Press release
26.05.2005 - Sennheiser U.K
Joe Jackson/Todd Rundgren Around The World With Sennheiser/Neumann Mics
NEW YORK, NEW YORK: Inspired by the success of a special one-off concert in New York in August 2004, singer/songwriters Joe Jackson and Todd Rundgren, together with special guests Ethel, a contemporary string quartet, have now taken the show on the road throughout North America and Europe. Incorporating up to 60 minutes a night of Jackson at the piano, the lengthiest solo show ever undertaken by the New York-based, UK-born musician, the tour utilizes Sennheiser and Neumann microphones not only for the performance but also for the nightly live recordings, captured by front-of-house engineer George Cowan.
Cowan, who is also acting as tour manager, relates that the original plan was to take Jackson's pair of Neumann KMS 105 vocal microphones out on tour. "We meant to use them from the very beginning, because Joe had bought two on the last tour we were on - but he couldn't find them!"
So the tour set off with a different microphone on Jackson's vocals, he continues. Then, he says, "We did a recording with a truck, and the truck had a 105, so we put that up." That was enough to remind them how much they missed the KMS 105. "I love that mic a lot," says Cowan. Thankfully, he reports, they've got the mics for the tour.
Jackson, together with the four members of the contemporary string quartet, Ethel - Ralph Farris, Dorothy Lawson, Todd Reynolds and Mary Rowell - also make use of Sennheiser's Evolution Series EW300IEM-G2 wireless personal monitor systems. "Todd is the only one who doesn't," says Cowan. "He uses a stage monitor."
Every show on the tour is also being recorded by the engineer, with additional Neumann and Sennheiser microphones supplementing the onstage setups. "I'm using a pair of Sennheiser MKH800s as a stereo X-Y pair out at front-of-house. Then, I'm using a pair of Neumann TLM 127s onstage, pointing at the audience, for ambience."
The choice of Cowan for front-of-house engineering duties is not unexpected. As the former chief engineer of Bearsville recording studio, near Woodstock, New York, Cowan already had close relationships with Rundgren and Jackson. He previously worked with both musicians as both live sound engineer and tour manager, for the 25th anniversary reunion world tour in 2003 and the 2004 tour of the West Coast and Japan by Todd Rundgren and the Liars.
Jackson, Rundgren and Ethel were first brought together in late 2004 for a special show at the Delacorte Theater in Manhattan's Central Park. Following that template, this current tour features an opening set by Ethel, followed by a solo acoustic set by former classical piano prodigy Jackson that includes such Joe Jackson Band classics as "Sunday Papers," "Different For Girls" and "Is She Really Going Out With Him." Rundgren then performs hits such as "Hello It's Me," "Can We Still Be Friends" and "Bang The Drum" solo on guitar and piano. Jackson returns, with Ethel, then Rundgren plays with Ethel, and everyone gets on stage for a rousing finale that includes George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."
At the end of May, the tour moves from the United States to Europe, where Jackson, Rundgren and Ethel will perform in London, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Zurich, Milan, Rome and other major cities.
For more information about Sennheiser please visit www.sennheiser.co.uk or call:
Robert Collins, Sennheiser Pro PR
T: 07966 294 877
E-mail: Robert.collins180@virgin.net