RAUL MIDON NEW RELEASE AND TOUR DATES!

Raul Midón's new album Don't Hesitate is out now via Mack Avenue's Artistry Records imprint. The album first premiered in The Wall Street Journal who said, "The album is a mix of sounds and styles, from the dusty southwestern feel of opener 'Libertad' to the folk-pop number 'Time Machine' to the Spanish-language reminiscence 'Mi Amigo Cubano,' a collaboration between Midón and the soul musician Bill Withers that features dazzling guitar leads from Midón."

Referring to the album's title track, Guitar World writes, "Midón’s skilled musicianship and silky vocal delivery shine on this track, and the entire album for that matter. With a Latin rhythmic backbone, pop sensibility and extremely solid guitar playing, Midón’s writing and production on this album are truly excellent."

Soultracks writes of Midón's impressive talents on display throughout Don't Hesitate, "Raul Midon has a gift that goes beyond his skills as a vocalist, lyricist and guitarist and his ability to transform his voice into a trumpet."

Midón recently traveled to WBUR's studios in Boston to record an interview and performance for NPR's national program Here and Now. Host Jeremy Hobson spoke with Raul about his unique playing style as well as the challenges he overcame to record Don't Hesitate himself. Listen to the segment here.

Don't Hesitate is a musical and personal milestone for the soulful and virtuosic multi-instrumentalist. Despite being blind since birth, Midón took control of every aspect of the album's recording process. The artist cut all of the tracks in his home studio, playing most of the instruments himself and handling all of the project's technical elements on his own, utilizing special computer software that enabled him to engineer the sessions. The result is a vibrant and compelling album that clearly reflects Midón's unique musical character.

A smoothly expressive singer, an emotionally insightful song-writer and an exciting, innovative acoustic guitarist, Midón maintains an expansive musical vision that's led People Magazine to call him "an eclectic adventurist" and Huffington Post to dub him "a free man beyond category," while The New York Times described him as "a one-man band who turns a guitar into an orchestra and his voice into a chorus."

Don't Hesitate

1. Libertad

2. Don't Hesitate

3. All You Need

4. Mi Amigo Cubano

5. Was It Ever Really Love

6. Keep Holding On

7. God's Dream

8. I Can't Love You

9. Listen To The Rain

10. If You Want Me

11. Make It Better

12. Time Machine

13. Always Time For Love

14. I Can See For Miles

Updated Tour Dates:

09/30/14 - Oakland, CA - Yoshi's
10/02/14 - Honolulu, HI - Honolulu Museum of Art
10/03/14 - Maui, HI - Art Vento
10/27/14 - New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge
10/29/14 - Cambridge, MA - Regatta Bar
11/14/14 - Arlington, VA - Artisphere
11/15/14 - Newark, NJ - NJPAC Victoria Theater
12/03/14 - Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall
12/04/14 - Evanston, IL - Space
12/05/14 - Detroit, MI - Orchestra Hall
02/11/15 - Lewisburg, PA - Campus Theatre


http://www.raulmidon.com/
https://www.facebook.com/raulmidon
https://twitter.com/RaulMidon
http://instagram.com/raulmidon

EDSEL FORD'S DARKEST SECRETS: BY HENRY DOMINGUEZ

Guest Post by Henry Dominguez:

Over the years, various authors have intimated things about Edsel Ford, but have never been able to prove them. That he was an alcoholic, for example, or that he was a homosexual. As a historian, I too had wondered about these things and was always on the lookout for ways to prove anything about this most elusive Ford.

I once asked Frank Hershey, the marvelous automobile designer, who worked for most of the large automobile companies—including Ford—throughout the thirties, forties, and fifties, and was a homosexual himself, if he thought Edsel Ford was gay.

  
“I don’t know,” he said, “but he could have been. He liked art…, he dressed sharp, and he wore fine jewelry. I like those things, too. (Wink, wink.) Back in those days, you kept it a secret if you were gay. I did, and I’m as gay as they come. Maybe Edsel did, too.”

After I got to know Bob Gregorie well, I was dying to ask him what skeletons were in Edsel Ford’s closet. After all, if anybody knew the answer to that question, it would be Gregorie. He had worked closely with Edsel for fifteen years, meeting with him practically every day in the design studio.

They were both yachtsmen, loved design, and spoke the same language. Gregorie was one of the few—very few—men at Ford Motor Company that Edsel could confide in. (The other one was Ernest Kanzler, Edsel’s brother-in-law, but had Henry fired him years earlier.) If Edsel would have mentioned any of his foibles to anyone, it would have been Gregorie. Firstly, the two were friends. And secondly, Gregorie would keep his mouth shut.
 

But I was afraid to ask Gregorie what he knew about Edsel’s darkest secrets, because I was concerned that he would be insulted, so I never did. But fortuitously, he brought it up himself!

 
One day, we were reviewing the chapter I had written about Edsel Ford for my book on Edsel and Gregorie liked it very much, but then added: “I wish there was something spicy about Edsel Ford that we could put in this chapter…, you know…, liven it up a bit. But,” he said with a little tone of disappointment, “there isn’t anything. Edsel Ford was a nice man…, a gentleman…, and that’s it.” HD

TWO OF PENTACLES: BALANCE AND PURPOSE

 

A man juggles two pentacles in an infinite loop, two ships ride large rolling waves in the background

The Two of Pentacles card suggests that my power today lies in balance. I strive for equality and choose not to indulge instant gratification at the expense of my purpose. I am responsible for my own decisions and take on only what I can handle based upon that which I value. I am empowered by choice and my asset is negotiation.

ACTIONS

juggling

keeping everything in balance
coping with demands
getting people to work together
making sure all areas are covered
having a lot of irons in the fire
moving forward smoothly
emphasizing all aspects equally

being flexible

adapting quickly
feeling free to try new approaches
going with the flow
refusing to let change throw you
opening to developments
seeing the possibilities
handling challenges
changing directions easily

having fun

doing something you enjoy
getting a kick out of life
taking time to play
feeling in high spirits
whistling while you work
seeing the humor in the situation
kicking back

MY GIFT FROM DETROIT URBAN DESIGN STUDIO!

How lovely! Susan from the Detroit Urban Design Studio just sent me a Carl Lundgren Bracelet and Stanley T, Madhatter is on it too! Guaranteed to touch my heart wearing Madhatter on my arm! Thanks so much Susan I love your gift!

Large Italian Charm Bracelet- Rock and Roll Poster art by Carl Lundgren

Carl Lundgren Rock and Roll Poster Charm Bracelet
Price: $28.00

This highly collectible item is a great piece of Rock and Roll history. A collection of iconic photos from the 60's and 70's on each charm. Each link has a high enameled poster image on each 9mm link.

Wear alone or with other bracelets for a stylish layered look. Custom Mega Link Italian Charms are a large 18mm and there are 9 charms on each bracelet. They are made of stainless steel, flawless, and are high quality.
 

Detroit Urban Design has another bracelet that i love too by Leni Sinclair

This highly collectible item is a great piece of Rock and Roll history. A collection of iconic photos from the 60's and 70's on each charm including Alice Cooper, Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Seger, Iggy Pop, Janice Joplin, and more.

This is the one site where you can get the real Detroit Rock n Roll Art Merch!

WIZARD OF OZ INSPIRATIONS

10 OF PENTACLES: SUCCESS AND REPUTATION

The Ten of Pentacles card suggests that my power today lies in community. I am a success and I value my reputation. I pass on and share my status, values, knowledge, and ethics by example. My work here is done and I am ready to take it to the next level. I am empowered by reputation and my asset is social validation or standing

RICKY RAT HAND CUFFS AND WHITE SHAG

Joe Leone, Ricky Rat, and Brad Elvis

Made my way to Hamtramck last night....to see 3 of my favorite guys play. Joe Leone the hard working Detroit drummer and owner of the new Rock n Roll Prep School, Ricky Rat lead guitarist from the Trash Brats, and Brad Elvis from the Romantics were all there with their new bands, Ricky Rat & the Rat Pack, White Shag, and The Handcuffs.

In the crowd was the awesome Wally Palmar of the Romantics and his lovely wife Kelly..we are working on a Romantics story for this week...stay tuned plz...

 Dave Lawson of the Rat Pack and The Zero Boys

Ricky Rat the Rat Pack

Wally Palmar of the Romantics and his lovely wife Kelly

Rich Cole Ricky Rat and Meridith Lorde

The Handcuffs (Brad Elvis, Chloe F. Orwell, Emily Togni, Susie Q, Alison Hinderliterdo) do a song about legendary American model Peggy Moffitt. I used Peggy's photo as the Retro Kimmer logo on Twitter... as I love her too!

 

The Handcuffs Bio

Kelly Palmar Brad Elvis and Meridith Lorde

White Shag: Jorge Cortez Joe Leone and Laura Mendoza 

ABOUT WHITE SHAG

 Ricky Fans from Indiana