SONG-A-WEEK: BASEBALL PARK ~ RICK BERLIN

Crazy and even slightly psychedelic hitting up Y Tu Mama Tambien, the house of music that used to be on Green St, my friend Hemmeter, and the incredible Fenway Park. It's about longing, absurd hope for a date, and fierce despair. It is one of the few older Berlin songs we play a lot in the Nickel & Dime Band.

This is off THE SHELLEY WINTERS PROJECT'S swansong, live in the studio (WOOLLY MAMMOTH), CD: FORCED2SWALLOW. Sir David Minehan pulling it together with his usual, intense flair. Meredith Cooper - violin, vox, David Berndt - guitar, vox, Jeff Muzerolle - kit, Noah Scanlan - bass, Berlin - keys, vox.

VIDEO

of Sir Dave Minehan and The Neighborhoods covering the tune (w/ not one, but two bassists) the the Lizard Lounge CD release night for Me & Van Gogh when all my friends picked one song of mine to cover. Dave is as charismatic as ever, and as funny.

SONG-A-WEEK: E-LL-E ~ RICK BERLIN

ELLE is as remarkable and as beautiful and as mysterious a woman any of us could possibly imagine. She has always reminded me of the girl in Green Mansions, of deep woods, camouflaged by trees, sky, animals, fireflies. She exudes heart, giving love and peace in an unequivocal way. And yet she is strong. One cannot be false around her and get away with it. Nor can she ever be false herself. On those unusual times when one is lucky enough to have a decent conversation with her, in a bar, on the stairs, on the sidewalk it is most often profound but never self-important and one leaves her feeling the richer for it. She listens closely but always has that one thought to convey that reaches into your soul forever. She is the oldest of 12 kids. She changes the atmosphere in any room she enters. I consider myself fortunate to know her and to have this song appear as if from Elle herself. She discourages photographs. This one is of her ubiquitous bike.

This tune's off OLD STAG recorded in my livingroom (details below).

from OLD STAG, track released 14 September 2008
cello katie franich
v2 christina hornby
v1 meredith cooper
viola joe simcox
string arranger brendan cooney (Buried Beds, Dr. Dog)
produced by rick berlin
album recorded by joe stewart in rick's livingroom
(strings recorded in a classroom at bu)
mixed by david minehan at woolly mammoth sound
photos by rene rives
jacket design shaun wolf wortis
mastered by dave locke, jp masters
all songs by berlin
lobsterland music ascap
bar code from hell

SONG-A-WEEK: DORIS DREAMS ~ RICK BERLIN (aka KINSCHERF)

I got this peculiar job wall papering the Ritz Carleton beauty salon. I noticed the bizarre names of hair dyes - 'frivolous fawn, white mink, chocolate kiss' etc. - and wrote (in my mind at least) my 'day in the life' as a result. Peter Barrett wove this bizarre multi genre tune with a story and spoken words about Doris who never thought she was beautiful. Barry Keating choreographed the band with special emphasis on Doris and we performed it at Frank Zappa's 10th anniversary party in Manhattan. LaBelle and Patti Smith played the same show. Frank rushed the stage and picked Randy up in his arms after hearing his insane solo.

The link below describes in long form how Orchestra Luna was born as well as how this neophyte 'ahtist' began his endless obsession with what has become my music career.

http://rickberlin.me/writing/OL.html

Orchestra Luna Record (EPIC). The band is Lisa Kinscherf (vocals), Liz Gallagher (vocals), Randy Roos (guitar), Don Mulvaney (kit), Scott Chambers (bass), Peter Barrett (vocals, words), Rick Kinscherf (piano,vocals), Barry Keating (choreography). PS. You can hear the needle on the vinyl. Produced by Rupert Holmes. Jeffrey Lesser - engineer

And here is a video I put together way after the song was recorded. There was a live video of Doris that was shot at CBGB's and wound up at a video gallery in NY call The Kitchen (now defunct):

SONG-A-WEEK: SAD SONGS MAKE ME HAPPY ~ RICK BERLIN

Ripped the chorus lyrics from an overheard comment from a well known female songwriter who's name always escapes me. Ugh. Sorry to you, babe for being so brilliant, but out of my memory.

This is a total country song, properly sung by Emmylou Harris or Townes Van Zandt. I think she got it right, that songwriter. Sad songs lift the heart. They tell the truth, which is always preferable to the safely oblique.

I'd kill to have someone cover this tune some day, lap steel, brushes, stand-up bass, even a muted, inappropriate trumpet. Video in an empty room.

This is one from my backporch garageband demos. Make 'em quick. Move on.

SONG-A-WEEK: HEAVEN WILL COME ~ RICK BERLIN

 

Not sure when this was done, or even the name of the studio (in the South End - now defunct) where i recorded it. Barry Marshall produced. Jane Mangini played piano and Mike played drums. I know we were lucky to have a full choir from a nearby church flesh it out. The incomparable REBECCA PARRIS sings her heart out here (this woman can really hold a note forever). HEAVEN WILL COME is part of THE KINGDOM, a musical I've written which can be read and listened to simultaneously (for those who have the time) here:

http://rickberlin.me/ambition/index.html

Although the song provides a specific plot point in the script, it also implies that no matter who you are, no matter how dark the day, that we will all, each of us, be lifted up in our hearts in the presence, visible or not, of the loved one we wish for, of a spirit, of Grace. In the story, the character of Rose (who is many hundreds of year old) is giving life to Isaac who has fallen out of the tallest tree in the woods, and lies dead at her feet. She transfers, like all sweet mentors, all of her compassionate Self to the small boy. As she sings, he lives and Rose 'moves on'.

PS
I'd kill someday to see THE KINGDOM staged or made into a movie.