funny my understanding was the beaches had been shuttered and no bueno with regard to inhabiting them, but I'm guessing if you are a resident???

Moving on, Gerard is looking good in his quarantine scruff and unkempt hair, and then there's the matter of his wet suit, it seems to me Gerard's not so little friend would like to say "Hello" and Happy Monday!

Indeed...

Gerard on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/gerardbutler/?hl=en

Danzig Sings Elvis

“His take on “One Night” — Presley’s foot-stomping rockabilly barnburner, which made it up to Number Four in 1957 — retains all the lustful passion of the original with gently buzzing guitar and as much glorious slap-back reverb as Danzig could find” - Rolling Stone Magazine

The wait is finally over as punk rock icon DANZIG releases his highly anticipated new album DANZIG Sings ELVIS today with Cleopatra Records. After crediting Elvis Presley as one of his greatest influences, DANZIG has wrapped up this eagerly-awaited full-length album, which is also available on vinyl.

While recording this project, it was important for DANZIG to not only include some well-known Elvis recordings, but also some that were not hits, but influential nonetheless. With tracks such as “One Night,” First In Line,” “Like A Baby,” popular versions of “Fever” and a haunting rendition of “Always On My Mind,” there is no denying, DANZIG cut no corners when creating this iconic record.

The first single to be released was “One Night,” which stays true to its classic Elvis foundation while exhibiting a modern alternative polish unlike anything fans would expect to hear. The single was exclusively premiered by Rolling Stone on April 9, giving everyone a glimpse into what this anticipated album will be like.

Now that it is time to shine for DANZIG Sings ELVIS, his loyal fans are being transported back to simpler times as DANZIG pays tribute to The King of Rock & Roll, Elvis Presley.

To view Danzig’s exclusive interview with Rolling Stone, visit here.

To stream the single: orcd.co/danzigsingsonenight

To order/save the album: orcd.co/danzigsingselvisalbum

I Am The "Tiger King"

Exotic
Rob Lowe

I have a confession to make, I have not seen Tiger King. Yet, because of the wonder of Social Media I feel like I have. Yeah, there's that. 

Well the media frenzy has extended to celebs dressing like Joe Exotic during their quarantine downtime. File that under things to do in Hollywood when one is bored.

My pick for the best Joe Exotic get up is Rob Lowe pictured above. It's pretty eerie, and there's a feral intensity to Rob that really shouts "Exotic."

Thus it makes perfect sense that he and the ubiquitous Ryan Murphy are developing their own version of the truth is stranger than fiction story.

Hey, sounds good to me, and aren't you happy???

Rob on IG -
https://www.instagram.com/roblowe/?hl=en   

"All That Matters"

Lights Out

VOCAL QUARTET LIGHTS OUT RELEASES ‘ALL THAT MATTERS’ SINGLE AND VIDEO TO BUOY SPIRITS AND THANK AMERICA’S HEROES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Philly-Based Group Combines Heartfelt Lyrics with Soaring Harmonies to Create an Anthem for Our Times

Proceeds from Single & Video Benefit First Responders Children’s Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund

New Facebook Live Variety Series, “Escape the Virus with a Lights Out-ing,” Airs Saturdays @ 4 p.m. EST

 Call it fate, call it coincidence, call it happenstance, but every so often there occurs a magic moment − unplanned and unforeseen − when a song arrives just at the point it is needed most. Such is the case with “All That Matters,” by LIGHTS OUT, which is poised to become an anthem for these troubling and frightening times.

The first single/video and title track from the vocal quartet’s new album, All That Matters – just released April 17 − is a moving, uplifting and inspirational piece that imbues the listener with what is most needed as the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic: Optimism that a better day is on the horizon and the unshakeable belief that the human spirit is always stronger than the most fearsome foe.

Proceeds from the “All That Matters” music video and song download go to First Responders Children’s Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. Donations are being accepted now at www.lightsoutvocals.com.

In line with the group’s pandemic efforts, LIGHTS OUT has launched a weekly Facebook Live variety series, “Escape the Virus with a Lights Out-ing,” webcasting every Saturday at 4 p.m. EST. Weekly themes range from archival concert videos, to live Zoom performances, fan recipe cooking segments, story-swapping, topical discussions, and most importantly throughout, regular fan interaction. It’s all about maintaining the individual and group intimacy with their fans that the group holds in such high regard despite the tenuous climate the pandemic has created. Indeed, social distancing has inspired LIGHTS OUT to further find ways of staying close to its fans through social media.

Composed by members Chris James and Danny Goscicki, “All That Matters” is a work of classic blue-eyed soul marked by an indelible, instantly familiar melody and the breathtaking vocal harmonies that are the sonic signature of LIGHTS OUT. Despite its of-the-moment urgency, it was written and recorded before the world had ever heard the phrase “COVID-19.”

According to Rob Fleishman, fellow group member Chad Moroz suggested the track be released as a single. “That,” Fleishman explains, “kind of sparked an idea in my head to create the video. So I created the video and it kind of took on a life of its own.

“At first, it was going to go down the road of friendship and how the group is together,” he continues. “But the ‘A-ha!’ moment came while I was watching the news. It kinda hit me that the lyrics are just so inspirational for this moment. It spoke to me as, ‘Why not thank the people who are on the front lines?’ Which is why at the end of the video, we thank everyone − doctors, nurses, cashiers, farmers, truck drivers, teachers, the military− for working as hard as they are to save our lives right now.”

The phrase "working hard" also applies to the Philadelphia-based unit that was formed by its members when they were students at the University of Delaware. Starting as an a capella group inspired primarily by Rockapella and Boyz II Men, LIGHTS OUT has simultaneously traveled several musical paths, including being a popular attraction at many of the nation's top venues,2 performing their own blend of originals and covers, and as a highly successful Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute act as well as their original show, The Jersey Beach Boys.

Through the years, the troupe’s thrilling vocal harmonies, polished stage shows and songwriting prowess have provided LIGHTS OUT with the opportunities to work with Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Philadelphia’s chart-topping vocal group Boyz II Men, and Barry Carl of Rockapella. Boyz II Men co-founder Mike McCary was so impressed by the foursome that he actually served as its manager. Although today, the group’s career is overseen by another Philly music legend, Jerry Gross of the revered 1960s vocal act, The Dovells, the relationship with McCary continues to pay dividends.

“We were all, at one point, going to school for music at the University of Delaware,” offers Chris James. “Being a music major is amazing, because you learn so much, but you also can kind of get pigeonholed a little bit, even in your own mind. You can get kind of closed-in and not realize that even though the rules say you shouldn't do something, there are ways to do it that might sound good. Mike started opening our eyes to different harmonies and different voicings and different movements within the four of our voices that we would not have had otherwise. It's not just that we wouldn't have thought of them. But we probably would have said, ‘That note's not in the chord, that won’t work.’ But he opened our ears and our minds into a completely new way of harmony. And to this day we take that with us everywhere we go.”

The evidence the band members have taken such lessons to heart can be heard on the All That Matters album, which boasts, in addition to the title cut, 12 tracks steeped in the quartet’s shimmering, usually breathtaking harmonies. Aside from nine originals, the album boasts four covers: The Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” The 4 Seasons’ “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night),” Mr. Big’s “To Be With You,” and most notably, a sharp and energetic “hip-pop” reinvention of “Stand By Me” featuring a guest appearance by show business titan Ben Vereen.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Apple Music | YouTube 

Michael's Musings

As The Quarantine Turns
Michael Shinafelt

This weeks episode of As The Quarantine Turns clearly has me doing something many of you have more than likely done too. That's correct minions, it's called going through all of your old photos as you can see by this weeks image of myself, I have clearly been doing just that.

Once upon a time I used to bleach what was left of my hair blonde. I did have more fun, and it looked groovy, onward with this weeks tomfoolery buttercups.

It's Purple Monkey Time, woot!

Florida beaches are now open. I'll  just leave that here.

I can deal with your problem, or rock out. But I can't do both

The season finale of  Law and Order: SVU is on tonight, while I can't wait I am riding on a bummer there will be no other new ones until who knows when 😞

Four months in and 2020 feels like 2024

Some sweet news - See's Candy is slowly resuming operations

Now for some frivolous news - It's official I can't stand new addition to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Sutton Stracke, ugh, simply ugh!

Pets are smarter than people, because pets don't hate people over politics

Woman Crush of the Week - Fiona Apple, she made "Fetch" happen with her latest album Fetch The Bolt Cutters

Jack Nicholson recently turned 80, I love me some Jack, what a great actor

All I want is a Disco Stick 

Yesterday was the day when people who were flying private roughly a month ago made social media posts about Earth Day

Also happened yesterday, the title of the Hunter S. Thompson novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas took on a whole new meaning. Think about it, but not too much...

Pizza is my latest food group during quarantine

Join me for a Pepperoni/Jalapeno won't you? at:
https://www.instagram.com/michaelshinafelt/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/MShinafelt.

Hump Day & Chill

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