Author: Adam Rabin

I was brainstorming about how and when I might release this album’s worth of songs in, perhaps, segments or somehow as a podcast (more on that concept if it comes to be) when I had a startling realizing. How had it never crossed my mind that the RPM Challenge only says I have to write and record an album in one month but never said anything about how, or even if, I have to release it.

This has started a change in my brain for the better. A clearer perspective and an easier frame of mind are taking shape. I’m still overwhelmed and mildly obsessed but I’m not anxious. That change in my mood really is everything.

As I said, more details on this train of thought to come.

As for the actual work, I laid down a little guitar track for the jam Chris and I did last night.

February 2020 Album

• Made first proposed track list.
  • It includes a few hypothetical songs – places where a song could go and what the title of it might be.
  • I also figured out where song intros and outros would extend under spoken sections.
  • With this clear plan, I can start schedule when this and that basic track needs to be done and when I need to schedule the musicians.
• Lyricists
  • E-mailing with David and Greg about two different songs that need lyrics. Now that I know exactly where in the album/stories the songs will sit, I was able to give them real direction for the words.
• Jammed with Chris Cheney
  • We recorded some bass and drum grooves. I now have to figure out what to do with them. I have some ideas.

February 2020 Album

• Recorded guitar for “Let The Pain Begin” but it took HOURS.
  • I lost perspective quickly. It was bound to happen being who I am. I waited too long to take breaks and step away from it. But I’m also glad I stuck with it and got the right take (and even the wrong ones).
  • I’m glad I saved all the takes because the best one turned out to be one from earlier in the evening that I originally thought wasn’t so great.

February 2020 Album

• “Things Fall..”
  • Recorded rough demo and sent to Chris Combs
  • Having some e-mail collaboration to make our tones match
• In Everything
  • Greg approves spoken cast performance
• “Some Down Time” (WT)
  • Took a break, had a bite, came back to the studio to review something but ended up playing some kind of Latin flavored piano groove. Ran with it.
  • Took another break and realized it should be the concluding piece for “Professor Tabersham”
  • So, maybe I’ll write that soon.
• Professor Tabersham’s Flower Pot
  • Conor Lastowka came by to record his parts.
  • I recorded the narration

February 2020 Album

• Recorded piano track for “What You Don’t Know”
• Received “Things Fall…” from Chris Combs. He wrote music and lyrics. W00t!
  • I, of course, added a bunch of additional chord ideas.
  • Then I stripped away half of those ideas.
  • Then I added a bridge.
  • Then I pared down the bridge.
  • Now I’m exhausted.

February 2020 Album

• Fixed a hole in the bridge of the song I wrote with Jenna (“Let the Pain Begin”) over morning coffee. As usual, I just had to simplify the idea we were trying to convey and I quickly found the right words that flowed.
• Wrestled “What You Don’t Know About My Man” into shape. Damn jazz chords can never find the door.

February 2020 Album

• Writing continues for “What You Don’t Know About My Man”
• I thought I was done but the second bridge and coda are not working. Too many chord progressions possibly. All good ones; just too many. Will come back to later with a fresh set of ears.

February 2020 Album

• Wrote “Saving Face” with DonnCherie. We’ve been wanting to collaborate for ages and we just got right down to it when she got here. While writing with her I was also picturing the band arrangement for the tune. Going to be a slow heavy jam, I think.
• We worked so efficiently that we had time to tinker with one her tunes that we’re going to work on after February.