I was driving yesterday and saw a billboard that had a caption on it that read: Everyday is another moment to turn things around. That immediately sparked a phrase in my head from a movie that goes something like: every passing moment is another chance to turn it all around. That movie is Vanilla Sky.
One thing I learned yesterday is that its never good to assume you understand everything. Especially when it involves getting work or auditioning to get work. I also made a cool new connection with a Grammy winning mastering guy, Gavin Lurssen. Because of my pursuit of audio greatness and not wanting to be smashed to bits with volume only, I always look at ways to improve the sound without only going for the loud. Gavin, as a mastering guy feels much the same way. He obviously knows what he’s doing, he’s won some Grammy’s for his work.
I also got a chance to sit with my friend Jesse last night. We chatted over dinner and wine. Discussing life, relationships, music, and of all things, mixing. It was good and somewhat cathartic. It also led to a discovery about a mix that Gavin mastered that will hopefully translate into a fix before it goes to release. Currently awaiting Gavin’s thoughts.
This morning I got out for a run. It’s that time of year where it’s not too hot in the morning so running isn’t overly taxing. I believe I did about a 6 mile run. Not too shabby. Will be nice to get it up to about 10 in the next few weeks. It’s a great way to escape in the jungle of LA. Put on the iPod, flow with some music and sort stuff out in the head while working out the body.
Now it’s on to the cover art finalization and waiting on mastering thoughts before everything is ready to be sent off to iTunes, Amazon and all the other outlets. Woo Hoo!
So enjoy your moment with me today as you’re listening to a song by that title by Harry Connick Jr. He’s an obvious talent. I guess a way to say it would be a he’s a savior for a style of music that once had a big heyday but has since had it’s star fade a little to background. I can’t profess to be an exceptional expert on the subject of jazz. I can very much appreciate it as I studied it in school. I know the theory behind it. But I’m not a jazz player by any stretch of the imagination.
For this song I’m digging the instrumentation. More big band than say a little jazz trio. This allows for some really cool aspects to the arrangement. The horns playing playful little lines while the strings are providing a tension aspect to the background. The drums are keeping a sly swinging beat. Then you’ve got Harry’s smooth vocals going over the top. A bit of the stylings of say Sinatra oozing out of the speakers. Not a bad thing.
Enjoy your thursday and may you turn something around!