Joe Cool — Party Animals (1984): Liner Notes (from Tetsuo Sakurai) + Biographies

 

Back in July of this year I posted my vinyl rip of an 80s Japanese fusion album by the band "Joe Cool", titled Party Animals—included in the liner notes are biographies of the musicians and an introduction written by Casiopea member Tetsuo Sakurai.

I provided a DL link to an English translation of these notes (TL'ed by Windii) but I will be reposting on this blog for easier accessibility.

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I recently went to New York to record with Casiopia. When I had finished recording and mixing, I decided to give Will Lee a call. I was a big fan of his when he came to Japan with The 24th Street Band 4 or 5 years ago, and since we've been introduced I had talked with him at Sadao Watanabe's concert parties and so on, so I decided to call him when I went to New York.

Several times I heard a grumpy female voice reply that he was away, but he left a message at the hotel and I succeeded in contacting him. In a "heeey, man" kind of tone, he was all like "When did you come to New York? I had no idea. Heard you're here to record. I guess that's done now. You should have called me earlier. By the way, what are you doing tomorrow? You want to go scuba diving with me?" but unfortunately it was not convenient for me, so I asked him back with "Do you have any shows scheduled the day after tomorrow and after that? I'd love to go hear you live!" and he said "Unfortunately, I'm going on tour with a new band the day after tomorrow and won't be back in New York for about 10 days. How about after that? Oh, what, you're leaving already? I'll see you next time, then." so we didn't see each other after all. Now that I remember, it seems that the touring band at that time was JOE COOL. He is now a regular band member of a very popular TV show in New York, and I have seen the show several times and enjoyed it very much, but it was unfortunate that once the band started playing, it was commercial time.

The other three members are all well-known studio musicians whose names can be found on many records and who have done many sessions together, and listening to their debut album as a permanent group called JOE COOL, I am looking forward to hearing what kind of work they will develop in the future.

Tetsuo Sakurai (Casiopia)

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Will Lee, Rob Mounsey, Jeff Mironov, and Chris Parker—these four super musicians have been playing together for some years, mainly at famous jazz clubs such as Michaels in New York City, as a venue to express their unique and fascinating works and musical creations. In early 1982, they jokingly named themselves JOE COOL and began to work together in earnest as a permanent group.

What is JOE COOL?

"We're a group of musicians who play music that we really want to express, so that the audience can enjoy it. We want to surprise you with our sound." -Rob Mounsey

"We want to entertain and inspire the audience. We want them to leave a little happier and with a smile on their face than when they came." -Will Lee

"It's the fulfillment of our desire to play music that we really want to play, new music that moves and inspires." -Chris Parker

"It's a place to create music that stimulates and communicates the imagination." -Jeff Mironov

New York's novel sound...JOE COOL is sure to convey the sound of New York City as it continues to be born today.

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Will Lee

Born in 1952 in Texas to a musical family, he was introduced to music at the age of three. He was captivated by the exciting music his parents listened to. He later learned that it was by Miles Davis. It wasn't until middle school, when he started playing the French horn, that he really immersed himself in music. The impact of hearing the Beatles, however, led him to the drums, and by the age of 12 he had formed a surf band. The fact that there was no bassist in the band he joined later became an important encounter for Will with the bass.

When he entered the University of Miami to major in music, he initially chose French horn, but naturally changed his major to bass since he was playing it night after night in live sessions. While still in college, Will received a call from Randy Brecker asking him to play in "Dreams" and moved to New York City, where he toured with a wide range of artists, starting with "Dreams" (Michael and Randy Brecker, Bob Mann, Barry Rogers, Eddie Vernon, Billy Cobham, Will). Around the same time, he also began working as a studio musician, and as you know, he has been involved in countless albums. He was also a key support member of Sadao Watanabe's summer tour last year and this year.

He cites Larry Graham, Chuck Rainey, Ray Brown, Marcus Miller, Abe Laboriel, Jaco Pastorius, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, and Kenny Karen among his musical influences.

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Rob Mounsey

Born and raised in Seattle, Washington in 1952, he later moved to Ohio. Although he was a Beethoven-loving kid, he really started studying music at the age of 9. At the age of 11, he began composing symphonies, and his dream at that time was to become a conductor of a great orchestra. In 1970, Rob won the BMI's 18-nation World Student Composition Award for his symphony, and then went on to study at Berklee College of Music. In 1976, he was invited by Leon Pendarvis to come to New York City. At the same time he began working on a number of albums. For example, Steely Dan's "Gaucho," Donald Fagen's "Night Fly," Simon & Garfunkel, Spyro Gyra, Diana Ross, and many others. In 1983, he produced Michael Franks's "Passion Fruit" for the first time.

Rob is interested in psychology, folk music (especially from India and South America), and computer music as influences in conceiving and composing music. Among the artists who have had some influence on him are Bill Evans, Richard Tee, Don Grolnick, Leon Pendarvis, Dave Grusin, Gil Evans, Beethoven, Stevie Wonder, Rimsky-Korsakov, The Beatles, LaBelle, Italo Calvino, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, among others.

Rob is also on this year's Sadao Watanabe tour with Will Lee.

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Jeff Mironov

A native of New Jersey, he picked up his first guitar at the age of 9. In high school, he played in dance bands and big bands, gaining experience as a guitarist. It was a studio job in New York City when he was 16 years old that turned him into a full-fledged professional. Jeff's playing is heavily influenced by Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, and Jim Hall. He has played on many sessions with, for example, Brecker Brothers' "Detente," Dave Grusin's "Mountain Dance," Dave Valentin, David Sanborn, Steely Dan, Watanabe Sadao, Michael Franks, and many others. He is also in the process of composing a score for a guitar arrangement of a piece by pianist Bill Evans.

Jeff has been searching for the perfect environment in which to play, and he has found it right here in JOE COOL. He will continue to create more and more ambitious works in this environment.

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Chris Parker

Born in Chicago in 1950, he was already tinkering with his father's drum set at the age of three. His father played soprano saxophone, clarinet, and drums, making for a perfect musical environment. All four of Chris' brothers are still in various well-known bands today.

He played trumpet from elementary through high school. At that time, he played with Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington (who was a major influence on Chris' choice to become a drummer), Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and his favorite drummers, Stevie Wonder, are his influences. His first professional session was at the age of 12, playing in a cocktail lounge, but he later gained experience playing in jazz combos, R&B, and soul bands. After moving to Woodstock, he became an original member of Paul Butterfield's group and the Brecker Brothers Band in his late seventeen years. Since then, he has played with Joe Cocker and Stuff, and has recorded and toured with many other artists.