Diva Dissection

[Richard Monroe]

Holy cow. When I made my first album last year, I asked a friend of mine who is a pro to do the photography, and she refused to let us pay her, except film and developing, but she said "I have a favor to ask you- I have this friend Kath who sings, and I always wanted a decent recording of her. The ony one I have was made on a cheap cassette in a barn 20 years ago, and sucks. Do you think you could do that?" Well, I agreed, what the hell? She came to visit from California last week, and we set up a whole day of tracking for Saturday. They came in with a bunch of karaoke tracks, and some commercial stuff that I had to strip the vocals out of (a learning experience for me, but I did OK.)
As soon as I saw the material, I knew either this babe could sing, or we were in for a long day. Well she walked into the vocal booth and *ka-ching*- did Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Pat Benatar, Dolly Parton, Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt, Madonna, and the Star Spangled Banner! I actually got to track American Idol finals material! When the dust settled, the winner of the signal chain shootout was B.L.U.E. Kiwi, AKG C414B-ULS, or Rode NTK into Joemeek twinQ. I've spent the last 4 days mixing it down, doing time-based editing, a little judicious pitch adjustment, and playing with 'verbs.
Some of the most fun I've had in a long time. She may be a crazy bitch, but it's OK, 'cause she's 95% as good as she thinks she is. I had a great time.-Richie

[Cosmic]

Hi Richard,

A good vocalist is hard to find So by all means stay in touch with her, and see if you can't get her to do originals, by her or others.
I hear you on the joy of it; I know you had a good time.

Best,

CC

[The Green Hornet]

Yo RM:

Moments like you had are really fun times. Long ago I had a little band in Chicago and was backing a teen amateur show for the local YMCA youth center. There was this chick, maybe 16, but a knockout, who was to do a blues tune vocal--SHE NEVER came to one rehearsal BUT showed up the night of the show wanting to sing her tune.

We gave her 4 bar intro and she knocked out the audience. Raw talent.

Most of the time while doing saloon gigs, a "guy" will ask if his girl can sit in and sing. Ouch! Well, most of the time it's, "Ouch." A couple of times I remember a couple of gals walking up on stage and saying, give me an intro in the key of F--dynOmite talent. Rare, but really rewarding.

Music is to enjoy.

Green Hornet