Friday
Mar022007
VITAMIN C!!!!
Friday, March 2, 2007 at 03:32PM
I rarely get sick. But when I do it's almost always right after some intense period of work. I've been going so hard with touring and then the recording that a couple days ago I started to feel like I was going to come down with something nasty. So last night I took a vitamin and two Emergen-C packets, giving me about twenty times the daily recommendation of Vitamin C, and I went to bed at 8:15. It was awesome.
A brief update about the Caedmon's record: I finished an older unfinished piece of a song Monday night and we recorded it Tuesday. It's currently called "When the Earth Around Me Shakes". I keep listening to it over and over on my iTunes. It's one of my favorite songs I've ever written. Very simple, catchy and fun. I can't wait for you guys to hear it. Hopefully you'll all be sick of it at some point (because it's such a huge hit).
I'm about to head down to the ol' basement to try and piece back together my studio enough for me to get working on guitar and vocal overdubs for what we recorded this week. I'll post a couple photos of the current Velvet Eagle once it flaps its wings a little and grabs a bite to eat. (just go with me)
I'll try to demo up one of the songs that isn't going to make the final cut, so I can at least share something with you. A lot of you have been asking me about the record, what it sounds like, what it's about. And I want to tell you. But I'm curious. What do you want it to sound like? What do you want it to be about? If you've ever liked the band, what did you like about it?
A brief update about the Caedmon's record: I finished an older unfinished piece of a song Monday night and we recorded it Tuesday. It's currently called "When the Earth Around Me Shakes". I keep listening to it over and over on my iTunes. It's one of my favorite songs I've ever written. Very simple, catchy and fun. I can't wait for you guys to hear it. Hopefully you'll all be sick of it at some point (because it's such a huge hit).
I'm about to head down to the ol' basement to try and piece back together my studio enough for me to get working on guitar and vocal overdubs for what we recorded this week. I'll post a couple photos of the current Velvet Eagle once it flaps its wings a little and grabs a bite to eat. (just go with me)
I'll try to demo up one of the songs that isn't going to make the final cut, so I can at least share something with you. A lot of you have been asking me about the record, what it sounds like, what it's about. And I want to tell you. But I'm curious. What do you want it to sound like? What do you want it to be about? If you've ever liked the band, what did you like about it?
Reader Comments (18)
how much of that Fulldrive2 pedal have you used on your tracks? its quickly become my favorite overdrive...what a cool pedal...I got a Mosfet version...nice crunch
I'm looking forward to a good, old fashioned Caedmon's album about life. Share the Well is awesome, but I'm looking forward to something different.
I also can't wait to hear an album chock full o' Andy and Randy songs.
I want three part harmonies by you, Danielle, and Cliff. I want lots of percussion on all sorts of crazy, wierd drums that I've never heard of before. I want real lyrics about real people that don't sound like Christian Hit Radio songs. I want shredding guitar solos with lots of fret-board tapping.
Ok, maybe not the shredding guitar solos, but you never know, it could work.
I've been a CC fan for a long time. Since the first CD. But, when I first heard CC with significant AO DNA, I was really impressed. It gave a depth (meat) to the sound of the band that I hadn't heard before. So, I am hoping for lots more of that AO DNA mixed in with Cliff and the rest of the band.
I miss PFR. I think their sound would meld well with the AO DNA which already mixes well with CC.
Lyrically, I've always loved the personal faith exploration that CC does, no matter the writer. You, Cliff, Josh, Derek, Aaron Tate, and lately Randall, and others who have written for CC have all really helped build the kingdom by sharing struggles and triumphs of faith in your writing.
Musically, I've loved every avenue y'all have explored for one reason or another (even the horn section in Long Line of Leavers). But I don't think I'll ever get over the wall-o-sound approach of There's Only One, or the driving bass beat of that live version of Before There Was Time. All told, I don't think I'll be disappointed to see what y'all come up with. A lot of folks say they'd love it if you'd return to the 'roots' sound of CC, with duo acoustics and such, but I think the whole sound from MC//YS to now has been one big continuum.
One thing you might explore - I don't recall ever hearing a hammered dulcimer on any CC recording (maybe I just don't remember it). You might plug in Ben Shive or Gabe Scott behind a dulcimer on something and see what happens. Or I'm sure Josh could take a week and learn to play it perfectly. Show off...
I am very excited to hear this. Seriously.
Folk Rock Country Psychobilly with a touch of nickel creek's rnb (i should've known better is a great example)
more metal blast beats.
I'm not a huge CC fan (I loved the first album, then lost interest), but Share the Well is perhaps one of the finest "Christian" albums of all time (in case your interested, the others are Whiteheart's "Freedom", Nichole Nordeman's "Wide Eyed", Rich Mullin's "A Liturgy....", and SCC's "Signs of Life"). I loved the writing, the intricate arrangements, the stories...just everything. I'd love to see the new album be like that - not necessarily narrowly focused like Share the Well, but musically challenging and lots of storytelling.
I've been a big Caedmon's fan since 40 acres. I think that the band's sound should follow the type from Innocent's Corner/Bombay Rain type. I loved how both songs were mixed with amazing guitars/percussion/organ and lyrically how it was constructed. Definitely more guitar solos!
Something between Nickelback and Toby Keith. I just threw-up in my mouth a little.
andy, from one of the biggest caedmon's fans ever (me) to you (you), please play some great guitar solos. acoustic or electric. stuff that sounds great on the record and that you can jam live. they dont need to big big Def Leppard solos. listen to "Forget What You Know" on the Just Dont Want Coffee cd to know what i mean.
I have to agree with Jeff H about the three part harmonies. That's what originally got me hooked on Caedmon's many years ago. Give me some tasty vocal work and I'm happy; the rest is just gravy.
Though I'm also a sucker for acoustic guitar solos.
im gonna go with jeff h. and judd here. the three part harmonies have been sorely lacking. there is a difference between a lead vocal and two bgv's singing harmony. what drew a ton of people to c.c. in the first place was that unique sound of three lead vocalists.
i miss the "warmth" of the self titled release. it felt as if you were in the same room with the musicians at times... i miss that on most albums from anyone these days. technology is great.. but can be over used. in the hands of overly excited and ambitious engineers and producers.
and, along with bryan, i would love to here some j.d.w.c. era acoustic guitar solo's.
also, ya'll should get malcolm burn to produce this one. im sure he would do it for free.
-stephen cavness
I agree with the 3 part harmonies, the 3 of your voices blended sound amazing together. Also, would love to hear some of the organ instrumentation that made 40 acres and the original Call to worship so great(think daring daylight escape + I boast no more), while adding your great Guitar work A.O. and your ability to harmonize. The hammered dulcimer Via Ben Shive would be tremendous considering when I hear it I think of Rich Mullins & B.T.L.O.G (chills down the spine). That would be amazing.
3 part harmoines are great; but I also like hearing the voices doing different things at the same time- counters, call-response, etc. One of the things I like about STW, aside from the whole vibe, was that Danielle sang more lead than she had in a long time. I know she's not into that whole diva front person thing; but she's so good!
Overall, I just want it to sound like you guys (& gal), being honest, and putting your hearts into what you're doing. Maybe even having a bit of fun with it, too.
A few months a go you asked us for suggestions as to who should produce the album. Any hints as to who it will be?
I hope the new album has some good percussion songs. I hope there is definitely a song to highlight Danielle's awesome voice with lyrics that both challenge me and make me think.
Andy, I expect you to provide your great songwriting combined with Aaron Tate and Randall. (I'm licking my chops just thinking about it!)
I second the call for a little hammer dulcimer. Not only does it sound good, but it really adds to the texture and feel of a song.
Most of all, continue to dig deep, and be passionate and honest about your struggles and challenges, while always looking to God with both more questions as well as answers! The personal, passionate, spiritual lyrics are a hallmark of CC and a big part of what draws me to the band the most.
God Bless!