(not necessarily in that order)
We spent the morning with our recording tech guys, mixing and mastering the two songs that we’ll be sharing as singles from our soon-to-be-launched Christmas album.
Then I tackled some fairly hefty tasks this afternoon.
And now I really don’t feel like typing another sentence. Yep, I’m truly done for the day!
We’re happy to say — in any language — that we are officially finished with all the actual recording required for the Christmas album — whoohoo!
The focus was on filling in the arrangements with instrumental accompaniments — violin, flute, keyboard, and harp.
It took literally all day, from 9:30am until 6:30pm (with a lunch break, of course). Prashad was with us for most of it, but had already left before we took the photo at the very end.
I’m quite certain that we’re going to sleep well tonight.
We had hoped to finish up the Christmas album today, but — as is often the case when recording — it all took longer than anticipated.
So, we’ve got one more session scheduled for later this week, and that really should do it.
Of course, we always manage to have quite a bit of fun in the process. Prashad might look innocent, but he’s the one who had everyone cracking up!
The Joy Singers accomplished our Christmas album recording goals today, but — boy oh boy — is it an exhausting process!
The six traditional carols are “in the can” (as they say); one more full day and we’ll be done.
Especially appropriate as we prepare to go into the studio to record Christmas carols tomorrow!
The Joy Singers started recording a new Christmas album last March and we’re returning to the studio soon to do the second half.
Crystal Clarity Publishers will be launching it sometime in November. Considering how much remains to be done after the recording process is complete — mastering, artwork, graphic design, marketing, promotions, etc. — time is already of the essence. ⌛
So, yes — we’re very much feeling the Spirit of Christmas even in the heat of July.
We just finished our weekend of recording and I’m pleased to report that we’ve made a really good start on our Christmas album!
People have been asking us to do this for years, decades even. So, even though there’s still a lots and lots to do, it feels really good to finally be transforming the “idea” into “reality.”
PLUS…! Today was my first butterfly sighting of the year; two lovelies joyfully dancing around one another. Made my day.
I think Spring has most definitely “sprung!”
The Joy Singers recorded all day today and we’ll be at it again tomorrow.
More to be revealed soon, but tonight I’m done in and ready for bed.
We’re working with Crystal Clarity Publishers on an upcoming project and needed some detailed information about the “Joy Is God” recording that we did in Ananda Assisi back in 2005.
Our memories were fuzzy so I had to search and search until I found a copy of the CD with the original liner notes (it’s changed several times since it first came out). And what a find!
We were ensconced for two days in Swami Kriyananda’s home near the Assisi retreat center (he was in India). Our recording engineer drove down from Lugano in a van containing his mobile recording studio, which he parked outside Swamiji’s house.
The musicians were from Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and America — all of them dear friends and great devotees. I wish we could have remained close to all of them, but almost twenty years have passed and it’s not easy to stay connected when you lead busy lives on separate continents.
What I love most of all is this shot of Ramesha and me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen myself looking happier than in this photo.
Joy is God, indeed!
We’re at that stage of the process where it’s feeling like maybe we did, indeed, bite off more than we can chew.
I mean, we’re helping to launch the new Ananda music app; planning for seven weeks away; preparing our place for a guest to stay while we’re gone; recording the live performance of the Oratorio on Good Friday; then leaving for Europe three days after that.
And somewhere in the midst of all this I’m supposedly practicing flute; working on my voice; brushing up on my Italian; resting; meditating; exercising; and being balanced and mindful.
Yeah, right!
But, sure enough, the only solution is to just keep going (or chewing, that is!), in the belief that I will be able to swallow it all down….eventually!