The Plant Studios Records is proud to announce our latest release by artist Franki Jupiter, "Piece of Me" available on all major outlets, distributed by A-Train entertainment.

First Round Online Voting is now open for Recording Academy members.

Tim Weed's album, "Light and Dark," features his original 5-string banjo compositions recorded with the 83-piece Prague Metropolitan Orchestra.

The work has been submitted for GRAMMY nomination in these

7 Grammy Award categories:

- American Roots Performance: Morro Glenn

- Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella: Morro Glenn

- Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella: Colloquium: Dark & Light

- Classical Instrumental Solo

- Contemporary Classical Composition

- Engineered Album, Classical

- Producer Of The Year, Classical

States Tim, "From the first time 'classical' music began emerging from my banjo, I had heard the parallel orchestral accompaniment in my head. Those imaginings became a reality when I had the opportunity to record my compositions with the 83-piece Prague Metropolitan Orchestra at SONOS Records in the Czech Republic!

My heartfelt thanks to all who have contributed to make this dream come true."

New Album!

LIGHT & DARK

Original classical compositions for 5-string banjo and orchestra recorded with the 82-piece Prague Metropolitan Orchestra.

AVAILABLE NOW exclusively on Tim Weed's Bandcamp website until September 25th, when Light and Dark will be available on CD, all major Digital Download and Streaming platforms, and audiophile-quality 180 gram vinyl LP’s.

Arne recorded this updated version of "Indivisible" live from our home studio. Pat Duffey (of Livin' Like Kings, and many more bands) on guitar, Mari Mack (Tamburo) on vocals. Arne Frager engineering, with special moral support and spontaneous magical assistance by Billie Jane Duffey released January 31, 2020

Pat Duffey, guitar | Mari Mack Tamburo, vocals | Arne Frager, engineer | Billie Jane Duffey, spontaneous magical encouragement available for download from Bandcamp: Indivisible 2020 by Mari Mack

The Plant Studios is happy to announce that Arne Frager is now accepting mix projects at his West Marin studio. Call us at 408-SONGS-AR (408-766-4727) to discuss your project's needs.Click here to go to Arne's list of credits on All Music.

The Plant Studios' Artsboretum Music Fund project is to protect, preserve and recreate our collective music legacy. If you love music, if you believe in the power of music to change lives and heal the world, we welcome you to join this effort. To donate, go to : https://www.gofundme.com/musicarts

CLICK HERE to access Kickstarter campaign This is an opportunity to bring a piece of music history into your creative space. It will make a great gift for your favorite audiophile, recording engineer, producer and/or music fan! This sign used to serve as a warning "Recording : Do Not Enter" above the door to Studio A Live Room in the legendary "Plant" in Sausalito. From the early 70's to early 2008, many celebrated and successful music artists walked under this decorated light panel image into the live room of Studio A. Artists as diverse as Kronos Quartet, Rick James, Sly and the Family Stone, Dave Matthews Band and Metallica walked these hallowed halls, where they absorbed the legendary "vibe" that inspired the soundtrack of our lives. This historic sign is one of the few items rescued from The Plant Studios when the business was forced out of the 2200 Bridgeway space in Spring of 2008. Although ten years have passed, we still hold on to the dream of returning to the space and restoring the studios, so future generations can make some music history of their own. Until that day comes, we are thrilled to share this legendary "vibe" sign with the hope that it will inspire musicians all over the world to create some great music... -- Arne and Mari

Latest release from The Plant Studios! Livin' Like Kings : Rough Tracks is just that - a series of rough tracks plus outtakes from "Can't Go Back" We are in full 'indie mode" still making music! Thanks for any and all support!

Now booking September 2016

1-408-SONGS AR (1-408-766-4727)

PHILOSOPHY AND APPROACH TO RECORDING TODAY'S MUSIC

• Goal: Produce great new music that achieves the artist vision

• We work primarily with singer/songwriters and self contained bands that contain singer/songwriters;

• We record “basic tracks” with real musicians playing live in studio

• Our focus is on great songs, powerful (or subtle) arrangements, and creating a vibe and comfort zone in the recording studio that enables great performances

• Preproduction meetings to consider songs, arrangements, tempos, keys, which musicians, etc

• As recording engineer on over 500 albums I get the hit sounds that make your record stand out

• We record “basic music tracks” in one of the Bay Area’s premier studios.

Overdubs / Mixing usually completed in a private studio in Mill Valley.

Our recording medium: PROTOOLS HD3

• The requirements are simple:

To give the best to your recording, we need to have

1. Strong Songs

2. A good rapport between the artist (s)/ producer

3. Session business completed prior to sessions

Experience :

Owner/Chief Engineer of The Plant Studios 1988-2008

Hollywood Central Studios (LA) 1984-1986

Mars Studio (Hollywood) 1982 - 1983

Spectrum Studios (Venice Beach) 1973-1982

As Recording Engineer/Producer: I have recorded for many major artists and independent artists in the genres Rock, Pop, R&B, Country, and Jazz and have had many #1 and “top ten” hit records and Grammy Award winning albums. My past clients include:

Prince (Parade, Sign Of the Times, Batman, Graffiti Bridge, Crystal Ball, Rave Un 2 the Joy Fantastic.....)

Santana (Milagro, Santana Brothers, Spirits Dancing in the Flesh)

Rockwell/Michael Jackson (Somebody’s Watchin' Me; Rockwell Album)

Beyonce (Girlstyme Album) (discovered, signed and produced her first album)

Paul McCartney (Flowers In The Dirt)

Starship (Love Amongst the Cannibals; produced two cuts)

Dolly Parton (Best Lil Whorehouse In Texas, Great Balls of Fire)

John Lee Hooker (Chill Out, Mr. Lucky)

Now booking September 2016

1-408-SONGS AR (1-408-766-4727)

June 7, 1958 - April 21, 2016

As many of you know, Prince recorded his first album at 2200 Bridgeway in Sausalito, while it was The Record Plant. Arne recalls fond memories of working with Clare Fischer on many of his works, starting in 1982, before taking ownership of The Plant.

"He was the Mozart of our time," states Arne, "Truly a gifted entertainer, musician, songwriter and singer. I've never seen anyone else with that much talent."

We join the world in mourning this incalculable loss while we celebrate the gifts he gave us.

The Frager Family

In addition to producing independent artists, Arne Frager has gone back to bass - you can catch him at a local gig with his band, Mari Mack & Livin' Like Kings

Many exciting projects are in the works for the Plant Studios family and the Artsboretum project! Join us on Tuesday, 1/11/11 for a beginning of the year appreciation party for Artsboretum members and their friends! In light of these challenging economic times, we are keeping this event to the very affordable $5 and a one drink minimum, same as the usual Tuesday/Bluesday gatherings! Please bring a snack to share! In keeping with our mission to use music as a vehicle for change, bar proceeds support The Belrose non-profit performing arts scholarships.
Location: Belrose Theatre, 1415 5th Avenue, San Rafael, CA
7:00 - 10:00 pm
Music by Mari Mack & Livin' Like Kings, plus surprise guests

Many exciting projects are in the works for the Plant Studios family and the Artsboretum project! Join us on Tuesday, 1/11/11 for a beginning of the year appreciation party for Artsboretum members and their friends! In light of these challenging economic times, we are keeping this event to the very affordable $5 and a one drink minimum, same as the usual Tuesday/Bluesday gatherings! Please bring a snack to share! In keeping with our mission to use music as a vehicle for change, bar proceeds support The Belrose non-profit performing arts scholarships.
Location: Belrose Theatre, 1415 5th Avenue, San Rafael, CA
7:00 - 10:00 pm
Music by Mari Mack & Livin' Like Kings, plus surprise guests

The Belrose, 1415 5th Ave, San Rafael, Weekly on Tuesdays 8:00pm–10:00pm Join us as we transform the Belrose into the BLUEROSE ROADHOUSE with "Some Kinda Blues" every Tuesday night! Subscribe to the Livin' Like Kings Royal Blues News for advance news and free admission discount codes! Each week, Margie Belrose serves up a hot pot of chili and crackers, and you can also purchase beer & wine. Proceeds from each week's show benefit local non-profit arts programs. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ASAP so you can LEARN THE DANCE Before Thrill Day !

Mari Mack will donate 50% of her proceeds of this album to The Plant Studios Artsboretum Project - to listen or download, please CLICK THIS LINK

Thanks to everyone who is supporting the preservation effort through the Artsboretum project.

Take a listen to this great recording - and if you buy it from our link below, a portion of your purchase will help to support the Artsboretum project! Elvin Bishop concert at Record Plant, Sausalito on 26 Mar 75
Slide guitar genius Elvin Bishop learned from local guitarist Smokey Smothers while a blues-crazy student at the University of Chicago in the early 1960s. Bishop was a member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band prior to his solo efforts as the Elvin Bishop Group. After the breakup of the Butterfield band, Oklahoma native Bishop headed west to San Francisco where he became a regular at Fillmore West jam sessions and performed with B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and a handful of others. During his career, Bishop recorded several hits with Capricorn Records including "Travelin' Shoes" and "Fooled Around and Fell in Love."

Join us! The Artsboretum project is a plan that preserves and protects the legacy of a very historic building with programs that support provide jobs for our creative community. Help us cultivate the arts to plant seeds of change - CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE or to learn more, please visit the ARTSBORETUM WEBSITE

Please join us for the second in a series of FUNdraisers for the Artsboretum project !
Mari Mack & Joe Lococo,
with Arne Frager and some special guests. 6-9 pm
Please call for reservations: 415-381-1070
No cover charge -
Donations for the non-profit Artsboretum project gratefully accepted Raffle
Special SECOND CHANCE RAFFLE for our friends who entered on 2/8
Regular menu plus OPTIONAL Valentines Menu:
$35 per person
Shared Starter Guacamole
Choice of Appetizer:
Mixed Field Lettuce Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette or
Crab and Shrimp Cocktail Vera Cruz
Choice of Entree:
Pumpkin Seed Crusted Mahi Mahi
Braised Short Ribs
Chile Relleno Con Carnitas
Shared Dessert :
Homemade Churros with Whipped Cream with Hot Mexican Chocolate and Fresh Berries

Join us on February 8th - RESERVATIONS: 415-381-1070 - many talented bay area artists will be on board to raise awareness about our efforts to preserve the building and build the Artsboretum CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION If you won't be in the Bay Area - LIVE Venu is sponsoring the live webcast - you never know who is going to show up!

Congratulations to the Fray, for their two Grammy award nominations: Best Pop Vocal Album for "The Fray" and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, for "Never Say Never" recorded at The Plant in early 2008.

If you believe in music and melody, and the power of music to heal the world - please support the effort to preserve The Plant's rich music legacy and bring the vibe back to Sausalito. Support the Artsboretum projectz!

Here's a blast from the past and a hope for the future! This photo shows Arne Frager with Michael Jackson in 1983, at a session for Rockwell's "Somebody's Watchin' Me" - which reached #1 on the Billboard charts (actually beating out Thriller!)

Join us in FUN and FUNdraising as we join the World Record Attempt for simultaneous dance with THRILL the WORLD - for more information, please - click HERE to subscribe to our Thrill the World event blog

Today we honor a great man, an inventor, musician. Thank you, Les.

Another #1 album recorded at The Plant. The Fray said "we could have gone to any studio, but we chose The Plant for Mari's chili" - just ask them.

Support the preservation effort - help preserve The Plant's legacy and stimulate our independent artist community - bring "The Vibe" back to Sausalito! Join the Artsboretum -CLICK HERE for MORE INFO

We need to raise $50,000 by the end of July in order to take a significant step in preserving this building from development. Please support the Artsboretum project by joining today! for more information on the Artsboretum project, please visit: ARTSBORETUM's WEBSITE

Since Fleetwood Mac is on tour, thought we would spotlight this album for old times' sake. Check out the Artsboretum project.

It is with great sadness that we say farewell to our beloved friend, Jack Crymes, who was a man of many talents, a true wizard of electronics and a very kind soul. Rest in Peace, dear Jack. You will be missed by many.

Saturday May 2nd - 2-5 - Acoustic Open Mic at BASS in San Rafael 85 Mitchell Blvd - JOIN us as we begin the transformation/creation of an iconic representation of "a vehicle for change" - in the form of a music themed kids art car. Bring a bauble or small toy, or even an old guitar pick, old strings - it just might end up on the car!
Admission is free - donations are optional and much appreciated!
Saturday, May 2nd - 7-11 - Music gets kicked up a few notches in Studio 1 at BASS - with the Sunnbolt FNJ that's switched to Saturday just this once! We'll be selling drinks at the bar to raise funds for the Artsboretum - for more info what Artsboretum is all about, please check out http://www.artsboretum.org

Saturday, May 9th - 7am - 11am - we know it's a bit early for you music types, but just in case you are up early, or really really late - this is one race you don't want to miss! 15 bands all along the race route - $2 pancake breakfast, Community Fair, DAVE from Marin Local Music will be running to represent our Local Music Community - so donate to the cause in his honor!
Saturday, May 9th - This year, Marin Arts Council is welcoming Artsboretum into the fold and adding a little music and dance to the May Open Studios - After the Human Race, we'll be heading on down to the Marin Open Studios Gallery in the Middle of May Madness - to continue to work on our mini art car - as we check out the cool rides - along with musical accompaniment and dancing!
Some real life size art cars will be parked outside, as it is May Madness in downtown San Rafael - live music down the street, etc. time - all afternoon - come on down !
That's it for now - see you next week!

On Friday, the first day of spring, a package arrived for The Plant. It was a brand new platinum record, "REVELATION" from Journey, a double album which was recorded in late 2007. How very interesting that this particular platinum record would arrive a few short weeks after we discovered that all The Plant's past gold and platinum records had been so rudely and unjustly taken off the walls of 2200 Bridgeway. The next day, a small group of family and friends helped us with the daunting task of removing what remains of The Plant's property from 2200 Bridgeway - it felt like spring cleaning on steroids. Lots of emotion and bittersweet memories and it was a lot more difficult that we thought it would be. I was in the A Lounge, packing up kitchen items that had been used by just about every famous musician that had ever been through the place, still holding onto the hope that someday we would be able to put it all back. As I walked into the front lobby, I noticed Arne standing with a man I did not know. Placing a box with the others in the staging area for the truck, I listened as he shared stories of the music that was made there, and realized, that amidst all the chaos on what had to be one of the saddest days he had ever spent in that space, my husband was taking the time to give a stranger who just wandered in the door, a tour. I found that moment extremely ironic, for many reasons that are too complex to explain in this posting - and I then remembered that with every ending, comes a new beginning, and why "spring" is called "spring" - at that moment - I guess you could say I had a "revelation" - Definition of spring, from Wikipedia - "In spring, the axis of the Earth is tilted toward the Sun and the length of daylight rapidly increases for the relevant hemisphere. The hemisphere begins to warm significantly causing new plant growth to "spring forth," giving the season its name."

We miss your love and laughter - thank goodness we still have your music.

Purchases from THIS LINK to our Amazon store will ensure that a portion of your sale goes to fund our non-profit -

How would you like a Tax deduction that rocks? Join or donate to the Artsboretum BEFORE December 31, 2008 - for more information and details on membership, please VISIT THIS LINK

If there ever was a reason as to why and how the Artsboretum music arts incubator is capable of contributing value to our community, it is Garaj Mahal's album, WOOT. Excellent musicianship, captured live in the studio, with the artist then taking it home to add those touches that only the artist can add. BUY IT through our Amazon Store, and a portion of the sale will help fund this music incubator program.

NOW is the time to act to preserve a cultural icon - support the ARTSBORETUM project - the music arts incubator based at the former location of The Plant Studios. We are no longer operating at the Sausalito location, and only have a limited amount of time to preserve the building.
Our goal is to bring The Plant Studios back, greener than ever as part of the ARTSBORETUM project - a new non-profit model of the music industry that is fair to the artists and cultivates a more diverse crop of music for the listener.
The CAPITAL CAMPAIGN is ongoing from now until the end of this year, and all donations are tax deductible. For more information on the plan, please visit this link about the ARTSBORETUM - Our vision is all about preserving a cultural icon and cultivating independent music makers by creating a community space that intersects music, art and sustainability. We believe that music is a a vehicle for change. We also believe in cultivating the true creative vision of artists, in music with melody and musicianship, in art that speaks, in respecting our planet. We aim to encourage the convergence of art and technology, of music and technology, especially when that technology has the potential to reduce the impact that humans have on this planet. We believe in nurturing the creative spirit and engaging audiences in that creativity.
Thank you for your support of our music arts community's past and future legacy.

Thanks for exercising your right to vote. The real winners are our country and the world. Check out this video for some inspiration and an example of a beautiful song with melody. A fine example of music as a vehicle for change.

If you don't vote, you have no right to complain.

Congratulations to Thriving Ivory and producer Chris Manning, on the success of the band's self titled release. Their video for their single "Angels On the Moon" is currently enjoying regular rotation on VH1. Please visit their website, and vote for them for Yahoo Music's "Who's Next?"
Says drummer, Paul Neidermeier, after he signed our online petition, "...we're so happy that we got to be part of the legacy. The Plant is one of the last honest, classic studios around. Would hate to see it go. The world needs more places like The Plant Studios!..."
In addition to being happy that the band is enjoying some much deserved success, we are all especially proud of Chris Manning, who started his engineering career at The Plant, spending many hours as assistant engineer to Arne Frager. Says Chris of his experience at The Plant, "Arne...taught me much of what I know today." Manning's thoughts on the studio's current situation as stated after HE also signed the petition, "I live in Marin and The Plant is how I got my career start in the mid 90's. The Plant and the incredibly talented people who walk through its doors are really A National Treasure. It is the only place of its kind to learn how to make hit records.. Recording schools cant teach you this, only assisting the pro's in a world-class studio can. Please preserve this rich treasure that has given us so many hits, and memories..... music is the soundtrack to our lives. The Plant is where it starts."
If you would like to assist in our efforts to bring The Plant back to its Sausalito location, then please visit our non-profit website. And be sure to check out this really cool picture of thriving ivory...

LeRoi Moore was a very sweet guy and a wonderful musician. Rest in peace, LeRoi.

Please show your support for our efforts to restore and preserve the studio, so future generations, including all of Jerry's kids, can make some music history of their own.

Check out that giant foil ball in these PODCASTS ! We call that the METEOR of ROCK - and will be auctioning it to raise funds for our non-profit,A Vehicle for Change. This is just one item in our upcoming silent auction and fundraising event - date TBA. For updates,SUBSCRIBE TO OUR EMAIL LIST

Thank you for all the laughter and the music you shared with us during your time on this earth. Sax men will come and go, but there will NEVER be another Martin Fierro. We will miss you, dear friend.

Kronos Quartet and Wu Man perform Teddy Riley's Cusp of Magic - absolutely breathtaking! To purchase this beautiful piece of work (while sending a few cents to our non-profit, A Vehicle for Change,) please visit our Amazon Store!

Luciano Ligabue's "Primo Tempo" still holds the #1 spot on the Italian Charts. The album entered at Number One and never left - 2008 is off to a good start!

"You've got to just follow your heart and do your best work," he said. "For better or worse, I have followed my heart. There is no doubt in my mind or heart that everything I've done is exactly what I intended to do."

Get your very own copy of the Monophonics "Playin'& Simple" for underneath your Christmas Tree! Just call The Plant to order by credit card: Just 12.60 plus shipping.

from Producer Corrado Rustici: Dear Arne and Mari, yesterday something incredible and unprecedented - at least for me - happened. Luciano Ligabue is #1, Negramaro are #2 and Francesco Renga is #3 on the Nielsen airplay charts!! Needless to say, I'm very happy to be part of something that (for sure in italian history, but perhaps all over the world) has rarely happened, if ever :-) Thank you again for your contribution to this special achievement and...All the very best to you... always, Corrado.
Our response: "The pleasure is ours, Corrado. Thank you for your long term support, and for allowing us to be a part of this special moment." For more information on this talented producer/artist, visit Corrado Rustici.com.

Producer Corrado Rustici is on a roll - an Italian roll! Luciano Ligabue's first single "Niente paura" has entered the radio charts at #1, followed by Negramaro's second single "L'immenso" at #2. Francesco Renga's second single is still in the top ten album charts in Italy: #5 this week, which means that The Plant studios continues to dominate the Italian pop charts.

Buy this album at our iTunes store to support our non-profit programs!
Renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli has sent chills up most everyone's spine with his passionate love songs and operatic performances. The Tuscan-born "Fourth Tenor" has performed for Pope John Paul II, and he's collaborated with artists such as Luciano Pavarotti, Sarah Brightman, Céline Dion, and Eros Ramazzotti. His new collection, The Best of Andrea Bocelli - Vivere, includes such favorites as "Besame Mucho," "Time to Say Goodbye" with Sarah Brightman, and "The Prayer" with Céline Dion.

Congratulations to one of our favorite people, who happens to be guitar legend Joe Satriani, on the 20th anniversary of his Surfing With the Alien. A nod also goes out to our resident chief mastering engineer, John Cuniberti, who was a producer and engineer on the original recording, and mastered this new legacy release.

Negramaro is enjoying a lengthy stay at Number One on the Italian rock and pop charts, with their newest release, la finestra.Congratulazioni to the band, producer Corrado Rustici, Engineers Dave Frazer and Mike Boden.

Yes - not only did you hear Journey's "Dont Stop Believin" - that WAS the Noisettes you heard on the final episode of the Sopranos!!!! It's hard to begin to describe this band, except to say that The Noisettes ROCK! It's really great to hear a band that rocks this hard, that is so diverse and interesting with singer who can actually SING her heart out. It's like Chrissie Hynde meets Led Zeppelin, with a dose of Gwen Stefani thrown in for a modern twist - go out and get it -What's the Time, Mr. Wolf? NOW! BTW, portions of this amazing work were tracked in Studio B, the tracking room with the satin and psychedelic puffy clouds on the walls and ceiling...Robert Gatley assisted in the engineering duties.

Congratulations to Charlie Musselwhite, who took home FOUR Blues Music Awards (formerly known as the W.C. Handy Awards,) for his Delta Hardware album, recorded in our very own mystical, magical Studio B. While we are at it, congratulations to producer Chris Goldsmith, and our staff engineer Robert Gatley, who also contributed to this fine work! Song of the year: "Church is Out," Charlie Musselwhite Traditional blues album of the year: Delta Hardware, Charlie Musselwhite Album of the year: Delta Hardware, Charlie Musselwhite Instrumentalist, harmonica: Charlie Musselwhite

Ten-time Grammy winner Linda Ronstadt and Cajun performer Ann Savoy are nominated for their collaborative recording, Adieu False Heart in the "Best Traditional Folk Album" category. The Plant staff is very proud to have played a part in this fine recording.

It was big fun having Michael Franti in Studio B, tracking Spearhead live, aided by the engineering expertise of Arne Frager and Robert Gatley.

From Amazon.com: One thing you know you'll get from Franti and Spearhead is a certain kind of crystal clarity--on the production, musicianship, and, of course, in the righteous political message. Released two years after Franti traveled by himself to war-ravaged Baghdad, Gaza Strip, and the West Bank, each of these songs deals with the human cost of war poignantly and pointedly. The lyrics may seem simplistic when removed from the songs--"Those who start wars never fight them/And those who fight wars never like them" and "The F15 is a homicide bomber"--but very few artists have the honesty and balls that Franti does. Bless him for that. Spearhead might lose credibility with some by tying Peter Tosh's chant to "legalize it" to their call for revolution, but those folks are not in the target demographic, anyway. Those who are will thoroughly dig this. From the jam band accents of "Time to Go Home" to the reggae of "Light Up Ya Lighter" to the U2-ish ballad "I Know I'm Not Alone," it's easily Franti's best album yet. --Mike McGonigal

To say that we were thrilled to have this project grace these hallowed halls would be an understatement.

Mr. Paczosa, thanks again for the opportunity to be a part of such a fine project. Robert Gatley assisted.

This teaming of Linda Ronstadt and Cajun folk traditionalist Ann Savoy, billing themselves as the Zozo Sisters, shows how wide is the musical range of bittersweetness. The harmonies and shared lead vocals offer a complementary contrast between Ronstadt's purity of tone and Savoy's more piquant expressiveness. The arrangements turn folk songs into art songs, drawing as much upon chamber strings as Cajun fiddle and accordion. There's an exquisite beauty to the vocals, but the real surprise is how well the album holds together, given a range of material that extends from Cajun songs in French patois to stellar material from Julie Miller ("I Can't Get Over You," with husband Buddy Miller on guitar) and Richard Thompson ("King of Bohemia," "Burns' Supper") to a disarming revival of the Left Banke's 1960s hit "Walk Away Renee." Among other highlights, "Go Away from My Window" provides a showcase for the upper register of Ronstadt's soprano, and Savoy's lead vocals on Bill Monroe's "The One I Love Is Gone" bring out the blues in bluegrass. --Don McLeese

We were very honored that the legendary Charlie Musselwhite and his producer Chris Goldsmith chose Studio B to record his latest endeavor, "Delta Hardware." Robert Gatley assisted.

We have heard the record, and are sure that Charlie has another winner on his hands. The work features Charlie Musselwhite on vocals, harmonica, and even electric guitar on one tune: "Town To Town." Chris "Kid" Andersen handles the remainder of the guitar work, with Randy Bermudes on bass and June Core on drums.

From Charlie's website.

Shot through with attitude, the songs on DELTA HARDWARE feel rough-hewn and tough, just as they should for a guy "born in Mississippi [and] raised up in Tennessee." Charlie cuts loose a good time in Clarksdale, pipes up for the downtrodden, and gives a lover the ol' heave-ho. This is raw, passionate music from a howlin' blues legend who's still invigorated by a youthful spirit.

It's Charlie's mix of wild country abandon seasoned by years of playing urban electric blues in Chicago that spurs the likes of Ben Harper, Tom Waits and Gov't Mule to welcome Musselwhite onto their stages and records. That same brash, blues/rock rebel vibe was Dan Akroyd's inspiration for his Elwood Blues persona, and it's what has won Musselwhite a pile of blues awards and earned the admiration and respect of his own heroes: Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters. John Lee was even the best man at Charlie's wedding.

Pulled, like the albums of R.L. Burnside and the North Mississippi Allstars, out of the storied Mississippi Delta and Hill Country, DELTA HARDWARE is a mixture of songs written over the past few years and ideas fleshed out in the studio, and includes a new twist on the longtime live staple, Clarksdale Boogie. True to the blues as an expression of a range of honest emotions and stories, DELTA HARDWARE ranges from upbeat jewels like the party track Church Is Out to more socially conscious songs like Black Water and The Invisible Ones. With the latter two tracks, inspired by the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, Charlie paints a stark, honest tribute to those suffering in and around New Orleans and in his home state: "Old black water lappin' at your back door/Hello America, better get ready for more/Trouble, trouble all around here/ just too tired to shed one tear/ Black Water/ It's a sign of our times."

"Things just seem to be falling apart," Musselwhite says. "And I think people are waking up to that. I think people are starting to see that there's something really rotten going on." Admittedly, the political arena is an odd and uncomfortable arena for him to step into. "I don't want to be offensive to anybody. I respect everybody and their opinion, and I hope they respect mine."

Backed by his touring band, Musselwhite, now based in Sonoma County, California, lends his guitar skills to one track on DELTA HARDWARE and otherwise just goes stompin, blowin' and shouting his way through the album's 10 tracks. The album walks the line between rock and electric country blues, sometimes playing it straight, sometimes taking new turns. On Clarksdale Boogie, he offers up a virtual mantra for his life behind his first-ever use of a drum and bass loop: "Meet me where they play good blues." The crowd noise in this track is sampled from a night at Red's juke joint in Clarksdale.

Over the years, Musselwhite has released dozens of albums and has contributed to countless others including guesting on Bonnie Raitt's Grammy® award-winning Longing In Their Hearts, The Blind Boys of Alabama's Grammy-winning SPIRIT OF THE CENTURY, Tom Waits' MULE VARIATIONS and even playing the driving harmonica on INXS' SUICIDE BLONDE. He was the longtime compadre and musical partner to his friend John Lee Hooker. His recent tour and recording sessions with Ben Harper have led to live and studio tracks featuring Charlie on the limited edition bonus disc of Ben's soon-to-be released BOTH SIDES OF THE GUN. Musical institutions have honored Musselwhite, too. With 18 W.C. Handy awards to his credit and 6 Grammy nominations, he is firmly entrenched in musical history. Musselwhite has also been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Monterey Blues Festival and the San Javier Jazz Festival in Spain and the Mississippi Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts. Perhaps most meaningful to him personally, in 1987, he conquered a long-running battle with alcoholism.

Musselwhite's version of the blues ventures far beyond conventional honky-tonk — though the Harley Davidsons lined up outside Musselwhite's gigs testify that Musselwhite has what it takes to rock the house. Musselwhite himself is simply interested in music with feeling — as he puts it, "music from the heart": "For me, it's about the feeling, and connecting with people. And blues, if it's real blues, is loaded with feeling. And it ain't about technique either, it's about truth, connecting to the truth and communicating with people."

That connection has been particularly strong with his fans from the start. "I've had Vietnam vets tell me that my music was important to them while they were in Vietnam. I've had people who've had problems with alcohol talk to me about quitting, and tell me that I inspired them to quit, I've had couples tell me that they met at one of my shows and got married years after."

With DELTA HARDWARE, Musselwhite says simply, "I'm keepin' it real. For the listener, I hope it's like a journey, I hope each tune takes 'em to another little place, and I hope at the end they're glad they went."

American Idol winner Carrie Underwood made history when her debut 19 Recordings/Arista Records album, Some Hearts, moved more than 314,000 units in its first week of release, making her the highest debuting new artist in the country genre since SoundScan began.

When the artist was here adding vocals for several tracks, our own Mike Boden assisted.

Underwood also earned the distinction of selling more units than any other debut female American Idol star to date. In addition, her album is the highest charting album for a debut artist in 2005.

NASHVILLE - Unlike the winners before her, current "American Idol" champ Carrie Underwood is gunning for success in not only the pop format, but the country arena too.

Thus, Arista Nashville, a division of RCA Label Group, is partnering with 19 Recordings and J Records in New York to promote Underwood's November 15 debut, "Some Hearts."

Underwood already has scored with "Inside Your Heaven," this year's best-selling retail single. The song -- which has sold 434,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan -- topped the Billboard Hot 100 in July because of its strong sales. Now she will try to earn fans on country radio.

"It's a dual approach," says RCA Label Group chairman Joe Galante, who says his Nashville office will handle country radio promotion for Underwood's single "Jesus, Take the Wheel," as well as other marketing and promotion efforts in the country community.

The J Records staff is handling the album's title track for top 40 and adult contemporary radio as well as taking the record to retail. "It's a split effort between the two of us," Galante says.

Underwood is depending on both labels to shepherd her efforts. "They know what they're doing," she says. "I'm a country singer, but because of my exposure on 'American Idol,' I might tend to cross over naturally."

In recording the album, the Checotah, Okla., native, who is buying a home in Nashville, says it was important to "keep things as country as possible."

"Everybody seems to have their arms wide open to me, so that's been great," says Underwood, who admits her first Nashville experience was not so positive. At 15, she was turned down by labels on Music Row.

Could the two-format push hurt Underwood in the long run, especially with possessive programmers who tend to want an artist to commit solely to their format?

"My experience is that country gets upset when you take a record to top 40 or AC before you take it to them or if you're working a record simultaneously," Galante says, "but we're not. We're working two separate records."

Arista/J Records executive VP and general manager Tom Corson believes the dual approach will pay off.

"Yes, it's been awhile since an artist has been able to straddle the country and pop formats, but this is an opportunity and a time for radio to serve their audiences, and we have the records," he says. "We see it as an opportunity to reach the broadest possible audience, because very few listeners are totally format-centric in any format. We think we can have a win-win."

"Jesus, Take the Wheel" is off to a great start on country radio, debuting at No. 39 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It is the first time a newcomer has debuted in the top 40 on that chart with a track from a debut album since Billboard adopted Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems' monitored airplay information as the basis for its radio charts in 1990. The song is No. 23 this week.

"I'm not preaching," Underwood says of the tune. "It's just a beautiful song I figured a lot of people could relate to whether they believe in God or not. Everybody has had a time in their life when they needed help with something."

Galante sees Underwood's "Idol" victory as a win for the country format in general. "There are a lot of people in New York and L.A. who don't recognize the power of the format," he says. "It certainly was evident the night she won."

Underwood is not the first contestant to take the power of "Idol" to country. Former Marine Josh Gracin placed fourth overall in the second season of "Idol" and subsequently signed with Lyric Street Records. His self-titled debut disc has been certified gold and has placed three top five singles on Hot Country Songs, including the No. 1 "Nothin' to Lose."

- REUTERS

American Idol Carrie Underwood's first album release hits the stores on November 15th. The rising star belted out a few tunes for the release in our Studio A, as the American Idol tour made its way through the Bay Area. Mike Boden assisted on the sessions.

Fans can now download a track from Walmart.com, using the codec developed at Liquid Audio, a company co-founded by our very own beloved audio pioneer Arne Frager...

NEW YORK, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Talk about detonating on impact. LOST AND FOUND, the new album from Epic recording artists MUDVAYNE, rocketed onto Billboard's Top 200 this week at No. 2, making it both the highest debut and highest charting album of the band's career. With sales of 152,000 units, the rock juggernaut almost doubled the first-week numbers of its previous release, 2002's The End of All Things To Come.

News of the album's explosive arrival follows a flurry of headline-making moves for Mudvayne, who recently scored the much-coveted third slot on the main stage of this summer's Ozzfest (going on just before headliners Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden) and garnered their first-ever #1hit at rock radio with lead single "Happy?"

Mudvayne (lead singer Chad Gray, guitarist Greg Tribbett, bassist Ryan Martinie and drummer Matt McDonough) are currently on a seven-week headlining tour that began March 29th. They'll follow with a tour of Europe before the launch of Ozzfest, which begins July 15th at the Tweeter Center in Boston.

Mudvayne's latest release, "Lost and Found" will hit the stores on April 12. Those who have heard selected tracks, can say that this latest release will not disappoint! You can download the latest single, "Determined" from the Apple Music Store...

Andrea Bocelli's newest release, "Andrea" was mixed in The Garden.

Sonia Dada released their latest soulful endeavor on June 22nd. The CD/DVD package can be ordered on their website: http://www.soniadada.com

The band is currently touring, go check out one of their amazing live shows!

The Von Bondies hit "C'mon C'mon" - recorded here in Studio A - is currently featured on MTV's "Advance Warning." The popular show brings you "artists on the verge, that you'll need to know about." Artists featured in the past Jason Mraz, A.F.I. and Young Gunz, just to name a few.

Von Bondies single, "C'mon C'mon" debuted at #21 in the UK and is rising! The album, "Pawn Shoppe Heart" was recorded here in Studio A in 2003, with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Harrison producing. Purchase at Apple iTunes music store or in stores on March 9th. Also, you can check them out on February 24th on the Carson Daly Show...

Recorded here at The Plant in 2003, this album has further propelled The Donnas into musical stardom.