AHA! Once more we donned our disguises and mingled with the Folk...err....Folk.
Heh. Yet another genre we've snuck into, pinched the bits we liked and then run off chortling into the night. Go the Stormies!
Yep, we followed up the 6:30 blues/rock epic of Twice Shy Girl by recording a Convict Folk Tune, that has us sounding like Contemporary Folk Folk!. Like genre-crossing ninjas we are.
Pirate Ninjas.
Arr.
I may have mentioned that we're under the gun to get our next album out and that we're pushing ahead at speed. this weekend we were lucky enough to find a studio on the direct route of return from our Oberon show that was willing to record on a Sunday
We rose early to get there for a morning start from Oberon where the weather had cleared.
But once again, as we drove onward...typical stormcellar weather
But it cleared by the time we crested the mountains and made our way to the Valley Studio where Roger C. had given up his Sunday to help us out.
I didn't know it until after we'd booked in that Roger has had the odd bit of experience with Folk stuff.
I actually have this song book at home...
Here's Roger, Rosie, Mr Wizard and Bill (on the couch) getting QATO together (you bet I aint gonna type Queen Above The Ocean every time I refer to it,. QATO, get it?)
The Valley Studio has a gorgeous outlook, Here's Mr Wizard in the garden soaking up the vibe with his mandolin.
Tinker and Fettler sat in on the song, here's Tink getting ready
I dont think Tink has any idea how superb a player she is. Wait until you hear the recording. Wow.
Prices in Springwood were kinda high $7 for a pie? OUCH so I opted to make sandwiches. Yes, that's why I get a Producer credit on the album.
After the pit stop, Fettler joined in
and Bill added bass track to a song that previously had no bass when we play it live. way to go Bill.
Then it was my turn in the barrel, and Roger worked me over pretty thoroughly. I changed lyrics, had my timing corrected, received quite excellent direction and was even persuaded to add harp.
Roger had such an affinity for the material that he really added a series of layers and ideas to this track, it's simply stunning.
Also massive props to Rosie for adding a sonic texture that's now my favourite new music thing in the world for today. Way to go.
The Curious Assembly has done something interesting for us. Previously, our songs were all recorded under one roof/studio. That means there's a certain homogeneity to the production and engineering.
With The Curious Assembly, we have taken pains to choose studios and engineers with a predilection for each individual style of song. Today it paid off by transforming a good song into a great recording.
Hats off to Roger C, bravo sir.
UPDATE: Some folks I have shared the recording with want to know who made that great sound. Well, contact Roger Corbett here: http://www.thevalleystudio.com.au/
Our great thanks to two of the most generous and talented musicians we know in Michael Kerin and Tinker Duffy for joining us in the song. Their band the Righteous Prannies will be releasing a track soon and I'll post a link when I can.
This week we're scheduled to mix Cry For You and then go record Slipping Through These Blues. Once again we're heading into uncharted territories.
So as we change tack once more, I am reminded to keep with our Shakespearean themed trip, I can only offer to the purists who shake their head that we have once again crossed boundaries..
If we Stormies have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but to double click
to remove such songs from your play list
So gentles, do not reprehend:
if occasionally the rules we bend:
And, as I am an honest feller
We warn of what lurks in the 'cellar
Cos we're likely the kind of blokes
who groove on country
blues & folk
in fact we kind of like the range
from Jap'nese Pop to 80's strange
creating iridescent hues
from mixing weird stuff
with the blues
For as Mr Gilley did foretell
what e'er you play, play it well
and tarry not with tags and fads
for there art but two forms of music;
Good and Bad.