I think this was on your old route!
:)~
did you get a skype account yet!!!???

no skype yet...I'll get it together someday! Oh Yeah....YEEHAW, ride 'um cowboy!!! hehehehhehe

Good grief, hurry up!

Oh but, no pressure.

:)~

hahaha!!!
:)~

We're on the same page.
I guess when it became someone else's to mess with --they coudn't find a decent round wooden table to stain and lacquer, so they just parked whatever would fit. That alcove is kinda small, but you can put something there that wouldn't detract from the vibe.
It's definitely a certain STYLE to that house...I could see much the same on Capri, or Sardinia.... That banquette ruins the look of that alcove. (Spoken from a contractor's kid's point of view: "morons...!").

Anywho. I ain't paid nobody to take possession of it so I suppose I would do well to keep my opinions to myself?
Mom's done the interior on MANY homes Dad's but together.
Once you see that from the beginning ya just kinda...you know what works and what doesn't.
Yeah-that dining room table kicks serious design booty.
I hope that was original to house. Too bad we can't ask the original owner that question. I'm genuinely interested---design and building has fed me for almost 40 years.
That picture window had to be a pain the @$$ to set.
Whazzat, Stucco???
That would give Dad anuclear igraine.
He'd do it-but it'd take day or three.
(He's looking at brick swatches for a client right now---yeah; those come in swatches just like paint does. Ha ha).
This room is just pretty...just gorgeous.
Hope the owners of it now will take care of what wasn't theirs to start with.

T

I appreciate that.
"Quasara" (Kitty, who helped me with the discography), got me "hooked" on a software called PIXIA by a company called Seagrand.

I love sitting here playing with the graphics and photos and stuff--stress relief sometimes.
In this case-I first saw the photos of the studio after reading an interview with a band who tracked some stuff here.
They (all 20-something kids), had NO CLUE the history of this house and grounds...thought this was the house were Jeffrey had his heart attack. If they had researched it before they used it -they'd have found out he'd long moved from here. Anywho.
I love the whole vibe of that studio--what a beautiful place to track basics or rehearse or just hang out and jam with pals for the sake of the tunes themselves. I bet these guys would gather just to blow off SERIOUS steam and stress from every day life.
Such a peaceful looking place, this.
According to Joe Porcaro's interview with Rick and Eddy-Jeff loved it here. That's why I included the photo of him in the collage. That-and he put his heart and a pile of savings $$$ into that place. That type of construction does not come cheap.
I've busted out a brick wall about 30 runs of brick.
I felt it for a week... I wonder if Jeff laid the floors himself?
(Yeah--a person can do that themselves---saves on paying contractors!).

Dad's a contarctor. I KNOW ;-)
Great place The Villa.
"Seedy Underbelly' just doesn't fit....it's a decidedly Medittereanean (sp?) vibe to that whole thing.
Real peaceful.
Serene.

T

The place supplies many vibes, even just through the pictures. Would love to just sit there and let the vibes get to me.

Don't get me started on doing things in and around the house. My father could do anything and I sure inherited his genes and in combination with my mothers' (who's very handy too) I can do quite a lot myself too, only thing stopping me every now and then is the physical part. Sometimes I'm just not strong enough, especially now with my arms. But I always try to do things myself, no matter what.

Hugs from Holland!
Music is the answer!

I have the arm strength but with thyroid issues the tiredness and fatigue mimicks fibromyalgia and there are days I just could really care less.
My bedroom needs a new coat of paint. Dad and I will get to it but it's not today. Too much else on both our plates.

For design and decor?
ASK INA about Jorgi's house....now, that Jorgi girl has some design chops I WISH could possessed, but that's where God gave her different talent than he did me. Her house is stunning.
Some people have an eye for design... I suppose that Jeff did---due to the look of the room (studio part of that house).
I've been in a couple studios that look like Mikey Mouse house compared to the Villa's look and feel.
It's OBVIOUS that cat put his heart and soul and probably four royalty/residual checks (they go out every six months!!!!!), into that place. He saved for a LONG. DANG. TIME. to build that room.

Whoever walks in there and doesn't come outta there with a sense of history---and beautify, ain't opened up to see it. I'm blind as a bat---four eyes, not two but what I don't see with my eyes, my heart sees. My ears here.
I hope the musicians who track using this room walk in there with an understanding that the guy who built the place busted his butt for it...after all, it fed his family.

Sweet.
T

Thank God he gave us all our special gift, otherwise we'd never have something to be astonished about of could do something for eachother!

Hugs from Holland!
Music is the answer!

Hi Guys,

I was searching for some pics to see what it was like when Jeff was working here and came across this thread. I am a little surprised about the tone of some of the posts.

The name is intended to be no slight of The Villa, on the contrary. It was the existing name I have used successfully for years. Some of the furniture peices "appreciated" were from my old studio- the people who work here enjoy them as memories as the old place that was lost and was special also.

When I took the studio it was badly hacked up and It was restored largely. The house was in a medium state of disrepair I have been slowely putting it back. Those pictures were not meant for anything other than a private reference years ago they were taken before finishing restoration.. Notice no sales pitch or contact info. As the studio has remained a private facility. Also, I know sometimes when youngsterclients have recorded here they like to embelish and rarely understand the history and story. That does not reflect my appreciation of the history of Jeff's work. In fact I would LOVE more pics of this place with Jeff and to hear more stories/history. Slowly I am collecting some information.

One thing is FOR SURE every time someone tells me about Jeff they only relay the kindest warmest thoughts, I am glad to be able to enjoy his playing and his home/studio. I wish I would have been able to meet him. He sounds like he was one of the great musical sweetheart genious people.

Also Does anyone know anything about his paintings/drawings? That would be interesting to see.

Jeff sold this place many years ago to the people I took it from. He sold it privately and moved to another home with his family. The comment about the "estate" does not apply nor does the base implication.

The comments:

"""""""""""Hope the owners of it now will take care of what wasn't theirs to start with.

(Spoken from a contractor's kid's point of view: "morons...!"). """"""""""""""""

Have many assumptions..sad..

Do not forget with search engines the whole world is here.

I think Jeff may be glad lots of good people are making lots of good music here with lots of respect for what he did. If anyone has more info I would love to have it thanks

It is nice to see this site remembering him
Best of all!
jk

It's now "Pie Studios", and I've been in touch with the former resident (un-named to protect his privacy).

He has informed me that the Villa was "ruined by some goober..."
But refuses to elaborate.

My observations stand as they are. My father's built many houses for 40 years, and if something's amiss, I'll see it because I've cleaned up MANY a brand-new renovation or brand-new home. I've hung insulation, knocked out brick walls....

My observations then, stand as I stated them.
Somehow, the banquette doesn't fit-but the table ihe main room is way cool.

I did a google earth search---looks right now, as the heat's started to get to some of the more exotic plants on the perimeter. That happens...(was just out cleaning up around my own garden this afternoon---something of a MESS I inherited whenI moved into my present digs).

I don't have any photos of Jeff's time there, maybe some of those he worked with would have those photos to share with you. I am told that the place was 'magical'. That room is a knockout. Love the colour-the whole vibe. Different textures are going to re-create sound differently. I bet it's a blast to be in there during sessions.

My guess as to why the address on Hesby was not published, kinda sucks to have people wander in during sessions.
(Been invited into a studio--by the owners and the dork running the 'board failed re-hand the "Session in progress" sign once I walked in. (He knew I was coming, as his employer had told him as much). But the cats on the session had at least 3 interruptions.

Kinda tough to work through a basic like that.

It's my understanding that "Seedy Underbelly" is now PIE.
They've a Long Island branch as well.

When I initially found the photos of the Villa ---I thought that was pretty cool; as I had not even been aware any existed.
That one of the front facade is just killer. (Somebody took their time with the gardens!).

Cool stuff.

T

That you are restoring the place, sad to hear that it was in such bad shape!!! A lot of history in that room! Yes Jeff was a tremendous man! and I know that, that room is full of GOOD vibes!!!

One of the networkers on this site is coming to L.A. in the fall from the midwest. She is dying to see where the studio is...just from the street. Is it possible to get the address.

You can private message or email me from here.

Thanks!
:)~

I'm pretty sure " the contracters kid " did not mean to disrespect you ! She's the one that makes sure Jeff legacy is kept very much alive. Its just that she knows how much love Jeff put into building that house , and hopes that part of the legacy is kept alive with just as much love ... ( sorry twin-sis , just had to say that !)

Remember that you're perfect : God makes no misstakes !

For the kind words. I am not bent at all. I just have never been referred to as a moron! I guess there is a first for everything.

Tanya pm sent.

There are some neat details about the place the cabinets in the studio are built to house 2" reels of tape. The keys to the locks are still there. The previous owners told me when Jeff walked them through he showed them how the locks worked and referenced the tapes.

I was told that the foiliage and gardener are from the time Jeff was here- They certainly do a nice job with that.

This place was supposedly site to many friendly gathering and parties in addition to the sessions
Miles Davis,Stevie Nicks, Eddie VH, Joe walsh etc. the list goes on..

I would love more info about the sessions.. I was told TOTO, Steely Dan, Dune, 1984 Olympics, Jackson Browne etc. sessions were done here. I would love to know more..

Since I have been here The yeah yeah yeahs, Peaches, The Ataris, The Veils, Joan Jett, The Answer, Silverchair, Juliana Theory, Motion City Soundtrack, Jonas Brothers, Clay aiken, Faculty X, The Arcade Fire, Fountains of Wayne, Drunk Horse, --etc. I can not remember everything.

VIctor the Fellow keeping the plants nice is here, gotta run!

Please if anyone has more info -share it thx-j

Question:

1. Is that the original board??? (I'm guessing analogue unless it's been updated???) What IS that? Studer, Neve??? Thanks for the clue.

2. That's VERY cool about the 2-inch tape. (I have a love-hate relationship with that mess!). Keep it around long eough it'll crumble. Whew. Not fun.

3. Is that an Aloe plant in the garden to the left of the main walkway? That is HUGE. Cool stuff.

4. Add some Overdubs for Michael McD to the list of stuff that's been tracked there. In Jeff's taped session at LAMA, he alluded to sitting down at the kit an overdubbing his drums on one of McD's albums. "The last thing that went on it was drums..."
(Album escapes me---why am I thinking 'Take it to Heart" ??).
Anywho...

As Billie stated earlier, I meant no harm and was completely unaware anybody running the place was going to show up. I was just told that it was effed up by some "goober". Not a great way to keep the magic about the place. Something that was invested in that heavily should have been very much taken care of even before you took possesion of it. Thanks for trying to re-up and make it work again. Oh; open rafters and red paint in the control booth are two of my fave style elements to the room.
The acoustics in there have gotta pretty sweet with the brock wall there.

T

No the board is not original.. I did recently for the first time see the original boad it is in Mark Linnet's care He told me he worked with Jeff at The Villa and bought it afterword..... as a fetishest I can tell you it was a Beautiful API console that had the rare attribute of a Cream facia and it was of the best sonic era's of the console.

Kind of the best board on the planet..

I have installed a 1995 era API (funny huh?)

These were intended to be a complete recreation but with slightly more modern function.. The truth is that they probabely sound almost as good and have a bit farther reach or "twist" to them. still the best one being made now. (but Jeff's was better!)

If anyone wants details pm me.

Yeah we use 2" still raely-- when I decide we do! and yes you are correct the console Jeff's and mine are both analog.

And Also gooberish would be a pleasent way to describe whatever happened to the place.. I would LOVE to see pics of it b4 destroyed.. I have restored it to the point that it is lucky how good it sounds in the control room the ""live"" room was not ruined so it is largely as Jeff left it.. the control room was """special""" though... a complete cluster f*k people seek it out as a mix room now it actually sound great! I was told Vincent Van Hoff first did the accoustics. A very famous accoustics guy was called on to do the hack job... go figure,

I do not know about the Aloe the last owners had a green thumb so the jury is out.

Thx 4 the info about Mc Mc!

2" is still the best format btw (studer a827 now) Mark told me Jeff had ---the best 2"ever a Ampex mm1200) I have one in storage..as of yet..)

And the "red" is not pain but Italian fbrics I installed to hide the treatments.. I still have to finish it but I have been so busy working and it already sounds great that I have been a bit lazy oops!

Raincloudmusic- Sorry if I came out of the covey unappealing.. I am glad we get to converse about this and you are right it was not taken care of properly almost there!: )

The accoustics in the drum room (I guess Jeff knew what a drum room ought to sond like!) Are great It has become popular amoung some of the more talented producers in LA now they call it their "favorite" room..

I will explian that it has a specific characteristic It sounds like a "big room" but it has a quicker decay time than most it "gets out of the way" faster .. if you compress it (electronically) it gets ""bigger"" but it has a quick rta ie: it goes away quick..

My old roonm was spookier and had a larger sound perfect for say 60-100 bpm

However apperently Jeff knew that most pop/rock music lives inbetween 90/125 bpm and this room sounds so much better / is easier to engineer / is cleaner than a bigger room......

Sorry for the technical info just thought someone might be interested in Jeffs decisions..

I found it a great room to work in..

okokok I am windy

take care all -j

\Sorry for my typing just got in fron the red eye plane after a pile of wine.....

get to get you more information! I'll see what I can find out for ya!
:)~