Michael Balzary, better known as Flea, has been the backbone of the Red Hot Chili Peppers since they started back in the early 80's. In his time playing bass for the band, he has done a couple solo songs, including 'Pea' appearing on the '95 album 'One Hot Minute'. If you've been to a Chili Peppers show, you'll know that Flea used to play the trumpet as well, and would often play a funky trumpet solo between the main act and encore. Flea has now released his first ever solo album, 'Helen Burns'.
 |
I don't see Helen, or her burning...
|
The album is available for download from the Silverlake Conservatory of Music website, and you can pay what you want for it (you can even have it for free). There's even a limited edition vinyl, that comes autographed by Flea himself, with a piece of bass string used by Flea on stage, which can bought for $75. All proceeds from the album go to the Conservatory, which was founded by Flea in 2001 as a non-for-profit music school to provide quality music lessons to people of all ages for a reasonable price, even offering scholarships and free lessons and instruments.
The album is 6 songs long “mostly instrumental, weird and arty record... ...certainly not for everyone”. Whilst it is nothing like what he produces with the Chili Peppers, the songs feature Flea on bass and trumpet as well as other instruments, and also feature the talents of various artists (including Chad Smith and Jack Irons on drums), which results in some easy listening, with a light jazz tone. I have to admit, it's normally not my type of music, but there's something about it I enjoy (maybe the fact it's Flea makes me enjoy it - some psychological thing). I would definitely recommend buying it, if not for the music, than for supporting a great cause.
Chris
No comments:
Post a Comment