Thanks for supporting my Kickstarter Project!

Mark Roeder · Post by **Mark Roeder** » 20 Oct 2015 9:23 am

this is going to be a great recording....me thinks

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 21 Oct 2015 5:02 am

I'm looking forward to this as well, Mark.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 23 Oct 2015 4:15 am

The funding is at 71% of goal as of today, with approx 3 weeks left!

Going to be a tough, nail-biting 3 weeks, but I am just keeping my mind focused on the arrangements and the players I want to use. I hope to post a few new demos this weekend, including Epistrophy and Bemsha Swing.

So, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

It really is enlightening getting something like this together. I am relying so heavily on the steel guitar community, and yet my goal is to make music that doesn't necessarily cater to it, and it definitely doesn't cater to a jazz crowd. It's kind of in a musical "no man's land". The aren't a lot of avenues available for promotion. It's really a lot to digest and think about.

Mark Roeder · Post by **Mark Roeder** » 23 Oct 2015 1:40 pm

that is great news..............

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 23 Oct 2015 2:17 pm

Great news Mike....keep the enthusiasmðŸ‘

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 25 Oct 2015 7:31 am

Finally got around to recording a quick demo for the song Reflections, which is one of my favorites. I tried to give it sort of a Sleepwalk treatment, at least rhythmically. The cast aluminum Clinesmith really sings, even among the out-of-tune guitars and lazy bass notes (it was late!).

https://soundcloud.com/ionahoopii/refle ... -mike-neer

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 29 Oct 2015 2:25 am

This may be my favorite sketch of the suite; had to listen to it a few times.
I dig the bass, like reflections in a lazy river. Nice octave sound on the steel, just right.

Todd Clinesmith · Post by **Todd Clinesmith** » 30 Oct 2015 7:05 am

Charlie McDonald wrote:This may be my favorite sketch of the suite; had to listen to it a few times.
I dig the bass, like reflections in a lazy river. Nice octave sound on the steel, just right.

Agreed,This is one of my favorite Monk demo's you have put out there Mike. Great melody on that tune, and it really sounds fit for a steel guitar.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 31 Oct 2015 9:46 am

What good would the project be without some Western Swing?

https://soundcloud.com/ionahoopii/i-mea ... -mike-neer

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 3 Nov 2015 7:04 am

I can just hear Monk in the background saying "Ah, boys...."

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 3 Nov 2015 7:13 am

I made a very quick demo of this last night. I've been hearing it in my head, just not sure how to pull it off. This is the beautiful ballad Ask Me Now. I have some good plans for this one, but I'm still learning to play it.

https://soundcloud.com/ionahoopii/ask-m ... -mike-neer

I am going to delete the demo links soon. They are really there just to give an idea where this project is heading. I anticipate they will far exceed the meager home demos.

Fred Kinbom · Post by **Fred Kinbom** » 4 Nov 2015 4:15 am

CD ordered - looking forward to hearing it Mike, have fun recording it!

Cheers,

Fred

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 4 Nov 2015 5:47 am

I wasn't really familiar with Monk's work, except for Well, You Needn't (which I sometimes mix up with Night In Tunisia).....now I'm going to familiarize myself with his work so that when your recording is out, I'll have a foundation upon which to base my appreciation of your interpretations.....

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 4 Nov 2015 6:08 am

First of all, I really want to thank everyone for putting up with the nuisance of this campaign. I know many of you hope to never hear about it again. But thank you for at least not telling me so!

For those who have supported the project, with words or pledges, thank you from the bottom of my heart. It has confirmed for me that it is a worthy idea and I will put every drop of passion that I have into it.

I think the latest demo that I've done really illustrates how the project has taken on a life of its own. The meaning of the project has really evolved for me and it's almost kind of scary the way the tunes are presenting themselves. I think it has become more about the tunes and less about me--my real input is just in the presentation of the music.

Check this out and let me know what you think:
https://soundcloud.com/ionahoopii/ask-m ... -mike-neer

The lessons in Monk's music will be taught forever. What I get is: unreal sense of rhythm and phrasing; personal, yet logical harmony and reharmonization; fearless pursuit of personal style; and great sense of history. Monk's music was rooted very much in the past.

David Knutson · Post by **David Knutson** » 4 Nov 2015 3:31 pm

Well Mike, this thread wouldn't keep rising to the top of the list if a whole lot of us weren't following it. Getting close.
I have never been a big Monk fan, but your treatments, even in demo form, have won me over.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 5 Nov 2015 6:49 am

Hasn't been a nuisance at all; the cream rises to the top with each new demo (and I'd buy them at face value, they're such a thrill).
Hope you'll be playing bass on these tracks; you capture Monk's writing style, that walking up and down in the circle of 4ths like 'Ask Me Now,'
which might be my favorite--but then, each new tune is my favorite until the next. I am a Monk fan, and more people ought to dig this guy.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 5 Nov 2015 7:37 am

Charlie McDonald wrote: Hope you'll be playing bass on these tracks; you capture Monk's writing style, that walking up and down in the circle of 4ths like 'Ask Me Now,'
which might be my favorite--but then, each new tune is my favorite until the next. I am a Monk fan, and more people ought to dig this guy.

Heck, no! I'm merely a functional player, just bought the old Kay bass that a friend lent to me a few years ago. However, I am smart enough to know how important the bass is to the groove, which is why I will hire the pros.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 5 Nov 2015 7:50 am

Looking for a sideman?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUZXWCj2ZCU

Guess not!

Mike, I love all the different steel guitar flavors you're bringing together via the conduit of Monk's compositions. You're like a master chef in the musical kitchen with this one. Can't wait to hear the final tracks!

Only $614 to go!

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 5 Nov 2015 3:13 pm

Mike Neer wrote:
Charlie McDonald wrote: Hope you'll be playing bass on these tracks....
Heck, no! I'm merely a functional player, just bought the old Kay bass that a friend lent to me a few years ago. However, I am smart enough to know how important the bass is to the groove, which is why I will hire the pros.

A utility player, maybe. I've really enjoyed hearing the parts you laid down, and at least you've demo'd them for the ringer.

I guess that lets the banjo out of the picture too.

Steve Gwizdalski · Post by **Steve Gwizdalski** » 5 Nov 2015 3:46 pm

Mike..I'm in. I really like the demos - hope you make your goal. I've learned a lot from your posts.
Thanks

Mark Roeder · Post by **Mark Roeder** » 6 Nov 2015 8:51 am

This is getting close...........319.00 to reach goal

Lets get it done!

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 7 Nov 2015 5:51 am

I'll tell you what must be a nuisance to Mike, posters who keep track of how much is left to be funded, like at the moment,
only $156 and eight days away--doh! I did it myself. (We must want this project completed in good fashion.)
Oh well, one good bump deserves another, as we used to say while dancing in the 70's, and anyone who remembers that
will probably remember Monk as someone other than a television character.

Mark Roeder · Post by **Mark Roeder** » 7 Nov 2015 11:28 am

Well said Charlie

David Knutson · Post by **David Knutson** » 8 Nov 2015 12:35 pm

WAHOO!
Congrats Mike. We'll all try to hold off from bugging you now about how it's coming along.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 8 Nov 2015 2:04 pm

Allright! I never had a doubt.

Congratulations. It was the quality of the work did it.
------------
Fact is, I feel so good I'm going to dedicate this song (from several years back) to Mike.
Monk and Mingus Go Walking
Has nothing to do with his project; just shows how Monk and Mike inspire me.
(It has some pitch problems; the steel, an SD-12, and the recorder are gone.)