New Mecca Track Rocks-Thanks For Sharing Joe

[Slander]

Joe I want to thank you for sharing your music with us. Wow. I'm completely blown away. I'm so glad you have decided to be part of this community. It is a privilige to go on this musical journey with you. Thank you for letting us into your world. For those of you who haven't heard it here is the link: www.myspace.com/meccaofmusic. I can't wait for the new record. Thanks again Joe.

[Joe Vana]

Joe I want to thank you for sharing your music with us. Wow. I'm completely blown away. I'm so glad you have decided to be part of this community. It is a privilige to go on this musical journey with you. Thank you for letting us into your world. For those of you who haven't heard it here is the link: www.myspace.com/meccaofmusic. I can't wait for the new record. Thanks again Joe.

No, THANK YOU!!

I am just an average guy with an incredible group of close friends...I have always said that and I mean it. I am a Survivor fan just like all of you....I love both era's equally and have to really really strain to list even one Survivor track that I don't love.....I am thrilled and honored to have Frankie on this journey with me, and happy Jim was on the same journey in previous years....I am only trying to keep the music we all love alive but still have my own spin and vision for what "my ears" hear in each of my tunes....

Thanks again!!

JV

[Slander]

Joe I want to thank you for sharing your music with us. Wow. I'm completely blown away. I'm so glad you have decided to be part of this community. It is a privilige to go on this musical journey with you. Thank you for letting us into your world. For those of you who haven't heard it here is the link: www.myspace.com/meccaofmusic. I can't wait for the new record. Thanks again Joe.

No, THANK YOU!!

I am just an average guy with an incredible group of close friends...I have always said that and I mean it. I am a Survivor fan just like all of you....I love both era's equally and have to really really strain to list even one Survivor track that I don't love.....I am thrilled and honored to have Frankie on this journey with me, and happy Jim was on the same journey in previous years....I am only trying to keep the music we all love alive but still have my own spin and vision for what "my ears" hear in each of my tunes....

Thanks again!!

JV

Joe as I have said in the past I really don't know anything about putting together music but I know about creating from scratch. I've been in the media for years and I know what it's like to start with nothing and create a story. Do you usually know where a song is going when you put it together or are you surprised where an idea leads you? I hope that makes sense. Do the best songs kind of put themselves together. I used to say the best stories seem to usually write themselves.

[Joe Vana]

Joe I want to thank you for sharing your music with us. Wow. I'm completely blown away. I'm so glad you have decided to be part of this community. It is a privilige to go on this musical journey with you. Thank you for letting us into your world. For those of you who haven't heard it here is the link: www.myspace.com/meccaofmusic. I can't wait for the new record. Thanks again Joe.

No, THANK YOU!!

I am just an average guy with an incredible group of close friends...I have always said that and I mean it. I am a Survivor fan just like all of you....I love both era's equally and have to really really strain to list even one Survivor track that I don't love.....I am thrilled and honored to have Frankie on this journey with me, and happy Jim was on the same journey in previous years....I am only trying to keep the music we all love alive but still have my own spin and vision for what "my ears" hear in each of my tunes....

Thanks again!!

JV

Joe as I have said in the past I really don't know anything about putting together music but I know about creating from scratch. I've been in the media for years and I know what it's like to start with nothing and create a story. Do you usually know where a song is going when you put it together or are you surprised where an idea leads you? I hope that makes sense. Do the best songs kind of put themselves together. I used to say the best stories seem to usually write themselves.

Each song is different....I don't write just to write....I only do it when an idea or a melody or specific lyric comes to me....this album was almost 70 percent lyric drivin...the lyric and melody were done BEFORE the music was composed....and a few were done off of the music....The music only carries the melody and the lyric, so I usually start there....some guys need the music first, but that to me puts contraints on the melody and the lyric, and I NEVER want to do that....Tommy Denander, my co writer on a good part of the album is great at the musical end, and I am the lyric melody guy, so we made a good team....Christian Wolff is the same way.....Plus, I write stream of thought....I write it all at once at one time.....I sit down and 30 minutes later the entire lyric is usually done....and I ALWAYS write at like 2 in the morning....I don't do any drugs so thats my way of being mind altering hahahahahahaha........

Hope this helps........JV

I hope that explains it a bit....

[Franky]

On ur first album i loved the titletrack most. Gave me the best Toto / AOR kinda feeling ... didn't like the other tracks that much ... nevertheless i'm seeing forward to the second one!

[Joe Vana]

On ur first album i loved the titletrack most. Gave me the best Toto / AOR kinda feeling ... didn't like the other tracks that much ... nevertheless i'm seeing forward to the second one!

Mecca was BY FAR my favorite track on the first one as well.....JV

[Slander]

On ur first album i loved the titletrack most. Gave me the best Toto / AOR kinda feeling ... didn't like the other tracks that much ... nevertheless i'm seeing forward to the second one!

Mecca was BY FAR my favorite track on the first one as well.....JV

Joe is it impossible to get radio play now? Is it a matter of calling radio stations? When the Mecca record came out I tried to get a friend of mine who is an a/c dj in Seattle to play it and he said it's just not possible. I thought he might lobby for it a bit because he loved Toto. Your first record was a great aor but I also thought some songs on their were great a/c material too. It's just a great friggin record.

[Slander]

On ur first album i loved the titletrack most. Gave me the best Toto / AOR kinda feeling ... didn't like the other tracks that much ... nevertheless i'm seeing forward to the second one!

Mecca was BY FAR my favorite track on the first one as well.....JV

Joe is it impossible to get radio play now? Is it a matter of calling radio stations? When the Mecca record came out I tried to get a friend of mine who is an a/c dj in Seattle to play it and he said it's just not possible. I thought he might lobby for it a bit because he loved Toto. Your first record was a great aor but I also thought some songs on their were great a/c material too. It's just a great friggin record. Something really to be proud of.

[Slander]

On ur first album i loved the titletrack most. Gave me the best Toto / AOR kinda feeling ... didn't like the other tracks that much ... nevertheless i'm seeing forward to the second one!

Hey Franky did you really on the first Mecca Album that Velocitized and Wishing Well were supposed to be Survivor tracks? You might want to give them another listen.

[silvergirl66]

i love Silence of the Heart, it reminds me of a Survivor song;)

[Joe Vana]

On ur first album i loved the titletrack most. Gave me the best Toto / AOR kinda feeling ... didn't like the other tracks that much ... nevertheless i'm seeing forward to the second one!

Hey Franky did you really on the first Mecca Album that Velocitized and Wishing Well were supposed to be Survivor tracks? You might want to give them another listen.

I wrote Wishing Well with Jimmy and Fergie.....it was NEVER supposed to be a Survivor track....

Velocitized was definately a Survivor track....we did it well, they did it BETTER....

Frankies guitar tone, silky smooth delivery and touch were impossible to recreate exactly....again, another testament to that NO ONE can recreate what he does.....you can come close, but you will never get there....other players are faster, but there is only one Frankie Sullivan....

JV

[Joe Vana]

On ur first album i loved the titletrack most. Gave me the best Toto / AOR kinda feeling ... didn't like the other tracks that much ... nevertheless i'm seeing forward to the second one!

Mecca was BY FAR my favorite track on the first one as well.....JV

Joe is it impossible to get radio play now? Is it a matter of calling radio stations? When the Mecca record came out I tried to get a friend of mine who is an a/c dj in Seattle to play it and he said it's just not possible. I thought he might lobby for it a bit because he loved Toto. Your first record was a great aor but I also thought some songs on their were great a/c material too. It's just a great friggin record. Something really to be proud of.

You have a better chance of waking up with a winning lottery ticket in your hand

JV

[silvergirl66]

LOL! ain't that the truth!

[Slander]

On ur first album i loved the titletrack most. Gave me the best Toto / AOR kinda feeling ... didn't like the other tracks that much ... nevertheless i'm seeing forward to the second one!

Hey Franky did you really on the first Mecca Album that Velocitized and Wishing Well were supposed to be Survivor tracks? You might want to give them another listen.

I wrote Wishing Well with Jimmy and Fergie.....it was NEVER supposed to be a Survivor track....

Joe my apologizies. As a journalist I pride myself on being accurate. I meant no disrespect. I remember Survivor had played Velocitized in concert.

[Slander]

On ur first album i loved the titletrack most. Gave me the best Toto / AOR kinda feeling ... didn't like the other tracks that much ... nevertheless i'm seeing forward to the second one!

Mecca was BY FAR my favorite track on the first one as well.....JV

Joe is it impossible to get radio play now? Is it a matter of calling radio stations? When the Mecca record came out I tried to get a friend of mine who is an a/c dj in Seattle to play it and he said it's just not possible. I thought he might lobby for it a bit because he loved Toto. Your first record was a great aor but I also thought some songs on their were great a/c material too. It's just a great friggin record. Something really to be proud of.

You have a better chance of waking up with a winning lottery ticket in your hand

JV

I'm hoping one day that internet radio will give talented artists such as you a real chance to get airplay. It's a damn shame.

[Joe Vana]

On ur first album i loved the titletrack most. Gave me the best Toto / AOR kinda feeling ... didn't like the other tracks that much ... nevertheless i'm seeing forward to the second one!

Hey Franky did you really on the first Mecca Album that Velocitized and Wishing Well were supposed to be Survivor tracks? You might want to give them another listen.

I wrote Wishing Well with Jimmy and Fergie.....it was NEVER supposed to be a Survivor track....

Joe my apologizies. As a journalist I pride myself on being accurate. I meant no disrespect. I remember Survivor had played Velocitized in concert.

No Problem my man!!!

I just wanted you to know is all....again...it's all good my brother....

JV

[Joe Vana]

On ur first album i loved the titletrack most. Gave me the best Toto / AOR kinda feeling ... didn't like the other tracks that much ... nevertheless i'm seeing forward to the second one!

Mecca was BY FAR my favorite track on the first one as well.....JV

Joe is it impossible to get radio play now? Is it a matter of calling radio stations? When the Mecca record came out I tried to get a friend of mine who is an a/c dj in Seattle to play it and he said it's just not possible. I thought he might lobby for it a bit because he loved Toto. Your first record was a great aor but I also thought some songs on their were great a/c material too. It's just a great friggin record. Something really to be proud of.

You have a better chance of waking up with a winning lottery ticket in your hand

JV

I'm hoping one day that internet radio will give talented artists such as you a real chance to get airplay. It's a damn shame.

Me too!!....I'm just not that talented....Thanks again!!!

JV

[Slander]

On ur first album i loved the titletrack most. Gave me the best Toto / AOR kinda feeling ... didn't like the other tracks that much ... nevertheless i'm seeing forward to the second one!

Mecca was BY FAR my favorite track on the first one as well.....JV

Joe is it impossible to get radio play now? Is it a matter of calling radio stations? When the Mecca record came out I tried to get a friend of mine who is an a/c dj in Seattle to play it and he said it's just not possible. I thought he might lobby for it a bit because he loved Toto. Your first record was a great aor but I also thought some songs on their were great a/c material too. It's just a great friggin record. Something really to be proud of.

You have a better chance of waking up with a winning lottery ticket in your hand

JV

I'm hoping one day that internet radio will give talented artists such as you a real chance to get airplay. It's a damn shame.

Me too!!....I'm just not that talented....Thanks again!!!

JV

You are very modest Joe. Please let me know when the album is out. I will post a review of it and a link on my blog at my tv station website kvos.com. Do you have any plans to tour at all? I could put that information on there as well. To bad you to live here I would put you on my talk show for sure. We are shown in northwest washington in Vancouver, BC. Do you have any Canadian ties at all? Anyway Joe I will do my best to get the word out for you.

[LtVanish]

Thanks for posting the new song Joe. I really like it and am very excited about the new Mecca release. It was also nice seeing you up on stage with Toto at the HOB back in July.

[Journey/Survivor]

Velocitized was definately a Survivor track....we did it well, they did it BETTER....

It was originally intended for the Too Hot To Sleep album, am I correct?

[Joe Vana]

Thanks for posting the new song Joe. I really like it and am very excited about the new Mecca release. It was also nice seeing you up on stage with Toto at the HOB back in July.

Thanks a bunch!!

That was alot of fun...plus to share the stage with close friends is always great!!!

Toto rules!!

JV

[Joe Vana]

Velocitized was definately a Survivor track....we did it well, they did it BETTER....

It was originally intended for the Too Hot To Sleep album, am I correct?

It was one of those "demos" from the mid nineties that are floating around....it was done VERY WELL by Survivor......

JV

[LtVanish]

Thanks for posting the new song Joe. I really like it and am very excited about the new Mecca release. It was also nice seeing you up on stage with Toto at the HOB back in July.

Thanks a bunch!!

That was alot of fun...plus to share the stage with close friends is always great!!!

Toto rules!!

JV

Toto rules is right, that is the understatement of the century. That was one of the greatest shows I have ever seen. Luke is mindblowing and such a kick ass guy. Simon Phillips solo was awesome, that guy is the most perfect drummer I have ever seen. I hope they come back to Chicago again soon. I am spoiled being able to see them twice in a years time.


Any idea the time frame for the release of the new album? Done in October.....released in the first part of next year?

[Joe Vana]

Thanks for posting the new song Joe. I really like it and am very excited about the new Mecca release. It was also nice seeing you up on stage with Toto at the HOB back in July.

Thanks a bunch!!

That was alot of fun...plus to share the stage with close friends is always great!!!

Toto rules!!

JV

Toto rules is right, that is the understatement of the century. That was one of the greatest shows I have ever seen. Luke is mindblowing and such a kick ass guy. Simon Phillips solo was awesome, that guy is the most perfect drummer I have ever seen. I hope they come back to Chicago again soon. I am spoiled being able to see them twice in a years time.


Any idea the time frame for the release of the new album? Done in October.....released in the first part of next year?

We are thinking done in October....I want to give serafino enough time to promote, so release date I am not so sure of....

But is will be as soon as Frankie and I stamp it perfect!!!

JV

[FalconONE]

Hi Joe!

I love thed "Velocitized" song.
Jim told once that this song was recorded back in 1992 when Jimi Jamison made a short comeback in the studios. I think they did "Empires" in thesame time.

Joe, it would be nice to share the idea to Frankie to put the song Velocitized (the originial with Jimi Jamison on vocals) on their website.
It would be a great gift.

I love the Mecca version but It will make my day to hear the original..

Fred
fredwhite@videotron.ca

[Joe Vana]

Hi Joe!

I love thed "Velocitized" song.
Jim told once that this song was recorded back in 1992 when Jimi Jamison made a short comeback in the studios. I think they did "Empires" in thesame time.

Joe, it would be nice to share the idea to Frankie to put the song Velocitized (the originial with Jimi Jamison on vocals) on their website.
It would be a great gift.

I love the Mecca version but It will make my day to hear the original..

Fred
fredwhite@videotron.ca

Hey Fred.....Thanks!!

However, I don't think Frankie is going to put that demo up....but it is floating around out there if you want to hear it....Survivor's version is stellar, and the guitars really make that song come alive!!!

JV

[IngoK]

Hey Fred.....Thanks!!

However, I don't think Frankie is going to put that demo up....but it is floating around out there if you want to hear it....Survivor's version is stellar, and the guitars really make that song come alive!!!

JV

A demo of Velocitized is floating out somewhere

You really know´s how to make appetite. I´m looking to hear the original version since 2001 when I heard it during the last Germany Tour!

May i ask you if you know any source ?

[Joe Vana]

Hey Fred.....Thanks!!

However, I don't think Frankie is going to put that demo up....but it is floating around out there if you want to hear it....Survivor's version is stellar, and the guitars really make that song come alive!!!

JV

A demo of Velocitized is floating out somewhere

You really know´s how to make appetite. I´m looking to hear the original version since 2001 when I heard it during the last Germany Tour!

May i ask you if you know any source ?

I just posted "Did it for Love" that is produced by Frankie and I...music is 70% but the lead vocal is 100%...backgrounds to come next week....thought I might post the info and see if ya dig the tune, or Frankies handiwork!!

www.myspace.com/meccaofmusic

Hope ya dig it.......JV

[Slander]

Hey Fred.....Thanks!!

However, I don't think Frankie is going to put that demo up....but it is floating around out there if you want to hear it....Survivor's version is stellar, and the guitars really make that song come alive!!!

JV

A demo of Velocitized is floating out somewhere

You really know´s how to make appetite. I´m looking to hear the original version since 2001 when I heard it during the last Germany Tour!

May i ask you if you know any source ?

I just posted "Did it for Love" that is produced by Frankie and I...music is 70% but the lead vocal is 100%...backgrounds to come next week....thought I might post the info and see if ya dig the tune, or Frankies handiwork!!

www.myspace.com/meccaofmusic

Hope ya dig it.......JV

Great stuff Joe. Great vocals. Great lyrics. Can we get this cd out now? LOL. Best of luck with this. I really appreciate your commitment to excellence. I love the "patented" Survivor pause if you 3/4 into the song. Not really a pause, I guess a slowing down. Great hook.

[Franky]

Silence of the heart is a fabulous track ... i love it. Hope the album will come out soon. It was intended to be released the 3rd Quarter 2007 right?!

I'm searching for "Did it for Love" ... can't find it on myspace ...