Reports and Photos on JLT's Promotional Trip to Moscow
Entertainment business people and representatives of political and cultural elite attended a major event and television show taping that featured JLT and Mikhail Men, rock musician and Deputy Mayor of Moscow. There have also been a flurry of related news stories in the Russian media. Joelynnturner.com thanks our Russian correspondant, Maria, of the JLT Russian Fan Site "Dreamchaser," for the translation of these reports. To read the Russian Translation, go here. To check out a photo album from the event, visit this link at the InnaRecords site.
Here is a link to russian only version
newsru.com
JUNE 23 2005
On June 23rd in Apelsin club the presentation of an album that is quite possibly the most unusual recording in all the hard rock history will take place. World famous musicians Joe Lynn Turner and Glenn Hughes joined a Russian singer, musician and songwriter Mikhail Men who also happens to be a vice mayor of Moscow; the result is titled 'Made in Moscow'.
The idea of a collaboration with a European star first surfaced when Mikhail decided to re-release old recordings of his underground band he had while still a student, called Most (The Bridge) - Mikhail is a long time hard rock fan. A list of preferred names was compiled, strictly as a joke - it included Bob Dylan, for example, - and emails were sent out. The first to respond were Glenn Hughes and Joe Lynn Turner - hard rock's most active veterans, known for playing in bands like Deep Purple and Rainbow, eager to get involved in a madhouse-like experiment in collaboration with unknown Russian hard rockers.
Joe and Glenn were to write English lyrics to be used with Men's music, and sing them. It was part of the concept for the vocals to be done by someone established, while the music was recorded entirely in Moscow, employing local talent. Of a side note, Mikhail is not a bad singer himself, but his vocals weren't even considered for this project - when native English speakers were available, especially such as Hughes and Turner.
The final version of Made in Moscow includes seven songs, written by Men for Most, and two more songs written specifically for the project. The result sounds neither like Russian hard rock nor like a DP clone, but it is indeed a traditional hard rock album with recognisable vocals, very originally delivered overall, which is sure to become a pleasant surprise for many a listener.
Unfortunately due to schedule conflicts, Glenn will not be at the June 23 show. Anyway we can rest assured the Moscow show will go down fine - Joe Lynn with his explosive energy provides a doubly electrifying stage performance.
Mikhail Men and his team also pass a crucial test in the form of this show - they will be sharing the stage with a world class hard rock legend for the first time in their lives. Despite the friendly relationship and an album out, they recorded separately and didn't happen to ever play together.
Turner, Hughes and Men
"Made in Moscow"
In Sept 2004 there was a small tumult in the music-related circles, caused by unexpected news of Moscow vice mayor having reincarnated as a hard rock bass player! More so, he was the one who initiated and brought to life an unprecedented affair: recording of a Russian hard rock album in collaboration with world reknowned stars, namely ex-members of Deep Purple, Joe Lynn Turner and Glenn Hughes.
The interconnection of politics and show business is not surprising any more. Many local political figures are seen in TV equivalent of tabloid press - entertainment related talk shows; they go on live broadcast hunger-strikes in their own offices; and they even release albums of patriotic songs. Personal PR, nothing more. This is why when people hear about rock uniting forces with politics, they are most likely put on their guard. Rock music, in its genuine form, is generally considered free expression of free people's ideas. Politicians are, on the contrary, seen as individuals who value power above everything else. These popular cliches have enough reasons to exist, but there's an exception to every rule.
Mikhail Men, son of a Christian priest and writer, was used to creative atmosphere since childhood. Being only 10 years old, Mikhail Men got famous throughout the country, having played the part of Denis Korablyov in a popular movie 'Deniskiny rasskazy' (Deniska's Stories). He was chosen among 8 000 competitors. But it was his first and last stint as an actor, because he chose to succumb to "pernicious influence from the West" - Mikhail became a rocker. While a student in 'Kulyok' (University of Culture), Mikhail played bass in numerous spontaneously formed student bands and finally formed an outfit of his own - Most (The Bridge), where he was both frontman and creative leader. The time was 80s, and hard rock reigned supreme. Rarely a kid was not a worshipper of long haired gods - members of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and of course, Deep Purple. They dreamt of catching their gods live, even briefly.
Enough time passed for these kids to grow up, raise children, get a 'real job' and a tight schedule that hardly includes fulfillment of those dreams of youth. Few manage to hold their flame till the dream ignites.
Mikhail Men is the exception to the rule we spoke about. "Denis Korablyov" grew up and setlled down, but in spite of his high post, did his best to stay out of the 'family-work-home' routine and remain a creative person first and foremost. He continued making music: actively supported the Beatles Appreciation Movement of Russia, recorded several albums, filmed videos. It is unlikely that without this practice the collaboration with the acknowledged greats of world class rock music would have been possible.
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