Mastering 101 44.52

The new record, Beautiful Sounds has now been passed off to that master of mastering, Ed. (RFICD.com). Who has passed it back to me. We’re doing a lot of passing.

For me, mastering is an excruciating process. Even at the best of times it is completely draining. What you do is sit in a very dark and quiet room on a very nice couch, behind a guy sitting at a desk listening to your stuff very intently. For eight or ten hours. Over and over and over and over. Every once in a great while he may say ‘hmmmm’ or perhaps. ‘Ahhhh’. It’s like your nightmare of a visit to that inscrutable therapist who’s only words are ever, ‘And how does that make you feel?’ or perhaps, ‘I see our time is up. See you Thursday.’

Maybe it doesn’t read as all that bad, but you’ve been working on this thing for a year and now the guy is noticing every zit you missed […]

Production Notes: Nice Cuts 44.52

Nice Cuts is, unlike my other albums to date, a compilation. It was not without it’s ‘production’ aspects, however.

The fourteen previously released songs were selected based on a fan voting process. The versions you hear on Nice Cuts are slightly different than those on their original releases. This is of necessity for a couple of reasons:

Production Notes: Positive (2010) 44.52

Remastering any album is a challenge quite different from actually making the original duh), but working on something you haven’t touched in many years is also quite the slice. A slice of about, oh…, three months of my life.

I approached this work with much the same tack I take on colonoscopies: I know it needs to be done. I’m thankful for the good result. I ‘m glad it only needs to be done once in a great while. Come to think of it, I was unconscious for my last colonoscopy; so perhaps I enjoyed that procedure even more. (Sorry, younger readers, even Mick Jagger has a colonoscopy. Lady Gaga probably has one every weekend just…well…just for kicks?)

Alas, I digress.

The point is–it ain’t the most fun thing in the world. Remember: ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’? You have to re-live every mistake you ever made. Many times over. And in the case of Positive, the original tracks were recorded loooong before the release. […]

Another Ten 44.52

JC’s Alternate Ten Progressive Rock list. These are lesser known or out in left field picks that should be part of every music-lover’s collection once you’re ready to go beyond ‘the standards’.

Roger CortonLast time we gave people your top ten progressive rock albums of all time list.

JCHWhich the world was turning blue waiting for. But yes, Ten Albums You Will Not Believe Once You See Them!

RCYou have a great future in Internet advertising. But this time we’re talking about some other great albums that are not necessarily ‘the best’ but are overlooked or out in left field. But like before we should start by discussing our criteria for selection.

JCHWell, to begin, I don’t want any crap about the lack of Pink Floyd or Rush or Dream Theater or whatehvs in the Top Ten List. You want the standard rock critic bullshit to get the imprimatur of rock critics who down deep hate and mock you? Here ya go: […]

Making Beer Out Of Oatmeal During A Pandemic 44.52

Solid State Siren v2020. Why are we talking about another ancient record? What does this have to do with the new stuff? Mr. Natural? Dr. Evil? The Melvins? You notated everything? Compression is the secret sauce. Maybe your tools do matter. The tone changes how you play. Rosanno Sportiello and Late Night Muted Piano. Making beer out of oatmeal during a pandemic.

Roger CortonYet another “Version. Twenty. Twenty.” The Solid State Siren.

The Solid State Siren v2020

JCHI like that. Can you do it in that Movie Trailer Voice Of God? “Lockdown! Twenty! Twenty!” Dunh, dunh, dunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnh. (laughs).

RCYou just did. Happy Independence Day!

JCHI don’t feel very independent right now.

RCI know what you mean. I can’t tell one day from another.

JCHYes. So to get to the point, why do I keep bringing up old material? I mean. Is it even worth doing a new rant? […]