Leroy's Column - No. 4
Leroy's thoughts on the Paris and Stockholm studio sessions:
LEEROCK PRODUCTIONS Ltd.
A DIVISION OF BURGESS ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISES INC.
PARISIAN IMPRESSIONS
An amazing journey from start to finish.
Making it to the aircraft at the very last second, six hours later Roy and I arrived in the City of Lights to be met by our friend Philippe Zdar at the port.
Zipping us to TIMHOTEL in MonMart, we had about two hours to prepare for the first of several grueling writing and recording sessions. Grueling in a good way though. At the studio, we are received by CASSIUS' other half, Hubert and begin the arduous task of composing the lyrics for the first song (the melodies were composed by me at home in NYC). Philippe and Hubert were very focused and meticulous with conveying their vision of what the lyrics should be. It takes a day and a half but we finally got the lyrics… for the 1st song!
The rest of the sessions went pretty much the same way. This reminds me of how working with specific artisans can be taxing and enormously rewarding at the same time. The songs came out great and, with a little tweaking here and there, should be brilliant records.
Most gracious hosts, Philippe and Hubert took extremely good care of us, taking us to the finest restaurants in Paris. Though we really didn't have a chance to sightsee (per se). our trips to the studio took us through most of central Paris, so we got to see many of its beautiful sights anyway.
Overall, the trip was amazing and will yield wonderful memories for years to come. Can't wait for the release!
SWEDISH IMPRESSIONS
Well… getting to the airport was less hectic, accompanied by my nephew/stepson Andrew as I would be traveling alone this time (Roy couldn't make it). The uneventful journey concluded with my being picked up by Micke and the rest of SLIPPERY PEOPLE.
Although this trip was more capsulated than Paris (only 3 days), it was more restful and easier to take than the 8 days in Paris.
The session on Saturday went very well and quickly, mostly due to Peo the engineer's competence and the fact that the lyrics were already written.
What I was most impressed by was the receptiveness of the Swedish people at my performance at a club called JACK. A couple of hundred people packed in (average ages of the crowd was between 20 and 30 years old). From the time I arrived until ShowTime, they played my music, packing the dance floor. Then I came on stage.
I performed "Let Me Know You're Feelin' Me", the song I did with Glenn Underground and Patrick Adams in Chicago. It was extremely well received.
Then, I did "Sweet Thing" (the new song with SLIPPERY PEOPLE) and the crowd went CRAZY! Dancin', whoopin', hootin' and hollarin', we bumped our way through it. I jumped off the stage with mic in hand and danced with some of the most beautiful women I'd ever seen in my life. The ovation when I left the stage lasted a good three or four minutes. I came out to take a bow and decided to sing "Mainline" as an encore. It was magic! It was nuts! It was wonderful! I didn't have any voice left but it was nice to know that I'd put it to good use. All in all, the trip was phenomenal. If you want to check some of it out, log into DISCOSTHLM.COM.
Up next, with God's good grace are Baltimore, Maryland and London, England. The beat goes on, troops.
Hopefully, I'll be able to keep up with it.
Peace and love,
LB.