Ludamus, Gym and Whale Juice.
Written on:Wednesday, March 10, 2010
March 9th 2010 and I suppose this is my first blog of the year. My New years resolution to write more blogs has joined my eat more healthily and go to the gym more frequently resolutions in the failed pile, actually I'm going to label it a "still to be addressed pile" just so I can appear more optimistic. In fairness though I have been to the gym four times this year although one of those consisted of me looking through the door at the machines, I'm a great believer in breaking myself in gradually.
If I'm honest none of it is laziness, I've just been very busy. The recording part of the Ludamus project (see previous two blogs) is almost complete. The final mixing took place last week, It's been a long project but one I've thoroughly enjoyed. Matt the long suffereing sound wizard prepared some mixes which he sent up as mp3's via email. We then discussed some ideas and how we could improve anything that could be improved via skype. Skype is an amazing and powerful tool through which very soon I discovered Matt's vast knowledge of trivia. Did you know that audiotape originally used whale fat as a binder right up into the 1970's when a synthetic alternative had to be found and now it's not as good. Me neither although it joins a whole bunch of animal based music products such as gut strings (sheep intestines), shellac records (beetle juice) piano keys (hooves) and various tortoise based products that have been used in the past in the manufacture of musical instruments. I also learned a bit about how radio masts and mobile phone technology can play havoc with you nether regions. I love trivia and am always spouting it although I occasionally think of the great Peter Cooke sketch "Did you know you have four miles of tubing in your stomach. Without your intestines, you wouldn't be able to digest. Then you'd look a bit of a fool, wouldn't you?" Once the mixes were close then it was a hop into the car and a drive down the M1 to Hertfordshire. Since my discovery of audio books I've learned to love the M1 (a bit) and I've grown a rather unhealthy fondness for Marks and Spencer Just Food establishments. Once in Hertfordshire I met with Ronnie, Neil and Matt to finalise the mixes before they were mastered. As per usual some drink was involved. Linn records used to offer a statement on their records saying this album will sound best through a Linn turntable, we should have a statement on ours saying this album will sound better after half a bottle of Mount Gay rum as that was how it was mixed.
It's release should be fairly imminent so get saving the pennies as it is a project I am very proud to have been a part of, there are some amazing musicians on the album and it is well worth buying a copy.
Well I think that wraps up this blog for now. I hoped you enjoyed reading it. I will try and write more than one or two a year in fact from now I'm going to aim for one a month, in fact that can be my new, New years resolution.
