Skip to main content

Cruising Toward Albumdom

Today, we wrapped guitar parts for the LP. Bryan Farrar added his rock and roll axe to "Supermodels With Gatling Gun." He also put down wah-wah tracks for the album closer "A Miracle Is On The Way" and the ballad "Our Love Is Known By Name." While we were listening to playback of "Miracle" I kept thinking about how much fun this record will be for dancing.

Last week, we passed the 100 hour mark in studio time. I looked back at the notes on my lyric sheets and saw that it was four months ago today that I arrived at the rearrangement of "Miracle." Time has flown; but this has truly been the most fun and satisfying album recording experience for me yet. Matched only by the session for the single of "A Talent For Loving" at Monnow Valley.

My producer Adam said that their are moments that the record channels everything good about 1979. I'll take that. On facebook, I put up a post asking, "Who has roller skates?" It's that kind of record. You will want to rock, roll, bounce and skate to this. I'm listening to some prelim mixes as I type. Adam has captured some wonderful performances and he's gotten a few new toys in the studio to sweeten the noises. No auto-tune, mind you. I'm also making a few adjustments to the track listing since we finished the basic tracks.

Tomorrow night, I will be back at Karma Frog with the Ladies of Chaos to record backing vocals for a mess of songs. I'm looking forward to that. I always enjoy singing with them on stage when we do covers with Adam (Bee Gees, Sly & The Family Stone, etc.). I will probably have one more solo session to do specific vocal flavoring and one more dedicated to the horns. Then it will be mixing and mastering.

As mentioned in a previous post, I am going to push back the release date for the CD. There is no time left in 2011 to get the record pressed, let alone organize the necessary record release shows and listening parties. This will give everyone something to anticipate for the New Year. And that way, you can use all of your gift cards to buy the record online after the holidays! This will also give me time to double-down for my return to the UK; and submit for domestic festivals and reviews.

I love all of my records, but this one really shines and there is still some polishing to do. I'm so anxious to share it with you! Dang, I'm listening to the waltz-time R&B torch song "Majestic Rejection" and it is blazing. Scorching vocal (if I do say so myself); outstanding New Orleans-inspired piano and amazing blues guitar from Adam and drumming from punk legend DJ Bonebrake. It will certainly vie for top instrumental performance on the LP. The Missus keeps saying we need to get this one to some of the choreographers on So You Think You Can Dance next season for some spotlight dances. Who has those contacts? Come on...

OK, y'all be cool and I'll report back tomorrow following the vocal session with the Ladies.

Peace!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

John Lennon 40 Years On

Remembering John Lennon today. Forty years have flashed by. I can still hear my clock radio turning on to the incongruent sound of the Beatles on Dec. 9, 1980 and wondering why? I think about John every day. I am fortunate to have been able to make pilgrimage to Mendips, Abbey Road and Strawberry Fields, NY; to play on stages like the Cavern, the Jacaranda and the Troubadour where he performed or made trouble, or both. Here’s a quick playlist for you and me. (Just Like) Starting Over I Should Have Known Better Bless You Nobody Told Me Strawberry Fields Forever Nowhere Man Enjoy the day. Fill it with peace. Fill it with music. #JohnLennon #Liverpool

Murderous Haircut of the Mayor of Bel Air - Book Review

“The Murderous Haircut of the Mayor of Bel Air” is a trippy new mystery novel from Phillip Mottaz. It captures the grit and gilt of the City of Angels with the flair of a contemporary Raymond Chandler. The brisk pace and wit are reminiscent of Douglas Adams’s entries in the detective game. Flourishes of  Fletch  and “Medium” also spring to mind. However, Mottaz has added a psychic/mutant/superhuman touch and his own comedic voice, structure and internal monologues to the proceedings that help the author announce his own style and the arrival of a literary heroine for a new generation. Hairstylist and budding private investigator, Danica Luman is the perfect character to convey the irony, angst and sarcasm needed to tell a 21st century L.A. crime story. Danica also represents anyone who thought it would be neat to get tangled up in a mystery and the darkly comic cautionary tale that follows. The genre is recognizable, but Mottaz offers a fresh take on the not-ready-for-prime-ti...

Rush Hour Soul Returns

Hey Soulmates, been some time, but many of you on Facebook have already seen that Rush Hour Soul is back. I am very excited that while we are looking back at the 15th anniversary of our 2006 UK tour, there are things happening behind the scenes for 2021. For those unfamiliar, Rush Hour Soul is a trio with myself on bass and lead vocals. We were a part of the Indie/Powerpop scene in Los Angeles from 2004-2008, although our style was heavily informed by the Rolling Stones, Chic, ABC, and Sam & Dave. Funkier than our peers.  The well-known venues Rush Hour Soul played around Los Angeles included The El Rey, B.B. King's Blues Club and The Hard Rock Cafe. Our travels in Britain took us to Sheffield, Liverpool, York and back to London. There was a four day detour to Monnow Valley Studios in Wales where recorded in the old manor house. We shot a music video in London, as well. 2006 was a magical summer for the band. In 2008, the project was rechristened as a solo recording under my n...