CHANGE OF HEART

When Helen called to ask if I’d be willing to check out her recordings in progress and help with some production/guidance I was really impressed with the quality of the songs, and the virtuosity of her playing and singing. She had cut some demos at a studio in Chicago, and while the playing was very good, there was little separation of elements - drums, piano, vocals, all bleeding into each other, making a proper mix difficult.

I employed some studio magic to improve clarity, and add character to the drums and piano, but asked her to retrack the vocal so it could be placed properly in the mix where it belonged.

I recorded some lead guitar parts as a guide for possible sax lines her sax player could lay down, but she really liked what I did, so ended up having the saxophonist play in and around my lines.

I played bass, added some strings, and some ambient-style percussion before the drums kick in to set a mood, and mixed it. And voila, an all long-distance collaboration that really properly showcases Helen’s writing and performing.