WTF!? by rick berlin w THE NICKEL & DIME BAND
IN GRATITUDE
I would like to begin by thanking my ‘benefactors’: Jane and Chris Clark (my wonderful sister and brother-in-law) and David Forrest Jasper (alongside his prescient jet planes). RIP my dear friend. Without their incredibly generous support my emaciated wallet could not have done the heavy lifting it took to make this recording. I love and respect all three enormously.
About WTF!?
Safe to say that although the band spent 3+ months working up the vibe, arrangements, backups, and parts to all 12 songs, Brian Charles totally owns the producer’s chair. Great bedside manner, coaching, encouragement, at times new part suggestions, and above all - the mix. Magnifying glass pinpoint ears throughout. He works fast but with tremendous accuracy. Misses nothing.
We loved every minute in there, start to finish. Highest praise. Over the top recommendation.
Why the title? The explanation you can read in that song’s description, but I would add that those three (universal?) words cover much of the lyrical content, however obliquely, as well as referencing the state of our world of late, but with hope and humor.
(The photo of us in tutus alone…)
Tracklist
| 1. | GOTTA DANCE | 3:20 |
| 2. | I DON'T WANNA GO TO WORK | 3:42 |
| 3. | RUN OUTA WORDS | 3:12 |
| 4. | I STILL WANT IT | 3:22 |
| 5. | I'M A NOBODY | 2:59 |
| 6. | LIVIN' THE DREAM | 4:06 |
| 7. | YOU TAKE CHANCES | 3:05 |
| 8. | WALKIN' MY DOG | 3:44 |
| 9. | I'LL WAIT UP FOR YOU | 3:24 |
| 10. | I'M WEARING A TUTU | 3:03 |
| 11. | WTF!? | 4:09 |
| 12. | WORST BAND EVAH | 1:04 |
Videos
Credits
THE BAND
Savannah Marshall (kit, percussion, back up vox) - Matt Bailin (guitar, sax, backup vox) - Ricky McLean (guitar, backup vox, lead vocal - WALKIN’ MY DOG) - David Goodchild (bass) - Jane Mangini (all keys) - Rick Berlin (lead vocals, songwriter)
THE FOUR QUARTERS
Jay Souweine (trumpet) - Jack Panora (tuba) - Matt Bailin (sax) - Mike Kaskiewicz (trombone)
Horn arrangements by Matt Bailin
BACK UP VOX (in addition to the band) Aly Sorokina - Larry Terry - Shikiboo
PRODUCER/ENGINEER/MIX/MASTERING
Brian Charles @ Rare Signals Studio
ASSISTANT ENGINEERS
Annie Hoffman - Jamie Rowe
SONGS
Rick Berlin - ASCAP - Lobsterland Publishing
STAMP of WTF!? + background art - Dianne Jenkins
ART PER SONG DESCRIPTIONS - Dianne Jenkins
GRAPHIC DESIGN - Nick Kent
PHOTO OF US IN TUTUS - Margie Nicoll
License
All rights reserved.
A giant on the Boston music scene. His colorful songwriting + strong stage presence have influenced countless other artists since the early 1970s. He continues to make music w/ intelligence + integrity, building an international reputation around his knotty, singular piano playing, straight-from-the-heart singing and a style of character-based songwriting that's drawn comparisons to Waits + Cohen