I've no idea what happened to Ivan and it's not my business. I enjoyed (and still do) his work on the new cd. But it's nice to see Ray back in the fold. Sad to see Ivan leave though.
I wanted to stop by and clear a couple things up.. This post was brought to my attention by a friend...
First, I want to thank the members of Rare earth for an amazing gift! These people let me into their Band, their homes, their families and their hearts and I will be forever grateful for this.. I Love these guys AND their families.. Being a member of Rare Earth is something I will never forget.. I learned a great deal from this experience and consider myself one lucky punk for having been given the opportunity.
Ray is a GREAT player..Stepping into his shoes was a bit daunting. Take a look at the list of stuff he's played on, {better still, take a listen!}..
Ray, you were a big influence on me when I was young. I have a deep respect for your playing. You know how to approach an arrangement and serve the tune.. I see this as a dying art form these days. To the extent that I can do it, you are in part responsible. I learned A LOT listening to you over the years. So thanks for being you.
The bottom line, without going into a lot of detail, is that my life came apart at the seams and I ended up not being great company.. I'm getting divorced. I've moved three times since joining the band. There are other things going on that I wont go into..
The band will do GREAT! I see no reason why they wont be doing the new tunes if that's what they want to do.. Trust me when I tell you that JR. Can certainly sing any of the tunes I sang if they are so inclined.. These guys are great writers too and I would expect new tunes to be forthcoming.
I'm flattered that people excepted my presence in the band. The fans were very gracious. The new record was a joy to work on and I'm glad people like it. So thanks to all who listened and had good things to say about our effort..
I wish the Band only the best! I don't have to tell any of you what a kick ass rock band they were before I showed up. They still are! I hope the fact that there are two original members means the band will work more.. They deserve to be out playing high quality shows.
One more point.. The anonymous poster who who used the term "gutted" should at least have the decency to use his name.
So, thanks to everyone. The band, the fans, the venues, the drivers, the audio people and everyone else who touched my life over the last 4 years.. I wont ever forget it..
I am writing tunes almost everyday, and putting "The Ivan Powers Band" together. Powers was my mothers Maiden Name, and she loved the idea of my using the name when she was still alive. I never got around to it back then, but will use the name in her honor now.
I wanted to stop by and clear a couple things up.. This post was brought to my attention by a friend...
First, I want to thank the members of Rare earth for an amazing gift! These people let me into their Band, their homes, their families and their hearts and I will be forever grateful for this.. I Love these guys AND their families.. Being a member of Rare Earth is something I will never forget.. I learned a great deal from this experience and consider myself one lucky punk for having been given the opportunity.
Ray is a GREAT player..Stepping into his shoes was a bit daunting. Take a look at the list of stuff he's played on, {better still, take a listen!}..
Ray, you were a big influence on me when I was young. I have a deep respect for your playing. You know how to approach an arrangement and serve the tune.. I see this as a dying art form these days. To the extent that I can do it, you are in part responsible. I learned A LOT listening to you over the years. So thanks for being you.
The bottom line, without going into a lot of detail, is that my life came apart at the seams and I ended up not being great company.. I'm getting divorced. I've moved three times since joining the band. There are other things going on that I wont go into..
The band will do GREAT! I see no reason why they wont be doing the new tunes if that's what they want to do.. Trust me when I tell you that JR. Can certainly sing any of the tunes I sang if they are so inclined.. These guys are great writers too and I would expect new tunes to be forthcoming.
I'm flattered that people excepted my presence in the band. The fans were very gracious. The new record was a joy to work on and I'm glad people like it. So thanks to all who listened and had good things to say about our effort..
I wish the Band only the best! I don't have to tell any of you what a kick ass rock band they were before I showed up. They still are! I hope the fact that there are two original members means the band will work more.. They deserve to be out playing high quality shows.
One more point.. The anonymous poster who who used the term "gutted" should at least have the decency to use his name.
So, thanks to everyone. The band, the fans, the venues, the drivers, the audio people and everyone else who touched my life over the last 4 years.. I wont ever forget it..
I am writing tunes almost everyday, and putting "The Ivan Powers Band" together. Powers was my mothers Maiden Name, and she loved the idea of my using the name when she was still alive. I never got around to it back then, but will use the name in her honor now.
Peace to all
Ivan....................
Hello Ivan,
Thank you for your post and sharing your thoughts. It probably wasn't the easiest thing to share your personal business either. I respect that.
Even though I never saw you with Rare Earth, I truly enjoyed the new cd. I still am enjoying it. I look forward to hearing work from you in the future. Hopefully you'll release a cd soemday.
Thanks for coming here and outlining the reasons for your departure. I hope your problems will soon be a thing of the past and I'm sure you'll come back stronger.
It wasn't me who anonymously posted that you "put new life" into Rare Earth nor was it I who placed the anonymous "gutted" post. My own view is that you were a credit to Rare Earh during your tenure with the band. It's clear from the credits on Brave New World that you played a major creative role as well as getting involved in the production and engineering. I think you contributed some tasty guitar and vocals and I can't help that your presence was at least partly responsible for some of the inspirational playing by Gil and Mike.
I would pick out "Looking Out My Window" and "Nothings Really Changed" as two examples of what you contributed as a player and writer/ co-writer. Two fine songs in my opinion. Sure there will be some diehards who will disagree because they prefer the early stuff. I can understand that. But outside of those definitive 9 early Rare Earth members I think there is a good argument to say that you were the most creative new member since Paul Warren and Gabriel Katona.
Good luck with the Ivan Powers project. I'll certainly be following your progress with great interest.
Every cloud has a silver lining of course. It's exciting to see Ray back on board!!
It is great news befor tmrw RARE EARTH gig here in Windsor Epicure fest! Ray Monette is a legendary Rare Earth member and undisputed funk god of all time!! Love Ivan`s work on new cd and consider Game Of Love the best song of this century!
Ray and Gil are dinamo of this great band and can`t wait to dance with all those hits tmrw night on the Detroit-Windsor border line and Detroit river skyline!
I wish Ivan all the best in future and thks for taking time to reply on this forum.
see ya tmrw night Rare Earth!!!!!!!!!
p.s. there are one and only unique funk - rock - jazz - soul -pop mixture in the World!!!
What in the...........?
