the brilliant recording engineer - Chris!!
gorgeous ceiling of the masonic temple-turned-recording studio
the Rhodes - my best friend at 1 am
the most beautiful upright piano
frame exposed to show the hammers
bright...bold...edgy...perfectly imperfect
Quite possibly one of the best weekends of the year.
TPF had our first 'real' recording session at 1867 Recording Studios, this a.mA.zing space held in a former masonic church, in ghetto Chelsea, Massachusetts. What an opportunity to work with a really talented recording engineer (Chris) who was so sweet and gracious and let me record on the Rhodes at 1am even when everyone's juice had run out, including his. Luckily I got it in 2 takes.
Thanks to Pat Allen (Alan?) Morin, our dear drummer, who set us up with the whole thing. Chris owns this crazy dilapidated masonic temple and transformed it into a recording studio, replete with state of the art gear and all the proper accoutrements you'd expect at a recording studio. Not that i'm any expert, but walking in there was like walking into a historic building in Europe. The ceiling and walls were starting to decay a bit, but retained the beautiful gold leaf-esque, native american/folksy vibe in quite simple colors - terracotta red, faded turquoise, gold. I couldn't get over it. Maybe it was the dim lighting casting shadows that expanded the whole grandeur of the space. Or maybe it was the fact that I was pinching myself that this - recording session, road trip to boston, making a record - was all really happening...whatever it was, it was a big deal for me to be there. My first recording session ever!
We left with tracking complete for 3 songs (we were only expecting to finish 2). 4 hours of setup, approx. 8 hours of playing and recording, 2 take-out meals and some beer. It was so wonderful, and fun, and we met some great people who hosted us for the weekend. We all agreed that Boston was a 'friendly' place, or so it seems from Pat's friends. It felt like, we accomplished something for the band this weekend. Not only musically for our record, but to connect with a recording engineer/musician who was genuine and sweet and kind and really fun to work with. It was inspiring, as it always is, to work with Talent and Passion...people who know what they're doing, with critical ears and an expertise that you can trust. Labors of love. It was so professional yet didn't feel at all like work, as if it was another weekend of just hanging out.
So this is how records are made.
The Party Faithful
Recording Session
1867 Recording Studio
Chelsea, MA
April 1-3, 2011
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