Midway Fair | 10 months ago
Featuring @jenniferparde8763, my longtime friend, musical collaborator, and voice teacher.
Since I don't listen to much pop music or even very much radio, I only learned about this song from friends playing it. Way back my friend Katie Bowers dedicated this song to me during a show as if it was an old favorite, and I was very confused because I'd never heard it before. Of course, there's a reason the song's so popular and has been covered a zillion times. I learned The Zutons' version first and was very confused about why it sounded so different when my friends covered it, which will tell you how out of touch I am.
Anyway, while I did learn it and sing it once in a while, Jen sings this song pretty regularly in the Moon Swings Big Band where she shares vocal duties with several other singers. I couldn't resist inviting her over to sing and play it her way.
Recording notes:
We did the lead vocals, piano, and drums live and then our twins overdubbed the backing vocals and guitar. Originally I planned on trading lead vocals, since I actually sing this in the same key as Jen, but I wasn't warmed up before our session and decided that it was better to just have her do the whole song. Less to keep track of.
I do regret not having a smaller pop filter that doesn't cover Jen's face. The mic placement was pretty critical to avoid too much snare from the drums (the piano player's vocal mic is angled to the left, Jen's right). I also forgot to put my jacket back on for the guitarist! Oh well.
Lead vocals: DIY 251 (Campbell capsule), ART MPAII, DIY 1176
Backing vocals: DIY 47 (Heiserman capsule), ART MPAII, DIY 1176
Guitar: The Don Quixotecaster, Bearhug compressor, Strymon El Capistan, and my Sakura 5W amp
Drums: Sakae Trilogy, Avedis 19" ride, old zil hats, Bosphorus and Istanbul crashes.
Piano: Roland F5, mixed with a Wurlitzer patch from midi.
Interface: Fireface UCX + 400
Camera: Sony ZV1
Software: Logic and Final Cut
