|
THE BRAINSTORM RECORDS STORY
Brainstorm Records was born in late 1999, as Jim Hudak put the finishing touches on Cherish, his first CD release of piano based instrumental music. Jim’s wife, Linda, suggested the name Brainstorm Records, and it sounded right from the beginning. The idea was to form a label open to different types of music and collaborative effort between musicians, composers, recording engineers, record producers, and the artists and graphic designers who would create the cover art for the independent label.
To date, Brainstorm Records has released five CD’s, all by Jim Hudak. With the advent of the internet, digital recording, and the collapse of most of the major record labels, the record business has morphed into a completely different industry. Most labels are lucky to survive for more than three years. But the high quality of the recordings, unique song selection and the passion for music that everyone involved has contributed to Brainstorm Records has kept this unique label growing and going strong.
A Brief History
For Jim Hudak, the idea of owning his own record label had been 25 years in the making. Studying guitar, piano, and voice from age 10, there was never any doubt that playing music would involve a major part of his life. But the art and business of making records would begin to take hold in 1974, when Jim began a five year stint at Everybody’s Records, a small retail record store chain based in Portland, Oregon. Starting as a store clerk earning two dollars an hour, he quickly learned the many facets of the record business and moved into store management.
The idea of one day being signed to a major label always interested Jim Hudak. But even in the heyday of the record business in the 1970’s, he observed the flaws in the major label system. Many of his favorite artists on major labels seemed to get ignored at times, as the label executives threw most of the marketing dollars at their mega artists most likely to generate huge returns on invested dollars. While that may make good business sense, it didn’t necessarily nurture the best art and music. Jim saw many of whom he considered to be the best and most artistic musicians get dropped by labels in favor of more mainstream, commercial oriented acts. When a major artist like Tom Petty had to declare bankruptcy in 1978, Jim began to look at record labels differently than before. His fascination with small, fiercely independent labels began to firmly take hold.
Jim thus decided that he’d prefer to record his own music, hold on to the masters and publishing rights to the greatest extent possible, and put out the kind of music he wanted. His first commercial release was in 1979, a 45 RPM single titled “Kiss Your Gas Goodbye.” It chronicled the long gas lines of the late 1970’s oil crisis, and Jim’s father, Ted Hudak, was credited as the Executive Producer. It would be the only release on the Hudie Records label.
Then, in 1987, Jim and his brother Don Hudak released “The Hudaks – Connected” on the J and D Records label. It featured the two brothers’ original songs, backed by world class musicians Jules Alexander (The Association), George Sipl (Eric Carmen Band), Dale Peters, (The James Gang), Herb Pederson (The Dillards), and session players extraordinaire Jaydee Maness on pedal steel and Scott Williamson on bass. The result was a critically acclaimed though commercially unsuccessful record that today is considered a collector’s item.
Both “Kiss Your Gas Goodbye” and “The Hudaks – Connected” were one-off projects that didn’t sustain a record label. Fast forward to the Brainstorm Records era.
|
CD Releases To Date
The five CD releases so far on Brainstorm Records have generated plenty of attention and sales. Brainstorm has also entered the digital download era, with all tracks from three of Jim Hudak’s CD’s available on iTunes, Rhapsody, and over 50 other digital download services. (Visit Jim’s website at www.jimhudak.com to purchase digital downloads). The following is a brief synopsis of his five CD’s:
Cherish, released in early 2000, brings a chamber music flavor to established popular songs. Tony Kaye, a gifted musician and arranger from San Francisco, helped locate top-notch musicians for the project, creating arrangements for several of the songs that blend wonderfully different layers of sound. Violin, cello, flute, and saxophone, plus guitar and harmonica on three tracks, embellish the piano in a totally pleasing fashion. Three lovely original compositions are placed among songs by Lennon-McCartney, Jagger-Richards, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Jimmy Webb, among others. A one-of-a-kind record that never grows old, sounding as fresh today as when it was first released.
Gratefully Yours followed, released in August of 2001. It features piano instrumental versions of songs by The Grateful Dead. Showcasing the beautiful melodies from what most would consider to be a rock and roll band, this album offers cathedral-like piano sound with sparse but effective accompaniment. Some of the selections are performed as piano solos, while others include piano with sprinklings of guitar, mandolin, harmonica, and bass. This is a CD that Grateful Dead fans have used to walk down the aisle at weddings, and non-Dead fans have come to appreciate for its lovely sound and presentation of melodies they might not have otherwise noticed. Another fine record.
Solo Piano, Jim Hudak’s third CD release, came out in late 2002. Jim wanted to address the many requests for his label to make available an album of “just piano music.” The wide versatility of the piano as a solo instrument is fully demonstrated here. From soft, introspective ballads like David Gates’ “Diary” to jazz flavored, upbeat standards like “On A Clear Day,” Solo Piano displays Jim Hudak’s love of music from different styles and eras. Jim’s treatment of Townes Van Zandt’s classic “Pancho and Lefty” showcases a countryish piano sound, and the two original compositions, “Storm Into Sunlight” and “Something I’d Never Seen” continue to generate airplay around the world on satellite radio networks.
Vintage Piano, a 2004 release, picks up where Solo Piano leaves off. Once again, all the songs are performed as piano solos, but this time with more contemporary selections from songwriters including Tom Petty, Elvis Costello, Robbie Robertson, Elton John, and several others. It also includes four original compositions which are particular standouts, and again walks the line from popular music to light jazz, country, and hints of classical music. The playing is even, contemplative, and delicate, with special attention given the upper register melody lines. This is another solid CD recording with a long shelf life.
Bridging Textures, released in 2006, has already taken its place as a major work. Featuring Jim’s first album of all original music, this CD was co-produced by Will Ackerman, founder of Windham Hill Records, and includes world renowned musicians Michael Manring on bass, Tracy Silverman on violin, and Mary Fettig on saxophone, among other excellent players. It continues to receive worldwide airplay on over 120 radio stations, earning its place as one of the Top 100 albums of 2006 on the prestigious NAR charts. This CD once again covers many types of music, blending their textures and rhythms together seamlessly with the help of multi-faceted percussionist Derrik Jordan. A CD that’s not to be missed, and one that gets played over and over again.
|
