It's been a while again. New pics, new look to the site, new Prez in the States, new CD, new place near the Swiss Alps and a really nice new guitar named "The Angel" hand-crafted by Mike Delaney of Delaney Guitars www.delaneyguitars.com Can't say enough great things about this guitar and about Mike. Please visit his site and order something from him. (Even a guitar pick). He's a real artist! You won't be disappointed!
Been pretty busy with producing other artists. Just finished Hubert Tubbs' CD (former singer of Tower of Power). Wow! I recruited some old friends for this production. Tom Tom Washington for horn arrangements - Tom's arrangements can also be heard on Earth, Wind and Fire and Michael Jackson, just to name a few. So we were in superb hands with his expertise. Ten killer tracks that should be out this year, 2010.
Currently I am working on a CD for a fine young Jazz pianist from Hamburg, Germany named Boris Lau. Again Tom helped out with horn arrangements here too. This is Boris' first CD and it should also see the light of day this year. Pick either one up, or both, you won't be disappointed!
As for myself, I signed a deal with Hotsak in Spain and Music Avenue in Belguim for the release of a new CD called 'Funky Tortillas'. Same CD, with different covers (they do this sometimes). Hotsak will cover Spain and Music-Avenue will deliver it to the rest of the planet.
On this one I teamed up with a young Spanish duo called Los Reyes del K.O. Wow again!! These guys are Da Real Thang!! They've been coined 'the Buddy Guy and Jr. Wells' of Spain. Big shoes to fill, but you know what? They pull it off! Marcos Coll on Harmonica and Adrian Costa on guitar and vocals. These two are old school and both are killer players! I don't team up with too many players to share a recording, but these two were/are so much fun! Sometimes (when I was living in Berlin) I would go catch their act at some place they were playing at. I would grab a good German beer close my eyes and sit back, as they made me feel like I was back home, in the Southside of Chicago. Even if you don't buy this CD, buy one of their's. Again, you won't regret one second of it!
We each contributed five songs to this new recording. They with their own band and I with some of my L.A. friends, such as Paulie Cerra on sax and horn arrangements (Larry Carlton/Kirk Flectcher), Martin Huch on Lapsteel ( Robert Palmer's last band) and J.T.Thomas on organ (Bruce Hornsby). What can I say - the whole collaboration was 'Da Bomb'!
Of my last ten or so CDs, this is one of my favorites. Not so much for the music, but more because it was with these guys and it was just a whole lot of fun to produce. I could explain all the bumps and paths I took in producing this, but it would just take too long and I probably would have to create another website just to explain! I honestly have to say though, if I was going to share another blues recording with someone I think my first choice would be with Los Reyes del K.O. (if they would have me?)
Okay, on to some other stuff. I always get inquiries about my playing schedule. I tour maybe at the most about two months of the year, by choice. If you folks are interested in where I will be performing just email me at info@tinogonzales.com and I'll write you back to let you know. Producing has helped me make a living, along with my CD sales, so I really count my blessings. Another year and I'll turn 60, Shit!!! The last thing I wanna end up looking like is a road map of the Rockies, or like Keith Richards. The road will do this to you along with other activities, if you know what I mean? Also I am finishing up my first book and continue doing research for another first and that is producing a film documentary. Being diverse in art is a needed key, I feel, to being more creative. I'll do my best to keep you posted on the outcome of these endeavors through the site, for those of you who may be interested.
On to the politics stuff!
I've decided to keep most of this on the short side just because a person really can't control what all those evil disciples of Satan can and will do, no matter how much we cry and complain! When a good politician comes along they always find a way to shut him or her up. Plus, when you're in politics you always have to get close to or play with fire just to get something good done and most of the good ones just get a little too close - and poof!! Ga-bye! Along with this, when ya get close to 60 or so, you go find God again just to be on the safe side of things.
But I'll tell you one thing: I AM SO GLAD G.W. is not holding the White House hostage anymore. (Though I'm really not so sure Obama is much better, as much as he seems to pretend to be) They all have to answer to the same corporate thugs!
Okay now there are plenty of real good sites on the net to check out, specially when you really feel like just screaming 'DEM BASTARDS'! But don't work yourself up too much, 'cause it's fruitless, take my word for it. Mike Moore does his best and all it does is get him fatter.
So enough of this - just go out and find yourself a good nest near the sea or with a nice view of a mountain and work out of there, you'll be a whole lot happier, believe me!! If you really insist on finding out what it's all about, then just check this video out as it tells it like it is. Naomi Wolf's, End of America
So dribble through the site, it will let you know about the old recordings and any new ones that are coming out, contact and booking info, as well as where/how to pick up any of the recordings. I sincerely want to thank any and all of you who take the time to visit the site and let me blab about what spews from my feeble mind. To Tom and Kaj: I will always be indebted to you.
Many good blessings to all of you.
peas and happiness always
Tino
p.s. Oh yea! People always ask me about some of my favorite guitar players. There are two and they run neck and neck. Tommy Emmanuel and Luis Salinas. The rest of us just sit and listen humbly.