On this page, you'll find only my next two days. June 26th, 27th. The Recording Sessions.
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7th day
And on the 7th day.....
Tuesday June 26th
Durham...a lovely city. Pity I'm no where near it. Actually, I'm about an hour away from anything. We're out in the country side...out
in the fields. Anyway...this morning, I got up at 10:30am...had breakfast, and socialised for a while with June Clark (Nick's Mother).
Around 12pm, I went out to the bank and changed all my worthless British Pound Sterling Travellers Checks (Cheques) into real
cash - despite being told that they were widely accepted in the UK, it was all a lie. I went to about 10 different stores, and none of
them accepted the check (cheque). A Royal Pain!
Anyway - right now, as I am writing this, we are recording the CD. This is my downtime while they check levels, and do other
technical stuff with the sound. Currently, we are having issues with the microphones....and now (after 5 minutes) problems with the
balance...not quite sure really... Here are some photos of this session as it is now:
Pre-set-up of the Microphones.
Piano Microphones
The Microphones
Yes, we are now waiting....we've done about 10 takes....all good sings....but, the speakers and Microphones...and balance...are all
posing problems. Ahh...the joys of recording sessions. I did them all a couple of weeks ago at the National Cathedral in Washington
when we made our two CDs. Several hours of tedious recording sessions. Oh - well - that's the way it is. Here are some more
photos.
Here is the agenda for today...Duets:
Nick & I - while recording.
Sound the Trumpet - By Purcell: Nick - Alto 1, Chris - Alto 2
O, Dive Custos - Also by Purcell: Nick - Alto 1, Chris - Alto 2
Ohh...we just found out that the Microphones pointing towards the piano...WEREN'T TURNED ON!!! HAH! We've decided to exclude
them from this one....we'll add them later..balance tests take too long!
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Had a break - cup of tea and biscuits (cookies). Read to start recording again - although, now there is the problem with phlegm.
In vain the am'rous flute - Also Purcell. Alternating parts. Chris - Alto 2, then Alto 1 at repeat (each time) -I get to do the ornaments. ;)
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Another break - for dinner. It is now 7pm....we'll resume our next three-hour recording session at 8pm.
How far is it to Bethlehem - By June Clark: Nick - Alto 1, Chris - Alto 2
I wander as I wander - By June Clark: Nick - Alto 1, Chris - Alto 2
Of these four letters - By June Clark: Nick - Alto 1, Chris - Alto 2
The Cat Duet - By Rossini: Nick - Alto 1, Chris - Alto 2 --- A funny one...with a talk-out fading away...Fun!
END OF RECORDING FOR TONIGHT - we ended at 10:35pm. It's time for some WINE!
8th day
The second day of recording...my solos, and two final duets.
Wednesday June 27th
Another leisurely start to the day. I actually got up rather late at 12pm. I thought that today I might go for a walk around the area,
suck in some of this lovely scenery and enjoy the surroundings, as I'm off tomorrow. I didn't cause it was raining...HARD. So, we
stayed in...and relaxed. You know, one of the things I've been loving most since I got here....in Durham country...The Lunches
prepared by Mrs. Pepin. French Bread, cheeses, salad and soups....very nice.
Anyway...the recordings! We didn't finish the duets yesterday, so here is the agenda for today...Duets and Solos:
There is a balm - By June Clark - Alto 1, Chris - Alto 2
Deep River - By June Clark - Alto 1, Chris - Alto 2
Solos:
Now sleeps the crimson petal - Roger Quilter.
Take, O Take those lips away - Roger Quilter.
We did several takes of these two. The SUN has come out - - - and so has everyone else. It appears that the entire world, and their
dogs ... AND BLOODY BIG TRUCKS/LORRIES and Cars...all with their noise!!! have come out...! So, many takes were ruined because of
noise from outside...
Now we are breaking for a cup of tea. After the break, the following:
Flowe my teares - John Dowland
Music for a while - Henry Purcell
DONE - We recorded two other songs....But, we've decided to cut them both. They were " 'Simple GIfts, by June Clark' and 'Eternal
Source of Light, by Handel' ". Simple Gifts just didn't work on my voice....I hated it! the Handel, June hated the piano part....so....it's
decided....Nick and I will each do 4 solos. June will do 4 piano solos....and we'll add all the duets....9 duets in total.
BRAVA! The Recording Sessions ENDED at 6:45pm. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!
Dinner time....hmmm...smells like Chicken!
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I thought, now that it is late evening....after I've been to the pub for a drink...and had a nice walk....seen the sunset....and frozen my
butt off in the freezing cold weather....I thought I would upload some new photos....the final photos taken in this area. We leave
tomorrow morning back to civilisation at 6am. So, here we go:
More Sheep
Sheep
Sunset
Dad's Birthday...me mailing his card.
Me...in the pub
Me...in the pub....with a burning fire?
..... in the middle of the summer???
All in all....a lovely stay
in Durham County, Cumbria!
Local church....at sunset....
Lovely!
