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AIX Records 80031 |
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Comments from John McEuen - Co-Producer of the Project As we set up the second day of recording with Paul for his DVD we knew we had a high mark to shoot for, as the first day was truly wonderful. We had captured 8 songs in one day, only moving ahead when we had it right, and knew this was an easier day in some regards. Only two songs, but the cast was a bit unusual on this December 4th. The previous week, 4 songs with string quartet, piano and bass, one with the full band and the quartet, plus 3 with 'just' the band, had all gone down as a piece of American music history. America's great writer of love ballads, country hits, pop and film music had delivered his up close and personal version of his icon songs that are known worldwide. For the first time on 'tape', along with 5 cameras rolling, the personal side of this great writer and the heartfelt delivery of his magical words will be brought right to the audience. That was a great day... but now, a different assignment lay ahead. To me, some of Paul's lyrics show their magic in their delivery more than in the reading of the words. I read Rainbow Connection, and I am not sure I 'get it'. "...Back There Someday" made me feel the same way.. it did not make that much sense to me as 'just words'. After all, until I was about 38 my favorite Beach Boy song was Bop Ma Ran... then I found out it was Barbara Ann. I am the guy who, for about 5 years, did not realize Mr. Bojangles' dog had died. I had thought his dog's name was "upandied" (you know, "....his dog, upandied..."). But just as Paul's songs are icons of American music writing, the guests for today are icons of American culture... and they would be doing the lyrics with Paul. Willie Nelson and Gonzo on the same stage did put me a little on edge, as being the producer it was my responsibility for things to go right. With the great AIX team I had every confidence, and went in to the day with great expectations. I knew it would be good... I didn't know it would be that good. First, Gonzo is so much a fan of Paul and his music that it was evident from the first time out of his box. His cloth fairly bristled with excitement as they got ready for his interview with Paul. They realized, after going over the script, they needed only a couple its ideas in their interview section. These two old pals agreed to 'wing it', and we tuned in on a couple of old friends with the same astrological signs revisiting the good things they have shared in life. Then came the recording of the song "Going to Go Back There Someday". The key and arrangement were changing on the spot, and the guys decided to switch verses as they sang it. Now these lyrics made more sense than ever, as it became a description of these two artists' lives and their wistful view of life as a musical conversation. Chris Caswell's direction of the music was, as always, impeccable, and Gonzo even sighed at the end in a way that some say he shed a first time tear. Since Kermit couldn't make the session that day, Gonzo hung around to say hey to Willie and secretly see how he did Kermit's song, Rainbow Connection. Again, Paul's lyric that had previously eluded me made a new connection - with Mr. Nelson's comforting voice. And again, a long overdue conversation between two long time neighbors who live far apart took place, and everything fell in to place as if we had planned it. Actually, in retrospect, not as we had planned. Capturing it with 5 cameras and in 5.1 surround went as we had planned, but no one could have planned the wonderful spontaneity and pretend the kind of comraderie exists as it does between Paul and Willie. And when Paul gently suggests "play for us, Willie", Nelson's nylon strings sting you with the sensitivity of the lyric you have just heard, now making more sense than just the printed word ever could. After listening to playback, Paul commented that this was the best session in his career. We got it. Besides all the fun of jamming and pre-song banter with Willie and Gonzo (which we recorded), we had time to visit and shoot photo-op shots with all of these icons. Fun to get snapshots, but actually it is a sad thing to do sometimes, as I would rather be making and producing and playing things of this nature than waiting for the next session. But now we are getting ready, and these magic moments of great songs are preserved for all time. Better get on with the next setup. John McEuen About the Recording Approach This recording is NOT an attempt to "document" a live recording of a jazz quartet but instead an exploration of the creative process of making and recording music on videotape and using high-resolution digital audio recording equipment. AIX Records uses no EQ, dynamics processing or artificial reverberation...everything you hear is as the musicians played it. Both "audience" and "stage" 5.1 mixes and a PCM 96/24 bit stereo mix are included on the disc on the DVD-Video side. However, it is the DVD-Audio 96 kHz/24 bit tracks encoded with Meridian Lossless Packing [MLP] that elevates the listening experience well beyond a traditional CD or even a live event. You can chose to listen from the middle of ensemble and hear the sound of the instruments coming from all directions or place yourself in the "best seat in the house". The dynamic range and fidelity offered by the 96 kHz/24 Bit source recording makes this recording come to life. About the Disc The production is the first of a series of AIX Records Collectors Editions. Each CE project is "hand-crafted" and include two-discs, premium packaging with a 14-page booklet, CD compatibility, DVD-Audio and DVD-Video versions of the music and video, linear and interactive access to the media and much more. For customers that order through the AIX Records web site, the product will be signed and numbered by the artist. About the DVD-Audio/Video Format The DVD-Video side also contains a variety of audio/video media including: complete session videos, interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, rehearsals, comprehensive explanation of the DVD format [including DVD-Audio, DVD-Video and DVD-ROM], digital encoding methodologies [AC-3, DTS, PCM and MLP], instructions on how to setup your 5.1 channel surround system, test tones/channel IDs checks and demonstrations comparing stereo mixes to 5.1 mixes. Everything you want to know about DVD and 5.1 channel surround is on this disc. To Purchase This Disc To purchase a copy of this disc, click on the BUY button at the top of this page, call (800) - 668-4249, write to mwaldrep@aixrecords.com, or simply send $49.98 plus $8.95 for shipping and handling to: AIX Records 8455 Beverly Boulevard Suite 500 West Hollywood, CA 90048 THIS DISC IS AVAILABLE NOW! SIGNED AND NUMBERED COPIES ARE IN LIMITED SUPPLY. |
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