Ask Richard

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122 thoughts on “Ask Richard”

  2. Steve Jounakos

    I learned about you from your recent article in Berklee Today. I’m planning to read your book “The Invisible Artist” also. I want to thank you for putting this information out. The copyright law needs to be changed. I believe that every performer on a recording not playing a specifically written part should also receive some percentage of royalties, however small. I am thinking of the great drummer Hal Blaine who contributed so much and, relatively speaking, was paid so little. You have probably guessed I am a drummer!

    Reply
    1. richard

      Thanks for your comment. The truth is, with the record business as it is, it is difficult for anyone to make a living from record sales alone. For me it is the fairness issue, the issue of an artist getting credit for his contribution. Musicians are paid a fee for their playing. But as i point out in the book, arrangers often write musical hooks which make the record sell, yet receive nothing for their co-composing.

      Reply
  3. tich

    Dear Richard,
    Fond memories of your shed at Belmont Rd,being apologetic about programming shortcomings of SP12.Can’t find the glorious “Tell me where you’re going” by Sylvvvvvvvvvvvvvius?Can’t live without it in my life and hold you responsible for its delivery.Hoping this missive finds you well and throbbing>
    Lots of love,

    Tich xxxx

    Reply
    1. richard

      Thanks Michelle. I never recorded Looking Back, although I have a big band arrangement of it somewhere! I am planning a new BANDZILLA album so look out for that. And thanks for your interest. Are you a player?

      Reply
  5. Dale Bennett

    Hi,
    I’m currently doing a dissertation on singer songwriters in popular music and the way tracks are put together, I was wondering if maybe I could ask you a few questions on this to use in my report? If you could email me and let me know if this is possible I’d massively appreciate your help! 🙂

    Thanks,
    Dale

    Reply
    1. richard

      Dale, Put the questions here, and I will reply. I’m sure followers of my site will find the discussion interesting. RN

      Reply
      1. Dale Bennett

        Awesome thanks a lot 🙂

        Why do you think love styled lyrics are so common in song writing?

        Do you feel that in popular music, there is an importance to move ideas on swiftly, hence many songs only being around 3 minutes, but still managing to be complete in structure?

        What do you think about the idea of their being a ‘formula’ to modern day popular music? Do you believe this is possible?

        Thanks again! I’m a singer songwriter myself so the input is helpful beyond my dissertation! 🙂

        Dale

        Reply
          1. richard

            The human condition is that we all suffer lonliness. We all want love which we believe will end that lonliness. Love songs reinforce this rather naive belief.
            The length of pop songs is down to the amount of money radio stations have to pay in performance royalties to the writer & publisher. It is charged per 4 minutes, so any track over that length will require double payment. Also, human attention span dictates that pop songs be short.
            Yes. In my book THE INVISIBLE ARTIST I discuss many pop formulas.
            I hope the above is helpful.
            RN

  7. Toni C. songwriter (Colandreo)

    Hi Richard; Toni C.songwriter. I wrote for John Jellybean Benitez among others. Richard from Living in a Box recorded one of my tunes long ago. I ended up being a jazz musician in new orleans n a live performer. Jazzfest, Preservation Hall, Mardi Gras, the whole thing. Many things have happened.Into new level of composing. We had some great talks. Im in NYC.

    Reply
  8. Toni C. songwriter (Colandreo)

    Hi Richard, dont know of u remember me. I used to write for Jellybean Benitez n we had some great talks. I krpt threatening to come over there across th pond. Actually I hav, DJ tours. I ended up being a jazz musician n going back to performing since downloading dlaughter

    Reply
  9. Jason Mark Yates

    Richard…..Really enjoyed your articles here, so well written and resounding with truthfulness. I have a sound that people like, and I get many good compliments and so understand your comments about doing something new and different, and with the volume of work I produce I am pleasantly hopeful of the future. I have a song that a film company are interested in, whether it comes to fruition or not…and I feel that I am getting better and better at what i do…trying to perfect my craft as it were. I was a finalist in the love song category in the UK songwriting contest 2013, and although this was great news, my feet are firmly planted on the floor
    Thank you for these posts, I really enjoyed them, and wish you a successful and happy future !

    Reply
    1. richard

      Thanks, Jason, I think you will get a lot out of my new book, THE INVISIBLE ARTIST. It is packed with creative concepts from some of the most talented artists in music. RN.

      Reply

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122 thoughts on “Ask Richard”

  2. Steve Jounakos

    I learned about you from your recent article in Berklee Today. I’m planning to read your book “The Invisible Artist” also. I want to thank you for putting this information out. The copyright law needs to be changed. I believe that every performer on a recording not playing a specifically written part should also receive some percentage of royalties, however small. I am thinking of the great drummer Hal Blaine who contributed so much and, relatively speaking, was paid so little. You have probably guessed I am a drummer!

    Reply
    1. richard

      Thanks for your comment. The truth is, with the record business as it is, it is difficult for anyone to make a living from record sales alone. For me it is the fairness issue, the issue of an artist getting credit for his contribution. Musicians are paid a fee for their playing. But as i point out in the book, arrangers often write musical hooks which make the record sell, yet receive nothing for their co-composing.

      Reply
  3. tich

    Dear Richard,
    Fond memories of your shed at Belmont Rd,being apologetic about programming shortcomings of SP12.Can’t find the glorious “Tell me where you’re going” by Sylvvvvvvvvvvvvvius?Can’t live without it in my life and hold you responsible for its delivery.Hoping this missive finds you well and throbbing>
    Lots of love,

    Tich xxxx

    Reply
    1. richard

      Thanks Michelle. I never recorded Looking Back, although I have a big band arrangement of it somewhere! I am planning a new BANDZILLA album so look out for that. And thanks for your interest. Are you a player?

      Reply
  5. Dale Bennett

    Hi,
    I’m currently doing a dissertation on singer songwriters in popular music and the way tracks are put together, I was wondering if maybe I could ask you a few questions on this to use in my report? If you could email me and let me know if this is possible I’d massively appreciate your help! 🙂

    Thanks,
    Dale

    Reply
    1. richard

      Dale, Put the questions here, and I will reply. I’m sure followers of my site will find the discussion interesting. RN

      Reply
      1. Dale Bennett

        Awesome thanks a lot 🙂

        Why do you think love styled lyrics are so common in song writing?

        Do you feel that in popular music, there is an importance to move ideas on swiftly, hence many songs only being around 3 minutes, but still managing to be complete in structure?

        What do you think about the idea of their being a ‘formula’ to modern day popular music? Do you believe this is possible?

        Thanks again! I’m a singer songwriter myself so the input is helpful beyond my dissertation! 🙂

        Dale

        Reply
          1. richard

            The human condition is that we all suffer lonliness. We all want love which we believe will end that lonliness. Love songs reinforce this rather naive belief.
            The length of pop songs is down to the amount of money radio stations have to pay in performance royalties to the writer & publisher. It is charged per 4 minutes, so any track over that length will require double payment. Also, human attention span dictates that pop songs be short.
            Yes. In my book THE INVISIBLE ARTIST I discuss many pop formulas.
            I hope the above is helpful.
            RN

  7. Toni C. songwriter (Colandreo)

    Hi Richard; Toni C.songwriter. I wrote for John Jellybean Benitez among others. Richard from Living in a Box recorded one of my tunes long ago. I ended up being a jazz musician in new orleans n a live performer. Jazzfest, Preservation Hall, Mardi Gras, the whole thing. Many things have happened.Into new level of composing. We had some great talks. Im in NYC.

    Reply
  8. Toni C. songwriter (Colandreo)

    Hi Richard, dont know of u remember me. I used to write for Jellybean Benitez n we had some great talks. I krpt threatening to come over there across th pond. Actually I hav, DJ tours. I ended up being a jazz musician n going back to performing since downloading dlaughter

    Reply
  9. Jason Mark Yates

    Richard…..Really enjoyed your articles here, so well written and resounding with truthfulness. I have a sound that people like, and I get many good compliments and so understand your comments about doing something new and different, and with the volume of work I produce I am pleasantly hopeful of the future. I have a song that a film company are interested in, whether it comes to fruition or not…and I feel that I am getting better and better at what i do…trying to perfect my craft as it were. I was a finalist in the love song category in the UK songwriting contest 2013, and although this was great news, my feet are firmly planted on the floor
    Thank you for these posts, I really enjoyed them, and wish you a successful and happy future !

    Reply
    1. richard

      Thanks, Jason, I think you will get a lot out of my new book, THE INVISIBLE ARTIST. It is packed with creative concepts from some of the most talented artists in music. RN.

      Reply

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