Search - Mike Ragogna :: Writer's Block

Mike has recorded what many consider to be his finest project, Writer?s Block, which actually was inspired by the affliction. "I had the worst case of writer?s block but creatively, I felt the time was right to record. So I kind of twisted the ?writer?s block? concept and recorded some of my favorite songs by writers with depth, focusing on a Brill Building-style of songwriting. Adding those tracks on to my handful of originals, the album shaped itself into a story that, in the end, turned into a very personal project. And I think everyone who worked on the project had a really fun time at this writer?s block party!" In addition to choosing favorites by iconic artists like Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Barry Mann, Mike championed some current favorites such as "Superman (It?s Not Easy)" by Five For Fighting and the jazz-pop noir of John Mayer?s "Neon." He also covered a pair of songs by singer-songwriter Bob Hillman, an artist Mike discovered at NYC?s Sidewalk Café. Musicians for this project include Fino Roverato on guitars, Steve Welch on all keyboards and string arrangements, Osama Afifi on bass, Richie Gajate-Garcia on drums, Warren Ham on background vocals and Lester Chambers, formerly of The Chambers Brothers, on harmonicas and "chats" on the title track.