SoulThieves had run it's course and I was determined not to record another record for a while. We had done such good work on "Microphone in the Sugarbowl" and it seemed like it would be almost impossible to match it. Jim Ratts- longtime friend, great engineer and musician- along with Greg Carr sort of pushed me into recording again. As we talked, everyone wanted a stripped-down, no frills songwriter album and that sounded like what I wanted to make as well. So, I went to Jim's studio, sat down one night and blasted through 14 songs in one take. It seemed we had some great material and good takes and so it progressed from there.
In the midst of recording, I lost my Grandma Bubbo, one of my best friends Randy and then my Dad- all way too young to die, including Bubbo. I was sued, my contract job ended abruptly, moved a few times- you know, life stuff. Then my dear Uncle Darv and his wife Diana went through some health problems and another family death followed. I was really wiped out. I wanted to curl up in a ball and just play Hockey on the PS2. When I was finished mourning (the Jews called it 'sitting shiva'), I was ready to get back into the game. During that time, I wrote new songs; but I had this album sitting in the studio waiting to be finished. By the time I got back into the studio, my head and heart wanted to fully produce some music and I screwed up by putting backround vocals and changing parts. I listened to it and hated it. It didn't feel the same, the orginal intention wasn't there anymore. The process and the recording of "Handmade" marked a special time in my life so I needed to finish it the way we began. I will be releasing Handmade at some point. |
|
Much love goes out to:
Jim Ratts who engineered and was overall guru when I was a Debbie Downer. Chris Stongle on Drums: He came in and matched the tracks I did in one or two days. Simply awesome drummer. Andy Bercaw on Bass: in my opinion, one of the best bassists and people around. You'll hear him with me again soon. |
|
|
