Getting Busy

Booked a band called Viva La Vox today.  A three piece.  Real rockabilly.  Think Stray Cats on steroids. 

Went to help tweak the P.A. at a club called Propaganda today.  What a mess.  Whoever wired this rig should have their head examined.  A crossover running into a crossover.  Compressors into compressors. Everything was redundant. And; because of that, none of the Eq made any changes in the program.  I suggested rewiring the system.  That way the redundancy could be eliminated.  They had some primo old gear.  UREI EQs and DBX 166 compressors.  Can't wait to see what they can do and show the rig some justice.

John is playing there next week with Mike Dunn and the Kings of New England.

Working on the guitars for "tropical depression".  I have begun to notice a leit motif of "heroes" and" freedom" as a theme.  The reference pops up in several songs.  I wonder what my shrink would say.  

Going to record the drums and bass for the new Storch Brothers CD on Saturday.  Bill Meredith is back in town and the guys can move forward now. 

Came to the realization today that I need to get on with my life get busy doing instead of waiting. Nothing is fair and we play the cards we're dealt.  But, time doesn't wait. I have too much to do to wait any more. I have been lazy far to long and it's my time. 

blackfinger video shoot and gay pride parade

What a wild day. Left the house at 9:30 a.m., in a cute little dress greg picked out last night, for the Lake Worth Gay Pride parade. Blackfinger had a float, actually a rolling stage, so they could film a video for their new CD "Where's my parade". It was a hoot. Six little girls about eight years old came up and said "we like your dress, mister. Is it Laura Ashley? A man walked up at Starbucks and said it was nice I could finally come out. Another, seductively, said he liked my chest. I thanked him. Several people complimented my dress and my neighbor said he never saw me look quite so lovely. A man in a clown suit came up and said "hey marc". I noticed it was my friend martin. A rather angry looking redneck scowled at me, as if to say...faggot. I was having a ball. What a day, bead throwing queers, dikes on bikes, bondage lovers. The best was when the cops took away a few haters with signs saying that homo love is dangerous to national security. They had bullhorns and big placards smeared with their doom bullshit. The crowd roared with glee when the cops took them away. It was epic.

Next we went to GSTAR school for the rest of the video shoot. GSTAR is where RADIOHEAD shot their Grammy nominated video. The backdrop was perfect. The weather cooperated long enough and the shoot went great. I met several new friends today. That was the best part. I also learned that I like the feel of a skirt. I've never felt so free and cool.

Thanks Lori for the pictures. Can I be a "groupie house" member if I keep wearing my dress? Hope you feel better.

tropical sessions

Had a great night recording with BLACKFINGER tuesday. Finally got great bass and drum tracks for "circling the drain" and "heroes". Jesse played his ass off on the drums. Clocking in at 156 bpm, "heroes" put a wicked sweat stain on his clothes. Greg did an unbelievable GE Smith impression running the rythym section through its paces.

Our piano went a hair flat, last week, so we called CHAFIN MUSIC and had Jeff come over and tune both elegbaland pianos. The studio's upright sound real nice again. Funny how a few months can wreak havoc on a piano.

Going to do a promo for SUNFEST with Griffin Anthony here at eland for channel 5. Should prove interesting. His new songs sound real different from the usual elegbaland fare. John always brings out the best in an artist.

John got the best bass tone i've heard yet last night in a magical moment with Dan Bonebrake. We are so lucky to have such top tier talent around here.

Going to do scratch vocals tonite for the songs I mentioned earlier so we can layer on the guitars. I am so ready to play electric guitar again. Haven't done much lately, what with all the other guitar slingers around here.

Don't miss Blackfinger's video shoot at the Lake Worth Gay Pride parade this Sunday at 11:30 am. Wear your most outrageous clothes and help the boys out. Follow up shooting will be done to follow at GSTAR (they did the RADIOHEAD video there). All freaks please attend. They already have a bunny, some drag queens and more.

I also want to thank God for my Muse. What did I do to deserve such divine inspiration?

Till later, keep the tape rollin. Marc

Also Nik send me an e-mail address and I will send you a copy of the song I told you about.

Tropical Depression

Wow what a weekend session. Not much recorded but a great start on my songs. I know where I am going now.

First, to Nik, the band helping me record (blackfinger) just recently recorded a song for the south florida roller derby girls. You should check out blackfinger on myspace. I will try to forward you a copy. It mentions all the girls by name. It is a rockin song. The girls go to many of their shows too!

Now, about the weekend. Greg played an incredible organ part for my song "lies we tell ourselves". We worked on tone for an hour or so, but the key was his use of the leslie. I love the way it speeds up and ramps down in certain parts. He also played the drums. Sean Fernandez came in and laid down the bass in about two minutes. He is so *&%$#$ good. In the afternoon, Andy McAusland come over and played the guitar. I love his part. He has so much feel.

John came over and edited the bass and reamped the drums and the vocal. I love the way he hears things. The piano is little ol' me. I also got to do the tamborine solo, haha.

Jesse Dalton is coming over tuesday night to record the rythym tracks to "circling the drain" and "heroes" with Sean. I love the tempo of them. 'Heroes" has a very WHOish sound while "circle" sounds like exile era STONES.

Again, thanks to Blackfinger and John for helping me get this baby off the ground. It's been a long time coming. Marc

This Weekend

I love recording music. I love recording my own even better. This weekend I get to do both. I hope I don't get so manic that I drive everyone who is participating away.

John's Silvertone U1 will get a workout. I plan to use it on two of the three songs. My 64 "custom shop" Firebird 1 will also be on hand. I hope to have some of the slide parts played on it because I love it's tone. It is still the single loudest guitar I have ever heard. I'm sure new papa Andy McAusland could do the "Johnny Winter" on it with no problem.

Speaking of slide, as I walked outside Elegbaland last night, I heard John playing slide on our 1940's Rickenbacher lap steel. What a cool moaning sound it was.

Probably won't blog this weekend because I will be too wrapped up in the session. Shouldn't really matter cause don't think many folks are reading this anyhow. Till Monday, have a great weekend all

Microphones

Had a dude ask me what microphone I use to record with today and he looked real puzzled when I told him I use several different mics.  But "what about a guitar cab", he said.  That brings me to this blog's point, the situation selects the microphone.

 If I want punch, for instance, I will use a dynamic mic say an Audix I5 or a shure SM57.  Perhaps even a Heil PR30 or a EV 635A (the Hammer). If I want the room I might use a ribbon mic like a Cascade Fathead of Vinjet .  Deeper in the room I might use a short dual ribbon such as a Cascade Radiator or an Oktava MA 52-02.  If I want a more "in your face" tone I might use a condenser such as a AKG 414B-LS , a Blue Blueberry or even a Audio-Technica 4033.  I don't usually use small diaphram, I save those for acoustics, pianos and hi-hats.  For a big round sound, nothing beats a tube mic.  I often use our Peluso P12.  I think God has all Peluso mics in his church.  

Don't forget mic placement is crucial to a good tone.  If you use multiple mics, it can make a great sound or kill a recording.  Phasing is an engineers nightmare, but, if you follow a few simple rules, you can be a tone king. 

One more thing, and a big one at that, a mic can only reproduce what it hears.  If you start with great tone, you'll end with great tone.  If you start with shit............ 

Twice as good

Still can't figure this darned thing out. Got duplicate pix of Ron instead of the pic of John. Oh well.  Ron's cool enough to look at twice.  Started a new wall I'm having everyone who plays here sign.  John put a crown over his name.  If he's the king I claim the title "Royal Jester".  I am the Joker.. Coo Coo Ka Chew.

all's well that ends well

Made nice with my buddy and feel much better now.  Is it really in the past though, hmmmm?

Finished storch rehearsal.  Can't wait to start recording it now. Here's some more pix of John Bill and Ron 

Storch rehearseal

Sitting in the control booth while the storch bros band rehearse.  This is why I love my studio.  This is pure magic They are still my favorite songsmiths. I could listen to "It ain't gonna rain till we need it" all night.  And, it's very possible I just might.  No sounds like "Lonelyville" is up next. 

Installed an Arp synth in the studio today with John. We are getting a shitload of cool synths.  We have a Roland JP8080, a Nord, a Yamaha CS1X<>

The rain looks to be back.  My feet got wet today at work and I think my core temp dropped to 78 degrees.  Did a real shit thing at work today and feel like a jerk.  Lost the trust of a great friend and don't know what to do to make good.  So I got that going for me.  Sometimes you can't take stuff back. Remember that.

Super excited about this weekend. Got Marie Nofsinger on board for the session today.  How cool is that.  

strange guest and strange non-guest

Began working on "TROPICAL DEPRESSION" in earnest today.  Most of the scratch tracks are done and it's time to begin the process of layering on the instruments.  Did scratch guitar and vocal for "Heroes".  I like that big jangley "Can't explain" guitar tone.  Nothing like spankin a silvertone  U1 through a BLAZE LIGHTNING (think clean top boost AC15).  One of the best purchases i ever made for recording guitar was the RADIAL JDX.  No phase problems, just pure unadulterated tone.   

John is back this evening recording Griffin Andrews, I guess thats kind of like andy griffith in reverse. HA HA. 

Jeff Merkling coming over tonight to work up some live songs to play.  I am going to do some Hank Williams.  I'm on a Hank kick.  Gonna try Lost Highway and Your cheatin' heart.  Songs my dad used to sing when i was young.  Man my dad could play his ass off and boy could he sing.  Ah what memories. 

 Also someone or thing has been eating the fish from our pond.  We have tried all sorts of barriers, nets chicken wire.  They keep disappearing.  Could this little green man be the culprit? Stay tuned, Marc

Six degrees of separation

Met John's younger brother the other day. He was in town and they were going to see the Mets play spring ball in Port St. Lucie. John is a huge baseball fan. Well it's a small world, my bestest freind Lori has a nephew who plays in the Mets organization. His name is Bobby Parnell. Well I woke up this morning and opened the New York Times and, low and behold, there was an article stating that Bobby will probably make the major league roster. Apparently he is one of their hottest young pitching prospects. Well congratulations from Elegbaland Bobby. Knowing Lori, and her unbridaled family pride, she must be gushing! By the way, Bobby was the last Met pitcher to throw a pitch in Shea stadium. Quite an honor.
John and Jeff are laying down drum tracks today on the "Wild and Free" sessions. Yesterday I was treated to an encore of Jeff playing his thighs through a Blueberry into an Api pre (must be to accentuate the lows). What a great idea. All buttons in on the MC77, you engineers know what I mean. Good to see John "Rockin", and I do mean "Rockin". John has a special way in a studio, but when he's with his closest friends, it kicks it up a notch.
"Painting the town" got bumped from the first three songs in favor of "Heroes". I always heard "Heroes" as a band song and am happy Greg thinks it's worthy of his Blackfinger mates. Very happy to be back playing guitars that plug in. There is something very empowering about a Pete Townsend power chord. Hope I still remember how.
God bless the muse. Still the reason we make song!

Tropical Depression looms in West Palm area

Spent first night weeding out material for album with Greg. Decided to start with "heroes" rather than "painting the streets" as painting may have to be edited from its three day long format. Greg says its probably not good to start record with a song that's longer than most albums. Nobody ever said I was short winded. Really excited about this coming weekends session with the guys from Blackfinger and hopefully Marie as well. As producer Greg has come up with some great ideas for the songs structures and flow. John has been doing some big game hunting at home with Nico. Can't wait to see the taxidermied head over the mantle. Off to work now, it's my call weekend at the trauma center. Never any shortage of self inflicted injuries to take care of after a south Florida friday night. Till tonight, Marc

friday nite at elegbaland

Running off tracks to give Greg to listen to before we start laying down "TROPICAL DEPRESSION".  I am so excited I could scream.  Pinch me, is this real.  The friends that have volunteered to play on my project is staggering.  Greg Lovell, Andy McCausland, Sean Fernandez, John, Marie Nofsinger, Jeff Merkling its unreal.  There's a lot more too, Jeff, Susan, Dan, it is all to insane for me to fathom.  I am starting with "Circling the drain",  "Lies we tell ourselves" and "Painting the town".  I feel these are some of the best songs I have ever written and can't wait to hear what others think.  I'm also real jazzed about the possibilities considering Greg and John are off scale at producing a song. Funny enough they are all piano driven songs.  I feel a certain comfort level writing on piano and John has taught me some real cool piano inversions.  He also is trying to break me out of ABAB; and, introduced me to the bridge.  Greg has begun to show me counter-melodies and I feel like I am reaching the next level in my composing.  It is also time to retune the old piano.  Manfred should stop by this week to fix that.  I've grown spoiled having the piano tuning guy live down the street. Anyway time to cut this blog and get back to work. Till tomorrow  Penny Lane is in my ears and in my heart.  Marc   

elegbaland amps

common misconceptions in recording electric guitar

Today i want to talk about recording guitars.  Some people are under the impression that to get a good guitar sound it must be loud in the studio.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  Cranked up stacks in the room only give you tinnitus and send the neighbors running for cover.  Ever hear the Kinks "You really got me"?  All recorded on a 5 watt Elpico amp.  How about Neil Young, he records everything thru a 15 watt Fender tweed Deluxe.  The key is not volume but tone.  Here at Elegbaland we have collected some of the finest tube amps around.  The secret, manageable wattage levels.  For a variety of styles and tones we have several options.  Joe Ianeri at Blaze amps has outfitted us with some of the best amps around.  We have a Blaze lightning (a 15 watt Matchless lightning boutique clone).  We have a 15 watt Blaze Marshall clone and a 18 watt tweed deluxe (the Neil Young sound).  Joe made John a 12 watt amp we call Jenny.  Based on an old Supro, it has the best distortion slew rate of any amp we have ever heard.  Just listen to Blackfingers "Where's my parade" CD and you will know why.  At Jackson Browne's studio he has his Dumble sound that you just can't duplicate elsewhere, well we have Jenny.  We also have a 65 Deluxe reverb (original) and a 62 blonde Bassman (also original).  My Vox Pacemaker (1963) has the best tremolo in town. Our old Harmony (5 watts) is John's baby.  If they were smart they would sponsor him. Want fuzz? We have an L&M Sound Reader that produces the squarest wave ever, and just 3 watts. Mics don't know the difference.  How about John's new amp de jour, a 1964 Gibson Starfire.  Need reverb? John and i own two Fender reverb tanks (one a real 63). Joe at Blaze built us a point to point wired all tube reverb tank that is also the same circuit as the Fender tanks, but also added the vibrato section of a Vibroverb.  Earvana.  Still can't live without the volume, we have a Blaze 50 watt plexi and Johns Fender Super Six.  There's also an assortment of Fenders and even the odd Sano ( think Vox AC15).  An assortment of cabs is available for all the amps, 1x12, 2x12, 2x10, 4x10, and 15.  My point is, if you want great tone and no problems getting it, Elegbaland is the place to be.  Thanks for listening, tomorrow well talk about the rest of the recording equation. Thanks for listening,  Marc

recording electric guitrs

Some of John's "top secret" settings.  Can you tell which ones?

protools

cant figure out this picture edit function but the pics are from top Keith Michaud, Jason Misrahi, Daisy, Andy McCausland, Greg Lovell and Marie Nofsinger. Sorry for the mix up.

Some of my favorite folks

Just returned from the doctors and was diagnosed with a case of GAS (gear acquisition syndrome). He could tell from the gouge in my wallet.  Turns out he plays guitar and he asked me what recording pre's i had at elegbaland. I asked why and he said he had a mackie board the he ran into calkwalk.  I told him at the studio John and I have TOFT, APOGEE, UNIVERSAL AUDIO, PM 1000, LANGEVIN, API and VINTECH.  He almost choked and came up with his diagnosis for my financial pain immediately.  He was certain when we started to talk compressors and limiters.  I have been put on a strict diet of no ebay or mail order fliers.  John hid all the catalogs and i find myself rummaging thru technical manuals. Is there no hope.  Listening to "Lonelyville" as Storch Bros record in the main room, I wish I was that good.  What a great song.  Well till later, work to do now kids, Marc P.S. tommorow we go back to work on my "Tropical Depression" album. Can't wait to see Greg again. Hope he has some good ideas.

Great night playing with Jeff.  After we played our John Prine songs, Marie's boyfriend Phil played two more Prine songs and then Suzanne Cannon played one of his too.  Turned into a regular Prinefest.  Tonight going to record the Storch Bros.  Ron Desaram is back playing with them and they sound great.  Bill Meredith will be doing the drums.  The seven songs i heard last time are great songs in a classic Beatle/Stones way.  Maybe if I'm sly i can sneak in on the piano.  Played John's J45 last night and fell in love with it.  Going to ambient record the room tonight with a Peluso P12 tube mic into the Universal Audio 610 tube mic pre and then a Summit Audio DCL200 tube compressor.  I want a nice warm round sound they isn't too edgy but breaks up nicely when pushed.  That way the room ambient sound will compliment the style of the music the band is playing.  One thing i love about the equipment here is the sonic character all the different combinations offer.  I hate using plug-ins.  I like the T Bone Burnette style of getting a great sound during the record phase.  I guess I'm spoiled because now i know what an acoustic guitar should sound like.  I use to fight the room, it was my enemy.  But now we have a symbiotic relationship, I've learned to love and respect her, to listen to her close. Her nuances add to her beauty.  Inside her I'm like a man in a glider.  Our choice of gear has been a result of this process and John and I have the best stuff around, check out the pics, API, UA, VINTECH, PURPLE AUDIO, EMPIRICAL LABS, TOFT, APOGEE, SUMMIT AUDIO, ALTEC, LANGEVIN, JBL, YAMAHA 32 channel PM1000 console. 

Going to open mic nite today with my friend Jeff Merkling and gonna play John Prine/Steve Goodman songs. Souveniers and Please don't bury me. Should be fun. Haven't played with Jeff since Hillbilly Heart and am looking forward to it. Will also play "everybody said" from Hillbilly Heart album. John's in the studio with the boner layin down bass tracks for "Wild and Free" project. He seems incredibly jazzed about the project and that makes me very happy. He's running around like a mad scientist, hair all in shambles, goodwill clothes, guitars taped together, and always humming or singing. It's a trip. I've never met anyone who could make any instrument play a song. Our studio looks like a spider web, keyboards plugged into guitar amps into ribbon mics into tube pres into compressors its madness. I love this life.

Elegbaland outside, John, Hope and Mikey and Raney

Memories are a good thing. Here are a few of mine Raney,

guitars

guitars are my passion. i never met a guitar i didn't like. i am the Will Rodgers of guitars. Lately guitars have begun to multiply around here. What started out as a harmless obsession has grown into a self fulfilling prophesy. John and my guitar collection has reached the absurd. We have more guitars harbored here than at many so called "guitar stores". As john arrived for a session last night, with two more guitars under his arm I decided to make a list for posterity (and our insurance company). This is what i saw without looking under any beds, just counting guitars in plain sight. Our rack has a 76 Ovation Viper, new Hutchins, 77 Fender Mustang, 77 Fender Strat, 57 Fender Strat reissue with Lawler PU's, 51 Broadcaster relic, 73 Tele with bigsby, 68 Gibson Les Paul, Gibson 58 ES335 dot neck reissue, Guild Bluesbird, Rickenbacker 610-12, Danelectro baritone, Fender Jazz bass 62 reissue, Silvertone u1, two Silvertone "amp in case" models, Hofner banjo, 77 Dobro square neck, Dobro d33 round neck, Alvarez 12 string, Taylor 450, Taylor K22, Gibson J150, Larivee Jumbo, Alvarez D35, Gibson B25, Gibson LG1, Gibson J45 (two), Gibson Sheryl Crow, and a prewar Martin parlor guitar. In cases i see a Gibson 63 Firebird, Epiphone Les Paul, National "lawsuit" Les Paul, Hagstrom Impala, Rickenbacker lap steel, and a Roy Smeck lap steel. A sunburst Harmony hangs while the Harmony Rocket owns a case. Perhaps i'll go over to John's later and count the ones there. I love each and every one of them as i'm sure john does too and while we do have our favorites, we actually use them all. Remember, while some guitars may sound or play beter than others, the true gift they bring is their unique sonic character and the inspiration they provide. I have never met a guitar that did not have a song or two hidden away inside. God bless them every one. Thanks for listening, Marc

Tools

Hi. Photos for you.

Mike Dunn

 Also don't forget to check out MIKE DUNN and the KINGS of NEW ENGLAND

wild and free at elegbaland

busy times here at ELEGBALAND but it always is when JR gets an idea. I will be searching for spare room to put all the cases for the recent guitar arrivals. John doesn't travel light if you know what i mean. On this session he showed up with a 1960's LG-1, a 60's B25, an Alvarez 12 string, and plenty of tape to compliment the J150, K22 Taylor, his trusty Larivee, and an 70's Alvarez 6 string. We have recently begun liking the sound of the DISTRESSOR on some of the ambient acoustic tracks, a neat little trick John and my nephew Mike came up with to add punch to drum tracks. I also fell in love with Bonebrake's new bass. That dude has the best gear around. Had a great discussion with Rob about religious philosophy, a subject i will never tire of. We'll talk more after he watches RELIGIOUSITY. Working with Greg Lovell on my new songs for my "TROPICAL DEPRESSION" album. Daisy seems to like the acoustic guitars and piano parts but could care less about the drums. At least during the recording phase. Speaking of drums, they suck to record,so many ways to mess up. After lots of trial and many errors we have finally come up with an unbelievable combination of mics, pre's and compressors that seem to deliver a very true to life recreation of the actual room sound to tape. And that brings me to the point, we now offer something besides the ability to record here at ELEGBALAND, a distinct sound that is all our own. The unique combination of equipment, room and technique has evolved into our own "SOUND". Seattle has a sound, Athens has a sound, Muscle Shoals has a sound and now ELEGBALAND has a sound. Thanks to all ( you know who you are) and especially Charles Dye for getting us to that point. And most important thanks to all our patrons for making this all possible. Peace Marc Ward