TBJ119: Clarke Rigsby of Tempest Recording on Paul McCartney, Steve Gadd and his Most Improved Player trophy

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TBJ119: Clarke Rigsby of Tempest Recording on Paul McCartney, Steve Gadd and his Most Improved Player trophy

Clarke Rigsby of Tempest Recording has acquired a reputation amongst his peers for being “musically militant.” Nuff said.

From his site:

Clarke Rigsby of Tempest Recording has acquired a reputation amongst his peers for being “musically militant.” Today, technology often overshadows or masks (or invents…) true musical talent, and although Clarke has the tools to “fix it in the mix,” he’d rather let music come from the musician and not the machine. Clarke combines his technical savvy and musical talent with his engineering and production experience giving his clients the appropriate combination for producing a first-rate project.

Since 1980, Clarke’s recording history would be called diverse. Clarke has worked with such artists as Paul McCartney, Joey DeFrancesco, Glen Campbell, Ike Turner, Deepak Chopra, Dr. Billy Taylor, Hal Blaine, David Grisman, Jimmy Smith, The Phoenix Boys Choir, The Four Tops, Bobby Hutcherson, Don Edwards, James Moody, Rex Allen, Waylon Jennings, Frank Gambale, Alice Cooper, James Galway, Boston Brass, Brownie McGee, Tower of Power, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, Joe Alessi, Phil Smith (New York Philharmonic), Mark O’Connor, Peter Erskine, El Chicano, Honey Boy Edwards, UNM Wind Ensemble, Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, Eric Burdon, Snuff Garrett, Lee Hazlewood, R. L. Burnside, Little Milton, Bo Diddley, Harvey Mason, Warren Jones, The Ahn Trio, The Arizona State University Marching Band, Bill Conte, River City Brass. With old pals Tim & Willy (KMLE Radio..) he’s done projects with a “who’s who” list of country music stars including Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Steve Wariner, Trisha Yearwood, Sugarland, Billy Dean, Wynonna Judd, Dierks Bentley, Blake Sheldon, Colin Raye, Clint Black, Phil Vasser, Little Big Town, Travis Tritt, Trick Pony, Lee Ann Womack, Terri Clark, along comedians Frank Caliendo and Tim Hawkins, among many others.

In this fun and lively discussion, we cover:

  • Andrew's birthday!

  • Clarke's start in the music business

  • From L.A. to Phoenix

  • Deciding to stay in Phoenix due to the L.A. scene in the early 80's

  • Building his studio

  • The joys of dealing with the city government

  • Clarke and Paul McCartney on top of a bus

  • Working with Phil Ramone

  • Working with Sam Pilafian

  • How they met

  • "It's called development"

  • Working with Steve Gadd and Joey DeFrancesco

  • Boston Brass working with Steve Gadd

  • Andrew actively ignoring Clarke's video

  • Sweaty Lance

  • Gadd's process

  • Steely Dan stories

  • How he got started doing brass recordings

  • How the recording process is a learning opportunity and makes you a better musician

  • Recording the River City Brass Band

  • Freaking out at the green

  • Eating at Rizzo's on Clarke's 50th birthday

  • The Revenants

  • Winning an Emmy

  • Doing a jazz record with Frankie Valli

  • His "Most Improved Player" trophy

  • Working with Tower of Power

  • Tower of Power and the ASU Marching Band

  • Teaching at ASU

  • Recording for musicians

  • The impact of new technologies

  • Bison

  • TSA Agents

  • Awkward segues

  • Gadd AF Band

LINKS:

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Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.

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Brass Junkies Extra: Tubist Aubrey Foard of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on the state of the lockout

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TBJ118: Trent Austin