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April 24, 2007
Jumping ahead to the present, we just received shipment of the new full-length CD, entitled Dreaming a New Reality.
Was it worth the wait? Only you can decide. Click the music link at left to get your copy.
November 19, 2003
No news in a long time on the CD project and people are asking about it.
We have been writing new songs, mo'better songs, which we want to include on the CD. And in the process of demo-ing the new songs, we're learning how to use the equipment in our home studio, slowly. It's
like a recording studio in a box (the box happens to be a computer). Now we're able to produce simple demo recordings at home using Sonar 3 and that's a big step.
We're looking forward to the time when
we can record a complete album at home in our pajamas!
December 9, 2002 -- Happy Holidays!
There has been no news about
progress on the full CD in many months. People are asking, is your new CD ready yet? And still the answer is no. What gives?
Months ago we completed the recording and mixing phases of the
ten songs we initially intended for the CD. All that remained was mastering, some package design, and duplication. However, life got in the way and by the time we refocused on completing the project,
several new questions had arisen (and many new songs had been written).
One primary question was 'are we happy with all ten recorded songs?' Given the great response we've been getting to
one of our newer (unrecorded) songs, we both agree we HAVE to put that one on the CD. The one I'm referring to is Spirit Speak To Me, co written with Susan Stentz. We're very proud of
it
That opened the door to questions about what other new songs need to be on the CD. The answers to these questions are not 100% there yet, but it's getting clearer.
The good news for fans
is that you'll get to hear some new Soulpajamas songs (some never before performed in public) as well as your old favorites.
One business consideration also came up. Do we go the traditional route,
using a full blown commercial disk duplication facility with industry standard packaging, (jewel case, shrink wrap, etc?) or do we try some combination of the many do-it-yourself duplicating and packaging options
now available to the independent musician?
We're doing our homework on this one.
May 24, 2002 -- Time to celebrate! The recording of our latest song, In
the Silence, is complete and that means all that's left is mastering, graphic design and duplication. The first Soulpajamas full length CD could be available as early as June!
This last song
was the easiest one to record. It's a simple arrangement, just one guitar, one voice and a stripped down percussion section. But it also came together fast because of Erin's singing skills. She
nailed her part in one take! Hear it at IUMA.
A debt of gratitude is owed to Tom Guernsey, our producer, arranger, MIDI programmer, electric guitarist, co-writer and master musician with big ears and a big
heart.
April 29, 2002 -- Looks like we're sticking with our producer since we've made some serious progress since you last heard from us. We recorded and mixed two new songs, leaving only
one to go. At this rate we'll have new CDs in hand by June. Let's hope we can keep it up at this rate.
The latest songs are a couple of our best creations. You Decide is an upbeat 80's rocker (the Police?). My Good,
also up-tempo, reminds me of Sugar Ray, but you'll make your own associations when you listen to both at http://artists4.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/Soul_Pajamas/
We still need a title for the CD. Submit your suggestions by clicking here: Collaborate.
February 16, 2002 -- Here's exciting news for those of you waiting patiently for the full length Soulpajamas CD. We are entertaining the notion
that we could finish the recording soon (in the next 2 or 3 months) if we switched to a new producer for the last few songs. Although we're thrilled with the results thus far, and the creative interplay
between artist and producer has been very fruitful, scheduling has been another matter altogether. So it's been good news, bad news. Good: the creative juices are flowing freely. Bad: up to now the
logistical piece has not fallen into place. We're about to change that, with the blessing of our current producer.
November 14, 2001 -- No new recording sessions since our last entry, however, in
the last few months we completed two new songs. The first, called My Good, is an upbeat, lightweight pop tune, written shortly after September 11. I had intended to write a song about peace,
because, like everyone else, the terrorist acts were never far from my thoughts and I was wired and emotionally drained at the same time. What came out instead was this happy song. When I tried to
reconcile why a happy song would come out at a time like this, I realized that it was just what I needed. Perhaps we all needed a moment's relief from all the stress. I hope this song can offer a
little.
The other song we completed is called Don't Talk to Me. It's jazzy, beatnik, and tongue-in-cheek and lampoons the victim lyrics you hear a lot in blues, jazz, country and other popular
music. You know the ones: "s/he done me wrong, so life's not worth living." The J. Geils Band expresses it another way with their song Love Stinks.
July 9, 2001 -- Online ordering
-- Now it's easier than ever to get your Soulpajamas CDs. Order online using a credit card. At cdstreet.com you can not only order, but also read reviews, write your own reviews, recommend us to a friend, etc. Yes, you can still use cash or check when you purchase at performances. We like that method, because we can thank you in person. And if you prefer, you can mail us a check. See below for address and pricing.
April 19, 2001 -- We've been in a writing mode for a couple of months, completing two new songs. We're taking those into the studio as we speak. We also started another two new songs, not yet ready for prime time, but very promising, upbeat and jazzy. You can hear the new songs at Kensington Coffeehouse on April 28. Click calendar for more info.
February 26, 2001 -- The debut Soulpajamas CD, containing three original songs is available for only $5. See below for ordering details.
This month we completed two songs for the full length CD. The first is an original called Family Man.
Dan co-wrote it with producer, Tom Guernsey. In the style of the Eagles, it's a tribute to fathers and sons, and family in general. The second song, If I Were Brave, is sung by Erin. For
awhile now we've been performing this inspiring song written by Jana Stanfield and Jimmy Scott. Since we always get a great audience reaction, we decided to put it on the CD.
January 9, 2001
-- We just finished recording two more songs for the full length CD: Erin sings Tell Me Why, an old campfire singalong we jazzed up (kudos to producer Tom Guernsey for his hand in the arrangement) and
Dan wrote and sings a slow rocker called You Made a Place for Me.
We continue to offer the 3 song CD on a "buy 2, get a 3rd free" basis.
The CD is available is available at shows and at the
following church bookstores: Celebration Center in Falls Church, VA, New World Unity in Springfield, VA and CommUnity on the Hill in Washington, DC.
December 5, 2000 -- Buy two, get one
free. We think our three song CD is the perfect stocking stuffer. Get one free one when you buy two. That's three CDs for $10. plus shipping..
October 31, 2000 -- Today we received the
long awaited shipment. Yes, our first CD is now complete. It contains three songs and is available for $5 at performances, the CCRS Bookstore and via mail order.
You also get a coupon for $3 off the next Soulpajamas CD. And we're hard at play, writing and recording songs for the next one, this time a
full length CD. No release date is set.
October 16, 2000 -- Final touches on the artwork, photography, copyrights, etc. are complete. Thank you Shirley Fee-Tibbets for your design and your
patience with us, the clueless clients. Many thanks to John Burwell for the motherlode of awesome photos. And to Cheryl Breeden, thanks for guiding us through the print production maze.
We expect
to have the three song CD available for sale later this month (so many details for only three songs). Initially, it will be available at performances and by mail order only. We haven't yet cracked the
mystery of online credit card transactions. The cost is $5. Packaged with the CD is a coupon for $3 off the next Soulpajamas CD.
Sept 5, 2000 -- Summer came and went without any new work on
the recording. However, we took the three songs we've completed so far and put them on a CD for promotional purposes. Then we decided to offer it for sale, since it may be quite a some time until the
full CD is complete. We expect to release in early October. More details to come.
May 25, 2000 -- Things are flowing nicely on song three, an original called Are You Ready. Erin takes
the lead vocal on this uptempo jazz waltz. This song has been quick and easy, both to compose and record. We tried out a new, more collaborative working arrangement with our producer and we're very
pleased with the process and the results.
May 1, 2000 -- We put the final touches on All is Well and it sounds great. Major credit goes to our producer, Tom Guernsey. It's been slow going,
so far we have two songs out of ten.
As soon as the first 3 or 4 songs are complete, we plan to put them on a CD to use as a promotional demo. We're also tinkering with the idea of offering this demo
for sale to the public, since it may still be awhile before the full CD is complete. Is there any interest in this? Give us your thoughts, comments, ideas, by clicking Short CD.
April
7, 2000 -- Started getting suggestions for our album title. To check them out, click Collaborate. If you've never named an album before, here's your chance. Some of these
suggestions might end up as song titles.
We just finished writing a new song called Looking to Find, a James Taylor or Livingston Taylor sounding tune. Here are the tentative songs for the album (well,
CD), all original except the last two: All is Well, Family Man, First Day of Spring, Are You Ready, In the Silence, Looking to Find, House of God, You Made a Place for Me, Tell Me Why, If I Were Brave.
March 3, 2000 -- Just completed our first song and we feel like proud parents: 9 months of planning, hoping and thinking of names, then
labor, but without the pain. The next sibling, I mean song, is coming right along. It's a lullabye, called All is Well. If you think of any good album titles, send them our way. Email
them or better yet, post them on the web site. Click Collaborate. Once there, click on 'Name the CD.'
Feb 13, 2000 -- We are getting great results in the studio and are progressing nicely on the album. Putting the final touches on a song
called House of God, that was inspired by Celebration Center's enthusiasm and activity around finding a new space. At some point before the CD is released, we'll make the new songs or clips available to
listen to and/or download free, here at the web site.
Jan 15, 2000 -- Whoo hoo, we're recording a CD! The process is fascinating. Although it's still in its infancy, it's
taking shape nicely and we're learning a lot.
It's turning out to be a major project. No release date set, yet.
Above and beyond all the composing, arranging, rehearsing and recording are whole new worlds of things for us to learn: music industry issues like copyrights, trademarks, packaging, bar codes, publishing, licensing and distribution, as well as standard business issues like marketing, business plans (ok, Erin knows about these, but I'm clueless), ecommerce, MP3, federal/state sales tax, RealAudio and on and on. We'll keep you posted.
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