Steven Ray on Michael Jackson's Thriller Pt. 2

How We Created It #3
(Studio Stories)

There is so much to tell about the enchanted time spent working with Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones, that I had to set up the microphones for another discussion with Steven Ray. This part 2 video picks up where we left off the last time we met. In this video we talk about our contributions to and back stories about the songs "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin," "Beat It," Human Nature" and "Baby Be Mine.

Also, check out Part 1 of this video that covers the songs "Thriller," "PYT" and "Billy Jean" and more about "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbqf9lrVU7E

About the video:
Steven Ray and I continue our discussion about our personal experiences and the magic we observed while working with Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones in the making of the mega-hit album "Thriller". This part 2 video includes our contributions and back stories about the songs "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin", "Beat It", “Human Nature" and “Baby Be Mine". We discuss a particularly extraordinary first take and ad lib vocal by Michael, Eddie Van Halen's day in the studio, recording and performing the bathroom stomp board, drum machine "feel", the Synclavier Digital music system, the process of master engineer/mixer Bruce Swedien, and more...

I hope that by offering an intimate and close up look into the creative process of "The King of Pop", his production style and a look into the minds of his diverse collaborators, this video will inspire your creative ideas and endeavors in a magical way.

See also:
- BBC Witness History Hears from Anthony Marinelli: Michael Jackson's Thriller
- The Genius of Michael Jackson by Steve Knopper
- Let's Make History by Brice Najar
- Wikipedia - Thriller album
- Discogs - Michael Jackson Thriller
- MusicBrainz - Michael Jackson Thriller

Equipment used:
Synclavier, ARP 2600, Roland Jupiter 8, Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, Garfield Electronics Dr. Click, LinnDrum

#ThrillerMichaelJackson #QuincyJones #MTV #Synthesizer #SteveKnopper #TheGeniusofMichaelJackson #BriceNajar #LetsMakeHIStory #StevenRay #Synclavier #ARP2600 #Jupiter8 #Prophet5 #DrClick #StevePorcaro #JohnBettis #TomBahler #WannaBeStartinSomethin #BeatIt #HumanNature #BabyBeMine #BruceSwedien #OrenWaters #JuliaWaters #MaxineWaters #MattForger #GregPhillinganes

About Steven Ray:
- On AllMusic

About Anthony:
LA based composer, musician and record producer. He is known for his expressive orchestral scores and pioneering use of synthesizers in high profile films, hit records and award winning ads.

- Anthony Marinelli Website
- On Wikipedia
- On IMDb
- On AllMovie
- On YouTube

#AnthonyMarinelli #FilmComposer #Synthesizer #Conductor #Songwriter, #Piano #ManOnMarsMusic #Synclavier #Synthesizer #AnalogSynthesizer #ModularSynthesizer #VintageSynthesizer

Steven Ray on Michael Jackson's Thriller Pt. 1

How We Created It #2
(Studio Stories)

"Steven Ray and I appreciate the experience and honor it was to work in the studio with Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones while making Thriller.

We were always greeted with hugs into a small loving recording studio environment. The approach to music was collaborative and respectful. It was a safe zone for ideas, without a need to edit thoughts or emotions, that set the bar for our future careers.

We learned that you need to start with a great song first, the importance of storytelling with lyrics, groove, dance-ability, to not repeat yourself and to strive to create works that will have a lasting impact."

- Anthony and Steven

About the video:
Anthony Marinelli and Steven Ray describe what it was like to be in the studio with Michael Jackson during the making of his iconic album - Thriller. They share studio stories and personal experiences about Michael, Quincy, Thriller, PYT, Billy Jean, Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' and the cast of characters that helped make Thriller the best-selling album of all time.

See also:
- BBC Witness History Hears from Anthony Marinelli: Michael Jackson's Thriller
- The Genius of Michael Jackson by Steve Knopper
- Let's Make History by Brice Najar
- Wikipedia - Thriller album
- Discogs - Michael Jackson Thriller
- MusicBrainz - Michael Jackson Thriller

Equipment Used:
Synclavier, ARP 2600, Roland Jupiter 8, Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, Garfield Electronics Dr. Click

#ThrillerMichaelJackson #QuincyJones #MTV #Synthesizer #SteveKnopper #TheGeniusofMichaelJackson #BriceNajar #LetsMakeHIStory #StevenRay, #Synclavier #ARP2600, #Jupiter8, #Prophet5 #DrClick

About Steven Ray:
- On AllMusic

About Anthony:
LA based composer, musician and record producer. He is known for his expressive orchestral scores and pioneering use of synthesizers in high profile films, hit records and award winning ads.
- Anthony Marinelli Website
- On Wikipedia
- On IMDb
- On AllMovie
- On YouTube

#AnthonyMarinelli #FilmComposer #Synthesizer #Conductor #Songwriter, #Piano #ManOnMarsMusic #Synclavier #Synthesizer #AnalogSynthesizer #ModularSynthesizer #VintageSynthesizer

The Sound that Started Michael Jackson’s Thriller

How We Created It #1 (Falling Star)

“The Blue Moon on Oct. 31, 2020 will be the first full moon on Halloween in 76 years. This feels like the right time to share my experiences working with Michael Jackson in the making of Thriller.”

About the video:

Falling Star - It's the sound that started Michael Jackson's mega-hit song Thriller and part of the signature “Thriller Night” intro soundscape. Anthony Marinelli describes how it was created, why he and Brian Banks were chosen to bring a cinematic approach to the album, the importance of visual music at the advent of MTV and the circumstances leading up to the making of the iconic song. This tag team synthesizer duo also composed, performed or programmed music on other hit records, many high profile films and award winning ads throughout the 80’s and early 90’s.

See also:
- BBC Witness History Hears from Anthony Marinelli: Michael Jackson's Thriller
- The Genius of Michael Jackson by Steve Knopper
- Let's Make History by Brice Najar
- Wikipedia - Thriller song
- Discogs - Michael Jackson Thriller
- MusicBrainz - Michael Jackson Thriller

Equipment Used:
ARP 2600

#ThrillerMichaelJackson #QuincyJones #MTV #Synthesizer #SteveKnopper #TheGeniusofMichaelJackson #BriceNajar #LetsMakeHIStory #ARP2600

About Anthony:
LA based composer, musician and record producer. He is known for his expressive orchestral scores and pioneering use of synthesizers in high profile films, hit records and award winning ads.

Links:
- Anthony Marinelli Website
- On Wikipedia
- On IMDb
- On AllMovie
- On YouTube

#AnthonyMarinelli #FilmComposer #Synthesizer #Conductor #Songwriter, #Piano #ManOnMarsMusic #Synclavier #Synthesizer #AnalogSynthesizer #ModularSynthesizer #VintageSynthesizer

Steven King’s Graveyard Shift Soundtrack - Limited Edition CD

I’m delighted La-La Land Records and Paramount Pictures have just released a limited edition CD with a 23 page booklet of our 1990 film score to the big-screen horror chiller Stephen King's Graveyard Shift. I recently learned from the label that this film has achieved bonafide cult status. 

Our music features a 4 voice all female choir, solo trumpet, slide guitar and the Synclavier Digital Music System.  This score is an early example of film music combining electronic digital sounds, electronic analog sounds, acoustic instruments, choir and digitally sampled sounds. There was a lot of experimentation and improvisation involved in the process.  Many of the percussive rhythms in the score were sampled loops derived from recordings of machinery at an abandoned early 20th century textile mill in Bangor, Maine located on the film set. The live players and choir were added to the tracks after the sampled loops and electronic elements most of the time.

I have deep admiration for the film’s director Ralph S. Singleton for trusting and urging two young composers to supply a musical voice that could be present throughout the entire film. He encouraged us to create music and ambient soundscapes unlike anything expected in the genre to date.

Special thanks to soundtrack producer Dan Goldwasser for his attention to detail at every phase and wonderfully sinister art design in a 23 page booklet,  MV Gerhard and Matt Verboys for investing so much time and energy into this comprehensive soundtrack release, Daniel Schweiger for his creative in-depth liner notes and so much colorful behind the scenes information, James Nelson for pristine and flawless mastering and especially to Lonnie Sill (while head of music at Paramount Pictures) for backing us to score this film so early in our career.

- Anthony Marinelli

Purchase Soundtrack

https://lalalandrecords.com/graveyard-shift-limited-edition/

CD booklet autographed by co-composer Anthony Marinelli and Ralph S. Singleton at no additional charge. Autographs are available while supplies last and are NOT guaranteed.

Film Synopsis 

In a very old textile mill with a serious rat infestation, deadly accidents start happening, but the corrupt foreman continues to put his workers in danger, until they discover a horrifying secret deep in the basement. The film stars David Andrews, Kelly Wolf and Brad Dourif, and is directed by Ralph S. Singleton. It was adapted from a short story by Stephen King first published in Cavalier magazine and later included in King’s 1978 collection Night Shift. It was adapted into Graveyard Shift in 1990.  

Credits

Guitar - Dean Parks

Percussion - Luis Conte

Bones - Vinnie Colaiuta

Trumpet - Oscar Brashear

Choir - Carmen Twillie, Donna Davidson, Beth Anderson & Gigi Worth

Synclavier Digital Music System - Anthony Marinelli & Brian Banks

Music Recorded & Mixed by Mark Curry

Assistant Engineer - Scott Reeder

Music Recorded at Sonar, Hollywood, CA

Track Listing

1. Prologue / Main Title 8:09

2. Pumping the Rats* / Hall Waits / Health Inspector 1:54

3. Kelly and the Exterminator** 1:12

4. V.C. Rats – Part 1 1:42

5. V.C. Rats – Part 2 4:12

6. Stevenson's Death 1:51

7. Carmichael's Red Herring 1:56

8. Nardello and the Caddy 2:21

9. Hall's Red Herring 1:59

10. Hall Recruited / Nardello Gets the Chomp 3:18

11. Rats in the Desk / Ippeston Fired 2:16

12. Exterminator Exterminated 3:10

13. Hall Finds Trap Door / The Sub-Basement 18:48

14. Hall Climbs to Safety** / Flying Cans** / Ground Bat** 4:59

15. End Credits (instrumental) 3:29

16. BONUS TRACKS: Prologue / Main Title (alternate) 7:58

17. End Credits (alternate instrumental) 3:40

18. Graveyard Shift Trailer (John Beal) 1:30

Total Album Time: 74:24

Links:

lalalandrecords.com

https://producers.wiki/wiki/Graveyard_Shift_Soundtrack

https://www.soundtrack.net/album/graveyard-shift/

(Pre-Sale) Young Guns - Original Motion Picture Score (LP and iTunes)

From Rusted Wave:

The Young Guns original motion picture soundtrack has never been released...until now! Available for pre-order on both vinyl (limited to 1,000 units) as well as iTunes.

iTunes: http://apple.co/2hlOHTw
LP: www.rustedwave.com use the promo code YOUNGINSTA and get 20% off!

Pre-order your copy today! (coming January 20, 2017)

Originally released in 1988, Young Guns is an action-packed western about Billy the Kid (Emilio Estevez) and the Regulators (Kiefer Sutherland, Charlie Sheen, Lou Diamond Phillips, Dermot Mulroney and Casey Siemaszko) exacting revenge upon the Santa Fe Ring during the Lincoln County War in 1878.

Composed by Anthony Marinelli & Brian Banks, the Young Guns score brilliantly embodies the off-kilter, emotionally unstable characteristics of Billy the Kid, both the man and the myth. It is epic and powerful, but equally haunting with an underlying melancholy tone.

Mastered from the original recordings and pressed on heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. LP cover in smooth matte finish, with a full-color liner note insert from Mr. Marinelli. Also to be released digitally on iTunes, Amazon and other platforms.

This is a must-have for soundtrack and music lovers alike. Regulators, mount up!

TRACK LISTING:

1.    Main Title 2.    Splendid Reading 3.    The Confrontation 4. The Watch 5.    Tunstall’s Death 6. Howdy 7.    Poet With A Big Gun 8.    McCloskey’s Death 9.    Pass The Peyote Please 10.    Dick’s Death 11.    Top O’ The Morning Girls 12.    Turn In Your Badges 13. Kinney Chase 14.    The Campfire 15.    Bring In The Troops 16.    Crazy Charlie 17.    The Shootout 18. Pals 19.    End Credits 20.    Coda (Poet Reprise)

Music Mashup - Work by Anthony Marinelli

SXSW Music Festival - The Genius of Michael Jackson Panel Discussion

Let's talk about why we like Michael Jackson in the first place: his music. With testimony from the people who helped the King of Pop put together his songs, albums and shows, we’ll deconstruct the brilliance of "Billie Jean," "Don't Stop til You Get Enough," "Black or White" and the rest.

Featuring:
Steve Knopper (MODERATOR & writer for Rolling Stone)
Siedah Garrett (GRAMMY Award winning and two-time Oscar nominated singer/songwriter )
Anthony Marinelli (Film Composer & Performer)
Bill Bottrell (Record Producer, Songwriter & Engineer)
Steven Ray (A & R, Film & Television Producer)

Wednesday, March 16
5:00PM - 6:00PM

Austin Convention Center
Room 17B
531 E 4th St

Link to event at SXSW:
http://schedule.sxsw.com/2016/events/event_PP91369

Hashtags: #sxsw #geniusofMJ

As part of BBC World Service's Witness program, Anthony spoke about his work on Michael Jackson's Thriller.

Here's a link to the interview:
Michael Jackson's Thriller

Trio Retro - International Jazz Sensation

Trio Retro is a new International jazz and multi lingual vocal group. Multi Grammy winner Asdru Sierra (Ozomatli), Anthony Marinelli (keyboardist & film composer), and Cindy Gomez (international singing sensation) have joined forces to re-create timeless classical ballads and boleros in English, Spanish and French. The trios emotionally charged arrangements add fire, heart and soul to some of the world’s greatest songs.

Cindy can sing in nine languages. Having been previously signed to Interscope and Universal Records, she has performed around the globe and was the first artist to debut in a mobile game “Dance Fabulous” as an avatar with 5 of her songs on the Nokia N-gage platform via 40 million mobile handsets worldwide.
 
Early in his career, Anthony played keyboards on Michael Jackson's mega-hit Thriller as well as on records for such renowned artists as James Brown, Lionel Richie, Van Halen, Supertramp and Quincy Jones.  Since then he has composed music for over 85 symphonic film scores, TV Series and written over 500 commercials.

Asdru is the co-founder of the 3-time Grammy Award-winning multi-cultural, multi-genre band Ozomatli, which for the past 20 years, has symbolized the emerging multicultural nature of Los Angeles.  Having toured the globe with his band Ozomatli, Asdru is also currently performing his collaborative project ‘Abstrakto’ with musician and producer Balthazar Getty.

Asdru & Anthony Present Music for Latino Media and Perform

The duo presented their latest ad music reel to agency heads, talked about how they’ve create multi cultural music for films and Grammy winning albums followed bya power point presentation titled “Taking the Mystery out of the Music Process”.  They discussed many practical solutions to enhance the typical creative process, to keep it constantly collaborative, energizing and that prevent communication breakdown.
Later, they set up at the “Agency Stairwell” to perform an electronic set with drummer Alex “Gonzo” Gonzales for the entire agency. The playing continued until well after closing time.

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Asdru & Anthony
Asdru Sierra and Anthony Marinelli have joined forces to offer their diverse blend of musical styles and experience  to Spanish language projects.  The two composers and songwriters have collaborated on feature films, commercials, and song-writing since first meeting in 2006 to collaborate on a remix album with the trumpet and music label legend Herb Alpert. Since then, they have performed as a duo and as Trio Retro with Cindy Gomez, the Grammy Museum and at NASA with 3-time Grammy Award-winning multi-cultural, multi-genre band Ozomatli which Asdru is the founding member. Together, they have created a melodic world music sound that incorporates Hip Hop, DJ Party Mix, ethnic, and electronica with a real touch of Latin. They effortlessly collaborate with today’s great Latin artists and have a relentless drive to find the right music for any project.

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Grupo Gallegos
Owner and visionary, John Gallegos, compares his team to the big cats at a zoo: “Without breathing room and space to roam, their natural talents are unable to reach full potential.” As a result, the atmosphere created at Grupo Gallegos is one liberated from the more traditional stiff business environment, but instead exhibits a casual air, with a corresponding casual dress code. The result: energy is instead spent on innovation, which has made Grupo Gallegos the most rewarded advertising agency for the Hispanic market and a recession success story. The Hispanic market is the fastest growing consumer market in the US, placing Grupo Gallegos at the forefront of a competitive new advertising challenge.

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BBC Interviews Anthony About His Work on Michael Jackson's Thriller

As part of BBC World Service's Witness program, I spoke about my work on Michael Jackson's Thriller.

Here's a link to the interview:
Michael Jackson's Thriller

Asdru & Anthony Present and Perform with Cindy Gomez

Asdru and Anthony were invited to David & Goliath by founder and CEO David Angelo to present their work and perform as part of a Thirsty Thursday showcase on October 22, 2015. In the morning, they spoke about multicultural music and how they collaborate and get a more efficient workflow with creative teams. In the Afternoon, they performed 2 long sets with vocalist Cindy Gomez and drummer Alex “Gonzo” Gonzoles. Homemade food was prepared and served by Sabrina Luna-Sierra. The trio was on the “Brave” stage for 2 hours amid much dancing and partying with everyone at the agency.  What a way to end the day!

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David & Goliath:
“On November 19, 1999, David&Goliath was founded. Built on the simple idea of thinking like a David—being nimble, resourceful, creative, and most of all, Brave. And we believe that with this Brave mindset, we can do more amazing things together than alone.  We are a full-service independent creative agency, ready to take on Goliath marketing challenges.  We pride ourselves on developing innovative brand solutions through our courageous approach to creativity—because great ideas can come from anywhere, if you’re Brave enough to look.”

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Composer Anthony Marinelli is EP for Grammy-Winning Bassist Brandino's Latest Jazz Release

7-time Grammy-awarded producer, composer, arranger, and bassist Kevin “Brandino” Brandon has just released The Many Faces of Brandino. I've known Brandino for many years and was honored to be able to be an executive producer on the project.

For more information please visit: http://www.brandinosoundbox.com/