TCB: Six Months Later

Everyone knows the story...I made the decision to take a big step out of the local country music scene with the intention of only working in more intimate settings with my jazz trio Sonoran Sol while spending more time at home with my family while doing more non-musical things. It seemed to be the right thing to do at the time and I was looking forward to making some changes in my life.

That was until my my brother from another mother, Tony Corrales contacted me two weeks into my semi-hiatus with his plans to put the Tony Corrales Band back together. It was not a phone call I expected but as everyone knows, if there was one reason to change my plans it would be to rejoin my brothers in the band that I had been with for over 5 years! After all, we had already been through so much together and through those ups and downs we had established not only an amazing musical chemistry but a personal bond that was unbreakable.

From the moment we started rehearsing again...the magic was back! Playing that first song with the guys again was a real homecoming for me as my heart was filled with joy. After a few more rehearsals we found ourselves back in the Tropico Lounge at the Casino del Sol before a big crowd of country music fans who had waited over a year to see the band again. Once we hit the stage it was just like it had been before, which was five guys acting as one as we performed our hearts out for the good people who came to see us. Nothing makes us happier than seeing a dance floor full of happy people who were just as happy to see us as we were to see them.

We were all home!

Hearing Tony's voice fill the stage again was not only a treat for our fan base but also for his drummer who always loved backing up that sweet manly sound. Then there was Joey Cota and his amazing guitar licks that take our upbeat songs over the top while adding nice layers to those sweet buckle polisher ballads. Of course you can't forget Robert Rojas and his solid acoustic guitar work along with his amazing vocals both as a background & lead vocalist. Finally, there is my rhythm section partner in crime Alex Quinonez whose thumping bass lines help me keep that dance floor moving while his beautiful back up harmonies complete the sound of the band.

Was it possible for me to be any happier?

The answer was yes! For the longest time the boss man had wanted to add a fiddle to the sound of the band and it finally happened when he met a lovely little lady named Rose Springfield-Briones.  It didn't take long for her to come in and add so much to the band's sound with her fiddle work as well as her vocals. Aside from that, she's a little firecracker at times as she knows how to handle us crazy fools thanks to her incredible sense of humor and quick wit. In other words, she fit right in!

The first gig we did as a sextet was at a private wedding party back at Casino del Sol. It was a nice way for all of us to feel each other out as it was Rose's first gig with the band and only Alex's second gig. Still, we sounded great and could see that we were really on to something. Soon we would back in the Tropico Lounge for an eager crowd who had heard whispers of a new member added to the group. Rose did not disappoint as everyone saw just how talented she was. This led so many people to say that they band never sounded better and I can assure you all that the rest of us felt the same way.

Rose's fiddle and background vocals added so much color to the sound of the band. The best part about it though was that it brought even more out of the rest of us. Some of my favorite things to watch are when her and Joey switch off on solos on the more up tempo songs. Not only are they lighting up the stage but they are pushing Alex, Robert and me to hit the groove even harder, which rocks the dance floor even more. The energy that this band is producing now is something that none of us have experienced in the past and in a lot of ways we're still just getting started. 

Our next performance would be at the Monsoon Club at the Desert Diamond Casino on a night where the local monsoon weather (no pun intended) made its presence known. Early in our set the power went out for a moment before the back up generators allowed the show to go on but we suspected that the storm was not quite done with us. When the power went out again there was a moment of spontaneity when Rose looked over at me and suggested that we do something for the audience in order to get their minds off of the darkened room. We went into a special jam of "Orange Blossom Special" and that's when everyone in the room, including the other members of TCB saw just how amazing this little lady was. Eventually Joey would also join in with one of his blazing solos while Robert, Alex and me threw that groove down. The audience went crazy and that energy pretty much carried us through the rest of the night.

Then we performed in Sonoita, AZ at the Copper Brothel Brewery and let me tell you, this was a change of scenery. Not only were we in wine country but we were in a much smaller place performing for the locals who came out to have a great time. We continued to work as a unit as we had to pay close attention to our volume and our dynamics. That was the least of my concerns because I had no doubt of the professionalism of my band mates. I was more curious to see how the locals would respond to the band.

Let me tell you, that was a big party! People were up and dancing anywhere they could. At times they were even sliding through the empty spaces between tables where people were dining for the evening. We had as much fun as we did at any casino gig as this crowd brought some serious energy with them. We can't wait to go back there again.

Of course we recently did another show at the Tropico Lounge at CDS and once again, had a great time performing for another amazing crowd.  This time everyone got to see Rose sing a few lead vocals along with a couple of duets with Tony so once again, TCB showed that we are are expanding our sound as a band. That and the fact that the band is getting tighter both as a musical unit as well as a family.

Music is a cut throat business and that's really sad because the relationships that come from being in a band can be really special. Experience prepares you for such things but it's still disappointing to see how some people go about their business because one day you're the best of friends (usually because they are happy that your talents are making them look good) and then the next day you become a liability that they can't wait to kick you to the curb.

The special thing about this band is that everyone is a good person first and then we can talk about their musical abilities. Alex and Rose are the most recent additions to our band family and immediately saw the culture that Tony created within the group: once you're in, you're in! You are valued, you are respected and your feelings matter to everyone! Even our former members mean just as much to us as they did when they were in the band because they are still part of the family (Big hello to Thomas, Mike & AJ...miss and love you guys).

The adventure continues as we not only have some gigs booked next month but are hitting the road for the first time in years! First, we are heading to Las Cruces, NM to perform at a wedding. I am really looking forward to this not only to perform in a new place but wondering what it's going to be like to hit the road for a couple of days with these crazy people.  Then we're back in AZ but will be down in Douglas as we were invited to headline a Saturday night gig at the Cochise County Fair. Again, this is going to be a blast and another trip into the unknown with my band family.

As I look toward the end of the year we will be back at the Tropico Lounge at CDS and at the Copper Brothel Brewery and while I am looking forward to those gigs I must say that there are a couple of gigs on our calendar in a familiar place that warms my heart. We will end the year returning to the Outlaw Saloon, which is where it all started for TCB. We have performed so many gigs there in the past and to finally come back home will be such a treat for all of us. I can't wait for those good folks to see how we sound now with Alex and Rose while the newest additions to our band family receive the welcome I know they will get from those at the Outlaw Saloon who love TCB. 

Someone recently told me that I have never sounded happier about being in this band. They were right and as time goes on I know that my happiness will increase all the more.  Never have I felt more blessed to be in a band than I feel right now being back where I belong.

http://www.tonycorrales.com/home

Carlos Solorzano
@csolorzano18
https://www.reverbnation.com/carlossolorzano

Let's Turn it Around: Add Some Rock to Your Jazz Drumming

A few months ago I came across this article written by Brad Schlueter in DRUM! Magazine and really enjoyed it. http://drummagazine.com/jazz-chops-for-rock-drummers/ Schlueter spoke clearly of the benefits of learning a different style of music and I couldn't agree more because the more styles you learn the better you will become as an all around musician. Schlueter also provided several exercises that will help a Rock drummer become familiar with Jazz drumming so I applaud the depth he brought to his discussion.

One of the things that Schlueter mentioned that I would like to focus on was that learning Jazz will improve one's improvisational skills, enhance one's coordination and expand one's sensitivity in their playing. While I don't disagree with this I would like to say that there are too many musicians who may not see the same value in having a Jazz drummer learn some Rock, as if Rock music may not have similar benefits from a different point of view. I already offered my thoughts on musical snobbery in another blog: (http://desertdrummer.blogspot.com/2017/12/jazz-drummers-are-not-any-better-my.html) but in this case I would like to flip the switch and discuss how Rock drumming can benefit those who play other styles of music.


Discovering Rock and Roll 

I grew up in a house with a family who loved music. My parents loved Latin Jazz, Chicano Rock, traditional Mexican music, R & B, Motown, Pop/Rock and just about anything with a great beat. When I was about eight years old I discovered KISS and my life would never be the same. As a teenager I was totally into Rock music (even though I still loved my parents' music) and it consumed me for many years. I would go on to add Iron Maiden, Stryper, Queensryche, Winger, Journey and many others to my musical vocabulary and it didn't matter to me if my musical peers thought, especially in a college music program, because this was the music I liked and I was never going to apologize for it. Some even told me I was wasting my time with this kind of stuff but I didn't feel that way when I was playing in packed clubs on Sunset Strip while my critics were in restaurants and cafes performing for people who usually weren't even listening.


First Lesson 

Now it's time to share some of the important things I learned about music and drumming thanks to Rock and Roll.  Right away I would like to say that I am not a showman so twirling my sticks and pointing at people in the audience was never my forte. Keep in mind though that some Jazz drummers have been known at times to be showman and there's nothing wrong with that because an audience deserves to be entertained.

Musically, Rock drumming has benefited my playing in so many ways. First off, it has taught me how to have a commanding presence. When you're driving a Rock band you must have power and that doesn't necessarily mean you have to hit really hard. You can still be a solid player with some drive without destroying your gear (I despise that part of Rock drumming). I still use one play heads on my drum set and am on the artist roster for Drum Dots so I have no issue with muffling my drums. However, I do have a big sounding drum set that does cut through with any band that I play with. And if anyone thinks for one second that such drumming is without some form of technique then they should listen to this performance by the great Nicko McBrain, who is not only a drummer in a heavy metal band but also a drummer with an extensive musical background including Jazz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9nyePqqwiE

You will see that he doesn't just play a straight beat (more on that later) but has a strong presence in all that he plays. I saw McBrain open a show with this song back in the year 2000 and then deliver close to two more hours of drumming that was not only powerful but dynamic, which is important to say because there are still many who think that Rock music lacks the musicality of genres such as Jazz and I couldn't disagree more. Here's an example of a variation of different drumming styles that McBrain does in one song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBanU-AHMqg


Second Lesson

Another thing I learned from Rock drumming is to have a consistent groove. Some might actually ask how this is not demonstrated in Jazz drumming but I will argue that at times playing with more of a swing feel does it fact inhibit one's ability to lay into the drum in a strong and consistent way. Sometimes there is just too much bounce and when this happens it makes a song feel like it's all over the place. Take for example the song Moon Germs. It's a great tune and a standard that my own Jazz/Fusion trio performs at our shows but I really don't care for the introduction on this particular version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNb15co1ltg  I know that many would accuse me of blasphemy since I am not impressed with Jack DeJohnette's performance but to me he isn't really playing with the band as he plays more through the band. The main melody is really cool and in a Rock context one would match the rhythm in order to give it greater emphasis. In this case there is just a ton of notes all over the place and as far as I'm concerned, there is no consistent groove. Yes, it is in time and sure, I guess it really swings but to my ear it does not groove.

Also, there are times when I think someone can play too much Jazz to the point where it hurts their feel in a non-swing context. If you want to stick to Jazz, great, but if you're going to cross boundaries into other musical genres you have to be able to do the job and do it right.

Take for example the classic Journey song Separate Ways (World's Apart). It's a great tune with great vocals and great pop sensibilities but it must have a drummer that really drives the song. In the original recording the drums were performed by Steve Smith and it's a great performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfJQ6yveYH0

Years later it would be performed with drummer Deen Castronovo and this is where it really had some drive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WwNYY-rqIY I love the power and presence that Castronovo brought to the song and for me, this is the way it should be played because after all, it's Rock and Roll. This is also a song that Journey tends to open their shows with so they have to bring the energy to the crowd from the get go.

Surprisingly when Smith returned to the band in 2016 his performance on the same song that he recorded lacked the drive and presence that it had back in the early 80's. Of course he had been playing a lot of Jazz for many years prior to his return to Journey and I would argue that this changed his drumming enough where he couldn't do what he did in the past. Of course this is just my opinion but when I compare this performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFG0GBRww7E to what he did in the past or to say to Castronovo's performance I must say that I was rather disappointed when I saw the band open the show I attended in Phoenix back in May of 2016.. This type of music requires both presence and attitude and no one should have to apologize for that. In other words, this is not a time to tell everyone that you were trained as a Jazz drummer, which Smith loves to say on a regular basis. This is a time to step up and tell everyone that they need to get on the train or get out of the way. In fact (and not meaning to bring up a sour point from the past), if you listen to the Journey album Raised on Radio one can sort of see perhaps why vocalist Steve Perry had Smith relieved from his post in the band. The late session master Larrie Londin provided a much more solid back beat like no one had ever provided on a Journey album prior to this release and with Perry also being a drummer I guess he knew what he wanted to hear. Again, there are times when you need to stop worrying about how well you swing and think more about how well you lay down that back beat.


A Rocker in Other Musical Settings 

As life went on I moved away from the Rock scene because I grew tired of the type of people I had to deal with from the musicians to the venue owners & promoters who always wanted something for nothing (not to say that such things don't exist in other musical scenes). Now that I had a family and a home to maintain I preferred to work in settings where I would get more decent & consistent pay. Lately that has led me to play a lot of Country music (hey, I live in Tucson, AZ so think about that before you throw mud) and Jazz/Fusion.

In terms of playing Country music my Rock background has helped me push these bands in ways that most members were not used to. Again, I am not the hardest hitter in the world but my time spent in Rock meant that I had experience pushing bands that played at high volumes with that Rock and Roll attitude. Of course when I am playing Country music I always have to be conscious of my tempo as well as my dynamics because while many of these songs are simple they require one to be very precise in what they do because the listeners are both used to hearing the songs as they know them while also wanting to dance the night away. But, I have noticed how many people love the fact that I kick my bass and snare a little harder or maybe with just a tad more attitude than most of the Country drummers in town. Fortunately I can also say that my brothers in the Tony Corrales Band also like the drive I bring to the band, which I equate both to the feel that Rock music requires along with the consistency that one has to maintain, even when they are playing to a click track since the music is also somewhat simple and in need of a groove that must be spot on.

Ironically I must make a comment here on how playing a lot of Country music has impacted my Jazz playing. When I started working in the Country scene I became so busy for a number of years that I had to put my Jazz/Fusion band away for a while. Little did I know that I would be playing so many shuffles and waltzes with many of these songs at times requiring a light tough that it actually improved my swing playing. So for any Rock drummer out there who might want to experiment with Jazz I suggest you play some Country music first.

In terms of how Rock drumming impacted my Jazz/Fusion playing I humbly bow my head and say that it is not best to speak of my drumming as it would be best to refer everyone to the true drumming greats such as Billy Cobham, Tony Williams and Lenny White. They are the true forefathers of Fusion music and still amaze me with some of their musical masterpieces that continue to have an impact on so many drummers today. Take a listen to Billy Cobham's Spectrum, Crosswinds & Total Eclipse, Tony Williams' Emergency, Believe It & Million Dollar Legs and Lenny White's Venusian Summer and The Adventures of Astral Pirates. The best way I would describe these albums is slammin' soul because these guys really know how to bring the beat! You want to talk about drummers who not only have the feel but also the power and attitude that was required for drive this groundbreaking music and none of these drummers shied away from stating the fact that they were fine with the idea of adding some Rock drumming into the mix.


Conclusion 

Again, I am for people learning different musical styles because it not only expands our musical vocabulary but also teaches our bodies to play our instruments in different ways. This would be similar to athletes who learn how to use their bodies in different types of sports, which teaches them how to perform better in their main sport (think boxers who add swimming and ballet to their training regimen). I applaud Schlueter for sharing with us how Jazz drumming can have a positive impact on Rock drumming but let's not forget that Rock drumming can have the same impact on Jazz drumming with the proof being in some famous recordings provided by drummers out there who not only expanded their musical vocabulary but also did so knowing that they might face some heat from musical snobs who believe that certain musical genres have nothing to teach us.

The proof is in the pudding and this pudding tastes pretty good.

Carlos Solorzano
@csolorzano18
https://www.reverbnation.com/carlossolorzano

Godspeed Mountain Man: Remembering Jeff Sanders

Earlier this week I heard the devastating news that my friend and former band mate Jeff Sanders had died in a house fire. Jeff was someone I met when I was a member of the band Come Thirsty and was someone I worked with for a little over four years before he decided to move on and do other things. To say that my heart is broken over this would be an understatement because he was such a great guy that everyone loved.

We first spoke on MLK Day in 2009 when I was driving home from CA after spending a weekend at NAMM in Anaheim, CA. I was helping put together a Christian band with my wife Minh and another musician friend of mine named Rich Phillips. Jeff was responding to one of our ads and we had a great conversation on the phone. I couldn't wait to meet him.

When the four of us met there was a magic that I can't describe. Jeff fit right in because he was such a nice guy and was the exact person we had hoped to find in a guitarist. Like the rest of us he had this urge to use his musical gifts to praise the Lord and he coulnd't wait to get together and rehearse for the first time as a quartet. Once that happened it was absolutely incredible! The chemistry between the four of us was amazing with Jeff really being the last piece we needed to complete the sound of the band.

Right away we had put together a few original songs along with some covers and before we knew it we were out there performing at various churches and faith based events. The band always received a great response from those in attendance with everyone of course loving Jeff's playing. He was such a great rhythm player so the groove was always solid but he also played these great solos that told stories, which was great because it helped push the emotion of the stories Minh sang in the songs. Aside from that, he loved people so he was always very approachable and was willing to talk to anyone about anything, regardless of how long it took.

Jeff was very proud of the songs that we wrote and he had a right to be since he was a big contributor to our sound. We all collaborated on everything we wrote but Jeff and Minh really defined our sound. When they two of them got together he would throw out these riffs that always set her off. Then Rich and I would add our flavors to the song and then it was done.

Our first encounter with Jeff musically was an idea he had for a song that would be known as I Surrender. He was a great acoustic guitarist and he had this lick that just propelled us to create this great song.  He also loved that Spanish sound of the guitar so to put something like this together took very little effort from him as he was totally in his element. This was a song people loved to sing along to and dance to at all of our shows: https://www.reverbnation.com/comethirsty/song/11278195-i-surrender

He was really proud of the song Elijah, which was the song that was known as our epic because it had such a beautiful story based on the life of the Old Testament prophet. I remember he had some cool ideas both musically and in terms of the visuals he would speak when he played his riffs for us. This was always such a fun song to play live because it was always so dramatic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSXUNKT9eI0 

He had a very unique rhythm style and the song that really displayed his amazing technique was the song I Love You Anyway. Once Jeff came up with the opening riff Minh wanted to write a song for those people we met at shows who would tell us about their personal struggles and how God's grace saved them from these struggles. Aside from that he could really throw down a lead and I have always loved his lead on this song because of the story it tells within the story shared by the lead vocal performance.  https://www.reverbnation.com/comethirsty/song/11278187-i-love-you-anyway

Finally, when talking about the special chemistry we had as a band, this version of the classic Christian song Breathe really says it all. You will hear why it was also a song that many people asked us to perform at each our our shows. https://www.reverbnation.com/comethirsty/song/14775185-breathe

Aside from being a great musician Jeff just had what I call a positive enthusiasm. He was always in a good mood as he saw any chance to play music as a gift. But he was just an enthusiastic about his other interests. He was into all kinds of things from painting to making weapons to being a survival enthusiast. That's what led us to call him Mountain Man because he always loved being outdoors.

The other thing he was really passionate about was teaching guitar. He had several private students as well as classes at places like Pima Community College and he would talk all the time about his love for teaching. One of my favorite memories of Jeff the guitar teacher was when we were all hanging out after a gig one Sunday afternoon. We ended up at Guitar Center and the moment he walked in the door many of the sales people as well as the customers approached him and gave him hugs and pats on the backs as they talked about how great a teacher he was. Jeff just smiled and stood their with great humility and gratitude as you could see how much that meant to him.

Finally, and most importantly, Jeff really loved his family. When he wasn't talking about his interests he was always raving about how long he had been married to his wife as well as how much he loved her. He was also very proud of his children and would just glow every time he spoke of their recent activities. He was such a simple person but you can see how much he appreciated all that he had with his family being his greatest treasure.

I miss you brother! God bless you! 

Carlos Solorzano
@csolorzano18
https://www.reverbnation.com/carlossolorzano

Jazz You Can Dance To: Back With Sonoran Sol

The life of a musician is like a wave. Gigs come and go and the scene is always changing so all you can do is go with the flow and see what happens. Recently the Tucson music scene has allowed my old Jazz Trio called Sonoran Sol to come out of mothballs for yet another exciting run and I am happy to say that it has been a great start. 

My partner throughout each run has been the incredible Dan Griffin. He is not only the guitarist but acts in many ways as the music director. Some of the other musicians that we had worked with in the past had moved on in one way or another so it was Dan who suggested that we recruit the great Bobby Elias on bass guitar and that was when I decided that we would remain as a trio, at least for now.

We decided to have a lunch meeting in order to go over a new set list and discuss the vision of what we wanted to do musically at that point in time. Once we made our official list of songs we were all really excited as we had more than just the normal swing tunes that people might expect from a Jazz Trio. We also had some Funk Fusion, Latin, Blues and even some Instrumental Rock. Most importantly, these tunes have some serious groove so we already knew that our group would have more of an edge than most Jazz groups.

Right away I had a good feeling about things as we had a great batch of tunes while also knowing that I had learned even more than I had known previously about networking and booking gigs. In fact, it didn't take long for us to have several dates booked before hitting the stage for the first time with this particular lineup. It started out with me writing out a short but detailed bio before Dan and I putting together a great demo for some of these venues to hear. Right away we had a positive response from so many people who couldn't wait to bring the band to their venues.

Our first performance was actually on The Morning Blend television show on KGUN Channel 9 in Tucson, AZ. I was able to get the group on the show because I had performed a couple of times on the show previously as a solo drum set performer. Our objective was not only to perform for the whole city of Tucson but to also advertise our first few gigs while also filming what turned out to be a free promo video for the band to use.

We had a great time handing at KGUN studios with their amazing staff so to no one's surprise we performed really well to the raving reviews of those working in the studio. Once we had the video in our back pocket it led to even more gigs as so many people got a chance to see the type of energy we produced when we performed together.

That energy would continue to flow as we performed our first full show later that night at Bear Track U on University Blvd. We had a great time performing for a small crowd of enthusiastic music fans and couldn't wait for our next show, which would be a couple of days later at The Artful Space. That's where things got really interesting. Aside from the fact that we had a great set of songs to perform we also had a chance to jam with resident Conguero Miguel Bazemore who added so much to our sound. The audience really enjoyed what they heard with everyone asking when we would return for another performance.

All of this was more than I could hope for. I was confident in what we would bring to the crowd because of the fact that I was performing with two experienced professionals but there was no way to foresee how the public would react to what we had to say musically. After all, we are approaching things in a way that is quite different than what many people would expect from a Jazz Trio. But one thing I can say for sure is this: after all of these years, never underestimate the power of a good groove and that is something Sonoran Sol can do all day long.

On a personal note I am also having a blast because the band is giving me a chance to really stretch myself as a drummer. During my time as a working musician I usually hook up with a band that keeps me busy enough where I find myself playing almost one style of music on an exclusive basis. I have never minded doing that as the objective is always to keep a steady gig for as long it will last. During this run things are a bit different and I can already see the difference in my playing.

For the past 6 years I've been playing a lot of Country and Pop/Rock music, which means that most of my gigs have been straight ahead grooves and having to be as consistent as possible in order to keep that dance floor moving. Aside from that most of these gigs are about 4 hours long so my stamina was definitely there. I am still performing this kind of music as I have recently returned to the Tony Corrales Band while also having some other work on the horizon that is of a similar musical style. Of course we can now add music that is more syncopated with me having a chance to play some Funk, Latin and Swing beats along with some drum solos!

It did take a moment or two for me to reacquaint myself with these other styles of music but they are songs and grooves that I had played many times before. Overall, it has been a lot of fun to reacquaint myself with music that I had played a number of years ago during another time of my performance career.

We are already excited for this coming summer as we already have a number of gigs on the books. The best way to get news on the band while also getting updates on our performance dates is at: https://www.facebook.com/sonoransoltucson/

We hope to see you all at one of our shows real soon.

Here are the links from our appearance on The Morning Blend television show

https://www.kgun9.com/morning-blend/sonoran-sol-local-jazz-music-you-can-dance-to 

https://www.kgun9.com/morning-blend/sonoran-sol-performs-another-song


Carlos Solorzano
@csolorzano18
https://www.reverbnation.com/carlossolorzano

"Back Where You Belong:" Returning to the Stage with the Tony Corrales Band

On numerous occasions many who have waited for the return of the Tony Corrales Band have uttered these words to me: Carlos, you are back where you belong. Honestly, I couldn't agree more and while so many people tend to focus on what we were known for onstage there is in fact so much more to the band than that.

It all started for us in early 2012 when we had our first rehearsals. Right away there was a great chemistry and friendship among the original members which included Tony Corrales, Joey Cota, Mike Yanoska and AJ Gonzales. Right away we had some great jam sessions and tons of laughs in between those hours of working to perfect our craft. As time went on some members decided to move on to other things, which led us to adding Thomas Charbonneau, Robert Rojas and most recently Alex Quinonez to La Familia. It didn't matter who we had though because each person has been a brother to all of us and an outstanding musician to work with.

Our first gigs were magical. Deep in our hearts we knew that we had something special going on but those first roars from the crowd affirmed all that we had done to earn our shot onstage. Aside from that, we were also given many opportunities to perform on different stages all over Arizona from local watering holes, private parties, casino after party gigs for national acts to providing pre-show music for a big Vince Gill concert at AVA Amphitheater. Most of our gigs have been outstanding and whether it was a great gig or a night where we had some rough spots we stuck together and did what we had to do as a team to move forward.

Recording and releasing our own music has also been a great joy for us. To hear that our music has been played on various country music radio stations all over the nation has been an honor. Aside from that, our first music video has been well received and we are looking forward to making another one real soon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFH-KqkU0Lg

Aside from that we have had our ups and downs as a family. We have stood by each other when one of our brothers lost a family member, encouraged each other when one of the brothers was going through a tough time personally and worked through our disagreements, even if we needed some time away from the fold. All of that is the root of what this band is about and now that we are back in the public eye again people are going to see not only a great band but also a united band as we are more than just musicians doing our business onstage. We genuinely love the music we are playing, we care about each member of the band and we love each member of the audience who we also see as our extended family.

Life is very unpredictable and unfortunately we've had our moments when the band needed to go on an extended hiatus. The good thing about it though was that it didn't have any impact on our love and respect for each other. While we all would have preferred to stay together without any type of interruption there are times when people need to do something else and/or find their own way. Eventually all roads lead back to TCB and here we are, again!!!!

I remember the feeling I had when we had our first rehearsal in order to prepare for our return gig at the Tropico Lounge at Casino del Sol. We met, we hugged it all out, set up our gear and then it was time for me to start the first song. I was so excited to feel the energy come from my brothers again and it was nothing short of amazing. Once that song was over I just shook my head and couldn't believe we were back to doing our thing again. There were moments when I just lowered my head and took it all end. I took a few breaths and was actually surprised that tears didn't fall from my eyes because it was a true homecoming for me.

For that reason alone the first gig back couldn't come any sooner as I was more than ready to pound those drums.

The next two rehearsals continued to show progress as we added some different flavors to those familiar songs in our set list while also adding some other great songs. I was really excited to bring it all to the people because all of the songs were going to be crowd-pleasers since they had great hooks and grooves.

The day of the gig arrived and I was so glad that I had a lot to do at work that day because it helped keep my mind off of wanting to load my gear and head off to the show. Before I knew it that was exactly what I was doing and to my surprise my truck was loaded pretty quickly. I brought along some live KISS albums in order to get me a little pumped up for the show (as if I really needed any more excitement) and while I did obey the local speed limits I arrived quickly to the loading area at Casino del Sol. 

It didn't take me long to get my drums ready for the show with the best part of setting up being the moments when the other guys in the band showed up. We were all hugs and smiles as he couldn't wait to hit the stage. I guess our following was just as excited since many of them arrived early as well. It was good to see some old friends as my time away from the country scene also meant that I didn't see a lot of these wonderful people for several months.

The next thing I know we're backstage changing into our stage clothes. Then all of the guys got into a huddle, said what we had to say to each other and about the show and then the announcement was made: Please welcome the Tony Corrales Band! 

We hit the stage with more energy than we had before and the response from the audience was amazing. The dance floor was full while others sat around and sang along to the songs. I have no idea how many people I waved from the stage but every one of them had a huge smile on their face.

Lead singer Tony Corrales was back to doing what he does best for the first time in quite a while. From what I could tell he didn't miss a beat and I could see that the audience was more than happy to see him onstage again. Then there was lead guitarist Joey Cota throwing down those blazing lead lines while also filling the songs with his sweet licks while people screamed his name from the crowd. Acoustic guitarist Robert Rojas was a solid rock as he filled in the groove while also adding some great background vocals before performing many great lead vocals of his own. Now, we add bassist Alex Quinonez to the mix who joined us onstage for the first time. He is a pro musician in his own right and did a great job making his debut with TCB. He was solid as a rock as he thumped his bass along with my bass drum as we kept the dance floor shaking and moving.

The TCB family was also joined onstage by our old acoustic guitarist Mike Yanoska who added some background vocals and a little mandolin when needed. It was good to have him there again and as usual he added so much to the sound of the group. Finally, to further show the true connection we have with all of our brothers I received a text message from our old bassist Thomas Charbonneau right before we hit the stage as he greeted us and wished us well. It was so good to hear from him especially at that point in the evening.

Honestly, the set flew by for me as I had a blast that night. If I wasn't grooving onstage I was out in the crowd during the breaks greeting old friends as well as my amazing co-workers who also came by to offer their support. Performance wise I felt really good and stronger than expected as I hadn't played a four hour gig in close to five months. I also felt really good because my drums sounded really good that night as I had made some extra adjustments both at home and when needed before sound check. Therefore, all of my preparations both physically, musically and equipment wise worked out for the best as I was proud to do my part to give the people the show that they expected from us.

When I finally got home I washed up and went to bed but couldn't sleep right away as I was still pretty wound up from the evening. I caught myself smiling quite a bit as I hit the pillow as all I could do was feel most grateful for what turned out to be an amazing evening at Casino del Sol. Whether it's being with the guys again or seeing my wonderful friends, it was just a great time that I didn't want to end. 

Let's do this again real soon!!!!

Carlos Solorzano
@csolorzano18
https://www.reverbnation.com/carlossolorzano

Will Calhoun: A Tribute

There are musicians that you simply like and then there are musicians who literally change your life. For me that happens when they show me something fresh in their musical expression and/or a different way to approach my instrument. When either of those happen the amount of gratitude I have is always without measure. For me, one of those musicians is the amazing Will Calhoun who is best known as the drummer of Living Colour. 

Like many music fans I first became aware of the band when the video for Cult of Personality appeared on MTV. I loved the song and was just as impressed with later singles like Open Letter (to a Landlord) and then Type. Then a college friend of mine strongly suggested that I buy their albums because their other songs were even better. I acted on that suggestion one particular day when I was at a record store in Long Beach, CA called The Tape and Record Room, which is where I bought most of my bootleg and import records. On this particular visit I saw two used cassettes of the band's first two albums Vivid & Time's Up and this poor college kid couldn't beat the price of $3.00 for each.


For some people purchasing a pre-owned item of value excites when a long search has finally come to end, especially if they were able to get the item at a reasonable price. In my case it was something different because I left the store that day with a good feeling even though I really didn't know a lot about the albums I had just purchased. I just knew that something special was about to happen like those moments in life when you meet someone and know that something amazing is about to happen. 


Getting Acquainted  

When I first heard Vivid I couldn't believe what was coming through my speakers. Since this blog is about the influence Calhoun had on my drumming I can't really comment on each song even though I could spend hours discussing how each song made an impact on my drumming. Instead I'll choose a few standouts and do my best to explain how Calhoun changed my perspective on my instrument.

Middleman was the first song that stood out to me because of the smooth groove on the verses as well as the beautiful two-handed ride pattern on the choruses. I really admired the fact that the same drummer who pounded the groove on Cult of Personality could be so sophisticated on this song. It was a great lessons on the impact on dynamics as well as feel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqlVRsA8aFE

The next song that floored me was Funny Vibe as the song was both intense as well as funky. I love how the groove had some real drive to it yet featured some beautiful hi-hat work. I also loved the now familiar beautiful two-handed ride work on the guitar solo as he a had a special way of painting a picture with the bell and the open hi-hat. By this point Calhoun was already becoming one of my favorite drummers and I hadn't even finished listening to the whole album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag2KgtwATfI

The song Broken Hearts is something I describe as beautifully painful. The singing is the painful part to listen to while the groove is the most beautiful thing on the record. This song just takes me on a roller coaster of emotions, which I would soon learn is a big part of the band's music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzeDE-pXfjY Later on when I started to buy their home videos I began to see that this band was something special in a live setting and couldn't wait to have my chance to see them in person: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4REoOLMtnE

Once the final song of Vivid ended I had my first breath of musical fresh air in years. At that time I was a 19 year old kid that had been rocking out for years with the Metal music of that era. I was playing in a local Progressive Metal band that was starting to make a name for itself locally and while I loved the music we were playing (this also included songs that I wrote) I felt drawn to the idea of doing something different.


The Point of No Return 

The first album came to an end and I was anxious to hear the first track on Time's Up. Little did I know that even though it was the same band that they went in a totally different direction. Aside from the songs being magical they were all very different from each other as they drew on so many different musical genres. Still, they all seemed to go together in this collection of 15 songs, which to me showed some serious brilliance in their songwriting. That's why to this day I think that this album is their masterpiece.

The title track was not what I expected but it was absolutely stunning. How does the band that comes out with some Rock/Funk on a track like Funny Vibe come up with a heavy rocker that rivals bands like Anthrax and Metallica? Under it all was Calhoun's absolute dominance of the song. Very few drummers can deliver power, precision and chops in such an amazing way. His performance is absolutely breathtaking because I am convinced that no one on this planet could duplicate what he did on this track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YAA7nivQng

If there was a song that I can say was the most important song I heard in my late teens/early 20's it was Elvis is Dead. What does this song do to a young rocker playing an 11-piece drum set in a Progressive Metal band? Truthfully, I wanted to toss out all of my extra toms and start throwing down some serious beats! This song was all about the groove in it's purist form. It has heart, it has feel and it certainly steers the ship. It still gives me chills to this day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nvpRkn_R5g

The last song on this album I will comment on is Information Overload. There was a time when I transcribed many of Calhoun's drum parts and this song was the hardest of all. There are so many changes in almost every measure with most measures having many complex parts. The verses are pounding with a solid groove but the fills into between the breaks in the riff are just perfect. But I love how he goes to the ride at 2:17 and produces an almost floating effect with that beautiful two-handed riding that he is known for. I love how he syncopates the bell to start the section and then drives in with quarter notes in order to take it up a notch. Then we get to the guitar solo section, which to me is a work of genius. I love how at 3:32 he goes back to that pounding feel we heard in the verses before he goes back to the ride at 4:00, which again helps the groove take off. The two handed ride pattern that goes into the syncopated part of his groove is gorgeous yet he is still rocking out as only Calhoun can. Then there is that fill that starts at 4:13 that acts as a nice interruption to the solo as it really fit the theme of the song...an overload!!!! Finally, that entrance into the final verse at 4:40 is just amazing. If there was an example of great feel in a Heavy Rock song it is this one. As far as I'm concerned it's one of Calhoun's most masterful performances. It made me want to start putting together some real interesting patterns in the songs I was playing as well.

When I finished hearing this album for the first time I knew that I had just heard one of the greatest Rock albums ever recorded. I don't care what the critics say or even what even some of my closest peers say. This album is a treasure of American music.


Staying the Course

Now I was a devoted Living Colour fan so there was no used cassettes on my radar when their next album came out. I was there on the day it was released with Stain being one of my favorites ever! (my last blog tells the whole story: http://desertdrummer.blogspot.com/2018/03/stain-by-living-colour-25-years-later.html) Of course, Calhoun's performance was absolutely stunning and continued to have an impact on me during my younger years.

Go Away starts with an awesome drum fill that demonstrates Calhoun's awesome power. The opening is tight and reflects the mood of Corey Glover's vocals in the song. The pre-chorus has a nice tom layered groove before kicking into the chorus, which is a combination of hard pounding with some nice hi-hat work. Then we get to the guitar solo section, which starts at 2:30 and Calhoun pounds a nice half time beat that drives the band. The bass line is a two measure phrase and it's so awesome how Calhoun does a two measure fill at 2:34 and 2:46 because he starts it halfway through the bass line, which means he has to finish it at the same spot during the next go round of the riff. It's a simple idea but it has a totally different sound than what we're used to hearing in most two measure drum fills. Finally, being a big fan of his groove I absolutely love the groove of the last chorus, which starts 3:11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg41Iej7eeI

Sometimes the drummer's job is to take sit in the driver's seat and announce: this is the way we're going! On the track Auslander Calhoun lays down the groove with a feel that only he can do. On the choruses he pushes it a bit harder with some nice triplet double bass work that again reflects the mood of Glover's vocals. Aside from the, the bridge features some nice electronic additions that provide a nice industrial sound to Calhoun's pounding. It's a simple tune but it stays in your head. 25 years later, I still catch myself walking with this groove in my head. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYKxa_22BVk

It was really hard to choose a final song to comment on but since we're talking a lot about groove I chose Postman, which is a dark song with some amazing guitar and bass work. However, the riffs work because the foundation under it is unbreakable. The verses are a straight ahead groove but one that any drummer would be bobbing their head to because it is performed by a true professional. Of course the choruses features more of Calhoun's trademark two-hand right patterns with some nice China cymbal additions that add to the dark theme of the song. Sometimes simple is better but we have to remember that it's also how you play the simple. In this case, the performance was masterful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLLIfTuc5X4


Always on the Radar

Sadly, the band disbanded in the mid-90's and while it was sad for me to hear the news my musical background knew that this is part of the life of any musician. And, with a band this talented it's not hard to guess that they had some real differences and/or simply wanted to do something else. Once the band reunited they did so while each member continued to do other things, which probably is the thing that keeps them together since they still have the ability to stretch themselves. With that being said, we can hear how the music has changed, which is evidence of the band  members going away for a while to do other things musically before bringing back these experiences to the latest project.

Here are some examples of how Calhoun brought so many of those musical experiences back to the band with his amazing grooves and orchestrations of sounds:

Nightmare City: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AGuvhmUywo

Flying: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_f_8Wqb2SY

Burned Bridges: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4zcpVBVgBY

Method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUbEfk8HE4c

Come On: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyINqBtEfDE&index=3&list=PLXhw_zj99aoPl1Gadct90dX4KU7EniCXS

Two Sides: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xo1qYZM6_I&list=PLXhw_zj99aoPl1Gadct90dX4KU7EniCXS&index=13


In the Moment 

Living Colour is one of those bands that you have to see and hear live because the energy they bring is unparalleled. To do this Calhoun has to take his drumming to the next level and do that every single night! As you will see in the following examples he can take a song that is already a fine recorded performance and give it the extra fire needed to provide the audience with an amazing live experience:

Desperate People: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDXq7iOIghw

Middle Man: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7KWvzfg-oA

Cult of Personality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bcf7ez2TmnU


Finally, Calhoun is a complete musician and has written two of the band's best songs in their totality He continues to contribute to the band in their collaborations, which says a lot about his musicianship as a composer because he is already working with some musical giants. I have said for years that if you want to learn to drum better that you should learn to play other instruments because knowing the language of melody and harmony will do wonders to your knowledge of rhythm.

Pride: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0ckam22o7g

Nothingness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdvIW9srI2g



Thank you 

In January of 2016 I had the chance to meet Calhoun for the first time at NAMM in Anaheim, CA. I didn't talk to him that long because being a professional drummer myself I don't go fan boy with anyone. But, just like I do with the drummers in my hometown who are great players, I never refrain from sharing the great things that I hear in their playing. In Calhoun's case I also wanted to thank him for all of the inspiration he has given me over the years.

I greeted him, asked if I could shake his hand, which he was more than happy to oblige and then thanked him for all of the years that his drumming has had such an influence on me. He was gracious and thanked me for my kindness and then I simply asked him if I could take a picture with him. He nodded, we took a few pictures and then I shook his hand again and wished him well. Throughout our brief discussion he was an absolute gentleman and that meant as much to me as his music.

Thank you Will Calhoun. I will never forget the mark that you made on my musical life.

Carlos Solorzano
@csolorzano18
https://www.reverbnation.com/carlossolorzano

STAIN by Living Colour: 25 Years Later

It seems like yesterday when I walked into Tower Records in Torrance, CA and bought the Living Colour album Stain. This was a big deal to me because this band was a big influence on me during my college years. On that eventful night I had just finished my shift at work as I worked at a department store in the same shopping center as my favorite record store. You can imagine how excited I was to end my shift and get that new album in my hands.

Once I got home I put the album on and was immediately blown away! I was already a big fan of the band as I loved everything they had put out on their previous albums and home videos. Aside from that, I was a big student of Will Calhoun's drumming as I not only listened carefully to all that he did on these amazing recordings but took the time to transcribe many of his drum parts. That was always a great challenge as well as a great asset to learning more about his drumming because to do so I had to spend hours listening to all that he did in order to get the charts right. I am proud to say that he not only left a great impression on me but also on my fellow classmates and teachers because at the time I was studying music and I had performed some of his parts o multiple occasions for my Applied Music Class at El Camino Community College. 

This was also a special era of the band for me because I would also see the band for the first and only time (so far) on May 7, 1993 at the Hollywood Palladium as they headlined a show that featured opening bands Tool and Bad Brains. It was an amazing show as it was all about the music yet the energy they produced rivaled any band that also featured theatrics in their performance. 

So let's take a look at some of the performances that continue to take my breath away even today. I chose the songs with the full band performing with some of the links featuring live versions of the songs rather than the studio tracks: 

"Go Away:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg41Iej7eeI

Everyone knew that they had just recruitment the amazing Doug Wimbish to take over the bass duties so like many fans I was curious to hear how they would sound with this new member. This song is a killer opener to the album as it was heavier than anything they had put out before. The groove was solid as Calhoun and Wimbish were spot on but things get even more interesting once we get to the solo section. There they slow it down into a heavier half time groove (see 2:30) with the riff being a two bar pattern, which is important because it will highlight some really nice drumming done by Calhoun. The groove is a heavy Rock Shuffle type beat and sings on its own under Vernon Reid's blistering guitar solo. However, at 2:34 and 2:46 Calhoun does two fills that are two bars in length that begin halfway through the riff, which means that he has to finish the fills at the halfway point of the next go round of the riff. It sounds amazing as it give the groove a different feel than what most people would expect. Then comes my favorite part of the song (see 3:11), which Wimbish once called the Weather Report (named after the famous fusion band) section. I just love how Calhoun lays down a basic groove as Wimbish plays one of the funkiest bass lines ever recorded by this band. 


"Ignorance is Bliss:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhMuGPMzvS8

This song has a great Rock Shuffle feel with a guitar riff that was not common in that time period. It also has a great lyrical message. I really liked the live version in the link provided as this band is so energetic live yet as tight as ever.


"Leave it Alone:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foPyrJ58pI8

This was the first single and probably the most commercial song on the album. It is musically brighter than most of the songs but lyrically shows a character who won't just follow any type of crowd. The link is of the first time they performed any of the songs from Stain live and it's amazing to see the amount of energy they generated from such a simple song.


"Bi:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMprpu0et9M

Another song with a commercial slant but this one is somewhat humorous and probably the simplest song on the album. Maybe they were just trying to have some fun with this one and simply let the song dictate their performances. However, the simplicity of the song allowed them to flow into the electronic section without a glitch with that part taking that song up a notch. (see 3:46)


"Mind Your Own Business:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyhemGePZC0

This is probably the heaviest song on the album as it features a great verse before it kicks into a double time chorus. During the last two choruses they actually slow down the tempo and then speed it up again multiple times. It's a nice change to the song but the thing that was most impressive was when they played the song live as they slowed it down even more in order to show the audience how tight the band could really be. It was really impressive because it's so easy to get caught up in the moment and play at a faster tempo than expected.


"Auslander:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYKxa_22BVk

This is one of my favorite songs on the album. I just love the groove as well as the bridge where they just go through two different riffs as Calhoun adds some cool industrial sounds to his pounding drum part. To me it's just a really cool jam with Wimbish really punching his bass through the main groove.


"Never Satisfied:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tLA88AjP7U&list=RD1tLA88AjP7U

This is another one of those great Living Colour songs with a cool groove that's just fun to listen to while you're rolling out on the freeway or relaxing at home. As a drummer I really enjoy Calhoun's hi-hat work on this song as it's both sweet and smooth.


"Nothingness:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqnVhCADFHY

Everything about this song is amazing! The groove on the drums, the bass line that really layers the bottom end along with Reid's guitar synth work. Aside from that vocalist Corey Glover does an amazing job delivering a very emotional performance.


"Postman:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLLIfTuc5X4

This song is a rocker that really features Reid and Wimbish at their best. When this album came out I remember reading an interview where the journalist commented how tight Reid and Wimbish were even though Wimbish was new to the band. Reid remarked that they had been playing together for years, mostly in recording sessions so they didn't really need a feeling out period. Therefore, this song was the best demonstration on the album of the mileage they had already put in together. It's very heavy and also dangerous as the guitar and bass part really support the dark and frightening story sung by Glover. 


"This Little Pig:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNZwYfv-Zto

This song may not be the heaviest song on the album but it is certainly the most intense. It shoots out of the box and offers a bit of instability in the intro before it settles in to a killer up tempo groove. Even when they kick into other grooves that sounds like someone spinning or falling it still continues to move with great intensity. You can see in this song just how accurate and precise they are as individual musicians as well as how tight they are as a band.


"Wall:" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evpvAOKoU8w

This song is Living Colour at its best when it comes to their groove and precision as the riffs move smoothly with these groove also assisting in telling the powerful story of the song. It is the perfect closer to the album as it reminds us what we must do to get past all of the dark and heavy topics that are covered in each of the previous songs.

As a record collector I try to get anything I can get when any special album comes out. As a big fan of both this album and the supporting tour I was most excited when I heard of the Japanese release of the album titled Dread, which features live cuts from the Stain tour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLhrL-MEDas

Aside from that the band also allowed some electronic music producers to do further work on their songs from this album, which led to the release of the bonus cuts of Auslander on the single: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03MXpyoxuIU

To this day the music industry focuses a lot on the band's debut album Vivid, because it featured their biggest hit song Cult of Personality. That's fine as that too is an album in my collection that I am still very fond of. Of course Stain was also released during a time that the music scene was changing as we had Grunge and other forms of depressing music. I'm not sure if Living Colour was simply buying in to that mind set or just felt like addressing some heavier issues on this album but what I like about this album lyrically is that it's not as much doom as gloom that was common in the other stuff that was out during this time as it was more hey, do you see what's going on around you? I can appreciate that as I have always been a person who was never afraid to look at things as they really were. Glover's vocals were amazing as usual as he took us on a roller coaster of emotions more than he had on previous albums. Reid and Wimbish were their usual stellar selves as their performances both supported Glover's performance while also assisting him in telling us the story of the song melodically. Calhoun's drums were more powerful than anything we had heard in the past while also providing that soulful groove that we had come to expect from his unique style (coming soon, a blog on his brilliant drumming).

Sonically the album is brilliant as it sounds the way it feels as it's dark, angry, sad and in your face. The issues addressed on the album are things that I think are experienced by many who follow this band, which is why the album remains a favorite among hardcore Living Colour fans to this day. It will always be a treasure in my collection.

Carlos Solorzano
@csolorzano18
https://www.reverbnation.com/carlossolorzano