Steelonious

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 12 Jun 2016 6:55 am

Here is another sneak peek from my upcoming release. This is the title track, Reflections, and it was inspired by Santo & Johnny. The song was written by Thelonious Monk.

I can only keep it available for a day or so, because this is the rough, unmixed track. My mixing engineer will begin his magic with these tracks 10 days from now. Hope you enjoy!

[Link removed]
Thanks to everyone who listened!

Former Member · Post by **Former Member** » 12 Jun 2016 7:02 am

Damn. That plays anywhere.
So good!

Charles Stange · Post by **Charles Stange** » 12 Jun 2016 7:53 am

All your hard work is inspiring, Thank you.....

Bo Parker · Post by **Bo Parker** » 12 Jun 2016 8:27 am

Nice!

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 12 Jun 2016 9:59 am

Grrrrreat! I have to admit though that I miss your tricone work. I thought it was truly superlative.

Dennis Smith · Post by **Dennis Smith** » 12 Jun 2016 10:14 am

Sweet sound and love the chord work. Sounds like a big band intro. How many cuts on the Cd you have coming?

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 12 Jun 2016 10:17 am

Geez!

Rick Bernauer · Post by **Rick Bernauer** » 12 Jun 2016 1:53 pm

Sounds great! Can't wait to get the whole CD.

Steve Cunningham · Post by **Steve Cunningham** » 12 Jun 2016 4:29 pm

Very cool Mike!

Joe Breeden · Post by **Joe Breeden** » 12 Jun 2016 6:12 pm

I like it Mike.

Frank Agliata · Post by **Frank Agliata** » 12 Jun 2016 7:34 pm

Tasteful . .

Scott Thomas · Post by **Scott Thomas** » 12 Jun 2016 8:11 pm

You really nailed the S&J '50s vibe! Wonderful job.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 13 Jun 2016 2:12 am

wonderful cut.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 13 Jun 2016 4:19 am

I want to thank everyone who listened and commented.

You know, sometimes you play something and record it, and you wonder if it really is good or if your own judgment is off. It can be difficult to listen to your own music objectively. I thought this idea was a good one and it really inspired the project. I don't know if I've pulled it off exactly how I heard it, but I tried.

But the way, I'm listening to it in mono on a pair of good headphones and it sounds just right!

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 13 Jun 2016 4:38 am

One aspect that wasn't obvious to me when you first talked about this project, Mike, that became clear to me as you've posted various rough mixes, is that Monk's music is being filtered through the entire history of steel guitar in a very organic and subtle way ..... Sol to Santo and much more. This will be lost on the average listener but for a steel player, it's a way cool "value added."

I can totally relate to the feeling of putting a creative project out there in the world and hoping it's good, thinking it's good but waiting for the world to react. I've had the experience of both great success and falling flat on my face in this endeavor. I wish the greatest success with this project, Mike. True originality and taking artistic chances deserves to be rewarded.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 13 Jun 2016 5:12 am

Andy, yes, you can say that's true. One of my fears was that the music would only appeal to steel players, but steel players don't really like Monk, and many others do. I'm hoping to introduce both groups of people to each other.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 13 Jun 2016 5:58 am

Getting interviews/reviews with venues like NPR might be a good way to reach a receptive wider audience.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 13 Jun 2016 6:38 am

It's difficult to give the work the kind of praise it deserves (IMO) because it has a fairly bold vision, definitely different.
So it would be hard for you to be objective as well, wondering " if it really is good or if your own judgment is off."
On the other hand, nobody's done it before, so you can't really be 'off,' and this particular forum wouldn't be a guide to 'on.'
Andy put this well, the extent of the value added from the roots of steel music.

Each of these pieces are real originals; they haven't been done this way before. The body of work as they get put together
has a cohesiveness (lacking a commercial formula) and it's exciting to imagine how the final cut will be.
I can hear it in mono, like an old radio far away. Maybe NPR in the future.

So, don't stop for us, keep on going!

Tony Lombardo · Post by **Tony Lombardo** » 13 Jun 2016 8:37 am

I look so forward to hearing the final finished product.

Tim Weaver · Post by **Tim Weaver** » 14 Jun 2016 7:51 am

Came too late to hear the tune (just like the last one you posted), but Iâ€™m looking forward to hearing your project. I think it sounds like it will be really cool.

Iâ€™m at least one steel player who loves Monk; thereâ€™s got to be others. To tied myself over, I just listened to Sonny Rollinsâ€™ recording of Reflections, with Monk on piano. Great tune.