Debut recording 40 years in the making!

Talk about thanks-giving. Over the past week, Brandon Ross and I finished mastering the SEMI-FREE debut recording with the great Michael Hynes of Nomatic Studio in Asheville, NC. He was recommended by the equally great Shahzad Ismaily, who recorded and mixed most of the record at his under-the-sidewalk co-operative studio in Manhattan known as Rivington66.

There are 5 tracks on the CD, three original compositions (Sigh of Relief, Do As I Do, Needle And Thread) and two covers – John Sebastian's Darling Be Home Soon and Cyril Tawney's The Grey Funnel Line.

All the tracks were recorded live, with overdubs by Doug Wieselman on bass clarinet. Kenny Wollesen, exquisite genius that he is, added Howitzer shells, wind wand and groaning rubber ball to Grey Funnel to stunning atmospheric effect. The first time I ever sang the song, at a benefit concert for St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn, I told Kenny I wanted to try to capture the quality of sound at sea, where you're never quite sure what you're hearing. He responded with empty Howitzer shells and I'm so glad they're back. You will be too.

Getting the artwork together this week, translating my cut paper collages to digital info with help from Kathyrn Dreier. CDs will be in hand in time for the holidays. And it only took 40 years, give or take (photographic evidence below). The secret is to make it worth the wait, and methinks we fulfilled the mandate.