With this album I think Scott and I finally recorded the album we'd been wanting to since we started jamming in 1986. Our grasp finally matched our ambitious reach. It's amazing looking back on this album how easy it was for us to create. We didn't force anything or try to be something we weren't. It's a spot-on representation of who we are as musicians and as friends.
From Scott's journal:
Our approach to work this time has been quite refreshing. Usually we come to each other with songs that are basically completed, we record them and change a few things in the post-recording stage. Today, we would see which song we were going to do, retire to the couch with our acoustic guitars and try out arrangements, different sequences, solo possibilities and so on. Thus far this process has brought some good ideas to light.
Sunday was a doozie. Basically a 14 hour session with 2 breaks yielding much laughter, much mayhem and much music. Our first order of business was my electric guitar overdubs and such on my Fender Strat. Solos were done for AND COMES IN DREAMS, EL BAILE DEL MUERTO and JOE MINA. Electric strumming was also done for a few songs.
Next came vocal overdubs. Usually Adam is the main singer because he has the stronger voice of the two of us. However, I did the lead vocals for BALLAD OF JOE MINA (Adam's voice is in the bridge since the notes are more suited for his range), I also did vocals for the chorus to LITTLE BIRD - Adam will sing the song proper.
The second portion of the day focused around lyrics, solos and arrangements for Salsa #5. This was quite fun. I rewrote the lyrics to fit what is now becoming the concept of the entire CD. But the best part was my vocal tracks. I basically pictured myself as a large jolly Mexican man with a big long mustache and wide brimmed sombrero - and that's what came across in the vocals. With all the arranging and fiddling Adam will do to this song it's sure to be a classic of epic proportions.
As the evening wore on Adam grabbed the uke as I made up some lyrics and sang some silly little ditties that will be released on 78 rpm - more on that later. However the end of the night consisted a few beers, vocal tracks of odd circumstances and writing the lyrics together to a wise-ass tribute to the town we grew up in: BENSALEM, PENNSYLVANIA. It was a great collaboration. We were like Gilbert and Sullivan on acid. But seriously, it was a real team effort - as well as the entire project. We hope a splendid time will be guaranteed for all.
From Scott's journal:
Our approach to work this time has been quite refreshing. Usually we come to each other with songs that are basically completed, we record them and change a few things in the post-recording stage. Today, we would see which song we were going to do, retire to the couch with our acoustic guitars and try out arrangements, different sequences, solo possibilities and so on. Thus far this process has brought some good ideas to light.
Sunday was a doozie. Basically a 14 hour session with 2 breaks yielding much laughter, much mayhem and much music. Our first order of business was my electric guitar overdubs and such on my Fender Strat. Solos were done for AND COMES IN DREAMS, EL BAILE DEL MUERTO and JOE MINA. Electric strumming was also done for a few songs.
Next came vocal overdubs. Usually Adam is the main singer because he has the stronger voice of the two of us. However, I did the lead vocals for BALLAD OF JOE MINA (Adam's voice is in the bridge since the notes are more suited for his range), I also did vocals for the chorus to LITTLE BIRD - Adam will sing the song proper.
The second portion of the day focused around lyrics, solos and arrangements for Salsa #5. This was quite fun. I rewrote the lyrics to fit what is now becoming the concept of the entire CD. But the best part was my vocal tracks. I basically pictured myself as a large jolly Mexican man with a big long mustache and wide brimmed sombrero - and that's what came across in the vocals. With all the arranging and fiddling Adam will do to this song it's sure to be a classic of epic proportions.
As the evening wore on Adam grabbed the uke as I made up some lyrics and sang some silly little ditties that will be released on 78 rpm - more on that later. However the end of the night consisted a few beers, vocal tracks of odd circumstances and writing the lyrics together to a wise-ass tribute to the town we grew up in: BENSALEM, PENNSYLVANIA. It was a great collaboration. We were like Gilbert and Sullivan on acid. But seriously, it was a real team effort - as well as the entire project. We hope a splendid time will be guaranteed for all.
