At this point we may have recorded all of the instrumental parts. I mean, we reserve the right to add a trombone here or a french horn there, maybe a synth part, etc., but for now we have got all the instruments recorded according to the current plan. Next month we’ll work on backing and harmony vocals, but last week we had the legendary Joe Craven over to Goody Sound, where he recorded percussion, mandolin, and/or fiddle on half of the songs slated for the record. As always, rough mixes are produced by David Gans and engineer Jeremy Goody.
Moses
“Moses” features David on guitars, Dan Brodnitz on piano, Myles Boisen on pedal steel and lap steel, Joe Kyle Jr. on upright bass, Joe Craven on mandolin and percussion (tambourine and “trap sounds”), and myself on vocals:
The Long Haired Kings
For “Long Haired Kings” Joe Craven added a sweet mandolin part. This one also has David Gans on acoustic guitar and vocals, Myles Boisen on pedal steel guitar, Javier Navarrette on percussion, Joe Kyle Jr. on upright bass, and myself on ukulele and vocals:
Down to the Mountain
I’ve been posting these rough mixes on Soundcloud and the last two takes of “Down to the Mountain” between them have been played more than 5000 times! Experts agree it’s the piano work.
This sixth rough mix features Joe Craven on fiddle, along with Dan Brodnitz on grand piano, Javier Navarrette on percussion, David Gans on guitar and baritone guitar, Myles Boisen on lap steel guitar, and myself on ukulele and vocals:
The Ghost Door
Joe Craven also added percussion to “The Ghost Door” which has Joe Kyle Jr. on upright bass, Myles Boisen on pedal steel guitar, Robert Wade on acoustic guitar, David Gans on acoustic guitar, and myself on vocals and electric ukulele:
Memory Lane
On “Memory Lane” (lyrics by Peter K. Hirsch), Joe Craven added percussion and played a jaunty fiddle part that gives the whole tune a bit more bounce. Also on the track are myself on vocals and electric and acoustic ukuleles, and Jeremy Goody on bass:
Sham Song
Of the twelve songs we’re recording for this record, only one (“Sham Song”) was left with no overdubs, just the basic tracks (my vocals along with acoustic and electric ukuleles, Robert Wade on bass, and David Gans on guitar) from the original session last October. Now it’s got Joe Craven’s mandolin, and a solo for the instrumental break:
Now on to the vocals!