Never has music been so readily available to the masses; however, there is a downside. Thousands of new releases each week now compete with decades of catalog titles, so it’s no surprise that many worthy discs are overlooked in the process. While promotional tie-ins have often been part of a music release, in the last year this has taken on new importance, as labels and artists come up with creative ways to draw attention to their latest works.
In an attempt to appeal to collectors, Universal Music Group has recently been re-packaging older box sets as an LP-size book with the discs mounted in the jacket.
Local musician and promoter Cathryn Beeks has also issued a book with a CD package, but has opted to go after an audience outside of music. In the process, she has created “Listen Local Cooks,” San Diego’s first ever cookbook and music combo.
“I was looking for a way to get a music compilation noticed,” Beeks explained. “The focus is on the music but I thought a cookbook would be a unique package. And by using recipes from local musicians and well known people that work in music-related fields, it’s offering something that is completely community based as well.”
Beeks drew her initial inspiration for the book from a love of cooking and her discovery of local TV chef Sam Zien of “Sam the Cooking Guy,” who contributed a recipe for his “Hot Sweet Wings.”
“I am a huge fan of his show and had contacted him about other projects,” she said. “When the idea for this came, his contribution really got the ball rolling.”
The book is available online or at all shows promoted by Beeks under the “Listen Local” banner, including a “Winter Ball” to be held at Winstons, 1921 Bacon St., on Wednesday, Dec. 20.
More than 50 artists, including Dave Howard, Marie Haddad, Sven Erik Seaholm, Gregory Page, Jeff Berkley and Astra Kelly, as well as such notables as Troubadour newspaper publisher Liz Abbot and photographer Steve Covault, contributed to the book.
Meanwhile, a smaller but equally impressive list of performers such as Steph Johnson, Christopher Dale and Paige Aufhammer make up the CD. A portion of the proceeds from the project goes to the San Diego Rescue Mission.
The recipes included cover just about every possible meal situation, with some interesting culinary choices among the offerings.
“We’ve got everything in there from breakfast to dinner, drinks to dessert and everything in between for all levels of culinary expertise,” Beeks said.
One of the questionable recipes is something called “Lafayette Squirrel Stew,” contributed by Sweet Tooth guitarist John McBride, which does call for several of the rodents.
“It’s not for everyone,” joked Beeks.
92.1 DJ Hilary Chambers, who contributed the recipe for an ice cream topper, said, “I wanted to be involved because I’m a huge fan of everything Cathryn does in the local music community. The idea for a cookbook seemed natural, because whenever we get together, things always revolve around food.”
For David Castner of Compass Rose, his “Mexterranean Stir Fry” addition was based on the knowledge that most fellow performers are often low on funds.
“It was hard to choose a dish to contribute,” Castner said. “But since we’re familiar with the life of a struggling musician, we decided to go with something that was creative, as well as fast to prepare. Necessity is the father of invention. Our recipe does include whatever might be in the fridge at the time, but this meal in general is something that’s been a big favorite around our household for years.”
Blues singer Anna Troy is only on the CD, but felt it was important to be a part of the project.
“This seemed like such an original idea and involved so many people in the music scene that it was something I really wanted to be a part of. With the mix of food and music, as well as the chance to help others in our community, it seemed like the perfect album to have available at this time of year.”
For more information on “Listen Local Cooks,” visit www.hometown.aol.com/cathrynbeeks/cookbook.html.