Gimme Some Truth
Onward and forward. Middle of week 3 of making the record. Week one was all of Perkins' drum tracks, and week two was my guitar tracks and the beginning of vocals. I've now sung everything except for "Left To Lose". Sang "Said You'd Be" today, as well as finishing "Bloody Mary". Now Ryan will look at all the takes I sang of each part, and use the best bits to make a "comp" version of each song. This doesn't mean it's the final, set-in-stone version, but we know where the song is standing, and still have time if a lyric needs to change, or a part could be sung better, etc. So far, I am very excited with how it is sounding. Tomorrow Dave comes in and begins adding the Navarro factor. After he does a couple days work, I go back in and sing what is left to sing, and begin work on harmonies. Then Chris will come in and lay down the finished bass. At that point we should have one last week to use to finish up. We'll take a look at what we have all together in context, and look at maybe recording one or two more songs. I am hoping that we track "Listen" which we were working on right before we went into summer hibernation mode. It would make a great epic jam to close the record.
wait
the rain will come and soon enough
to wash away all that we've loved
here it comes
listen
The process is really going smoothly and I am enjoying myself immensely. Beside my eleventh hour complete lyric overhaul of the songs, which sometimes gets me a little freaked out, all is moving steady and strong. As usual, I am not sleeping well, and it's mainly my fault. I should be putting myself to sleep and getting my damn body clock all set, but I keep staying up. That's my way. Really having the lyrics done and finalized has been obsessing me somewhat, and usually late at night. There is an all too fine line between making something better and leaving well enough alone.
Ryan brought in the coolest video on Saturday: "Gimme Some Truth", the free-form documentary of the making of John Lennon's "Imagine" record. So great - they did it at he and Yoko's estate with Phil Spector producing. It was the 70's, so all the musicians playing on the record looked exactly the same. Like Charles Manson, or Jesus. John seemed so happy to be making music, and the "fly on the wall" vibe of the film is great. A perfect way to start a day singing the songs for our record.
Ah, check this out: I have my desktop picture on a randomizer that changes every hour, and the cover of "Abbey Road" just popped on. Nice.
Comments
Sometimes shit is just a bit too freaky. Just last night I was on Alan White's web page who was the session drummer for 3 songs off of "Imagine". http://alanwhite.net/biography.html
Alan is someone that I had the great pleasure of meeting and is truly a kind soul. One of the few musicians I've been nervous being around. I mean, my God, dude played drums on Imagine! Another freaky thing. I was driving on Sunday and found myself ALMOST in front of the high school that Chapman went to. I say almost cause I refuse to drive in front of it-stopped in the middle of the road, turned around, and went about 10 miles out of my way to go around it. I just can't drive in front of it. I know it's silly but I won't do it. Freaks me out.
The Navarro Factor. Sounds like a series on Fox, but it's one hella factor to be around. I am so fucking happy for you folks! Godspeed to get done. Imagine all the people, cheering on the World....
Posted by: Lyn | September 27, 2005 04:10 AM
I clicked on the I. It made me smile. You're good like that. Carry on.
~Bonita
Posted by: Bonita | September 27, 2005 08:23 AM
It's more like "Hay yay yay...This music is driving me nuts."
Great news on the album. Feel free to "leak" a couple versions of songs now and again.
Posted by: Mike | September 27, 2005 10:54 AM
Steve-Sing your heart out on those tracks.
Posted by: Brett | September 27, 2005 12:08 PM
That song is more annoying than that song from Lambchops...
'This is the song that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friends...' AAAHHHHHH
Posted by: Simon | September 27, 2005 02:12 PM
March 15, 2004
There is a blueprint an Abbey road if you will, for each and every human being to follow throughout their lives...
Whether it be a message in a song, tv show,
a cars license plate, or an inanimate object that guides you...
This carefully laid out map is
there waiting to be discovered...
sleep steve... golden slumbers
Posted by: sexsinger | September 27, 2005 03:43 PM
hey steve
i've been reading your blog for a quite awhile now and this is my first ever comment!
i was wondering what your thoughts are about drugs and creativity...
i can't seem to stop my mind long enough to really relax and create. the only solace i have is to smoke pot or something similar.
from your posts i assume your straight-edge.
is this true?
i've read the power of now and was blown away by it but i can't seem really get into the now. i think that's the only solution
to my problem...
do you have any advice????
please please respond =)
Posted by: gabe | September 27, 2005 06:12 PM
Hi Steve,
I'm a musician myself, and am curious as to why you are recording again...haven't you already done the record? I love the version of Bloody Mary that was on the Panic Channel radio at 6767.
I like your lyrics, too. I am in a couple of bands, and find myself trying to avoid your 'plastic friends' idea (it keeps popping into my head when I'm writing).
Anyway, can you tell me why you revisited all the tracks? Did the label want that? Was it just that you felt you wanted to redo everything after it percolated for awhile?
Seems like you guys have been in the studio for a million years, and I'm anxious to hear the record!
TPC fan in New York
Posted by: alex | September 28, 2005 11:58 AM
Sounds like great fun for you these days. I'm curious, why have Chaney lay down his tracks last? Most folks have the Bass and Drums down before Guitar. Does it allow more freedom for creativity for you, DN, and Chris? Or is it that the method Josh prefers?
Posted by: Mike C. | September 28, 2005 10:32 PM
Missed seeing/hearing you tonight =( I admit I was defintely hoping for a little cameo appearance ;) Oh well, I s'pose I can wait until November. Keep up all the good work!
Abbey...I mean Abby ;)
Posted by: Abby | September 30, 2005 04:10 AM
Steve's site Gizoogled:
http://sites.gizoogle.com/?url=http://steveisaacs.typepad.com/
Posted by: Caffeinated Sue | September 30, 2005 08:39 AM
I love that Abbey road theory! Gotta go figure out what my blueprint is now...
Posted by: drew | September 30, 2005 11:22 AM
Steve-Hope all is well & that you are getting some sleep. Looking forward to the next post. Have great weekend......
Posted by: Brett | September 30, 2005 05:12 PM
Your very own haunted mansion, anybody?
Posted by: Abby | September 30, 2005 09:22 PM
'ello mate!
Hope all is still flowing. Glad the music is going full throttle...
Vic
x
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | October 1, 2005 10:46 AM
Hey Steve!
: )
Posted by: Adriana | October 4, 2005 03:42 PM
Steve-Kate Bush has a new album coming out on Nov 7th called AERIAL. So how are the studio decorations coming along?
Posted by: Brett | October 4, 2005 04:34 PM