{"id":5244,"date":"2010-12-08T14:40:56","date_gmt":"2010-12-08T18:40:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/?p=5244"},"modified":"2010-12-08T14:40:56","modified_gmt":"2010-12-08T18:40:56","slug":"i-can-see-for-miles-the-journey-of-universaldecca-artist-raul-midon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/2010\/12\/08\/i-can-see-for-miles-the-journey-of-universaldecca-artist-raul-midon\/","title":{"rendered":"I Can See for Miles: The Journey of Universal\/Decca Artist Raul Midon"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Raul Midon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u00a0SONAR user Raul Midon likes to take chances to find that next new thing that will inspire him, make him complete, to drive him in a new direction; as an artist, it\u2019s simply what he does.\u00a0 Taking chances has paid off as you can see here with his amazing performance on The David Letterman Show<\/a>.\u00a0 Today, on a beautiful day in Boston\u2019s Faneuil Hall, he took a chance on the suggested oyster appetizer and it paid off.\u00a0 \u201cMan, that\u2019s Rock and Roll!\u201d he said after the seasonings kicked in.\u00a0 After all, uncooked seafood is always a crap shoot even in the best and cleanest eateries, but to Raul Midon, taking chances is a way of life that has paid off on many levels.<\/p>\n

The early years:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Raul, blind since infancy, was influenced by music early in life.\u00a0 His father was a professional dancer, so music was always on in the house.\u00a0 Miles, Bird,\u00a0 Beethoven,\u00a0 John Cage,\u00a0 Classical,\u00a0 Argentinean Folk;\u00a0 always an eclectic mix and one that would shape his development as a musician in the years to come.\u00a0 In his house, they didn\u2019t just listen; they studied the music of the masters.\u00a0 Around the age of 4 he started banging on drums, something that would later influence his guitar technique and make him one of the most recognizable sounds in music years later.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Along with music, Raul and his twin brother Marco developed another passion: Ham Radio.\u00a0 The images created in his mind by linking up with fellow operators across the country and around the world helped develop his imagination and fuel Raul\u2019s desire to communicate.\u00a0 This hobby had them communicating even out of this world, literally, as they actually made contact with the Space Shuttle during one session.<\/p>\n

While his brother Marco pursued technology as his passion with NASA where he became an engineer, music would quickly become Raul\u2019s outlet of expression.\u00a0 His artistic expertise was first honed through years of private lessons with flamenco, classical and jazz guitarists in his hometown of Santa Fe, NM, and then at the University of Miami where he studied music and earned a B.A. in studio music and jazz.\u00a0 His first exposure to midi-technology came thru his relationship with Kentyn Reynolds (Santa Fe) who was one of the industry\u2019s earliest pioneers of midi implementation and whom also worked at Roland.\u00a0 These early guitar influences as well as his exposure to midi-technology helped define his sound.<\/p>\n

The developing years:<\/strong><\/p>\n

After high school he enrolled at the University of Miami\u2019s prestigious music program.\u00a0 Upon graduating he went to work locally, supporting a variety of well-known Latino performers, including Julio and Enrique Iglesias, Jose Feliciano, Alejandro Sanz, and Shakira.<\/p>\n

In Miami he would become a successful background vocalist and guitarist; his vocals a cross between Stevie Wonder and Oteil Burbridge, and his scat-flamenco playing a stylistic marriage of George Benson and Paco De Lucia.\u00a0 Also, he plied his skills in the studio for other people while playing his own original music in the bars and restaurants around Miami.\u00a0 Even though he was playing and singing his own music, the emphasis was on the work he did for other people.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The experience was wonderful, but something was missing.\u00a0 He wasn\u2019t happy playing someone else\u2019s music.\u00a0 He had something to say, and he wanted to say it: he needed to do his own thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were really no places in Miami to play original music,\u201d he commented.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s all playing in a restaurant or a bar or something.\u201d\u00a0 It was time to move on; to the only place he could think of that would support an original artist\u2026<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>New York City, 2002:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Raul relocates and finds an abundance of receptive venues like Joe\u2019s Pub, where he earns a regular monthly gig and starts to develop a following.\u00a0 Eventually he gets a call from legendary New York City House DJ, mix-master and engineer Little Louie Vega.\u00a0 Vega has heard Raul play and wants to work with him.\u00a0 He was even going to pay Raul for the privilege of having him create some lyrics, an exciting notion for Raul.\u00a0 They get together and Vegas spins a cut for Raul, who is slightly daunted (\u201cHouse music tracks are loooong, much different than what I normally do in terms of writing lyrics,\u201d Raul would say later).\u00a0 So he wings it.\u00a0 He starts scatting, riffing over the music, coming up with lyrics and even throwing in some guitar.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It works.\u00a0 The collaboration would become \u201cSunshine\u201d and end up on Vega\u2019s Elements of Life album.\u00a0\u00a0 (Later Raul would strip it down and remake the song in his own style and add it to his own State of Mind album.)<\/p>\n

Things are starting to pick up and on one night in 2003 he is approached backstage about performing at Carnegie Hall along with heavyweights such as Bruce Hornsby and Cassandra Wilson on a on a bill entitled The Movie Music of Spike Lee and Terence Blanchard.\u00a0 Raul is asked to perform a cover of Stevie Wonder\u2019s \u201cMake Sure You\u2019re Sure,\u201d which appeared in Lee\u2019s \u201cJungle Fever.\u201d\u00a0 He accepts, and the performance pays immediate dividends.<\/p>\n

Variety magazine says the version features \u201cromping guitar chords and vocally compelling trumpet mimicry adding a spunky drive.\u201d\u00a0 More importantly, the man of the evening takes notice: Spike Lee calls Raul the next day and asks him to work with him on his next film.\u00a0 Raul ends up composing the song “Adam ‘N’ Eve ‘N’ Eve\u201d for Lee\u2019s 2004 film \u201cShe Hate Me.\u201d\u00a0 (Raul would later be invited to perform again in the 2007 version of the event, this time staged at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.)<\/p>\n

Raul also sets out to land a recording deal.\u00a0 His team takes a unique approach: he would audition for heads of labels live in their offices, rather than submit a demo that may or may not ever get heard.\u00a0 Raul would perform songs for a host of well-known label heads around New York, including Clive Davis.<\/p>\n

Enter Arif Mardin to open another chapter in the journey:<\/strong><\/p>\n

After numerous meetings around town, Raul arrives at EMI\/Manhattan Records and was discouraged.\u00a0 \u201cAuditioning for the companies were all very similar experiences, they didn\u2019t want to tip their hand.\u00a0 I had no idea if they were interested or not.\u201d\u00a0 He was not getting anywhere, even if some of the labels seemed interested.<\/p>\n

At this stop, however, Raul would play for Arif Mardin, the multiple Grammy award winner and music business legend who was running Manhattan Records.\u00a0 Mardin was already well-established as a producer and executive for Atlantic Records, having produced a string of hits from the The Young Rascals \u201cGood Lovin\u2019\u201d in 1965 to Bette Midler\u2019s 1989 hit \u201cWind Beneath my Wings\u201d and many more.\u00a0 Mardin was now at the peak of his game having just produced Norah Jones\u2019 double-platinum album Come Away with Me for Blue Note\/EMI, which earned him the Producer of the Year Grammy award.<\/p>\n

\u201cI played \u2018Everybody\u2019 for him.\u00a0 He listened, head down, and when I started singing he picked his head up.\u00a0 I finish the song and he walks out.\u00a0 I asked my wife who was with me, \u2019What just happened here?\u2019\u00a0 A minute later he comes back in with the whole staff and says \u2018Play that
\n again Raul.\u2019\u201d\u00a0 Raul knew he had found a home, but while he was experienced at making records for others this would be the first time Raul would make his own full-length record, and Arif would be critical in developing Raul\u2019s sound.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was one of the most intelligent people I\u2019ve ever worked with,\u201d Raul reflected.\u00a0 \u201cHe kept me true to myself while bringing out the natural arrangements of my songs.\u00a0 Sometimes I had ideas I tried to pitch based on what I thought the industry wanted and what I heard others doing who were getting commercial success, but Arif just said \u2018No, no, that isn\u2019t what you do!\u2019\u00a0 He steered me straight even when others tried to change me, and supported me in being more of who I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before working on Raul\u2019s record, Arif had to put the finishing touches on a Queen Latifah\u2019s \u201cThe Dana Owens Album.\u201d\u00a0 He ended up putting Raul on that record playing guitar and even singing some background vocals.
\u201cHe had a full orchestra, and he held them up at one point so he could fit in my parts.\u00a0 They were waiting for\u00a0ME as I played guitar, I couldn\u2019t believe it!\u201d\u00a0 Later Queen Latifah and Raul would go on the Today Show to play the cut from the album.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got there and Arif was there too which wasn\u2019t surprising, but he was there just for me; to make sure I sounded good.\u00a0 He left as soon as my bit was over.\u00a0 It was just astounding that he would come for just me.\u00a0 I was very intimidated but this helped when we made my own record.\u201d<\/p>\n

Raul\u2019s first record for Manhattan Records, State of Mind, came out in 2005 to critical acclaim.\u00a0 \u201cHe [Arif] was there every day for my record.\u00a0 He got Stevie Wonder to play on the record and even hosted the press party for the record at his house, ensuring it would get lots of coverage.\u201d\u00a0 Clearly Raul feels a great debt of gratitude to Arif.\u00a0 \u201cHe\u2019s one of the guys I\u2019ve met with that has all the hype and he\u2019s a legend who deserves it.\u00a0 He\u2019s just astounding.\u00a0 We lost him too early.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Raul<\/a>2007 – Another record for Manhattan Records:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A World within a World<\/em> continues the strong momentum built from State of Mind<\/em>.\u00a0 The sophomore effort gets solid reviews and major media outlets are taking notice.\u00a0 He gets interviewed on NPR\u2019s \u201cAll Things Considered.\u201d\u00a0 Things are going well.\u00a0 He\u2019s starting to play in Europe and develop a following there.\u00a0 He\u2019ll go over as an opening act, and then come back months later as a headliner and the crowds are just as big.\u00a0 He is invited to play at the Kennedy Center\u2019s Open House Arts Festival, and even plays high profile tribute concerts to Johnny Cash and The Who, seemingly odd choices for an artist like Raul.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOh I love the Who – I had the The Who Sell Out album already, I didn\u2019t even have to purchase \u00a0it,\u201d he says when asked about the latter.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m a huge Keith Moon fan.\u00a0 I just think he\u2019s one of the greatest.\u00a0 On that record, he just plays his ass off.\u00a0 I grew up with The Who as well, so to me it was a pretty natural thing and kind of a challenge to do that particular song.\u201d\u00a0 That song was, not surprisingly, \u201cI Can See for Miles.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt presents the kinds of challenges I like, harmonic challenges; and when you look at their history, I don\u2019t think anything like that had been done before.\u00a0 They were in some pretty heavy territory at the time.\u00a0 When that album had come out, Sgt Pepper had just come out, so it\u2019s a pretty heavy time in Rock and Roll history.\u00a0 But even with that, I don\u2019t think something like \u2018Miles and Miles\u2019 was done in Rock and Roll before\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Continuing on his path, the Joe\u2019s Pub connection pays off yet again: he\u2019s asked to be a guest artist at the \u201cTED\u201d conference series, perhaps the most high-profile gig of his career.\u00a0 Some of the most famous and respected people in the world are invited to be TED speakers; their presentations make the news and are available to everyone 24\/7 on the internet.\u00a0 In bringing together \u201cLeaders in the Fields of Technology, Entertainment, Design<\/em>,\u201d the TED performance serves as the perfect opportunity for Raul to debut a new song called \u201cAll the Answers\u201d which is about the meaning of technology.\u00a0 It mirrors his growing interest in and use of technology, especially in his artistic life.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s 2010:<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s 2010 and Raul\u2019s third major album Synthesis<\/em> is now out.\u00a0 Raul is in the big time now.\u00a0 Working with him on the album is a veritable who\u2019s who in music.\u00a0 Larry Klein, the legendary bass player and producer signed onto the project as soon as he was called.\u00a0 Vinnie Colaiuta is on drums who has just spent the last several years touring with Jeff Beck and John McLaughlin.\u00a0 Dean Parks, well known for his guitar work on Steely Dan\u2019s The Royal Scam album and Michael Jackson\u2018s Beat It, is also onboard.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Raul has also moved out of New York City into a home with a studio in suburban Maryland.\u00a0 A friend from Miami has helped him select and outfit the studio with some of the latest technologies for recording artists, sighted or not.\u00a0 Raul\u2019s gotten pretty handy with them and they play a big part in the production of Synthesis.<\/p>\n

At the heart of the studio is a customized version of SONAR.\u00a0 A company called Dancing Dots has developed \u2018scripts\u2019 or instructions for SONAR to work with standard JAWS computer screen-reading software (short for \u201cJob Access With Speech,\u201d JAWS is a program that makes Windows-based PCs accessible to blind and visually impaired users).\u00a0 The set of Dancing Dots scripts, called \u201cCakeTalking,\u201d along with its hundreds of pages of customized documentation and tutorials has given Raul and others unprecedented control over their work. Now blind artists can use the same tools as their fully-sighted counterparts.<\/p>\n

\u201cCakeTalking really lets you harness the power of SONAR.\u00a0 With this program I can do all my own audio editing and mixing.\u00a0 And I have access all kinds of things in terms of processors such as compressors, reverbs and modulation.\u00a0 And it\u2019s all built-in, so you can access the parameters with speech because it all talks to you.\u201d\u00a0 He also raves about SONAR\u2019s synths, like Dimension Pro and Rapture.\u00a0 In fact, several of the demos that would eventually become final tracks on Synthesis<\/em> were produced using SONAR.\u00a0 \u201cThis is miles ahead of the previous tools that were available.\u201d\u00a0 He sees this as the next big leap forward in his journey.\u00a0 \u201cFor me, this is the future.\u00a0 I can see the writing on the wall.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Today:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Walking out into the afternoon sun, Raul is energized, ready for the evening\u2019s gig.\u00a0 But in a larger sense, he\u2019s also ready for\u2026 more.\u00a0 More movie work, more festivals and larger gigs in the U.S., more records,\u00a0 and like the oyster back in the seafood restaurant, he wants to keep trying new things and to keep moving forward.\u00a0 He\u2019s toying with an idea about touring with a group for the first time and even a possible move back to New York City (he misses its vibe and opportunities).
He has other ideas too, but whatever he opts to do next, he is undaunted.\u00a0 The playing field is leveling; \u201cTechnology is proving the great equalizer for blind artists,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

After all, it\u2019s his journey.\u00a0 Why shouldn\u2019t the power be in his hands?<\/p>\n

For more information on Raul Midon please visit www.raulmidon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0SONAR user Raul Midon likes to take chances to find that next new thing that will inspire him, make him complete, to drive him in a new direction; as an artist, it\u2019s simply what he does.\u00a0 Taking chances has paid off as you can see here with his amazing performance on The David Letterman Show.\u00a0 … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “I Can See for Miles: The Journey of Universal\/Decca Artist Raul Midon”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,808],"tags":[243,1444,12,1445,35,1446,1447],"class_list":["post-5244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-artist-news","category-cakewalk-pro-user-spotlight","tag-blind","tag-blind-musicians","tag-cakewalk","tag-raul-midon","tag-sonar","tag-universal-records","tag-x1"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5244"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5244\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/noelborthwick.com\/cakewalk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}