The Album is Now Finished!

After weeks of planning, days of pre-production and hours of recording... the album is finally finished. Thanks to all family and friends for your support in the creation of this album. To hear samples of the album, click on the MUSIC tab on the blog's home page... That is, whenever we can get it uploaded... with the right drums? Hope you enjoy it!

Progress on the Album Cover Mosaic

Devonna has designed a mosaic for the album cover. To follow its construction, I took pictures of it...I hope to upload them into a gallery at some point. It's a mosaic of the moon. The moon is a place of reflection. Of the sun, of our lives, with shadows. It's desolate, it has beauty to see all around it, from it. The view is constantly changing. There are times of brightness and darkness. It seems like a lonely place, though full of other reflectors. We can gather and reflect together, seen from space.

The Unveiling of the Artwork (8/6/2013 - Transferred Archive)

Devonna has drawn the album cover of her choice for Prayers of the Saints.  She's chosen her tile colors, set up her desk.... Next, I cut a piece of hardy-backer to fit the electric chord organ which we will eventually install the finished mosaic onto. Now, she begins the mosaic.  More pics of the mosaic in progress, as well as the organ...soon.

Getting Ready with the Next Song (5/21/2012 - Transferred Archive)

Still in Golden CO. I'm debating on whether or not to use piano, voice, or some other stringed instrument for one of the main melodies of Prayers of St. Francis.  Braedon, can easily play the part on piano, but he's in school during the week so I'm not sure I'll be able to utilize him or not.  I'll probably just pull him out of school and take him with me next week.  We'll see how it gos.

Blogging (7/5/2013 - Transferred Archive)

We're here in Tacoma... still waiting for our internet to be installed.  Kids are tired of hanging around the coffee shop.  The album is done, now I'm trying to get it copyrighted.  About a week before we left Colorado, we met a promoter who heard some of the album... She's trying to get us hooked up with someone in Nashville.  Promotions and Rumors of Promotions.

Aubri singing (6/22/2013 - Transferred Archive)

Aubriana was made to do this.  She likes it.  She has a great tone like her mother.  It was a bit nerve racking for her at first, but she got the hang of it.  Looking forward to working on the next album with her.

More Backups (5/18/2012 - Transferred Archive)

Braedon coaching Baelina in the studio

Baelina was a bit more open to singing than Andrea... as long as someone stayed with her in the dark cavernous isolation booth.  She's not too into isolation.  You'll really hear her voice somewhat isolated at the end of Psalm 148. Very beautiful little voice.  Good job Baelina!

The Girls on the Mic (6/21/2013 - Transferred Archive)

I've been looking forward to this... The kids weren't too excited about it, but once they heard a rough mix of the first couple of songs then they warmed up to the idea of doing additional backups.  Andréa (above) says she's more interested in keyboards or bass, so we'll look into lessons when we get back to Washington.  For now, I'm glad I could capture her tiny voice for this album.

Jonathan on Guitar and Bow (6/21/2013 - Transferred Archive)

One of Jonathan Keane's many talents in the musical arena:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtwjRvi5i80

Braedon on the Keys with Rob Horton (6/20/2013 - Transferred Archive)

Braedon with Rob Horton of Mastertouch Studios

Laying down the last of the keyboard parts.  Braedon has been putting in overtime practicing in order to nail the studio sessions.

Jonathan is Keen (6/20/2013 - Transferred Archive)

While recording in Evergree CO, I invited my friend Jonathan Keane to fly down and work on some of the songs with us.  It was nice to have an outside perspective on the recording.  I think I agreed with everything he suggested... it all seemed to be intuitive and make sense, except his desire to hear a beat.  I spent about a year really wanting to have some drum sounds to add to the album, but had just given up.  After having one drummer lined up, who suddenly sold all of his equipment the summer I went to record with him... and inviting a second drummer from KY who wasn't sure he wanted to come down, I'd just decided to forget about drums.  But Jon was convinced we needed something, and we ended up doing a lot with djembes.  So, Braedon and I went through each song and laid some new tracks down.  He played a few bongos, I did a snare and hi-hat on one song... I'm glad we did it.  It adds the dimension I was hungering for a couple of years ago when I'd given up on drums all together. I may still need to add more drums though...

Keyboard Parts (6/18/2013 - Transferred Archive)

Braedon and I have been working hard to solidify keyboard parts that he will record.  He's usually done after 1 or 2 takes.  It's sounding good.  Once the keyboards are all done, we'll do some djembe drums, then our good friend Jonathan Keane will fly in to do some electric guitar with bow, then it's all the girls doing backups.  Then mixing... then.  Moving back to Washington!

More Acoustic (3/15/2013 - Transferred Archive)

I'm taking a lot of keyboards out, and some electric guitars that we've laid down.  I'm adding more piano, dulcimer and acoustic guitars to everything.  My hope is to be done with this entire album by the middle of June.  We'll see what happens.