Recording the new single
Posted on December 13, 2010 with 0 comments
So, we've finally started work on the new CD.
We wanted to get "Christmas Eve" recorded and released quickly for obvious reasons (tis the season!) even though it will be part of the bigger release next year. It's kind of a cool idea too. Rather than work on something until you can't stand it anymore, just blast it out. We're professionals, we know what were doing. We'll rise to the occasion and knock it out. You can find little things to tweak and improve forever, as long as you keep looking and listening. Really.
John Lennon had an idea of writing what was on his mind, recording it right away, and getting it out on the street within a day or two. He did this with "Instant Karma", still a great song. I think he saw this as the new way to do things, he was ahead of his time. There's hip hop CDs today that get recorded on Friday, manufactured over the weekend, and hit the street on Tuesday. Quincy Jones called "rap" the CNN of the street. You just can't do that if you're recording for 10 or 11 months.
Anyway, we did some rehearsing and I booked the studio. I called my old friend Matt Vachon who co-wrote the song with me soooooo many years ago (ironic, considering the previous paragraph, eh?). I thought it would be fun to have him come and do a guitar track on the song. The rest of the band was down with it and Matt thought it sounded cool too.
We went in, and after getting some levels, we got right to it. Joe Egan did a great job engineering and making us feel comfortable. His suggestions were invaluable, he's got a great ear (the other ear sucks), and he works at a pretty good pace.
It wasn't long before Aaron and Corey were done. Matt did his guitar track with them, then Dave did a few more, and I added some 12-string guitar. Vocals were next, and Dave and I did them together. I did my lead and Dave just came in for the harmonies. We got right through it, really just a few takes.
Next, we (well, really Joe) sort of mixed and mastered at the same time, mastered while we mixed. This really kept things moving, which I like. We would point out if something didn't sound right or needed to be louder, lighter, etc. Matt, Dave and I decided to add the "Oooooos" on the choruses (might have been Corey's idea, a great idea). We did it in one or two takes, mixed it in, and that was pretty much that.
It was now 1:30 or 2am. I think we walked out with a damn good record. We hope you enjoy it. You can hear a short clip on this site in the Music section, and of course you can download it from the Buy section.
We look forward to returning to the studio, to continue work and finish this CD. But hey, a journey of 1000 miles begins with one step, right?
Peace,
dp
We wanted to get "Christmas Eve" recorded and released quickly for obvious reasons (tis the season!) even though it will be part of the bigger release next year. It's kind of a cool idea too. Rather than work on something until you can't stand it anymore, just blast it out. We're professionals, we know what were doing. We'll rise to the occasion and knock it out. You can find little things to tweak and improve forever, as long as you keep looking and listening. Really.
John Lennon had an idea of writing what was on his mind, recording it right away, and getting it out on the street within a day or two. He did this with "Instant Karma", still a great song. I think he saw this as the new way to do things, he was ahead of his time. There's hip hop CDs today that get recorded on Friday, manufactured over the weekend, and hit the street on Tuesday. Quincy Jones called "rap" the CNN of the street. You just can't do that if you're recording for 10 or 11 months.
Anyway, we did some rehearsing and I booked the studio. I called my old friend Matt Vachon who co-wrote the song with me soooooo many years ago (ironic, considering the previous paragraph, eh?). I thought it would be fun to have him come and do a guitar track on the song. The rest of the band was down with it and Matt thought it sounded cool too.
We went in, and after getting some levels, we got right to it. Joe Egan did a great job engineering and making us feel comfortable. His suggestions were invaluable, he's got a great ear (the other ear sucks), and he works at a pretty good pace.
It wasn't long before Aaron and Corey were done. Matt did his guitar track with them, then Dave did a few more, and I added some 12-string guitar. Vocals were next, and Dave and I did them together. I did my lead and Dave just came in for the harmonies. We got right through it, really just a few takes.
Next, we (well, really Joe) sort of mixed and mastered at the same time, mastered while we mixed. This really kept things moving, which I like. We would point out if something didn't sound right or needed to be louder, lighter, etc. Matt, Dave and I decided to add the "Oooooos" on the choruses (might have been Corey's idea, a great idea). We did it in one or two takes, mixed it in, and that was pretty much that.
It was now 1:30 or 2am. I think we walked out with a damn good record. We hope you enjoy it. You can hear a short clip on this site in the Music section, and of course you can download it from the Buy section.
We look forward to returning to the studio, to continue work and finish this CD. But hey, a journey of 1000 miles begins with one step, right?
Peace,
dp