Moderator: Andrew
Ehwmatt wrote:So, basically you guys had some differences of opinion on Mecca I and went your separate ways?
I'm trying to wrap my head around the time line here.
Did you guys have any meaningful contact after Mecca I or...?
IngoK wrote:A big Thanks for sharing this with us JV. If sure that JP will hear your words somewhere, somehow.
Joe Vana wrote:After the album finished I got the ear....meaning I started listening to worldwide press, and people around me telling me I was the man...
Tito wrote:Joe Vana wrote:After the album finished I got the ear....meaning I started listening to worldwide press, and people around me telling me I was the man...
DAMN YOU McNEICE!!!!!!!!!!!!
jaxmanjoe wrote:Wow. Great revelations, Joe. I do hope you and Jim can work together again someday. Mecca I was a masterpiece and it does appear that Jim works best when he's got opposing forces pushing him to make it better. It shows in Survivor and in Mecca.
I hope Jim reads your post and understands where you were back then and where you are now. You seem like a great guy from what I read of your posts and I'd love to meet you and Jim's missing out if he doesn't reconnect with you.
As I write I'm listening to Close That Gap and and You Still Shock Me and I yearn back for those days when business took a backseat to the music; what happens when musicians get together and play. It's magic and it's sad when the focus shifts away from that.
You and Jim were an incredible team, I dare say, on par with Jim and Frankie. Of all Jim's post and pre-Survivor work his Mecca work is his best, followed IMHO by his .38 Special work. And, he's worked with a lot of people. I hope he realizes that and gets back in touch with you. His talent deserves a Frankie Sullivan or Joe Vana to bring out his best work. And if we, as fans, happen to enjoy the results, then so be it
Joe
Greg wrote:You're a good man, JV! I'm sure there are many guys with huge egos that would never be able to allow themselves to stand up publicly and say "You know what, I made some mistakes and darn near burned some bridges. I apologize for that!" Such a fascinating read. JP is definitely talented to no end. In my opinion, he is Survivor, but we'll save that debate for the Survivor boards.
I certainly hope you and JP can work together again on something. I will tell you this Joe: And believe me, people who know me will be first to tell you I'm not one who kisses up to anybody. So, I hope you don't take it as such. But, I will tell you, Mecca I is probably, by far, the best album I have ever purchased in the last twenty years at least. That album, those groups of guys that you and JP brought in to work on Mecca, were perfect for my ears. Everything I have ever liked about AOR style music - all those elements - I found on that album! Toto, Survivor, Journey, etc... it's all there! That's why it's been so frantic for me to try and find my copy of the CD, LOL!!! I had actually purchased two copies of it, and gave one to an ex-girlfriend....lol! We're still good friends, I should ask her if she still has the CD and listens to it...maybe I can get it back! But anyways, I would put that album up against any AOR album that has came out in the last couple of decades. Heck, it kills any of the crap they play on radio currently.
That's why I'm very eagerly awaiting Mecca II. I know you have put a lot of time and effort into this album. And, I'm thinking you're probably the type that is not going to put something out just because you feel you need to, but that if it has your stamp of approval on it, then you know we [the fans] will love it! I am glad you're singing lead on every song. I love Fergie and his voice, but I want to hear more of those Vana vocals. I had no idea JP wasn't involved with this album. Maybe I did and just had forgotten about it. But, I think if you truly have applied to this album, what JP has taught you, it's going to be good man. I'm excited about it. You know, hearing stories like this as to how some of you guys got into the business makes me want to kick myself for never sticking with any of the musical instruments I have ever picked up! I was the best sax player in my middle school band! Gave it up because I was afraid of high school. Silly now, but it made sense to me back then. I've had guitar lessons, piano lessons, vocal lessons....but I have never stuck to any of it. I get so far and I get lazy. Sucks, because I have one of these minds where I hear a song in my head, and it's so detailed as to how I want this song to sound - and it's one of those deals where if I had the capacity to translate it into something that others could hear, I'd know those songs would be huge! Kind of frustrating. It's like wanting to run a marathon without legs. Anyways, I'm glad to hear your story Joe Vana, and believe me when I tell you that you have the talent and you have the it factor...just please stick with it! Don't be a Greg...LOL!
Joe Vana wrote:
And Greg does not have to be a Greg either!!!!
I am a really big guy, not your prototypical singer...but I do it.....so get off your ass and live the dream you see for yourself.....life is full of roadblocks, you gonna turn the other way, or run the fucker over!!!
I applaud your message...you are keeping it real....
Singing every tune was a few in my "Circle of Trust" idea....so I went for it!!!
THANK you for all the support my man....and Mecca II will NOT disappoint....I promise......
Tonefully.......JV
Greg wrote:Joe Vana wrote:
And Greg does not have to be a Greg either!!!!
I am a really big guy, not your prototypical singer...but I do it.....so get off your ass and live the dream you see for yourself.....life is full of roadblocks, you gonna turn the other way, or run the fucker over!!!
I applaud your message...you are keeping it real....
Singing every tune was a few in my "Circle of Trust" idea....so I went for it!!!
THANK you for all the support my man....and Mecca II will NOT disappoint....I promise......
Tonefully.......JV
Ya never know! I've been itchin' to get back and just mastering something....piano or guitar? I think what has been difficult for me is the fact that I have one of those minds as to why do you have to play this piece like this or how does that work? I seem to think it's the adult learner....children learn to do things because they don't really take the time to question stuff, they just learn to do things because that is just how it's done. Later on when they mature, they figure out the reason, but by then they have mastered their craft.
I have always been more interested in writing music than actually learning how to play a freakin' instrument...LOL! Does that make any sense? Even if I started writing stuff again, I don't have all of the technology to record it and such...wouldn't even know how to get it out to those who matter as far as listening to my stuff. Well, I take that back. I have this 1990's model Clavanova keyboard that has a 16 track recording system. Used to know exactly how to use it, but it's been awhile. Only downfall is that you can only save it to a 3 1/2 inch floppy. Then, it sounds all computerized on my computer! I know there are programs out there that you can substitute those midi instruments with truer sounding soundfonts, but that stuff costs money....LOL!!! But anyways, I guess step one is to set my butt in front of my piano and just start playing...LOL!
Joe Vana wrote:Greg wrote:Joe Vana wrote:
And Greg does not have to be a Greg either!!!!
I am a really big guy, not your prototypical singer...but I do it.....so get off your ass and live the dream you see for yourself.....life is full of roadblocks, you gonna turn the other way, or run the fucker over!!!
I applaud your message...you are keeping it real....
Singing every tune was a few in my "Circle of Trust" idea....so I went for it!!!
THANK you for all the support my man....and Mecca II will NOT disappoint....I promise......
Tonefully.......JV
Ya never know! I've been itchin' to get back and just mastering something....piano or guitar? I think what has been difficult for me is the fact that I have one of those minds as to why do you have to play this piece like this or how does that work? I seem to think it's the adult learner....children learn to do things because they don't really take the time to question stuff, they just learn to do things because that is just how it's done. Later on when they mature, they figure out the reason, but by then they have mastered their craft.
I have always been more interested in writing music than actually learning how to play a freakin' instrument...LOL! Does that make any sense? Even if I started writing stuff again, I don't have all of the technology to record it and such...wouldn't even know how to get it out to those who matter as far as listening to my stuff. Well, I take that back. I have this 1990's model Clavanova keyboard that has a 16 track recording system. Used to know exactly how to use it, but it's been awhile. Only downfall is that you can only save it to a 3 1/2 inch floppy. Then, it sounds all computerized on my computer! I know there are programs out there that you can substitute those midi instruments with truer sounding soundfonts, but that stuff costs money....LOL!!! But anyways, I guess step one is to set my butt in front of my piano and just start playing...LOL!
3 and a 1/2 inch floppy? Isn't viagra the pill for that? Hahahahah
All it takes is one afternoon and you are on your way...keep us updated!!!!
JV
chynablue wrote: (Have you thought about having an intermediary reach out to him on your behalf? Maybe a common friend, like, I dunno....Lec Zorn?)
Be well & rock on!
chynablue wrote:That was a pretty amazing story Joe! I've never heard it before. It's great to see an artist use their message board the way it's meant to be used - to reach out to fans and open up about the inner workings of your career. I didn't realize things had gotten strained with JP. Those fallings-out always make me sad in my own situations, and I spent years trying to find ways to make them better! (Have you thought about having an intermediary reach out to him on your behalf? Maybe a common friend, like, I dunno....Lec Zorn?)
Be well & rock on!
Joe Vana wrote:
By the way...your Avatar was you and Andrew at MY old restaurant!!! Now I am depressed!!! Long live Barone's of Lisle!!!!!!
JV
Joe Vana wrote:chynablue wrote: (Have you thought about having an intermediary reach out to him on your behalf? Maybe a common friend, like, I dunno....Lec Zorn?)
Be well & rock on!
Hahahahaahha...NOOOO....hahahhahahahaha.....YOU are part of his legacy...maybe a Zorn/Ragno album???? hahahahaha....he always seemed like a nice guy...just a bit over his head sometimes maybe?....hope he is doing well....
And yes...I can admit when I was wrong...and I am wrong alot...part of life I guess....but I WAS right when I asked you to join I will tell you that!!!
Call me later.....JV
yulog wrote:Joe, i keep hearing about you and JP but i think a big part of what worked on mecca 1 was how you and Fergies voices blended together. Was there a falling out between you guys, I know he has been sick but why did you guys not work together on this cd?
lordreo wrote:Joe Vana wrote:Plus, to hear him cutting a tune I wrote for his solo CD considering he thought it might be his last is an amazing honor....
Which one did you write? I couldn't find that info anywhere...
Roy
Joe Vana wrote:yulog wrote:Joe, i keep hearing about you and JP but i think a big part of what worked on mecca 1 was how you and Fergies voices blended together. Was there a falling out between you guys, I know he has been sick but why did you guys not work together on this cd?
Fergie is a GREAT guy...no problems...I wrote a song on Fergie's NEW solo CD....
Mecca "I" could have been all me, but I wanted a safety net and another singer with me...I was VERY new to singing at that point...plus it was very much Toto focused...with Mecca II I felt I was ready to do my own thing completely...
No big story...
Fergie is an amazing singer, and I am thrilled he is doing better!!!! Plus, to hear him cutting a tune I wrote for his solo CD considering he thought it might be his last is an amazing honor....
Thanks man....
JV
Brett wrote:Joe Vana wrote:yulog wrote:Joe, i keep hearing about you and JP but i think a big part of what worked on mecca 1 was how you and Fergies voices blended together. Was there a falling out between you guys, I know he has been sick but why did you guys not work together on this cd?
Fergie is a GREAT guy...no problems...I wrote a song on Fergie's NEW solo CD....
Mecca "I" could have been all me, but I wanted a safety net and another singer with me...I was VERY new to singing at that point...plus it was very much Toto focused...with Mecca II I felt I was ready to do my own thing completely...
No big story...
Fergie is an amazing singer, and I am thrilled he is doing better!!!! Plus, to hear him cutting a tune I wrote for his solo CD considering he thought it might be his last is an amazing honor....
Thanks man....
JV
Ah, that's good to hear. I too thought there had been a sense of some level of falling out with Fergie, but nice to know I was just reading between lines that weren't actually there!
Joe Vana wrote:Hi Roy...
"The One"......written by Joe Vana/Christian Wolff.....
It is NO ballad....it slammmms!! A real rocker!!!
Thanks!
JV
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