| |
Shawn Phillips, Producer/Singer/Songwriter
hear Fondest Dreams
hear I will Never Leave
MUSICIANS
Rick Hart, Paul Buckmaster, Shawn
Bass guitar, Leland Sklar. Credits include
Phil Collins, Reba McIntyre, innumerable others
Drums, Ralph Humphrey. Credits include
Frank Zappa and the Mothers, Al Jarreau, Wayne Shorter, Bette Midler,
Larry Carlton,
Barbra Streisand, Manhattan Transfer
Guitar, Mike Miller. Credits include
Chick Corea, Gino Vanelli, innumerable others
Shawn Phillips, guitar
|
- Here's the Story of Recording No
Category
Making a CD is like creating a culinary
masterpiece, drawing on the finest chefs who come armed with ingredients
steeped in mystery, tradition and hints of journeys to far-off lands. I
could draw further analogies and say the studio was the fine Le Creuset
saucepan, but I'll move onto the reality of those involved in the making
of the first Shawn Phillips CD in nine years, "No Category".
Having never been privy to
this process before, I was intrigued by the ease with which musicians, who
have not played together for years, took up their instruments, scanned the
chord charts and played in perfect harmony. This does not always happen I
am told, but on this CD it does and this can surely be attributed to the
calibre of musician involved. Lee Sklar, Ralph Humphrey and Mike Miller
are possibly the most 'in demand' session musicians in America - perhaps
the world. They have mastered their instruments to a degree only attained
through natural grace and ability, and years of hard work. Their
versatility is unmatched.
J. Peter Robinson brings his
own brand of madness and magic, handling the piano like the finest
mechanic of a Formula One racing car, tweaking, adjusting and pacing the
keys and chords, creating sounds like heavy rain gliding down brick
edifices, the all-encompassing softness of a down comforter against one's
face, sunlight and shadows dancing across a sunflower field.
Lee's bass sounds like the feel of a man's fingers sliding down the spine
of the woman he loves; Ralph's drums reflect the joy of children racing
across a percussion-perfect wooden floor towards new toys; Mike's guitar
like the city at night, shards of light pulsing in concrete canyons.
And then there's Shawn, his songs composed in reality, yet mystical,
spiritual, words coming together like staccato gunfire or flowing and
drifting like jeweled clouds, magenta velvet gowns wrapped around one's
soul, permanent. He sings, plays the guitar, smiles; he embodies the
excitement and joy of an eight year old on Christmas morning, the
musicians, this opportunity to record the CD, a wondrous gift.
I watch closely as Rick Hart slides and glides up and down in front of the
control panel, buttons, knobs, dials, Vu-meters, laptop, Pro Tools,
sliders, hard drives, firewires, wiring, and cabling, all making perfect
sense to him; his most able assistant, Eric Gobel, never hesitant when
called upon, his knowledge of the system and microphones and everything
within the studio, infinitesimal. Rick engineers with consummate ease,
mixing, blending, leveling - he is the wizard and the wand.
Paul Buckmaster listens and instructs, guides with graciousness and
gentlemanly respect; he hears the music within, counts the beat like an
accountant, unwilling to relinquish his hold on the need for absolute
perfection. The orchestral arrangements, composed by Paul and J. Peter
Robinson, are bound to soar and reach inside you, augmenting the rhythm
tracks, the music reflecting unity of mind, body and soul.
Stagg Street Studios feels like home. Dogs cavort, balls are thrown and
retrieved, lasers are chased, meals are created using bagels, cheese,
capers and smoked salmon. St Patrick's Day injects green energy. Every day
feels like a family gathering, as banter and stories ping-pong back and
forth over lunchtime's take -out. Far corners of the world are explored
through flavors
and reminiscences.
Making this CD is a coming-together of kindred spirits; creating a musical
masterpiece which will live on for generations. It embodies the
generosity, love and commitment of everyone involved. And it will be the
most listenable, enjoyable, talked-about and playable CD to come out in
years. And I'm not even a Shawn Phillips fan.
J. Opperman, April 4, 2002
No Category
Producer/Arranger :
Paul Buckmaster (Grammy Award for Best
Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist Paul Buckmaster 2001 for
Train, Drops of Jupiter)
Credits include, Elton John, Miles Davis,
The Grateful Dead, Shawn Phillips
Producer/Singer/Songwriter :Shawn Phillips
Sound Engineer : Rick Hart (a man whose hearing should be insured for more
than J.Lo's butt)
Credits include, Pink Floyd, David Gilmore,
Andy Gibb, Pat Benatar; film credits include Bulworth, Seven, Home Alone,
etc
Bass guitar : Leland Sklar. Credits include Phil Collins, Reba McIntyre,
innumerable others
Drums : Ralph Humphrey. Credits include Frank Zappa and the Mothers, Al
Jarreau,
Wayne Shorter, Bette Midler, LArry Carlton, Barbra Streisand, Manhattan
Transfer. Check out
Darkwing
and
Drummerworld for more on Ralph's career.
Guitar : Mike Miller.Credits include Chick Corea, Gino Vanelli,
innumerable others
Piano/arranger : J. Peter Robinson. Credits include - countless films, TV
series and musicians
Photography : Mark Colman,
Commercial
Photography
Recorded and mixed at Stagg Street Studios, Van Nuys, LA, - owners,
Melody, Gary, (Abigail and The Dude)(dogs), Denton. |
