by OGSR | May 25, 2020 | OGSR Main
You’ve got check out this music video of Tom Petty’s “Refugee” by singer/songwriter Paul Zollo and Barry Keenan.
Paul is the author of the newly-released book, Conversations With Tom Petty, Expanded Edition. It’s available on Amazon & Kindle. Click Here for more information. Over the course of a year, Paul spent his Saturdays with Tom talking about Tom’s career and music, and they became friends.
This is a must read for all Tom Petty fans. And if you’re not familiar with Tom Petty, this book will take you on a fantastic journey into the world and the mind of one of America’s great songwriters.
A few months ago, Paul and Barry were talking about music and songwriting. They both came to the realization that they had the same desire to release a new and different version of The Beatles song, “Help.” Barry suggested to Paul that they go into his studio and record their idea. They did, and their version of “Help” will be released in the near future.
However, because Paul’s book was being released in February 2020, the two decided to do a tribute to Tom Petty by recording one of Tom’s songs and releasing it before they released “Help.” Paul and Barry went through several of Tom’s songs but were undecided on a song to record (because Tom Petty has so many great songs) until Paul sent Barry a slowed down, funky version he was doing of the song, “Refugee.”
“I was immediately taken by it,” says Barry. “I told Paul that this is the song we should do.”
Click Here to see the video of ZK’s (Zollo-Keenan’s) version of Tom Petty’s “Refugee.”
Bonus: Exclusive Old Guys Still Rockin Interview with Barry Keenan about the recording of this song: Click Here.
by OGSR | Apr 20, 2020 | Story Behind the Song
If/Everything’s Going to be Fine
By Barry Keenan
“Everything’s Going To Be Fine” was written as the opening track on my album, “Contrary To Popular Belief.” The song’s point of view is that many of the world’s problems boil down to selfishness. In all of us. I also believe that while that selfishness lies within us, so too does love. And that if we manifest the love rather than the selfishness, then many of society’s problems will be reduced and “everything’s going to be fine.”
When renowned studio tech, Charlie Bolis (Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty) called me after listening to the song in his car, he suggested that I re-release it. Out of the blue, in the same week, I was contacted by Kevin Lewin (World Entertainment News Network) suggesting the same thing: that I re-release the song. This prompted a discussion with Matt Forger (Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones) to do a re-mix of the song.
Forger then adapted the Rudyard Kipling poem “If” as an opening to the song. I then had arranger Barry Fazman (Billy Joel, Fame) orchestrate the poem. Next I contacted poet Loring Evans who came in from Idaho to recite the poem.
The finished version can be heard at www.invisiblepoetkings.com.
To finish off the project, I brought in Photographer/Author Paul Zollo (Songwriters On Songwriting, Volumes 1 & 2 and Conversations With Tom Petty, Expanded Version) who contributed many of his photographs for the “If/Everything’s Going To Be Fine” video, which was edited by Forger. The video can be view at the link provided above.
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Listen to the Song
by OGSR | Jan 16, 2020 | NAMM 2020
Old Guys Still Rockin spent a lot of time at the NAMM Media Center.
We interviewed Audiologist Dr. Julie Glick, Singer/Songwriter Barry Keenan of Invisible Poet Kings (along with drummer Voyce McGinley III, and guitarist Ed Krzyzaniak), legendary producer/engineer Matt Forger, members of the 1960’s girl band Ace of Cups (who’s releasing a new album this summer supported by a slew of famous musicians, including the Dead’s Bob Weir).
We want to thank the people at the Media Center, particularly Carrie and Roslyn who helped make things easy and avert crises.
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