Groovin' with Tom Teasley

I just finished up two different days in the studio with global percussionist Tom Teasley who added some wonderful sounds and beats to our upcoming Mystic Christmas CD.  He brought so many toys with him that they filled the room!  There was no way he could play them all but we certainly had a lot of choices!  He ended up adding doumbek, djembe, riqq, several kinds of cymbals, triangle and shakers to seven tracks.  If you've never heard of a riqq, it's a middle eastern style tambourine that has a very interesting sound when played with the fingers.  Tom's wonderful artistry on all those different instruments gives us many "colors" to add to our sound palette.  Tom has been sought after to provide original music and effects for several local theater productions.  After seeing him in action this past summer, I can see why.  It adds quite an exciting element to watching the play and certainly heightens the dramatic effect.  Tom will be playing with us at several of our upcoming concerts in December, so come check him out...this is going to be a mystical Christmas indeed!  ~Mary Anne   

Back in the Studio with Paul Bell

I spent a wonderful three hours in the studio with the fabulous Paul Bell.  Paul plays guitar and tours with the Nighthawks.  Paul grew up learning classical guitar before getting into the rock scene.  He plays several string instruments with equal skill and it was breathtaking to watch him in action.  You'll get to hear him play an acoustic nylon string guitar on some solo melodies and then provide a great rhythm track with a steel string guitar as well as an Irish Bouzouki on our new Mystic Christmas CD.  There's just something inspiring about being in the studio with such an accomplished player. Paul is extremely humble and a perfectionist at his work.  All of our guest artists have been gracious and incredibly talented people. 

Next week, Tom Teasley comes into the studio to add all kinds of colors and beats with his array of percussion instruments.  I'll try to get some pictures for my next blog. ~Mary Anne

In the Studio with Tina Chancey

I had the great privilege of being in the studio with Tina Chancey last Friday. Tina is a musicologist and plays a number of different stringed instruments, most of them being early versions of instruments that are played today. She added bass viol (an early version of the cello) to three of our tracks. It has a slighty different sound than the cello and I can't wait for our fans to hear it along with harp, oboe, flute, electronic keyboard and voices. It really adds to the "mystic" quality of our sound! Tina is wonderful to work with and has put out many albums herself so we were glad to have her knowledge and expertise on hand. She also played a rebec (a medieval violin--it's tiny!) and a lyra (a Slavik instrument that stands on the lap and is bowed like a cello). It is still played in that part of the world today.

At the end of this week I'll be in the studio with Paul Bell, guitarist extraordinaire! More about that soon! ~Mary Anne