Tom Brooks Music
Track
Lyrics
About The Song
Story behind the song:
in collaboration with NASA celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing.
Written by: Alan Parsons, Tom Brooks, Todd Cooper
Produced by: Alan Parsons & Tom Brooks
Musicians: The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
with the The Alan Parsons Band
with the The Alan Parsons Band
Engineered By: Alan Parsons & Tom Brooks
Mixed By: Alan Parsons & Tom Brooks
Studio: Parsonics, Santa Barbara, CA
Label: Frontiers
Published By: Sony Music
PRIME TIME
The Alan Parsons Symphonic Project
(click VIDEO button to listen)
"It's gonna be my turn tonight..."
Story behind the song:
(Tom Brooks: piano solo at 5:10)
On the evening of August 31st, 2013, a large crowd gathered at Parque Pies Descalzos in MedellÃn, Colombia. When Alan Parsons appeared on stage, along with the MedellÃn Philharmonic Orchestra and his band the audience went wild. This is an audio visual document of that incredible evening.
Written by: Alan Parsons
Musicians: Guitar, Keys and Vocals: Alan Parsons
Keys: Tom Brooks
Guitar and Vocals: Alastair Greene
Bass and Vocals: Guy Erez
Vocals: P.J. Olsson
Drums: Danny Thompson
Sax, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals: Todd Cooper
Medellin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by: Alejandro Posada
Keys: Tom Brooks
Guitar and Vocals: Alastair Greene
Bass and Vocals: Guy Erez
Vocals: P.J. Olsson
Drums: Danny Thompson
Sax, Guitar, Percussion, Vocals: Todd Cooper
Medellin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by: Alejandro Posada
Profile
About Tom: Tom Brooks is a Grammy-winning Producer, Arranger, Songwriter, Engineer, Keyboardist and Music Director for the ‘Alan Parsons Project'. He is also the founding producer of Integrity Music and t[more]Tom Brooks is a Grammy-winning Producer, Arranger, Songwriter, Engineer, Keyboardist and Music Director for the ‘Alan Parsons Project'. He is also the founding producer of Integrity Music and their award-winning concert album series. He has sold over 35 million albums for Sony earning him 6 Platinum albums and 12 Gold albums certified by the RIAA, plus Dove Award and numerous international honors.
Tom is Director of the Center for Commercial Music @ CBU and author of "The Language of Music". He recently conducted the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, performed at the Grammy Awards with Chance the Rapper, and teamed up with NASA and Neil Armstrong's family to celebrate the anniversary of the moon landing. Tom continues to write songs, produce artists, and perform concerts around the globe.
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Tom Brooks Director of Commercial Music @ CBU
Bachelors / Masters / Doctorate in Music
Music Releases: 137 albums for Sony / Integrity Music
Current Experience: •Toured the world with the 'Alan Parsons Project' for 16 years
•Orchestrated "Child o[more]•Toured the world with the 'Alan Parsons Project' for 16 years
•Orchestrated "Child of God" for Chance the Rapper - Billboard #2 last Spring
•Created & Produced "PERCY-The Mars Rover" soundtrack for NASA [collapse]
Previous Experience: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Brooks_(music_producer)
My Artist Type: Visionary
My Creative Work Type: Entrepreneur
Short Term Goals: Make Music - Change World
Long Term Goals: Make More Music - Change More World
Artist Q&A
List your Top 5 favorite songs of all time, and one reason why for each. (Think of it like this: if you could only listen to 5 songs for the rest of your life, which 5 songs would you choose?). NOTE: By definition, a song = a piece of music with vocals, lyrics and music.AARGH ! [more]List your Top 5 favorite songs of all time, and one reason why for each. (Think of it like this: if you could only listen to 5 songs for the rest of your life, which 5 songs would you choose?). NOTE: By definition, a song = a piece of music with vocals, lyrics and music.AARGH ! ! ! ! ! You're killin' me Adam ! ! ! 🤣 OK... Here goes âž¡ï¸
> "Copperline" by James Taylor - JT paints an amazing landscape of Americana [my first band at age 15 was called 'Fire & Rain' 😅]
> "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" - my Mom's FAV :))
> "Baubles, Bangels, & Beads" performed by Eliana Elias - a brilliant harmonic Journey!
> The 'FINALE' of "THE FIREBIRD" by Igor Stravinsky - changed my world at age 17 (opening of a "YES" concert :))
> "Sleigh Ride" - the whole reason I became an orchestrator - see family photo of Tommy at age 6 conducting the record player !🤣🤪
Music
MUSIC
M U S I C
List the Top 5 songs you wish you'd written, and one reason why for each. (Any reason is viable!).
Hmmm...
1. Line 'Em Up - James Taylor = Brilliant on every level
2. Putting it Together - Barbra Streisand & Stephen Sondheim = Genius insight on the Music Business!💡
3. Timeless - Sergio Mendes & India.Arie = I wanna sing this message to every member of the Human Family 👌
4. The Places You Find Love - Quincy Jones = Powerful 💥
5. Fool on the Hill - the Beatles = it touches a spot in me...... Thanks Paul ðŸ‘
List what you believe are the Top 5 Greatest Songs Ever Written, and one reason why for each.
6 years old - bought a "Beatles Song Book" for 50¢ - the rest is history !
On the piano or guitar, do you understand how to build and/or play major and minor scales and chords starting on any note?
I couldn't tell ya - it's the only thing I've ever done as long as I can remember
(... I've never had a 'REAL' job !!:))
Proficiency in the art and craft of SongMaking requires some solid understanding of the entire process. Are there any parts of the process you find confusing, intimidating, or difficult? (i.e. from the initial song idea to producing, mixing and mastering?)
*Finishing production on a new NASA soundtrack celebrating the James Webb Telescope
*Building a new state-of-the-art Recording Studio complex at CBU with designer John Storyk
*Writing the music / score for a new Broadway musical, "Here's Johnny" about Johnny Carson
*Creative Director for "Hands Around the World", an environmental project focused on reversing climate change
*Composing and producing the music soundtrack for a medical therapy research project targeting PTSD sufferers
*Continue touring, playing live concerts, producing artist projects
What instrument are you most proficient on? Also, do you sing at all (explain)?
•Gear up for a BANGIN' Fall season of concerts with my CM Band Peeps!
•Arranging another bombastic piece for 'CBU Christmas'
•Finishing up all the Parsons Concerts that were postponed due to COVID
Do you understand the concept of of "relative major and minor scales"
11
Do you know how to build Major 7th, Minor 7th, Dominant 7th chords, Suss-4, and Add-9 Chords? If not, please list which ones you don't know.
4... I get more jollies making other people famous :))
Can you read, write, and understand basic rhythms (from whole notes to 32nd notes)?
hmmm...... maybe 8 -- definitely means more to me than being famous
Do you know the basics of how to setup a new session then record, edit, route tracks, and assign plugins in Protools?
6.729 - I'm more of a Producer than an Artist - My job is to make the Artists I produce look MARVELOUS !
Which digital audio workstation (DAW) are you most familiar with and prefer using?
All my life I've been extremely fortunate to be paid well for my music - I can negotiate when I need to; and I do need to sometimes; but after the Deal is inked & signed, I am laser-focused on creating the music. So for me, thankfully, money has never been the focus; the focus is always progressing musically & creatively 👌
Do you understand how to put WAV files of individual drum samples into "the grid" in a DAW and make basic drum beats?
I really lead a 'dual-life' -- originally, organically, I am probably an introvert (...kinda like Schroder, the piano guy in the "Peanuts" cartoon 😅 ) But in order to be an effective Producer & Music Director, I had to learn to be an extrovert on the fly!
I got thrust into Leadership positions early in college - It was 'trial by fire' for me as I found myself in front of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra / the Bach Society / and producing high dollar recording sessions for Anheuser-Busch, McDonalds, the St. Louis Cardinals, and tons of other pressure-cooker type gigs... Learning to be an extrovert was 'Survival Mode' for me!
It felt a little crazy at first, but I quickly learned to just let go of any doubts and concerns and let my passion for the music explode out of me on stage and Have Fun with it!
Do you know how to set up a basic signal flow to record with a microphone and/or instrument without unwanted distortion (i.e. from the instrument to the mic, cable, pre-amp settings, interface input, setting gain, and recording in your DAW, etc.)?
YUP :))
For me, the connection between MUSIC + SPIRIT is the pinnacle and center-point of my life. God talks to me through Music - He taught me the Language of Music over the course of my life and We continue to explore His phenomenal musical creation every day. It's everything to me. There is nothing on earth; no drug, no thrill, nothing that even comes close to the Spiritual High I get from feeling God play Music through me!
Do you understand the basics of how to use EQ and compressor plugins?
yeah, OK - this is gonna seem like a strange list...... 🤪; but here goes:
1. Keith Emerson - best keyboard player I've ever known
2. Alan Parsons - as a young kid, his music turned me on to the incredible power of combining a rock band with an orchestra
3. Dr. Ronald Arnatt - Conductor of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and my college professor.
4. Creative Musicians like the band YES / Igor Stravinsky / the band Genesis / Engineer-Mixer Bill Schnee, my mentor
5. Rick Warren - my pastor for 30+ years; one of the best Communicators in the world 👌
Do you tend to use plugin presets, or use your own custom settings (explain)?
I go for the PAYOFF of hard work over time - I'm in Music for the Long Game... I'm here to change the world for GOOD!
[ Instant Gratification is for BABIES! ]
How do you feel you learn best?
When I shut out the world, sit down with the BOSS and FOCUS on the challenge
On average, do you prefer inventing/creating your own techniques or learning proven techniques (explain)?
I have always taught myself music from the very beginning -- I developed my own version of what you might call 'Music Theory' when I was a little kid... I listened to all kinds of music, I would hear a Beatles song on the radio and I would look it up in my 50¢ 'Beatles Song Book' and that's how I taught myself to read music. I started writing out brass charts in high school for my rock band when I was 15; songs by the band CHICAGO and Blood, Sweat, & Tears, and taught myself arranging by analyzing every detail in those early jazz-rock-fusion tunes. In college Dr. Arnatt turned me on to Stravinsky / Debussy / Ravel and all these 'Rock Star' orchestrator guys and I was totally hooked.
When it comes to your artistry, what are you most confident about? Also, least confident about?
Most Confident?? At this point in my Journey, I fell really pretty confident to take on just about any Music Production gig.
Least Confident?? I guess I would say...... Big Complex Production jobs I do that are for live television broadcast - only because you have 1 SHOT to kill it ! ! ! NO "COMMAND Z" when it comes to LIVE TV ‼ï¸ðŸ¤ª
Describe your dream scenario for your career as an artist. Be specific!
just what I'm doing really -- Tour the world on a first-class level and get to play cool, challenging music that I really love, with a Band full of Brothers who love Music just as much as I do. Then come back home and hang out with younger Creative Creator-types in my role as Director-Mentor-Inspirerer at CBU. Then jump over to Produce an EPIC for NASA, arrange a pop hit for Chance the Rapper, record strings for J-HUD, orchestrate and conduct the Israel Philharmonic, edit / mix / release the concert video, get paid, hang with genius people........ it's pretty much my Dream Scenario happening LIVE !
Do you tend to envy other artists or feel competitive with them, or are you supportive of others?
I feel W A Y more gratefulness and thankfulness than I do envy -- I can be a pretty competitive guy, but for where I am in my Journey, I don't really need to be so aggressive anymore; I've got plenty of exciting stuff to work on.
On average how much time per day (or week) do you currently spend working on your craft?
yeah, OK... 24/7; like basically every waking hour and minute and second -- If I have a 'kryptonite', it would be letting my excitement and my passion for a Project suck me in SO DEEP that the rest of the world just disappears -- I generally get sucked into a vortex once or twice a year to the point where I just refuse to stop for the basics of life (...like eating / sleeping / doing your taxes...🙄 ). I'll finish a big large-scope Project, or a long Tour, come back home and sometimes have to pick up the pieces of my 'other life' . . . . . . .
What brings you the most joy in both life in general and as an artist?
When the Groove is SO TIGHT and the Band is so ON, Body & Soul, that the entire stage and the universe aligns and resonates in multiple frequencies of low whole number ratios, buzzing in Synchronicity - it's the best High Ever!
For me, it's all about Making Music - Loving People - and my 2 favorite drugs âž¡ï¸ I'll take Serotonin & Dopamine any day over whatever drug the world has to offer...... They're FREE / I make them myself / and there's No Hangover ! ! !
What makes you most frustrated both personally and as an artist?
I'd say probably the travel involved in touring -- MUSIC = Great // TRAVEL = Sucks
I keep myself surrounded by really positive, creative, clever, high-energy people.
I steer clear of people that bring negative energy into a situation.
I focus on things that are inspiring to me, beautiful things, stuff that makes me smile😄
I don't watch a lot of TV and I don't expose myself to manipulative marketing driven crap.
a walk in the woods is a million times better than another news show about how terrible the world is today 💩
Do you see yourself as more of a leader or someone who is comfortable in a supportive position? If it depends, explain.
Leader, definitely
My support role is to the Vision of the Artist or Client I am serving at any given moment - but then on their behalf, I need to be a Leader to organize / arrange / hire other musicians / produce / direct / conduct / spend the budget they give me wisely / and hand them back a finished version of the Vision they started with. BAM!💥
On average, As you grow and progress as a person and an artist, is it more important that you have fun, or do you believe in a no-pain-no-gain process? Explain.
I'm all about FUN and I've learned how to enjoy nearly every aspect of the Music Journey!
I really don't believe the 'no pain, no gain' thing -- that's a TERRIBLE way to go into a practice session! If I do ever need to go in and seriously 'woodshed' a new performance piece, I have fun with it.
What are you 3 favorite movies/films of all time? And Why?
Wow... hard to pick just 3 --
*All the olde "Sherlock Holmes" black & white movies with Basil Rathbone - CLASSIC !
My Mom videotaped them off PBS and we used to watch them together when I was a kid
*I enjoy films like "Casablanca" / "The Maltese Falcon" / films when they didn't rely on pyrotechnics and computer graphics; it was more clever directing / great writing / and powerful acting.
*Check out the Hitchcock flick "To Catch a Thief" with Princess Grace Kelly and Cary Grant
What are your 3 favorite artists of all time? And why?
GEEZ....... Right now, I'd say...
•James Taylor
•GENESIS / YES / ELP
•Stevie Wonder / Steely Dan / Bonnie Raitt / TOTO / ...
That only counts as 3, RIGHT?????
What are your 3 favorite songs RIGHT NOW? And why?
AARGH ! ! ! ! ! You're killin' me Adam ! ! ! 🤣
> "Copperline" by James Taylor
> "Baubles, Bangels, & Beads" by Eliana Elias
> The 'FINALE' of "THE FIREBIRD" by Igor Stravinsky
What emotions do you feel you most often feel the need to express through your artistic creativity?
Hmmmmmmm.......
My answer will probably come off weird for this one - - - I don't really feel any 'need' to express anything ; my role is "How well can I express the emotion that is already 'built in' to this song that I am performing / arranging / producing".
Is there one or more styles/genres of music that you despise/hate/can't stand?
I don't HATE any style...... I tend to get bored pretty easily though with the standard cut & paste pop/rap stuff that seems to be everywhere - Same 808 kick drum / same clap sample / same auto tune setting 🤮; it just doesn't show much creativity, not much cleverness; it's just whatever 'fast-food' musical junk food they can package and market the snot out of and cram down the throats of 13-year-olds who don't understand how they are being manipulated into thinking they LIKE something.
Music has SO many 'Colours' to play with: Melody / Harmony / Rhythm / ... in most Rap you are throwing away Melody / in a lot of Pop music we're still stuck on the same 4 Triads we've been using for 700 years -- it's like taking the Rainbow Spectrum of musical possibilities and stripping it down to a black & white pencil sketch.
For me, Great Music needs to be CREATIVE!
Show me something CLEVER - Tell me a STORY - Take me on a JOURNEY - Work in a Chord I've never heard before!
Surprise Me ! ! -- Give me something fresh & new -- Be Genuine - Be Authentic - Be Sincere - KNOCK MY SOCKS OFF‼ï¸
On a spectrum between 1 and 20, do you consider yourself more interested in technical perfection (1), or more interested in overall feel (20)? (For example, if it's an equal blend of the two you would answer: 10) Explain.
HAH - Trick Question !!
For me as a Producer, you need to sense where to nudge that curser on the 'Bar Graph of Life' that slides between
Technically Perfect - - - - - - - - - - PERFECT BALANCE - - - - - - - - - - - - Perfect Feel
To me, the SONG and the ARTIST will dictate where I land my curser; from one gig to the next.
Have your parents been supportive of your artistry?
YES
Do you find that you prefer short bursts of learning/working with consistent breaks, or longer, focused times?
In general, I think it's pretty well proven that Short Bursts with consistent breaks is better for most people...
HOWEVER, for me personally, I prefer to blaze on for hours on end - it ticks me off when I need to stop and eat, for instance.
What are your thoughts or opinions on counseling/therapy/psychology?
Being straight-up honest? For me personally?? I hang out with my Friend & Brother & Savior constantly - and He keeps me on target. I've never spent any time with any of the other options; but hey, that's just me.
On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how do you personally rate the importance of the arts as entertainment or escapism? (as opposed to as a way to go deeper into ones thoughts and feelings). Explain.
WOW - -DEEP -- not sure on this one :))
On a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), how do you personally rate the importance of the arts as a means of personal expression, communication and meaning?
Again, as Producer -- I don't personally have a need to express my own emotions; I get joy out of helping others express THEIR emotions.
Are you technically savvy with regards to computers etc.? (What programs are you familiar with? i.e. Protools, Logic, Garage Band, Photoshop etc.). Do you enjoy this technical/engineering side of music? Explain.
Computers = YES
Pro Tools = Been working on it since the day it came out (as "Digidesign")
Engineering = YES, I actually do LOVE the technical side as well.
What do you feel is the best thing about you as a person? The least best thing?
HAH - Best Thing???🤔 I would say......
>The fact that I REALLY understand the Heart of the Artist (I can 'read the room' & sense their spirit)
>But then I also REALLY understand the Needs of the Client (yeah, I can read that room too!)
>Plus I also REALLY understand the capabilities of the Technical Side (YEP, I read the 1's & zeros as well!!)
>>>AND... I'm pretty good at finding the Perfect Godly Balance of ALL 3 !
Least Best Thing???
Between travel schedules & crazy stupid late hours... I'm probably pretty tough on my Family and my Partner for Life / 9th grade sweetheart, CheriBaby -- I'm probably not the easiest guy to live with......... SORRY CHERI ! !
Do you feel it's important to finish everything you start, or do you tend to leave work unfinished for some reason? Explain.
YA GOTTA FINISH THE RACE ! ! ! !
Do you often struggle with anxiety and/or depression? (if you'd prefer not to answer for whatever reason, simply answer: N/A)
I'm super-stoked out-of-my-mind about a Concert film we just released (3 weeks ago) with our Band, 'The Alan Parsons Project' and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, recorded LIVE in the MANN Symphony Hall in Tel Aviv, Israel. I orchestrated all Alan's songs, played keyboards, and rehearsed/conducted the Orchestra - We performed it 2 nights and edited the best performances into the Concert film. Prog Rock meets Symphony Orchestra..... Pretty fun stuff ! :))
Do you plan to make music your full-time career? Do you have a Plan-B in terms of a career choice? If so, what is it?
HAHAHA -- kinda late to change horses now; we're already pretty far into the race ! 😅
Define success in the most personal and complete way possible. i.e. What is success to you?
Make Awesome Music -- Change Hearts -- Lift People Up -- Spread Love & Positivity everywhere you go!
Besides music, what other artistic mediums to you enjoy working in?
Well; from my perspective; what I GET OUT OF IT is the FUN of hangin' with clever young Creatives who think like I do!
(like a 19-year-old , that is ! 🤪 )
BUT WHAT I GIVE INTO IT is, basically Everything I have - Everything I've ever learned about LIFE +MUSIC+LOVE.
I've been incredibly fortunate and God is leading me on an amazing fulfilling Musical Journey -- I hope to lead some of my younger Pals down a similar path, custom-made for them ! ! ! ! ! ! !
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