If it was easy everyone would do it. Today was just rough. Shit was blowing up. We had a really nice old GE compressor on the bass and about half way through the day it started smoking and then it shut down. The smell was not good at all... It was much like burning paper and a lot less electrical fire smelling than one would expect. In fact the stench took on that "You wont be using me anytime soon and I am going to be hard fix so Fuck You I'm done playing with you and you better find some other compressor to run your bass through and start the day all over smell." So we did and ended up with a great bass tone after all that madness. Hands down at the end of the day the bass tone was better then what we started with.
Everything happens for a reason.
I really must applaud Mr. Mark Tulin for keeping his head together and sticking with it... He was just going with the flow and the fire. He is an amazing bass player and a real pro in the studio.... Sooo... by the time we got done with the bass track it had already been close to a 12 hour day and time for yours truly to go play the congas. I jumped in the drum room all ready to go and played a few takes that were "ok" let me the first and last to say they were by no means great but they were going in the right direction... feeling good about what I had just played I went back into the room for a few more takes...tic...toc... tic... toc.... then I just lost it... I started rushing. I couldn't find the pocket. It just wasn't working. So you gotta know when to call it and I don't.... I went back into the room to prove that I could play the part and it just sucked. Tic... Toc... Tic... Toc... So, like I said... You gotta know when to call it and Billy did. We will pick it up after some sleep and fresh ears and if the universe is in our favor tomorrow I should be able to cut the part in hour or less and then Billy can get on to these...
LOVE KB
14 comments:
i have that same problem...i call it 'chasing the lick'...when you're trying so hard to get the part right but can't quite capture it. i have to tell myself to stop chasing the lick. and to let it come to me instead.
Like you said, if it was easy everyone would do it. Keep on the good work, I'm sure it'll be great in the end.
I find that whenever I have to deal with technical issues, it really takes me out of the groove as far as playing... so I totally know where you're coming from.
The paper burny smell... is it old enough to be using paper capacitors perhaps? Which would be an easy fix, in theory?
...uh, that is, of course, unless the caps burning out caused other components to crap the bed too...
Blowing up equipment is so rock and roll.
Regarding the takes, the good news is that you guys have the luxury of nailing the right take on your own terms, not having to force it due to time constraints.
Thanks for doing this site, Kerry. I think you really are living the dream.
good luck tomorrow! or today? either way, good luck! find that pocket kb
it's so refreshing to know that this still happens to musicians who have been doing this 20+ yrs....makes me feel better when the same happens to me
Ok, #1 I love the picture of you. #2 Frustrating day...hopefully one of not very many. :)
Maybe this is a bit of topic, but are Ginger and Jeff going to participate in the recording of the album?
Everyone has days when they're just not themselves, and things don't go that great, but then the next day things are back to normal. Luckily.. :)
First of all ... I love my SP friends MonteLDS and Allison! I remember the San Fran show a year or so ago when amps where failing... sad day and frustrating ! ... but it is all worth it right!?? :) can't wait for the new shizz...
much love from UT
scott L
So basically all recorded with old compressor had to be re-done, as the tone differences basically made it sound like a different instrument.
This all happened cause Pavement is reuniting. The ghosts of lollapalooza 94!
I feel your pain. For me, if I don't take a break and come back to it, my brain turns to goop and if I'm not getting it, I'm just not gonna get it. It's the worst when you're in a 60-piece ensemble (symphony, orchestra) and you're put on the spot in front of everyone, especially if you flop and your part gets cut.
thanks for blogging, Kerry!
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