Jan & Dean: Official Message Board for Jan Berry

Release date May 4, 2018 on Wounded Bird Records

Unfortunately the liner notes and photo are the same for this release.  There may be an article about this new reissue in ESQ, talking about the new bonus tracks and other (still) unreleased recordings from that project, stay tuned...

I have many pictures of Jan working in the studio during the time we were putting this project together and maybe I can share some of them here if there's any interest in seeing them.

Second Wave - 20th Anniversary Edition - will be released on Wounded Bird Records May 4th, 2018!  It's been a while in the making but it will finally be reissued, along with two brand new bonus tracks.  The sound quality of the CD will be rather similar to the original CD, as it's been somewhat compressed by the mastering studio.  It's possible we'll be able to offer a digital version online (with no compression added) sometime later, but for now please enjoy the CD!

Hi guys.  Jan made the re-recordings of his hits at the suggestion of Lou Adler, who advised him it's possible to license his own versions of the songs to companies looking to create new compilations.  I didn't like the idea and thought those recordings detracted from the album as well, but Jan was intent on having them be part of the project.  If you thought Spring Break was the best track on that album I wonder what you'll think of the original version, which may be available very soon...

Many people will tell you that networking is crucial, as it's likely the more people in the industry you know the greater your chances are of working with them.  I found it helpful to be located where the industry is, in Los Angeles, as there are so many musicians, engineers, producers and studios it's not hard to find people with similar interests.

A good example of this was when I interned for Rick Nowels, a major producer who was having hits in the late '80s and beyond.  I wanted to see him in action in the studio, and offered my help as a 'gofer' in return, and it was a great experience.  Watching the people who you admire do their thing is an amazing learning experience, whether or not you're paid for it (or paid well).

I'd also suggest going directly after what it is you want and who you want to work with, don't wait for opportunities to present themselves.  I created a position for myself working as an assistant to Brian Wilson which is what initially brought me out to L.A., and other opportunities arose as a result of that very short gig.

I have a friend who I was in a high school band with, and he always had a 'no Plan B' approach to making it in music.  He's a major producer now, works with many A-list acts, has worked as an A&R rep for a major label, had two solo releases on a major label, and is living quite well.  I'm not advocating forgetting about a Plan B, but if you put most of your energy and focus into what it is you truly want to do, and if you're in the right place to make that happen, things just might go your way!

Hi Sara and thanks for letting us know you enjoy listening to Second Wave, that's great to hear.

Creating this project with Jan was a truly remarkable experience, one I'll always remember and cherish.  It was wonderful seeing him so excited and engaged throughout the entire process, and experiencing him giving suggestions to the session players and singers whenever he had an idea he wanted to share.  Jan insisted on scoring all the parts for every song we recorded before the sessions would commence, and he often would write the scores himself using his left hand and a pencil.  He knew exactly what arrangements he was looking for and we'd play the instrumental and vocal parts on the piano, one by one, before they'd be written down.

There were times, both in the studio and working in pre-production in his home, when he was incredibly lucid and able to express himself as the pre-accident Jan would have done, which was incredible to witness.  I'm proud of Jan as well, as it took a lot of courage and dedication, as well as his own financial investment, to take this project from its inception to its eventual release.  He wanted every aspect of this to be the best it could be.

Hi, this is Rob.  I'll be happy to share my memories of working on that project with you, just email through this portal and I'll answer back!

Not sure who's singing falsetto on this one, but Jan told me it was a trio of singers singing the lead in unison, all around the mic at the same time.  It was Jan, Tony and I don't recall who the third person was...