Happy New Year, tunesters!
I am just back in Edinburgh after an amazing few days in the studio in Berkshire with the wonderful Mr Stuart Epps. We were recording a shiny new version of "Shivers Down My Spine" (you can hear the original raw demo on my profile page). Song One for Album Two - more to follow.
We combined the arrangement on the version you can listen to here with a lot of the improvements that Peter Kearns brought to the track when he and I worked together in 2006, and we've added a few whistles and bells too - literally. It's not quite finished but even in its unmastered state it is just stunning to hear what world-class production can do to bring out the best in a song.
Inspiring too to be singing through a microphone that has been used by everyone from Robbie Williams to Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings, and hearing the takes played back through speakers that hosted the first plays of some of Elton John and Chris Rea's greatest hits.
I feel extremely priveleged!
It's been a great start to the year.
Stu is such fun to work with - and we had plenty to talk about too: turns out we grew up just a few streets away from each other in Mill Hill, north west London. Only other Mill Hill'ens will know what that means - it was a crazy place masquerading as a fairly dull London suburb.
Since I got back I've been busy with voice students - all my regulars drifting back after the break plus some interesting new people I'm looking forward to working with.
I've also been getting my home studio organised - hooking up keyboards and pre-amps in advance of getting a clever friend round to help me get the computers to talk to each other.
While I've been occupied with that I've been listening to Peter Kearns' brilliant new album "No Such Thing As Time". Peter is a perfectionist, and this album IS perfect. I can't recommend it highly enough.
On the live front there's talk of a glittery cabaret gig here in Edinburgh on Valentine's Day. At the moment it's just talk, but I will keep you posted.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year; here's to 2008 - hope it's a good one for all of us!
cheers for now
Woody
x