21.05.2010

At last Monday I was well enough to record vocals again. My troubles began some two months ago with a cold that was followed by an annoying chest infection. It's great to hear my voice again and replace the guide vocal tracks with the real lyrics and melodies. I say this because some of the songs are fairly recent and were initially recorded with temporary lyrics that the more the songs developed the more sounded daft. Some of them were strictly meant to give a bit of structure to what would otherwise be just a sequence of chords. Now it really feels like we got the actual songs!

The othe day was surely one of the most intense to date at Soho Studios.
Stuart and I decided to try to record vocals in the console room rather that the live room. After a most enjoyable vocal warm-up during which I played guitar and sang Dylan's I Shall Be Released while Stuart played some great trumpet parts, the lights were dimmed and we were ready for take one.



Stuart's head-torch helped me reading the lyrics on the wall. I look like an explorer, and to some extent I like to see myself as one!


Since my last post the album has definitely taken shape. The playlist is now pretty much sealed. I can now reveal that there'll be 11 songs, and if you've been following this blog by now you should have a rough idea of what the album sounds like. I can say that there'll be many surprises!

Despite the throat problems which prompted me to avoid recording vocals for a few months, I still managed to keep busy recording all sort of instruments. I'm proud to say I've finally fulfilled my life-long ambition, playing ...the wine glasses!




I know I've said many times that you will never see me using a Marshall amp. I must admit that I wouldn't plug my Fender Strat into one of them, but they surely make a great wine glass stand ...and that's pretty much all they're good at!


While we're on the subject, let me introduce you to my new red Fender Strat. Here she is in good company.




She looks great and sounds even better! After many attempts I feel I might have finally found my ideal electric guitar!


Before I go, I'd like to write a few lines about last week's performance at the International Guitar Festival in the South Bank in London. Our Stuart McLean in not only a great producer, performer and sound engineer, but he's a great promoter too, as he put together a great line-up for the Sunday stage at the Foyer on May 16th.
I was honoured to be asked to be part of the line-up. For the occasion I invited my great friend and top guitarist Gianluca Corona to accompany me. Together we performed in front of a great audience and premiered 3 songs from the forthcoming album. It all went really well! Playing with Gianluca felt great and we both hope we can do it again some time soon!

Here's a few pictures from the event!

I must head back to the studio now but I'll be in touch soon!

Take care

Davide