On the album project that was one of the most ambitious projects that the Travis, the studio, and myself have ever taken on… we are so close to the end I can smell it.  The only thing that stopped us around 4 am from recording the last guitar track was a broken capo.  We have maybe an hour or two of tracking and then we are off to do the final mixes.  It is pretty safe to say that the this album will be done in two more sessions.  Good thing too because Travis has written about 3 double albums already that are sitting there waiting!  Great vocal takes the other night and one of the most productive sessions on the entire project.

Alene Taylor came into the studio to write a new song the other day.  With the help of Travis Jay Christofil on lyrics, we made it happen.  In just 8 hours, we took the three lines of lyrics that she came in with into a finished song complete with drums, percussion, bass, 5 guitars, B3 organ, and several layers of vocals.  A quick mix, a little limiting compression at the end and she was out the door.  Here is what some of that session looked and sounded like.

Here is the video for that track!

We are so close to getting the final vocals tracked on Travis’ project.  There are a few loose ends, but vocals are coming to a close.  Good thing that he has already written the next two albums!

Travis is back to finish off another song.  We have just the finishing touched to be done on most of the album.  I think that we have now at least 3 or 4 tracks that are actually finished.  This one has that old school country flavor and we incorporated all kinds of acoustic and percussion instruments.  This is the one that was the hardest to nail down, but we finally got it.  Looking forward to finishing the vocals on the rest of the songs and sending them all to the mix stage.

We finished the acoustic tracks for Breathe the Wave.  The final mix is now out for a final listen and approval.  Here is what the session looked like.

This month has been a blur.  I have had several sessions with my regular clients over the past couple weeks.  Those that have been in were: Octavio Tapia, Mo Carey, HB, Travis Jay, Becky Stewart, Carin Misterly, and Justified Cause.

Weekend before last I attended the AES Show in San Francisco.  That is were all of the audio guys get together to talk about the latest and greatest.  If only I had an unlimited budget!  My gear wish list got a few new additions.

Travis was back to cut some more acoustic guitars for the Travisty album. Just a few more then we are off into laying down all of the final vocals.

Mo Carey was back for a session and then came back in with Kent Buckner to work on another project with him. Kent is putting out another series of audio workout regiments. He is a trainer with many celebrity clients. Obviously the guy knows his stuff… the dude is in shape! We had more fun that should be had doing VO work.

I am working with the Radical 80′s again. They have hired me to perform and record backing tracks for use in live shows. This is a lot of material to crank out in a small time, but I am going to make it happen!

Last but not least, Travis Jay was back for a full day to put the finishing touches on Travisty before we start the final vocals. Zech Williams made his first appearance on any album in this session. We added some new drum and percussion. A little late in the game for basic tracks, but this is not your normal album. The rough mixes are sounding fantastic. Get ready!

Mo Carrey has been in the studio for 6 sessions.  We have finished the first mix tape and most of the second.  The album is next.  Last night he brought in Big Ron, The Professor, and J Maro.

Travis Jay was here for a session.  The sessions are getting seriously big now.

Bud Berning brought in Jamie Drake and Sally Jaye for backing vocals on his project Black Kettle.  These girls can sing!

Kevin Pugh was in for a full day and we got a final mix for his first single to release.

Dead Letter Six was here for two consecutive sessions to record drums, bass, keys, guitars, and backing vocals.  Guitars and final vocals coming soon.

Justified Cause was in for a marathon 13 hour session.  We tracked 16 songs over two sessions with 4 guitar tracks per song.  Do that math!

Harlequin Bureau was here to recreate the beat behind a beautiful piano ballad that now has some great energy.

Today I just picked up a Wurlitzer organ.  I have no idea where I am going to put it, but I will find a place for it!

We did another round of dialing in what is left to complete the album.  We are close now.  Just some drum parts, vocals, and acoustic guitars and we are mixing this thing.  Stay tuned.