Rick Suchow: News

Twenty-five years after writing it, "S.O.S., Fire In The Sky" (Suchow-Palanker) continues to be re-released at least once a year on one compilation or another. This time around, the Deodato / Camille classic rears its disco-ey head on Ferry Matt's Soul Show Top 100: 35th Anniversary Compilation on PTG Records, a Dutch import. According to the label, Ferry has the number one show on Dutch National Radio, and the track list was compiled by asking his radio listeners to pick their favorite soul, disco and funk hits of the 70's and 80's. Other artists included in this 5-CD box set are Earth, Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, The Jacksons, George Benson, Barry White, Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross and many others. The complete box set tracklist can be found here.

In other news, my Grammy nomination ballot just arrived last week and it's that time of year when the Academy sifts through the list of thousands of eligible recordings, to figure out which ones deserve to be considered for the final show in February. For the first time ever the actual nominations will be announced on primetime TV, after all of our ballots are sent back in and tabulated. The Grammy Nominations Concert Live airs on CBS December 3rd and The 51st Annual Grammy Awards airs February 9th of next year, also on CBS.

On the bass front, there's nothing like autumn in New York (now there's a title) and recent gigs at The Plaza and Top Of The Rock on NBC's 67th floor only added to the season's fun (see my scratchy cell phone photo, right).

Finally, I'm quite proud to say that after hearing from James Jamerson fans all over the world in request of and in response to my rare Jamerson audio tracks, I finally got an e-mail from the daughter of the late legend himself, Penny Jamerson. Definitely a thrill.

Again, thanks to everyone for visiting this site. More news later this year.

My interview with bassist extraordinaire Will Lee appears in the current issue of Bass Guitar Magazine (pictured) and is on newsstands now. It was a fascinating conversation that covered Beatles, bass and beyond. In retrospect, I'm glad that we concluded the interview with Will quoting his "old friend Hiram Bullock"; the guitar great passed away suddenly just weeks later on July 25th. I'd like to think Hiram would have gotten a kick out of Will's last answer.

With a discography that reads like a who's who of pop and contemporary jazz, Will Lee can be seen and heard nightly with the CBS Orchestra on The Late Show With David Letterman.

I've also expanded my Motown Bass page this month with a track from the great Stevie Wonder. Again, thanks to everyone who's written in with thoughts and comments about my tribute to James Jamerson & company.

After being out of print for years, Larry Graham's 1985 solo album "Fired Up" for Warner Bros is finally being reissued on April 29.

I had the opportunity to work on this album with the legendary bassist, recorded at Duplex Sound in New York (I was credited with bass and drum programming). Although my original "One Love" was demo'd during the sessions it didn't make the final cut for song selection. Nonetheless it was an honor to record with Larry, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame only eight years later as a founding member of Sly & The Family Stone.

It's been an honor to be involved with the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, which took place at the Staples Center in LA last night, while the NY Chapter of NARAS celebrated at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square. I was happy to see that some of my votes panned out, including for Herbie Hancock (Album Of The Year, Best Contemporary Jazz Album), Amy Winehouse (Song Of The Year, Best Pop Vocal, Best New Artist), and Michael Brecker (Best Jazz Instrumental Album). Congratulations to all the winners.

Out recently on Sony/BMG is the 4-CD Box Set import from Holland, Grand 12 Inches 4, and features the Deodato / Camille classic "SOS, Fire In The Sky" (co-written by me and Alan Palanker).

Other artists on this CD set include Michael Jackson (the original "Billie Jean" extended version opens the album), Quincy Jones, Chic, Billy Ocean, Sister Sledge, Aretha Franklin, Grace Jones, Earth Wind & Fire, and the Pointer Sisters. All tracks come in their 12 inch or full length versions, and were compiled by Ben Liebrand. This is a must have for serious dance collectors! Complete track listing for the Sony box set is available at this link on Amazon.com.

Sometimes it takes a while to get news of Japanese import releases... the Jean Elan / Andrew McCensit remix hit of my tune "S.O.S., Fire In The Sky" (once again) found its way onto another compilation CD earlier this year, Covers 3: Golden Hits vs. Dance Music on the Arights Japan label. Some of the other artists getting the remix treatment on this one are Hall & Oates, The Doobie Brothers, The Knack and Madonna.