"The Sculptor's Work" (Nov. 2007)

I always intend to be brief in these thoughts, but this time I really mean it! The late nights in the studio and early mornings with the baby don't leave much time for contemplation and introspection, but since the political season is in high gear everywhere you turn, those things would be lost in the noise anyway.

We near completion of the huge work that is making an album. And once again, I am enjoying watching a real artisan at work. Whether it be Michael DeLalla mixing my last CD Beyond Borders, or Les Thompson mixing this one, I love to watch the science and art of taking a block of recorded music and carefully sculpting those sounds into something magically listenable. It is such a fine and technical craft, and despite the tremendous amount of technology available to do it, its ultimate success still comes down to ears and experience.

There are many ways that a song can be mixed, shifts in the balances of instruments, choosing to use some very little or not at all, what size of sound the mix is, and lots more. It's a bit like watching a sculptor or woodworker making their art, removing ever-smaller pieces of wood, metal or stone until only their best vision of perfection remains. It's an honor to have contributed the block of raw materials, and endlessly fascinating to see the artisan at work close up day after day as the whole objet d'art slowly reveals itself.

When we're done, I promise to share it with you. Soon. Hopefully you enjoy the little glimpses we're giving you of our progress. Next month's E-zine we should be announcing the shipping date.

And for that and a great many things, not the least of which is your interest in this crazy life in music I am blessed to lead, I am grateful for. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.