OK, OK, it’s not THAT bad! Mixing is actually quite fun. No, honest…really. It IS!

As I mention in Part I, you need to start with vocal tracks that are pristine, ‘dry’ (no effects), and of the very best performance quality. Think of the mixing procedure as the Recipe, and you are the Chef. You MUST have the freshest, highest quality ingredients before you begin putting it all together…the sum is only as good as the parts! So…let’s start mixing!

Generally speaking, I ask the engineer (my engineer is the fabulous Jamie Bridges, of “Room With a View Studio” in Petaluma, CA) to first mix the instrumental tracks separately from the vocal tracks. “But I thought we were going to start with mixing my VOICE!!” Well, “Patience, Grasshopper,” is my response to you, O Impatient One. You need to build the ‘frame’ for your fabulous vocals FIRST. THEN you mix your vocals….So, where was I? Oh yes… (more…)

Oh man, poor Jamie, my engineer on the new CD project. After weeks of vocal sessions, overdubs and do-over sessions, I finally let him know about 10 days ago that OK, I am FINALLY satisfied, somewhat, with my vocals and ready to mix the project. So like a good soldier, he began the mixing process - he would mix a song, send it to me via email so I could listen in iTunes, and then I would email back my comments. And 9 times out of 10 the comments were - “Great mix. But I heard something in my vocals I want to fix - can I come over and do a quickie over-dub of ONE WORD?”

“Just ONE word?”

“Um….yeah. Is that a problem?”

“YES!!! You are obsessive, compulsive, and a perfectionist. And you’re a really good singer. So QUIT ALREADY!! I AM NOT GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO RECORD ONE WORD! WE’RE MIXING!! NOT RECORDING!” (more…)

Yesterday I had a very long telephone interview with jazz historian, writer and all-around groovy guy Scott Yanow, who is writing my new bio and the liner notes for the upcoming CD release. (Hint for you singers and musicians out there - Hire Scott to write for you!! Even though I’ve been writing for years, it is much easier to have someone else write your history. I tried writing my own bio but got so bogged down and oh man I don’t even want to write about my inability to write!! Fagetaboutit, already!!!)

ANYWAY - the interview brought up so many memories - experiences and people I haven’t thought of for years - that I told Scott when he finished interviewing me: “This is better than therapy! You should charge me for a psychiatry session!” In fact, I’ve been up since 3:30 this morning (it’s 5:30 a.m. right now), unable to sleep with all these memories and thoughts “swirling ’round in my brain like the bubbles in a glass of champagne…” It really went to my head!

And something occurred to me that I wanted to pass on to you other singers, musicians and artists who are struggling with your own creative processes. The thought is this: Become fearless again. Wow…pretty deep, huh? But really - (more…)

My friend Jan Kucker sent me a link to this absolutely beautiful video of artist “Kaziah,” who paints portraits of soldiers who have died in Iraq. She has painted hundreds of them, refuses any payment, sends them to the families, and then just keeps going. What a tragedy that she has over 4,000 soldiers to choose from. But what comfort and joy she brings to the mothers, fathers and loved ones whose pain will never go away. I dare you not to cry. A very touching video. Click here: http://www.militarytimes.com/hancock

Yesterday was a really fun day in the studio! I had decided that on one song in particular, an accordion would add a beautiful ambiance, a little bit of sparkle, to an already great arrangement that Gerry Grosz wrote for me. The song has a tango or rhumba feel to it, and I sing the last half of the song in Italian.

So, I hired Steve Albini, and really great accordion player (and an even greater singer!) to come in and add a little spumoni to the song…and it sounds so cool, I LOVE it!

It was a very interesting process, as Steve has such a different (and lovely) sense of melody/harmony than I do. And working with another chordal instrument was challenge, since I’ve already got piano, guitar and vibes providing the harmonic/chordal structure underneath the songs. So - how to add accordion without making everything sound muddy?

Luckily, it was really easy, with Steve! We did several tracks, and I sang the parts that I wanted him to play. He did a great job, but it wasn’t quite what I was looking for.

I decided to open the bottle of Italian red wine he had brought to the session (my kinda guy!) and we took a little break, enjoying the excellent bouquet and flavor of the wine and talking about Music, Life, Kids, and I also reminisced about my days singing at the Sons of Italy in upstate New York, oh soooooo long ago!

Anyway, that was enjoyable, but time to get back to work! I told Steve: “Now - just ignore everything I’ve told you to play, and play as if you’re on stage, in front of your own band, performing this song. Do whatever you want!!

Well, that was the ticket! He had incorporated my suggestions, but went with his own feelings, and of course, as usual, that worked beautifully. He did a great job, and he’s such a sweetie, too.

I’ve always wanted to add accordion, and now I have. Very soon I’ll begin posting some song samples so you can hear it!