Recording Journal 2

Yesterday we got started around 3pm. The first song we tracked was "I Don't Believe You", which started out as a kind of light jazz song on the first few takes. As we got going it became a bouncing stomp of a rock tune. Dave & my Dad really made it come alive. Next we tracked "Visions Of Drowning" which we've played for about 4 years now. We recorded two takes. Both sounded good, although I think take 2 was best. We then started work on "Dress Me In Bow-ties" which went amazingly well. We recorded three takes of the song, with take 3 being the best. We all agreed that it was the most fun we'd had recording. It just came together so easily,and we all played very well. Next we recorded four takes of "Hey Now Dana". Dave really laid down some great fills on this one. We then started work on "Old Tack Pianos". We attempted one take but I really wasn't feeling it & my guitar didn't seem to be in tune (no matter how many times I attempted to tune it...) So Jago the producer said lets come back to it. So we then went onto "Mark Twain Boat" which really felt good. Dave started the track off with a 4 bar drum solo/groove, and then my Dad came in with a walking bass line. Really sounded great. Dave's girlfriend Masaya came by during tracking for "Mark Twain Boat". She brought us a salad. I call her Den Mom because she always takes good care of us. She listened as we recorded about 5 takes and then she had to take off. We then decided to take a break and have some salad and then take another shot at "Old Tack Pianos". After our stomachs were full, we laid down 4 more takes of "Old Tack Pianos", with take 4 being the best. We then listened to all 11 songs we had recorded over the last 2 days. They all sound really great. BIG sounding drums, THICK bass. This week I start overdubs: guitars, banjo, bass trombone, percussion, etc. Then this weekend I start vocals. Stay tuned........

Recording Day 2 Photos cont.

Recording Day 2 Photos

Recording Journal 1

Yesterday drummer Dave, bass Dad, & yours truly recorded basic tracks (drums, bass, guitar) for 5 songs. We start around 10:30am, though we were there much earlier setting up and such. The first song we tackled was "Ballad Of A Raincoat", which went very well. We did 3 takes and decided to keep the 2nd as the master. My Dad's bass sound is so huge! I can't wait to hear it all finished. We then went right into tracking "Caroline" which we did 5 takes of. Again we went with the 2nd take as the master. After that we took a 10 min break so the producer could adjust a few things in the studio. We soon went right back into tracking and laid down my favorite sounding song of the session: "All The Good Looking Girls Are Dead" Dave switched to his deep sounding snare, which filled the whole studio (and my heart). My Dad & Dave really fell into the groove of the song and made it amazing. I believe we did two takes & the 2nd was the master. We then started work on "It's Fine", which took a little more time than the first 3. I think this was because we were looking for a high energy take, which we got about the 6th or 7th take. Producer Jago suggested a brilliant snare part on the chorus that really provided the right amount of movement the song needed. Dave overdubbed some additional cymbals. The last song we tracked was "Day Of The Dead". Dave and my Dad gave it a very open and clear sound which we got in 5 takes. Today we start at 3pm, & will be working on: "I Don't Believe You", "Visions Of Drowning", "Dress Me In Bowties", "Old Tack Pianos", & "Hey Now Dana".
I will post some pictures from the sessions tonight.

The Lads

(L to R)
Fender 12 String, Epiphone Acoustic, Turser Bass, Fender Telecaster, Gibson 335, Banjo Bill

The band & I start recording the new record tomorrow. Expect many new posts!

RIP Alex Chilton

Singer/Songwriter of the Box Tops & Big Star.
Major influence on my music.
Here are my 5 favorite Big Star songs:
1. O My Soul
2. Back Of My Car
3. I'm In Love With A Girl
4. O, Dana
5. My Life Is Right

in addition he wrote the theme song to "That 70's Show", although it was featured on their debut album "No 1 Record" long before the sitcom.

New Song: Shipwreck

Shipwreck - B.Bringelson 2010


Download the mp3 here

lyrics:

the ancient walls were cracked and broken
nothing was revealed
the silent shipwreck now has spoken
the letters have been sealed

no no no the water found us
no no no it was all around us
no no no our graveyard is the sea

i don't have time to stand beside you
she once said to me
while on this boat i won't be lied to
i could finally see

no no no the water found us
no no no it was all around us
no no no our graveyard is the sea

we are lost inside a shipwreck, broken bodies with no suspect
the sea is full of foolish things that moon and tide and current brings and
i would wait for you, though you'd never want me to
and i don't know what to say, but a shipwreck sounds ok
cause at least then, you would stay

in the dead of night i sometimes i hear you
in the middle of the sea
and i try so hard to just be near you
why can't you try for me?

no no no the water found us
no no no it was all around us
no no no our graveyard is the sea

we are lost inside a shipwreck, broken bodies with no suspect
the sea is full of foolish things that moon and tide and current brings and
i would wait for you, though you'd never want me to
and i don't know what to say, but a shipwreck sounds ok
cause at least then, you would stay

New Song: It Was Too Late

It Was Too Late

Download Mp3 Here

lyrics:

desperate are you now, you seem to cling because you're lonely
and now your coming to the coast, with awards you've brought to show me
i can see you lying there inside a home i know you hate
taking poems to the pier, but darling now its much too late

it was too late, i should have stayed
i should have never gone with you, but then you said it'd be ok
it was too late, i should have stayed
i should have never gone with you, but then you said it'd be ok

and we said we wouldn't talk about the night we were alone
yet everybody soon found out, you wanted to be known
you tried to break him down you nearly drown him with your words
got everybody talking, tearing photos down to thirds

it was too late, i should have stayed
i should have never gone with you, but then you said it'd be ok
it was too late, i should have stayed
i should have never gone with you, but then you said it'd be ok

now the doctor calls you out but you decide to let him in
with the double life you lead it must be hard to ever win
so everybody gets it, now you have another man
but you better hold him close and tell him secrets while you can

it was too late, i should have stayed
i should have never gone with you, but then you said it'd be ok
it was too late, i should have stayed
i should have never gone with you, but then you said it'd be ok

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