MUSIC
The band re-recorded this version of one of their biggest hits and I had the pleasure and honor of mixing it.
A pummeling, brutal, 3-part 30-plus minute epic from my longtime friend and musical cohort, Tyler Cox. I recorded vocals, bass, and other pieces for this massive-sounding release; and I mixed it as well.
Gary was lead guitarist in Captain Beefheart's Magic Band, and wrote "Grace" with Jeff Buckley, among many other accomplishments. David Fricke of Rolling Stone called him "one of the best and most original guitarists in America". I met him through our mutual associations with Jerry Harrison, from Talking Heads and The Modern Lovers (and occasionally with Gary's Gods and Monsters), and was honored to be asked to do final "savior" mixes on this record. Gary has bestowed upon me perhaps my favorite credit, "The World's Most Patient (Jewish) Engineer". He is a fascinating and incredibly talented individual; his website is well worth checking out.... and this album is great. Here's a sample.
Tom Beyer and I were in Lee Presson and the Nails together, and then the Acme Swing Company, way back in the day..... We did some crazy stuff and always had a real good time doing it. He asked me to record and mix an album for his new band The Gravel Spreaders shortly after I got my room set up at Coast Recorders in San Francisco. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun making a record. These guys have been tearing up the Bay Area for a bit now, and everyone should check out this record..... if for nothing else, to hear their original song "You Kicked My Heart In The Nuts". Also, check out their video for Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast". Enough said. Gravelbilly..... it's the latest craze.
I have worked with Eric Martin, lead singer of Mr. Big, on several projects over the years. This one is from an album he did with TMG, the "supergroup" which included Jack Blades from Night Ranger and Tak Matsumoto, Japan's guitar genius. I recorded the lead vocal for this track, which also appeared over the end of the movie "Ultraman: The Next".
Kyle and I have been working together on his albums for many years now; this one came right in the middle of another project, when he took a trip to Ireland and became smitten with the poetry of Yeats and what could be done with his words. The result is a beautiful record that has won top honors in festivals in Yeats' homeland as well as mountains of praise here in America. I am proud to have engineered and mixed this record with Kyle, and as he is such a prolific and driven musician, more is definitely on the way from us.
This was the first project we ever did at Jerry Harrison's studio, Sausalito Sound (affectionately dubbed "The Toe" by the TPP guys, which has stuck for the last dozen years....). They were dropped by Interscope right before the album was supposed to be released. Fucking criminal, I say. This album rules, and they are great guys. You can listen to some of the record at the above link, and actually buy the album through Amazon (I think, for some ridiculously inflated price. Who knows how they are available.....) I love you, TPP. Call me.
Fairhaven is an exciting rock/pop band from Boston whose album I recorded at my friend Jeff Watson's Camp Studios in Mill Valley, CA. It was mixed by another good friend, Chris Manning. Great songwriting and musicianship makes this record very engaging for the listener. It's always a good time working at "The Camp". Keep an eye out for these guys....
I was very lucky to have been able to record Mr. Ray Manzarek, of The Doors, for the song "Craigslist" from this album. This is Al's highest charting record to date, and it was nominated for a Grammy. I wrote a little anecdote about this experience here.
I recorded basics for this heavy and powerful collection of songs at Laughing Tiger Studios. Members of the bands Neurosis, The Mass, and Idiot Flesh. Not sure what if anything will happen with this, but you can check out the final product at the link. I love doing stuff like this and wish for more of it to come my way.
My experiences with Jerry Harrison, the keyboardist and guitar player in Talking Heads, are pretty extensive and warrant more than just mere mentions. The albums I have worked on with him are all a tad bit dwarfed by the magnitude of this project. It will definitely get its own link along with my other rants about things. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't say it: this experience was truly once in a lifetime....... (ok, shoot me..... it had to be done).