Posted February 17, 200718 yr http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml...bmronson117.xml Mixing it with Robbie, Lily and Amy Last Updated: 12:01am GMT 17/02/2007 Craig McLean meets hot young British-born producer Mark Ronson http://i18.tinypic.com/47i7876.jpg Robbie Williams "really knows his stuff, like abstract reggae" but is easily bored in the studio. Christina Aguilera is "definitely fair" when it comes to splitting royalties. Lily Allen's last single, Littlest Things, does not, as many listeners thought, begin with a sample of Radiohead's Karma Police - it's a snatch of a song from the soundtrack to 1970s porn film Emmanuelle. Amy Winehouse wrote the original version of Rehab in less than an hour. Coldplay sound good with added jazz horns. Mark Ronson: British-born, 31-year-old posh white boy Spend a morning in the New York attic recording studio belonging to Mark Ronson and you'll discover all these pop-culture titbits. He's the hottest producer du jour, a Zelig-like knob-twiddler who can charge £25,000 per track and has worked on some of the most interesting records of the last year: Williams's Rudebox, bits of Aguilera's Back to Basics album, Allen's Alright, Still, the keynote tunes on Winehouse's Back to Black. The day I visit, he's collaborating with Cathy Dennis and raved-about British newcomer Leon Jean-Marie. He's also one of the top hip-hop party DJs in New York, a friend of Jay-Z and Puff Daddy who also played the tunes at the late Notorious BIG's final birthday party. All of which is pretty good going for a British-born, 31-year-old posh white boy. In a cramped room up several flights of stairs in TriBeCa, Ronson tells me how Winehouse came up with her demo for Rehab here in his AllIDo ("all I do") studios. Initially, it was a bluesy lament. "The sound was bad-arse [great]," he says, his accent slipping between English and streetwise American, "but it was a slow, shuffling rhythm." The idea for the song had begun as they'd been walking back to the studio after a trip to the pool hall. Winehouse was telling Ronson the story "about what happened when she hit a low after her break-up and she was drinking all the time. And she said, 'They tried to make me go to rehab and I was like, "no, no, no".' And I said, 'That could actually be a funny hook for a song.' So she came back and wrote it." Then, with the help of a retro Brooklyn funk outfit named the Dap-Kings, Ronson took her "strummy thing" and gave it an "exciting, '60s, Shangri-Las groove". Hey presto: one of the best pop hits of last year. Ronson is not, as countless American articles and websites attest, the son of Mick Ronson, the legendary guitarist who played with David Bowie. Nor is he a scion of the Ronson cigarette-lighter dynasty. He is the son of a British model and socialite, Ann Dexter, and the stepson of another guitarist called Mick - Mick Jones of Foreigner. He moved to the US from the UK when he was eight, after his parents split. He is well connected: Sean Lennon is a best buddy, he knows Liv Tyler from private school circles, he was engaged to Quincy Jones's daughter. Three years ago Ronson made his own album, the supremely entertaining Here Comes the Fuzz. "I was trying to make the ultimate DJ party record," he says, "cramming my three-and-a-half hour set into 40 minutes." The follow-up is a different concept. Version is a collection of soul-infused covers of (mostly) British indie classics. Lily Allen sings Kaiser Chiefs' Oh My God with laconic cool. Robbie Williams rediscovers his Northern vowels on the Charlatans' The Only One I Know. Coldplay (God Put a Smile on Your Face) and Radiohead (Just) undergo speed-jazz instrumental makeovers. Ronson credits his British background - his dad still lives in the UK - with his enthusiasm for indie rock. "As a hip-hop producer, you're always looking for records, like those Quincy Jones and Henry Mancini records where they would do big-band arrangements of the big hits of the day. And," he shrugs, "I've always liked looking for obscure, abstract covers of pop songs." Has he heard what any of the original artists think? "Yeah - because I've changed the arrangements I have to go to them all for approval." Morrissey likes Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before so much, he's keen to work with the guest vocalist, and Radiohead's Thom Yorke loves the new Just. "It's not a slapdash thing," says Ronson. "You hear a lot of love for the songs." 'Version' will be released in April
February 17, 200718 yr Author Oh and more nice words http://www.pr-inside.com/mos-def-loves-wil...ebox-r53129.htm MOS DEF LOVES WILLIAMS' RUDEBOX Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com) Robbie Williams 2007-02-16 18:52:38 - ROBBIE WILLIAMS' latest album RUDEBOX may have been a commercial flop, :o but he has found a new fan in rapper MOS DEF. Producer MARK RONSON, who worked with the FEEL singer on the flop album, revealed that while Williams may have upset fans with his new musical direction, he has gained supporters in unexpected places. He says, "It is a transition record, but it also got him some of his first positive reviews in serious magazines and newspapers. "I ran into Mos Def at an AMY WINEHOUSE show in America and he said, 'That Robbie Williams s**t is amazing.'" Now who is Mos Def? :unsure:
February 17, 200718 yr :lol: I havent a clue who Mos Def is but I think I already like him Edited February 17, 200718 yr by sparkle
February 17, 200718 yr ROBBIE WILLIAMS' latest album RUDEBOX may have been a commercial flop, :o but he has found a new fan in rapper MOS DEF. Producer MARK RONSON, who worked with the FEEL singer on the flop album :arrr: :arrr: :arrr: :arrr: If 3 million sold in 3 months is a flop than TT's album must be the worlds biggest flop ever, as it has barly sold half of that worldwide. <_< I am really getting fed up with these ill-informed people being allowed to constantly print that it was a flop. For an album that got no promo at all and was hardly mainstream it has sold very well. The attitude seems to be if It underperformed in the UK, his carear is over. What ignorance. :rolleyes: Nice to see Mos Def (whoever he may be :blink: ) recognising Rudebox for the brilliant album it is.
February 17, 200718 yr Mos Def :srignt: http://www.geocities.com/mosdef2002/ looks like a rapper to me :unsure:
February 17, 200718 yr Mos Def :srignt: http://www.geocities.com/mosdef2002/ looks like a rapper to me :unsure: Mos Def :blink:
January 18, 200817 yr My Unsung Heroes .. Jan 18 2008 By John Dingwall .............Glasgow Daily Record Exclusive The Big Razz Interview Mark Ronson's Favourite Band Are Unknown Scots Life Without Buildings ACE producer Mark Ronson has revealed his favourite act is an unknown Scots band who split up without any hits. Mark, who helped make stars of Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen, is a huge fan of obscure indie band Life Without Buildings. The Glasgow outfit formed in 1999 but only released one album before splitting up in 2002. Mark, who has also praised Scots dance star Calvin Harris, said: "Paul Smith from Maximo Park told me about Life Without Buildings. "Franz Ferdinand and Sons And Daughters are amazing too There are some great acts coming out of Scotland. "But I think Life Without Buildings are amazing. I was asked to go on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show this week and I thought it would be a great chance to talk about them with Paul." Mark was delighted to pick up three Brit nominations this week but says his dad seemed less than impressed when he passed on the news. The NewYork-based producer picked up nominations for Best Albums for Version, Best Single for Valerie, featuring Amy Winehouse, and Best Male Solo Artist. But when he called home his dad played it cool, according to the man who produced AmyWinehouse Back To Black and Lily Allen's Alright, Still. Mark said: "My dad's not one of these people who gets ecstatic. I said I was nominated for three Brits. He said: 'Which ones? "I said best album, singles and male artist. He goes 'That's not bad'." Mark's dad Laurence worked in music publishing while his mum, Ann Dextor Jones is a writer. "Both my parents are British," he explained. "But I grew up in New York with a funny weird accent. "My dad discovered Bucks Fizz, who won the Eurovision Song Contest or it might have been the Eurovision Con Song Test. "Then he discovered an artist called Roachford who he was managing. He was into really good soul music that I would hear around the house. I started my love of music listening to his stuff." When I caught up with Mark, he told me he had been forced to call his girlfriend to do a bit of explaining after a Sunday newspaper suggested he had spent the night with AmyWinehouse. He had reportedly shacked up in a London hotel with Amy after an all-night recording session. But Mark says there was no recording and definitely no hanky-panky. "It was insinuated that we went to a hotel to spend the night together and that we were in the studio," he said. "But it was nothing like that. I was just heading out with Amy. She did play me a few songs on acoustic guitar but we weren't in the studio. "Apparently, we are inseparable. I laugh it off but it is annoying because I have to do damage control and call my girlfriend. I don't think anyone believes that stuff. "But I'd rather have daft stories about me spending an amorous weekend with Amy than read that NME thinks I'm the scourge of current pop music. "I'm lucky that a lot of the people I work with end up being really good friends. I could never go into the studio with someone I didn't get on with. "If someone sings something that is their feelings and you don't think it's that good, they could get sensitive. It is nice if you have a camaderie. " Meanwhile, he is still letting the news of his Brits nominations sink in. He said: "It was kind of amazing just because, as corny as it sounds, I have lived in NewYork since I was eight and I made a conscious decision to record my album in England and put it out here. It's the ultimate acknowledgment of the fact I'm seen as a British artist. "I wasn't expecting it. There was no way I would have been disappointed if I hadn't being nominated. "I was more surprised than getting nominated for the Grammys. That made more sense because I produced Amy's record. I'm more used to being acknowledged for contributions to other people's records. "It's funny to be a producer-arranger and be nominated for Best Male Artist when all the other nominees in that category sing their material. "But I'm not going to lie and say it's not a good feeling." HE plans to perform at both awards ceremonies, including Rehab with Amy at the Grammy awards in the US, and a medley with Critics Choice Award winner Adele at the Brits. Meanwhile, he has lined up a tour which includes a date at Glasgow's Carling Academy on February 15, which will include the 10-pieceVersion Players and some very special guests. Mark revealed: "It's kind of what we did over the summer last year and during gigs in October. It's great. I did all these songs in my bedroom and pretty much played everything by myself. "To then be able to go out with all these musicians and play them live is so rewarding. That energy really translates on stage as well when people see 10 people all having a good time. Candie Payne and Tim Burgess from the Charlatans and Daniel Merryweather and all sorts of other people are coming on the road with us to appear in the set." "It'll only be my third time playing in Scotland. My mum is half-Scottish. Her mum came from Edinburgh and I've visited. The first time I came to Glasgow I thought it was amazing." And Mark has revealed he wantsT in the Park organisers to get in touch so that he can play Scotland's biggest and best-loved festival. "I hope we can playT in the Park," he said. "We didn't get asked last year. I was bummed out about that. I looked at the line-up and at some of the acts playing and thought I'm better than them and maybe not them but definitely them. "I hope we do because everyone who has played says it is the best one." In the meantime, a re-release of Mark's version of Radiohead's Just is being released. "That song was on a Radiohead covers album and was the catalyst that made me realise I enjoyed taking songs I loved and turning the arrangements on their head." he said. "It came out two years ago. I wanted to finish the record as far as promoting it went because it sparked the whole idea." Recently, he met up with Robbie Williams in the US to listen to new material. But there's been no deal for him to work on Robbie's next album, despite being impressed by the songs. "I don't know exactly what his plans are," Mark said. "He played me these songs, which were brilliant. "I didn't know he was such a great songwriter. Hopefully, he'll want to do it and we'll get together. "I have been really busy because I have been trying to balance promoting my own record, touring and producing other people's records, which is my day job. I wouldn't complain about it for a second." 'I hope we can play T in the Park' http://i3.tinypic.com/8f51oci.jpg Edited January 18, 200817 yr by Scorpio
January 18, 200817 yr Author Great songwriter? :o Someone should tell that Kate Nash person. :rolleyes:
January 18, 200817 yr Author It's about time somebody actually acknowledged the fact that Robbie writes songs. And damn fine ones too. -_-
January 18, 200817 yr Nice article. And great to see Mark recognising Rob as the great and unique songwriter he is. He obviously did'nt know this, seing as the tracks on Rudebox he did were covers apart from Good Doctor. I hope he is involved in the next album as he is a great producer.
January 19, 200817 yr :arrr: :arrr: :arrr: :arrr: If 3 million sold in 3 months is a flop than TT's album must be the worlds biggest flop ever, as it has barly sold half of that worldwide. <_< I am really getting fed up with these ill-informed people being allowed to constantly print that it was a flop. For an album that got no promo at all and was hardly mainstream it has sold very well. The attitude seems to be if It underperformed in the UK, his carear is over. What ignorance. :rolleyes: Nice to see Mos Def (whoever he may be :blink: ) recognising Rudebox for the brilliant album it is. Daughtry's album just broke 4x since a year ago november and they say thats a sensation for them!!! Which it is because many bands dont do half that well....but rudebox blew through those numbers a hell of a lot faster then that....so how in hell that Rudebox is a flop but Daughtry is a sensation is way beyone me also!! <_< Not every album of every entertainer goes 6-8x in one year! -_- Mos Def is also an actor....His name is short for Most Definately....have any of you seen the movie... 'Something the Lord Made' or '16 Blocks?? Hes been in a lot of movies but his real claim to fame was and still is i guess rapping! His rapping style is hardcore....to me there is nothing musical at all about it....i dont like it at all....but seems lots of ppl like that stuff....the only rap i like is 'the beasty boys' or 'eminem' or 'faith no more' - white rappers lol but Mos...is a very good actor tho! http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=LQQdAX3G_1s http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0080049/ aiTRckKbYFQ Edited January 19, 200817 yr by Supreme
January 19, 200817 yr HUH !?! Ronson didn't know Rob was such a great songwriter ?? What ?! He worked with him on Rudebox, you'd think he would have known that already and not just realized it. But nevertheless its good to see someone acknowledge Rob publicly about writing his own stuff and being a great songwriter. I don't think anyone else has said those words publicly ever so to Ronson.
January 20, 200817 yr Superstar so in tune for top DJ AGONY(& THE LBS) PILING ON FOR SAD ROBBIE By Alice Walker, Emma Donnan & Katie Hind The Robster is hooking up with Brit-nominated producer MARK RONSON to make records together. Ronson, 32, close pal of AMY WINEHOUSE, has revealed that he and Robbie have already discussed the finer details. The DJ and producer, who has been put up for three awards at next month's Brits, said: "I saw Robbie in LA and he played me some of his fresh songs. I was honestly blown away by some of the best songs I have ever heard and we talked a lot about making a record together." Robbie has once again been snubbed by the Brits and hasn't been nominated for an award. Things got worse for him when he went on strike following a shake-up at his record label, EMI. Meanwhile, speaking at the launch of the Brits at London's Roundhouse last week, Ronson said of his troubled friend Amy, 24: "She's not in a good place right now." The pair holed up at London's K West hotel to work on songs. RWAP
January 30, 200817 yr "Version" is probably my favorite cd from last year...it's still in high rotation on my iPod. Plus he's cute as all get out!!
