Saturday, June 02, 2007
Painful Changes
As I start to wrap up business here, do my last gig and get stuff ready for students I'll miss for a week or more, I'm faced with other unexpected problems. Lyric rewrites. Helen Avakian is right, I'm just a bit overwhelmed at the timing. Her suggestions all make sense. I just have to come up with some better lines for several songs and put other songs aside for this project because they need too much. It pains me to do that in some cases but I know the songs will be better on the next project if I put them aside for an unhurried rewrite. I already have enough material for two or even three CD's. But they all need work.The beauty of working with somebody as particular as Helen Avakian is that she's a stickler for detail. The hard part is that she's 1500 miles away, working on her own CD and has many more students than I have.
Other things that did not work out as I wanted on this project involve personnel. I really wanted to get as many people involved as possible. My brother and my son, for instance. Logistics are going to keep them and several others off this particular project. Several people I asked to do some backup vocals are also not going to work out because of the logistics problems.
NRS Studios is Scott Petito's baby and he is meticulous about the tracks he makes. He is not at all likely to accept tracks done someplace else. So an internet type project is out of the question. I'm outrageously lucky that Deni Bonet is going to be available to come up to Woodstock when I need her. I couldn't ask for a finer professional, to begin with. Great things are about to happen for her. I can feel it. Scott is also an amazing bass and guitar player. My son-in-law, Josh Peni, is a terrific drummer. Helen's guitar work is impeccable. Beth Reineke is an excellent and well seasoned back up vocalist who has worked with many well known artists. And on top of that, you just never know who else might be available. It is Woodstock.
This is going to be a much better CD than the last one. I take full responsibility for that one. I learned a lot. Mark Zampella, who produced it did a fantastic job of mixing the tracks I provided and encouraging me to do my best. We are already talking about a future project. He remains a very close friend of mine. Many years my junior, he's an inspiration and a guru to me.
I'm rambling but I'm not going to be back in Blogland for a while and I frequently feel the need to make the point that I'm blissfully happy with my life because I'm surrounded by fantastic family, friends and associates.
It's the first day of hurricane season. Tropical storm Barry gave us some much needed rain. It's a little windy out there. Palm trees are slapping the window in my studio. I should record that and use it as a sample. And if the hurricane season is not kind and my house is ruined this summer, I'll still be able to smile at the incredible run of luck that was the first and middle parts of my life.
I'll be back for a quick report in a couple of weeks.
posted by Bud @ 9:12 AM
Comments:
gah! Bud, it took forever for your comments page to load, I almost left!
I just popped in to thank you for your love and support and the comment you left for me today. Love you Bud.
I just popped in to thank you for your love and support and the comment you left for me today. Love you Bud.
I know it can be hard to put some of your babies back on the shelf, but it's best to give your love and attention to the ones who need it most right now.
Have an amazing time, Bud.
Have an amazing time, Bud.
Sometimes I think I'd do decently at writing some lyrics, but writing under pressure is a different story sometimes. The creative process should be allowed to be just that...creative!
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