Tag: Camera Obscura

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21 Jan: studio

SHERMAN
Pete McDade – drums

MYSTERY COVER SONG
Pete McDade – drums
John Cerreta – Vox organ, Clavinet

Tonight represented (barring the return of “Mr. Mysterio” to the track list) the last two songs. Meaning, every song intended for the CD has some part of it complete. It may not seem like much, but for a CD that was begun in October of 2000 it means a lot.

Pete came in to do the drums for both songs. Having him on most of the final songs has been great, not just because I love his playing, but because I think it’s helped add some cohesiveness to the process, if nothing else. Having him there makes it almost a band project, rather than the string of hired guns it started out as. He nailed the drums to SHERMAN in a couple of takes (having never heard it before), the other song in about 2 or 3. John did the organ work for the mystery song and he also played around with the Wurlitzer while SHERMAN was playing back, leading me to realize that will be the song that has the Wurly all over it. Damn, but it sounded good. I did the vocals for both in 1 take, the backing vocals for song #2 in 1 take with a few bits and pieces added in afterwards.

The cover song was done a little looser than anything else has been, just because it’s meant to be an extra track that’s a little light-hearted. This particular song seems to have suffered a fair share of musical abuse from the Million Box since we started playing it. An atonal, existential version keeps popping up in rehearsal, and in the studio an impromptu “sexy” version of it appeared, which may or may not see the light of day.

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updates

It’s just a little over a year since we started work on this CD, and for the first time we stopped and ran through everything we’ve done up to this point, to see what remained.

The songs, in no particular order, and what’s left to be done on them:
Fine – the ending needs something added. Unsure what as of yet.
Hitchcock Blonde – keys, solo
Jeff Lynne – violin, cello, low chorus-like vocals
King Sham – solo, keys, additional backing vocals
Now Wait For Last Year – backing vocals, guitar, keys
Little Plum – clarinet, piano
Overture – guitar, keys
Hey, California – everything but drums
Fall Down – everything but drums
Entr’acte – done

Still left to begin:
“Sherman,” “While Supplies Last,” and the mystery cover song. And then deciding which song doesn’t make the cut.

We also did the vocoder parts for “Jeff Lynne,” so it was nice to get that out of the way. And I did two station IDs for XM Radio, I did these goofy 15 second ukulele songs to be played before whatever song of mine they’re playing (which, I believe is “Guy Fawkes Day”). I got 57 plays last month, not too bad, especially since they report to BMI.

I also came to a realization today that I like having both options for shows. I like the fact that I have full-band, electric shows, and simple, quieter acoustic shows. The acoustic shows are going to be getting a shot in the arm come early next year, as well.

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15 Nov: studio

NOW WAIT FOR LAST YEAR
Me – vocals
Rob – bass, guitar, some keys
John – organ

When I arrived Rob had already laid down the bass and keys. The song already sounded vastly different than it ever had before. But this is a good thing on a song that’s been floating around for so long. I did a scratch vocal so he could do the electric guitar parts.

Then we did tracked the lead vocal. It took me three takes, which I realize now is nothing, but it’s a lot for me. The first take was alright, but we decided to try another one and keep the first, too. So we did a second take, at the end of which I told him I wanted to scrap the whole fucking take (it’s on tape). There wasn’t anything glaring on either, but I just didn’t sound like I gave a damn. I suppose I’m a bit preoccupied and I didn’t, really. So we tried one more, and I kept my eyes closed and tried to stop thinking. It was a much better take so we stuck with it.

John then did some organ work. It’s not too far from done, really, it needs some backing vocals, and maybe a few odds and ends.