Hi All,

Yes, it's been a while since my last update, but that's not for lack of things to share. (It just took me a while to figure out how to do all this on a Mac!)  CD productions continue at full throttle, and I'm really taken with the artists I'm having the opportunity to work with.  Here's a rundown of what's been happening lately:

HAYLEY REARDON

Last summer I began working with a talented young singer-songwriter by the name of Hayley Reardon.  Hayley is fifteen.  If that doesn't quite register, consider this--she's a freshman in high school. I have to admit that at first I was a little suspect.  Often our entertainment culture loves to push child prodigies into the spotlight, only to discard them a few years later. I've never had a desire to be any part of that, nor does the fact that someone may be "good for their age" move me much.  But it didn't take long to realize that Hayley is in her own category.  She's driven and wants to succeed, but Hayley is not motivated by celebrity.  In fact she's turned down offers that other cute, talented teens would jump at.  Hayley wants to be (and is) a serious songwriter, and that's something I can really get onboard with. 

In addition Hayley has developed her own “Find Your Voice” in-school performance program, delivering a peer targeted message encouraging self-expression.  As the National Bullying Prevention Center’s National Peer Spokesperson, Hayley has begun sharing her message to packed middle school auditoriums in New England and as far flung as Michigan and Minnesota.

The best way I can put it is that Hayley writes from the perspective of a young teen, but with the skill and poetic sense of someone much older. The result is not only music that her peers can strongly relate to, but that appeals to any generation.  She's quite remarkable.

We're about half way through the recording process for a full length CD. To date, musicians Kevin Barry, Richard Gates, Mark Erelli and Glenn Patscha have lent their talents to the project.  Below are a couple of pics taken by Barbara Gates at the recording sessions where Chris Rival engineered.  Look for the release later this year on Kingswood Records.  (Meanwhile there's a partial tune of Hayley on my Sound Clips page)

JENNA LINDBO

Good friend Catie Curtis steered me in the direction of this unique singer-songwriter. It's been a total pleasure working on Jenna's CD and it's just about finished.

A bonafide "up-and-comer," Jenna is as soulful a person as they come, and as genuinely cheerful as anyone I've met on this planet.  This seems to give her the ability to write songs that are inspiring and upbeat, yet still deep and engaging.  That can be a very difficult thing to do--any songwriter will tell you it's much easier to write a sad, tragic song!

We tracked basics at Signature Sounds studio with Mark Thayer engineering.  Sonny Barbato played piano and accordion and upright bassist Jesse Williams was on hand too.  Ronnie Earl pianist Dave Limina supplied some overdubs, as did friends Shane Koss and Jim Chapdelaine.  And then Jenna and I filled in the rest!  I really love how this record is sounding--very organic and traditional, but with a fresh twist all her own.  Look for its release later this year.  (Below left to right -- Jenna at Signature Sounds, Jenna at my home studio, Busterland.) 

CATIE CURTIS

Since my last update the new Catie Cutis CD Stretch Limousine On Fire has been released.  Catie's fans love it and so do I!  One of the highlights in making this CD was traveling out to Los Angeles to record basic tracks with drummer Jay Belerose, bassist Jennifer Condos, guitarist Thomas Juliano and engineer Ryan Freeland.  It was quite a treat working with those folks and I've been a fan of Jay's drumming since his early Boston days.  It's no fluke that he's T Bone Burnett's first call drummer--his approach to the instrument is brave and unique, and I love what he did with Catie's songs.  I love working with Catie too--she's a pro's pro.

STUDIO UPGRADE

In 2011 I spruced up my home studio Busterland.  In addition to a new computer, mics and gear, I've made it a much nicer place to be.  Yes, its still small, but I get an amazing amount of work done here--vocals, overdubs, editing, you name it.  Here are some pics:

AND THAT'S NOT ALL

Production isn't all I do--I still relish being the hired hand.  Recent highlights are having the good fortune of once again recording with Uri Djemel in NYC, putting down drum tracks, and adding percussion tracks to the new Mystics record, under the direction of Bobby Keyes. Live gigs continue with dear friend Ronnie Earl, with a bit of traveling to come this summer--I'll keep you posted.  Our local Monday night Americana band The Shinolas will gear up again in March.  Last but not least, drumming for the great Al Anderson (of NRBQ) for two nights at the Iron Horse in December was simply amazing. 

Thanks again for visiting my site folks.  There'll be more news to come--meanwhile come on out and hear some music!

Peace,

Lorne

PS.  For those of you who missed the tribute to my parents it can still be found HERE.