Ooh La La

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

I’m listening to the Staple Singers on the old Dansette, larynx-friendly peppermint tea in hand, preparing for another day of vocals.

So… having spent an evening at Britannia Row singing the same verse and chorus a hundred times and testing out every mic in the joint, I have fallen in love with The Neumann Model U 67 Multi-Directional Tube Condenser Microphone, made in ‘Western Germany’ (1960-1971). I love him so much I’m going to knit him a little stripy jumper and call him Gary. Alas, he’s not mine quite yet, because if I had that kind of money, I’d put a deposit down on a house, but he’s mine for the album, and so Gary and I are getting to work this week. He’s got a beautiful , warm but gritty bottom end, which works wonders on my girly voice – the theory going; soft voice, gritty mic – and vice versa. And after a couple of years on the road with the boys, I am indeed embracing my inner Stevie Nicks on this album and getting gritty. Rock ‘n’ Roll!

I’m doing lead vocals today – hopefully getting both first and second singles in the bag, and if I do, then it’s fun, fun, fun all the way with the BVs (hence the Staple Singers reference…) I’m also a huge fan of backing vocals that are utterly inane lyrically, but sung like you damn well mean it, Sister!

Wish me luck
Xx A