Moderator: Andrew
axecrew wrote:Sorry if this belongs in a different forum but figured the people who will care most are on here.
Got a chance to go to the studio last night and hear the un-mastered version of the new Mecca album with Joe. Gotta say that the people on here who are waiting for it are in for a real treat. The songs are very melodic, but yet in some cases go in a direction different than expected, but keep the whole melodic vibe and sound. If that makes any sense...lol
There really are no "filler" tunes on it and the running order sounds like it was selected to take the listener along on a journey...there are uptempo tunes, ballads etc, kinda something for everyone per say. Joe has done a GREAT job on this in the face of some unexpected odds. But what album doesn't have those now days right?
In addition was nice to sit down with joe and talk about a variety of topics.....like who's older....lol....that would be me, much to his surprise I might add. What's going on in the record business in general...Of course survivor was talked about and I can say that the members past and present are doing exactly what THEY want.
And yes we talked about the unreleased tunes that joe wrote with frankie. In a nutshell, they will see the light of day one way or the other. Be it joe recording them or survivor. Joe's preference is survivor since that's who they were written for. At some point we(joe and I) are going to get together so I can hear the songs they wrote. If they sound anything like I heard last night, then please get them out asap.
Joe Vana wrote:axecrew wrote:Sorry if this belongs in a different forum but figured the people who will care most are on here.
Got a chance to go to the studio last night and hear the un-mastered version of the new Mecca album with Joe. Gotta say that the people on here who are waiting for it are in for a real treat. The songs are very melodic, but yet in some cases go in a direction different than expected, but keep the whole melodic vibe and sound. If that makes any sense...lol
There really are no "filler" tunes on it and the running order sounds like it was selected to take the listener along on a journey...there are uptempo tunes, ballads etc, kinda something for everyone per say. Joe has done a GREAT job on this in the face of some unexpected odds. But what album doesn't have those now days right?
In addition was nice to sit down with joe and talk about a variety of topics.....like who's older....lol....that would be me, much to his surprise I might add. What's going on in the record business in general...Of course survivor was talked about and I can say that the members past and present are doing exactly what THEY want.
And yes we talked about the unreleased tunes that joe wrote with frankie. In a nutshell, they will see the light of day one way or the other. Be it joe recording them or survivor. Joe's preference is survivor since that's who they were written for. At some point we(joe and I) are going to get together so I can hear the songs they wrote. If they sound anything like I heard last night, then please get them out asap.
jaxmanjoe wrote:I'm super excited about the next Mecca project. I kinda thought Mecca was going to be a stop over until I got more Survivor. Much to my surprise, their first album turned out to be one of my favorites that really stood on it's own. So much of the Melodic scene is just filler for me until the next Survivor or Journey or REO but Mecca really stood out.
Bring it on, Joe!
From the other Joe
jaxmanjoe wrote:I'm super excited about the next Mecca project. I kinda thought Mecca was going to be a stop over until I got more Survivor. Much to my surprise, their first album turned out to be one of my favorites that really stood on it's own. So much of the Melodic scene is just filler for me until the next Survivor or Journey or REO but Mecca really stood out.
Bring it on, Joe!
From the other Joe
Joe Vana wrote:jaxmanjoe wrote:I'm super excited about the next Mecca project. I kinda thought Mecca was going to be a stop over until I got more Survivor. Much to my surprise, their first album turned out to be one of my favorites that really stood on it's own. So much of the Melodic scene is just filler for me until the next Survivor or Journey or REO but Mecca really stood out.
Bring it on, Joe!
From the other Joe
We have a band facebook page, samples up there soon!!
JV
MarcelJordan wrote:Joe Vana wrote:jaxmanjoe wrote:I'm super excited about the next Mecca project. I kinda thought Mecca was going to be a stop over until I got more Survivor. Much to my surprise, their first album turned out to be one of my favorites that really stood on it's own. So much of the Melodic scene is just filler for me until the next Survivor or Journey or REO but Mecca really stood out.
Bring it on, Joe!
From the other Joe
We have a band facebook page, samples up there soon!!
JV
Awesome! Please hurry it up Im starved.
MJ
Joe Vana wrote:MarcelJordan wrote:Joe Vana wrote:jaxmanjoe wrote:I'm super excited about the next Mecca project. I kinda thought Mecca was going to be a stop over until I got more Survivor. Much to my surprise, their first album turned out to be one of my favorites that really stood on it's own. So much of the Melodic scene is just filler for me until the next Survivor or Journey or REO but Mecca really stood out.
Bring it on, Joe!
From the other Joe
We have a band facebook page, samples up there soon!!
JV
Awesome! Please hurry it up Im starved.
MJ
I am hurrying!!!!
We master the CD on Tuesday...then off to Frontiers....
Takes a while when you use all real instruments and its not an autotuned hot mess...I am pretty sick of the cheapo lame releases with superior drummer (all samples) instead of a real drummer and singers who are auto tuned to hell...
We need to get back to the basics and let the performances stand on their own!!!
Urgggggg.......
JV
Joe Vana wrote:
I am hurrying!!!!
We master the CD on Tuesday...then off to Frontiers....
Takes a while when you use all real instruments and its not an autotuned hot mess...I am pretty sick of the cheapo lame releases with superior drummer (all samples) instead of a real drummer and singers who are auto tuned to hell...
We need to get back to the basics and let the performances stand on their own!!!
Urgggggg.......
JV
jaxmanjoe wrote:Joe Vana wrote:
I am hurrying!!!!
We master the CD on Tuesday...then off to Frontiers....
Takes a while when you use all real instruments and its not an autotuned hot mess...I am pretty sick of the cheapo lame releases with superior drummer (all samples) instead of a real drummer and singers who are auto tuned to hell...
We need to get back to the basics and let the performances stand on their own!!!
Urgggggg.......
JV
You are right on about real instruments and I'm glad you are taking the time to use them. That's what makes the rock sound so good. No manufactured beats and voices...just talent, little imperfections and all. If you ain't got a drummer, you ain't got rock music!
Joe
Joe Vana wrote:jaxmanjoe wrote:Joe Vana wrote:
I am hurrying!!!!
We master the CD on Tuesday...then off to Frontiers....
Takes a while when you use all real instruments and its not an autotuned hot mess...I am pretty sick of the cheapo lame releases with superior drummer (all samples) instead of a real drummer and singers who are auto tuned to hell...
We need to get back to the basics and let the performances stand on their own!!!
Urgggggg.......
JV
You are right on about real instruments and I'm glad you are taking the time to use them. That's what makes the rock sound so good. No manufactured beats and voices...just talent, little imperfections and all. If you ain't got a drummer, you ain't got rock music!
Joe
I hope I am coming off the right way....
Samples on a snare or kick drum...cool...samples on certain parts of the drums...cool....to not even bother to have a drummer play and program all the drums and cymbles in a bprogram such as Superior Drummer is not cool to me...I have heard even a new album that is being profiled on here recently with programmed drums...I just feel if you want to do a real quality album then do it!!! Too many crutches...auto tune for vocals, elastic audio to put out of time bass in time...beat detective to put out of time drums in time and many other "tricks"....it pains me when I think of toto and bands like that, they stood wayyyyy above the crowd because those mofo's could flat out play...and all these tricks bring subpar bands ALMOST up to other bands levels when the have no business being put up there when you see them fumble live, or better yet sing or play to tape!!!
I am ok with using things to tweak a great performance, but to use them to CREATE a performance is jive!!!
Just my humble opinion.....
JV
jaxmanjoe wrote:Joe Vana wrote:jaxmanjoe wrote:Joe Vana wrote:
I am hurrying!!!!
We master the CD on Tuesday...then off to Frontiers....
Takes a while when you use all real instruments and its not an autotuned hot mess...I am pretty sick of the cheapo lame releases with superior drummer (all samples) instead of a real drummer and singers who are auto tuned to hell...
We need to get back to the basics and let the performances stand on their own!!!
Urgggggg.......
JV
You are right on about real instruments and I'm glad you are taking the time to use them. That's what makes the rock sound so good. No manufactured beats and voices...just talent, little imperfections and all. If you ain't got a drummer, you ain't got rock music!
Joe
I hope I am coming off the right way....
Samples on a snare or kick drum...cool...samples on certain parts of the drums...cool....to not even bother to have a drummer play and program all the drums and cymbles in a bprogram such as Superior Drummer is not cool to me...I have heard even a new album that is being profiled on here recently with programmed drums...I just feel if you want to do a real quality album then do it!!! Too many crutches...auto tune for vocals, elastic audio to put out of time bass in time...beat detective to put out of time drums in time and many other "tricks"....it pains me when I think of toto and bands like that, they stood wayyyyy above the crowd because those mofo's could flat out play...and all these tricks bring subpar bands ALMOST up to other bands levels when the have no business being put up there when you see them fumble live, or better yet sing or play to tape!!!
I am ok with using things to tweak a great performance, but to use them to CREATE a performance is jive!!!
Just my humble opinion.....
JV
Good points, Joe. I agree that using samples as tools to enhance a performance are fine but they should never be the star of the show - they can't be the star of the show. On that note, will Mecca be playing any gigs???
Joe
Joe Vana wrote:jaxmanjoe wrote:Joe Vana wrote:jaxmanjoe wrote:Joe Vana wrote:
I am hurrying!!!!
We master the CD on Tuesday...then off to Frontiers....
Takes a while when you use all real instruments and its not an autotuned hot mess...I am pretty sick of the cheapo lame releases with superior drummer (all samples) instead of a real drummer and singers who are auto tuned to hell...
We need to get back to the basics and let the performances stand on their own!!!
Urgggggg.......
JV
You are right on about real instruments and I'm glad you are taking the time to use them. That's what makes the rock sound so good. No manufactured beats and voices...just talent, little imperfections and all. If you ain't got a drummer, you ain't got rock music!
Joe
I hope I am coming off the right way....
Samples on a snare or kick drum...cool...samples on certain parts of the drums...cool....to not even bother to have a drummer play and program all the drums and cymbles in a bprogram such as Superior Drummer is not cool to me...I have heard even a new album that is being profiled on here recently with programmed drums...I just feel if you want to do a real quality album then do it!!! Too many crutches...auto tune for vocals, elastic audio to put out of time bass in time...beat detective to put out of time drums in time and many other "tricks"....it pains me when I think of toto and bands like that, they stood wayyyyy above the crowd because those mofo's could flat out play...and all these tricks bring subpar bands ALMOST up to other bands levels when the have no business being put up there when you see them fumble live, or better yet sing or play to tape!!!
I am ok with using things to tweak a great performance, but to use them to CREATE a performance is jive!!!
Just my humble opinion.....
JV
Good points, Joe. I agree that using samples as tools to enhance a performance are fine but they should never be the star of the show - they can't be the star of the show. On that note, will Mecca be playing any gigs???
Joe
For the first time in 6 and a half years Mecca is not being worked on, not in my hands....I have sent all the files to Dennis Ward to be mastered, and he will send the final CD to Frontiers in a few days...I am reading through the final Artwork and that goes there Wednesday....
Jesus....I cannot believe it....it is finally done!
Ended up with an amazing album if I do not say so myself hahahah.....it was worth everything!!!!
Just as long as Andrew does not give it a 20/100 I will be happy!!! hahahahaha.....
Thanks to all on here that reviewed and listened to tunes along the way....I used all the input....and Andrew was a huge help in molding the track listing....so if ya don't like it yell at him!!! hahahah....
I guess this was a true Survivor board album!!!
THANK YOU!!!
JV
jaxmanjoe wrote:Best news I've heard all year! I am psyched!
The first Mecca album is still in heavy rotation on my iPhone to this day. I'm looking forward to doubling the Mecca playlist
Joe
Tito wrote:I wouldn't worry about a 20. I would worry about a 100.
ptgraphics wrote:Very much looking forward to hearing the new Mecca CD. Loved the 1st one.
Hope the mastering is not brick-walled and that the dynamics are there where they should be.
Pat
Joe Vana wrote:ptgraphics wrote:Very much looking forward to hearing the new Mecca CD. Loved the 1st one.
Hope the mastering is not brick-walled and that the dynamics are there where they should be.
Pat
I MADE sure of it! I HATE the way things are CRUSHED these days...but Hell, it's ok for them as most don't even have a real drummer and its all programmed crap....
Real players make the difference...
LOTS of Dynamics...Andrew has the masterd versions of the tunes...ask him
Thanks Pat!!
JV
ptgraphics wrote:Joe Vana wrote:ptgraphics wrote:Very much looking forward to hearing the new Mecca CD. Loved the 1st one.
Hope the mastering is not brick-walled and that the dynamics are there where they should be.
Pat
I MADE sure of it! I HATE the way things are CRUSHED these days...but Hell, it's ok for them as most don't even have a real drummer and its all programmed crap....
Real players make the difference...
LOTS of Dynamics...Andrew has the masterd versions of the tunes...ask him
Thanks Pat!!
JV
Great to hear JV. Too much good music on CD's that have been released recently have bad (loud & compressed) mastering, IMO. Can't wait to hear this.
Maybe I missed it, but have you stated you played on this and who contributed to the song writing?
Pat
Joe Vana wrote:ptgraphics wrote:Joe Vana wrote:ptgraphics wrote:Very much looking forward to hearing the new Mecca CD. Loved the 1st one.
Hope the mastering is not brick-walled and that the dynamics are there where they should be.
Pat
I MADE sure of it! I HATE the way things are CRUSHED these days...but Hell, it's ok for them as most don't even have a real drummer and its all programmed crap....
Real players make the difference...
LOTS of Dynamics...Andrew has the masterd versions of the tunes...ask him
Thanks Pat!!
JV
Great to hear JV. Too much good music on CD's that have been released recently have bad (loud & compressed) mastering, IMO. Can't wait to hear this.
Maybe I missed it, but have you stated you played on this and who contributed to the song writing?
Pat
Joe Vana - Lead & Background Vox
Tony Levin - Bass & Chapman Stick
Pat Mastelotto - Drums
Tommy Denander - Guitar, Keys
Christian Wolff - Guitar
Eric Ragno - Piano, Keys, Synths
Joey Vana - Guitar, Background Vox
Mark Alano - Guitar
Wally Hustin - Bass
Rick Vitek - Drums
Brian Moritz - Keys
9 songs written by: Vana/Denander
3 songs written by: Vana/Wolff
Journey/Survivor wrote:Joe Vana wrote:ptgraphics wrote:Joe Vana wrote:ptgraphics wrote:Very much looking forward to hearing the new Mecca CD. Loved the 1st one.
Hope the mastering is not brick-walled and that the dynamics are there where they should be.
Pat
I MADE sure of it! I HATE the way things are CRUSHED these days...but Hell, it's ok for them as most don't even have a real drummer and its all programmed crap....
Real players make the difference...
LOTS of Dynamics...Andrew has the masterd versions of the tunes...ask him
Thanks Pat!!
JV
Great to hear JV. Too much good music on CD's that have been released recently have bad (loud & compressed) mastering, IMO. Can't wait to hear this.
Maybe I missed it, but have you stated you played on this and who contributed to the song writing?
Pat
Joe Vana - Lead & Background Vox
Tony Levin - Bass & Chapman Stick
Pat Mastelotto - Drums
Tommy Denander - Guitar, Keys
Christian Wolff - Guitar
Eric Ragno - Piano, Keys, Synths
Joey Vana - Guitar, Background Vox
Mark Alano - Guitar
Wally Hustin - Bass
Rick Vitek - Drums
Brian Moritz - Keys
9 songs written by: Vana/Denander
3 songs written by: Vana/Wolff
Joey Vana. Is that your son?
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