The Partnership

[darlene]

I was doing some work in the kitchen and thought I'd listen to my "Fresh" album. When I looked I saw my husband had put one of the Fotomaker albums on the turntable. I turned it on, and was instantly reminded how much of Eric's influence on Wally one can hear in the Fotomaker songs. It's absolutely amazing. The partnership was really incredible, listening to it from this standpoint.

Wally's Fotomaker songs (remember he's "fresh" off the Raspberries) have that dedication to perfection and quality of the music he and Eric put into Raspberries. You can actually hear the tremendous influence Eric had on shaping him as a musician.

In The Raspberries they were like one person for a long time, as regards goals and application of their talents to the music. I'm sure Eric would be the first person to say he misses the (when-it-was-working) partnership. It's a shame things turned sour and the relationship went South. But...in those Fotomaker songs, there are quite some reflections of Eric and The 'Berries. --Darlene

[marvin]

Darlene there's no denying Eric's talent, but you know there's also the possibility that it was Wally's talent that rubbed off on Eric. What do you think????

Marvin

[darlene]

Marvin, You have a point there. It's possible I was leaning too much in one direction. Creative partnerships are necessarily a two-way street, not a one-way street, it's true. Wally is tremendously talented (and has a great voice on top of it!) and what I mean to say is that like I said, they were like one person when it worked. There was give and take in both directions. They started out together (in various groups) so young that they probably grew in music together with the same type of vision and each contributed to the other's growth and signature style. I stand (somewhat) corrected. Thanks, Marvin. --Darlene

[marvin]

Darlene my point has always been that the rest of the 'berries have never received their just recognition and rewards. It's always been Eric. Eric is a premier talent, no doubt about that, but it's the sum of the parts that made the 'berries so great - Wally's exceptional guitar playing, Jim's drumming, Dave and Scott's songwriting / singing etc. Like many other fans, I've had the opportunity to hear post-'berries work of Scott, Wally and Dave, and there is no doubt in my mind that they are each very talented in their own way, and if fate had been kinder, it might be one of them sitting in the mansion on the hill instead of Eric. Unfortunately history has not allowed it. Maybe the day will come when the band will be placed in that hallowed pantheon and they will be recognized for more than a footnote in rock history. If that day comes, I'll be there to salute Eric but also to acknowledge that it would never have happened without also Wally, Dave, Scott, Jim and Mike.

Regards,

Marvin

[Matthew C. Clark]

I thought that member Frankie Vinci of the group Fotomaker was going to be the next Eric Carmen. Does anybody know whatever happened to Frankie Vinci & where is he now? Matt

[Guest]

Marvin, Very well said. Sometimes my focus gets a bit narrow and I'm glad you opened up a much wider perspective of the whole thing for me. That's why it's so wonderful that so many people have a lively discourse on this website. We all balance each other out and return each other to some kind of balance when we get a teeny bit carried away. (Raspberries/Carmen fans would NEVER do THAT, would they?! haha) Thanks again. I DO hope that everyone in both batches of 'Berries gets their just due in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It would be giving them ALL the accolades they truly deserve. --Darlene

[Bill H.]

Hey, speaking of Eric's old bandmates, what has become of Dann Klawon? Bit of a genius himself. And Eric was never any better than when he was with Wally; like John and Paul...competition works!

[marvin]

Bill H hit it right on the head when he said "Eric was never any better than when he was with Wally." Eric himself has said it many times in interviews that the two of them had (have?) a love/hate relationship very much like Paul and John had. When two virtuosos like that get together, the music that is released ends up being unforgettable. In my opinon since the split, there's been no one to push Eric musically and as a result he's fallen into a secure complacent place where the music might be comforting to some, but hardly adventureous. Anyone know if Eric and Wally are on speaking terms anymore? How about Eric and Scott? How about Eric and anybody???

Regards,

Marvin

[darlene]

Marvin, Somewhere (I had forgotten about this) there was a question (topic) to the effect of "Is Eric not gonna 'rock' anymore?" or something like that, and I said that I thought that playing with other people (i.e. Raspberries, and especially Wally) gave Eric the excitement, edge and I may have actually said it "pushed" Eric to the limit and spurred him on to his greatest heights. I'll have to find it if it's still up somewhere (it probably is because there are gazillion topics now!) I do believe that, especially with Wally, there was that "magic". I'm sure they would speak if they ever saw each other.

I somewhere got the impression that Eric is still very fond of Scott and speaks to him. Eric always admired Scott. I wouldn't think he would have any animosity toward the three ex-Berries' "Refreshed" CD. I too would love to see them perform together, even if it were all new material, or everybody's. It would be nice to see Eric perform with the guys there was that "magic moment in time" with, or should I say a magic long time with, especially Wally.

Only time will tell, but I do hope it happens. That is one of my fondest wishes in the world. I would gladly give up one of my dreams to see that happen again -- no kidding. Marvin, you and I are actually very much on the same wavelength! --Darlene

[Raspbernie]

My understanding is that Eric and Jim are not feuding with any of the former 'berries... but there still exists some deep-rooted problems between various combinations of the other guys. --Bernie

[seattlesteve]

Jim Bonfanti once told me that during a break from rehearsals for the ill fated Raspberries Reunion tour he called his wife and commented on how quickly they captured the signature Raspberries sound. Unfortunately I think it's much easier to recreate musical chemistry than personality chemistry, particularly since they were so young back then. Record companies, lawyers, and money can provide challenges as well.

Speaking of Jim, I still think if Eric got together with him and put Jim's live drums on Top Down Summer and rereleased it during the summer, you got yourself a hit single ala Make Me Lose Control. Now getting a label to promote it...

[darlene]

Steve, Definitely a great point! Forget a label to promote it...Eric could produce it himself and it would take off. He's the person who would know just how to produce it. It would take off for sure. Jim's drumming would be dynamite...

What a beautiful thought! --Darlene

[marvin]

The entire "Winter Dreams" cd should have been re-mixed and overhauled and then maybe Jim could have put his unique touch on it. Oops there I go dismissing "WD" again!

Marvin

[darlene]

Marvin, No, this wasn't a "dismissive" comment, this was a G R E A T!!!! comment on WD! This makes me smile. This is the most hopeful comment you've ever made concerning WD! Alright, Marvin! this sounds very hopeful...you're saying you could really like it if it were remixed, and Jim's drumming were on it, etc. etc.

I'll bet EVERYONE who has answered your comments on WD is smiling tonight! (If your thinking on WD could turn around, then ANYTHING is possible...)Just think how much easier than that it would be for Eric to come out with a supernova song and rocket to the top of the charts...

Remember Kris Harmon had a crush on Ricky Nelson forever, and met him once (she was only 14 and he was 19) and their families got together and took a picture of her and Rick. She put that picture up on her mirror and wrote below it "NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE." Three years later they were married.

Hmmm...Remember, NOTHING is impossible. That I TRULY believe. --Darlene

PS Read "The Magic of Believing" by Claude Bristol. It changed the lives of Phyllis Diller and Liberace when they were literally starving...

[Billy]

Good point Steve about Top Down Summer -- having Jim drumming on there would be huge. What a great summer time single this could be.

[Donmand]

I can't see the 6 Raspberries every playing on the same stage together. (Not that they ever have; bu that would be the ULTIMATE RASPBERRIES Reunion!) I've talked to several of the members and it's all about egos, attitude and baNd chemistry! Believe me...."Hell Freezes over 1st"!

Don

[seattlesteve]

Now if you could get this new version of Top Down into an early summer movie it would be HUGE. My god how many teen or even adult movies have people having fun driving around in a convertible..tons! You'd have people staying after for the credits to find out who did the song.

In fact I bet you could go back and review hit movies from the last two years and find many places the song would have worked.

What a story that would be if it ever did happen..

[seattlesteve]

Jim... Eric.. you both know the way to Beachwood Studios.

..and bring some of that new stuff with you too

[Billy K.]

Donmand, in the case of "Hell Freezes Over", the Eagles' lineup was of the "Long Run" era--Walsh, Henley, Frey, Felder, Schmidt...but not Randy Meisner nor Bernie Leadon.

However, the old/new lineups thing did work for Yes on their "Union" album tour. They did have a guitar combination of Steve Howe/Trevor Rabin and a dual keyboard package of Tony Kaye/Rick Wakeman. Which worked quite well live.

A similar thing could work with the Raspberries, at least in theory. Again, though the contractual and legal stuff may be a problem.

And another point, is that the 'berries were not centered around multi-percussion, just basic rock drums...whereas on guitar/bass, there can be some switching/layering...especially with Eric being able to do guitar, bass or keyboard.

Getting Bonfanti and McBride to figure out parts that would not clash with each other, or sound like overkill, might be on the difficult side, though.

Whereas multi-percussion works for the Allman Bros., Doobie Bros, Santana, and others, I don't think having two drummers is a workable option for the 'berries. We may have to pick and choose, and I would personally lean towards Bonfanti.

[Kirk]

Billy-- I can say from first hand experience that 2 drummers -- and for that matter, more of everything -- works on Raspberries songs. When Eric picked up the band 'Magic' as the Eric Carmen Band, he also kept Michael McBride from the 'berries. I saw this group play several times together and it only enhanced the sound. I'm sure Eric's input helped to make the 2 drummers compliment each other, but it definitely worked. Also, if memory serves me correctly, when Eric picked up a guitar with this line up it added some extra layering to the songs. This might fit under the 'favorite riffs' post, but I especially liked seeing them play "GATW" live; Eric and Rich playing off one another on the middle eight "Cmon' Cmon..." having way too much fun. Kirk.

[JCraft]

I believe I read Jimmy B. comment once that eventhough he thought WD was a great effort, he believed that the"canned" drums Eric used left it lacking something. Hmmmm -- like my Daddy says -- If you're not working on the solution, you must be part of the problem. Are you listening Jimmy B.?

JIM