Having staying power in this wild music industry is a difficult ask. An artist must be willing to adapt with the times and recreate themselves if the need fits. A terrific example of crafting a long career can be seen in the success of Les Fradkin and his 50 years in the music business.
The songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer started his journey back in 1969 when he was signed to Columbia Records by John Hammond Sr. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Les Fradkin went on to play on dozens of Top 40 records. Another big break came as one of the original members of the hit Broadway show “Beatlemania” playing lead guitar and the part of George Harrison in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago.
In the 1980’s, Les Fradkin reinvented himself again as he pioneered the introduction of tapeless MIDI recording and MIDI Guitar, scoring many national jingles and TV film music with Score Productions, ABC-TV and NBC-TV, including a 4 year stint composing and programming for the Soap Opera “One Life To Live.” A true trendsetter who can create whatever is needed while introducing new sounds at the same time.
Now Les Fradkin is back with his own new EP Mirror Image. With the 6-track record, he aims to offer a path of hope for change and a fresh perspective on how to survive the current chaos of the world. It is quite evident in the opener “Turn To The Movement” that he has plenty to say. The mellow lyric fueled track has an Americana pop sensibility that has garnered a lot of attention for both its sound and meaning.
Les Fradkin Helps Us ‘Turn To The Movement’
“Remote Control” builds from an atmospheric trance to a powerful beat that allows us to see an escape from the prisons we have put ourselves in. The talent of sound creation is featured on the instrumental interlude “Critical Mass.” Those years of writing music for TV and film have come full circle.
A more experimental tone comes to “The Lie We Live” with an assortment of MIDI programming building a full exotic amalgamation of sound. There is prog rock mixed with classical weaving us through a complex journey. The record ends with the poignant “Living In A Black and White World.” Les Fradkin provides more hope explaining that we do not need to just accept the world we are given. We can cause the positive changes that we want.
Although only EP length, Les Fradkin gives us a full assortment of powerful messages to take with us. It is time for all of us to look in the mirror and grow.
Hear more music and inspiration on the Les Fradkin WEBSITE.