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Topic: TO RAY MONETTE

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GARY
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TO RAY MONETTE
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RAY:

dO YOU HAVE A WEBSITE THAT TALKS ABOUT YOUR GUITAR PLAYING OR A MYSPACE PAGE

THANKS



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Anonymous
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HI GARY,

I GUESS I'M STILL LIVING IN THE DARK AGES. I DON'T HAVE EITHER.

BUT.....I'LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE, RIGHT HERE!

RAY 

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Craig
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Hello Ray,Are you still Scratching a Stratocaster or something else?,you still have that '68 model?.Any floor pedals your currently using?

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gary
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Ray:

As a music fan I really delve into the way in which music is created. One subject that always comes up is guitar parts. Often it is a major bone of contention in the group. I guess songwriting is where most of the money is and when someone comes in with a basic melody & they guitar player comes up with a part that takes the song to a new level a fight usually ensues. I was just reading about The Raspberries #1 hit Go All The Way. Wally Bryson (guitar) came up with that amazing riff & it powers the entire song but Eric carmen refuses to give him songwriting. What is your approach on something you have written versus an idea that someone else has brought in. Is your advice to young bands to split everything equally or at leasr give everyone 10% of the songs?

Thanks
gary

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UK Dave
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Good question Gary!

Can I add an additional question to Ray? One World features songs written individually by Peter, Gil and John plus there's "Under(neath) God's Light" which, if I recall correctly, is credited to yourself, Mark and Eddie. on Willie Remembers, the credits are co-shared across the band. Was the writing process different for WE with songs evolving from jam sessions as opposed to, say, John Persh coming in with Any Man Can Be A Fool as more or less complete? Or is it just a case of Peter, Gil and John had written their songs in between Rod and Kenny's departure and you and Mark arriving? How good is your memory? smile

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Mike
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It's not my place to speak for anyone but...the few questions I have asked Ray...he was more than kind enough to answer. And his memory is sharp as a tack!

Example: I asked him about the song Love Shines Down. He recalled the circumstances surrounding that to a T.

Man, we're really blessed with this site and having Ray, Pete, Gil, Rod and Ralph come here in their free time.

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Anonymous
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HI CRAIG,

I'M SCRATCHING SOMETHING SIMILAR,BUT IT WAS CUSTOM MADE BY ED "TOAD" GOETZ. I STILL HAVE THE 68. MAN IS IT BEAT UP!! 33 YEARS OF RARE EARTH ON THE ROAD. THE NEW ONE IS LIKE THE ULTIMATE STRAT. I LOVE IT. HE ALSO MADE AN AX FOR EDDIE WILLIS,AND BOB BABBITT OF THE FUNK BROTHERS.

AS FAR AS PEDALS GO......NEXT TO NOTHING. WITH THE FUNKS IT'S A TWIN ON CLEAN.
 
RAY

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Anonymous
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HI GARY,

IN THE LITERAL SENSE,A SONG IS THE WORDS,MELODY,AND CHORDS.
ANYTHING ELSE IS TECHNICALLY ARRANGEMENT,INCLUDING GREAT GUITAR LINES.IN THE STUDIO,BACK WHEN I WAS A SESSION MUSICIAN,I WATCHED AS ARRANGERS ADDED FANTASTIC LINES AND PARTS TO SONGS.THAT IS THEIR JOB,AND THEY EXPECTED NOTHING BUT THEIR FEE.THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THEY EVEN WROTE A NEW SECTION FOR THE SONG AND EXPECTED NOTHING.

BUT......WITH A SELF CONTAINED BAND,SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THINGS DIFFERENTLY. IT USUALLY IS A CASE OF KEEPING HARMONY IN THE BAND(THAT'S AN EASY THING TO DO!!LOL). THERE WERE TIMES WHEN WE GAVE SOMEONE PART OF A SONG JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE THERE WHEN IT WAS CONCEIVED. MY ADVICE WOULD BE.....JUST DO WHAT YOU THINK IS FAIR.....AND KEEP THE PEACE.

RAY

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Anonymous
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HI DAVE,

THE SONGS MENTIONED WERE ALREADY COMPLETED WHEN MARK AND I CAME INTO THE GROUP. WE BOTH OVERDUBBED ON THOSE SONGS.
THE REST OF THE ALBUM WAS RECORDED FROM SCRATCH INCLUDING "CELEBRATE". AS A MATTER OF FACT, CELEBRATE WAS THE LAST SONG ON THE ALBUM. IF NICK AND DINO HADN'T HAVE COME IN WITH IT ,NO ONE WOULD HAVE EVER HEARD OF IT.....BUT I GUESS THAT WAS JUST FATE.

ANY JAM TYPE OF SONG ("THOUGHTS" AS EXAMPLE) WAS A GIVEN TO BE SHARED EQUALLY.
AND....DON'T FORGET THAT "LOVE SHINES DOWN",AND "THINK OF THE CHILDREN" WERE ON "WILLIE"......CO WRITTEN BY PETER AND I.

IT'S LIKE I SAID BEFORE, WE JUST DID WHAT FELT RIGHT WHEN IT CAME TO WRITING CREDITS.

AS TO MY MEMORY?????? MIKE,YOU ARE WAAY TO KIND!!

RAY



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UK Dave
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Well Ray, I Just Want To Celebrate is just the icing on a very nice cake.

I still love everything about that album from the sleeve design to each of the songs.



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Anonymous
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Ray:

Thanks for the advice. reading Levon Helm's book and others you see that everyone needs to feel like they are treated fairly. They are in the van,loading equipment etc..If a band member gets a gig he doesn't takr a 10% commision etc.

In short here is what we came up with. The songwriter or songwriters of a certain song get 50%, then the other 50% is split among the band members (including everyone). So in our 4 person band if someone came in with the song structure he would get 62.5% and the other three guys would get 12.5 percent so at least everyone is part of it.

Thanks for the insight!
Gary

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Craig
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Hello Ray,thanks for your input I think your best guitaring is Calif Jam,Willie Remembers,Made in Switzerland and the live version of Howz About Some Love I have seen many times,I'm sure i left out many,but these are my favorites.

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Liberty Kelly
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Hi Ray,

I was reading your posts about Mark Olson, formerly of Rare Earth around the "I Just Want To Celebrate" days . Not too long before he died, we recorded an album, "Nothing To Fear" by the "Mark Olson Group". The material and recordings were marvelous. Mark was Great! Most of the tunes were written by Mark, with a few tracks including his co-writing with Snuffy, Curly and Bob Seger. As well as songs co-written within the band. Members included Mark Olson: Vocals, Piano, Organ, Synths, Sax...David Barretto: Vocals...Carlos Morales: Guitars...Liberty Kelly: Bass...George Speranzo: Drums.

It was very sad we all lost Mark, his great self and unbelievable talent to substance abuse. I really miss him, his music, and the band we had together...and his Dad. I learned a lot from him in the studio, he had a big bag of tricks.

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UK Dave
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Hi Liberty

That was a great post. We all miss Mark so much and because he's no longer with us we don't get to hear much about his work outside of Rare Earth. If you can tell us a bit more about the Mark Olso Group we'd love to hear it. What style of music did the band play, did you go out on the road at all, was the album ever released etc etc?? When you mention Curly I assumed you are referring to Curly Smith the Jo Jo Gunne drummer? I know he and Mark co-wrote a couple of songs for the Band Together / Grand Slam recording sessions.

Mark Olson..gone but not forgotten!!

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Mike
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Hi Liberty,

As a fan, thank you for the kind words about Mark. I always enjoy his keyboard work and his vocals. I enjoy hearing how his voice would blend with Peter's on songs like Good Time Sally & Love Shines Down (during the verses) and with Pete, Gil, John/or Mike (during choruses). And let we not forget the song he co-wrote with Ray & Eddie and sand lead vocals on "Under God's Light". Let's not forget his harmonica on "Big John Is My Name" plus other songs on Band Together.

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Anonymous
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Liberty Kelly wrote:



Hi Ray,

I was reading your posts about Mark Olson, formerly of Rare Earth around the "I Just Want To Celebrate" days . Not too long before he died, we recorded an album, "Nothing To Fear" by the "Mark Olson Group". The material and recordings were marvelous. Mark was Great! Most of the tunes were written by Mark, with a few tracks including his co-writing with Snuffy, Curly and Bob Seger. As well as songs co-written within the band. Members included Mark Olson: Vocals, Piano, Organ, Synths, Sax...David Barretto: Vocals...Carlos Morales: Guitars...Liberty Kelly: Bass...George Speranzo: Drums.

It was very sad we all lost Mark, his great self and unbelievable talent to substance abuse. I really miss him, his music, and the band we had together...and his Dad. I learned a lot from him in the studio, he had a big bag of tricks.





Hi Liberty,

As a fan, thank you for the kind words about Mark. I always enjoy his keyboard work and his vocals. I enjoy hearing how his voice would blend with Peter's on songs like Good Time Sally & Love Shines Down (during the verses) and with Pete, Gil, John/or Mike (during choruses). And let we not forget the song he co-wrote with Ray & Eddie and sand lead vocals on "Under God's Light". Let's not forget his harmonica on "Big John Is My Name" plus other songs on Band Together.

I'd like to discuss this further with you. Please feel free to email me at:

the_stranger76@yahoo.com

all the best,

mike

 



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Mike
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Liberty Kelly wrote:

Hi Ray,

I was reading your posts about Mark Olson, formerly of Rare Earth around the "I Just Want To Celebrate" days . Not too long before he died, we recorded an album, "Nothing To Fear" by the "Mark Olson Group". The material and recordings were marvelous. Mark was Great! Most of the tunes were written by Mark, with a few tracks including his co-writing with Snuffy, Curly and Bob Seger. As well as songs co-written within the band. Members included Mark Olson: Vocals, Piano, Organ, Synths, Sax...David Barretto: Vocals...Carlos Morales: Guitars...Liberty Kelly: Bass...George Speranzo: Drums.

It was very sad we all lost Mark, his great self and unbelievable talent to substance abuse. I really miss him, his music, and the band we had together...and his Dad. I learned a lot from him in the studio, he had a big bag of tricks.


Hi Liberty,

I know I speak for everyone here when I say that we're very curious and excited to know that Mark had a band and cut some material while he lived in Florida. I'd be grateful to discuss this further. Please email me at: the_stranger76@yahoo.com

Thanks :)

 



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John
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Mark also played in a band called Justice Colt.  I must put the photo on the main site pages along with all the others that are in "storage"

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Mike
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John wrote:

Mark also played in a band called Justice Colt.  I must put the photo on the main site pages along with all the others that are in "storage"



 Hi John,

That'd be great! Where do you get this stuff? biggrin



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