For many recording artists, the process of cranking up the writing machine to begin a new record can be a daunting task. But not for rising singer/songwriter Stacie Rose.

After her 2005 release of 'Shadow & Splendor' earned unanimous raves, the Jersey born Rose was ready to rock when her muse came calling again.

The end result, 'Shotgun Daisy' is a collection of songs with lush vocals, hook-laden melodies and engaging lyrics. It is clearly her most personal and direct recording yet. The title is a nickname given to Rose and refers to her all or nothing, mile a minute approach to life.

With a the stellar cast of musicians on 'Shotgun Daisy', it’s no wonder many have called her a musician’s musician!

The record includes performances by Gerry Leonard (David Bowie's music director), Jack Petruzelli, Shawn Pelton, Shawn Mullins, Steve Conte, Lucy Woodward, James Maestro (Ian Hunter & Patti Smith), David Patterson (Shawn Mullins and Indigo Girls). Jeff Allen, one of the producers, and bass player (Avril Lavigne and Duncan Sheik & currently touring with Rosanne Cash and Marc Cohn), Robert Smith, also a producer of the record (David Bowie and Rickie Lee Jones).

So Stacie Rose, Jersey girl — 'Shotgun Daisy' is back and better than ever. The irresistible melodies, the mile-wide hooks, the revealing lyrics, dark comedy mentality, and that all enveloping voice. They’re all in tact and they all add up to a self-portrait of an artist who’s truly come of age.

Thanks to Peter Holmstedt - Hemifran

We have had a great time this tuesday morning in Paris (France) shooting a video interview with the legendary Christopher Cross. In a cool atmosphere of a famous Hotel closed to Montmartre, Christopher has kindly answered to our questions.

Like you probably know, for the first time in 10 years, Christopher Cross has just released a new studio album "The Café Carlyle Sessions" (on Edel Records all over Europe). This LP is a Greatest Hits CD of 15 amazing songs of Christopher like "Never Be The Same", "Swept Away", "Arthur's Theme", "Ride Like The Wind", "Sailing"... In a jazzy and Soft mood with new arrangements. A strong and passionate LP for everybody who loves Soft Rock and Westcoast Music. The album is produced by Chris Walden in an acoustic vein. Don't miss it!

In this interview (in three parts), Christopher Cross talks about his new album, longtime partnerships, friends and about the project of a new studio album! Enjoy!

Thanks to Rob Meurer, Linda Callaway, Sandrine, Anja... and of course Mr Christopher Cross!

Part One:
Christopher Cross new album "The Café Carlyle Sessions" ; The acoustic arrangements on this new LP ; Jazz music

Part Two:
Christopher Cross Christmas album (2007) ; Come back of Michael Omartian ; Vocal influence style of Carl Wilson ; How did you met Michael McDonald and what is your best memory with Mike ;

Part Three:
The production of Alessi Brothers "Long Time Friends" album ; "A Chance For Heaven" song for the Olympic Games in L.A. (in 1984) ; Partnership with Rob Meurer ; Next studio album ; Words for the fans (especially fans in France).

Photo credits: Copyright: A. Leger.

"HITMAN, David Foster & Friends" CD/DVD will be released on November 11, 2008 by Warner Bros. The event was the star-studded David Foster & Friends concert held Frisday, May 23 at the Mandalay Bay Event Center. It was an almost fourhour musical extravaganza that featured tour de force performances from Foster's friends such as Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Katharine McPhee, Charice, Renee Olstead, Peter Cetera, Brian McKnight, Babyface and Boz Scaggs. The David Foster Official biography "Hitman: Forty tears Making Music, Topping the Charts and Winning Grammys" will be also released in November 2008. A 272 pages hardcover book that every David Foster fan should pre-order it!

2008 album from the British Pop/Dance/Jazz duo GoWest best known for the '80s hit "We Close Our Eyes" and their worldwide smash "King Of Wishful Thinking". We also remember their great cover of Bobby Caldwell's hit "What you won't do for love".
"Futurenow", their first studio album in 15 years, has been described as 'the best work of their already distinguished career'. 10 tracks including the single "Let Love Come"

Ready For Love is Phil Perry's third release for Shanachie. Phil scores a slam dunk. Produced by the master of the Urban ballad, Chris 'Big Doy' Davis (Will Downing, Maysa, Najee) and joined by special guest, smooth jazz superstar Kim Waters, Ready For Love is drenched in sensuous grooves and passionate melodies. Phil Perry needs no introduction: he is one of the most renowned crooners of R&B and Smooth Jazz love songs. Famous for his #1 R&B single, 'Call Me ' his lead vocals with Foreplay and the Benoit/Freeman project and his distinctive background vocals with the likes of Anita Baker, Barbra Streisant, Patti LaBelle, Quincy Jones and many others, Phil Perry is without equal.

According to some very basic laws of nature, when powerful forces come together, some form of energy is created - usually in large amounts. In music, the laws of interaction are no different. When keyboardist Bob James, bassist Nathan East, guitarist Larry Carlton and drummer Harvey Mason come together as Fourplay, the result is Energy.

Energy grafts a variety of sounds - R&B, pop, African and more - to Fourplay's unwavering jazz foundations. In addition to vocals by East - a charter member since the band's inception in 1990 - the album also features a vocal track by Esperanza Spalding, the upright bassist, composer and vocalist.

We have just had received a very sad piece of news today. John Simms passed away in September. This artist has evolved in the AOR, MOR, Westcoast Music and R&B vein since the Seventies with his brother Arthur Simms. In The Seventies, John Simms was a member of The Softones. Born in Baltimore (U.S.A.), John Simms was a real talented artist. His father was a Gospel singer with the Spiritual Chords in The 30s and 40s.

When he was 20 y.o., John Simms came to Paris (France) with his brother Arthur Simms (singer, piano player). Both were studio musicians in France for major artists. In 1980, they record an eponymous album on Casablanca Records "John and Arthur Simms" which became a Classic Westcoast Music album. With Alec R. Constandinos as a producer and Greg Mathieson as a producer, the Simms Brothers has written and composed all their material for this LP. In Dawnbreaker Studios from San Fernando Valley (California), they gathered great sessIon musicians like Paul Jackson Jr, Steve Gadd, Paulinho Da Costa, Greg Mathieson, Gary Herbig, Jerry Hey, Bill Reichenbach... and Stephanie Sprull, Maxime Willard, Julia Tillman and Gerald Garrett as backing vocalists.

From this legendary LP, we love The great song "Not Gonna Let You Slip Away" and "I'm Gonna Miss You". You can listen to these songs and others from John and Arthur Simms at their MySpace pages.

Back in the 80s, John and Arthur Simms have worked in smooth Jazz with Michel Jonasz ("La Boite de Jazz") and Pop french singing artists like Robert Charlebois, Eric Serra (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack song from Eric Besson "Subway" with the song "It's only mystery!" sung by Arthur Simms), Catherine Lara... And other artists like Yves Simon, Jacques Dutronc et Chagrin d'Amour! During the 80s, John and Arthur Simms did actors and sang in several french films. Arthur Simms passed away in 1987.

At this time and during the nineties, John Simms was backing musician and vocalist here in France.

John's wife Brenda Jackson (a.ka. Danielle Rogé) passed away in 2002.

In 2007, John Simms did a great come back with a marvellous Soft Rock and Pop new album called "My Acoustic Soul" and did concerts with his own band in France and in Europe.

We have seen him several times in concert in Paris last year... Him and his acoustic guitar and an incredible nice presence and artist. We remember his powerful versions of hits from Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Marc Cohn, Elton John...

You can see his live videos on YouTube, listen to his most recent material at his official MySpace page (where it's possible to leave comments) and click on his site Web.

John was definitely a great and friendly guy.

RIP John Simms.

Picture 1 : John Simms in concert in Paris in August 2007.
Copyright: J.-L. Raymond.