Feb '08

Ok, so it's been a while between updates. Lots of stuff going on. "Heel Thyself" was released on 7/18/07, and has been promoted to AAA non-comm by Crystal Ann Lea of M:M Music in Los Angeles. It seems to be doing reasonably well. The track "China, May" was also on a commercial AAA sampler that included Paul McCartney, Suzanne Vega, and others, so the music is being ignored in good company.

Actually, there's no complaints; it's sold out its first pressing, and has been getting a lot of great response. Drumhead Magazine reviewed it very positively, and at some point we I need to remember to send it to other publications for review as well. There is some talk about a Guitar Player article.

Rita Cary of 92.5FM The River spun "Just Won't Wait" locally in Boston, and Super Genius has been asked to play the "92.5FM The River/Bass Ale Aprés Ski Party" at Waterville Valley, in Waterville NH, on March 19th. Talk continues about a record release party. One way or the other, there will be Super Genius gigs coming up.

Super Genius also has a new Sonic Bids "Electronic Press Kit," which you can see here:

Meanwhile, I started a new band called The Mike Barry Rock Quartet (MBRQ - get it?) specifically to play some of my older songs that I haven't had a chance to play in a while. MBRQ is myself, Dave Mattacks, John Fremer, and Marc Hickox. The first two gigs were at Toast Lounge in Union Square, Somerville, and went better than we had a right to expect, considering we'd only ever rehearsed once -- for about two hours. The second gig was last night, 2/23/08; Elaine O'Rourke opened with a great set (accompanied by Jim Lounsbury) and then joined us for "Change," which was interesting. Neither Elaine nor I had sung it since we recorded it; we'd never sung it live together before, and John and Marc had never played it at all before -- not even in rehearsal; I'd sent them mp3's. Judging from the response I'd guess we got through it ok, but it was funny to all be playing it pretty much for the first time. Who messed up? Me, of course. I only wrote it. Elaine was great.

The whole night was fun, but my personal favorite moment was the rendition of my old song "Be Like You," which turned, during extended solos from John and me, into "Come Together" (Marc's doing) then into "I Want You" (sort of) then back into "Be Like You." A 2Am license will do that to a band.

Other songs we played last night with no rehearsal were Mickey Jupp's "You'll Never Get Me Up In One Of Those" (DM's idea) and "Lawyers, Guns, and Money." I know it sounds like a cover band set, but really, seriously, it wasn't -- like I said, a club with a 2AM Saturday license can do that to a band. Really.

It was funny to play the Zevon song with DM, knowing he's played it with Jackson Browne singing. I have seen it with mine own eyes.

Guitar dorks will appreciate that I added a Fulltone OCD to my pedal board last night, adding it after the '69, to boost for lead; it was very nice. That'll stay in the Super Genius pedal board. Might sound cool with the Ric 360-12.

Speaking of Toast, Sarah Rodman of the Boston Globe, reviewing new clubs, very kindly mentioned MBRQ here and accurately quoted me here.

In Babyland Studio news, work on the Debra Cowan record has expanded, with eight new songs underway. DM was in to do guide piano, then Debra was in to do scratch vocals. The basics will be tracked starting tomorrow with David Minehan at Woolly Mammoth, with Duke Levine and Marty Ballou. Vocals, overdubs, fiddle from Joyce Anderson, etc., will be done back here in Babyland. Huck Bennert is on board to mix. So, all around, looking good. This is a pleasant project to work on, being that everyone more or less knows what they're doing.

That's all I can think of for now. Best to all my friends,

Mike.

May '07

Hi all. Time for an update.

First, Elaine O'Rourke's CD No Beginning, No End is still getting rave reviews:

Photo by Margaret Lambert 1. Sepia Tones 2. Tangerine 3. Sentiments and Circumstances 4. Why Do I 5. Fly Baby Fly 6. You Can't Avoid Me 7. Stir Crazy 8. Free Me 9. We Will Be Again 10. Nighttime Shadows To purchase No Beginning, No End via Paypal, click the "Buy Now" button. $11.99

Boston Girl Guide Review April, 2007 Record review by TC Krentz Elaine O'Rourke's debut record is aptly entitled No Beginning, No End. Appropriate because it's hard to believe this is her first record, nor do we hope it would be her last. This amazing singer/guitarist/songwriter brings a cohesive body of work together which is drenched in her Irish heritage but absolutely maintains a balance of good American folk rock. Ideal instrumentation of violins, dulcimers, & whistle color these songs with the essence of her native Ireland. Opening track Sepia Tones sets the captivating tone of this record, quickly taking a rock twist with the charming Tangerine; a great little folk rock song that exhibits Elaine's brilliant vocal harmonies. The record tours us through a beautifully dark side of this wonderful artist; songs like Free Me & You Can't Avoid Me are both haunting and lyrically intriguing. We highly recommend this record, even for the non-folk-rock folks. Check her out at www.elaineorourke.com and on www.myspace.com/elaineorourke The Noise Magazine, Boston Feb 2007   "No Beginning, No End" CD Review   Devotees of Maddy Prior and Fairport Convention will find Ms. O'Rourke's lovely and strategically deployed contralto an integral addition to this versatile, largely folk-oriented collection of melodic ballads, which are instrumentally toughened by electric guitar and sweetened by fiddle and acoustic guitar.  There is a wistful, almost sentimental, quality to her voice which lends to even her most subtle tunes a timeless appeal, and which enhances immeasurably remarkable songs like "Sepia Tones", "Tangerine", "Why Do I" and (the comparatively gritty) "Stir Crazy".  In a folk music marketplace glutted with sound-alikes and wannabes, this hauntingly original and remarkably assured CD debut is a keeper.

Second, the new Super Genius album, "Heel Thyself" is done...

...and will be available in May, 2007. It can be pre-ordered here. The lovely and talented Syd Straw lent her lovely and talented voice to three songs, and the lovely and talented Amy Fairchild, Ramona Silver, and Elaine O'Rourke each lent their lovely and talented voices to songs. So at least they'll be some decent singing on this thing.

Third, Both Marty Ballou and Duke Levine have been in to play on Debra Cowan's new EP, which DM is producing here at Babyland. Here's a couple of photos:

Duke Levine and his wicked cool southern jumbo...

Dave Mattacks, and Marty Ballou and his wicked cool, uh, bass...

That's all I can think of for now; thanks for reading.

Best,

Mike

Here's photos from previous updates.

p.s., unless otherwise noted, all photos are © 2007 by Michael J. Barry.

Debra Cowan, with Dave Mattacks, in Babyland Studio A.

Super Genius Dave Mattacks on la tamborina at Babyland.	Super Genius Milt in Rear Window, working hard with his groovy vintage 12 string Rickenbacker...or on the phone with his broker.
Milt's amp set-up for "Change", from the album "Heel Thyself". There was also a U47 in the room.	Milt listening. Or sleeping. Hard to tell sometimes.
A rare photo of the elusive Super Genius Dean Cassell, in Babyland. Or maybe it's reclusive.	Oh wait -- there he is. Do these guys ever sleep at home, or just in the studio?
DM in Rear Window Studio with his snazzy new Yamaha kit, which has his name on customized bronze plaques. Oooooo......	Nate Dube, engineer at Rear Window studio, and Milt. We all thought Milt wrote the book on rhythm and blues, but it turns out he was just reading it.
Ah-hah! So THAT'S his secret!	Nate, pretending to work.

Elaine O'Rourke has been recording her debut CD with me here at Babyland. [FINISHED! OUT! GETTING RAVE REVIEWS!! SEE ABOVE!!] We've got 11 songs in various stages of completion. Musicians include Jim Lounsbury on violin and piano, guitar from Super Genius Milt Reder and Rocky Kramm, whistle from Dave Sholl, and drums (on nine tunes) piano and percussion from Super Genius Dave Mattacks. Super Genius Mike Barry plays bass, guitar, and keyboards. Here's some photos:

Ok, next. Over the last months I've played a few times at Tír na nÓg in Union Square, Somerville under the name "Mick Jame & Sons" (Get it?). A number of great players have been "sons", including Milt Reder, Andy Plaisted, John Fremer, Kevin Barry, and Mike Powers. Please forgive me if I've overlooked anyone. I haven't always been good about taking photos, but here's a few:

Last (or is it "lastly"?), and nearly a year late, here's some photos of the BBQ we had before the Pooka Stew reunion show at The Nog last July. I don't have any photos of the show itself, so if anyone out there does feel free to send them along. No, don't send me a photo of four guys passed out drunk -- it's been done, ok?