studio diary

27 February 2007

Evil

Gawd, and I thought Title Track was the big production on the new album.

12 February 2007

The Great Wash

The Great Wash is not something I use all the time.

In fact I try never to use it. Only because it sounds so good on everything, that pretty soon you start not to notice it.

But in this case, I damn well used it, and there was no other way. Brill was actually written using the wash many years ago. The chords sounded interesting enough not to need much embellishment. Of course things rarely stay that way in Tunisia, and there are two countermelodies going on now, but the great wash is unmistakeable.

In a less roundabout way of saying, Brill is nearing completion ..

24 January 2007

Dammit Jim

Accidentally wrote and recorded the opening track of the new album.

All I was really trying to do was flesh out the intro to Brill. But, as usual, one thing led to another, and well bugger me if I didn't end up with an ambient sci-fi theme on my hands!

Not complaining.

Have to get back to what I was supposed to be doing, Brill Part 2 (as it is now) ..

16 January 2007

The Drone

Pieced together the introductory drone for Brill.

And then realised, after locking down Title Track exactly to the original vision, I have no idea how to arrange this one.

15 January 2007

Beating, Not Drumming

After a week or so of work in the studio .. Title Track now has a completed arrangement and revamped ending.

Plus the drums have been tracked! It's an intense waltz that runs at a relaxed pace. So a fine challenge for the poor chump on drums.

Next up is the single edit, guitars and bass, plus pre-production on the next track on the electric tie rack, Brill.

14 December 2006

Magic Note

Work on Title Track continues. Stumbled on the magic note that glues together the restatement of the intro with the bridge. Which all follows the typically Tunisian middle section which I'm yet to flesh out. Except in the single edit where there'll be no room for the middle section or the second intro.

It's wrecking my head.

7 November 2006

Title Track (next album)

I found myself listening to the Yes "Big Generator" sessions again.

It's fascinating to hear the Trevor Horn-produced works-in-progress. The basic tracks are there, the frilly bits around the edges are still being worked out, the possibilities are endless, and it's fairly clear that nobody yet has figured out (or agreed) where or how to stop.

There I found a slightly disturbing parallel with the Title Track of the next Tunisia album. I'm recording it. Still. Have been for months.

At least in my case, the benevolent dictatorship of Tunisia is doing exactly what it wants!

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Under Deconstruction

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Two False Idols
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