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PrintableHi Michael.
first off, i just want to say that i really dig your drumming. amazing my fave highlights: 1)baby i'm a star-nude tour tokyo...on the drums..Michael B. 
2)call the law..loved it. 
3)"shhh"  .
in fact, i'll go play the tokyo show now 
 .that's for you.
stay sweet, mercedes | |
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zxcvbnmmnbvcxz said: Firstly, I would like to thank you for so many hours of legendary studio recordings and live performances.
3 chains o' gold took probably 3 hours to arrange and record, and ended up being re-edited. we had just finished the diamonds and pearls tour in europe and japan, and when we came home we didn't see each other for about a week, maybe.. prince had us all come out to paisley park to record. i remember him looking like he hadn't slept at all since we got back..
In an earlier post you said "the majority of the material we recorded when we were employed by prince has yet to see the light of day". That's just scary! Now, we all know that Prince records really fast, but was there any track (released or not) that took you guys considerably longer to commit to tape? why? Oh, and correct me if I am wrong, but how come there is a half missing snare hit on "Dolphin" during the guitar solo ("The Gold Experience" version)??? Thanks, [Edited 2/24/06 13:52pm] he already had the parts written but didn't know in what sequence to use them, so we experimented until we got something close to what he wanted. that same session, we cut "love 2 the 9's, and maybe something else.. i think "johnny" and "2gether" for the goldnigga record.. so that was probably a soild 10 hours.. not sure what you're talking about on "dolphin", but the original recording of that was done by tie-line from studio A to the soundstage.. anything could have happened.. bad splice job on the tape? who knows? the hours were late and long.. alot of that material from "come" and "the gold experience" was recorded as a trio, live.. the keys were overdubbed, or we re-recorded some songs over from scratch, kinda, with tommy and morris, later.. michael b. | |
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Mercedes73 said: Hi Michael.
first off, i just want to say that i really dig your drumming. amazing my fave highlights: 1)baby i'm a star-nude tour tokyo...on the drums..Michael B.
2)call the law..loved it.
3)"shhh" .
in fact, i'll go play the tokyo show now
.that's for you.
stay sweet, mercedes aaaawwwww... i feel all warm and fuzzy, now.. michael b. | |
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Sorry Michael, but when you say that Prince came to you with parts written, do you mean an actual pentagram? did he hand you a pentagram for the drum solo parts from "Shhh" or were you the one who came up with that intro?
Thanks again for your time, | |
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ebonyrhythmbuddha said: JesseDezz said: Just a little wish here: I would love to hear u, Sonny T and Jesse Johnson in a trio setting, ala Band of Gypsys. That would be cool as hell
 sonny and i made a record similar to what you're describing with a guitar player named jef lee johnson.. it has that band of gypsies vibe, but it's a little more expansive, musically.. not just funky blues music. we even cover some duke ellington on it. the band is News From The Jungle- the record is available on universal france jazz. michael b. Damn news from jungel is tight CD | |
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Hey michael what was recording process like with exdous sessions?
Also can you talk about sessions you did with foley @ paisly pak? Also what is Tony M up to these days ?  [Edited 2/25/06 18:29pm] | |
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Michael B,
I heard you guys jammed at Paisley last night, so are you coming on the tour....huh? huh? Tell Prince I want you and Sonny on the tour! Prince, in you I found a kindred spirit...Rest In Paradise. | |
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zxcvbnmmnbvcxz said: Sorry Michael, but when you say that Prince came to you with parts written, do you mean an actual pentagram? did he hand you a pentagram for the drum solo parts from "Shhh" or were you the one who came up with that intro?
Thanks again for your time, prince had a habit of working on music at the piano in his house. he had an old school rectangular cassette deck. he'd play and sing into this thing.. mouthing drum rhythms and guitar melodies and whatnot. then, he'd bring the cassette deck to the studio, play it, and futher illustrate what he was looking for.. as far as "shhh" goes, he pretty much came up with the spaces for the drumming, and i chose what to do with the spaces, if that makes sense.. michael b. | |
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ImLikeTheGoochLookin said: Hey michael what was recording process like with exdous sessions?
Also can you talk about sessions you did with foley @ paisly pak? Also what is Tony M up to these days ?
[Edited 2/25/06 18:29pm] the exodus sessions were about the same as any other recording sessions.. live and extemporaneous. not sure what info you're looking for.. we always cut live until the drum take is solid, then sonny does fixes if he has any, then tommy and morris, then prince does his thing.. more overdubs, or recuts the lead vocal. that's usually how it goes.. is this what you mean? i haven't seen tony in a while.. not sure what he's doing.. michael b. | |
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ebonyrhythmbuddha said: ImLikeTheGoochLookin said: Hey michael what was recording process like with exdous sessions?
Also can you talk about sessions you did with foley @ paisly pak? Also what is Tony M up to these days ?
[Edited 2/25/06 18:29pm] the exodus sessions were about the same as any other recording sessions.. live and extemporaneous. not sure what info you're looking for.. we always cut live until the drum take is solid, then sonny does fixes if he has any, then tommy and morris, then prince does his thing.. more overdubs, or recuts the lead vocal. that's usually how it goes.. is this what you mean? i haven't seen tony in a while.. not sure what he's doing.. michael b. ps. the foley sessions took about five minutes.. magoo set up a hi hat, a kick, a snare, and maybe a couple of cymbals.. i played through the piece one time, and that's the take that's on the record.. | |
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babynoz said: Michael B,
I heard you guys jammed at Paisley last night, so are you coming on the tour....huh? huh? Tell Prince I want you and Sonny on the tour! that is a mild distortion of what went down.. dr. mambo's combo, which includes me and sonny, were hired to play at tamar's afterparty.. that's all.. prince didn't make an appearance all night.. it was just a gig.. if he wanted to take the combo on the road, we'd be happy to go.. michael b. | |
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Hey michael, just wanted to tell u, I dig the Wain McFarlane album you and Sonny were a part of. Is Wain still doing gigs, I haven't heard anything on him in a while.
I also seen you years back with this young kid named Ry or something like that, whatever became of that project? | |
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sovembol said: Hey michael, just wanted to tell u, I dig the Wain McFarlane album you and Sonny were a part of. Is Wain still doing gigs, I haven't heard anything on him in a while.
I also seen you years back with this young kid named Ry or something like that, whatever became of that project? wain is currently recovering from replacement hip surgery.. we had a benefit recently for him. ry has a band called the rule. he and tommy barbarella produced the record, and i contributed a couple small things. it's being mixed right now, and he's having a new website built: www.therule.com i believe is the address. i think the material is really good. the rule also plays at bunker's every wednesday until mid to late march.. then they move to tuesdays, in case you're ever in dwntn mpls with nothing to do.. michael b. | |
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ebonyrhythmbuddha said: babynoz said: Michael B,
I heard you guys jammed at Paisley last night, so are you coming on the tour....huh? huh? Tell Prince I want you and Sonny on the tour! that is a mild distortion of what went down.. dr. mambo's combo, which includes me and sonny, were hired to play at tamar's afterparty.. that's all.. prince didn't make an appearance all night.. it was just a gig.. if he wanted to take the combo on the road, we'd be happy to go.. michael b. Thanks for clarifying. I still hope to see you guys someday soon. I wish you all the best. Question, other than musicians in your own circle, who do you love to listen to when you're just chillin? Prince, in you I found a kindred spirit...Rest In Paradise. | |
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babynoz said: ebonyrhythmbuddha said: that is a mild distortion of what went down.. dr. mambo's combo, which includes me and sonny, were hired to play at tamar's afterparty.. that's all.. prince didn't make an appearance all night.. it was just a gig.. if he wanted to take the combo on the road, we'd be happy to go.. michael b. Thanks for clarifying. I still hope to see you guys someday soon. I wish you all the best. Question, other than musicians in your own circle, who do you love to listen to when you're just chillin? i love any and all old soul records, any motown, i love the oldies station.. in ANY city.. at home, i get obsessed with one or two records at a time, usually.. lately, it's been "i want you" by marvin gaye, and "fresh" by sly and the family stone, pretty much.. michael b. | |
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HEY YOU GUYS!!!!! if you're still interested in purchasing "the great tribulation" by sons of almighty, the link is fixed on my website: www.michaelbland.org
go to the merchandise page, click on the link, and it will take you to the electric fetus online store.. thank you for your patience, and your patronage!! LOL!! michael b. | |
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ebonyrhythmbuddha said: HEY YOU GUYS!!!!! if you're still interested in purchasing "the great tribulation" by sons of almighty, the link is fixed on my website: www.michaelbland.org
go to the merchandise page, click on the link, and it will take you to the electric fetus online store.. thank you for your patience, and your patronage!! LOL!! michael b. Thanks Mr B. - order placed! G All orgnotes and emails requesting trades or how to acquire bootleggage will be ignored. - The ThreadKiller - | |
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Hello, Michael B.
I have zillions of questions about your work with Prince esp. 1992 to 1995 (my fav P- period, and that's mainly due to your and Sonny's talents) (all this fantastic, mostly unreleased stuff, those 'raw' original (?) versions of later re-recorded or simply over-dubbed stuff (and mostly not really for the good of those masterpieces (Endorphinmachine & Gold being the best examples imo (wow the Come (funk.rock cut) & End.machine-versions (w/o cowbell) that flow together (and ended up together in some kinda Vault) are great, great team effort) So much for the intro, I reduced it to 1 Prince-related ? and one 'Michael B., please tell me' one 1. The Prince one: (I understand if you cannot/ doesn't want to give details on that) What was the Session w/ Sonny in Paisley Park in late 2004 (?) about (did it happen, just know it was rumoured)? If it happened, did you record stuff for an entire album, did you have info from P. about the use of the stuff, or was it mere jamming? 2. Is it true you were supposed to play on XTC's Apple Venus vol.2 : Wasp Star. I heard they wanted a hard-hitting drummer, and read your name. (XTC being by far my fav musicians (or let's say their songs are simply amazing ;-, so along w/ my fav drummer, that would have been really priceless...) Thanx in advance, you rock Maybe see you in Berlin, Germany w/ P. (well, a man can dream, can't he) (I will def. stop by and say Hello) 
[Edited 3/5/06 8:44am] [Edited 3/5/06 8:47am] | |
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What did you make of the NPG's wardrobe back in 91? I mean, I just watched Gangsta Glam and...  But I always loved your hat. And how you pretended to play the drums on all of the Gett Off versions in the video, even though you obviously weren't on the record. Damn loops. You would have sounded much better. | |
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Michael B!!!!!
I just wanted 2 take the time 2 tell U, I think U R THE BADDEST Drummer on the planet!!!!! NO ONE playes drums like U!!!!! I remember back in 2000 when Kirk was the drummer for Prince, I went 2 bunkers 2 watch the combo and had a better time there 4 sure. How in the world could he use KIRK after playing with U!!???!!?? I have the SONS of THE Almighty disc and await part 2. I also saw U on tour with MAXWELL in NYC (that was hot) Could U possibly elaborate on the story of how U got PAID 2 NOT play 4 MADONNA?? AS I understand it, she hired U 4 the tour and then basically said U R more than I need, U will be underused. SHe then went ahead and paid U anyway. Is any of this correct? The Original NPG (specifically, U, Sonny and Tommy) R my favorites BY FAR. I wish all of U the best!!!! BTW my name is also Michael B (from the east coast) thaCONcept |
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Waltervandenvogelwejde said: Hello, Michael B.
I have zillions of questions about your work with Prince esp. 1992 to 1995 (my fav P- period, and that's mainly due to your and Sonny's talents) (all this fantastic, mostly unreleased stuff, those 'raw' original (?) versions of later re-recorded or simply over-dubbed stuff (and mostly not really for the good of those masterpieces (Endorphinmachine & Gold being the best examples imo (wow the Come (funk.rock cut) & End.machine-versions (w/o cowbell) that flow together (and ended up together in some kinda Vault) are great, great team effort) So much for the intro, I reduced it to 1 Prince-related ? and one 'Michael B., please tell me' one 1. The Prince one: (I understand if you cannot/ doesn't want to give details on that) What was the Session w/ Sonny in Paisley Park in late 2004 (?) about (did it happen, just know it was rumoured)? If it happened, did you record stuff for an entire album, did you have info from P. about the use of the stuff, or was it mere jamming? 2. Is it true you were supposed to play on XTC's Apple Venus vol.2 : Wasp Star. I heard they wanted a hard-hitting drummer, and read your name. (XTC being by far my fav musicians (or let's say their songs are simply amazing ;-, so along w/ my fav drummer, that would have been really priceless...) Thanx in advance, you rock Maybe see you in Berlin, Germany w/ P. (well, a man can dream, can't he) (I will def. stop by and say Hello)
[Edited 3/5/06 8:44am] [Edited 3/5/06 8:47am] we went to paisley a couple of times in 2004 for an impromptu jam session with prince and larry graham.. just for fun, really.. and yeah, i almost did something with xtc, but they already had hired prairie prince, from the tubes and "skylarking", to do the album.. not sure which one it would have been, as far as the name of the record.. i believe they mention it in a book, but call me michael "blend".. michael b. | |
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CuntOMatic said: What did you make of the NPG's wardrobe back in 91? I mean, I just watched Gangsta Glam and...
But I always loved your hat. And how you pretended to play the drums on all of the Gett Off versions in the video, even though you obviously weren't on the record. Damn loops. You would have sounded much better.now, alot of stuff we wore looks silly, if you only check us out. if you check the fashion of the time, we were doing somewhat of a stranger thing, but comparable to our contemporaries, i'd say.. the "loops" on gettoff were either me or prince.. still not sure.. i think we both took a stab at it.. then somebody re-mixed it.. to this day, i don't know if that's me or him.. michael b. | |
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thaCONcept said: Michael B!!!!!
I just wanted 2 take the time 2 tell U, I think U R THE BADDEST Drummer on the planet!!!!! NO ONE playes drums like U!!!!! I remember back in 2000 when Kirk was the drummer for Prince, I went 2 bunkers 2 watch the combo and had a better time there 4 sure. How in the world could he use KIRK after playing with U!!???!!?? I have the SONS of THE Almighty disc and await part 2. I also saw U on tour with MAXWELL in NYC (that was hot) Could U possibly elaborate on the story of how U got PAID 2 NOT play 4 MADONNA?? AS I understand it, she hired U 4 the tour and then basically said U R more than I need, U will be underused. SHe then went ahead and paid U anyway. Is any of this correct? The Original NPG (specifically, U, Sonny and Tommy) R my favorites BY FAR. I wish all of U the best!!!! BTW my name is also Michael B (from the east coast) thanks for the kind words!! yes, that is basically the madonna story.. she wanted to use a drummer named steve sidelnyk from the UK. he programmed drums on "ray of light", i think.. her musical director talked her out of it, temporarily. i flew to nyc for an audition. the musical director tells me she's been sitting on the couch all day, and nobody really knocked her out. so, i walk in, we start playing "la isla bonita", and she gets up and starts to dance.. and starts giving me signs of approval.. i leave nyc with the gig.. two weeks later, i show up in l.a. to start rehearsal.. she decides, after some brief deliberation and a couple of days with the protools rig, that the pre-recorded aspect of the show is gonna be more than anyone expected. she has her tour manager call me to tell me that "mo" thinks i'm great, but more of a drummer than they'll need, and she's certain that i'll be bored.." plus, the M.D. that hired me got the axe.. so i fly home, they send me a sizeable severance check, and i spent madonna's money all summer.. michael b. | |
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ebonyrhythmbuddha said: babynoz said: Michael B,
I heard you guys jammed at Paisley last night, so are you coming on the tour....huh? huh? Tell Prince I want you and Sonny on the tour! that is a mild distortion of what went down.. dr. mambo's combo, which includes me and sonny, were hired to play at tamar's afterparty.. that's all.. prince didn't make an appearance all night.. it was just a gig.. if he wanted to take the combo on the road, we'd be happy to go.. michael b. | |
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ebonyrhythmbuddha said: babynoz said: Michael B,
I heard you guys jammed at Paisley last night, so are you coming on the tour....huh? huh? Tell Prince I want you and Sonny on the tour! that is a mild distortion of what went down.. dr. mambo's combo, which includes me and sonny, were hired to play at tamar's afterparty.. that's all.. prince didn't make an appearance all night.. it was just a gig.. if he wanted to take the combo on the road, we'd be happy to go.. michael b. Oh! I which I were at that after party...the original NPG is my favorite band too! How is Sonny by the way? See you Myrto | |
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What's up Michael????
You are my main dog for sure. It's is beyond way cool to have you come in and hang out with us folk here. By the way, we both have the same initials, and both were born on the 14th day of the a month (mine is August). Anyway, just wanted to know whether you will be in Minneapolis during the summer, because me and my family are planning on visiting for the first time ever! I was telling my mom and my sisters about Dr. Mambo's Combo, and said that they would love to go with me to hear you guys play. Besides, I would love to meet you all in person! Yeah! Well, keep doing what you are doing because you are definitely loved brother!!!!! Yours truly, Michelle | |
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myrtobelly said: ebonyrhythmbuddha said: that is a mild distortion of what went down.. dr. mambo's combo, which includes me and sonny, were hired to play at tamar's afterparty.. that's all.. prince didn't make an appearance all night.. it was just a gig.. if he wanted to take the combo on the road, we'd be happy to go.. michael b. Oh! I which I were at that after party...the original NPG is my favorite band too! How is Sonny by the way? See you Myrto sonny is great.. i see him most every monday night, since he plays with the combo. michael b. | |
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drums31 said: What's up Michael????
You are my main dog for sure. It's is beyond way cool to have you come in and hang out with us folk here. By the way, we both have the same initials, and both were born on the 14th day of the a month (mine is August). Anyway, just wanted to know whether you will be in Minneapolis during the summer, because me and my family are planning on visiting for the first time ever! I was telling my mom and my sisters about Dr. Mambo's Combo, and said that they would love to go with me to hear you guys play. Besides, I would love to meet you all in person! Yeah! Well, keep doing what you are doing because you are definitely loved brother!!!!! Yours truly, Michelle i'm going to be in and out of town all summer with soul asylum.. chances are that i won't be working too many mondays with them, so you'll probably catch me at bunker's.. michael b. | |
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ebonyrhythmbuddha said: myrtobelly said: Oh! I which I were at that after party...the original NPG is my favorite band too! How is Sonny by the way? See you Myrto sonny is great.. i see him most every monday night, since he plays with the combo. michael b. | |
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myrtobelly said: ebonyrhythmbuddha said: sonny is great.. i see him most every monday night, since he plays with the combo. michael b. | |
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