MAY 22, 2003: ELECTRIC WARRIOR

I've been asked to mix Electric Warrior, the seminal T.Rex album, in surround sound for the SACD format. The release will be in September 2003, on Universal Records.

All I can say is that, so far, mixing these tracks is giving me goose bumps. It sounds like you are sitting just in front of the band in a large studio with real natural reverb bouncing off the four walls. I played "Cosmic Dancer" (featured heavily in the Billy Elliot film) to a long time T. Rex fan in the surround sound studio I'm working at (Looking Glass in NYC) and she was very weepy by the end of it.

This is really worth buying an SACD set up for, since Heathen by David Bowie is already available in surround sound on SACD and
T. Rex is coming soon. An SACD player will replace both your CD player and DVD player. You will have access to the finest audio possible these days. A few years ago a mere stereo SACD player cost in the vicinity of $4000. Now you can buy a Sony "Dream System" that will play not only SACD disks but all your DVD films in complete surround sound for around $600. Check out Matrix for starters! And we can all make better popcorn at home!

Of course you can spend much, much more on higher quality gear, but the inexpensive system rocks.

MAY 8, 2003: DEAN & BRITTA, ZIGGY AND MORE

The CD of Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips (of Luna) was completed in January 2003.

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It was mastered by Emily Lazar and her super ears. The name of the CD is L'Avventura; it should be out end of May or the beginning of June on Jet Set Records. It's quite a romantic record, awash with sensual guitars, a real string quartet (Scorchio), a pulsating vibraphone and a much featured mellotron. I was asked to play some guitar and bass, which is always a pleasure, but Dean and Britta played most of the instruments themselves.

Immediately afterwards I started pre-production with a well-known artist who's asked me not to divulge too much about the new CD. In fact, this is so top secret I am only allowed to show you one of the microphones we've used -- and the artist's hand. It will be announced soon, when we go into full blown production, what this project is and when it will be released.

I had the good fortune to be asked to attend a screening of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars at the Museum of Television and Radio on May 3rd. This phenomenal documentary film encapsulates an era virtually authored by David Bowie by himself. The film was made in July 1973, at the (then) Hammersmith Odeon in London. Every time I see this film I am amazed how underrated the Spiders From Mars were as one of the greatest rock bands ever. This could only be because they were overshadowed by the stunning performances and costumes of their leader, Ziggy.

I had the good fortune to be asked to mix the film's soundtrack, first in 1981 with David Bowie and the film maker D.A. Pennebaker. Last year I had yet more good fortune to be asked to remix it in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound. Today's technology enabled me to get a clearer and punchier sound, better than before. To sit in the middle of the surround sound mix is just like being there in 1973 - a total experience. At the Museum of Television and Radio D.A. Pennebaker and I formed a small panel with moderator Allen Glover. We discussed the film and answered questions from the audience, many of whom were winners of a Bowie Net competition.

I have several projects slated for the rest of the year. Just recently I've been asked to produce a CD by Neil Finn, formerly of Crowded House, who is joined by his brother Tim Finn, formerly of Split Endz. What is so fantastic is that they made a private webcast for me, singing and playing the new songs from their home studio in New Zealand whilst I viewed it live in my studio in New York. I was literally a cyber-fly-on-the-wall. The songs are great, the brothers sing in perfect harmony. I am looking forward to this one.

Also on the horizon are new productions for Hugh Cornwell, formerly of the Stranglers and Luna (with Dean and Britta back in the band). There is also a fantastic British group that has approached me, but I can't say their name in case I jinx it. That will probably take place at the very end of 2003 (saying their name and producing their CD). I also have a tentative project, already, for late 2004 with a member of a very, very classic British rock band, a solo album.

Finally, Kristeen Young's new album, Breasticles, is available on N Records of Portugal at the end of May. I thank all of you who bought the beta version of the album, it will be a true collector's item. The final version is different as it contains two new songs. Also, David Bowie has sung his duet with Kristeen again, a new improved version.

The artwork, by Howard Forbes, is absolutely stunning! All the lyrics are printed. Kristeen will be performing gigs in Portugal, Spain and London between May 10th and June 12th. I will post her itinerary as soon as I get it.