Without Further Ado...

...I give you "Never And Forever".

After 23 months of intermittent work, it is finally finished and available for download.  This is my 4th album and has been by far the easiest to make.  (It's interesting that my 3rd album was the hardest.)  It's short...only 8 tracks.  But I think I've packed it full of enjoyable moments.  As I've said all along, with this album I've tried to keep to specific themes and a specific mood.  What that means is that there is probably not "something for everybody" on this one.  Which means that it may not be everybody's cup of tea, which is perfectly fine.  I mean really, is there anything more subjective than music?  But I think that those who DO enjoy this will do so deeply.  I've put my heart and soul into this and I hope that comes through as you listen to it.  I also hope that you will give it a few spins before passing judgement.  The best music always takes some time to sink in.

There will also be a CD version released.  It will have a 12-page booklet with artwork and lyrics.  All design work is being done by myself.  Sometimes I think I enjoy creating the artwork as much as the music.  I hope that some of you will want to go the old fashioned route and have this tangible object to hold in your hand.  I promise I am working to make it as beautiful as I can.

I'm going to ask a favor.  If you find my work to be worthy of any praise, please share it with others.  Like any musician, I'd love to reach the largest audience that I can.  Again, thanks to those who have supported me in the past.  I really hope you enjoy my latest effort.

Thanks,

James

Time Takes Time...

...but albums are quick.

Less than two years ago I began recording songs for what would become "Never And Forever".  As I type this I am on the cusp of completing it.  Even though I've pretty much taken a few months off from recording, I cannot believe how fast the whole process has gone.  This album is so much different than the last one which took five years(!!!) to complete.  By the time I finished that one I was just ready to be done.  Sure there were improvements that could have been made but I was really just over it by that point.  This time around I am going to finish AND still be excited about the music!  It's a very nice feeling.

All I really have left to do to finish is record the vocal tracks for the album closer called "Time Takes Time".  It is the shortest track on the album and the simplest song as well.  The vocal recording should be really easy.  I recorded the bass guitar tonight.  It is really so close.

Once vocals are recorded the final mixing should be easy because it's such a simple mix.  Then it will be a matter of getting the track sequence mastered so that everything sound right together on the album. Artwork for the CD booklet is coming along nicely as well.  I'm saying this will all be done and ready for download by the end of November.  Optimistically I'm hoping maybe even by Thanksgiving.

To be honest I'm pretty excited about this release.  I think it's the most solid collection of songs I've ever come up with.  You can judge for yourself before too long.

A Change of Seasons

There is no getting around it.  Summer is over.  The leaves are shriveling.  The grass is browning.  The air is crisping.  Daylight hours are waning.  Outdoor fun is now at a premium.

There are so very many things about the summertime that do not lend themselves to recording music indoors for hours on end.  Family trips, hiking mountains, exploring caves, watching baseball games, and just general merriment are all things that kept me away from my music for the past several months.  And with this annual change in weather comes a change of priorities.  I am reenergized and excited to spend some time with music again.

Upon sitting down and taking stock of where I'm at, I've noticed that I really am QUITE close to finishing a major project.  "Never and Forever" my most recent collection of songs is sitting on the cusp of completion.  So VERY close to being done.

I'm looking forward to finishing it soon and moving on to new projects.  It may be getting cold outside, but I'll have plenty to do in the warmth of my humble recording studio.  Stay tuned.

"So...What's the Hold Up?"

Although unlikely, perhaps there is someone out there that has been following this blog and/or awaiting the release of my next album"Never And Forever"...And if there is such a person somewhere in this vast world of ours, perhaps they are asking themselves that very question.  So, indeed...what is the holdup?  I could say that it's been difficult to work now that summer is here and I'm busy with other things (which is partially true), but the truth is this:  I'm stuck.

The song "Anything At All" is just not cooperating.  I can blame it all on one thing....the verse melody. I just don't like it.  And if I don't like it, certainly you won't either.  And that just won't do.  Usually I can come up with any number of melody ideas for a given chord structure, but this one is leaving me cold.

So tonight it's time to break out the old acoustic and come up with some beautiful melodies that will be worthy of the undying devotion of that one person out there (that may or may not exist) who is waiting so patiently for me to finish this thing.

Also...

If you haven't yet, go download you free (high quality) copy of So Far Gone.  Just do it...it's free!

Thanks for listening,
James

2012

This is my first post of the new year.  2012 is well under way and by now everyone is past that awkward phase where you are constantly writing the wrong year on checks and such.  It's been a great year so far.  I'm excited about the music that I'm currently finishing up for "Never And Forever".  That project was started a year ago and has come along very quickly compared to other releases of mine.  Of the final 8 tracks that will be included, 5 are (mostly) completed and the remaining 3 are well on their way to completion.

Most recently I have been working on track #6, "Anything At All".  This is probably the darkest song on the album.  I'm not sure that "dark" is the right word.  It has several different parts to it.  The verses are the "darkest" and slowest parts, while the chorus is decidedly quicker and livelier.  The last third of the song is altogether different as well.  It builds and builds to a (hopefully) thrilling climax.  In theory (and in my mind) it all will sound great...it's now just a matter of getting the sound and feeling that I want in the studio process.  I'm making progress but it's not where I want it just yet.  I'm also having trouble coming up with a vocal melody for the verses that I am completely satisfied with.  The original melody that I had written has grown stale and boring in my mind.  I've got a few other ideas, but I haven't decided on anything yet.

I'll keep this blog updated as things progress.  If you've read this far, thanks for your interest and support.

James