Bill Haley’s Original Comets Rock Around the Clock- Live! BMP Productions in conjunction with Octalouie, executive producers Brian Martin and Alan Parowski
Produced & Directed by Eric Predoehl
2004-2007
It’s not often that one gets a chance to work with bona fide music legends, so the Octalouie team jumped at a chance to work with the band that backed Bill Haley over 50 years ago. “Rock Around the Clock” was the first rock and roll record ever purchased by millions of people, including John Lennon, who was inspired by this music to form the Beatles. The Octalouie team was honored to work with these energetic grandfathers of rock, who demonstrated that age is no detriment to those that love this music. Eric Predoehl directed and edited this program with Octalouie partner Jesse Block. Aron Ranen was brought as a third camera operator, and Marcus Buick oversaw audio production. Working closely with executive producers Brian Martin and Alan Parowski, the Octalouie team is proud to present a powerful document of the Original Comets that we hope will be released soon for the DVD market.
THE SMITHEREENS – LIVE AT THE RED DEVIL LOUNGE
Concert Vault LLC, executive producer Craig Larson
Produced & Directed by Jesse Block
2007
Reuniting with the City by the Bay after too many years away, The Smithereens marked their return appearance with two sold-out shows at the Red Devil Lounge. Working in conjunction with Concert Vault LLC, the Octalouie team was recruited to produce a concert video of this very special event. Promoting their new release, a Beatles-inspired CD entitled “Meet the Smithereens,” this concert was a lively mix of their hit recordings, under-rated album tracks, and covers of songs known and loved by millions. With barely any room to move, Octalouie principals Block and Predoehl overcame sardine-like conditions to shoot some spectacular footage with four HDTV cameras.
This production was shown on CONCERT.TV, an on-demand television network that specializes in live performances, documentaries and unique originals for subscribers of Comcast, Cox, Insight, Charter and many other digital cable services.
Larry Coryell & Bombay Jazz – Live at Yoshi’s, San Francisco
Produced & Directed by Jesse Block (self-financed)
March 2010
Larry Coryell has been called a lot of things in his illustrious career, including the phrase “Guitar God” by more than a few people. Dan Ouellette of Down Beat Magazine once called him “the Godfather of Fusion.” With over 75 albums to his credit and 40 years as a bandleader, Larry took on another musical direction recently when he embarked on his Bombay Jazz ensemble, combining traditional Indian musical instrumentation to compliment his guitar fusion playing. Recognizing that this particular ensemble needed to be captured for posterity, Octalouie principal Jesse Block decided to take upon himself to produce a multi-cam production of this special group, so he did. Fellow Octalouie principal Eric Predoehl joined along on the project, providing camera work and some assistance with the interview, including some special questions about a certain Northwest musical phenomenon during the early 1960s, which Larry participated in.
Pena Pachamama
Executive Producer: Quentin Navia
Producer & Director: Eric Predoehl
Production period: 2007-current
Pena Pachamama ”One of those magical places… a little island of the future where those who enter her doors are forever transformed by the spirit of the music and dance that takes them in.
After three decades of touring internationally, renown Bolivian composer & musician Eddy Navia and Sukay‘s founder Quentin Navia have established a home at Pena Pachamama, a world music center dedicated to Pachamama, the living Mother Earth. Joined by other great musical groups, musicians and dancers, they create a little piece of South American carnaval all year long.
Octalouie producer Eric Predoehl has produced a wealth of video clips for Pena Pachamama, and created the official YouTube channel for the Pena Pachamama community.
Todd Rundgren performed live at Maritime Hall in San Francisco in 2000, and our guy Jesse Block was given the opportunity to direct the video. Available at all the usual outlets, the DVD of this show includes such songs as I Hate My Frickin ISP, Yer Fast, Black and White, Number 1 Lowest Common Denominator, Open My Eyes, Trapped, Love in Action, Bang the Drum All Day, Temporary Insanity, Medley: Mystified/Broke Down and Busted, Buffalo Grass, and more!
Studio: Alchemedia Productions in conjunction with Image Entertainment
Director: Jesse Block
Release Date: Jun 11, 2002
Running Time: 81 Minutes
Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks
Executive Producer: Dave Kaplan / Surfdog Records
Associate Producer + Technical Director: Jesse Block
Production period: 2002-2003
It was a very special night in December 2002 when Dan Hicks‘ 60th birthday was celebrated in a grandiose style at the Warfield Theater in San Francisco. An all-star cast of friends, featuring various members of Dan’s past and present bands, joined their friend to celebrate with an unforgettable night of memories, stories, and magnificent music.
Octalouie principal Jesse Block was brought as associate producer & technical director for video production of this event, coordinating camera operations and technical logistics.
Octalouie principal Eric Predoehl also worked on this production, credited on the DVD as one of the live audio engineers.
