Back to it.

My life has hit its usual stride again of 9am starts, working through the day and finishing, tired but happy, at 5pm. Despite the workload, It’s great to be doing something you love, and I wouldn’t change it for quids. Had a friend who worked for the Water Board, who just hated her job, but felt trapped and couldn’t leave. Thus, every day, when I’m dragging my complaining body out of bed, and looking for the coffee plunger, I’ve still got a little smile on my face knowing I’m one of the lucky ones.

Nearly finished the recording stage of the CD and about to enter the final mastering. Songlist has been decided upon, and it’s looking good. It’s been an interesting process this doing a CD of myself. Usually when I do this, it’s for other people, so having control over the entire creative process has been different. I’ve been able to be less controlled and more thoughtful. To an extent. In some ways, that’s been a good thing. I think the CD is going to be more artistic than I’ve produced before. Though it’s also been harder to be objective about it. I find myself having to leave a track and coming back to it in a day or so. That level of deep involvement is something I’ve been able to avoid as a producer before. Though it’s hardly surprising really, being the featured artist and producer this time.

Thus, I received a healthy amount of inspiration last night when I went to hear Maceo Parker at the Basement along with Mike Berry and Andy Gatfield. Wow. These guys can really play. Nice big band, three horns, four rhythm. One thing that struck me was the absolute commitment Maceo showed on his horn. He played the note and bam! it was there. The trombonist too (Fred Wesley? Looked kind of young though). How many times can you honestly say you’ve heard a really good trombonist? (Ok, ok, Mike Paulsen, but apart from him.) They’re rare. So when you get someone like this guy, it’s so refreshing and exhilarating. Maceo and this guy just sent shivers down my spine. Terrific to have a musical experience like that.