Child Growing collage

Writers

Original song by Falcone, with new material by Fry, McDowell, Sabatelli, Wileman & Wishart

Performers

Bridget Remembers

This is one of the tracks from 'Song Book Closure' that Don sent on tape. I did minimal rewrite to the lyrics just to even ends and add some word connections and rhymes. I kept melody close to the original adding a few inspired whispers as they came to me. The one about the record shop came from a dream. I really enjoyed singing this, building on the original and adding a few extra parts.

Don Remembers

Child Growing

This is clearly the MIDI piece of the CD. Basically, I recorded all the keys and the initial drum part via my Axiom MIDI controller, triggering different Virtual Instruments in Pro Tools. This is a great example of how to bring together a palette of synths. There’s the G-Force Tron (Mellotron emulator) and it’s backward string patch that helps set the beginning mystery. The lush mix of Virus Indigo’s Swell Pad and a Hybrid string patch. The Velvet piano plug-in and it’s repeating pattern that keeps the song chugging along. And, as we get to the "Dreamers are dreaming" section and it’s folky, almost Latin flavor, I used the Xpand! House Strings. In an old demo version where I performed all the music parts, I had played a D-50 Spanish Guitar patch here, but this time I wanted to leave room for Richard’s guitar and Craig’s violin.

Earth Born is hopefully special for all its listeners as it brings together many different musicians in new situations, such that there is new and interesting music to be heard and enjoyed. In case it’s not obvious, the experience can be just as special for those involved. To be working with musicians you’ve admired for years, that’s special. To be able to bring different musicians together, that’s special. And, to be able to do so and create invigorating music, that’s special.

I bring this up with Child Growing because of Craig, who did the magnificent violin parts. I have great respect for how he dissects a song, charts out multiple parts, practices them, and then puts them to virtual tape. I kind of got to see all of this when he came to the house and recorded his parts. In the early 80s, Craig was in an RIO (Rock In Opposition) band called Cartoon. I was a big fan. In fact, they were the local band I most wanted to join. But, they never really had an opening for a bassist (my trade at the time), as they covered the bass with low-end keys and a bassoon. Seriously. They were a blast to see live and listen to. Some years later, Craig played with the highly-respected Paul Dresher Ensemble. And now in the 21st century, he accepted an invite to the SB crew and gave a heart-felt, inspired performance. For me, that’s very special.

Don's Timeline