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Ghosts and
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(The following is a blow-by-blow saga of Sandy's online reports as her CD progressed from Autumn 2000 through Spring 2001, starting at the beginning, which (with apologies to Julie Andrews) is a darn good place to start.) HEY, SANDY, HOW ARE THE CDS COMING ALONG? It's shaping up well, indeed. We've had several sessions thus far, and they've been so much fun (even with a few little setbacks) that the time has flown by! All of the rhythm (bass, drums-percussion) tracks as well as half the lead vocals and acoustic rhythm guitar are in the can and ready for overdubs and mixdown. Got at least two more regular sessions scheduled, and I must admit I'm pumped! This recording stuff, while exhausting, can be addictive. Ralph Covert's instinctive and experienced direction and Mark Schwartz' (UberStudio) engineering wizardry are really making things happen. The smooth bass grooves of the Bad Examples, Tom ("Pickles") Piekarski, and stylish and invigorating drumming of Frankie Donaldson (Corky Siegel, Archie Bell & the Drells) have proven to be a fine anchor to the rest of the music—but without weighing it down. These guys have been a delight to work with! I originally intended to title the album after my song, Little Ms. Midlife Crisis, but that song was written too late to make the cut. (Hmm...I smell a follow-up album.) Other titles considered are Princess Emeritus (again, no room for the song on which that title was based), Old Four Eyes Is Back (but how many people knew I was here and went away in the first place?). North by Midwest was the leading contender until this one came to me during a traffic jam: At First...at last. My first full record, and after all this time! The offer stands: Come up with a title that really knocks my socks off and you win a free copy! It looks like (W)Indie City, the Chicago-themed compilation helmed by the amazing Nancy Emrich (and which will contain two or three of my songs), has been green-lighted for funding! Look for it sometime in Spring, 2001, not long after my own album. As we get closer to release date, I'll provide online ordering instructions. (October 27th update:) The album is moving along and taking shape before my eyes and ears. We recorded the rest of the rhythm guitar parts and lead vocals yesterday; today, we began overdubs, starting with horns by the amazing Matt Lewis. I am even more pumped about this CD! We're writing and arranging backing vocals as we speak; and we'll probably be doing keyboards and other strings within the next two or three weeks. The vast majority of the overdubs are being done at Waterdog Records, where a full-scale digital studio is nearing completion. Stay tuned! (December 26th update:) We return to the studio on January 6th. (January 15th update:) We're coming into to the home stretch. We have about two more weeks of overdub sessions and plan to mix the first week of February. Featured players thus far include banjo virtuoso Michael Miles, the great Corky Siegel on harmonica, percussion whiz Andy Jones, and Chicago's own gift to the Louisiana music scene, Cajun accordionist Mojo. Plus, of course, Bad Examples bassist Tom Piekarski, Archie Bell & the Drells drummer Frank Donaldson, ace trumpeter Matt Lewis, and his brilliant keyboardist brother Ben. We anticipate mastering by the end of February. The projected release date is now early April; but this is a projection, not merely wishful thinking. I'll provide the details regarding the CD release party (parties?) when I receive a firm shipping date. (January 19th update:) Corky was amazing yesterday—three songs, three takes! Got some good electric and flamenco guitars down, and excellent organ today. We're praying for Kathy to get her voice back (she's got walking pneumonia) to do harmony vocals—I really get creeped out singing with myself, and the two of us always blend so well. Besides her, all that's left is tenor sax (a la Clarence Clemons on Hurt Himself); the rest of the incidental percussion; Mojo on Cajun accordion; John Rice on mandolin, jazz violin and perhaps dobro; and cleaning up some lead vocal clinkers. (Ralph says we could use ProTools to do it, but would rather I do it "organically" with my own voice. (February 14th update:) We've just finished mixing the CD and expect to send it for mastering any day. The "name-the-album" contest is still very much open, though I'm leaning either to Ghosts & Angels (after one of the songs) or Lafayette to Lincoln Park (illustrating the geographic range of the tunes). Even if I end up using a title of my own, the best entry (IMHO) will still get a free copy. I plan to have at least two CD release parties: one in the city, one in the western suburbs, and possibly one in Evanston as well. Look for them sometime in early May or late June. I'll announce them here as soon as dates are set. (March 3rd update:) We FedExed the CD for mastering today. After my return from Vegas this week, I'll have a reference disc awaiting approval. Then, we press the glass master. Meanwhile, we've just uploaded more than a half-dozen photos for the album cover and liner notes to the site. In a few days, we'll add the text of the liner notes, lyrics, and music clips. Stay tuned! (March 17th update:) And here are the liner notes.... All About the CD • Main Page • Contact Sandy Copyright © 2000, 2001, Sandy Andina, All Rights Reserved |
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