Today we are putting down Agi’s vocals for “The Pink Moon” “Grey Skies” “He’s shooting blanks” with violin on tracks as well as recording a new track which will be just 2 vocals, piano and violin. This material is far more diverse that anything I have done previously and I’m really pleased with progress. We are also doing a photo shoot today while Laurent is in the country with Karen Turner.
Category: The Caravan of Dreams
More recording for “Tales of Dark & Light”
We are back in the studio next week doing more recording for “Tales of Dark and Light” The focus will be mostly on completing two tracks, “Grey Skies” and “The Pink Moon”.
These are two very different tracks. Phil Doleman plays lap steel on “The Pink Moon” and lap steel and banjo on “The Pink Moon” Its an absolute joy to once again have Phil in the recording studio. He is a superb talented thinking musician who always brings something great to the table. “Grey Skies” is a real barnstormer of the track and I hear echoes of Jim Morrison in this recording.
Next week Laurent flies in from France to add violin to both these tracks. Laurent is another excellent seasoned musician who constantly surprises me with his range of playing. I’ll always remember his comment from the last session (in strong French accent) “Nick, I do ten takes for you and you pick what you want” Both myself and Carl Rosamond are then spoiled for choice as to which tracks to use!
Agi will be coming in to add vocals and harmony vocals to both these tracks. She has a terrific vocal range and in terms of harmonies its like working with a female version of David Crosby, quite extraordinary. We usually work up the vocal arrangements on piano and then figure what to bring to the studio. The other track we are looking to record is “Open up” which I have been meaning to record for some time, but have never quite figured the best arrangement. It was originally going to be with
The Small Change Diaries, but its better suited to this project. This will be another stripped back track, possibly with just piano and vocals.
Dave Bowie and Rich Ferdinando have been supplying rhythm for many of the full band tracks and John Burr will be coming into the studio later this month to add harmonica. This is quite different to anything I have recorded to date and many tracks have no ukulele on them. The plan is to do a series of live gigs later this year and launch the album properly in early 2019.
The benefits of working with excellent musicians
In working on the new album “Tales of Dark and Light” I am increasingly aware of the value of working with really excellent musicians. Each musician brings something new to the table and this always produces a much better overall end result. In some instances I have had to reach out to more than my original choice of musicians through circumstances such as my first choice being ill or unavailable for some reason. In other instances I have sought people out that I think will move the music in a dynamic new direction. I’m very flattered that to date none of my requests for musical assistance have been refused.
The Caravan of Dreams Ensemble
On Tales of Dark and Light there are already a large number of musical contributions including three keyboard players, two double bass players, another vocalist sharing vocal duties, a percussionist, a harmonica player, a violinist among others. Dave Bowie stepped in to help out when my usual “go to guy” Adrian Knowles was unwell last year. Dave swooped in to help out with my other band “The Small Change Diaries” album launch last November. I almost imagine Dave as having some kind of cape as he has repeatedly rescued the day. Dave is different to Adrian and his sound reminds me of Herbie Flowers classic bass sound on “Walk on the wild side” He is a really great old school musician who brings terrific expression and feel to the recordings. He can also rock out as is demonstrated by his playing on Dunning Kruger Blues with percussionist Rich Ferdi. They sound like the rhythm section to a great jazz or blues band. Adrian is similarly skilled but brings a different colour to the mix. Both are brilliant musicians and its great to have both on the recording.
Laurent Zeller has been a wonderful addition to the last Small Change Diaries album and even more so is fantastic on Tales of Dark and Light. I’m reminded of Bob Dylan’s Desire period, and “The Rolling Thunder Revue” band from 1975. Laurent brings decades of musicality to the table and is without doubt one of the most creative and fascinating musicians I have met. He is also terrific fun to hang out with. Rich Ferdi is like the Charlie Watts or Paul Motian of the ensemble. He can play with such a great tough that the music can really swing. Probably the biggest difference with the new ensemble is the addition of Agi. She is an exceptional vocalist and is terrific at creating harmonies. Its like working with David Crosby. Everyone who has heard the recordings has commented on the quality of vocals. We are also working on material at an extraordinary rate, faster and with more precision than I have experienced to date. Most tracks are worked out on a uke, but then worked on by transposing across to piano. This is a more forensic way of working than I have done to date and its paying off in spades. I think people will be surprised at how good the new material is and I’m increasingly writing to include her vocal parts.
