Archive for the ‘Personal’ Category

Jack Satin’s Hope For Haiti – Power of Music

Posted on January 19th, 2010 • Filed under Entertainment Industry, Musical Legends, Personal • No Comments

So, by now you’ve heard.  There’s going to be the telethon of all telethons on Friday the 22^nd to raise money and lift the spirits of the people of Haiti.  It will be a two hour event not to miss – hosted by George Clooney in Los Angeles, Wyclef Jean in New York and Anderson Cooper in Haiti.

The line up of artists so far includes; Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Shakira, Alecia Keys, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Kid Rock, Bono, The Edge, Coldplay, Jay-Z and Sheryl Crow.

This prolific assemblage of music heavies for a humanitarian cause got me thinking. Why music?  Well, for starters, music is a universal language that crosses all boarders and unites people.  If you want to get to the hearts of people there is no better way than through music.  Without getting too philosophical, music is a life affirming force.  In its personal enjoyment, sharing and creation, music reminds us we are all in this together.  Truly great songs have the ability to raise consciousness and spark change or in this case, help out those in need.  Music also has the unique ability to sooth the soul.  Music is our friend when the chips are down.

Be sure to watch and donate what you can.  When music and a righteous cause are coupled together – that is one powerful force.  If only musicians could get together more often… Together we can make a difference.

The following is a memorable song and the story of its creation – born out of the necessity to help out.

 

Jack Satin’s Top 10 Holiday Gift List

Posted on December 22nd, 2009 • Filed under Personal • 1 Comment

I’ve been getting a lot of requests from people asking what I want this holiday season.  I guess they feel a need to pay homage to the vocal gifts I’ve bestowed upon them in the course of this past year.  So, here’s my wish list.  And for those of you with an aspiring Jack Satin in your life, now you know exactly what to get them.

Happy Holidays,

-Jack Satin

1.  Cadillac Convertible - Nat Cole, Ray Charles, Muddy Waters, President Gerald Ford, Clark Gabel, Bruce Lee and Elvis…  A real man’s car, for a man of style, who likes to cruise the strip with the top down, to see and be seen… bring a coat, Vegas is chilly this time of year.

2. Elvis belt buckle watch – A timepiece like this never goes out of fashion.  One could be buried with a collector’s item such as this.

3.  Piano with built in “Music Man” player – Musicians are flakey and carry a ton of baggage.  Self-reliance is the cornerstone to success.

4.  Cutty Sark Gift Bag - Nothing says “Holiday Spirit” like Scotch named after a clipper ship that roamed the high seas.

5.  Karaoke Machine – Guaranteed to turn any holiday office party into a work of art.  And if you film the performances, you can use the footage to blackmail coworkers in 2010.

6.  First Class Ticket to Waikiki - Don Ho calls this magical place home for a reason.

7.  Switchblade comb – Without words, it says a lot about the man that carries one of these bad boys – perfect stocking stuffer.  Fashion can be dangerous.

8.  Bengal Tiger – Why should my Vegas magician friends get to have all the fun with this loyal companion?

9.  Box Set of Bing Crosby – Lock yourself in a room for five years with this gift and you just might get to know the true meaning of rhythmic intensity.

10. Mr. Microphone – Helped many a man become the life of the party and you won’t blow yourself up in the process.

 

Jack Satin’s bizarre Christmas Albums

Posted on December 14th, 2009 • Filed under Musical Legends, Personal • No Comments

I was in the mood for some new holiday music but didn’t want the standard versions everyone plays over and over…  On my hunt for rare sonic gems, I’ve come across these striking album covers.  I can’t vouch for the music or recording quality…  If you know anything, I’d sure like to hear the story behind them.

Not only can he sing but he can drive a sleigh.

If you trust the Colonel with chicken do you trust him with music?

This is what too much eggnog will do.

Is it just me or does it look like the rain deer is about to cry?

I had a dream about this girl last night and she wanted me.

Can robots really feel the warmth of a fire?

Where do I get a jacket like this?

There’s usually something very wrong when everyone is having this much fun.

Is it me or does this Santa look like he’s on something besides Moog music?

Something about his smile, just a little forced.  Reminds me, I’m due for teeth whitening.

They just can’t get away with having alcohol in the bottom right corner like they used to.

Which one is the mom?

I’ve been wondering what the original uncut version of Afroman’s A Colt 45 Christmas sounds like.

 

Light My Fire

Posted on November 13th, 2009 • Filed under Las Vegas, Musical Legends, Personal • 1 Comment

There are those songs that tap into something deeper and Light My Fire is certainly one of them.  That is why it remains a staple on my set list.  It’s a timeless classic that audiences young and old request night after night.  — And I love to give it to them.

The song was originally preformed by The Doors and released in 1967.  It spent three weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100.  Robby Krieger was the primary writer of the song (the chord progression based on John Coltrane’s version of My Favorite Things).

Legend goes, when performing Light My Fire on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1967, Jim Morrison was asked by the show’s producer to change the line “Girl, we couldn’t get much higher,” due to its reference to drug use.  Morrison agreed to make the change, but then in the live performance, on national TV, Morrison sang the original lyric.  Ed Sullivan refused to shake Morrison’s hand as he left the stage.

So, what is it about this song that scares people?  Is it the lyrics, the notes, Morrison’s stage presence?  From my own experience performing Light My Fire, I find the song to be both liberating and empowering – and at its core it’s a primal song.  Without fire, man would not exist.  Great artists, like Morrison, tap into this sense of survival and allow the song to overtake them – and the audience feels it.  It’s always exciting when you don’t know what’s coming next.

Though there is a structure to Light My Fire, there’s plenty of room for improvisation.  It is in this space and freedom that each performer has the liberty to put their stamp on the song and make it their own.  Enjoy.

 

25 Years of Growth in Vegas

Posted on October 9th, 2009 • Filed under Entertainment Industry, Las Vegas, Personal • 1 Comment

More than a few things have changed in Las Vegas in the past 25 years. The people, the music, and of course, the landscape, have all underdone dramatic transformations. The images below, very much an “outside looking in” perspective on Vegas, are courtesy of NASA’s Earth Observatory. For an “inside looking out” perspective, come to any one of my shows.