Les Fradkin & Get Wet - "Reverbia"

Les Fradkin presents "Reverbia" from his acclaimed CD "Splash!"
Les has performed live with The Ventures and recorded with Nokie Edwards on several occasions.

He has written theme music for the Gidget documentary: "Accidental Icon" narrated by Jorjia Fox of CSI fame.

"Reverbia" was filmed on location in Kawaii, Hawaii. This clip is from the forthcoming documentary "A Day At The Beach".

Les Fradkin "Strat Heaven"

The new Les Fradkin guitar instrumental CD is here! "Strat Heaven" features a bold and exciting array of new instrumental treatments from Les!

Track Lineup:
1. Strat Heaven (Brand new original)
2. Move Along (The All-American Rejects)
3. Crazy (Gnarls Barkley)
4. This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race (Fall Out Boy)
5. Livin' On A Prayer (Bon Jovi)
6. Nothin's Gonna Stop Us (Starship)
7. Rock & Roll Part 2 (Gary Glitter) (features a guest appearance from Nokie Edwards of The Ventures)
8. Tomorrow Never Knows (Beatles Cover)
9. Stairway To Heaven (Led Zeppelin Cover)
10. Good Night (Beatles Cover)

New Gandy Dancer Magazine loves it:
"Les has got out there and grabbed some of today's brilliant indie themes for great instrumentals. In this light, listen to Mr. F. play the fab Fall Out Boy's "This Ain't A Scene (It's An Arms Race)" and All American Rejects' "Move Along" and recognize that good instrumental material and sources of it, didn't stop in 1963!" (Dav Peckett-New Gandy Dancer Magazine-Issue 87)

And you will too!




Available at Apple iTunes:

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=292927922&s=143441

Available at Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Strat-Heaven/dp/B001JQ5MZC/ref=dm_ap_alb14?ie=UTF8&qid=1243448154&sr=1-10

Kick Sand Video on You Tube

Les Fradkin presents "Kick Sand" from his acclaimed CD "A Day At The Beach" now on video preview at You Tube:



"Kick Sand" is featured in the Gidget documentary "Accidental Icon"

Les has performed live with The Ventures and recorded with Nokie Edwards.

This video is filmed on location in Kawaii, Hawaii, this is from the forthcoming documentary "A Day At The Beach".

Harvey Starr, the inventor of the Starr Labs Ztar, offers a two part brief discussion of the basic features of the Ztar MIDI guitar controller. Covering the basic hardware and connections, the main software features and some of the basic modes of operation.

Part 1:


Part 2:


And for a look at Les Fradkin & the Starr Labs Ztar in action:





MIDI Guitar like you've never seen it before!

The White Single

For Beatles fans, I've just released a special limited edition 5 song EP
called "The White Single."

5 instrumental versions of White Album songs:
featuring my Starr Labs Ztar and my Fender "Rocky" Stratocaster.

Check it out at:

http://www.cdbaby.com/lesfradkin19

Available at iTunes shortly!

The California Story

One of my Blast from the Past projects, the group CALIFORNIA, which recorded for Laurie Records from 1973 thru 1985 has a new video posted at You Tube: CALIFORNIA: "Summer Fun Medley" (1981)




Because of the obvious Beach Boys influence and the growing interest on the Internet in the group's story, I decided to write up the history of the band for those interested collectors and fans.

Thanks,
Les Fradkin
http://www.lesfradkin.com


The CALIFORNIA Story (As told by Les Fradkin):

CALIFORNIA Discography:
See you in September / Ivy Ivy (1973) Laurie 3612
Song of a thousand voices / Abraham Martin & John (1976) Laurie 3639
Jeans on / Doo-wop music - Laurie 3647 (1976)
I'm just thinking of you / Doo-wop music - (1976) Laurie 3649
Summer fun medley / Paris (1945) (1981) Laurie 3695
Brown eyed girl / Thank you for lovin' me - Laurie 3701
He's almost you / Three time loser (1982) Laurie 3706
Black gypsy / The land of fun & love (1983) Laurie 3710
He's almost you / Three time loser - RCA 306
Little brown jug / String of pearls - 3C-114

CALIFORNIA Performs ELECTRIC SWING - 3C-6000

COLLECTOR'S RECORDS OF THE 50's and 60's Vol 14 - (1982)
Feat. See you in September

The story of the Laurie Records group CALIFORNIA has seldom, if ever been told. I was an original member and the only constant throughout the group's history from 1973 thru 1985.

The group was originally formed by myself, Barry Butler and George Cameron (drummer of The Left Banke). Barry & I would write together on our matching Rickenbacker 12 string guitars and stumbled on a sound that, in some respects, predated the Fleetwood Mac sound of 1975 and, in other respects, shared influences of The Left Banke and The Beach Boys. Because of that trait, I asked George Cameron to be our drummer and third harmony singer and he enthusiastically agreed.

We wanted to do big harmony pop. Went looking for a record deal in 1973 and after recording some demos at A-1 studios in NYC, landed a contract with Laurie Records. Their offices were on West 46th St in Manhattan, NYC.

During the course of the contract negotiations, Barry got quite upset. He left the band and quit the music business. But he helped form the sound we used. Steve Martin from The Left Banke came onboard to replace him. Bev Warren was added at Laurie VP Gene Schwartz's suggestion.

The first release came out in 1973 and was "See You In September" b/w "Ivy, Ivy". The B-side, although the same title as the Left Banke tune was one of my originals. The group originally was myself, Steve Martin & George Cameron (from The Left Banke) and Beverly Warren (Female Vocalist). Mike Brown (composer of "Walk Away Renee") guested on these sides but was not a part of the group. That A-side had a "Let's Go To San Francisco" Flowerpot Men meets Motown meets Beach Boys feel. It ended up on a Laurie Compilation called Collector Records Of The 50's & 60's Vol. 14.

Lineup for the first single:
Les Fradkin - Lead Vocal (Ivy Ivy), 12-string guitar, 6-string Bass, Background vocals (A & B)
George Cameron - Drums, Background Vocals
Steve Martin - Electric guitar, Background vocals
Mike Brown - Piano, Harpsichord
Eliot Greenberg - Background Vocals and String Arrangements ("See You In September")
Beverly Warren- Lead Vocal ("See You In September")

"See You In September" got to #111 on the Billboard Charts if I recall correctly. The group played a couple of shows and opened for Dion in New Jersey once. Then, the group broke up temporarily.

Nothing further on the group until 1976. ........

Gene Schwartz had the idea to revive the group and record a cover of "Jeans On" which at that moment, was NOT out in the US. Although he knew it was a risk, he plowed ahead anyway and asked me to put a new group together under the California name.

Since George & Steve were unavailable and the Beatlemania show was still just in rehearsal with no real clue as to destination or possible success, I invited the Beatlemania group to participate. This single was recorded at Electric Lady Studios and is the ONLY California record I produced without Gene & Eliot. I insisted on the artistic autonomy and was granted the chance. The record gets a Top 60 pick in Cash Box, Billboard & Record World.

Lineup for "Jeans On" and "Doo Wop Music"
Les Fradkin - Lead Vocal (Doo-Wop) Background Vocals, Moog and Bass
Diana Haig- Background Vocals (Jeans On and Doo Wop Music)
Joe Pecorino- Lead Vocal and Background Vocals (Jeans On)
Mitch Weissman- Piano and Background Vocals (Jeans On)
Justin McNeill- Drums (Jeans On and Doo Wop Music)

FYI: This lineup was the ONLY appearance by the Original Cast Of Beatlemania on record OUTSIDE the context of the Broadway show.
"Jeans On" was a cover of the David Dundas hit tune. We thought we could beat it out in the US. Not quite! :-) "Doo Wop Music" was written by Diana & I.

"Song Of A Thousand Voices" b/w "Abraham, Martin & John".
Lineup:
Recorded 1973 > Released 1976
Les Fradkin - Lead & Background Vocals, 12-String Gtr, Bass, Mellotron
George Cameron - drums, vocals
Steve Martin - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Barry Butler - 12-String Guitar, Vocals

"Song Of A Thousand Voices" (my song) had already been an nternational hit single for Mireille Mathieu and Roberto Jordan in French and Spanish language versions respectively. We thought it could hit in the US. Not quite! :-)

"Abraham, Martin & John" was among the demos that got me my Laurie deal along with "Where Have All The Heroes Gone". Just as a side note, Barry Butler co-wrote "Where Have All The Heroes Gone" and "Everything Is Gonna Be All Right" with me. Those two songs were also among the first California demos. "Heroes" was eventually sung by my friend Tom Selden. I released "Everything" as the closing track on my solo "Jangleholic" CD in 2006.

"I'm Just Thinking Of You" Lineup:
Les Fradkin- Lead & Background Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Mellotron
Drum Programming
Diana Haig- Background Vocals
JoAnne Calabrese- Lead & Background Vocals

This was a song that Joanne Calabrese wrote that I liked. It reminded me of Spanky & Our Gang as JoAnne had that same sort of vocal timbre. It didn't chart, unfortunately.

On to 1981:
I returned to Laurie Records as a producer / artist after Beatlemania closed at the end of 1979. Gene & Bob Schwartz wanted to revive the group with a Stars on 45 type release. I suggested a Beach Boys type record and they said OK if I could find the right guys. I went searching in the Village Voice under the guise of "auditioning" for a band that was advertising. That was Tony Pernice and Richie Tuske.

Their ad read: "Wally Bryson, where are you?" That, I thought, would be me. Needless to say, it was a great match up. I brought the guys to the attention of Laurie Records and we got working on the medley. As you can hear, it turned out to be a pretty exciting record. It took 100 hours to record and mix at Minot Studios in White Plains, New York. Gene & Eliot co produced but my production direction held sway throughout. Tony, Richie & I arranged the vocals. I arranged the track with Gene. By that time, all tunes that California recorded were arranged t my home studio before going up to Minot to record final takes. This gave us a very clear idea of what to expect in the studio when the clock was running.



Things evolved from there as the record took off fairly quickly across the country on radio. It swept to #1 in several markets and, as you may know, Dick Clark gave it an airing on American Bandstand. There was even a story in Billboard about it. We were booked to open for Todd Rundgren & Utopia at The Last Chance in Poughkeepsie, NY. That was a pretty cool show. I played a Rickenbacker doubleneck at that time. In fact, the whole band used Ricks and matching Vox Amps. JP Patterson played drums with our live shows as Bob Miller had other work as the drummer of The Metro Men who recorded for Genra Raven's Polish Records label.

Summer Fun Medley Lineup:
Les Fradkin-Lead & Background Vocals, Lead Guitar, Keys
Tony Pernice- Lead & Background Vocals, Bass
Richie Tuske- Lead & Background Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Bob Miller- Drums

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnuCFgPvB2M

Paris Lineup:
Les Fradkin- Guitars, Bass, Drum Programming

"Brown Eyed Girl" was selected as the follow up single. We treated this like "Wild Honey" complete with wailing theremin and big harmonies.

Brown Eyed Girl Lineup:
Les Fradkin- Lead & Background Vocals, Guitars, Theremin, Piano, Mellotron
Tony Pernice- Background Vocals and Bass
Richie Tuske- Background Vocals and Rhythm Guitar
Bob Miller - Drums

Thank You For Lovin Me Lineup:
Tony Pernice- Lead Vocals
Les Fradkin - Guitar & Bass
Other Instruments from existing track from Laurie Archives

By 1982, the group started to evolve a bit out of the strict Beach Boys style and into a kind of Blondie like atmospheric Pop sound. Tony & Richie branched off to form The Singles which also included myself on guitar. Meanwhile Laurie & I replaced them in California with two new members from the Beatlemania show: Gigi Hagemann-Teeley (wife of my understudy Tom Teeley) on Vocals and Keyboards and Don Linares on Bass and Vocals. Bob Miller stayed on board on Drums. Gigi had a very interesting and unique voice.

The first single for the new group was a tune Diana Haig & I wrote called "He's Almost You" A very unique but commercial song about jealousy and wandering thoughts of someone else other than the "one you're with". I loved the chorus hook: "He's Almost You.... But he's not you!" This song has since been covered by the girl group Venus In Bluejeans on my RRO Entertainment label. The B-Side, "Three Time Loser" was a Laurie catalog tune that Gene wanted us to try. "He's Almost You" charted Top 50 in the U.K. The follow up "The Land Of Fun ^ Love" did not se any chart action.

He's Almost You / Three Time Loser / Land Of Fun & Love Lineup:
Les Fradkin- Background Vocals, Guitar, Electric Piano, Mellotron
Gigi Hageman-Teeley - Lead Vocals, Piano
Don Linares - Bass, Background Vocals
Bob Miller - Drums

The group had run it's course by 1983 but Gene & I revived the name for the 1985 album "Electric Swing" which was the first Guitar Synthesizer album ever made and a very early MIDI programming miracle for those days. An interesting cross of pop, rock and big band arrangements were the chief highlight of that release. At that point, the book closed on California.

Little Brown Jug / String Of Pearls Lineup:
Les Fradkin- Guitar Synthesizer and all other instruments
This was the FIRST Guitar Synthesizer album EVER made.

One of these days, EMI (who owns it all) will do a compilation, I hope. And when they do, I'll remaster it if they're interested.

Blasts From My Past

Back in the 1970's and 1980's, I produced and recorded for a variety of labels including MGM, Laurie, ESP Disk, Bell and Arista. I recorded solo and as a member of several groups including Beatlemania, Edison Lighthouse, California, The Godz, The Left Banke, Thornton Fradkin & Unger and others.

Here's a new video sub chanel for checking out some things from my career stretching back to 1970:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=9BC19BD27C576F2D

Features:
California-Summer Fun Medley
Beatlemania-The Making Of Beatlemania
Beatlemania-On The Merv Griffin Show
Les Fradkin with The Left Banke-"I Could Make It Last Forever"
Les Fradkin & Get Wet- "A Day At The Beach"
Roberto Jordan-"Donde?" (Song Of A Thousand Voices) (Spanish)

More releases to come including Les' 1980-81 group- The Allies with
never before seen video footage, video footage from "Reality-The Rock
Opera", a video from the "12" CD and other surprises as well!

Regards,
Les Fradkin
http://www.lesfradkin.com

Les Fradkin Orbiter Video On You Tube

Les Fradkin, the Starr Labs Ztar virtuoso, presents "Orbiter" from his "One Link Between Them" CD.

Robert Fripp once remarked in Guitar Player Magazine: "There is a new music to go with this new instrument. Therein lies my interest in the guitar synthesizer. That something entirely new will appear." This COULD be it! Come have a look and listen to a new sound in Progressive Rock.



This album has received wide acclaim in publications such as Keyboard Magazine and across the Internet.

Les, who is classically trained, is moving at Hyper speed. In this video, he's playing the Starr Labs Ztar MIDI Guitar in a Jean Michel Jarre meets Robert Fripp influenced style on his own composition.

The Ztar can be strummed with string triggers or tapped with one or both hands as seen in this video.

The main lead sound is the Les Fradkin Lead Guitar Sample and the Logic ES2. Background sounds are from an M-Tron, Roland XV-5080 and Arturia Soft Synths. The sounds at the intro are made with The GForce M-Tron Pro and Propellerhead Reason.

Take a Journey To The Stars!

MIDI Guitar.... as you've never seen it before!

Visit the Les Fradkin Official Website:

http://www.lesfradkin.com

For more information on the Ztar:

http://www.starrlabs.com

The Les Fradkin Ztar Video Collection

Ever heard and seen a Starr Labs Ztar? The Ultimate MIDI Guitar
Curious? Be in the know and check out the Les Fradkin Video Ztar Collection!

Featuring "Lift Off"- The Rock Television Winner of the Month!







MIDI Guitar like you've never seen it before!

Les Fradkin New Video On You Tube

Watch the NEW Les Fradkin Video:
"Everything Is Wrong" featuring
the amazing Starr Labs Ztar.

Les Fradkin, from the Original Cast of Beatlemania, joins millions of Americans who feel "Up Against The Wall". Les' song "Everything Is Wrong" perfectly encapsulates what's wrong with America today and the financial crisis we all face.

Whether you're for Barack Obama & Joe Biden or John McCain and Sarah Palin, Americans feel "Up Against The Wall" with all the "Elephant Talk" from Washington politicians.

What's especially eerie is that Les wrote about this FIVE YEARS AGO. Now, "Everything Is Wrong" is a song who's time has finally come!



LES FRADKIN: "Reality-The Rock Opera"


5 Years ahead of it's time!
Now, with the 2008 Presidential Election, the bailout crisis, the Wall Street mess, tightening of Credit-
It's time has finally come!
Featuring:
"Everything Is Wrong"
"Rehearsals For Retirement"
"System Crash"
"It's Plastic"

Les Fradkin plays and endorses:

Starr Labs Ztar Model Z7S MIDI Guitar
w/Air Power Wireless System

Like A Rolling Stone is Out!

Steven Kurutz's new book "Like A Rolling Stone" (The Strange Life Of A Tribute Band) is out and doing real well. Although the book is about tribute bands in general and specifically about the Rolling Stones tribute band "Sticky Fingers", there is quite a bit of backstory devoted to Beatlemania and specifically, the four original cast members (Mitch Weissman, Joe Pecorino, Les Fradkin & Justin McNeill).

In addition, Les Fradkin is featured prominently in two sections of the book dealing with Beatlemania on Broadway as well as his and the other original members' current activities.

Like A Rolling Stone Book Cover

One Link Between Them Review-ProgRock

LES FRADKIN-"One Link Between Them" (RRO-1027)
Prog Rock Plus Website Review

Isn't it a really cool feeling when you discover something or someone that surprises you and simply knocks your socks? Entering the spacerock ring is Mr. Les Fradkin, armed with synthesizers and samples including his featured instrument- Starr Labs Ztar Model Z7S MIDI Guitar. But labeling Les squarely into the Spacerock genre would not be altogether true; combine spacerock, Jean-Michel Jarre and some progrock flair and classical influences and you can at least see where his music is reaching out to.

What I like about `One Link Between Them,' is that Fradkin, makes his guitar synths and the Ztar sing with amazing intonation as if Rick Wakeman was playing a classic synth. His MIDI controller mades good use of a substantial array of equipment and samples but never seems forced, as if he's showing out his new toy. Drum programming is od high standards and on ocassion reaches the height of brilliant, though many of the rythyms, remind me of a classic Jean-Michel Jarre feel.

High points to the album are:

Track 2- `Orbiter,' is a standout! Penned by Mr. Fradkin, the piece starts outs with some tasty Mellotron and settles into some amazing rhythms as well some very cool leads. Les out Jarres Jarre on this track!

Track 3- `From Venus with Love,' composed by Les and Loretta Fradkin is a gorgeous melange of taste rhythms, beauty and spicy melody. As with Orbiter, I didn't want the tracks to end, but go on forever.

Track 4- is Steve Vai's `Liberty,' Though IMHO one of the weaker tracks (due to the composition, not instrumentation), the song really showcases the skill and amazing technique that Les can do, when needed.

The next track is another cover, `Caravan,' (composed by D. Ellington, J.Ticol, I.Mills). Les combines a Middle-eastern influence with his electronic take on Ellington's classic.

Track 6- `Warp Drive,' is exactly what it is titled. Add a little Yngwie, a dash of Jarre, some Tangerine Dream and a classical structure, with a pulsating rocking rhythm and you get a wild track. This track highlights Les' brilliant combination of expression as well as technique.

`Sailing All Alone,' like track 6 was penned by Les, and slows down the pace to showcase his sense of beauty. Again, the music perfectly portrays its title. Tara Coker-Lewis's voice ascends the piece even higher. Beautiful job.

`Longing To Return' briefly returns to the melody and riffs of `From Venus with Love,' but with an amazing beauty that is simply breathtaking. This is a fantastic composition that showcases the simplicity and the sublime. Amazing work Les! I sense a little Vangelis vibe (not soundwise), to this track.

Track 9 is my favorite, perhaps because it is the more proggier of the album's pieces. Penned again by Les and Loretta Fradkin, the composition to me instills a sense of wonder, some nice interplay with the Mellotron flute, oboe and some tastily bass and digital drums. The song gets stronger as it goes though its 7 plus minute length. The Ztar married with electric guitar is breathtaking! Images of triumph permeate this song- and well it should.

Joe Meek's `Telstar' finishes up the CD. Again, like Vai's composition, I feel that this one of the weaker tracks and personally, I like Les' penned pieces better, yet I do admire his daring as well as giving a nod to tunes and/or performers that he admires.

Did I mention any lows? Nothing to talk about really, the few weaker tracks (IMHO), are still solid because of Les' musicality.

All in all, I really liked this album. The CD has enough change and interest, as well as technique to keep Prog rockers interested. Mellotron sounds are not redundant and over-used, and Mr. Fradkin's musicianship marries well with the (especially his), compositions. If you are a fan of Jean-Michel Jarre, or like new technology, check out this artist- now! But there is more to this man than simple synths; Les combines and transmorphs the new technology with feeling, passion and old-fashioned gusto. He knows how to rock, and can even get you on the dance floor; but also, the music is brimming with intelligence, emotion and care.

I can't wait to hear what this talented performer does on his next venture. It would be neat to hear a few longer tracks, so Les could spin his array of textures with a larger palette. I can envision a modern Supper's ready-like epic piece coming from Les' Ztar. Also, it might be interesting to add a few traditional instruments into the mix, as a highlight or accent.

9.2 out of 10 rating
Lee Gaskins
ProgRock Plus Website
http://progrock.homestead.com/LesFradkinreview.html

The Les Fradkin Tune Widget

One Link Between Them Announcement

My new Progressive Space Rock CD "One Link Between Them" is now released. It's available at Apple iTunes and other fine download stores. Featuring "Lift Off", "Orbiter", and "Telstar."