Music, writings and art of TN: Home
A few quotes from the famous writer/intellectual, who I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to more than once. I did not agree with him on everything, but he always stirred my mind to deeper thought and critical analysis. Whenever I was in his presence, I felt my IQ drop several points. Never have I met a man with his intellect and grasp of prose and language. He had been compared to this generations "Voltaire".
He died of pneumonia and cancer on December 15, 2011 at age 62.
“We live only a few conscious decades, and we fret ourselves enough for several lifetimes.” ― Christopher Hitchens
“Everybody does have a book in them, but in most cases that's where it should stay.”
― Christopher Hitchens
“Nonintervention does not mean that nothing happens. It means that something else happens.” -Christopher Hitchens
“Part of the function of memory is to forget; the omni-retentive mind will break down and produce at best an idiot savant who can recite a telephone book, and at worst a person to whom every grudge and slight is as yesterday's.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Love, Poverty, and War : Journeys and Essays
T3 News! One of Canada's largest 24 hour Weather Channel's (MeteoMedia) has purchased the right to use Todd Norcross' song "Rocking with Gods" - Track 7 off of the 2011 album "Taiken 3."
Order the hit "Rocking with Gods" on Amazon.com or at Itunes or CD Baby.com
MétéoMédia is a 24-hour Canadian French language Category A specialty channel and web site, which provides weather information 24 hours a day. It primarily serves viewers in Quebec, although some cable TV systems in Ontario and New Brunswick carry the channel as well.
Taiken 3 is now available digitally worldwide on Itunes and Amazon.com music!
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"Excellent! A must have..." - CD Baby Reviews
"Taiken 3 is Todd's best sounding work in the trilogy. I would highly recommend this title to anybody."
Master Kim - San Diego, CA
"If I had to recommend just one, this (Taiken 3) would be it!" - Richard Martin, Goju-Ryu Black Belt
"You continue to blow my mind Ryotoshi Sensei. Thank you for giving us the soundtracks to our dojo lives." - Kerri Lee, Houston TX
"Taiken 3 is your best work yet Mr. Norcross. I hope you get this message. Awesome tunes. Regards, John - Bujinkan 4th Kyu Green Belt
Empowerment CD Review: "This man (Norcross) is thoughtful, frighteningly intelligent, and he gets how we think. I highly recommend his teachings if one is at all interested in a better life." -C. Mark. Reilly Psy.D.
Administrators note: Thank you for all your emails and comments on the "Guestbook" page. Todd tries to answer all fan mail when time allows. Be sure to leave a proper email address if you wish to hear back from Todd.
A lot of people have asked Todd what equipment he uses to make his albums. Unlike most artists nowadays, Todd actually produces and engineers (he has a degree in record engineering) himself. He has given us an answer on exactly what he uses:
"I do not use any computer software. I have a small portable 16 track digital workstation that I record directly into. I do not "bounce" tracks either. I have three microphones and that is it. One sure SM 56 and a few mid-level condenser mics from Sennheiser. I have eight guitars (which are necessary for different sounds and styles), partial drums and various percussion instruments, a Yamaha digital piano and a Roland XP keyboard. My vocal are recorded live with no auto-tune, distortion or equipment. My Japanese albums are all created by hand, using no click tracks. I do have a few small Taiko drums and several percussive instruments that I use on the Taiken albums. I do not sample anything either. It is a pretty simple and raw recording atmosphere. I prefer little or no technology in the chain of recording."
Anti-Bullying Campaign with Todd Norcross
New Youtube teaching videos!
"Kasumi Dori" variations from the ground in classical Budo class @ The Dojo Inc. Mason, Ohio-taught by T.N.
Seven "Two Punch" defenses-Aug 2011
The entire 6 part "Eastern View" empowerment series of recorded seminars "Finding Happiness", "The Jewel Tree", "Conquering Stress", "Botany and the Mind", and "10 Keys to Living Well" by Todd Norcross are now available at CD Baby's web site and on Itunes, etc. These are public teachings from 2010 where Ryotoshi Sensei taught some classes on antidotes and solutions to living a powerful and fully aware life. Each class is approximately 1 hr. long. Click the links below to order or download:
"..Best of Classical Pieces" is not only good, it is great!"- Cincinnati Arts Review
"...from the pizzicato of delicate strings in "Piano Concerto" to the dynamism and sapience of "Thundersteed", to the climactic cantata of "Waltzing with Gods", the compositions Norcross creates never fail to connect with the numinous thoughts in all of us. "The Best of Orchestral Pieces" is a fine piece of work."- Strad Critics
"...possessing an inherent ability to communicate through sound, Norcross travels down many roads to places of beauty and solitude." M.J. Dermott-Guitar Man Reviews
"Todd Ryotoshi Norcross' Taiken 2 is a heart-stirring empowering inspiration, To-Shin Do heart spirit in musical form. I urge all my friends to have this CD in their home, dojo and car!" - An Shu Stephen K. Hayes - Member Black Belt Hall of Fame
"In an era of ever declining song craftsmanship and one hit wonders whose flavor of the day sounds like 10 other of their compatriots, Todd Norcross continues to deliver his unique pop sound with the release of his latest CD.
Newcomers to Todd's music will be struck instantly upon the first few notes of the opening track "Guitars". No, this is not your typical run-of-the-mill guitar player. Intertwined and beautifully intricate, this track showcases Todd's prowess, musicality, and style.
From there, the album cascades into kaleidoscope of thick vocal harmonies, catchy hooks, eloquent finger-style and rock guitars – all signature production qualities of T.N. recordings. There are many sonic journeys here not to be missed. As Todd writes, engineers, produces, and plays all instruments on all tracks, what can you say but "Wow". This artist wears many hats and all of them fit to perfection.
If you like what you hear now, you will not be disappointed either in Todd's previous works and I encourage you to take a moment to hear them as well. A renaissance man in the digital age, Todd Norcross is surely making his mark on the music world that will last for many years to come."
Christopher Zerbe - Music Producer/Recording Artist
