Charlie Morgan's Manicdrums Productions

More Mexican tracks

admin — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:27:58 +0000

I’m back tracking drums for Scott Erickson this week. We have another Mexican project to complete. Scott sends me the drumless roughs and pdf files of the charts (along with tempo map information etc). I line up the audio stems, print out the chart, listen a couple of times, while making notes on the chart. Then I record about 3 or 4 takes, one after the other. The system works flawlessly: we’ve been doing this for a while now, so we know how to make it work! Once I have what I think he wants, I send a rough stereo mix for him to sync with his audio. Scott then emails, or calls, with any “fixes” and I complete the track to his liking. Finally, I export the master files, and upload them to his server, using our “Drop Box” set up.

Aaron Hoffman session

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:59:58 +0000

I dashed back from Florida so we could track two songs for Aaron today. We had a very productive day: Co-writers Rand Bishop & Robbie Calvo came over, and we prepared for a full rhythm section. By the time Mark Prentice arrived around 2pm to play bass, we had a good balance in the headphones. I am much more used to simply tracking drums, so these rhythm section sessions are high stress, but very enjoyable. The plan was to also video as much of the recording process as possible, so we can release a video with the songs. Michael Catalano is our videographer for the project. We are very fortunate to have his expertise.

The session was most productive: we cut two tracks, and got some great video footage. All part of the “new business model” – Get it out there, and use social media to drive people there.

Around the world 1985-1998

admin — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:13:34 +0000

In the years between his debut in 1985 and 1998, Charlie toured the world a number of times with Elton, playing to tens of thousands of people every night.

Human Racing, The Riddle

admin — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:02:49 +0000

In 1984 & 85, Charlie was brought in to play drums for emerging singer/songwriter, Nik Kershaw (by producer Peter Collins). These two ground-breaking albums went platinum throughout Europe, and brought Charlie’s playing to the attention of one Elton John

First live appearance with Elton!

admin — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:00:30 +0000

While on the sessions for “Ice On Fire” Elton asked Charlie if he would consider playing a charity concert later that year. This turned out to be Live Aid! And so Charlie’s first live appearance was in front of 72,000 fans at Wembley Stadium (and half the TV sets round the world)!

Out in the Fields

admin — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:57:29 +0000

in 1984, Charlie joined a ”supergroup” with ex-Thin Lizzy guitarist, Gary Moore, and lead singer, Phil Lynott. The smash hit single “Out In the Fields” came out of these sessions.

6 Elton John Albums

admin — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:51:52 +0000

For more than 40 years, Elton John has been in the spotlight as a popular music icon and flamboyant entertainer. Recording and touring with Elton has been a privilege and a great achievement.

Ice on Fire was Charlie’s first studio recording with Elton John. Produced by Gus Dudgeon, tracks featured George Michael as backup singer and Nik Kershaw on electric guitar. It was during these sessions that Elton John invited Charlie Morgan to join his band for the Live Aid tour.

Ice On Fire (1985)

Charlie was again invited into the studio for Elton John’s 20th studio album to record tracks on Leather Jackets, during a brief break in the heavy touring schedule.

Leather Jackets (1986)

Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra was the final performance of a 2 month tour, and included some of Elton’s best known hits such as “Candle in the Wind” and “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”.

Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (1987)

In 1988, Elton John released “Reg Strikes Back” after throat surgery the previous year. This was the album that produced “I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That” which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 list and was certified Gold in August of the same year.

Reg Strikes Back (1988)

In 1995, brought the band into the studio to record Made in England, which was followed by a tour covering fifteen European countries and an additional whirlwind tour of the USA with forty-two concerts in just under three months–including seven sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden.

Made in England (1995)

The Big Picture launched a tour that started in Atlanta, Georgia in the USA in October of 1997 and wrapped up in Paris, France in December of 1998 with a total of 116 shows.

The Big Picture (1997)

Another Hero

admin — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:34:34 +0000

Charlie Morgan provided the drum track for ”We Don’t Need another Hero” sung by Tina Turner and featured in the film Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. The song was released following Turner’s multiplatinum album Private Dancer. The song’s lyrics, written from the perspective of those being oppressed and not wanting to get their hopes up, in yet another “hero” who may save them, was released as an extended, six minute 12″ version on the soundtrack album.

The song received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song and Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocalist.

We don’t need another hero became one of Tina Turner’s biggest worldwide single hits, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the USA.

“We Don’t Need another Hero” was written & produced by Terry Britten, recorded at Mayfair Studios in London, and engineered by John Hudson.

Let’s face it: drums are…

admin — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:19:22 +0000

hard to program, and never sound quite like the real thing. They are, at best, a compromise. Why not leave it to a professional with almost 4 decades of experience at the top of his field?

Need a great drummer?

admin — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 19:26:30 +0000

for your song……

Charlie Morgan is available for on-line sessions in YOUR home studio…