blueNEWS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 7
The studio version of "Helly" was a trying
tune. Every now and then Mark Mason puts on his producer hat a little tighter than usual
and starts saying things to me like "I'm not feeling the same energy or passion that
I've heard you use when you perform this song live". On the first album the tight hat
song was "Sideways Silverjet". On the new record it was "Helly". Most
of the other songs were nailed very quickly. Rockingbird took about a take and a half. On
the first record "The Final Thing" was pretty much pinned down on the first try.
"Helly" on the other hand took some time. I was instructed to be that
"Helly Guy". I don't think I was sure who he was. This is when studio work gets
frustrating, but overall it's a blessing having a co-producer that knows how to push us.
"Helly" was one of 4 songs Dean played bass on. His style of play altered the
tune slightly, giving it a slightly more soulful flavor. We found ourselves building some
new parts around the improved feel. Towards the end of the song I'm actually reminded a
little of the Stylistics or Delfonics. Put it this way, it's the closest we've come to
that timeless Philedelphia sound thus far. I'm reaching, I know, but still...Hall &
Oates... look out.
Glistening was the only song that I wasn't there for every second of. The final mix down
was done alone by Mark while I slept in trying to kick a illness that came out of nowhere.
Earlier, while doing the vocal tracks I screwed around during some instrumental parts. I
think I was mostly just trying to psyche myself up for the big climax at the end of the
song, but after hearing the playback I noticed that we captured something. Mark kept about
half of it in there. This song wasn't a shoe-in by any stretch of the imagination. It was
a last minute desicion to include it over "She's Gone" and several others. I
really do like how it turned out though and I hope you enjoy it as well.
The last studio track on the album is "Gravity". Another song that has evoked
some interesting conversation. After a House of Blues show awhile back an older woman
approached me and asked, did you sing "He's more like a God than a real thing"?
She told me I should be ashamed of myself. I am ashamed sometimes, but it has nothing to
do with that song. heh, heh. I've used countless biblical and spiritual references in my
songs for a long time. I'm not an atheist whatsoever. I suppose I'm just searching like so
many of us.
On the new album under the CD and clear tray card there is a collection of most of the
spiritual and angelic references I've used in songs over the years. I pieced them all
together. It has a strange flow to it. Soak it in some day soon.
blueNEWS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 7