Duke Ellington Blvd. (Pre-Production)
Ecuador, Columbia, and Brazil, Harlem's eye, glarin' not to far away. Livin' in this mixed up neighborhood, is something you can bet I'll never forget, on "Duke, Duke Ellington Boulevard." On DUKE, DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
Performer/Songwriter
Hey everybody! I'm Jerry Flattum, Performer/Songwriter.
The recordings you are listening to are in Pre-Production, a fancier way of saying "demo." I'm currently working on getting up the financing to re-record and master several recordings in preparation for commercial release.
Nothing drives me nuts more than knowing how these tunes will sound with new arrangements and a top notch mix/master. There's alot of color missing from the current recordings, but most of all guitar and backup vocals. Live drums and new keyboard samples will really bring the arrangement to life too.
Two of the songs feature "hired guns" (session players). Tim Thompson did the guitar and mix on "My Little Girl," a Country/Rock ballad. Thompson is a finger style champion and when he let's loose on uptempo rockers he rivals the best pickers I've ever heard.
Stephen Sea knocked out his own arrangement of "Best Place Around" and topped it off with some amazing guitar work.
Virtual instruments and sampling technology will be heavily used in the new recordings.
Once the recordings are finished, with sufficient financing and backing, I'm planning a global tour with a stage show that includes dancers, acting, stage design, lighting and costuming.
Story behind the song
As a musician, I couldn't help but feel something special living in the same neighborhood that the legendary Duke Ellington grew up in. I lived on the corner of 106th St. and Amsterdam Ave.--106th St. was also known as Duke Ellington Blvd. Amidst the poverty and crime, there was always music on those streets, not to mention I fell in love in that neighborhood.
The recording is in pre-production, being re-arranged and mastered in preparation for commercial release.
Lyrics
DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
Cat in heat, pourin' out her cries for love,
a dog's bark, echoing in the courtyard.
You can hear the streets in the distance,
gettin' ready for a Saturday night.
"P.R." girls, walkin' in tight flower pants,
Broncos blastin', speakers fill the backseats.
Shadows dance from all the people,
lit by bodegas and traffic lights.
On DUKE, DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
On DUKE, DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
College crowd, hangin' out in the "Night Cafe,"
Marvin Gaye, blarin' from the jukebox.
'Cross the street, "The Cathedral Cafe,"
jazz band cookin' in it's 2nd set.
Ecuador, Columbia, and Brazil,
Harlem's eye, glarin' not to far away.
Livin' in this mixed up neighborhood,
is something you can bet I'll never forget.
On DUKE, DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
On DUKE, DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
We were dancing, on the rooftop, lit by moonlight.
I fell in love with her, on a night like tonite,
I fell in love with her, on a night like tonite.
INSTRUMENTAL
Low-life's and thieves, hangin' 'round a conga jam,
pit bulls chained: screamin' all through the schoolyard.
"P.R." boys, smokin' that "Cheeba,"
burnt-out stolen cars lie stripped on the side.
Old man Jew, takes a look out at the street,
seen it all, goes back to watchin' TV.
Cops cruise, lookin' for some action,
but tonite it's gonna be all right.
On DUKE, DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
On DUKE, DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
DUKE ELLINGTON BLVD.
Copr. 2010 Jerry Flattum
Comments
The artist currently doesn't allow comments.
