S.C.A.R.S.  The Southern California Antique Radios Society

Annual meeting November 19 and 20th to demonstrate “Old Big Iron” and in our case session recording equipment.  Here is how it came down.

It is three weeks before November 19th and my next door neighbor, John, discovers I am a performing musician and band director. He has an assignment, to produce recording examples on “Big Iron” tube equipment built in the 50’s and 60’s.  He has been testing the equipment in his garage with the help of a surf style guitar player, a bass player, and a tenor sax player.  So, I accepted the invitation to help in the project.  We had a total of three sessions, each a bit more than two hours long and added the drummer sight unseen at the last session for the recordings.

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy by J. Zawinul

This song has a contagious beat on four that hooks most listeners. A small background riff was added by Cliff the second guitarist. The shuffle rhythm for the soloist section adds energy and a dramatic contrast dynamic when the band returns to the melody of the song.

Bass: Greg Gross
Drummer: Carmine Gegnose
Sax: Jim Neely
1st guitar: Randy Giles
2nd guitar: Clifford Taylor

The musicians were quick to learn and amazing in their delivery of impromptu song arrangements.  The drummer is especially impressive. And this project helps me remember why I like the warm, clear production of music made from the “old big iron” recording equipment.

I welcome your comments and invite you to meet John.  He would be pleased to meet my musician friends and the opportunity to capture your musical sounds on “old big iron.”

You can find the remainder of these songs on Facebook.  Just click on the button in the left margin.