A very fun history of Mr Jade. Find a Door is def one of my fav's. Listened to the crap out of that record! Love the video and the live VH1 performance. PD & The Sinners killing it.
That live cut! The Sinners had the formula. Best album but even better live. I remember extended jams on Find A Door and Dear Diane, I hope you have those versions recorded somewhere!
Thanks, Jon. I was lucky to have such great players with excellent chemistry. It was always fun to stretch out on those tunes. I'll do some digging and see what I can find in the live department.
DEEElightFULL! What a fun romp through the evolution of that song. Thanks a LOT for getting it stuck in my head! I have my OWN songs to write you know!! SO INCONSIDERATE! :)
The demo version is really quite different, while I prefer the final recorded version, there is a mellowness to this version that is really appealing. It's got a coffee house afternoon vibe that feels pretty real and I guess nostalgic now.
I'm excited to hear these versions and processes as you go along. I credit 'Beautiful Girl' as my all time favorite song, so I will confess that I'm hoping for a few glimpses into that one someday.
Producer Brendan O'brien gets the credit for fleshing out that album version.
I have a demo of "Beautiful Girl" in a box somewhere... Matt Cameron of Soundgarden ad Pearl Jam fame played drums on it. I'll have to dig that one out and post it.
I’ve long thought that a well-written song can be played in any style, sung by anyone, and still shine. “Mr. Jade” is no exception. It takes me back to what drew me to your music in the first place. It’s easy to be “professional” it’s very difficult to be someone who writes songs that move a listener. Your batting average is unusually high Pete. I also like the demo versions — to fully fleshed out versions. The demo really highlights your incredible sense of time, something that can’t be faked. I’m inspired by what you’re doing here. I appreciate the way you pull back the curtain for us.
This is amazing. "Find A Door" is one of my favorite albums of ALL TIME. I still listen to it frequently. It is the album that introduced me to you and your music which made me a fan for life. The harmonies you and Elaine create together, beautiful. I had never been literally thanked for buying a record by the artist. So great. Will never forget the first time I heard that...thank you!
Really enjoying Launch Week and all these demos and insights. I had never seen the Mr. Jade video. Sure do love that album, and treasure my cassette signed by you and the Sinners!
A very fun history of Mr Jade. Find a Door is def one of my fav's. Listened to the crap out of that record! Love the video and the live VH1 performance. PD & The Sinners killing it.
Thanks, Rob. The Sinners were a well-oiled machine by the time we went in to cut the Find a Door record. Glad to hear you dug the videos.
That live cut! The Sinners had the formula. Best album but even better live. I remember extended jams on Find A Door and Dear Diane, I hope you have those versions recorded somewhere!
Thanks, Jon. I was lucky to have such great players with excellent chemistry. It was always fun to stretch out on those tunes. I'll do some digging and see what I can find in the live department.
Love Mr. Jade. I just noticed you dad in the outdoor video. How cool is that. I forgot how much I loved this song.
Hi Steve-O... yep... that's my Mom and Dad you see in the video! Glad you dig the song.
Tit for TAT! :)
Oops. I just accidentally hid your comment Chris Ballew!!! Still learning my way around this Substack.
Looks like it’s still there. Phew!
DEEElightFULL! What a fun romp through the evolution of that song. Thanks a LOT for getting it stuck in my head! I have my OWN songs to write you know!! SO INCONSIDERATE! :)
It’s Karma! “Your Own Thing” has been on a loop stuck in my head! Love that one so actually I don’t mind it at all.
The demo version is really quite different, while I prefer the final recorded version, there is a mellowness to this version that is really appealing. It's got a coffee house afternoon vibe that feels pretty real and I guess nostalgic now.
I'm excited to hear these versions and processes as you go along. I credit 'Beautiful Girl' as my all time favorite song, so I will confess that I'm hoping for a few glimpses into that one someday.
Thanks again for doing this!
It's my pleasure... it's been super fun for me.
Producer Brendan O'brien gets the credit for fleshing out that album version.
I have a demo of "Beautiful Girl" in a box somewhere... Matt Cameron of Soundgarden ad Pearl Jam fame played drums on it. I'll have to dig that one out and post it.
That would be incredible :)
Trying this again!
I’ve long thought that a well-written song can be played in any style, sung by anyone, and still shine. “Mr. Jade” is no exception. It takes me back to what drew me to your music in the first place. It’s easy to be “professional” it’s very difficult to be someone who writes songs that move a listener. Your batting average is unusually high Pete. I also like the demo versions — to fully fleshed out versions. The demo really highlights your incredible sense of time, something that can’t be faked. I’m inspired by what you’re doing here. I appreciate the way you pull back the curtain for us.
Wow, Peter! This means a lot coming from you! The feeling is mutual.
This is amazing. "Find A Door" is one of my favorite albums of ALL TIME. I still listen to it frequently. It is the album that introduced me to you and your music which made me a fan for life. The harmonies you and Elaine create together, beautiful. I had never been literally thanked for buying a record by the artist. So great. Will never forget the first time I heard that...thank you!
Thanks, Melissa!
Really enjoying Launch Week and all these demos and insights. I had never seen the Mr. Jade video. Sure do love that album, and treasure my cassette signed by you and the Sinners!
I’ve been enjoying it too!
Thanks so much for the demo. So good. Brings a tear to my eye.
Would love to hear how you and Brendan got hooked up.
Your stuff and his touch was just magic, but it is really cool to hear how much magic the stuff alone has.
In a future post I talk about Brendan. Stay tuned.