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JavaJel’s Rain Forest on Greasy Kids stuff

I can’t believe it, but my song, Rain Forest, was played again on the cool radio show Greasy Kids Stuff Back in November of last year. Dude the song is 10 years old already. It’s got legs!

http://greasykidstuff.vox.com/library/post/gks-playlist-112208.html#comment-form

As for the link in my previous post oo the NY Times Song — sorry but it doesnt’ work. I’m still working on figuring out how to do this stuff.

Instead, here’s a really really really really really groovy song from George Harrison called Wah Wah. Anything by George is famous of course, but I hadn’t been familiar with this song until stumbling over it on YouTube. I admire its layered vocals and spiritual vibe. It’s a joy. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM5Lc3VjJ74

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NY Times song

Here’s a tune called NY Times — about the decline of newspapers and how everyone is too busy spewing anger and celeb gossip to bother with yesterday’s news in the newspaper. Why is everyone on the Internet so angry? I guess bbecausethey spend too much time on the computer and not enough time outside. Joe and Dominic played up the song as a 60s Motown girl group mash-up with a nice back beat and doo wop groove. The version coming out on the upcoming Javalicious CD channeled the song, “You’re so Good to Me” by the Beach Boys with a la la la la thing going on. Anyway, now that I’m going digital I think it’s a big deal, but I’m just an old dad now and no one cares about guys my age putting out new music. It doesn’t matter because sooner or later I’ll start to figure this out and get maybe like at least five hits. I think you need I-Tunes software to listen to this.

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Tom Hannon’s Kerouac Shack

DSC00049Java, Joe Kelly and Dominic jamming at JavaFest in late 2008 in the shack rich in pop culture located in bucolic Sewell, N.J.
Host Tom Hannon snapped this from behind his drum set during our super fun jam.
We recorded a bunch of songs on Dom’s computer and we totally rocked out. Some day the tunes may be mixed, but who cares, I loved it.
These guys are all really amazing and I’m totally stoked that they stil put up with me.
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Java Jel going digital, gradually

Hey, I’m finally starting to go digital. I guess it’s easier than copying tapes on my old cassette and hand-lettering all the labels. Anyway, I’m trying to get my new record, Javalicious out in digital formats before wrapping it up. Cover art is needed as well, naturally. The fun part — making the music — is pretty much done.

Anyway, Java Jel is moving toward the digital age whether he wants to or not. Here’s a rehearsal that Denver area DJ Toby Houser posted a few days ago. It’s a session I did with him back in 1988 or so when he played bass in the combo, Java Jel & Big Bambu. It featured JD Wood on drums — (JD WHERE ARE YOU NOW?) and Lee Sled on keys. The tune, Start Something New is really groovey with super funky guitar and bass, and a long vocal break. Here’s the link:

http://www.boosted.com/Tapes/JavaJel/JavaJel&BigBambu-01071989-side1.mp3

PEACE OUT

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Steve Gelsi/MarketWatch at the 2008 Financial Follies

Hey man, it’s Java Jel. Here’s a great gig I did playing Johnny Cash, Elvis and Uncle Sam at the 2008 NY Financial Follies event at the Marriott Marquis. I usually try to do original tunes, but the gig called for spoofs of cover songs, so that’s what I attempted to do. Chris Morino at MarketWatch producer and engineered the video.

Meanwhile, work continues on my new album of original tunes with producer KOL MARSHALL under two working titles, Java Jel Jellin, or Java Jel Hey Man! As of late December 2008, I’ve pretty much wrapped it up by adding stacks of Java vocals to tap into my Beach Boys obsession. What the songs lack in flashy lead guitar, they make up with great drums, bass and lots of vocals — plus plenty of hooks I hope. The album marks the 20th anniversary of my very first studio recording, Java’s Jesus Jam. It sounds pretty good. We’ll finish up mixing soon and get it out on I-Tunes.

After this, I’m done for the time being and will try to write a book instead or something.