Marcella Detroit | News September 2007

News | September 2007

Ahoy there maties!

I hope you're all well and had a wonderful summer. I betcha were wondering what in the world was going on in my wild, wacky world of moosik???? In case you were, I'm here to tell ya. First of all, I've been over to England twice since May doing some shows and most importantly, doing some writing and recording for my own cd. A wonderfully talented man named John Themis is producing it. John has most recently been seen and heard performing with none other than the great, Cat Stevens, otherwise known as Yusuf, doing loads of gigs that have been broadcast worldwide in the name of world peace and saving the planet, you know, those little issues! Anyway, John and I began seriously working on my cd and we've written about 3/4's of it now. We'll continue our work at the end of October. I am very excited about this. It will be out at the end of this year or beginning of next. You can always check my website: www.marcelladetroit.com or my "spaces" for the latest news on releases, gigs, etc. the "spaces" are:

www.myspace.com/marcelladetroitofficial
www.myspace.com/marcelladetroit

And can someone please tell me, why do people keep "phishing" my "space"???? don't they have anything better to do with their time?? the mind boggles! I hope you've all been enjoying my blogs. More to follow. As soon as I finish my writing and recording for my cd in the UK, I'll be doing a series of shows at the Soho Revue Bar at the beginning of November, after my writing and recording.

Lots of love;

Marcy xoxoxo

This Tuesday October 2, 2007, 7:00pm

It's the Sixth Anniversary of
The MainStreet Songwriters Showcase
...because there's nothing like a great song!

"It was 6 years ago, on October 2, 2001 that the first MainStreet Songwriters Showcase took place, at the now defunct Cafe Madrid on Sherman Way in Canoga Park, in the area known as MainStreet Canoga Park. In the wake of the 911 attacks, I felt a strong need to begin something that would affirm life, music, creativity. Thus the MSSS was born. And this week, we're celebrating that anniversary with cake and balloons, FREE tiramisu, and as always, outstanding original music! In light of the occasion, I myself will take one of the featured artist slots. Joining me for my set will be Andrew Kelsey on bass and backup vocals and Bill Willets on drums. The other featured artist, appearing for the first time on the MSSS stage, will be the incomparable Marcella Detroit, a terrific songwriter and backup singer, best known for co-writing Lay Down Sally with Eric Clapton. Come join us for a great evening..."

-Garret

Featured Artists Appearing This Week:

Marcella Detroit - bluesy pop-rock chanteuse

Marcy Levy, aka Marcella Detroit, was born and raised in the Motor City. She grew up listening to Motown, later getting into some heavy folk blues, electric blues and rock. As a teenager, armed with a fake ID, she'd often sneak into clubs in the most dangerous parts of Detroit to listen to the likes of Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker and Janis Joplin. From Motown to Janis, from classical music to the blues, all these varied influences show up in the mix that comprises her unique musical style. Bottom line, the girl could sing. Man, could she sing. She sang for years on the road with some of the greatest artists of our time including Bob Seger, Leon Russell, and later most notably with Eric Clapton, joining his band after the 461 Ocean Blvd album and traveling the world with him for the next several years. It was during that time that she began writing songs as well, co-penning Clapton's massive worldwide hit, Lay Down Sally which to date has aired on the radio over 3 million times. Marcy eventually moved to Los Angeles, becoming one of the most sought-after session singers in town, and working with the likes of Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin (her biggest vocal influence and inspiration), Arif Mardin, Tom Dowd, Glyn Johns, Barry Beckett, Phil Collins, George Duke, Stanley Clarke, Leiber and Stoller, and Burt Bacharach--a veritable who's who of the music industry. She's also performed with the one and only Elton John on his Duets For One CD, covering the Motown classic, Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing. In 1989, Marcy joined the British pop-rock band Shakespear's Sister, and co-wrote and sang the song Stay, which kept them at number one for 8 weeks in the UK. Since then she's been writing and recording with numerous artists and songwriters, and getting cuts all over the world. She's currently working on her own original CD due to be released later this year. For more, visit www.marcelladetroit.com.

Garret Swayne - crafter of song

Garret Swayne has become an eminent figure in the LA acoustic music scene in recent years. As host of the MainStreet Songwriters Showcase, he's been a driving force in the emergence of a genuine songwriter community in Los Angeles, bringing deserving writer/performers to public attention. But he's also an award-winning singer and songwriter himself, widely recognized as a master song craftsman and a compelling all-around performer. His songs are profoundly intelligent, but at the same time, they resonate with a full palette of real emotionality. They span the whole range of human experience, from deeply wrought ballads of inner revelation; to broad, laugh-out-loud satires of popular culture; to wistful tales of love and redemption. If there's any common theme, you might say it's about Connection-finding the tones, touching the chords in our heart that connect us to one another. A compelling lyricist, and an elegant tunesmith, you usually leave a Garret Swayne show with his songs pleasantly embedded in your brain. Joining Garret onstage for the show will be Bill Willets on drums and Andrew Kelsey on bass and backup vocals. For more, visit www.garretswayne.com or his MySpace page at www.myspace.com/garretswayne.

Open Mike:

The MSSS Open Mike follows the Featured Acts, starting usually a little after 8:30. All creative souls are welcome, but you need to sign up before 7:30 when the first Featured Act begins. Remember, it can be anything creative or entertaining-it doesn't necessarily have to be musical! (And Cafe Bellissimo often scouts the MSSS Open Mike for talent to perform there on other special evenings.) If you're a comic, a poet, or a storyteller, we'll give you 6 minutes to do your thing. If you're a singer, musician, or songwriter, you'll get 2 songs; try to keep 'em around 3 minutes each. (No sprawling epics okay, unless you're willing to play just the one song.) We want to keep the Open Mike moving along out of consideration to the other participants, so please don't monopolize the stage. Keep your total stage time around 6-7 minutes. That way we can get through more people.

The Venue:

Cafe Bellissimo (link to map)
22458 Ventura Blvd. (1 block west of Shoup)
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
818-225-0026

Directions: from Hollywood/Downtown LA... take the 101 north/west. Pass the 405. About 10 miles past the 405, exit at Shoup (which is one exit past Topanga Canyon Blvd). Come down ramp which dumps you out onto westbound Ventura Blvd. Cafe Bellissimo is on the left one block past the light at Shoup. There's never a cover charge at Cafe Bellissimo, but a $10 minimum on food or drink is requested, to support the establishment and keep the Showcase running. The food at Cafe Bellissimo is truly outstanding and they offer Showcase Nite Specials, which makes an evening at the MSSS one of the best dining/entertainment values around.

The Host:

That's me, Garret Swayne! I'm normally there just to keep things moving smoothly along. But, time permitting, I usually squeeze in a few of my own songs over the course of the evening...one of the perks of being host! So join us this Tuesday night for an outstanding evening of the best original music LA has to offer-The MainStreet Songwriters Showcase. Remember, there's nothing like a great song!

Peace and blessings all...

Garret Swayne
garret@garretswayne.com
www.garretswayne.com
www.myspace.com/garretswayne

The MainStreet Songwriters Showcase is held every Tuesday night at Cafe Bellissimo, in Woodland Hills. Hosted by acclaimed singer/songwriter/recording artist Garret Swayne, The MSSS features the finest up-and-coming songwriters, singers, poets, musicians, and comedians in Los Angeles in a relaxed casual atmosphere. Each week, we'll feature one or more original acts, followed by a general Open Mike. Participants in the Open Mike should sign up between 7:00 and 7:30.
Our intention is to support and promote the creative community of Southern California. During the performances, we ask that the audience be respectful of the artists and those who wish to listen. We want to create an atmosphere that honors the song and the performer. So please, no loud or distracting conversations during the show.
Cafe Bellissimo is renowned for its fine Italian cuisine, singing waiters, and casually elegant ambiance. It features a wide menu, including appetizers, salads, complete dinners, and desserts, not to mention the best pizza in the Valley. It also has a full bar. For more information or directions, call 818-225-0026.