Ask Richard

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122 thoughts on “Ask Richard”

  1. Fritz Souder

    Hello Richard,

    A belated Happy New Year to you and yours! I am really enjoying reading your book “The invisible Artists”, each chapter teaches so much. I am a songwriter myself who studies arranging techniques. I was wondering is there a site or a place where I could download the shows you did on the BBC about Pop Arranging over a decade ago. i tried to find it on the net but haven’t had any luck. I keep on finding sites that say it’s longer available. Could you possibly make it available on your website? I’m sure your fans would be very appreciative. You take care.

    Fritz Souder

    Reply
  2. Hugues

    Hi Richard,

    I am currently reading your book “the Pat Metheny Interviews” and I am puzzled about one detail but on page 45 it says that Pat wouldn’t play as a sideman from 1977 to Mike Brecker’s first record in 1987.

    What about Pat Metheny playing with Joni Mitchell in 1979 and her record “Shadows & Light” with her all star band, like I said PM on guitar but also Lyle Mays (keys), Jaco Pastorius (elec bass), Mike Brecker (sax) & Don Alias (drums).

    Could you please clarify?

    Other than that nice reading about Pat.

    Thanks

    Hugues from Belgium

    Reply
    1. richard

      Hi Hugues, Of course you are right, but that’s the thing about interviews. Pat was saying that in general he didn’t want to be a sideman anymore. Perhaps he forgot about Joni Mitchell at that moment. I do know that Pat was very excited to be playing with Joni, an artist he had the highest respect for. He also said he even wanted to respect some of the things Larry Carlton had plaid since they seemed to be integral to the song. And of course Pat later played as a sideman with Mike Brecker and Gary Burton. In general however, the vast majority of Pat’s work has been expressing his own wealth of innovative ideas as leader.Thanks for reading the book and recommend it to your friends.

      Reply
  3. Richard J. Hamersma

    Hi Richard,

    I have entered the UK songwriting contest for several years and have always scored very high. I have received several semi-finalist and finalist awards as well as runner-up. I mainly write lyrics and won 8 semi-finalist awards in the 2014 contest. You may have even judged some of mine. I am looking for a co-writer to work with—are you available or have referrals? I live in Chicago but come out to LA and San Diego. Thanks Richard Richard J. Hamersma cell 312-208-1544

    Reply
    1. richard

      Hi Richard, I am not able to take part in any speculative projects. I am happy to co-write for a specific recording artist with a guaranteed release.
      All the best, Richard

      Reply
  5. Caldwell McMillan

    Dr. Niles,
    I am another example for you about arrangers not being fairly compensated. In 1972, I arranged several songs for the Delfonics album, Tell Me This is a Dream. I received credit and was paid. One of the songs was “Hey Love”. Around 1998 Puffy, sampled the entire track of Hey Love, arrangement included(strings, horns, everything) for a song that he produced for Biggie Smalls called “Player Hater”. It was on the double CD, Life After Death, that sold 10,000,000 copies. I don’t know if I should be paid or even how to go about being paid. I wrote the arrangement for “Hey Love” only–not for “Player Hater” 16 years later. What do I do? I’m 65 and could use the money.
    Caldwell McMillan

    Reply
    1. richard

      I sympathize. As the arranger, unfortunately, you have no rights unless you have composer credit on “Hey Love”. You might contact the Delfonics or their publishers. But I’ve been down that road and the most likely thing to expect is that you’ll be ignored. Good Luck!

      Reply
    2. ken johnson

      Dear Mr. McMillan:
      You are one of the unsung people of the Philly sound. You (and Norman Harris) stepped in after Thom Bell ditched the Delfonics but little is known about you. I particularly liked your work on “Think About Me” and “I Told You So.”
      What happened?

      Reply
  6. Endel Koch

    Hello Richard.

    I am Endel Koch, I am an active young songwriter from Estonia and currently living in the UK. I am contacting you because I saw the UK Songwriter contest website, but sadly the contest is over and I cannot participate anymore. I am very active on writing lyrics everyday and I have an freelance contract with Paramount Song US. I cannot work with Paramount, because the lack of funding, I cannot afford to make my lyrics into demos. Since I see your a man with a vision and direction towards music, I am asking advice and help from you. I wish to send you my work, to see what you think about these lyrics. I am very active person, very spiritual and my lyrics have a meaning behind them. As I know your a busy man, working on music everyday, I just wish to have a little bit of your time, so I could show you or send you my lyrics on email. I have very photographic memory and very creative mind, so when I start writing lyrics, I write about life and everything around us physically and spiritually. So if you do have time to see my work, please contact me trough email and we can have a little talk! Thanks for your time and take care Richard!

    Best Regards.

    Reply
  7. Dougie Fick

    Hi there Richard.

    My name is Dougie and I am a songwriter and composer as well as a musician and producer. Sadly, I only discovered the UK songwriting contest today which entries closed at the end of September.

    As I am no longer eligible to enter the UK Song Writing Contest, I would like to take this opportunity to present links to my work for your knowledge and consideration. I look forward to your expert reflection and would value any comments you would like to offer. https://soundcloud.com/user7432685

    I look forward to keeping in touch with you and thank you in anticipation.

    Dougie

    Reply
    1. richard

      Hi Dougie,
      My schedule is so busy I can’t listen to all the music I am sent, because I wouldn’t have time to drink coffee.
      I do give private songwriting consultation/lessons and have a couple of spaces free if you’re interested.
      In any case, good luck!
      R

      Reply
  8. Julie Morrison

    Richard. Please take 10 seconds to check my site and you may remember me. We have worked together before and many moons later it would be wonderful to work together again..or at least grab a coffee : ). Either way works well for me….BOTH would be even better. x look forward to hearing from you. Julie

    Reply
  9. Garry Travers

    Hi Rich
    I lost your email between moving houses. It would be great to touch base with you again. Sad news is that Mike Hawker passed away a couple of months ago.
    Annabel and I have skyped Laurie Jay a couple of times and he sends his regards. Hope you and the family are well. GT

    Reply
  10. Dr Duncan Grant

    Dear Richard
    Firstly I have always been a big admirer of your work!
    I used to run a big band The Midnight Jazz Orchestra few years ago .We did the D-Day concert for Vera Lynne at Royal Academy of Music
    and am resurrecting it for select gigs.I am aiming for Pheasantry,Hideaway etc
    Would you be interested in playing guitar not necessarily on a committed regular basis but if you were available and fancied it!
    I was a big fan of Bandzilla (does it still exist ?) would you like to play or let us play some of the charts with your permission Slave to the Rhytmn Alligator Stomp for example.
    This is not an amateur band but session players ,pros and a few like me a dentist who is both!!!
    The repertoire of my band has one stipulation.
    It has to be for the audience’s enjoyment.Hence
    I only play transcriptions of Miller ,Ellington, Basie, Sinatra at The Sands,Tom Jones,Petula Clark,Matt Monro,exactly as per the record .
    So if we did Charts I want to play it just right.
    Did I remember a super gig at The Proms in the late80’s/90’s with about 8 saxes or am I mistaken?!
    Best Regards
    Dr D. Grant

    Duncan

    Reply

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122 thoughts on “Ask Richard”

  1. Fritz Souder

    Hello Richard,

    A belated Happy New Year to you and yours! I am really enjoying reading your book “The invisible Artists”, each chapter teaches so much. I am a songwriter myself who studies arranging techniques. I was wondering is there a site or a place where I could download the shows you did on the BBC about Pop Arranging over a decade ago. i tried to find it on the net but haven’t had any luck. I keep on finding sites that say it’s longer available. Could you possibly make it available on your website? I’m sure your fans would be very appreciative. You take care.

    Fritz Souder

    Reply
  2. Hugues

    Hi Richard,

    I am currently reading your book “the Pat Metheny Interviews” and I am puzzled about one detail but on page 45 it says that Pat wouldn’t play as a sideman from 1977 to Mike Brecker’s first record in 1987.

    What about Pat Metheny playing with Joni Mitchell in 1979 and her record “Shadows & Light” with her all star band, like I said PM on guitar but also Lyle Mays (keys), Jaco Pastorius (elec bass), Mike Brecker (sax) & Don Alias (drums).

    Could you please clarify?

    Other than that nice reading about Pat.

    Thanks

    Hugues from Belgium

    Reply
    1. richard

      Hi Hugues, Of course you are right, but that’s the thing about interviews. Pat was saying that in general he didn’t want to be a sideman anymore. Perhaps he forgot about Joni Mitchell at that moment. I do know that Pat was very excited to be playing with Joni, an artist he had the highest respect for. He also said he even wanted to respect some of the things Larry Carlton had plaid since they seemed to be integral to the song. And of course Pat later played as a sideman with Mike Brecker and Gary Burton. In general however, the vast majority of Pat’s work has been expressing his own wealth of innovative ideas as leader.Thanks for reading the book and recommend it to your friends.

      Reply
  3. Richard J. Hamersma

    Hi Richard,

    I have entered the UK songwriting contest for several years and have always scored very high. I have received several semi-finalist and finalist awards as well as runner-up. I mainly write lyrics and won 8 semi-finalist awards in the 2014 contest. You may have even judged some of mine. I am looking for a co-writer to work with—are you available or have referrals? I live in Chicago but come out to LA and San Diego. Thanks Richard Richard J. Hamersma cell 312-208-1544

    Reply
    1. richard

      Hi Richard, I am not able to take part in any speculative projects. I am happy to co-write for a specific recording artist with a guaranteed release.
      All the best, Richard

      Reply
  5. Caldwell McMillan

    Dr. Niles,
    I am another example for you about arrangers not being fairly compensated. In 1972, I arranged several songs for the Delfonics album, Tell Me This is a Dream. I received credit and was paid. One of the songs was “Hey Love”. Around 1998 Puffy, sampled the entire track of Hey Love, arrangement included(strings, horns, everything) for a song that he produced for Biggie Smalls called “Player Hater”. It was on the double CD, Life After Death, that sold 10,000,000 copies. I don’t know if I should be paid or even how to go about being paid. I wrote the arrangement for “Hey Love” only–not for “Player Hater” 16 years later. What do I do? I’m 65 and could use the money.
    Caldwell McMillan

    Reply
    1. richard

      I sympathize. As the arranger, unfortunately, you have no rights unless you have composer credit on “Hey Love”. You might contact the Delfonics or their publishers. But I’ve been down that road and the most likely thing to expect is that you’ll be ignored. Good Luck!

      Reply
    2. ken johnson

      Dear Mr. McMillan:
      You are one of the unsung people of the Philly sound. You (and Norman Harris) stepped in after Thom Bell ditched the Delfonics but little is known about you. I particularly liked your work on “Think About Me” and “I Told You So.”
      What happened?

      Reply
  6. Endel Koch

    Hello Richard.

    I am Endel Koch, I am an active young songwriter from Estonia and currently living in the UK. I am contacting you because I saw the UK Songwriter contest website, but sadly the contest is over and I cannot participate anymore. I am very active on writing lyrics everyday and I have an freelance contract with Paramount Song US. I cannot work with Paramount, because the lack of funding, I cannot afford to make my lyrics into demos. Since I see your a man with a vision and direction towards music, I am asking advice and help from you. I wish to send you my work, to see what you think about these lyrics. I am very active person, very spiritual and my lyrics have a meaning behind them. As I know your a busy man, working on music everyday, I just wish to have a little bit of your time, so I could show you or send you my lyrics on email. I have very photographic memory and very creative mind, so when I start writing lyrics, I write about life and everything around us physically and spiritually. So if you do have time to see my work, please contact me trough email and we can have a little talk! Thanks for your time and take care Richard!

    Best Regards.

    Reply
  7. Dougie Fick

    Hi there Richard.

    My name is Dougie and I am a songwriter and composer as well as a musician and producer. Sadly, I only discovered the UK songwriting contest today which entries closed at the end of September.

    As I am no longer eligible to enter the UK Song Writing Contest, I would like to take this opportunity to present links to my work for your knowledge and consideration. I look forward to your expert reflection and would value any comments you would like to offer. https://soundcloud.com/user7432685

    I look forward to keeping in touch with you and thank you in anticipation.

    Dougie

    Reply
    1. richard

      Hi Dougie,
      My schedule is so busy I can’t listen to all the music I am sent, because I wouldn’t have time to drink coffee.
      I do give private songwriting consultation/lessons and have a couple of spaces free if you’re interested.
      In any case, good luck!
      R

      Reply
  8. Julie Morrison

    Richard. Please take 10 seconds to check my site and you may remember me. We have worked together before and many moons later it would be wonderful to work together again..or at least grab a coffee : ). Either way works well for me….BOTH would be even better. x look forward to hearing from you. Julie

    Reply
  9. Garry Travers

    Hi Rich
    I lost your email between moving houses. It would be great to touch base with you again. Sad news is that Mike Hawker passed away a couple of months ago.
    Annabel and I have skyped Laurie Jay a couple of times and he sends his regards. Hope you and the family are well. GT

    Reply
  10. Dr Duncan Grant

    Dear Richard
    Firstly I have always been a big admirer of your work!
    I used to run a big band The Midnight Jazz Orchestra few years ago .We did the D-Day concert for Vera Lynne at Royal Academy of Music
    and am resurrecting it for select gigs.I am aiming for Pheasantry,Hideaway etc
    Would you be interested in playing guitar not necessarily on a committed regular basis but if you were available and fancied it!
    I was a big fan of Bandzilla (does it still exist ?) would you like to play or let us play some of the charts with your permission Slave to the Rhytmn Alligator Stomp for example.
    This is not an amateur band but session players ,pros and a few like me a dentist who is both!!!
    The repertoire of my band has one stipulation.
    It has to be for the audience’s enjoyment.Hence
    I only play transcriptions of Miller ,Ellington, Basie, Sinatra at The Sands,Tom Jones,Petula Clark,Matt Monro,exactly as per the record .
    So if we did Charts I want to play it just right.
    Did I remember a super gig at The Proms in the late80’s/90’s with about 8 saxes or am I mistaken?!
    Best Regards
    Dr D. Grant

    Duncan

    Reply

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