Solid jam Monday
This week's rehearsal went very well as we got through all of I, Awake, Social Engineering, and Crippled by Fear. This is a first for the band, as we've always had something to work on in depth on any one of those three songs (bear in mind that they range from 13 - 17 minutes in length). We spent a bit of extra time on timing in sections of Social Engineering, reviewing some bass parts here as well, and also fine tuning the vocal harmonies in Crippled by Fear. Overall it was a very productive jam for us, and with Steve now pretty much completely up to speed on these songs, they'll be performance ready in no time.
On the recording front, Kevin has been delayed in firming up his drum parts for I, Awake, and has wisely chosen to spend a bit more time getting things perfect before we begin recording, which will hopefully begin in the next couple of weeks.
Falling Edge
More work on Crippled by Fear
After a fairly lengthy Christmas break, the band was back at it this week, rehearsing I, Awake, Social Engineering, and Crippled by Fear. The last 2 are really coming along nicely, with the timing issues now becoming a lot less prevalent in Social Engineering. Good progress is being made in Crippled by Fear as well, as Steve becomes more and more familiar with the changes in that song.
We are now planning to record drum tracks for I, Awake in the next couple of weeks. Although we were pretty much ready to go before Christmas, Kevin came up with some new parts over the holidays, and wants to make sure everything is rock solid before the tape starts rolling .
Falling Edge
Merry Christmas
Falling Edge would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Falling Edge
got through Crippled by Fear
The band had a very productive jam last night, working on I, Awake, Social Engineering and Crippled by Fear. Since I, Awake is basically ready to record (in fact the recording on it has already started as noted in previous posts), it just got a cursory once-over, with a little discussion on some of the finer points of the song. Social Engineering is really starting to come together now, with only a couple of small timing issues to work out.
The big surprise of the night was Crippled by Fear. Although we'd previously only looked at small sections of this one, we got through the entire song last night with only minor glitches along the way. Steve now has a pretty solid handle on the keyboard parts of this song, and it won't be long before we have it totally under control.
With Christmas fast approaching, we decided to put off any more recording (particularly the drums) until the new year.
Falling Edge
I, Awake keyboard recording begun
Steve began recording keyboard parts this week. Since some parts of I, Awake have a loose timing to them, we decided it would be better to lay down these before doing drum tracks, so Kevin didn't have to try to guess at what the rest of the band might be playing. The recording went well, and a fair amount of time was spent picking and tweaking keyboard sounds to get the best possible sound for the part.
We hope to get the last of these keyboard parts recorded by this time next week, but we may have to wait until after Christmas to begin recording drums.
Falling Edge
Crippled by Fear at rehearsal
Last night at rehearsal the band got together to discuss any final tempo or arrangement changes in I, Awake before Kevin begins recording drum tracks. Because there are a few places where the time is fairly loose, we decided to have Chris and Steve do their respective guitar and keyboard parts in these areas before handing things over to Kevin. Chris and Steve hope to tackle that sometime this week.
We also spent a little more time working on Crippled by Fear with Steve. There are a lot of keyboard solos in this song, so it was good to bring Steve up to speed on the chord changes. We managed to get through it pretty much to the end, and Steve was able to solo to his heart's content. It shouldn't be long before this one's performance ready.
Falling Edge
Steve Fowler, R.I.P.
It is with great sadness that I announce the death of fellow guitarist and friend Steve Fowler.
Steve was a great friend, and I feel honoured to have had the chance to know him, work with him and share music with him. Among other things, Steve was a great guitarist - one of the finest I've ever known, and a talented producer. He helped build my custom electric (well, built most of it really), engineered and produced most of my early classical stuff, and helped me get started playing live classical/fingerstyle jazz stuff (hell, he taught me most of the arrangements, some of which I still play). I thank God for putting him in my path.
Eternal rest, grant unto him O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him.
Chris Rupert (guitar) - Falling Edge
Hammond parts done, rehearsal last night
Recording of I, Awake is moving right along, as Steve finished up recording one section of organ last week. This particular section is largely improvised at rehearsals, so we thought it wise to record Steve's part first so that the rest of the band could sync up to it, allowing a tighter recording. Steve's Hammond/Leslie combination started acting up near the end of the session, producing some interesting sounds of destruction on some of the takes (which we may actually use...). With this section now complete, we'll start recording drum tracks very soon.
The band had a solid rehearsal last night as well. We went through I, Awake with ease (finally!!), and spent some time rehearsing Social Engineering and Crippled by Fear. With I, Awake now rock solid, we'll be concentrating on ironing out some of the problem areas in these epic tunes.
Falling Edge
Organ parts begun
Steve began recording one section of the organ parts for I, Awake on Monday night. We were fortunate to be able to actually use one of Steve's Hammond organs with a Leslie speaker, and are really happy with the way things turned out - the organ tone is too sweet (Steve's playing isn't half bad either...)
Unfortunately Steve didn't get everything that he wanted recorded, so he's going to try to finish up tomorrow. More on that as it develops.
Falling Edge
Falling Edge on Dante’s Prog Blog Inferno
Falling Edge received a nice mention at Dante's Prog Blog Inferno.