CD Review: Various Artists Man of Somebody’s Dreams: A Tribute to Chris Gaffney (Yeproc)
Jun 5, 2009 6:17 PM, By Barbara Schultz
Most Popular
advertisement
Polls
TalkBack
Mix goes in-depth into the world of mastering. Tell us how mastering has helped your projects in the past. E-mail us at mixeditorial@mixonline.com.
This Month in Mix
Chris Gaffney—singer/songwriter/musician/leader of roots band The Hacienda Brothers—died this past April of liver cancer at the age of 57. Gaffney wasn’t the most famous artist on the Americana circuit, but he was much admired by those who did know his music. The executive producer of this collection is Dave Alvin, one of Gaffney’s closest friends and collaborators, and one of more than a dozen artists and bands who contribute versions of Gaffney’s songs to this collection.
On the lead track, “Lift Your Leg” (“You’ve got to lift up your leg a little bit higher/when you’re runnin’ around with the big old dogs…”) relieves any worry about this record being funereal. Like one of Gaffney’s own albums, there’s sincere sentiment here, but plenty of rock ’n’ roll and humor as well, and it all really takes off every time the accordion comes in. I didn’t know Chris Gaffney, but having listened to his records for years, I bet he would have loved Boz Scaggs’ soulful version of “Midnight Dream.” Other high points include John Doe nailing “Quiet Desperation,” Big Sandy, Los Straightjackets and Bill Kirchen burning up “Silent Partner” and Los Lobos doing justice to the beautiful title track. The album ends with Alvin’s production of Gaffney himself: “Guitars of My Dead Friends.” This is a gorgeous, varied tribute to Gaffney’s great talent, and his many musical friendships.
Parts of the album’s proceeds are being donated to Hungry for Music, a nonprofit organization that provides musical instruments to underprivileged children.
Executive producer: Dave Alvin. Producers: Dave Alvin, Michael Rodriguez, Los Lobos, Tom Russell, Calexico, Jim Dickinson, Rene Coman & The Iguanas, Alejandro Escovedo, Dave Gonzales, Dan Penn & The Hacienda Brothers with Teddy Morgan, Stanley Wykoff. Engineers: Craig Parker Adams, Stewart Sullivan, Michael Rodriguez and Chris Tabarez, Mark Johnson, Michael Trapegnier, Chris Schultz, Craig Schumacher, Mark Hallman, Ben Mumphrey, Chet Himes, Dave Gonzales, Pete Curry, Bill Cashman, Stanley Wykoff. Studios: Winslow Court Studio (L.A.), Wire Studio (Austin, TX), Meac Studio (San Francisco), CRG (Rowland Heights, CA), Congress House (Austin), Wavelab (Tucson, AZ), Arlyn Studios (Austin), Expresso Forte (Queens, NY), Studio in the Country (Bogalusa, LA), ASM Studios (Austin), The Pow Wow Fun Room (L.A.), The Cavern (Tucson). Mastering: Mark Linett/My Place or Yours (Glendale, CA).
Acceptable Use Policy blog comments powered by Disqus
Modern Recording and Mixing
This 2-DVD set will show you how the best in the music industry set up a studio to make world-class records. Regardless of what gear you are using, the information you'll find here will allow you to take advantage of decades of expert knowledge. Order now $39.95
Mastering Cubase 4
Electronic Musician magazine and Thomson Course Technology PTR have joined forces again to create the second volume in their Personal Studio Series, Mastering Steinberg's Cubase(tm). Edited and produced by the staff of Electronic Musician, this special issue is not only a must-read for users of Cubase(tm) software, but it also delivers essential information for anyone recording/producing music in a personal-studio. Order now $12.95
Delivered straight to your inbox every other week, MixLine takes you straight into the studio, with new product announcements, industry news, upcoming events, recent recording/post projects and much more. 
AES 2009: Slate Pro Audio Trigger
Upgrading Studio A at Santa Barbara Sound