Rick Mapel working on songs
To see the photo gallery of Rick in the High Desert snow, click HERE.
NEW RECORDING OF THE CAMPFIRE CLASSIC "THE CAT CAME BACK"
Listen to Rick Mapel perform "The Cat Came Back," which was recorded at Pete Day's studio on January 2-3, 2011. Rick plays all guitars and sings all vocals. Pete adds drums and bass. CLICK ON THE ARROW BELOW.
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photo © J.C. McGowan
Rick Mapel is a true one-of-a-kind person. A talented artist, he approaches everything — even life — from a unique perspective. His resulting artistic creations, which also include songs, are refreshly frank and intriguing.
Rococo
Around 1980, Rick Mapel headed the L.A.-based progressive rock group, Rococo. Reworking classics from his earlier days, Rococo also served as an opportunity for Rick to experiment with some newer tunes. Perhaps the most notable was "Time Coast," a collaboration that featured the lyrics of J. C. McGowan, who later went on to write the definitive book on Brazilian music.
Rococo consisted of Rick Mapel on guitars and vocals, Brian Brady on fretless bass and vocals, Richard Brownell on drums and Pete Day on guitar and keyboard.
Rococo Studio Sessions
Rococo Live
Rococo consisted of Rick Mapel on guitars and vocals, Brian Brady on fretless bass and vocals, Richard Brownell on drums and Pete Day on guitar and keyboard.
Rococo Studio Sessions
Rococo Live
Rococo Live - November 24, 1978
On November 24, 1978, Robert Soelberg set up his JVC KD-55 cassette deck in the living room of the Brady family home on Irving Street between 1st and 2nd streets in Los Angeles. Brian Brady had arranged for Rick's band, Rococo, to get together to play a small party. Rococo keyboardist/lead guitarist Pete Day asked longtime friend Robert, who earlier in the year recorded his "Too Nude To Think" album at his Zenith Studio in Malibu, to record the event.
Formally, the band, which also included drummer extraordinaire Rick Brownell, had stopped regular rehearsals earlier in the year. But the countless hours practicing in Brian's second-story, above-garage studio had paid off, and the intricate parts came back to the band.
Rococo played a nine-song set of songs written by bandmembers. The evening's set list (right-click to download individual songs):
Robert used two microphones to capture a simple stereo mix. But the mix had an atypical balance with drums, bass and rhythm guitar on one side and my overly loud lead guitar dominating the other. As a result, during the digital remix Pete used equalization to bring down the level of his lead, but the guitar's tone -- and other levels -- suffer as a result.
Joining the band on some songs are Mercy, who sang on "Lingering," Ben Brooks on flute on "Assembly," and saxophonist Neal Schleimer, whose soulful strains can be heard on the latter tunes. During the the band chatter segments there are voices and mentions of Elena Sherk, who was Rick's girlfriend, and others.
FLIGHT
Rick's mid-1970s group Flight
In the mid-1970s, Rick was at the center of Flight, a five-piece group based in Altadena. Joining Rick were Ben Brooks on flute, Peter Day on guitar, Bill Thompson on bass and Richard Brownell on drums. Brownell replaced Greg Vosburg, who was featured on some of the group's earlier recordings made at the University of Southern California. Produced by Ben, the USC recordings were engineered by Tom Gimbel.
MAPELBROOK
MapelBrook performs in Denver
Rick Mapel and Ben Brooks began experimenting with songs while in high school. Their blend of nylon-stringed guitar playing fused with melodic flute soon caught the attention of others. The duo won first place at the school's talent show, which earned them the grand prize of $20 and a solo concert in the auditorium. The school newspaper, the Titan Shield, said they wowed the crowd, which earned the boys an encore. As a result, the event went over schedule and students were late to their next period. Later, a record company executive expressed interest in Mapelbrook, and the duo recorded a demo at a professional recording studio.
"Click here to listen to Mapelbrook - The 1970 Recordings. Songs include "Assembly," "Dark as a Dungeon," "Go Away Mama," and "Got a Letter."
RICK'S BANDS
Photo by Clarissa Brooks
Rick Mapel, right, works on a song with members of The Glen Gang, which rehearses, records and socializes in Pasadena, California.2000-PRESENT - THE GLEN GANG (Pasadena)
1985-PRESENT - THE BAGMEN (San Francisco)
1979-1982 - THE BEAUCOUP BROTHERS (Glendale)
1977-79 - ROCOCO (Los Angeles)
1975-77 - FLIGHT (Altadena)
1973-75 - TARA (Denver)
1970-73 - MAPELBROOK (San Marino/Denver)
MISCELLANEOUS
Anonymous said... Hi Rick, Name from the past - Gordon Grannis? Recognize it? Peter Day sent me the link to this great video of you playing/singing. Beautiful work on the guitar, great job. Also, I like your art work too. You have been busy these many years since I last saw you. Was that 1969? I think so. Keep up the good work. Happy New year too
john hohnstein said... You used to say "I'm just a regular guy..."! I think not! Have been trippin on your blog- it's great to see that you are still quite irregular~ and I mean that in the most admiring way! Love your art, Rick! Wonderful to experience this 'other' talent of yours. Very cool pieces, my old friend! I value the time and music we shared back in the TARA years- it was an honor and pleasure to play and create with you and Ben- what a trip to hear some of those tunes on the 'world wide web'- thanks!! Peace and Harmony to you,
Rick Your old keys friend john
February 24, 2009 10:31 AM
— from Pasadena to Santa Monica and back
You know I missed high school with all you Rococco guys right? I moved back to Berwyn, PA. and went to Berwyn High for 8th & 9th grade. My parents thought I was getting into too much trouble, so they shipped me off to boarding school in New York for 10th-12th grade so I could learn something or other.
One of the things I didn't learn very well was how to run cross country. I still hate the memory of cross country some 38 years later! Oh, I was on the team. Whenever they gave the stats in the school newspaper the last line always read, "Brownell also ran." What a tribute, eh? I moved back to California in 1972, two years after graduating from boarding school.
I wasn't, nor would I ever be a runner like Rick Mapel. He was built for it and was good at it. I think it was one of his safer addictions. One day while I was driving around town running some errands in Pasadena (about the time I was just starting to play drums with Rococco), I came to a stop light right near the entrance to the Pasadena Freeway. There was Rick, standing there, waiting for the light to change, so he could get on the entrance to the freeway, apparently planning to run along the side of the freeway. He was wearing some running shorts, a colorful tee shirt, a big 'ol cowboy hat, and a worn out pair of cowboy boots that had holes in them.
I had to ask, yelling out my car window: "Rick .... what are ya doin?" As the light changed, he started running with the traffic, turned his head, smiled and yelled back, "I'm running to Santa Monica. And back." The distance between Pasadena, CA and Santa Monica, CA is 22.0 miles (35.0 km). Just think what he could have done if he'd actually taken running seriously!
— RICK BROWNELL
---
john hohnstein said... You used to say "I'm just a regular guy..."! I think not! Have been trippin on your blog- it's great to see that you are still quite irregular~ and I mean that in the most admiring way! Love your art, Rick! Wonderful to experience this 'other' talent of yours. Very cool pieces, my old friend! I value the time and music we shared back in the TARA years- it was an honor and pleasure to play and create with you and Ben- what a trip to hear some of those tunes on the 'world wide web'- thanks!! Peace and Harmony to you,
Rick Your old keys friend john
February 24, 2009 10:31 AM
---
Rick's long-distance run— from Pasadena to Santa Monica and back
You know I missed high school with all you Rococco guys right? I moved back to Berwyn, PA. and went to Berwyn High for 8th & 9th grade. My parents thought I was getting into too much trouble, so they shipped me off to boarding school in New York for 10th-12th grade so I could learn something or other.
One of the things I didn't learn very well was how to run cross country. I still hate the memory of cross country some 38 years later! Oh, I was on the team. Whenever they gave the stats in the school newspaper the last line always read, "Brownell also ran." What a tribute, eh? I moved back to California in 1972, two years after graduating from boarding school.
I wasn't, nor would I ever be a runner like Rick Mapel. He was built for it and was good at it. I think it was one of his safer addictions. One day while I was driving around town running some errands in Pasadena (about the time I was just starting to play drums with Rococco), I came to a stop light right near the entrance to the Pasadena Freeway. There was Rick, standing there, waiting for the light to change, so he could get on the entrance to the freeway, apparently planning to run along the side of the freeway. He was wearing some running shorts, a colorful tee shirt, a big 'ol cowboy hat, and a worn out pair of cowboy boots that had holes in them.
I had to ask, yelling out my car window: "Rick .... what are ya doin?" As the light changed, he started running with the traffic, turned his head, smiled and yelled back, "I'm running to Santa Monica. And back." The distance between Pasadena, CA and Santa Monica, CA is 22.0 miles (35.0 km). Just think what he could have done if he'd actually taken running seriously!
— RICK BROWNELL
PHOTO GALLERY
Richard Mapel playing guitar in snow (VIEW IN FULL PAGE)
Peter Day visited Rick in San Francisco in August of 1984. Here is a brief collection of photos Peter took of Rick during the visit.
rick in san francisco — august, 1984
Go to ImageShack® to Create your own Slideshow
Peter Day visited Rick in San Francisco in August of 1984. Here is a brief collection of photos Peter took of Rick during the visit.
rick in san francisco — august, 1984
Go to ImageShack® to Create your own Slideshow
Rick is featured on the Glen Gang's 'Jeanie'
Rick Mapel's group, The Glen Gang, is known for its offbeat rock songs, but the boys have come up with an Americana-styled tune this time. "Jeanie," which was written by Ben and Oskar, features Rick on lead vocal with Oskar adding some tasty background vocals.
Steve Horan and Pete Day laid down acoustic guitar parts. Later Pete came in and recorded honky tonk piano and bass. Martin Lovelace drives the groove with his brushes while a talented neighbor of Ben's recorded a tasty steel pedal track. But it's Rick's vocal that captures the listener.
ART
Below are a sampling of Rick Mapel's watercolors.
Richard Mapel's Oil Paintings
Richard Mapel's Watercolors
Art is Rick's passion. From his studio in the Avenues section of San Francisco, Rick works with oils, watercolor and pencil. His current favorite subject is female nudes, which he sketches on a notepad.
Richard Mapel's Oil Paintings
Richard Mapel's Watercolors
Art is Rick's passion. From his studio in the Avenues section of San Francisco, Rick works with oils, watercolor and pencil. His current favorite subject is female nudes, which he sketches on a notepad.
MUSIC
Richard Mapel has recorded with numerous bands. He excels when he's in front of a live audience. Often extemporaneous jams ensue.
THE MEANING OF BEAUCOUP
One night in 1981 when Rick Mapel's parents were away, Rick and his buddies, who he then called The Beaucoup Brothers, got together to jam. Joining Rick were Mark Takeuchi on bass, Peter Day on funky electric guitar, Ben Brooks on flute, Neal Schleimer on tenor sax and a mystery conga player. Rusty the white poodle, a.k.a., "Cuddly Guy," also was on hand.
RICKY'S IN L.A.
This was recorded in Ben Brook's "Rock Room" probably during the Christmas holidays of 2005-06. Taking the lead vocal and bass duties was Oskar Kirby with Ben Brooks on flute, Kevin Mahan on flugelhorn and Peter Day on a cosmic synth vamp. Rick is holding down the jazz guitar.
THE MEANING OF BEAUCOUP
One night in 1981 when Rick Mapel's parents were away, Rick and his buddies, who he then called The Beaucoup Brothers, got together to jam. Joining Rick were Mark Takeuchi on bass, Peter Day on funky electric guitar, Ben Brooks on flute, Neal Schleimer on tenor sax and a mystery conga player. Rusty the white poodle, a.k.a., "Cuddly Guy," also was on hand.
RICKY'S IN L.A.
This was recorded in Ben Brook's "Rock Room" probably during the Christmas holidays of 2005-06. Taking the lead vocal and bass duties was Oskar Kirby with Ben Brooks on flute, Kevin Mahan on flugelhorn and Peter Day on a cosmic synth vamp. Rick is holding down the jazz guitar.
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