"Making a record (CD) is like going to war", these were the
first words Metalworks studio manager Paul Gross said to me when we set foot in the studio to begin our tracking. He went on to explain that in 3 days due to the CBC tsunami relief concert there would be a lot of cameras and performers coming to the studio.
He hoped we wouldn't be upset by the likes of Rush, Bare Naked Ladies, Blue Rodeo etc being around.
My thoughts were; this is a problem how?
Back to the war, ours had already begun.
To backtrack a couple of days Rick and I spent the last 2 months writing material for the new recording. Remakes of the early songs at this time weren't in the plan because we felt the spark would not be the same. A double CD seemed the best route, remaster the old material, bumps & all and record 7 or 8 new songs with top notch gear and people.
Once the budget was in place I called my friend L. Stu Young to engineer. He has been an engineer at Metalworks for over 10 years and in some capacity has worked on 80% of all artist recordings in Canada as well as some international acts like Guns & Roses. Stu informed me that he would love to work on it however he has just been lured away from Metalworks by Prince, yes the artist formally known as.... Stu would not know if he could do it until the week of January 5th, 2005. That was the day we had to start.
We resolved ourselves to work with a stranger and prepared to fly to Toronto.
Last minute scheduling problems almost prevented Rick from attending the session 6 hours before we were due to leave. Sleepless nights anyone?
Things ironed themselves out and Rick & I arrived in Toronto, met Dan Ralph and headed to the rehearsal space.
The energy that day was amazing; I have never played with musicians with that intensity.
It was like we had stopped playing yesterday not 24 years since we had last been on stage.
Another good friend Ian Stolberg came down from Ottawa with his video camera to document the recording week. I felt that with enough interest I could produce a DVD of the recording week and insert some old rare TV performances. Updates on that project to follow.
The next day we entered the studio and met Paul Gross and he told us about CBC's plans, and that Stu could engineer for us.
Prince had given him 5 days off to work with us.
Three days of intense tracking followed by 2 days of mixing. Stu was solidly at the helm and made this project sound as good as it does.
And as promised on the last day of mixing many stressed out CBC producers and crew were running around. Also in the mix were all members of Rush, Ed Robertson of Bare Naked Ladies and Mike Smith, better known as Bubbles of Trailer Park Boys.
Throughout the day we caught glimpses and heard bits of them rehearsing and recording Closer to the Heart for the CBC benefit broadcast.
Alex Lifeson borrowed Rick's amp to rehearse and Bubbles borrowed my bass guitar strap for the taping.
So for those who have seen Rush playing Closer to the Heart with their guests, Bubbles was using my strap on national television.
Rick left on the 6th day and I stayed to assist Nick Blagona mastering our material.
Nick also has an incredible resume working with the likes of everyone from Deep Purple to April Wine.
He also ran George Martin's studio and designed and built Le Studio in Morin Heights.
To have his name on the CD is another bonus.
He gave it a thumbs up by saying "good record" and "good guitar playing".
It turns out that Nick also has a Newfoundland connection and we have some mutual friends, small world!
Danny and I spent the next day enjoying downtown Toronto where we connected with The Reaction's 1st drummer Terry Carter.
After sharing stories and some pub grub I boarded the plane back to St. John's and begun the process of finalizing artwork and production.
All that's left to say is enjoy!
M Fisher Feb. 26/05
