8.25.2012

Johnny Headband - Funktionslust

Those of us lucky enough to have met brothers Keith and Chad Thompson know that happiness is indeed underrated.  “Funktionslust" is a song of discovery where Chads arrangement guides the listener on a profound journey.  There was talk of a video where the band would play Vikings crossing the ocean to discover the New World.  With that in mind I wanted to keep the verse and pre-chorus tight and anxious.  Chad had already established the dreamy vocal in tracking, so I wanted the other vocals to come across as almost claustrophobic.  The way one might feel crossing the ocean in a tiny boat with Chad and Keith Thompson dressed as Vikings.
Johnny Headband ‘Funktionslust’ from the album ‘Happiness Is Underrated’.
Credit: Mixed
  Johnny Headband - Funktionslust by John Smerek

8.17.2012

Johnnie Bassett - Wind Cries Mary

My favorite track from the record did not make it to the release.  I’m sharing it here because it deserves to be heard.  It’s one of the most stunning covers I’ve recorded and Johnnie truly makes it his own.  To take a rock song and turn it into a bluesy ballad with brushes on the drum kit and upright acoustic bass is a stroke of inspired production.
The horn arrangement is outstanding, with Hammond
and Rhodes neatly tying everything together.
Johnnie Bassett  'Wind Cries Mary’
from the 'I Can Make That Happen' sessions.
Credit: Engineered/Mixed.
  Johnnie Bassett - Wind Cries Mary by John Smerek

8.13.2012

R.I.P. Johnnie Bassett

More a celebration of life than a funeral, Johnnie Bassett was laid to rest on Saturday.  I was overwhelmed at times to see the hundreds of family, friends and fans who attended and knowing that it was only scratching the surface of all the lives he’s touched over his fifty year career.  I was fortunate to be a part of Johnnies last two records and to have his greatness take me up a notch or two in the process.

During the late 50’s, Johnnie was the guitarist for The Bluenotes, the Fortune Records house band. He also backed The Miracles during a short tenure with Chess Records. He went on to play with the likes of John Lee Hooker, Alberta Adams, Lowell Fulson, Dinah Washington, Little Willie John, Smokey Robinson, Nolan Strong and Bill Heid to name a few. During his time in Seattle, Johnnie hosted a Sunday Night Blues Jam that a young Jimi Hendrix regularly attended.  One of my favorite stories is of Jimi asking Johnnie how he got his guitar sound, and Johnnie telling him “Don’t worry about my sound, find your own sound”.  He then showed Jimi a couple of licks.

Johnnie was extremely close to my extended Codish family, and I know they are feeling the weight of this great loss.  Bob Codish penned a number of Johnnies songs, while Chris headed up the band on keyboards and was responsible for getting Johnnie his deal with Mack Avenue Records.  Cybelle took all of the amazing photographs, including the one I used here.  It’s tough feeling like he had at least one more in him, if not many more, and coming to grips with reality. Farewell.

2.12.2010

The Detroit Cobras-Whats Going On?

When I think of the past decade at The White Room, The Detroit Cobras immediately spring to mind. I had the pleasure of making 2 records with them for Rough Trade. We spent many hours hunting for the ever elusive “swoop”. There is a heavy center channel component to this mix, though it’s not mono. For me, this song sums up the Cobras with its lo-fi grit and in the way it moves.
The Detroit Cobras 'Whats Going On?’ from the album 'Tied and True’ Credit: Produced/Engineered/Mixed. 

Goodbye White Room


After spending nearly half of my life at the corner of State and Griswold in Downtown Detroit, its time, as they say. Beginning as an assistant in 1994 after 3 years of working as an independent producer and engineer, I would gradually work my way up to Chief Engineer in 2001. Though I continued to take on projects independently during my tenure, The White Room was always home base. The City of Detroit purchased the Capitol Park Building (home to the studio for 22 years) this past summer to rehab the blighted area in and around Capitol Park. Knowing there is no way a recording studio could survive the buildings rehabilitation, the decision was made to move on. I continue to work independently and as always, am looking for new and interesting projects to be involved with. To everyone I’ve had the honor of meeting and working with downtown over the years, thank you...
it was truly amazing.