Hello! This is my music site, see my writings at: JosephJohnRacano.com.
I have tried to keep up and current but it's hard to do. The site includes a bit of my musical history as well as what's more recent. Let's start with (some of) the instruments...
I have tried to keep up and current but it's hard to do. The site includes a bit of my musical history as well as what's more recent. Let's start with (some of) the instruments...
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Lupinesong Recording Studio
Los Osos, California
Welcome to my humble studio where we are currently upgrading from 16 tracks to 32 tracks capability. We are retiring our second BR1600CD and had briefly installed a Presonus 32S Recorder/Mixer, pictured below, but we found it did not meet our needs (no overdubbing capability). We are now making the switch to the Tascam DP32SD, which is a better fit due to it's ability to record, mix, and overdub. This studio is mainly for private use. Also, we have a cool new guitar hanging wall unit.
The Tascam DP32SD Portastudio is now on line and ready to record. Stay tuned!
Another upgrade for Lupinesong Recording Studio is a switch from the solid but limited drum beats of the BR1600CD to the amazing MPC One Sequencer by Akai!
Much thanks to Noah Berends and company at Sweetwater Sound, and to all the good folks at Lightning Joe's, Arroyo Grande- (I mentioned the latter in the song '6-string savvy off the Midnite Medicine CD) for all the expert help in procuring this fine gear and some cool strats, too. You're the best!
The studio upgrade is catching me in the middle of a recording project, with about half an album done already, so it will be interesting to hear how the old sound will match up to the new one.
At present, I am lucky to have had U2 keyboardist (and amazing saxophonist) Terry Lawless join me on this and on my previous music endeavor, entitled, 'Scorpittarius.'
Above, is the most recent recording, 'Alien in my Window,' a tongue-in-cheek response to the fascinating newly released U.S. Government report on UFO's.
Joe Racano........bass, lead & backing guitar, vocals
Terry Lawless...Keyboards
Frank Ring........Vocal assist and able engineer
Joe Racano Terry Lawless Frank Ring jr.
Above: The Blue Max and Terry's Sax
A brief discography:
Project name Date Recording location
Ride the Monster.............................1983-1986.............Skunkcheck Studios, Fort Myers Fla.
Call of the Wild, 5th Street Alley........1994........Anomaly Studio, Huntington Beach Calif.
Tigersharks LIVE! .................................1994...........Five Points Bar & Grill, Huntington Bch.
Pier Plaza LIVE! .....................................1998................Pier Plaza on Huntington City Beach
Wild Bird.................................................1999...............Studio 1605, Huntington Beach, Calif.
Bluejay (acoustic)..................................2001..............Studio 1605, Huntington Beach, Calif.
The Napoletan, PS158.....................2008-2012.............Lupinesong Studio, Los Osos, Calif.
Legend of the Los Osos Kidd..............2013..................Lupinesong Studio, Los Osos, Calif.
Midnite Medicine...............................2016-2017............Lupinesong Studio, Los Osos, Calif.
ICE- Out of the Permafrost.................2017 mix/master/add..Sutton Sound, Atascadero
Scorpittarius............................................2018.................Lupinesong Studio, Los Osos, Calif.
Untitled *************************current Lupinesong ********************
Joey Plays Berkeley, 1990 (above)
Some video and photographic history through the years:
Above video: LIVE! at Peppers, City of Industry, Calif. Below: Berkeley, 1990
Above: LIVE! acoustic at Border's Books, 2011- video by Adam Flood
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Above: Backstage at Pier Plaza, Below: LIVE! onstage, June 8th, 1998
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Above: 'Fabric of Society,' Below:'Down Hearted', (both songs from the 'Wild Bird' CD) 'Down Hearted' performed LIVE! at Gallaghers Bar, Huntington Bch. 2000
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At left: LIVE! recording of 'Down Hearted' (Wild Bird, 1999) -this version was captured via VHS videocassette, so the sound is weak- turn it up!
Below: Shutting down the famous Sutton Studio in 2016. Last project after 40 years! We used WAV files to resurrect the only 5 surviving songs salvaged from SkunkCheck Studio, Fort Myers Fla. owner Jim Pecker. What once were 35 songs are now 5, collectively entitled, ICE- Out of the Permafrost. Great CD! |
Excerpt from that day's blues blog: Back in Sutton Sound Studio, Atascadero, California for the last guitar riffs and on to post production. Yesterday's session included a dreamy guitar solo and then mix-down of one of the so-called 'lost songs', this one entitled, 'I Wonder Why'. Originally recorded 8 track analog at Sound Check Recording Studio in Fort Myers Florida, the bass and high hat were a bit compromised by the tape recording being 32 years old! But Rick worked with it and it is a cup-half-full situation. I lost about 19 excellent recordings from the original project and I am so glad to at least have these 5 tunes, with the original youthful energy! I called Mike Sciarrino, the drummer on the project, in New York and let him know we were recording - at least I was recording- "You recorded 32 years ago," I told him!
Slideshow below...
Slideshow below...
Thank you, Rick Sutton ('Little Ricky') for saving your studio's last magic for me!
Mike Sciarrino and Ken Wells play the Lee County Arena with me, February, 1985. Photo by Burnell Caldwell
On September 8th, 1982, I left New York and headed for South Florida. I had a job waiting at the 2 family bakeries. I used the money to put myself through the studio and recorded my first project, 'Ride the Monster.'
As soon as I got to Cape Coral, I set up in my mother's garage and took out an ad in the local rag for a drummer. That is how I met Mike Sciarrino. Mike was a product of the metal era of 80's glam, and dressed the part. But his chops were the best I have ever heard, before or since- unbridled power. We played together for 6 years, including a tour of the bay area of California. Mike's work can be heard on 'ICE'- out of the permafrost.'
As soon as I got to Cape Coral, I set up in my mother's garage and took out an ad in the local rag for a drummer. That is how I met Mike Sciarrino. Mike was a product of the metal era of 80's glam, and dressed the part. But his chops were the best I have ever heard, before or since- unbridled power. We played together for 6 years, including a tour of the bay area of California. Mike's work can be heard on 'ICE'- out of the permafrost.'
Joe Racano, Lee County Arena, February 1985
Welcome to Joey Sings the Blues, featuring my blues, rock, spoken word, and art. Recorded, live, studio, electric or acoustic, my music isn't easily categorized.
My rock can include a rap or hip hop component, and my rap often features hard rock guitar riffing. My blues is anything but traditional. I write an occasional pop tune, enjoy composing barbershop harmonies, and mix all of the above. I do not apologize. I play guitar and bass and I like to sing the blues. I've been playing for 45 years, and am still writing and recording.
I want to save the world.
View Special Archival Footage below:
Opening for Ralph Nader, 2000 US Presidential campaign, Chapman University, Orange County, California
My rock can include a rap or hip hop component, and my rap often features hard rock guitar riffing. My blues is anything but traditional. I write an occasional pop tune, enjoy composing barbershop harmonies, and mix all of the above. I do not apologize. I play guitar and bass and I like to sing the blues. I've been playing for 45 years, and am still writing and recording.
I want to save the world.
View Special Archival Footage below:
Opening for Ralph Nader, 2000 US Presidential campaign, Chapman University, Orange County, California
FEEDBACK CORNER:
"Joey Racano is a throw back to when men with guitars changed the world" -Will Swaim, OC WEEKLY
"I wish you would post more songs on youtube. And the sound of your guitar flows through my veins, ,like I grew up with it." -Nicole Kater, Costa Rica
"Joey is one of the true unstoppable forces of nature" -Mark Bixby, Huntington Beach, California
"A damfine musician" -Jim Washburn, author of 'Martin Guitars, An Illustrated Celebration of America's Premier Guitarmaker'