Robbie Duncan writes: Hi everybody Somehow it’s been 19 years since I started Braeburn Recording Studio – so I thought it was about time I did my first newsletter. Here are just a few of the projects I’ve been working on this year – recently launched, or about to be! Unsung Heroes – Chris Priestley Many of you will know Chris’s music, or have met him at Real Groovy, the Java Jive, Kerouac’s, or the Atomic Café, more recently One 2 One. Unsung Heroes is his first album of original songs, and it’s just out from Ode. Unsung Heroes was recorded both at Braeburn and on location at the Bunker in Devonport, and features the talents of Nigel Gavin, Cameron Bennett, and many other fine musicians. The songs tell stories Chris has researched from New Zealand historical sources, and the CD is presented inside a booklet full of historical newspaper clippings that give the background to each character. If you’ve ever been to the Tahora Music Festival and driven passed the obscure and solitary grave of Joshua Morgan in the Tangarakau Gorge, you’ll find his story here, along with the legendary prospector Captain Moonlight, the heroic Huria Matenga, feisty Little Biddy of the Buller and Kimble Bent. The CD finishes with a fine tribute to Chris’s father and his exploits in World War II. This is the third full album I’ve had the privilege to work on with Chris, and you can hear more about it on National Radio in August. In the meantime, there are reviews from Marty Duda (‘the most entertaining history lesson you’re like to encounter this (or any) year’) and Graham Reid (‘an excellent album’) online already. For bookings and copies of the album, contact chrisjpriestley@gmail. Lucky Stars and Secondhand Blues, Laura Collins and the Backporch Band Not one but two albums released simultaneously this weekend from Laura Collins and the Backporch boys. We relocated the entire studio to the Kapiti Coast to record these CDs over the course of two very intense days in April. Laura says, “Both albums have captured the sound of the band in the room… I aimed with both to give up perfection and go for the heart of the song.’ Those of you who’ve heard the band in its long-running residency at Kelburn or elsewhere will know the quality of Laura’s songs and performance, and these recordings capture that perfectly – and include some fine Blind Boys of Alabama style bvs from the band. In my opinion, we caught some real magic on these, my third and fourth albums with Laura. Lucky Stars presents Laura’s alt-country incarnation, with a set of mainly original songs featuring the core Back Porch Band (Laura, George Barris and Matt Newman) with guest appearances from Paddy Burgin (lapsteel and mandolin) and Al Norman (accordion and percussion). The second album features the band in blues mode, Paddy and Al step down and are replaced by Kiwi music icon Wayne Mason (keys, bvs) and Pete Cogswell (drums/percussion). It is always a pleasure to work with the legendary George Barris (I have been a fan of his since I was 20 when I used to follow his band Highway - they were my introduction to improvisation). Visit lauracollins.co.nz to find out more. The Pleasure of Ruins – Otagolands Otagolands is the recording moniker for Richard Leschen, whose earlier albums Black Horses and New Sun Rising I recorded a few years back. The Pleasure of Ruins sees a full new set of songs from this American-born, Auckland-based singer-songwriter and former Dead-head, supported by Vanessa McGowan of the Tattletale Saints. New Zealand Musician reviewer Ania Glowacz describes it as a ‘richly rewarding experience…Intimate and ambient, mainly voice and acoustic guitar, the real richness comes from the brilliant lyrics.’ Richard will be performing songs from the album at Meow in Wellington on 10 August, with Maree Thom on bass and accordion. There’s a preview at otagolands.wordpress/, and you can find his earlier albums on amplifier.co.nz One of the things I love about my job is meeting and working with so many talented and interesting people – in addition to be a great jammer, Richard is an entomologist, a world-authority on beetles. Watch Over Me, Hanne Jøstensen These days you don’t have to be in the same room to work on someone’s album. One of the more networked recordings I’ve worked on this year was this EP by songwriter Hanna Jøstensen, who was brought up on in a tiny fishing community on an island off the coast of Norway, where her grandfather ran the lighthouse. Recorded under pressure of deadline – a baby on the way! – it involved sending files to Norway for keyboard parts to be recorded, then sending it up to Auckland to be mixed and mastered. I was sorry to miss the Wellington launch in March. Check her music out on hannejostensen. Lock up your Grannies, Lie to Me This one was personal. Lie to Me features Wayne Finch, who was in my first serious band way back in the late 60s, and Bernard Messmer, who was my guitar pupil, along with Warwick Halcrow (bass). The album was part of Wayne’s rehabilitation after suffering a stroke, and it was a huge pleasure to be a part of that, especially as the album includes five of Wayne’s original songs. It’s a limited release – contact [email protected] to get a copy. I’m looking forward to recording the next one! Upcoming releases I’m currently mastering Helen Dorothy’s second album, Watching Ghosts. It’s an album that’s been a long time in the making, but the results are well worth it. I’m also waiting on the release of the second full album I’ve recorded with Piripi Whaanga (Whaanga Whanau - Te putanga a te hinu) and there’s a blues recording in the pipeline from Dave Murphy and Dougal Speir. More on these in the next newsletter! I’m also working on projects by Andy Laking (formerly of Grada), Josie Campbell and Deborah Gough (currently based in Kathmandu), as well as an album for a Wellington chocolatier (payment in kind for musical services has been very tasty). In between all of this, I’m working on another Robbie Duncan album - but I’ve always got room for more music. Please contact me if you have a recording project you want to discuss - and feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who might be interested. All the best from Braeburn Robbie Duncan Tel 04 472 7403 [email protected] braeburn.co.nz
Posted on: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 00:24:05 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015