OK. So I’ve posted here for about 10 years now. Well, a lot of that time was on the “old” g.com, but still it’s been quite awhile. In all that time I’ve posted a LOAD of stuff about recording, and some links to a couple of “full production” cuts of mine that have come from the studio, but I’ve never posted any of my own “raw” playing

Spending some time with my grandson last month, has gotten me to realize that I should record all the stuff I know, (covers and eventually my original stuff,) so that there’s a copy of “grandpa” doing his thing, the way the family is used to hearing it, floating around out there.

SO… I’ve decided to record one song a week, (MAYBE two or three, depending on the studio schedule, but don’t count on it,) and will post them here for you as I progress. The studio is getting a LOT busier lately, so finding an open slot to get myself into the studio to record is becoming more difficult. (Be aware that your desire to own a studio will eventually overcome your ability to control it.) I was going to do this Monday night, but we got a call from someone who needed an “emergency” recording, so that shot the evening regarding MY project. Then Tuesday we had a songwriting session with a local songwriter who comes in to have music put to his words. Wednesday night was yet another group, kickin’ the old school blues style. Thursday was Valentine’s Day, and we had yet another customer in working on their final mix. Friday was more of the same... FINALLY this weekend gave me some time to get this started.

So here, for your listening pain/pleasure, and expected criticism, is my version of “God Bless The Child.” It’s an acoustic version and I may eventually add drums and bass, but for now, the “raw” tracks are what I’m after, so that’s all you’re getting.

I’m going to stress RAW here! I haven’t performed seriously in about 10 years and hadn’t played the guitar for about 6-7 months before 3 weeks ago when I was babysitting the grandson. I didn’t “fix” anything at all. No punches, no overdubs. It is what it is. I just played the guitar part straight through. Be advised, I sing… So you may want to protect your ears! “God Bless…” is fairly new for me as well, so the vocals are pretty weak as I’m still not exactly sure where I want to go with it. I do have a couple other cuts too and may post them later, depending on how much pain this one causes everyone else.. Doubled vocals cover up a LOT of crap, but this one is nearly impossible for me to double at this point. I only found a couple places where it works, so you will hear it pop in and out. This one WILL be redone in the future, but for now, this is it. Flat, sharp, warbly and all...

Technical stuff…

The recording was engineered by my brother in my own studio. We used a Nady RSM-2 ribbon on the body and a Marshall V69 tube mic on the neck. Both mics were less than 6” from the instrument. The neck mic was pointed at the 12th fret and was placed directly in front of my left hand, so there could be some finger noise. We also used a CADM179 set to omni for a room mic and it was placed near the ceiling. It was played on a Carvin C980T12 12 string, (I typically don’t play 6 stringed instruments unless I’m adding something to a recording.) Vocals were recorded through a SE Electronics 5600 tube mic through a phonic tube pre and BBE MaxCom.

LINK: http://www.cleargravy.com/mp3/GodBless.mp3

I've also added two others you can listen to. Links are in the next post of mine in this thread.