Link: Listen to audio samples here
There was an overdub done of "The Flowers, The Sunset, The Trees" years ago on an LP. Maybe someone can write in and tell us where that can be found as I admit I don't recall exactly what release it was on.
I love the song, but I avoided using recordings that had imperfections. There was one song in particular I really wanted to overdub, but it was so poorly recorded with overly loud and very bad background vocals (by somebody other than the splendid Anita Kerr singers) that I just couldn't work with it.
One thing that I think will surprise and puzzle a lot of fans, especially those audiophiles who are interested in the technical side of things, is just how we were able to so isolate Jim's voice and get rid of the original backings. I'll let them wonder about that. You will be astonished when you hear Jim on this set.
We also did some remixes that will make the songs sound fresh. "I Won't Forget You" is a good example. Jim has NEVER been heard this distinctly before. Same with "Welcome To My World." You've never been able to hear Jim's vocal this well on that song. It's like hearing it for the first time.
Our brilliant daughter Sara dug up some really interesting background information on each of these songs and helped me put the narrative together. I think fans will have fun learning the stories behind these numbers.
The talented musicians I have used on previous VoiceMasters releases are also featured on this set and they worked tirelessly to get their parts exactly right. There were no ego clashes; everyone cooperated beautifully, contributed creative ideas, and did EXACTLY what I asked of them as the Producer. We're also working on another CD of overdubs of very rare tracks by a female artist for release sometime probably late summer. This one will be rather jazz oriented.
The musicians have pedigrees that you just would not believe. Like my trumpet man, Steve Patrick. He has performed with Maynard Ferguson, Paul Simon, Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, Vince Gill, Elton John, Norah Jones and Patti Austin.
Or tenor sax man Craig Swift, who has worked with Amy Grant, Tom Jones, Francesca Battiselli, Salvador and Jaci Velasquez, and even played for the visit of Pope Benedict to New York City. How do you top THAT?
Trumpeter Mike Duva has backed an incredible gospel singer I've had the pleasure of meeting named Ivan Parker, as well as the best Southern Gospel group recording today -- the Kingdom Heirs (who appear at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge). Mike also played with the reconstituted Glenn Miller orchestra on tour.
The list goes on.
A very skilled percussionist who worked with Billy Joel and has a degree in studio engineering from Berkley also worked with me extensively in Florida on this "Great Jim Reeves" 8 CD set. Besides all this, Scott Graham is a talented arranger. (If you've heard "Bing Crosby & Rosemary Clooney: The New Recordings" I produced a few months ago, Scott was a major force behind that incredible recording). He helped me take "Mary's Boy Child" (which Jim Reeves described to a Nashville newspaper as his favorite Christmas song), and turn it back into a calypso beat -- like the songwriter originally intended. It is not included in the medley we've posted online so it will be a surprise when you buy the set. Scott became engaged to a lovely young woman from the UK during the time he was working on this project and after getting down on one knee and proposing to her, and then slipping a ring on her finger, he immediately took her home so he could dash back to the studio and resume working on this 8-CD set post-midnight, as the deadline neared. Now THAT'S dedication! Thank goodness his fiancee understood! I extend my congratulations to this lovely couple.
Kenzie Wetz, who is a gorgeous young woman with a rich voice and is a member of the current Grand Ole Opry band, sang two duets with Jim Reeves you're going to enjoy. She also is a heck of a fiddle player and she helped Opry steel guitarist Pat Severs turn "Railroad Bum" into a rousing number.
Our friend Arne Benoni, the popular singer from Norway, also contributed his guitar skills to some of the songs and besides being a fine singer (he's featured on "I Know One" with Jim Reeves), Arne is a very fine guitarist.
So it was a tremendous experience working on this...and doing 42 new overdubs while I was recuperating from my heart ablation and at a really low point in terms of energy. But I honestly think it was therapeutic because I have so much fun doing these.
Hats off to my wonderful UK business partner Steve Brink as well, who like me is very detail-oriented and a perfectionist. He has an impressive background in the recording industry and shares my enthusiasm for good music
Last but not least...today is not only Julie's birthday but our 25th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. So we're celebrating several things today, including the release of this new CD set...
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