tina and david meltzer

»-(¯`v´¯)-» Design your MySpace with MyLook «-(¯`v´¯)-« Our second Vanguard album,was written for Tina as a showcase for her intimate and warm voice.We recorded it at Sierra Sound in Berkeley where Serpent Power was recorded.Some string players from the Oakland Philarmonic were assembled at the studio by arranger Ed Bogas.Iwanted to write songs almost exclusively for Tina,since I'd dominated our first album.The songs and orchestration were to sound more like art song,the antithesis of what Serpent Power was doing in the clubs.Vanguard seemed pleased and held an option for us to do a third album. A mutual friend Chriss Brooks introduced us to Vic Briggs who had been the lead guitarist with the Animals and was now producing records for Capitol.He asked us to make a demo-tape for him to pitch to his bosses at Capitol.I wrote some more songs and Tina and I put together a tape using a clunky Sony taperecorder.Nevertheless,Capitol liked it and they gave the green light.We left Vanguard amicably and signed with Capitol. The instrumental tracks were cut at the Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood.Vic selected most of the musicians including John Guerin on drums ,Lyle Ritz on bass,Michael Rubini on piano. After the recordings we recieved a tape of the mixed-down album.After there was an odd silence.Then there was a long-distance call from Vic who broke the news.He and four or five other producers had been let go.David and Tina would not become mega-starsDavid Meltzer