I must admit, I was a tad bit skeptical that Danny (at NewYorkBrass.com) could do much with this one because there’s lots going on in this fusion tune!   But, he and the boys didn’t disappoint – at least in my opinion!   Here is a quick and dirty remix of the tune after adding their tracks: a brass and horn ensemble and a solo alto sax:

I was particularly impressed with the sax solo and how it interweaves with the lead guitar, and crescendo on the brass ensemble during “Verse 2″ is delicious!   And what about that ending?

No question about it, I’ll have these guys kick some brass into the remaining tunes from my “immense catalog” (Mischief and Scaramouche :)  and keep you posted.  In the mean time, YES, I do have some new music underway and it’s going to be my first published piece in an odd-time signature.  I suppose one of these days I’ll get around to writing a nice mellow solo piano tune – perhaps even record it on my Steinway since she’s not getting the attention she deserves lately.    Like many of you, I’ve been mildly distracted by the challenged economy as of late, but doing this work tonight has reminded me that every now and then, we need a Time Out!

Well this one took a while longer than expected, but many thanks to my musical colleagues at StudioPros.com and NewYorkBrass.com for their contributions!  I hope you agree that this one really comes to life with the “live recorded” tracks.

Having now remixed a few of my other tunes, I’m contemplating getting these re-mastered before beginning a new one.  That said, I have a pretty good riff coming off my fingers at the moment, so who knows maybe it’s time to roll into another project straight away.  No travel plans in November so you never know, I might be able to hammer out another one before year end…

There’s a reason why musicians often resist playing (or even listening to) their prior work.   As we continue to improve, our new stuff highlights deficiencies in our old stuff!  It’s compounded in my case because so much time passes between each project.  Artists that do this for a living, usually camp out in a recording studio from the beginning to end when creating an album – and hence everything remains consistent down to the finest detail.  I along with most amateurs don’t have that luxury.

But since I’m waiting on the brass tracks for Tranquilo, I decided to go into the abyss and remix some of my prior tunes… I could go on and on about the various issues that required attention, but it essentially comes down to normalization – especially for the rhythm sections (drum and bass).  Also, I’ve already received the brass tracks for Seduction and Worship, but hadn’t updated either.  So I decided to remix them so that I’d have a better reference for Tranquilo.

The updates have been loaded into the “Now Playing” list (above).  I hope you’ll agree that the levels and rhythm are more consistent?  Seduction and Worship now have “real” professionally played brass going on – and I also fixed a few problems with Time Out.  Mischief and Scaramouche (the oldest tunes) were left alone because they’ve been professionally mastered and until I replace the brass, there’s no point in fiddling.

My game plan is to replace the MIDI “sampled brass” across the board.  The latest three tunes (including Tranquilo) are sorted, and I’ll commission the remaining work between now and the end-of-year so that I’m “caught up” by the New Year.

A fellow enthusiast and friend asked me a while ago about some of the lessons I’ve learned on this “journey”, and that’s a pretty long list!  But, it provides lots of material for future posts :)   Anyway, the one lesson that stands above all is: NO substitute for the real thing.   So instead of buying new technology (i.e. the latest sample libraries, etc), I now direct those funds to real musicians.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my toys, and believe me, I have more than my fair share; but the lesson learned is that better results come with enlisting musicians with far greater talent.  Besides, it’s hard enough staying proficient with my own instrument!  This probably sounds like I’m stating the obvious, but rest assured, there’s lots of amateur musicians that are beating their heads against the wall and spending senseless money and time trying to do it all themselves – because technology makes it possible.

I say “fugg-it!” …  If you want better results, rethink your approach.  Use technology to collaborate, use your money to hire professionals, and use your time to write and play better music!  At the very least, you’ll have more fun!