It's true. I'm mixing what I have tomorrow.
Phew. Recording is hard work.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
For no other reason than we need a photo here for a change. Too many words.
On of my favorite festivals of all time is the Talkeetna Blue Grass festival, a weekend in the mud camping hippy style, with basically non-stop music. About time for this one back home too. And just so we have a photo, here's one I found while cleaning up my computer- this one is me and my buddy John on-stage in Talkeetna at the Bluegrass Festival.
It's a great festival. And the best part is that there's a musicians camping area behind the stage where everyone hangs out (families too) for the weekend. It's a big communal bar-b-que and always a great chance to meet up with old friends, have a jam in the parking lot and a few beers.
Our last time there we closed the festival with a 1 am time slot. From that slot, we hold the record for noise complaints- 11 MILES away. Great combination of athmospheric conditions and a really honkng PA. It wasn't just me.
Ok, here's a shout out to all the friends back home- see you all in November for the benefit, OK?
That Muse again
I'm a real believer in following things to their natural conclusion, letting songs lead the way. And I've been writing and recording like a mad man for the last couple of weeks. What a surprise to hear all the songs together for the first time and realize what a diverse group of songs this collection is. We're covering the roadmap musically, in ways that reflect some of the travelling I've done. There's a tango, some old country blues, some really mellow old country and folk style songs.
Ok, for better or worse we're almost done. A few more things to clean up and we'll be ready to mix this bad boy.
It's funny, but I'm giving this one to some people I trust FIRST, so I can get a read on the range being too broad, or too mellow or too something. Not sure what that might be, but it's different.
I'm not having a crisis, by the way. I love all these songs. So there.
Ok, for better or worse we're almost done. A few more things to clean up and we'll be ready to mix this bad boy.
It's funny, but I'm giving this one to some people I trust FIRST, so I can get a read on the range being too broad, or too mellow or too something. Not sure what that might be, but it's different.
I'm not having a crisis, by the way. I love all these songs. So there.
If life wasn't complicated enough
I bought a new amp today, it arrives on Thursday just in time to check the valves and head off to Cafe Drummonds for a gig.
What can I say? I love the tone of an old National Lap Steel through a Marshall, and now I own an old 50 watt model. Otta be a killa' me thinks, this new wee bit o' kit.
What can I say? I love the tone of an old National Lap Steel through a Marshall, and now I own an old 50 watt model. Otta be a killa' me thinks, this new wee bit o' kit.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Festival Review from Blues in Britian Magazine
19th Burnley National Blues Festival
Easter Weekend, April 7th-9th, 207
Friday night roared to life with the Son Henry Band at the wheel- a prime example of bar band blues with Son's lap steel really ringing out on "Can't be Satisfied", "Anywhere she lays her head (That's my home)", and (deep breath) Voodoo Chile which featured some blistering slide playing with a great distorted tone. What really lingered though was a great version of Sam Cooke's "A change is gonna come" where the rhythm section dropped down a gear to allow more space for the sounds Son coaxed out of his lap steel. His version put me in mind of guitar players usually associated with the British folk tradition, Martin Carthy or John Renborn, say. Bringing it back home, indeed. Go see them, they'll get your motor runnin'.
Easter Weekend, April 7th-9th, 207
Friday night roared to life with the Son Henry Band at the wheel- a prime example of bar band blues with Son's lap steel really ringing out on "Can't be Satisfied", "Anywhere she lays her head (That's my home)", and (deep breath) Voodoo Chile which featured some blistering slide playing with a great distorted tone. What really lingered though was a great version of Sam Cooke's "A change is gonna come" where the rhythm section dropped down a gear to allow more space for the sounds Son coaxed out of his lap steel. His version put me in mind of guitar players usually associated with the British folk tradition, Martin Carthy or John Renborn, say. Bringing it back home, indeed. Go see them, they'll get your motor runnin'.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Some reflections on the Globe Gig.
I've noticed that the more we rock out, the more CD's we sell. Hmmmm, so much for being a 'pure' blues band I guess. That extra bit of energy seems to play well with normal people.
I suppose it could be a bad, if you were a purist-type of guy. I know bands that are stuck in niches like 1955 jump blues, and that's great. After turning this around in my mind for the last few weeks my take on it is this- I'm a songwriter first, a performer second and a guitar player third. I can't force the songs to come out in a certain specific style, they come into this world fully-formed. Since that's what we take to a gig, well, that's what seems to define the sound. And so we're not an archivist or historical preservation society. It's modern blues, roots music if you prefer, that's a reflection of my life and the times we live in.
Sound like I've been thinking about this? I have. Carrying the label of a 'blues' musician means that I feel honor-bound to be playing blues, and as close to the bone as possible. Truth in advertising. With the new material we're headed off to be more like the 'Glenn Highway Blues' version of the band- more slide, more country blues style stuff and a little less of the lumpy shiffles.
At the end, it'll be what it will. Always follow the muse. Are we a pure blues band? Well, I'll let you decide what you think about that. With this post, I've officially beaten this one to death here.
I suppose it could be a bad, if you were a purist-type of guy. I know bands that are stuck in niches like 1955 jump blues, and that's great. After turning this around in my mind for the last few weeks my take on it is this- I'm a songwriter first, a performer second and a guitar player third. I can't force the songs to come out in a certain specific style, they come into this world fully-formed. Since that's what we take to a gig, well, that's what seems to define the sound. And so we're not an archivist or historical preservation society. It's modern blues, roots music if you prefer, that's a reflection of my life and the times we live in.
Sound like I've been thinking about this? I have. Carrying the label of a 'blues' musician means that I feel honor-bound to be playing blues, and as close to the bone as possible. Truth in advertising. With the new material we're headed off to be more like the 'Glenn Highway Blues' version of the band- more slide, more country blues style stuff and a little less of the lumpy shiffles.
At the end, it'll be what it will. Always follow the muse. Are we a pure blues band? Well, I'll let you decide what you think about that. With this post, I've officially beaten this one to death here.
The songs keep coming
Lord, help me, I'm never going to finish this disk.....
I've been playing with a latin-blues riff in G minor the last few days, and it turned into a full-blown song yesterday. I really like it, and that's a problem, because I want it on the new solo disk. What's a guy to do? Well, record it I guess. We are working against a deadline, because if I want this done by the Dundee Blues Bonanza I need to finish it up and have it ready to ship by Friday.
It'll be a horse-race.
Four songs are complete and I'm happy with them (Solitary Blues, Sackcloth and Ashes, Ball and Chain, Hole in my shoe). There's still a couple that I need to finish singing once my voice recovers from last night's gig at the Globe. And then there is that new one. All together it's a total of 15 songs, 4 done, and the best of the remaining ones will make it on the disk. We're sitting right at 16 minutes of material, and once we have about 35 solid minutes of music we'll be ina position to call it done. My goal is to finish them all and pick the best, and then make the rest of the songs available to the folks on my email list. I'l put them out on my MySpace page too.
We have 4 days to go at this, full-time, next week. We'll make it.
I've been playing with a latin-blues riff in G minor the last few days, and it turned into a full-blown song yesterday. I really like it, and that's a problem, because I want it on the new solo disk. What's a guy to do? Well, record it I guess. We are working against a deadline, because if I want this done by the Dundee Blues Bonanza I need to finish it up and have it ready to ship by Friday.
It'll be a horse-race.
Four songs are complete and I'm happy with them (Solitary Blues, Sackcloth and Ashes, Ball and Chain, Hole in my shoe). There's still a couple that I need to finish singing once my voice recovers from last night's gig at the Globe. And then there is that new one. All together it's a total of 15 songs, 4 done, and the best of the remaining ones will make it on the disk. We're sitting right at 16 minutes of material, and once we have about 35 solid minutes of music we'll be ina position to call it done. My goal is to finish them all and pick the best, and then make the rest of the songs available to the folks on my email list. I'l put them out on my MySpace page too.
We have 4 days to go at this, full-time, next week. We'll make it.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
I must be mellowing in my old age...
I played some of the rough mixes for my toughest critic, yeah, my wife. She's always honest and usually right. She's a tough one though. Her comments? I'm getting mellower, that the songs I played for her were more folk than blues.
Well, that's ok, I didn't play all of it for her. Heh, heh, heh.
There's lots of blues, no worries. But, the songs in question are the ones I get asked about at my solo gigs these days. You guys like the blues stuff fine, I know. But that's not the ones that get requested at the CD table after the show is over.
It'll all end well. A couple more days of cleaning up the audio and then we'll finish the mixing and it's off to duplication before Dundee. Sleep? Later.
Well, that's ok, I didn't play all of it for her. Heh, heh, heh.
There's lots of blues, no worries. But, the songs in question are the ones I get asked about at my solo gigs these days. You guys like the blues stuff fine, I know. But that's not the ones that get requested at the CD table after the show is over.
It'll all end well. A couple more days of cleaning up the audio and then we'll finish the mixing and it's off to duplication before Dundee. Sleep? Later.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Finishing that solo record this week
Well, I spent the morning working on the final guitar tracks for a couple of the songs that go on the solo record. Tomorrow I'm off to the studio to sing a few parts, play one or two bits on the lap steel and then mix it all down. I'm working to get it ready in time for Dundee. Thought I'd have it by mid-June, but it's looking like it may slide a bit longer.
So, here's my question- would you rather have an EP, say, 20 minutes in length that you could bet cheap (something like 5 pounds), or a full length CD (more like 40-50 minutes) that would run you a full 10 pounds?
Just curious. Email or comments welcome.
So, here's my question- would you rather have an EP, say, 20 minutes in length that you could bet cheap (something like 5 pounds), or a full length CD (more like 40-50 minutes) that would run you a full 10 pounds?
Just curious. Email or comments welcome.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Turning Comments back on
OK, we'll try this again. You can comment on posts again. Please feel free!
Last time it ended badly, people posting links for viagra and Malaysian time-shares, that 'My Dad as an oil minister and I need to move 20 million dollars, can I trust you?" email scam that is an insult to everyone's intelligence. Don't do any of that, you'll spoil it for the others.
And while we're on the subject: Don't run with scissors, never post drunk, don't make that face or it'll freeze like that, what part of 'NO' don't you understand?
There. I think that covers all the bases. Sorry about the rant, I feel better. And now you can comment about it! See? It's all for the best.
Last time it ended badly, people posting links for viagra and Malaysian time-shares, that 'My Dad as an oil minister and I need to move 20 million dollars, can I trust you?" email scam that is an insult to everyone's intelligence. Don't do any of that, you'll spoil it for the others.
And while we're on the subject: Don't run with scissors, never post drunk, don't make that face or it'll freeze like that, what part of 'NO' don't you understand?
There. I think that covers all the bases. Sorry about the rant, I feel better. And now you can comment about it! See? It's all for the best.
On the fine art of band directions
I'm tired, bored and under-challenged. Alienated, disgruntled (was I ever gruntled to begin with?) and feeling underwhelmed with all things music these days. And so I write more songs as a cure.
Had a great rehearsal last week where we started assembling some new songs. It's great to throw things at the guys cold because they either *click* and become band songs or the fall face down on the canvas and become solo-set songs. A couple of tunes took a dive last Wednesday, but one or two kept swinging. And now they're in chute to join the set list. Let's face it, they're not all good, some need to fade out. The keepers are *keepers*.
And hey, as much as I love playing in some of the more rock clubs in town, it's not good for our blues playing. They have a natural gravitational pull that takes us away from roots playing, towards that sticky patch of the road with a blues-rock lay-by. Lots of over-the-top stuff. I miss the hip, understated feel of a good blues gig, with all the space. Yeah, there I said it, the loud guy likes silence. After all, it's the spaces that make the groove.
So, today we're looking for a whole new shows worth of funky, swampy tunes with great grooves and hip changes, and insightful lyrics that tell life like it is. Gotta run, time to get away from the computer and get back to work!
Had a great rehearsal last week where we started assembling some new songs. It's great to throw things at the guys cold because they either *click* and become band songs or the fall face down on the canvas and become solo-set songs. A couple of tunes took a dive last Wednesday, but one or two kept swinging. And now they're in chute to join the set list. Let's face it, they're not all good, some need to fade out. The keepers are *keepers*.
And hey, as much as I love playing in some of the more rock clubs in town, it's not good for our blues playing. They have a natural gravitational pull that takes us away from roots playing, towards that sticky patch of the road with a blues-rock lay-by. Lots of over-the-top stuff. I miss the hip, understated feel of a good blues gig, with all the space. Yeah, there I said it, the loud guy likes silence. After all, it's the spaces that make the groove.
So, today we're looking for a whole new shows worth of funky, swampy tunes with great grooves and hip changes, and insightful lyrics that tell life like it is. Gotta run, time to get away from the computer and get back to work!
New CDs
I ended up with a few new CDs this week. G'vt Mule, Ben Harper, Amos Lee and they're all interesting. But my favorite of the pile is the "Boomer's Story" by Ry Cooder. Monster guitar playing, lots of inspiration on that disk.
They're all good disks, but that Ry Cooder one is insanely good. And I guess I need to face up to the fact that I'm not very good at listening to Blues/Rock music.
They're all good disks, but that Ry Cooder one is insanely good. And I guess I need to face up to the fact that I'm not very good at listening to Blues/Rock music.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Since it's my birthday today.....
Yep, it's today.
I really don't want presents. I have lots of things, so I don't need more things. If you want to get something for me, how about this instead? Just do something nice for someone else, doesn't matter who it is or what you choose to do. That's what I want this year.
It's actually the second time that I've flipped this number on my calendar. I *thought* I had this birthday last year too. As it turned out I did the math wrong last year, and I didn't realize it until about a month ago- I woke up one morning like a shot after realizing that I'd slipped a digit. I broke in on my wife in the shower and asked here "HOW OLD AM I?". She had the number wrong too. So it's like getting a whole year to have over again, and I didn't need to be visited by 3 ghosts to do it either! So, take 2 on this year of my life. How cool is that? See? I really don't need a thing, I get a do-over!
Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me. To my creator who''s kind enough to allow me to continue being here for another birthday, thanks! To my mother that had the courage to bring me into this world all those years ago, thanks! And to my dog that let me sleep in to almost 6:30 am on my birthday, well, we need to work on that a little.
Now, off to play with my kids.....
I really don't want presents. I have lots of things, so I don't need more things. If you want to get something for me, how about this instead? Just do something nice for someone else, doesn't matter who it is or what you choose to do. That's what I want this year.
It's actually the second time that I've flipped this number on my calendar. I *thought* I had this birthday last year too. As it turned out I did the math wrong last year, and I didn't realize it until about a month ago- I woke up one morning like a shot after realizing that I'd slipped a digit. I broke in on my wife in the shower and asked here "HOW OLD AM I?". She had the number wrong too. So it's like getting a whole year to have over again, and I didn't need to be visited by 3 ghosts to do it either! So, take 2 on this year of my life. How cool is that? See? I really don't need a thing, I get a do-over!
Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me. To my creator who''s kind enough to allow me to continue being here for another birthday, thanks! To my mother that had the courage to bring me into this world all those years ago, thanks! And to my dog that let me sleep in to almost 6:30 am on my birthday, well, we need to work on that a little.
Now, off to play with my kids.....
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Shetland Blues Festival
That's me then, all sorted for the Shetland Blues Festival this fall. See you there!
At that fork in the road....
At a fork in the road
just south of Mobile
standing in the shade
by an old cotton field
the signs on the road point east and south
but the signs on the road won't help me out
when I'm standing
standing by that fork in the road
it's not indecision that's holding me back
it's a fear of all the information that I lack
to make a proper choice when the road is unclear
in the absence of knowing I'll just stand right here
standing at the fork in the road
Copyright Son Henry, 2007, all rights reserved
So, obviously someone I know has a hard time with big decisions......
On this day....
It's getting obvious that I'm facing major changes in life this week, I think.
It's interesting that, for me, my self awareness comes from looking back at the music I'm writing. Since I've been focused on the 'solo' record lately and writing and recording like a man posessed, the songs are pretty personal. At a subconscious level that's probably because I don't need to run them through the filter of a band, get the tacit approval of other people that's required when a 'me' song becomes a 'band' song. The band songs tend to be pretty non-specific, impersonal ones about not-quite-true or embellished events.
The solo ones are a mirror.
What's interesting to me is that if I'm not aware of what's going on internally, all I need to do is look at the songs and I can find out. So if you were to ask me things like "Am I stressed out about X?" it's likely that I'd have a hard time giving you an honest answer. But, take a look through the song journal these days and I must be stressed out about change, leaving people behind, about the uncertain world we live in, and be looking for some kind of sense of continuity and security. It's all there in the songs this morning.
In otherwords, I'm my normal, deeply moody self. Except that I'm writing songs, lots of them. Most of them you won't ever hear, they're too personal. But some will escape from this prison of modesty if there's something universal in them.
No, I don't need a shrink. I have two- a black book of lyrics and an old six-string guitar. And so, off we go this week to record a few more songs, one or two of which may also make it onto the new record.
But don't worry. It's not a collection of depressing songs. Some of them are actually in major keys.
It's interesting that, for me, my self awareness comes from looking back at the music I'm writing. Since I've been focused on the 'solo' record lately and writing and recording like a man posessed, the songs are pretty personal. At a subconscious level that's probably because I don't need to run them through the filter of a band, get the tacit approval of other people that's required when a 'me' song becomes a 'band' song. The band songs tend to be pretty non-specific, impersonal ones about not-quite-true or embellished events.
The solo ones are a mirror.
What's interesting to me is that if I'm not aware of what's going on internally, all I need to do is look at the songs and I can find out. So if you were to ask me things like "Am I stressed out about X?" it's likely that I'd have a hard time giving you an honest answer. But, take a look through the song journal these days and I must be stressed out about change, leaving people behind, about the uncertain world we live in, and be looking for some kind of sense of continuity and security. It's all there in the songs this morning.
In otherwords, I'm my normal, deeply moody self. Except that I'm writing songs, lots of them. Most of them you won't ever hear, they're too personal. But some will escape from this prison of modesty if there's something universal in them.
No, I don't need a shrink. I have two- a black book of lyrics and an old six-string guitar. And so, off we go this week to record a few more songs, one or two of which may also make it onto the new record.
But don't worry. It's not a collection of depressing songs. Some of them are actually in major keys.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Hanging with Ray
I had a chance to spend some time with Ray Bonneville this week (www.raybonneville.com). Some of you in Aberdeen remember that Ray blew the roof off the music hall 2 years ago as Robert Cray's opener. He's a solo player with a really killer sense of rhythm- foot board, percussive guitar style, great harmonica playing; he's the whole package.
He's also a great guy and a certified road dog. I helped Ray load gear in to the Lemon Tree on Friday morning and then had a chance to sit and talk music for an hour or so. He was really a great help breaking down his guitar style for me (and it's still Chinese math for me), and some equipment. But it was his insights into songwriting that I really enjoyed. If you've heard his songs, you know that he can really put ideas together in a way that's like a painting, very Dylan-esque.
What can I say? A couple of great shows, and a chance to talk shop with a guy like that? Great weekend. Validates why I do this.
He's also a great guy and a certified road dog. I helped Ray load gear in to the Lemon Tree on Friday morning and then had a chance to sit and talk music for an hour or so. He was really a great help breaking down his guitar style for me (and it's still Chinese math for me), and some equipment. But it was his insights into songwriting that I really enjoyed. If you've heard his songs, you know that he can really put ideas together in a way that's like a painting, very Dylan-esque.
What can I say? A couple of great shows, and a chance to talk shop with a guy like that? Great weekend. Validates why I do this.
Solo CD update
Sang all Thursday morning. 8 songs ready to mix. A couple more to go, and then we're off to duplicate!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Flood waters risin up to my door.....
Arrrgh-
Had a plumber doing some work on the house yesterday for my landlord. He managed to drill a hole through a pipe and it leaked all night and day RIGHT DOWN THE BACK OF MY '73 MARSHALL SUPER LEAD. Its ruined.
It's not a drink-spill caliber flood. I drained 3 cups of water out of the amp this morning. 3 cups, and it was still dripping while I dried it off with a hair dryer. Speakers in the cabinet are soaked too.
Yeah, I know, it's not like I lost a finger, it's a 'thing' and it can be replaced. But I was really attached to that thing.
I need a hug. And a new amp. In that order.
Had a plumber doing some work on the house yesterday for my landlord. He managed to drill a hole through a pipe and it leaked all night and day RIGHT DOWN THE BACK OF MY '73 MARSHALL SUPER LEAD. Its ruined.
It's not a drink-spill caliber flood. I drained 3 cups of water out of the amp this morning. 3 cups, and it was still dripping while I dried it off with a hair dryer. Speakers in the cabinet are soaked too.
Yeah, I know, it's not like I lost a finger, it's a 'thing' and it can be replaced. But I was really attached to that thing.
I need a hug. And a new amp. In that order.
Monday, May 07, 2007
New CD available at CdBaby
Finally, the new CD is available through CDbaby. It's a great place to check out the sound clips. Wann go listen? click here and then let me know what you think!
Friday, May 04, 2007
Spikedrivers at the Blue Lamp last night
Another great gig last night, thanks to Chris Simmonds!
My first time to see the Spikedrivers, and I'll go see them again. Interesting instrumentation, great originals and lots of stage presence. All in all a really enjoyable night. I'll post more later.....
My first time to see the Spikedrivers, and I'll go see them again. Interesting instrumentation, great originals and lots of stage presence. All in all a really enjoyable night. I'll post more later.....
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Campbell Brothers on YouTube!
What can I say, sometimes you get something really great on youtube. Check out the Campbell Brother clip, these guys are awesome (and I'm not saying that case I'm from their neck of the woods)
Click Here!
And Here!
Click Here!
And Here!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)