Naked Soul

Naked Soul was an original band that I put together with the help of my beloved friend Bob Perlman, may he rest in peace. Please note that Bob was an awesome drummer and he also played with me in Electric Omlet (see next post). Well, Mr. Perlman hooked me up with a great person and awesome Sax player, Brian Smith. I like to mix jazz and blues so Brian was a perfect match!

I say “great person” because Brian worked or still works as an EMT  (Emergency Medical Technician for EMS).  The stories he would tell me were incredible!  He saved lives all the time.  And he saved mine too because we needed a Sax player!  We lost touch a while ago.  He would call me all the time on his break.

Scott Weisberg, “The Weapon”, as we called him is the Drummer and a Policeman. Now, since this photo, he has been promoted to Sergeant.   Awesome Powerful Drummer!  Good friend.  This and all the pictures you see here were taken on one of the sessions while we were working on the Album/CD.

Chris Quashie, “Dodge”.  as we called him is the Bass player.  We called him “Dodge” because it was like he was never around.  We knew he had a few girlfriends around the city.  No doubt about that!

I met him in an old Liquor Store on Gravesend Road in Brooklyn..  It was a stormy night…. figured I’d go in and get some shots to go.  He came out of the back of the store.  I asked him what he was doing.  He said “playing”.  I said “Playing what?”  He showed me his Bass and we wound up practicing in the store a few nights a week.  The old lady that lived above the store used to knock on the floor all the time.  Now she knocked harder!

Well there I am, with my shades on.  Aimee is the name of the guitar. She’s a fine lady with a big fat tone.  I was usually a back up singer like my Mom was, but I stepped it up a notch on this album.  The band wrote and recorded a few originals: Naked Soul; Man of Few Words; The Nightmare and What the Hell is Goin’ On, (with the exception of “The Nightmare”, which was recorded at Finalcut Studios, and written by Hear ‘n Now, all other songs on the “Naked Soul” album were recorded at Electric Plant Studios in Brooklyn, NY.  We also recorded a few cover tunes that we loved to play.  It was fun working with Vinnie the Audio Technician at Electric Plant.  He did a great job!  We practiced hard sometimes…..and sometimes we let loose!  Enjoy tracks from the CD!

Scott and I had a prerequisite band called “Hear ‘n Now”. Unfortunately Scott and the bass player used to fight all the time. I don’t mean arguing. I mean down and dirty cowboy shit. The movies glamorize the fight. In real life it is not so fun. So here are a few extra tracks that Scott and I wrote. Vinnie G was a great part of the band but he was quite juvenile. Let’s get real!

Thanks to Mr. Mike Ventimigglia for his appearance on “The Nightmare” (Keyboards) and my good friend Jason Tanzer, the Recording Technician at Finalcut Studios. You can find my good friend Jay at Norms Music on Staten Island, NY. He’s is the best!!