John Macey – Eclipse (1981)
As I mentioned in a previous blog, I had this album given to me when I was about 15 (1985) or so. I listened to it quite often back then and always enjoyed the quirky, funky instrumentals on here. A friend of mine recently converted my vinyl to digital format and I am putting it up on here for your listening pleasure.
This album came out in 1981 and sounds very mid-70s. Macey is a very competent player as are all of the 
members in the band. It was released on 51 West Records which was a sub of CBS. There’s some good funky, jazz/fusion, 70s shred in parts of this that some of it sounds like it should be background music in a 70s car chase movie. Until today, I don’t think I have listened to this album in about 20 years and it still sounds great to my ears.
Tracks:
- Eclipse
- Skyblue Dream
- Peter Pan
- Bent Metal
- F Hole Fantasy
- Star Piece
The Metal Files 
Sean –
John was my guitar teacher from ’84-’87 in New Jersey. I haven’t seen or heard anything from or about him since then, and have no idea where he is now, so your story here was a time warp for me in all the best of ways. I believe John parted ways w/ 51 West soon after the release of “Eclipse,” and recall he wasn’t 100% ecstatic with the label’s production or marketing. He loved playing with Hiram Bullock and the other musicians, though, and the record does do him justice and is a rewarding listen as you say.
In ’87 he produced and self-released a vinyl EP called “More Notes for the Money,” which was another great showcase of his technical brilliance. It featured 3 players (him, Connie Atkinson on drums and Dave LaRue on bass) and had four tracks, including a sublime 6 minute Coltrane number called “Mr. Day,” arranged only for guitar and drums. So for your 25-years-in-the-making shredded pleasure, here it is:
http://db.tt/dyxTVaGr
I’m a new wave post-punk shitwad who hasn’t changed much since the late ’80s, and my sound is far from John’s acidjazzmetalfusion assault (and most of themetalfiles.com, for that matter). But I still return to notebooks he filled with riffs and his phrasing and tone have found their way in some form into many of my tracks (albeit slowed down and usually in 4/4 time). He also gave me respect and love for McLaughlin, Dimeola, Fripp, et al (which back-doored me into affection for Sabbath, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, etc). Above all, though, John’s playing was lightning fast, clean and focused and gave me a lifetime of fretted humility and inspiration.
Thank you for this trip and stay heavy.
Peace,
Westy
westy reflector (@westyreflector)
April 6, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Westy, thanks for the reply. I posted these Eclipse tracks on YouTube. His daughter contacted me to let me know that he passed away. Thanks so much for sharing that other recording.
The Metal Files
April 7, 2012 at 2:12 am
Sean, a sad and unexpected turn. I appreciate your letting me know here. If there’s any further detail you can share, contact me at westyreflector[a]ymail.com.
RIP, John.
westy reflector (@westyreflector)
April 7, 2012 at 10:04 am
[…] uploaded John’s first album a while back and was contacted by a former student of his and also a family member. One of them […]
John Macey – More Notes For Your Money (1987) « The Metal Files
October 31, 2012 at 5:27 pm
Wow!! What a trip!! I just stumbled across this……got to meet John in about 1985 in a studio in Jersey.
The name of the place escapes me at the moment but my band OMS LAW booked a session there. John was going over his…..at first we were a bit pissed….till we had a listen in the control room….;)
Cheers…….Cristofe Chabot
http://www.myspace.com/cristofe
Cristofe Chabot
December 5, 2012 at 12:13 am
Wow. How amazing and strange the internet is. I was a student of John’s back at P&T Music in West Orange, NJ back in the late 70’s early 80’s. I have such a great memory of him. To this day I have the “tabs” and charts he drew out for me. I am very saddened to find out that he has passed away. I met John one day when I was browsing at the music store and started to talk about music. John just came out of teaching a lesson and we started to chat. I told him I played fusion and he lit up with that great humble smile. He asked, why don’t you take some lessons with me? I said, I don’t read music and I had horrible experiences with guitar teachers that didn’t get me. John said, hey, I will show you how to play any song you like and maybe teach you some cool stuff. That he did. He opened my world to “tabs” and before long I was playing some very cool stuff never once attempting to read traditional music. I do remember some wonderful and very sad things that occurred in his life both personally and professionally. I remember his smile and his heart.
To this day, I play guitar. His influence lives inside every note I play.
Thanks John…. You were one of the great teachers whom I have met in my life.
Adam Stern
December 29, 2012 at 2:11 pm
Adam, that’s a great story. Thanks for sharing that and for visiting my site.
The Metal Files
December 29, 2012 at 3:08 pm