Thursday, July 17, 2008

Recording and Re-Chording


Praise Stills The Enemy


The link above should open a mp3 player of your choice.

The blessing of writing and recording is the process.
No matter the music style or form, it is always a long and arduous process. And old friend and studio owner Steve Weiss once said, "you never finish a record, you just give up on it".
Well on the "Praise Stills The Enemy" recording, I was able to cut rhythm tracks on 6 tunes last fall as well as put brass on three of them at Fuzzy Slippers studios in St. Paul. MN
Since then I've taken the recordings home and begun recording the overdubs and vocals in my home studio. (free studio time:)).
My studio is a 14 year old Mac tower and a two channel interface without any good plug-ins. This however can not stop my creative ideas from becoming music.
My desire for this project was always to make it a confessional praise project with small and large choir options. All the lyrics are written to get the worshiper repeating biblical truths that help them get into a state of praise. All for the purpose of being inhabited by the Holy Spirit.

Musical style is always a big issue. * Who do you try to reach and make happy with your musical style and arrangements. Well today the "U2" sounding guitars with drum loops is the popular sound on the radio with almost all new worship artists under 40:).
Well, my heart on many of these tunes was to combine R&B, Gospel, Africa and pop with "Chicago/ BST" horns. (This pretty much eliminates radio folks, but I'm not living for radio any longer :)!)
In my early Christian music days on Light Records, "Andre Crouch and the Disciples" were on the same label. I was slain by that vibe back then and wanted to kinda get a little of that style. Paul Simon and "Graceland" was also a watershed record for me and "Make a Joyful Noise" kinda goes in that direction.

Well all I have left to record on these first 6 songs is (Brass on three) and line singers as well as large choir on all of them. (Thank you Lord for the right people). Then it's "mix" time (ouch) and art work time. (Did I say "all")

In the mean time, above is the link to the last 3 songs in the 6 song medley (did I forget to say this was recorded like "Confessions of a Worshipper" without any breaks between songs).
Hope you are finding this day full of ah-haa, smile filled, thank you Jesus moments.
Just reflect on all God has brought you through up to this day, and how He has always been there "on time". Remember He is more interested in our character than our comfort.
C

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