Studio Brown.

Chris made another apperance with his Stick. When I originally recorded Wintergreen Ohio at GBP Studios, we recorded Chris also. Over the last six months, since that recording and as the song has evloved, his exact Stick part wasn't working; now it does.

Donny's DW drumset that I bang on whenever there is a spare moment:

You really shouldn't record without Mr. T and the preacher man:

Shoes of Chris:

Studio light:

Donny. "There's a lot a good there."

Chris delivering:

Tonight, working on my parallel project at Chris' studio.

Our work on What Will We Do (When All The Love Is Gone) has consistently shown improvement. This movement is from a recording that does not justify the song, to one that does. In this effort, we added some piano at the end that gives it a stronger rhythmic base. Chris came up with a cool keyboard run between four and one that provides a majestic rise.

To support all of this I felt that the end needed a B3 Organ to add a spiritual (as in song type) component at the end. For this, we brought in Randy Sly, all around keyboardist.

Bringing someone in to a recording session provides its own problems. You have to know what you want, or at least what you are looking for. It also takes a while to simply communicate; to find the right words that you both understand. This involves multiple takes and it is through these many recordings that you begin to both agree on the work to be done.

Randy delivered.

Prior to the session, I played Winter Green Ohio for Chris that included his guitar solo. It’s a devastating solo equal in emotion to the one Keith laid down on Dead Man’s Trail but different – more of a cross between Steely Dan and the Allman Brothers. Just awesome.

I also asked Randy to lay down some rough B3 on this tune to hear what happened. I liked it. I'll book him to record at Donny's.

King Crimson Edition

Went to see the Beast last week. This time it was five-headed.

How odd to walk to the doors of the Park West and see what can only be described as my brethren. They look like me and talk like me. Standing in line, waiting for the doors to open, we were next to Robert and Annie. Robert had flown in from Arizona for the concert (later inside, we sat next to a guy who came from Denver). Robert and I soon got into a conversation about the band, each knowing tidbits of history that the other one didn’t. I’m sure this same conversation was happening all around us. I must say, I’ve never been to a concert where there was so much anticipation.

The venue and band did not disappoint. No question, the second set was their finest performance to these ears. How wonderful to hear this level of playing happening in the moment. Finding the expected and unexpected: Searching, looking, making.

It’s a supergroup. But it is Adrian Belew who stands tallest. What gifts, talents, and skills. No one can watch and not be humbled.

It is also possible that these two drummers are the correct pairing in the modern version of this band. God bless Michael Giles and Bill Bruford.

I’m still vibrating from it all and this was only the warm-up for the true fortieth anniversary tour.

Another performance at our favorite Lansing coffee and sandwich/soup/desert provider:

And I mean good coffee:

Last night I missed Arlene:

Providing:

Keith wasn't able to play with us but came later. It was appreciated since it was a thin night due to the spectacular weather. We look forward to our next gig here.

My short performance last night was hot if intimate at the Gimme Shelter concert in Jackson. In a refuge for those who have lost a home, I was treated with grace and kindness by people whose situation I could never comprehend. I played with as much dignity as I could find. Honor.

Because I had to leave, I was not able to enjoy much of Cindy McElroy, who followed me. She has a very pretty voice.