The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Your Tunes: PRADABILLY

PRADABILLY

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- Rated: 26 ↑
Jun 20, 2008 1:50 p.m. texarock:

Hey Gang!

I received the first box of CD's today and the album is finally out!

The title of the album is, yep, you guessed it...

PRADABILLY.

It will be available through CD Baby or you are more than welcome to contact me directly.

I will be putting up new songs on my myspace page over the next weeks and changing them out.

FIRST UP!

A cover of Al Casey's classic Surfin' Hootenanny, and on this version, I have the help of my very good friends and extremely talented Los Straitjackets!

Also, an original Sidewards! Greasy tremolo the way I likes it, and some unicorns & rainbows for any of you cranky grouches out there...

Here's the link:

Jay Hardtke - PRADABILLY

ENJOY!
- Rated: 27 ↑
Jun 20, 2008 7:52 p.m. 57 Chet :

That's great Jay ...

Fantastic music and web site!

I love the artwork and can't wait to hear the whole CD!
- Rated: 27 ↑
Jun 21, 2008 5:51 a.m. Deke Martin:

That's some great music, Jay! Glad to hear it was worth the wait. Count me in for a copy.

Does my '56 feature anywhere on there...?
- Rated: 26 ↑
Jun 21, 2008 1:11 p.m. texarock:

57 Chet, thanks! CD is on the way!

The artwork was done by trendsetter & bon vivant Johnny Bartlett. He did an excellent job, and you can see his work on his site and also listen to his own fab. music on myspace:

Johnny Bartlett Design

The Barbary Coasters

Lots o' cool stuff indeed!

Deke, sorry but no '56 on the album. Of the 12 tracks, 10 were recorded with my coveted '57 6120, which basically sounds exactly like the '56, and 2 tracks were recorded my '57 'Bo Diddley' Jet 6131. Various tube Standels were used, dat's the tone you hear, DeArmond Gretsches through Standel. I will post a couple more songs later this weekend, and your CD is on the way too!

Cheers!
- Rated: 83 ↑
Jun 21, 2008 1:35 p.m. Mark Synchro:

Nice, nice stuff.
- Rated: 15 ↑
Jun 21, 2008 5:15 p.m. Playboy:

¡Vive Pradabilly! Man, what a sound. Glad the CD is out, because I just about done worn out my demo copy! Now get rid of the rainbows and unicorns and get back to the super macho y lucha libre.
- Rated: 19 ↑
Jun 21, 2008 8:14 p.m. Century Bob:

Texarock was very cool and sent me a demo. Great stuff, yall should buy it.
- Rated: 22 ↑
Jun 21, 2008 9:40 p.m. gretschiam:

Sounds great. I'll have to get it.
- Rated: 24 ↑
Jun 22, 2008 10:48 a.m. Calacas:

WOW! Excellent Job texarock! Man that whole project oozes with coolness...from the players to the gear and song selection. Sign me up for a CD.

And here's an image I thought you might enjoy...

From a recent trip to a beach in Mexico...my future bassist and drummer a.k.a Los Dos Hijos de Calacas!
- Rated: 26 ↑
Jun 23, 2008 10:06 a.m. texarock:

Thanks everyone! I have posted two more numbers that I hope you will enjoy.

Presidio. There are some very wide open spaces out here in West Texas, sometimes the clouds and panorama can seem surreal... On this song, I have the help from Jimmy Sutton on the double bass, any GDP memebers from Chicagoland will know of Jimmy, he is without a doubt one of the best bass players around, but very multi-talented, he is also an excellent guitar player and fronts his own bands as singer as well. Not to mention very cool cat with outrageous sense of humor.

Also on this track is James Calvin Wilsey, the baritone that you hear in and out of the music. JW is the self proclaimed "King of Slow" and he knows how to suck every last ounce of tone from any note... He has a new album out, and I strongly suggest picking up a copy. Here is a link to his myspace page:

James WIlsey MySpace

Next up is Nashville Swell. The Galaxy of Stars and I get rocking on this one, and more help from phenomenal talent.

Carl Sonny Leyland on Piano. This guy is simply unbelievable. It was such a pleasure just to watch him work. Check him out on his website:

Carl Sonny Leyland

Also on saxophone is another multi-talented incredible musician, Ron Dziubla. Ron is a real rock & roller at heart, and first class professional. His regular gig is touring with Ricky Martin, yep, you read that correctly.

Here is a link to his site:

Ron Dziubla

Also, as on all other tracks, Mr. Fabulous, Pete Curry on drums, and bass on Nashville Swell.

Enjoy!

More Pradabilly...
- Rated: 205 ↑
Jun 23, 2008 2:36 p.m. Proteus:

Jay, with everything going on I haven't had time to respond to this thread.

Congratulations on getting this project done! What a stellar roster of great guys you had helping out, and the product is pure class all the way. You must be fit to bust!

Great sound and punch, all forward motion, and just all-round cool.

Vision, determination, and perseverance, huh?

I'm glad it all came together for you, and I hope it does well. I'll be ordering soon.
- Rated: 26 ↑
Jun 23, 2008 5:40 p.m. texarock:

Thanks Tim!

It did take about 18 months, but considering the studio is about 800 miles away and we had to find dates convenient for everyone, it worked out OK!

I could never find any like minded people in the area to start a band, etc., so decided I would have to do it myself. Meeting Pete Curry was what made it all possible, working in his studio, the Powow Fun Room was probably the most fun I have ever had, and everyone that was involved in the project are some of the best people I have met, it's really an honor to be associated with them and have them on my music.

And of course, I am fit to bust, especially with all the kind words here. They are greatly appreciated. Thanks!
- Rated: 15 ↑
Jun 23, 2008 8:23 p.m. Playboy:

'bout time somebody brought a little GQ to replace Hawaian shirts and chain wallets. Presidio is a winner! Really diggin the piano work by Carl Sonny Leyland.
- Rated: 26 ↑
Jun 26, 2008 11:42 a.m. texarock:

some of mah internet acquaintances were unhappy about th' disappeareence of one of mah songs fum mah playlist on mahspace...

So, back by Popular deman's, it's......

DICK WRAY!

Fry mah hide! Out hyar in th' middle of nowhar, th' mind kin wan'er, an' sometimes ah doesn't knows how ah got thar, but this hyar song is whar ah ended up when reckonin' about two of mah all time favo'ite git-fiddle heros.... Enjoy!

also, ah will be postin' blogs an' pics of mah gear wif some useful an' postibly obscure info'mashun... t'start, hyar is th' gear thet was used t'reco'd Dick Wray, a 1957 6120, early 60's Stan'el 20J12 an' old green echoplex... Mo'e t'come, ah promises...

Fry mah hide!

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- Rated: 83 ↑
Jun 27, 2008 10:21 p.m. Mark Synchro:

Guitar Music is Alive & Well

I've listened to the whole thing now and I'm on my second trip through. This is some absolutely great stuff. The guitar playing is fine and the piano work adds a lot to the mix. Everything on the CD is top shelf, the writing, the playing, the arranging and the choice of musicians.

Thanks Jay.
- Rated: 27 ↑
Jun 27, 2008 10:54 p.m. 57 Chet :

Doh!

I haven't gotten my copy yet ...

Well, that just goes to show you how shabby my rating is around here...

Ha! just kidding...

I can't wait to hear the finished product ...

You are one cool cat Jay!
- Rated: 26 ↑
Jun 27, 2008 11:08 p.m. texarock:

DOH!

I am honestly overwhelmed lately with work and other BS, up to my elbows above my head or whatever....

I hope it's just a matter of the tail wind or whatever workin' against the USPS.....

Just give me a holler, I can take it...
- Rated: 27 ↑
Jun 27, 2008 11:20 p.m. 57 Chet :

I hear you friend ...

Thanks!
- Rated: 34 ↑
Jun 29, 2008 8:29 a.m. Bernw:

I'm again late to a thread! Just wanted to say - some great sounds there Jay!
- Rated: 26 ↑
Jun 29, 2008 8:34 a.m. texarock:

Thanks Bern! Really glad to know you enjoy it!

I am actually working with someone to have the CD available in the UK! I will keep y'all posted.
- Rated: 37 ↑
Jun 29, 2008 10:20 a.m. Rocketman:

Wow this is very good stuff
- Rated: 26 ↑
Jul 11, 2008 4:35 p.m. texarock:

The album is now available at CD BABY.

And I have put a couple of new songs up on MY SPACE.

Including a cover of Surfin' Hootenanny with Deke Dickerson, Jimmy Sutton and Dave Wronski each taking turns at lead guitar!

Enjoy!
- Rated: 6 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 4:38 p.m. catman:

Cool stuff Jay. I would like to add you as a friend on myspace, but I need your last name or e-mail. Really like the sound, man
- Rated: 26 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 6:38 p.m. texarock:

thanks catman.

I dunno why you need my mail or last name, I will have to check, a couple others have said they couldn't add me... hmm...

anyway, last name Hardtke, email hardtke@att.net

Thanks for the kind words, glad you like the music.
- Rated: 13 ↑
Jul 12, 2008 6:52 p.m. Spartanman:

Texarock:

Great sound! Are gonna be playing anywhere in the San Antonio / Austin area?

Congrats again!