Not sure if anyone’s reading updates on this site anymore because - along with all of my online concerns - I’ve let this one slip really badly. Anyhoo, in case anyone IS still out there and checking this blog I just wanted to post a quick update re the new Big Ray tracks. Things are actually progressing pretty well given the lack of time and money that anyone involved in the recordings has. Some of the collaborations I’d hoped would happen haven’t panned out so far, but I’ve ended up getting different/new people involved instead, so it’s all good.
We are working on 13 songs; all of which are currently in different stages of readiness.
Rich Matthews is holding the whole thing together on the magic typewriter and contributing some lovely guitar and helping with arrangements.Without him, this whole project falls on its arse.
Marc Maitland, my mate from Blocko and the original You Disgust Me drummer, has been the go-to geezer from skin bashing and has been wonderfully supportive and enthusiastic as well as turning out some excellent performances. It’s really weird working on songs with people who you’re rarely (if ever) in the same room as, but Marc’s been great despite not having spent more than 30 minutes face-to-face going over the songs.
Bass Master General, Paul Duncan, seems to be back in the fold after a mystery disappearance a couple of months ago. We were getting worried about not having a bassist after Paul went AWOL and a couple of replacement types failed to deliver, but now that he’s back the main concern is that he’s toting a ukelele instead of a bass. Yep; a uke. Not that I have a problem with the uke (see “Blue, Red & Grey” by The Who for precedent in that sphere which can’t be fucked with)…..I guess we’ll be having some of that on the album then :-)
Our very good friend, Pete Woodward, formerly of K-Line’s American brothers, The Unknown, has been a hero and a half and has managed to get his band, the Restless Habs (with Eric and Ken) to record the backing for two songs (“All Fired Up” and “Layers”). I’m really hoping Pete can add some guitar to other songs at some point too.
Finally, Rupert Coulson, the man who has engineered and produced 90% of everything I’ve recorded in any band since about 1990 is helping out too. This means a lot to me because Roop’s been a one of the few ever-presents on the Big Ray albums and the fact that he’s willing to get involved again makes me very happy. He was in the studio yesterday working on the back for one of the tracks and I can’t wait to here what he’s come up with.
OK, that’s it for now. I’ll post more when there’s something to crow about.
-
edwennmusic posted this
