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Michael Penn... Bunker Hill

Look What the Fans Drug In:

A Tribute to the music of Michael Penn

Introduction | March | Free For All | Resigned | MP4 | Mr. Hollywood Jr, 1947 | P.P.S. | Downloads

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RESIGNED:      "The Sparks from Smitten Steel"

 

There are certain artists in the music world who are so enamored of and inspired by their heroes that they eventually give in and accept their fate. On Resigned, Michael Penn mines the same territory explored on his first two releases, but here he is "resigned" to fully accept his place in the music world as a singer-songsmith who happens to think the Beatles were the greatest songwriters of our time. It's as if Penn believes music starts and ends with the Beatles catalog—and in no way is that a bad thing. Like other artists who might willingly accept this association, such as the Finn brothers of Split Enz and later Crowded House and also guitarist Adrian Belew, Penn makes it his own.

 

On Resigned Penn utilizes the basic song structures of the Beatles to their fullest, accepting their history and hoping to bring the listener on new, yet familiar, voyages with every song. Unexpected chord changes keep things interesting, and Penn's literate but approachable lyrics define the record. His words often describe common themes of love or the lack thereof, but his clever turns of phrase compel the listener to reexamine what they've heard and what they've thought. With Penn, you never know quite what to expect, but he always makes you think. He once again creates smart guitar-pop tunes and lets his own unique visions, observations, and voice make the wonderful difference.

 

Following are words from the performers themselves on songs they've chosen:

 

"Macy Day Parade" from the Godzilla soundtrack

Belgian radio producer Dominique Debecker is "proud to say that I've turned on more than a few people to Michael Penn's music. Among them... Alain Pire (of Michel Drucker Expérience)". Pire adds, "This song was an instant hit in my heart. I had such a pleasure recording it with the band. I hope that the emotion I had when singing it still flows through the music. -Alain Pire, Belgium

 

"Try"

We consider "Try" one of Mr. Penn's most hook-laden songs, with the lyrics amply demonstrating his mastery of the turn-of-phrase. The song's structure and lyrics lent themselves well to the duet format, as both participants in any relationship might at times feel a need to stop "trying,"... our first musical project together, was also Cindy's first attempt at recording, so she jokes that the lyrics were also about trying to get a decent sound out of her stage-frightened throat. –Cindy Graham and Randy Chepigan

 

"Me Around"

As a songwriter, I tend to be someone who enjoys sending a bitter/dark lyric down the path with a little honey—a little bit of sugar to help the medicine go down. "Me Around" seems to do that for me. It's bitter, but in a catchy sort of way. –Joseph Nemec

 

"Out of My Hands"

As with the title of the album it comes from, "Out of My Hands" also ties into a sense of "letting the chips—in life and in relationships—fall where they may." Sometimes dots (and people) just don't connect by force. I've always viewed that as liberating rather than sad. This is Penn writing at the top of his game—simply fat-free pop craftsmanship and poetry... I took an acoustic approach and tried to stay true to the vibe musically that affected me in the first place -Tommi Zender

 

"All That That Implies"

In covering "All That That Implies," I decided to stick to the arrangement, except for the extra chorus at the end. You can hear my daughter Naomi's beautiful vocals on the "nanana" parts (where bagpipes are on the original). Naomi, who is 6 1/2, is as big an MP (and Aimee Mann) fan as I am. In the end, ours is of course a mere imitation of the real thing, but it is done with a lot of love and admiration. Thanks go out to Deena, who enjoys and supports our musical explorations and whimsicalness, and of course to Michael Penn, who is one of my main songwriting inspirations. -Bob van Pelt

 

"Selfish"

This song contains one of my favorite lines: "You may find a prince of men/until that time my name is Penn." I decided to change that line a bit to personalize the song, and I like the way it came out. I'm not nearly the strong guitar player MP is, so I had to work within my limitations... Basically I did the best I could with what I had to work with...and I had a heck of a good time jammin' to this great, rockin' MP tune. -Darin Henderson

 

"Comfort"

Resigned, for me, is Michael's Revolver—brilliant, expertly crafted songs; intelligent, poetic lyrics; and sonic brilliance throughout. I chose to cover "Comfort" for three reasons: (1) I couldn't do "Out of my Hands" the justice it so richly deserves; (2) it reminds me of the classic sitcom that made Jim J. Bullock and Deborah Van Valkenburgh the megastars they are today; and (3) it straight-out rocks! -Eddie Fields

 

"I Can Tell"

"I Can Tell" has always been one of my favorite Michael Penn songs to play live. There's something about the line "out I never did figure it" that I love. Plus, once at a Largo show, not normally being one to shout out requests, I was mustering the courage to request this song and was opening my mouth to do so just as Mr. Penn announced that he was "feeling really unrehearsed." Not exactly the most opportune time to shout "I Can Tell" at your favorite artist. Luckily I didn't. -Duane Dolieslager

 

            --  Julie Greene and David Carlson

 

 

COVER ALBUM CREDITS:

 

"Macy Day Parade" from the Godzilla soundtrack

Michel Drucker Expérience

Alain Pire: guitars, vocal, arrangements, recording, and mixing

Benoît Poncin: bass

Jérôme Danthinne: drums

Loreleï Pire: Mellotron

Dominique Debecker: project manager

Etienne Demoulin: mastering

 

"Try"

Produced and arranged by Cindy Graham and Randy Chepigan

Cindy Graham: lead and background vocals

Randy Chepigan: lead and background vocals, keyboards, guitars, drum programming

 

"Me Around"

Joseph Nemec: guitars, bass, lead vocals

Katie Beltrami: background vocals

 

"Out of My Hands"

Tommi Zender: production and all instruments

Recorded by Dave Budrys @ Early Recording, Evanston, IL, August 2006

 

"All That That Implies"

Bob Van Pelt: vocals, instrumentation

Naomi Van Pelt: background vocals

 

"Selfish"

Darin Henderson: vocals, keyboard, guitar

 

"Cover Up"

Keith Stark: guitars, keyboards, vocals, engineering, production, and mix

Todd Steinberg: guitars, vocals, production, and mix

 

"Figment"

Performed by Disnehead Waltsicle, Detroit, Michigan

Chris Glynn: bass; Jim Predhomme: acoustic drums, sleigh bells, tambourine

Keith Stark: guitars, keyboards, vocals, engineering, production, and mix

Todd Steinberg: guitars, vocals, production, and mix

Recorded 8/23/2006, 9/02/2006

 

"Small Black Box"

Jonathan Sheen, Keith Stark, Todd Steinberg, and Billy Bacu

 

"Comfort"

Eddie Fields: all vocals and instruments

 

"I Can Tell"

Duane Dolieslager: vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, bass

Brandon Schott: piano; David Raven: drums; Melissa Jordan: narration

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Introduction | March | Free For All | Resigned | MP4 | Mr. Hollywood Jr, 1947 | P.P.S. | Downloads



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