Steve Noonan + Joe Turano
In Concert at TSS Live!
- Price: Donation (see below)
- Date: Sat, Jan 10, 2015
- Time: 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
- Venue: Theta Sound Studio (directions below)
- Location: Burbank, CA
Randall Michael Tobin in conjunction with Concerts In Your Home presents Theta Sound Studio LIVE! — A chance to see amazing artists before they become the hottest ticket in town!
TSS Live! is your ticket to hearing top artists, many of them from outside of L.A., hand-picked by award-winning music producer Randall Michael Tobin just for this series. For a nominal donation (all of which goes to the artists), you get admission to Theta Sound Studio’s main room to experience two artists, each performing their own set in an intimate environment. Additionally, your donation entitles you to receive one CD from each artist! (see below for details)
Parking is free and refreshments will be served during intermission.
Seating in the main room is limited to 22 guests. But there are a few seats available in the control room where you can watch, listen, and see Randall Michael Tobin work his magic at the mixing console.
Kicking off the new year is an exciting and eclectic combination of socially-conscious Americana in the person of Steve Noonan, and progressive R&B/Jazz, delivered by Joe Turano with Ken Wild on acoustic bass and Tom Rizzo on guitar. (keep reading…).
STEVE NOONAN
The time was the 1960’s, a golden era for singer-songwriters. The place, Orange County California, a conservative and reactionary region of America. Out of a dizzying array of beats, picks, poems and protests, emerged a triad of talent hailed by Cheetah Magazine as “The Orange County Three”. Playing in clubs like The Paradox and The Golden Bear, singer-songwriters Tim Buckley, Jackson Browne, and Steve Noonan were crowned “the ones to watch” by insiders, as the 60’s folk music scene unfolded.
Tim Buckley signed with Elektra in ‘67, while Jackson Browne embarked on a legacy career (later crediting Steve Noonan as a mentor and early influence). Steve became a hit songwriter when “Buy for Me the Rain” hit pay dirt for The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. A classic from the Dirt Band’s first album, Noonan co-wrote the romantic ballad with high school friend and fellow songwriter Greg Copeland.
It was soon afterwards Elektra came knocking on Steve Noonan’s door. Paul Rothchild, who had launched The Doors and produced Janis Joplin’s final album (Pearl), was to construct his musical debut. Unfortunately, both the company and producer were seeking a successor for the recently-discovered Buckley. A barely twenty year old Noonan performed on the self-titled album – a collector’s item to this day – but the final product lacked his signature sound. He ultimately left Elektra (and New York) to pursue music the way he wanted to…his way.
Steve’s musical journey ended up taking him to places like Stony Brook, NY, where he opened for Phil Ochs (backed by an obscure local group named Soft White Underbelly – later to become Blue Oyster Cult). He built his own five piece band in Santa Cruz, the rare Moog synthesizer capturing his work, while opening for Emmylou Harris and Bonnie Raitt. Developing a wonderful habit of turning the personal into ballads, his experiences are threaded throughout his songs. Seeing Nevada’s Battle Mountain under a full moon (while traveling with Ramblin’ Jack Elliot) led to his writing a haunting song of the same name on his CD, Bringin’ it Back Home.
Record companies continued to knock; Steve continued to knock back. One AR man at Columbia Records muttered something to the effect of “don’t you have anything like Boz Scaggs?”… to which Steve replied “I’m not Boz Scaggs, so why would I?”
Four decades later, you’ll be glad Steve Noonan couldn’t be corralled. This seasoned and deeply reflective musician continues to write, sing, and produce rarities – socially conscious pieces of Americana, which defy classification. Tinkering over his art like a true craftsman, Steve’s expressive repertoire warrants minimal instrumental canvas. A refreshingly unvarnished artist, Steve has, in a sense, brought himself home again. Still proud to be called a folk singer, his compositions are an invitation to discovery…of him, his music, and perhaps even something in yourself.
Winding a road between then and now…this is history and it is today.
This is Steve Noonan – Bringin’ It Back Home.
JOE TURANO
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Joe began singing and playing piano at age three following in the footsteps of his mother, an accomplished pianist, vocalist and songwriter. Early years were split between music and acting in repertory theater at Marquette University’s “Teatro Maria” under the direction of John J. Walsh, S.J. After working with a succession of local groups in his teens, Joe moved to Los Angeles after high school where he eventually landed a gig as featured vocalist with The Fowler Brothers “Air Pocket” which consisted of former members of Frank Zappa’s touring band.
Not long thereafter he met Rickie Lee Jones and began working extensively on both preproduction and recording on her highly acclaimed first album, “Rickie Lee Jones”, opening the door to a prolific studio career.
A partial list of credits include: Rod Stewart, Cher, Tina Turner, George Benson, Joe Williams, Cassandra Wilson, George Duke, Israel “Cachao” Lopez, Dr. John, Dianne Reeves, Brenda Russell, Burt Bacharach, and many more. Joe has worked with Al Jarreau for the past fourteen years, the last four as musical director.
A multi-instrumentalist/singer songwriter, Joe is at present putting the final touches on a long anticipated solo project.
For this concert, Joe will be joined by first-call players Ken Wild on acoustic bass and Tom Rizzo on electric guitar.
Suggested donation options: Single Guest: $20 (includes concert and one CD from each artist); Couple: $30 (includes concert for two and one CD from each artist). You may also donate $10 (per guest) for the concert only and purchase CDs later for whatever the artists usually charge.
This event will fill up fast!
RSVP via e-mail to rmt@thetasound.com to reserve your seat(s)!
Directions to Theta Sound Studio:
Note: Due to the increasing unreliability of global e-mail communications, it is recommended that you also call 818-9-555-888 to confirm your reservation.
To see/hear a taste of the magic from our previous concerts, go here.
Thanks for supporting live music by great artists at Theta Sound Studio LIVE!