Guitarology #13

GUITAROLOGY #13

It's the voices I tell you!

"She says she knows me like nobody else. I wished she'd introduce me to me 'cause I swear I don't know myself."- from ' If There Ever Was A Fool '- Mike Plume http://www.mikeplumeband.com

Every once in awhile the Great Mystery allows me the privilege of putting into practice what I preach. The great thing is how often one can be right and how it works out if one just holds to conviction. My new CD, “The Journey” is a case in point.

At the time I embarked on this project I was living in Holland. I'd done months of deliberation about whether to record the album in Holland or to go back to Wales. It was a question of money and practicality versus my desire to do this project with people that I knew, that I could trust, and who really understood where I'm coming from musically. Despite being American, South Wales is in many ways my heart's home. Back to Wales I went.

When I first played my home studio demo of the project to my long time friend and bass player Bob Watkins, he reacted, "Sounds great just as it is. What do you want a band for?"

When I first played the demo to multi-instrumentalist and also long time friend Ian Lawrence he reacted, "Sounds great just as it is. What do you want a band for?" Seriously. Same words.

Now, to make a long and entertaining story short enough to fit here, I have to say that there were many times when I had decisions to make and every time I relied on gut instinct, I was right. I even changed the studio at the last minute because I was awake all night thinking something was wrong. I couldn't put my finger on it, but something was just wrong. I got up the next morning and found John David and his Berry Hill Recording Studios, www.berryhillstudio.com. I could not possibly have wished for a better location or a better man for the job. I have no idea why, but we were meant to be there. That is certain.

When I played the demoed songs to studio owner, producer, songwriter, and new friend John David, he reacted, "Well, it sounds complete to me. I'd do it just like that. Just make it a little bigger and a bit more professional sounding."

I have to tell you, that having sat up there alone in my little tower with these songs running around my head, sounding good to me but not knowing what sane people might think, can be difficult. To have these guys, who I respect immensely, all have the same picture was a bit, "Damn, that is spooky." I'll just say the results were three of the best weeks of my life and, according to people who know me, the best recorded performance I've done to date. So this is to remind me, as much as it is to remind you, good neighbors. Hear what others might have to say, but listen to yourself. Believe and trust in yourself.

Oh yeah, John David is releasing “The Journey” in the UK on his label, Javelin Records, on October 14th. It will be available for digital download from iTunes, Napster, and other popular sites from November 14th . You can also purchase from www.cdbaby.com/stevepower. Further information and groovy stuff at www.stevepower.us.

Epilogue I was once asked as a last minute replacement for a solo gig at an old peoples home, just me, the acoustic, and my little PA. It was quite an easy, pleasant, afternoon, though I was bit disconcerted when just before the end of the last set there was a minor stampede to the door. Well, as much of a stampede as folks with walking frames can manage. I was told not to worry. It was dinner time and they had to get back to their rooms or miss out. I was quite pleased to hear later that those "guests" who survived till the following year had specifically asked for me to come back. Perhaps as a sort of musical euthanasia? In any event, I returned, back by popular demand. Cool.

So there I am, setting up, when this nice white haired old lady sort of toddles up asking, "What are you doing?" "I'm playing here today." "What? What are you doing?" she replies. Thinking maybe she thinks I’m an electrician or something I asked, "Uh, do you know who I am?" "No," she says, "but if you ask the nurse, she'll tell you."

Believe, c 2006 Steve Power

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