Well, the guys are here and I'm an idiot for being intimidated. First of all, I know two of them- Chris Maresh and Rick Richards- from my 1st album. It's been about two and a half years since I saw them, and I'd completely forgotten how nice they both are. Pros, yes. Badasses, yes. But completely nice.
In addition, we've got Bradley engineering (who I forgot meeting in Dallas this year at a Billy/Grace/Dirje show), Austin assisting in the studio, Kevin Lovejoy on keys and Daran DeShazo on guitar.
We started off the day with "Reason to Fall," a new song that's decidedly pop - albeit with a little Americana twang to it for good measure. We're taking a Paul Simon approach to these songs- tight, clear arrangements. Lots going on and yet somehow, nothing that overwhelms or overworks the vocal. Somehow always the feeling of plenty of room.
The drums are tight and crisp. Almost little, but still strong. Not much resonance. Bass similar. Kevin's playing a Wurly on this.
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We just got finished tracking "You Are the Cowboy," which rocked. Every single one of these instruments could be the soloist on the track. The first take absolutely blew me away. But then Billy began reining everyone in.
The groove became clearer, eventually hypnotic. Easygoing and tight at the same time. Understated. The feel of this song reminds me of a bad boy action anti-hero, ambling in a macho way towards the camera as a building explodes behind him. :-)
Then, we added some flavors- some pure, clear piano- aching lines. And some wailing electric guitar- sad and dirty. Just a tiny bit mean.
Amazing, amazing takes from everyone. So completely floored by how good they make this sound.
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Having a little more trouble with this one- "Edge of the World." It doesn't help that the song itself is a little emotionally ambiguous. It's somewhat fun, upbeat, enjoying the ride and the thrill of it all. It's also somewhat terrified, fragile, dark-rimmed. Sounds like a contradiction but it isn't really. It's just kind of hard to pin down musically.
It's the feeling of being on a roller coaster that's just a little too old- from the days when they used rickety wood to build them. A little less safe than it should be, maybe, but that adds to the thrill.
I think maybe the path will be a clear, tight frame- drums and bass that are sincere and pop oriented. But on top, the electric guitar (or whatever lead instrument we need) has just a little more guile.
Maybe if the guitar plays a few dirty, dissonant notes here and there, a few weird lines, it will be enough to cue the listener into the fact that there's a little irony to this thing. It's not as fun and lighthearted as you'd think at first- it's a little tongue in cheek.
Just a thought...Tricky getting this one right.
This is the last take before we all break for a good night's sleep.
On a side note, I would be remiss if I didn't mention how well Dodee's been taking care of us all: Texas pie (bacon, eggs, peppers, cheese quiche-like creation) for lunch with broccoli soup made from very local veggies and cream. Dinner was turkey lasagna with portobello mushrooms, with a mandarin oranges salad with candied walnuts, fresh onions, crumbled cheese and a homemade peach and chili pepper dressing. Peach tea. And don't forget a constant supply of homemade chocolate chip cookies and really good, fresh coffee.
Yum.
I'm the luckiest person in the world. Got to be.
