by Gary Gregg | Aug 2, 2013 | News, Uncategorized
Needless to say I was happy Charlie wanted to have a few Benny Goodman tunes added to the Chaise Lounge “book.” Pete helped in this request by calling either “Seven Come Eleven” or “Wholly Cats” if CL had to play a jump-tune “head” arrangement. The clean lines of BG’s playing both melodies and solos always floated over the chord changes in a natural way but still “swang” like crazy. And, most listeners can hear the BG swing style even when being played by others. I also had the pleasure of working with the late, great rhythm guitarist Steve Jordan. Steve worked with Benny and had many great stories about BG that wound up in Steve’s book, Rhythm Man. Steve said that, when on the road and after a performance, BG would practice late into the night while the rest of his band had anything but practice on their minds. Thanks, Charlie and Pete, for allowing me to perform some of BG’s more familiar tunes with CL.
—Gary
by Charlie Barnett | Jul 31, 2013 | News
This week we had a rehearsal coupled with a band barbeque. After many beers and some rather haphazard grilling practices, we got to the business of playing music. One of the new charts we tried is a Henry Mancini instrumental from the Peter Gunn series called “The Brothers Go to Mothers.” Only Tommy could have found us this unknown gem. Gary brought in a few Benny Goodman charts. I finally learned the bass/piano lick that goes under the melody of “Seven Comes Eleven.” Gary is a true master when it comes to the Benny Goodman “small group” classics. And finally we grooved on Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel.” I was struck by how good a songwriter MJ was. I credit The Sweater Set here. I heard Sara Curtin sing this at a party for the Strathmore Artist in Residence program and was knocked out by what a cool cover it makes. Once you take all the Quincy Jones production and indelible high-voiced squeals out of the MJ recording, you are left with a really nice, strong song. I think that with this arrangement, we made it ours. (OK—it will always be his.)
—Charlie
by Charlie Barnett | Jul 26, 2013 | News
Two years ago, Chaise Lounge’s multi-talented drummer, Tommy Barrick, made a weird and beautiful video of our song “Slow Burn” using film clips of its subject, the early 20th century film comic Edgar Kennedy. Kennedy is best remembered these days for his role as a lemonade vendor in the Marx Brothers film Duck Soup, but in his heyday he was known for a signature move: dragging his hand slowly down his face in exasperation…a/k/a the slow burn. Recently, a group of Edgar Kennedy enthusiasts found this video on YouTube, contacted us, and all of a sudden we are the video poster children for The Edgar Kennedy Restoration Project. They are launching a Kickstarter campaign in August to restore Kennedy’s films, using a video of our song as part of their pitch. We’ll keep you posted on its progress!
by Charlie Barnett | Jul 19, 2013 | News
We needed some new publicity stills to go along with our new album, and we were psyched when photographer Chester Simpson said he wanted to take them. A prolific contributor to Rolling Stone and onetime student of legendary rock-and-roll photographer Jim Marshall, Chester has taken portraits of most of the biggest names in pop music of the last 30 years.
Chester introduced us to The Old Town Theater in Alexandria VA. It is a beautiful old venue that has recently reopened for concerts. While we were there, we got to talking to the management and, badda bing badda boom, we’re playing a series of concerts there! The shows will be on the first Tuesdays of the month, starting in September, and will feature opening acts from the ranks of the Strathmore Music Center’s Artist in Residence program. It will be an exciting collaboration–and a way to introduce you to some terrific new artists we love.
by Charlie Barnett | Jul 12, 2013 | News
Our new album, Dot Dot Dot, is here! We’re having a CD release party on August 22 at The Hamilton in Washington DC…but if you just can’t wait til then, you can buy the album as a CD or digital download at our online store. (We’ll have vinyl LPs for sale at the party, along with CDs, but they are still at the pressing plant.) The disc includes all of our most requested new songs, including “The Coolest Car” and Gary’s smoking hot sax solo, “My Losing Streak.” The album packaging–including our first-ever lyric sheet–was created by local graphic designer Adriana Cordero.
by Charlie Barnett | Jun 10, 2013 | News
We have a rehearsal tonight. There are two new songs on the docket. One is from Marilyn. It is called “The Next Time I Turn 29.” We are bringing on our best Mardi Gras style playing for this song. The other is a new song from me called “Mambo Noir.” I’ve been inspired by a collection of Serge Gainsborough called Couleur Café circa 1971. I am anxious to hear this. We also have to pick out the best photos from our recent photo shoot with Chester Simpson. We have more fun than most.
—Charlie
by Charlie Barnett | Apr 24, 2013 | News, Press, Uncategorized
Had a great rehearsal in preparation for the “Marquee” tour of Maryland. One of the most fun parts of it was getting a handle on Marilyn’s new song. You heard that right, my friends! Mo has a new tune for you. We will be springing that one on you in the summer. Can’t wait to play in Baltimore tomorrow night at the Patterson and at Bethesda’s new club, Bethesda Blues and Jazz on Saturday night.
by Charlie Barnett | Apr 19, 2013 | News
Dot Dot Dot is on its way! We expect the CD to be ready by June. In the meantime, we’ve posted the title track online for your listening pleasure. Click over to ReverbNation to stream the song. And stay tuned for details of our record release event!
by Charlie Barnett | Apr 10, 2013 | News, Press
Looking forward to a really cool gig at the Newseum tomorrow night. We are playing for the opening of the new Kennedy exhibit. And from what I’ve been told a whole slew of Kennedys will be there! Can’t wait.
by Charlie Barnett | Mar 31, 2013 | News
If anyone ever says to you “Let’s go to Berryville Virginia to see a show at the Barns of Rose Hill…Go! What a beautiful venue.
The sound is great, the audience is appreciative, the management has really good taste in their programing, and they treat the band like family. We had a great night last night.
Thanks to Cheryl, Greg, Boo, Keifer and a special shout-out to Amber, who made the spaghetti dinner for us
