dalebakerdrummer via posterous

(I set this up so I could post to my blog via email and cellphone) 



November 10, 2009

Drumming on LaLa (via dalebakerdrummer.com)

You've probably seen the new music search results that are being served up by Google when you search a band's name.  I've done a few searches and found search results that feature songs that I've played drums and percussion on.  I thought it was a pretty handy way to put together a quick little demo of sorts.  Of course, there are some songs that aren't featured (like these two of my favorites: Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers "Lisa" and The Rolling Creek Dippers "In My Hour of Darkness") but here are a few that I've found so far (and in no particular order).  It's a pretty diverse bunch of stuff...and this just scratches the surface. 

And yes, all the percussion you hear on Rebecca St. Jame's "Merciful" is me.  I think we laid down something like 48 tracks of percussion to create the "loops" that you hear.  But if memory serves,  I think I laid down even more percussion tracks on Steve Taylor's "Shortstop" (to create the "soft-shoe" and "Adam Ant" marching drum line feel).  

If you like what you hear and would like me to play on your next project, or help in any way...drop me a line.  I love the creative and collaborative process and am always looking for more opportunities to play, record and perform!

Sixpence None The Richer

Kiss Me - 3:30

Puedo Escribir
Sixpence None The Richer - 1996 - 3:45
The Ground You Shook featuring Emmylou Harris
Greatest Hits - 2009 - 4:18
Breathe
6 PICKS: Essential Radio Hits EP - 2009 - 4:06

Rebecca St. James

Merciful by Rebecca St. James
Transform - 2000 - 5:00


The Physics of Meaning

Why Can't We Fall in Love Forever by The Physics of Meaning
Snake Charmer & Destiny at the ... - 2008 - 3:41
Aeroplanes and Hurricanes by The Physics of Meaning - Snake Charmer & Destiny at the ... - 2008 - 5:02

Steve Taylor

Shortstop by Steve Taylor
Roaring Lambs compilation ... - 2008 - 2:59

Email this • AddThis!

via dalebakerdrummer.com

This was a blog post from a few days ago...using LaLa I was able to put together a simple demo reel of sessions/ songs/ groups I've played for. By no means comprehensive, it's still pretty neat to be able to create a demo reel so easily.

February 19, 2009

Upcoming gigs:

via summitchurch.cc

Tomorrow night and Saturday I'll be playing with Nathan Fancher for a College Retreat at NC State. On Sunday, I'll be Worship Drumming (or rather I'll be playing drums for worship services) at Summit Church (Brier Creek Campus) here in Durham. Sunday afternoon I'll be playing at Emmaus Way in Downtown Durham and next Tuesday, I'll be playing with my friend Khris Weeks at St. Philips for their Talent Show and Pancake Dinner. Khris and I have been playing together with our laptops, triggering loops and sounds for a sound collage type ensemble. It's given me a chance to figure out how to use Logic Studio in a live setting, and allowed me to get more familiar with that program and other programs as well (such as Plogue Bidule and Augustus Loop).

February 18, 2009

Sixpence None The Richer: Greatest Hits

via amazon.com

I played drums on all but 1 of these songs, and of all the photos the record company could have chosen for this album cover, they used the one that was taken after I left the band. Ah man. What a drag!

So in case you were wondering, that is not me in the middle of the picture. That person is Rob Mitchell. He is the drummer who took over drumming duties once I left the band. He plays on Sixpence's version of "Don't Dream it's Over."

February 18, 2009

6 Picks: Essential Radio Hits Ep by Sixpence None The Richer

via amazon.com

I played drums and percussion on all the songs on this ep except for the "Don't Dream it's Over" cover, which was recorded after I left the band.

December 28, 2008

Holidays 2008

I'm here in Hendersonville, TN outside of Nashville.  Not as easy to access the internet liked I'd hoped, but still I've been able to get alot done. Life goes on even when I can't connect with my beloved Twitter/Facebook/Orkut/Flickr/Typepad worlds! 
 
Watched part one of the Tom Petty documentary by Peter Bogdanvich...brilliant.  Though Tom seems real cool, I'm thinking he's gotta be pretty ruthless...the way he stood up to those lawyers made me think about my time staring down a lawyer during a negotiation with Sixpence back in the day...
 
The doc makes me want to go out and purchase all of Tom's back catalog.  Really cool stuff and I've got such a better appreciation for Stan Lynch's drumming now.  What a great player.
 
Oh yeah, and we saw that movie "Doubt" with Philip Seymour Hoffman and a bunch of other great actors.  Brilliant stuff.
 
Well, off to eat a burrito and then tomorrow back on the road!

December 19, 2008

Dinner last night: You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch

So I was at dinner with my wife and what comes on the overhead speakers?  The version of "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch" that Sixpence recorded oh so many years ago.  I still remember recording soft-shoe wood block, brushes, and old pie-plate hi-hats on that one.  And Phil Madeira's Mellotron/ Chamberlain strings gave it such an awesome vibe.  Plus, I think Russ Long panned the drums and bass to one side in the mix to emulate that old school recording style (or whatever you call it...).  Usually we hear "Kiss Me" or "Breathe Your Name" over the piped in music, but this was the first time I heard that specific Sixpence cover out in public.  Cool.

December 18, 2008

Come O Spirit: Anthology of Hymns

I just heard this album (Come O Spirit: Anthology of Hymns) last night and I can't stop listening to it.  The production on it is fabulous.  Unfortunately, I can't find much info about it on the web right now. 

There is a Facebook site and the requisite MySpace site.

And then there is this write up in the Belmont Vision:

"...Rev. Joseph Emery Pensak, RUF Campus Minister at UConn and Bifrost's executive director, and Mason Neely, producer/engineer extraordinaire, were able to put this record together with the help of over 200 musicians in 17 states who donated time and expertise to the project."

Wow.  200 musicians.  Really?  I wouldn't be surprised, but that sure seems like a whole bunch of people. Anyway...more about the album:

The album is full of luscious, funky, old school feeling arrangements with liberal sprinkles of metallic percussion (vibes, and bells!), plus (almost to the point of sounding gratuitous) wonderful mellotron-sounding instruments.  And there is this wonderful Choral Arrangement of Hard Times that would have made Stephen Foster proud.  Plus I like that it's a departure from the Eastmountainsouth version of the song. 

I wish I could figure out where to purchase a copy of this.  Rumor has it that there are "hymnbooks" that go along with the CD.  Normally, I'd be happy with the digital files but I'm hoping that the design of the CD and "Hymnbook" make it worth my while to track down an actual physical copy.

Anyway, if you get a chance, check this out.  It's one of the better "worship" projects I've heard in awhile.  It kind of makes me think of the "O Brother Where Art Thou" soundtrack. That record helped focus attention on the alt-country/ roots country / old-time genres, and I feel that Come O Spirit could do the same for the classic hymns and religious music that some of us grew up with and still cherish.

Have you heard this record or know anything about the BiFrost Arts community?  If so, please leave a comment. I'm fascinated with this project and the beauty and scope of it.

December 17, 2008

Custom Snare Drums for less than $200!

This sounds almost too good to be true.  Phattie Drums is blowing (should I say "exhaling?") out some drums for a short time.  Here is the blurb I received from them today:

Come take advantage of an incredible year-end sale at MyCustomDrum.com! Through the end of the year we will be adding custom snare drums priced under $200 with free shipping in the continental U.S.  These specials won't last long and the snares are going fast. Be sure to check back daily to see what's new, and give a handcrafted snare a good home this season! 

www.StaufferPercussion.com
www.MyCustomDrum.com
www.PhattieDrums.com

If you haven't seen the drums that Phattie is making, than by all means check them out.  They look wonderful, and you can tell they are made with precision and attention to detail.  I'm sure their snare drums are wonderful.

November 29, 2008

Artists and Bandleaders: Tips for Better Gigs and Band Relationships

Here are some things that I think could make life easier for everyone when you are putting together a band for a gig.  I think most people that do music for a living know these things or have figured them out already. Still some of us have never given any thought to these things and wonder why there are "weird vibes" in our band. 

I was thinking about what things could ease my stress when being hired for a gig and as I was doing so, memories of past gigs, and experiences started coming to mind, and voila!  a list was born.  I hope this is helpful for all you budding artists out there and band leaders.  My tone may be a bit harsh...I think some of this may be me also letting off some steam...so I apologize in advance if I'm offending you...I'm just trying to help out!  So without further fanfare, here it is: 

To all you Artist and Bandleaders:  Tips for Better Gigs and Band Relationships

1.  First off, when approaching someone to play with you for your upcoming show, it's a kind, respectful and courteous gesture to mention how much the gig will pay.  Even if it won't pay anything at all.  I know it's uncomfortable to talk about money, especially when you don't have any and you're afraid that some side musician is going to ask for more than you can afford, but still it's good business and shows a lot of respect and humility on your part if you bring it up, and not wait for the other person.  Remember, you're the leader.  Act like one and make sure that you let the people you hire know that you value them by bringing up the money first.  And if you are asking them for a favor (which essentially a non-paying gig is), let them know that.  Better to get this out in the open than to leave it unresolved.

2.  Remember, you are more invested in your project and music than any of the people who play with you will ever be.  If the people playing with you aren't being paid for the gig, have some grace and mercy in how you react to their ability to play their parts consistently.  If you are concerned that they won't play your songs perfect at the gig, consider making out charts for your players.  Chords and lyrics, and song structure is all you need.  Maybe ask your players if they would like you to make a chart for them, instead of getting frustrated at them, or shooting them a dirty look 'cause they couldn't read your mind.  If you want perfection, hire a professional or get a Karaoke machine.

3.  Provide the people you hire with a zip file of the mp3's of the songs you want them to learn.  Sending files via You Send It, seems to be one of the more reliable and popular ways of going about this.  Alternatively you could purchase your albums/ songs on iTunes and send them to your players via email (iTunes has a gift option where you can do that).  Or, just send out a CD you burn yourself, or send  the hard copies of the CDs themselves.  Don't assume that your band members love your music so much that they own every one of the albums you've put out over the course of your career.  As a band leader/ artist, show respect and humility to the guys you hire by offering them the above, and then follow up to make sure everyone has the songs.  If the songs you play live will follow the same structure and arrangement as the songs on your CD, let your band members know, so they can prepare accordingly.

4.  Think of yourself as a company.  You are the CEO and the band members are your employees.  Read some books on leadership and learn what the qualities of being a good leader are.  Read some books on communication or sign up for sessions with a psychologist or other professional, to get feedback on how to best relate and care for those that are in your midst.

5.  Remember, the people that play for you have a life as varied, complicated and as busy as you do.  Be empathetic, and try not to be a complete jerk when dealing with things that don't live up to your expectations.  Basically, don't take yourself so seriously.  Really.  Yes, you are God's gift to this world, but please stop acting like it.  It doesn't do anyone any good at all.


Are you a band member or artist/ band leader and would like to add to this list?  If so, leave a comment below.  Or if you totally disagree with me, please feel free to voice your opinion below as well! 

October 17, 2008

Waddell and Reed Marathon: pre-race

Alright...I'm here in Kansas City typing on my sister's computer when I should be asleep, or trying to get to sleep, but instead I'm compelled to write down my thoughts about today and tonight.  First off, I'm excited to be here.  We drove the course today, and it looks like it's going to be a challenge.  Of particular interest is this spot between mile 12 and 13 where we couldn't figure out the route (we weren't using very detailed directions).  Basically it looks like a straight up climb...almost as steep as the big hill behind the golf course on the Duke Cross Country loop that I've been doing my long runs on, except it's a really big hill - like 10x's as long.  Surely we'll be getting to the top of that hill differently tomorrow, but you never know.  Best to prepare for the worst...I guess, and hopefully there'll be some switch backs involved so we're not going up the hill in a straight line.  Oh, the name of the road is Summit. Fitting don't you think?

I'm also relieved and jazzed to have found a coffee shop around mile 18.  It's a local roasting company, and though the place looks like a small restaurant, my sister was thinking it probably has some sort of counter service where I could pop in and grab my (soon to be a tradition) small, watered down, iced coffee to reward me for getting to 18 miles and to give me a boost of caffeine for the remaining 8.2 miles.

Pre-race drama:  my family came up from Branson and are running the 5K portion of the race, and so there were some logistics to work about when to be at the starting line, where their hotel was and what time to wake up etc...normal stuff I suppose, but when you put us all in a room, we've all got our own answers, and it can get a bit tense to reach consensus.  And then their was the tech support phone call I received about an error message from Apple when downloading a movie from iTunes.  I told the caller to find an answer by Googling the error code (which is how I found the answer when the same problem happened to me) but there was no answer to be found.  Just a bunch of message board posters complaining about how the same thing had happened to them.  Bad form Apple!  Basically what was supposed to be a relaxing movie night, turned into an hour plus of anxiety-ridden trouble shooting.  Not a great way to spend a Friday night. 

Despite the drama, I feel like I'm doing pretty good.  Holding it together, not letting the drama distract me from being focused and relaxed.  I'm looking forward to a fun race tomorrow, though most of it appears to be uphill.  Still, I'll be running through some beautiful neighborhoods, and seeing some wonderful architecture - that Sprint Center is a site to behold, so if I'm lucky the beauty will distract me from the inclines...we'll see!

Hopefully, I'll be back in a couple of days with a play by play analysis of the race and some pictures.  Wish me luck!