Barefoot Boy Productions

06/10/2021

In 2009, we set out to find guitarist Alan DeCarlo.
A musician, who like so many, had deserved so much more recognition.
In what was supposed to be a simple documentary celebrating his musical ability, our experience turned into a human interest story beyond the scope of just music.
The project remained shelved for many years, until now.

Premiering October 9th, will be the second in a series of installments for the The Unfamous Life of Alan DeCarlo.
An intentional title which speaks to us all.

Featuring famed producer James William Guercio, we travel behind the scenes and back in time to a commercial business taking a stranglehold of Guercio's intention to break the mainstream music business mold, and his subsequent introduction to Alan DeCarlo and Bangor Flying Circus amid the growing juggernaut band that was Chicago, a group James Guercio managed and produced.

In 2009, we set out to find guitarist Alan DeCarlo.A musician, who like so many, had deserved so much more recognition.In what was supposed to be a simple do...

30/04/2021

In 2009, we set out to find guitarist Alan DeCarlo.
A musician, who like so many, had deserved so much more recognition.

In what was supposed to be a simple documentary celebrating his musical ability, our experience turned into a human interest story beyond the scope of only music.

Alan DeCarlo had become a friend, and we shared some of the same struggles that all of us go through on a daily basis.
The journey became very personal.

This project remained shelved for many years, until now.
The current climate surrounding us all makes it very appropriate.
Life is precious, and fleeting.
Premiering May 1st, will be the first in a series of installments for the The Unfamous Life of Alan DeCarlo.
An intentional title which speaks to us all.

In 2009, we set out to find guitarist Alan DeCarlo.A musician, who like so many, had deserved so much more recognition.In what was supposed to be a simple do...

23/11/2020

The final installment to the Malo saga will premiere on Thanksgiving Day at 6:00pm (PST).

It has been a fun journey, however, just because the YouTube series is completed, this does not mean the story itself is finished.

As episodes were released to the public, more key figures called in and expressed interest in sharing their story as well.
The documentary will see a minor overhaul (more photos/BROLL) in the coming months, and a decision has still not been made whether to keep the presentation episodic, or played out in feature film length.

Thank you to everyone.

About a decade ago, an attempt was made to tell the story of Latin Rock group Malo. A formidable force boasting over 30 musicians during the course of their ...

16/10/2020

Tomorrow, Saturday, October 17 at 6:00pm, part IV of the Malo series continues.
The "Dos" album, personnel changes, the "Evolution" era band, and a changing musical landscape collide for a nice slice of an episode.

Kept in a "vault" for many years, it is nice to get this story out, covering one of the greatest Latin Rock groups of all time.

About a decade ago, an attempt was made to tell the story of Latin Rock group Malo. A formidable force boasting over 30 musicians during the course of their ...

25/09/2020

Part III of the continuing Malo saga will continue tomorrow, Friday, the 25th of September, at 6:00pm (PST).
For fans of Latin Rock, and music in general, this project had been shelved for many years.
Incomplete or not, there are still those who need their story told.

About a decade ago, an attempt was made to tell the story of Latin Rock group Malo. A formidable force boasting over 30 musicians during the course of their ...

12/09/2020

Part II of the Malo story will premiere at 6:30pm.
This project was shelved so many years ago due to logistical issues.
However with enough scouring of the net, and contributions from our Facebook friends, we are slowly piecing together the saga of an incredible group.

About a decade ago, an attempt was made to tell the story of Latin Rock group Malo. A formidable force boasting over 30 musicians during the course of their ...

30/08/2020

A little more TLC was given to Part I of the unfinished Malo saga for people to enjoy.

Thank you to Abel Zarate, Richard Bean and Roy Murray for photos and timeline information.
Please enjoy, share, and keep Latin Rock alive.
🤘🏽

About a decade ago, an attempt was made to tell the story of Latin Rock group Malo. A formidable force boasting over 30 musicians during the course of their ...

24/05/2020

Twelve years ago today, in Santa Clara, California, a reunion of El Chicano members took place.
Here for the first time, is some BROLL footage of the band rehearsing the day before in preparation for the gig.

16/05/2020

Our friend Jerry Salas has recovered from COVID-19, and is back home after being hospitalized for some time.
Fans and family feared the worst, and the situation appeared grim, but he fought through it all, warrior that he is...veteran that he is.

There is more to his story, he is a Latin Rock icon, an integral part, and original member of the iconic El Chicano band.
If you want to catch a glimpse into his kind nature and energy, dig this time we spent with him some years back.
Welcome home...

09/05/2020

Premiering today, May 9th, at 5:30pm (PST), on YouTube.
A documentary that had been sitting in the "vault" for over 10 years.

The production had spent time with the Lowrider Band back in 2009, capturing some music and history about a group that already had a huge following for another reason.

If you are still in quarantine, take about an hour to dig it.

A documentary covering the history, inception and plight of The Lowrider Band. This piece was shot covering a few days with the group in 2009, Bay Area and S...

10/12/2019

*BROLL*

Driving up to Caribou so many years ago, we had no idea it would be such a journey to get inside once we were already there.
I cursed myself for not bringing a mount, but in documentary, you work with the elements than get too high falootin'...and it's a matter of preference.
I dig grassroots.

Still, our camera Alex said "hey, let me get on top of the car and see if that works, we might get something".
We had a good laugh and said "go ahead!"
Needless to say most of this is unusable, but you as a viewer get an interesting glimpse into the historic Caribou, and the drive inside.

There is no sound.
Feel free to play your favorite tunes and make the experience more enjoyable.

16/06/2019

In 2013, the third and final retrospective show for fusion guitarist Larry Coryell took place in Oakland, California.
A documentary and live concert are currently in post-production accumulating our travels together with the guitar icon through the years.

Below is a snippet of the performance "Going Up".
Musicians are as follows:

Larry Coryell - guitar
Julian Coryell - guitar
Gary Brown - bass
Cindy Blackman-Santana - drums

*click HD button or the video will play out of sync*

10/06/2019

In 2007, a most ambitious reunion took place...
An attempt was made at gathering as many original members from the short lived, yet legendary, Azteca band.
Characterized as Latin Rock, yet arguably so much more, Azteca was known for tackling the likes of soul, funk, and jazz.

Sitting in storage have remained many unseen tapes from the reunion.
These tapes were primarily used for reference and posterity, usually from a stagnant camera.
Audio would be fed to the camera from the adjacent room soundboard.
Now, so many years later, enough historial value has been added that one can look back upon such tapes with appreciation.

The band perform the instrumental "Azteca" from their first album.
Bits of BROLL have been inserted to add more visual color to the otherwise stationary shot.

06/06/2019

Digging through crates in the deepest darkest corners of storage, sit tapes and hard drives containing visual and musical notes for production.
Now through social media these clips can be shared with the world, rather than sit unseen for ages.

The El Chicano reunion was one of the most difficult and rewarding projects to get together.
The video here documents founding members getting together for the first time in decades.
Drummer John DeLuna had not played with El Chicano since the 70’s, and it had been a decade or two for guitarist Mickey Lespron.

Bassist Freddie Sanchez and organist Bobby Espinosa had already been performing together as El Chicano for some time.
Conguero Andre Baeza was still undecided, and we had the formidable Marcos Reyes waiting in the wings just in case.

No congas were used therefore for Day 1, as this was to be a founding members rehearsal only.
An attempt to check if the chemistry was still there after all these years.
The rest is history.

This was the first tune played.
A jam…sounding like a variation of “Susie Q”.
Mickey Lespron is a guitar god.
John DeLuna is funky as ever.
Freddie Sanchez holding it down.
Bobby Espinosa coloring it all.

*The "soundboard room" would be used on the last day of rehearsal, so if you can dig gritty, it's all here for you.

19/05/2019

Some years ago, master conguero Raul Rekow and I sat down and discussed some of his life, the early formation of Malo, and the approach to his instrument.
It should be noted that many interviews had been completed in the hopes of producing a documentary on the Latin Rock group Malo, but it has been incomplete for many years.
Still, the rich history of the genre, and musicians involved will not be forgotten.
Raul was humble, giving of his time, and complimentary to the cause.
A unique and beautiful human being.

29/04/2019

In 1974, the Latin Rock band Sapo released their only album.
A self-titled effort showcasing funk, rock, and brown-eyed soul behind Latin rhythms, Sapo were set to carry the torch of Latin Rockers deeper into the 70s.
Unfortunately, it was not meant to be.

However, for one night the band would reunite and re-visit their past, putting on a blistering set, highlighting tunes from that very album.

This is the show in its entirety, as it does come requested from time to time.
For 10 years we just did not know what to do with it, so why wait any longer?
Enjoy some history and play it loud!

Dir. Note: This shoot was very impromptu, and I dig it for a number of reasons. I took some creative liberties, but it was cut in homage to a 1972 documentary entitled “Our Latin Thing”.
It was cool to see all of these musicians bunched up real tight in a sweaty club, and the cameras barely having room to film anything.
It was a challenge, but a lot of fun.

In 1974, the Latin Rock band Sapo released their only album. A self-titled effort showcasing funk, rock, and brown-eyed soul behind Latin rhythms, Sapo were ...

04/02/2018

Raw Snippet of the Week (Feb. 4 - Feb. 10):

Back a few years, we filmed a show of some hitmakers.
Here's a little something fun from deep in the vaults.

28/01/2018

Raw Snippet of the Week (Jan. 28 - Feb. 3):

Guitarist Howard Scott gives a biographical account of the group War and its origins.

21/01/2018

Raw Snippet of the Week (Jan. 21-Jan. 27):

Robert Lamm discusses the embryonic stages of his Skinny Boy solo album while in Caribou recording with Chicago, and the roles both Ross Salomone and Alan DeCarlo of Madura played in the project.

14/01/2018

Raw Snippet of the Week (Jan. 14-Jan.20):

Producer Jim Guercio discuss the release of Chicago's "Live at Carnegie Hall" record, and the slick placement of voter registration information within the epic 4LP+Posters release in 1971.

09/01/2018

The passing of my musical hero and friend Alan DeCarlo has had a profound affect on me...more so than I thought it would, considering the circumstances.
He did not live life fast, rather he lived it...risky.
Still, he was not afraid of what lie beyond his earthly being.
One of my favorite songs he wrote entitled "Free From the Devil" has a few clues into the mind of the man, here are a few:

"I can't see why anything you see should bring you down.
People, there's nothing to lose, you're gonna die anyway, there's nothing to choose,
so don't get too hung up on the things you see, because they weren't meant to be here forever.
We're only passing through so do the best that you can do,
and groove on the mystery that wait for you, in dying."

I would discuss these lyrics with him and say "geez Alan, that is dark as all get out", he would laugh and agree but say he still felt the same way about it all.
As we talked through the years, I was convinced that the documentary on his life (that has been in production some 8 years) helped in keeping the man going.
Carefree thinking or no, we can all still have hope in ourselves, and he never gave up that hope.

Alan DeCarlo is one of the greatest musicians to ever live.
Contemplate that for a moment before you crucify me, and ask yourself what constitutes the greatest.
Is it because a magazine tells you it is true?
Is it longevity?
Is it notoriety?..or is it all just a matter of opinion.
Well...this is my opinion.

Alan DeCarlo could sing.
Alan DeCarlo could write.
Alan DeCarlo could play.
Alan DeCarlo could perform.
..and yet, something happened, and this is what I and his friends and family collectively tried to figure out, and the answer to it all wasn't as easy as you think.
Al had a big heart, and I will miss our conversations.
His favorite book was "Autobiography of a Yogi", by Paramahansa Yogananda, which he so graciously sent to me, yet not before inscribing a thank you and signature on the inside pages.

For me, Alan DeCarlo will always be that lion maned madman with that incredible guitar, featured in the "Electra Glide In Blue" movie, fighting his instrument, banging his head, and rock soul shouting into the microphone...possessing me to find him.
We tried to capture this magic together, and the result was much more than I could ever have imagined, sending me on a journey into reflection and horizons ahead.
Every time we ended our conversations I would say "ok Alan, I'll talk to you later, love you brother", and he'd say "ok Dan, love you too man, thanks so much".

*The photo attached was always one of Al's favorites.

21/02/2017

I'm not quite sure where to begin.
Guess I'll just improvise like my friend did…always.
Now that the family has shared the news, it is official, that our friend and guitar idol Larry Coryell has passed.

Larry Coryell is the greatest guitar player ever.
I'll debate anybody about this...and how this is possible.

He gave me a shot starting out.
So what does that say about him as a person?
He loved all of his fans, friends, and contemporaries.
An honest love…not like when plastic people get up on stage and say it without a thought.
This man gave you all of his time…all of it…no matter who you were.

Truly underrated and under appreciated in the mainstream world, yet inspired everyone who picked up the guitar.

He took me in.
Said I was making him appreciate his career.
I told him I idolized him. I loved him.
We'd even argue from time to time…but it was like nephew and uncle if you can dig it.
It was all passion.

The man cared about you.
He still does.
This collage is our own road together...with a thousand stories inside.
I treasure every one.

21/05/2016

The final touches tour of Chicago for the Alan DeCarlo documentary.

21/05/2016

That's right.
A Barefoot Boy Production post some 1 year and change later.

The past 3 days saw us in Chicago meeting with an assortment of wonderful people who are helping make this documentary on Alan DeCarlo a reality.

Special thanks to Dennis Polkow, John (for some more cool pics) and Suzanne Carsello, Steve Krakow aka Plastic Crimewave, John DeCarlo, Audy Belvedere, Doug Walker aka Nostalgia Critic and fam, Carmen Menna, and Willie, fam, and Mom for the blueberry pancakes.

01/12/2014

For those still keeping score at home, the third and presumably final rough cut for the Alan DeCarlo story has been completed.
Down to approx 1hr 58min, the project is near to entering the stages of color correcting, audio adjusting, animation, and some voice over.

Still have a few ancillary characters to speak to, as we are in the "pickups" phase of the production, so we may enhance that which has already been laid out.
Shooting for December or January to complete this phase, then it is off for beautification...

07/08/2014

Next step is complete for the Alan DeCarlo piece. Very difficult work.
The first rough cut of 3hr 48min has now been cut down to approximately 2hr 28min.
We go back in tomorrow to see if its possible to get this project under 2hr at the very least.
..enjoy this rough outtake with Al & Hawk in the meantime...

22/07/2014

In talks with record label to release "Larry Coryell: Earthquake at Yoshi's, Vol. II" on CD, Coryell's second retrospective show put on at Yoshi's in 2012.

Scheduled date for Kickstarter campaign to be announced soon!
Be a part of the process, help us give back to those who made it possible, and receive some cool rewards!

15/07/2014

The Unfamous Life of Alan DeCarlo.
Rough Cut. Complete.
3 hours. 48 minutes.
A bit of a milestone in a journey that isn't quite over yet.
Next step is to fill in some blanks with a few "pick-ups".

Attached is an outtake of Alan performing an original piece entitled "Fly With Me (Try With Me)".

04/07/2014

Barefoot Boy Snippet #3: Raw footage of the most gracious John Carsello introducing the crew to "The Lodge", a building where Madura stayed while living and recording at historic Caribou Ranch.

25/06/2014

Good progress is being made on the Alan DeCarlo documentary.
The rough cut looks to be about 3 hours, and this rough cut should be done by the end of July to mid August.
This summer's journey and hard work is dedicated to those who have sent words of encouragement over time to never give up on this project devoted to telling the story of this unsung guitar hero.

16/06/2014

Alan DeCarlo circa 1975.

photo courtesy John DeCarlo

16/06/2014

The release of Larry Coryell's "Earthquake at Yoshi's, Vol. II" is on the horizon. Shows were recorded and filmed in 2012, further chronicling the career of "Mr. Birdfingers".
Check out the rough idea of what we hope to be the final CD artwork.
Attached link is a performance of "Scotland I" from the show featuring original drummer Harry Wilkinson and saxophonist George Brooks.
https://soundcloud.com/daniel-e-meza/scotland-i

01/05/2014

Barefoot Boy Snippet #2: The most gracious John Carsello shares a special souvenir of Caribou Ranch.