Last November, my band and I entered Dennis Moody's studio in Cypress Park (Los Angeles) to begin recording a new album.  Now, nine months later, the mixing is (almost) complete.  What's taking so long?  Conflicting schedules, busy lives, day jobs, vacations, tours.  Anyway, the songs are sounding great and I'm very proud of this, my fourth LP.  For the first time, I have asked someone else (other than the engineer) to be my producer.  Dan Janisch has been a delight to work with in that role.  Dan's one of my favorite musicians in the LA scene, and, apart from his talents as a songwriter and performer, I love the way he thinks about music.  He's also as funny as hell.  As far as I know, Dan's never produced before, apart from his own records (he made his last LP, Medicine Man, all by himself -- all the instruments, the artwork, the lot).  Nevertheless, he's doing a great job with my songs, working with Dennis (no slouch himself!) as the engineer.
 
The album, which will be titled Sweet Time, will feature 11 of my original songs:
(1) Walking out the door
(2) Someday
(3) Sweet time
(4) Anything at all
(5) Part of me
(6) Under the blue skies
(7) Floating
(8) Save me
(9) Oh, how I wish
(10) Run away
(11) Fly away
 
The core band comprises Mark San Filippo on drums, Geoff Rakness on bass (upright and electric), and me on rhythm guitar (acoustic and hollow-body electric).  Peter Kavanaugh, my lead guitarist at live shows, plays electric guitar on four of the cuts; Dan plays guitar on a couple; and one of my guitar heroes, Tony Gilkyson (I have to pinch myself -- Tony Gilkyson!), plays on three.  Mike Bolger, a man of many talents, came in to record piano, accordion, and trumpet on three of the songs.  Honey-throated songbird Lisa Finnie combined with Dan to come up with some tasteful harmonies and backing vocals, which are featured throughout the album.  Mark, Geoff, Peter, Tony, Dan, Mike, and Lisa: thank you so much for your beautiful contributions -- I am so proud of this record.
 
The plan is to finish the mixing (honestly, very minor fixes) in about two weeks, and then send the songs off for mastering.  The artwork is ready (thanks to Laura Heffington for photography and Charlie McGovern for design), so once we get the master we will be set to go with duplication.  Realistically, I don't expect to have the CDs until October at the earliest.  Be patient, my dears.  Be patient.