Week 2 Januari 2002
Sun 27th
My day off
Weather Channel quote of the day “the south is just a mess” .
This is our channel of choice in the studio lounge, not that we do any hanging around or anything.
Mon 28th
Back in the stude today, a shot here of the two Studer A800 tape machines fitted with the 16 track headblocks.
(Note tracks 17-24 on each machine not active)
Chuck’s assistant on these sessions is John Sailor.
Here he demonstrates his system of what we call ‘recall’. He’s taking digital snaps of the amp settings which then get stored with all the other recall info for the session. It’s part of the assistant’s job.
All this for a 3 piece!……John repatching vocal takes at the patchbay for Mark to sing over the track we cut today (Monday) Ino rder to route the vocal to another track on the tape machine, you need to ‘direct patch’ it into the relevant tape line input.
We utilised every patch cord in the building and some from the studio over the road.
Chad’s kit today comprises today of a Ludwig bass drum (1960’s) his DW toms and an OLD Ludwig snare. The blanket over the bass drum is to deaden the sound in the extreme as we were after a very dry 70’s sound. Note also the foam baffle the left of the kit, again for ‘drying’ up the room.
Richard’s amps for today are a vibroverb, a Rickenbacker Electro and a Tone King.
Tue 29th
Today, after the session, we had the pleasure of visiting the new Nashville country music hall of fame. We were invited to look around this most wonderful exhibit after hours. It really was an awe inspiring experience and I’d strongly recommend it to all who visit Nashville.
This is the old RCA mixing desk at which the great Chet Atkins spent most of his early career. This thing churned out hit records! It probably still works. They used to combine 30-40 inputs down to 3 tracks, stereo with the vocal seperate..
Wed 30th
Here’s Mark and Richard running through another new tune before we all get our hands on it.
Mark’s playing his Martin and Richard has his bouzouki out.
Mark pickin’ on the studio couch
my feet
Thu 31th
Here’s a much requested shot of the Guitars Mark has over here for these sessions. Mark’s guitars from left to right – Gibson Southerner Jumbo (1953), Fender Stratocaster (1954), Gibson Advanced Jumbo (1938), Gibson Les Paul (1958), National Steel (circa ’38), Fender Telecaster (1954), Martin HD40 MK Signature (2001)
Richard Bennett playing a ’60’s Kay bass on one track. (Glenn played one of his uprights on the same song)…..note the label still on the guitar.
Glenn’s upright bass litter.
Richard’s guitar litter
L-R Chad Cromwell, Richard Bennett, Paul Franklin, Jim Cox, Glenn Worf, Mark Knopfler, Chuck Ainlay, Guy Fletcher, John Sailor
Fri 1st Feb
This evening we will be ‘in conversation with…’ at the newly opened Ingram hall at the Blair school of music here in Nashville.Oops forgot to take pics.
Here’s a shot of the 5 iso booths. This shot taken from the rock-room showing the view through the five isolation booths here.
Sat 2nd
Here’s us gathering for another new tune in the studio.
This is Chucks little amp which I used for the Wurly. He thinks it’s a Gibson but we’re not sure. Any ideas?
Our last day of recording in this stint. Just had to include a pic of Laurie (‘yum’ catering), who cooked spectacular lunches each day. Many pounds gained over this two week period.
Mark and I fly home tomorrow. I’ll continue this diary when we resume. VERY SOON…..
Stay tuned.
Guy
