Jo McCafferty Blog

Don't Forget Your Lego

2011-05-16T08:44:00.000+01:00

I was walking into work the other day, which is situated next to a school. My head was already packed with the problems of the day ahead, and I had a bit of a weary heart wondering when I might next get some time off. A car pulled up beside me and a boy jumped out with his schoolbag. His mum called out to him "have a nice day and don't forget your lego!".
For some reason this stripped all my cares of the day away, and I remembered a time long ago, when all you might need to worry about was where your lego was.

It's sometimes good to remember what's really important to you. I think I might make lego a priority in future.

Heh

2010-09-06T12:04:00.000+01:00

Well the MA got handed in on time and now I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. Learn a language? Take up Tai Chi? Guess I could do some gigs or something...speaking of which, am supporting Marillion at their convention in Holland next year, and also playing OxJam at Engima in Aberdeen on the 23rd October.

Very very sleepy

2010-08-04T09:50:00.001+01:00

Up at 6.In work at 7, finish work at half 4. Home. Start work at 6, finish work at 10. Sleep. Redo from start.

Sleepy

Why Can't I Own a Canadian?

2010-08-03T07:47:00.000+01:00

The following is cut and paste from an email from my Dad. It's something that's been binging rounding the net for a while but seeing as the weblinks no longer seem to work I thought I would post it here...

In her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination ... End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fan.

James M. Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia

(It would be a damn shame if we couldn't own a Canadian :)

300 words to go...

2010-08-02T11:21:00.002+01:00

So pretty much nearly done you think - hmm not quite. Still a huge amount to do before hand in, but already planning the party and my next project. Displacement activity? Yes I think so :)
So, things left to do. Finish Literature review. I know, I know, you're supposed to do that first aren't you. Well yes and no. Recent papers have come to light and seeing as there has not been much published in the last 5 years I need everything I can get. Then it's displaying the data. How does the phrase go - 80% of statistics are made up on the spot? My data's pretty noisy so trying to make it look neat and tidy without taking away fromt he important points is quite tough. Then conclusions. Finding that hard as well, frankly, I've kind of concluded lots of things in the discussion part so is it just a case of saying it all again with a bit more authority?

Got meeting with 2nd supervisor soo so hopefully some of this stuff can get ironed out :)

I'm sleepy.

The Brothers Karamazov

2010-07-26T12:24:00.002+01:00

http://www.theonion.com/articles/film-adaptation-of-the-brothers-karamazov-ends-whe,2787/

Anyone who's ever read this or any other very dull and convoluted book will like this!

Procrastination and Displacement Activity

2010-07-26T11:01:00.002+01:00

I've got 4000 words left to write. For some reason I can't though. So I've helped my cousin's kids get dressed, played in the garden, had some toast. I've even tidied up my paperwork and watched babies laughing on youtube. None of which is getting me any closer to finishing the blasted thing. And now I'm resorting to writing about not writing in the vague and slim hope that by typing a lot I will be inspired to continue typing my thesis. Not a good sign.
Hoping to get it down to 3000 words by the time we sit down to watch Nanny McPhee!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes...

2010-07-26T10:46:00.001+01:00

Hi folks, I've combined my blogs now that Overtaking on a Bend is released. This combined blog will cover music and also e-learning and everything else so will try to tag accordingly!

It's Out!

2010-02-11T10:23:00.002Z

The cds arrived last night and they look so good, am tired, relieved and very excited. They'll be hitting doorsteps very soon. Thanks for your support.

MySpace

2010-01-24T20:23:00.002Z

You can hear some of the tracks at http://www.myspace.com/jomccafferty . I'll be on Shmu FM on Tuesday 26th from 10pm-Midnight and on Thursday 28th from 5pm-7pm.

More soon. I hope you like it.

Tired

2010-01-11T18:42:00.002Z

So, we have clearance from MCPS, the tracks and album are registered and cleared with PPL so if by any chance they get played on the radio or telly, everyone gets their cut and if I sell loads of copies I am eligible to chart. (haha).
Grant has finished the pre-final final so all I need to do now is listen to it a few more times and hopefully there will be no more changes required. Stuart has just about finished the artwork and is compig round with a copy for final adjustments. So with any luck I'll be sending it off to the duplicators very soon, maybe by the end of the week!
When they get it, it's two weeks to manufacture and then I will have an awful lot of selling to do. It's been a long old road, and I've learned so much.
I just hope you like it, I hope it achieves some success, not least so I can get some money back.

But to be honest, the most important thing in all of this is that I have finally made the album I wanted to hear, that has been in my head for so long, and that I found so hard to explain. Ad soon you'll hear it too.

To paraphrase Tim Minchin : "This is my album, and it's fine, it's where I've spent the vast majority of my time. It's not perfect. But it's mine".

nearly there

2010-01-05T12:47:00.004Z

It's been another while. Not really even sure who reads this, to be honest but here goes. I now have my notification of no claim from MCPS, I have registered my "record label" with PPL and got ISRC codes for the songs. I'm now in the process of assigning the musicians to the songs so that if by some miracle any of this ends up on the radio or tv or whatever, everyone gets their dues. It's taking time as it is fiddly and annoying but it will be worth it and it has to be done.
I have my barcode and am very nearly done with the artwork. Stuart is just putting some finishing touches to the text and then we are about set. Hopefully will hear from Grant soon that the mastering is complete and then the whole lot will be sent off for duplication. So we're talking weeks now not months.
Samples of some tunes will be made available on Myspace soon.

Go ahead and buy please!!

http://www.jomccafferty.com/shopuk.htm

Waiting

2009-11-07T19:26:00.002Z

So I've been kind of quiet of late and I guess some of you are wondering where your cd is. Unfortunately "circumstances beyond my control" have delayed things - several circumstances in fact. The upshot is that mixing was delayed temporarily, and is now back in progress. It will be a week or so before this is done, and then some mastering, before the master copy is sent for duplication. This will take another couple of weeks. The plan is for the cds to be sent out in time for Christmas. However I understand if some of you are cynical about this.
If (and I sincerely hope this doesn't happen) we are delayed longer, "cd tokens" will be distributed on request, with my apologies. Essentially, something to give while I run around like an idiot trying to get this out.
Musically, this mixing lark has been very tough so far and I can see the rest of the arrangements being similarly difficult. You get to this stage and suddenly you get option anxiety, which instrument where, which solo and how much? However, it is sounding so good to my ears that I also spend a lot of time grinning my head off.
So bear with me, dear reader, it is not long now.

Jo
x

Update

2009-10-26T20:04:00.000Z

Just a short one, am in the process of mixing and trying to raise enough money for the duplication. Watch this space.

Last Day of Recording

2009-09-28T18:21:00.004+01:00

Shattered! Today was the last day - recorded vibraphone for Friend and did vocals for Jack and Poseidon. Now I am sitting back and watching Grant and Rob who owns Ford Lane sorting out all the files...
It's been a tiring and frankly emotionally draining experience but I am sure you are all going to find at least one thing to like about this album, even if it is the end :0)

Now Grant's work begins - editing, fixing and then mixing. Meanwhile I take away the roughs and work out what I want, and what order I want it in - likely a tough call!
More soon :0)

nearly there

2009-09-26T21:21:00.002+01:00

So today Jason did keyboards for Won't Let You Down and Jack, then I did guitars for Running Out of Air, Jack, Friend (plus vocal at the same time as this is just going to be freeform), Easier Said Than Done and also a quick demo of a new song called Hidden Door, which won't be appearing on this album.
I also did vocals for Easier Said Than Done, Won't Let You Down, Running Out of Air, the aforementioned Friend, a new one called Holes, an a cappella thing which may or may not make it. I am more than a bit knackered. Not much more recording left to do then it is mixing time - I do not envy Grant, but will be helping get tracks into the right shape before I let him loose on the technicals :0).

Next challenge for me is to sort out the artwork/cover etc etc.

Tears 1995

2009-09-26T07:54:00.002+01:00

You wept
And down came all the rain
For all the times you let them inside
And you complained there was a beggar in your eyes
And down came all the rain to wash away your tears

You smiled
And banished cloud away
For all the times you found your heart
And you were whispering I love you
All the time
The moon was rising out of turn

Hey, I can't come out today
It's all falling down and I'm in a terrible way
Suddenly it is oh so dark
Down here in my head
Why don't you follow your senses
And comfort me instead?

early finish

2009-09-25T18:16:00.002+01:00

So throat a bit tired now after 5 or so hours of singing. We are now in the final stages really so here is the low down:
Vocals are done for: Becoming Myself Again, Sleepy Man, Dangerous Ground, Can't Find Love, Half of One, If I Say, Lay With Me, Love 2, Page 94, Tears 1995, Waiting, and Faster in the Dark.

Stuff left to do:
Piano: Poseidon, Jack, Won't Let You Down, and maybe some extras on others
Acoustic Guitar: Tears 1995, Friend, Easier Said Than Done
Vocals: Jack, Poseidon, Running Out of Air, Won't Let you Down, Friend, Easier Said than Done, Nothing Room.
Synths: possibly some more maybe I found that the pad on Jack didn't sit with the guitar and therefore need to have another look at that.

Bit sleepy now.

Lunchtime at the Studio

2009-09-25T12:30:00.002+01:00

Pot noodle. Chocolate fingers. Irn Bru. The stuff a musician is made of. So all the electric guitars are done, thank goodness. I've ended up recording them myself rather than using Nigel's work, because it didn't quite feel right in the mix. Unfortunately it means you are now subjected to my electrical offerings instead. Please bear in mind I have not played an electric guitar in about 8 years.

We have four more acoustic guitar tracks to record but I'll do that on Sunday. A few more piano tracks for Saturday morning and the rest is vocals vocals vocals.

I've decided to remove the percussion from Won't Let You Down and it will be a piano/vocal only track. (for the moment anyway, I reserve the right to change my mind.

BBL

Fingers Ouch

2009-09-24T20:05:00.003+01:00

So today I have played the Taylor 314, an Epiphone Dot and a Fender Telecaster. My fingers are a bit sore and the callouses have taken a serious beating! It's always a bit of a slow start on the first day back in the studio as Ford Lane works using Logic and we are mixing in Protools. Another added complication is that some of the original demo work was done on analogue - an Otari MX80. So going from analogue to digital can be a bit tricksy but now have some of the great stuff recorded by Alan Cunningham back then on to the tracks we are recording now.
I've also done vocals for Becoming Myself Again, Sleepy Man, If I Say and Page 94. Some serious perfomances going on and I am totally drained now, but at the same time somewhat euphoric as all my ideas are finally coming together and it is now also evident to other people. Only 16 more to go then...
The other night, I recorded all the pads on keyboard and laid down piano tracks. We just did this in the house as,for me, studio time should be for stuff involving microphones. Can't Find Love is now very sinister and sad and I hope I can get the vocal right for it.
Easier Said Than Done has taken a strange turn and one I think for the better. Both Easier Said Than Done and Won't Let You Down were recorded with percussion, congos (bongos and congas ;-) etc. However, this approach took both songs down a track that wasn't really working for me, and I couldn't see what to do with them. When I removed the percussion, however, things began to become more clear and I think, certainly Easier Said Than Done has become a stand out track. Won't Let You Down still needs some work, the mildly happy ones always do :-)
So that's it for me, not working into the wee hours tonight but there will likely be a few long ones this week.
Off to chill for a bit, more singing tomorrow!

Easier Said Than Done

2009-09-20T11:17:00.001+01:00

She spent a lifetime forgetting herself
Learning strange languages and all about real life
From phrase books and Rough Guides
Whiling the hours away and wishing herself the same
Sending her soul off to lands
She may never see Russia or Vietnam
'Cos it's easier said than done
There is a place in her heart of hearts
No one can take it away from the girl
Who lives right here, in the dark
Saved all her cash for a life in the sunshine
She gave it all up for a cheap ride to Clarksville
The Monkees and Donovan
'Cos it's easier said than done
Once in a car park she though about life
Took her an hour to contemplate all she had done right
But all night
Scolded herself for her reticent nature
She found that for all of her hopes and her dreams
She had got where?
Nowhere
'Cos it's easier said than done
Keeping it all in a part of her brain
Locked up inside her so no one can see all the rain
On jazz days
Living it all like a permanent dream
Hoping that one day she'd pluck up the courage to leave
Run away
But it's easier said than done
Then something cracked was a bolt from the blue
Might die if she left
But she'd die if she stayed too
And she knew
Jumped on a plane destination unknown
Maybe she'd land up in China or Rome
Lapland or Tennessee
It was easier said than done
She spent a lifetime forgetting herself
Learning strange languages and all about real life
From phrase books and Rough Guides
Finding that all of her fears were just that
Sent herself flying to lands she had never seen Russia
Or Vietnam

Nothing Room

2009-09-20T08:41:00.000+01:00

Mourn him
Grieve him
Still believe it
For he is gone

Love him
Adore him
See him
Like a childhood sweetheart

Love him
Adore him
Steal away
To his nothing room

And I still feel the silence
I still feel the silence
I still feel his silent presence

Money

2009-09-20T07:58:00.002+01:00

You know sometimes, when you're feeling low, and you think things probably couldn't get much worse, it suddenly does. Turns out I am not able to take cash out of my credit card after all, meaning the money I dunked into there to make sure I had enough to pay the studio is now "not available as cash". OFFS as my work colleagues are prone to say. Really useful. The lower echelons of the music industry work on cash, this is how life is. And now I am cash poor.
So now I have to figure out a way of making the £300 currently resting in my account into £1200 by next week. Su-fecking-perb.
I know, things have a way of turning out alright in the end but by gods does one get put through the wringer.

One more push

2009-09-19T13:15:00.003+01:00

It's aways one more push, one last stab, one more take. But this is it, people, the last of my money and the last of the recording. It is going to be a hard week and I hope I am up to the task. I will do better than my best. After all, this is likely to be the last from me. Life overtakes us all and I am no different. To quote myself, I'm overtaking on a bend and I don't know what's coming my way - but I'm counting down the days.

For those interested in the nutsnbolts side of things we will be cutting out any extraneous tracks, and deciding on takes on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday it will likely be my all time favourite (not) guitars. I am hoping we can get all the sodding guitars done on Thursday because, well frankly I hate recording guitars. I play to my own time, meaning I can't play in time no matter how loud the fecking cans are. Then it will be synths, a lot of them, as despite Bettina, Eszter and Nigel's excellent playing more strings are required. Also other scary noises will be added at this stage. Last will be vocals, and I hope I can carry it off. I find it easier when it is just me and the engineer so this will be "closed set" so to speak.

And then everything is down to the mix.

Wish me luck,

jo

So.....

2009-08-30T11:46:00.002+01:00

Quick catch up. Been doing a project as part of my masters through August and therefore been keeping my head down as far as the music goes. Once I get my head clear of the fug I shall have a listen to what is left to do (and there is a LOT). For a start the strings need sorting out, there's a lot of work gone into those but as raw tracks they are really harsh. I am hoping Grant can work his magic and get them sounding tasty.
I also have to select sections of trumpet/saxophone that will be staying. I got the them to record loads of stuff so I guess it is my fault that that is going to take some time to work through.
Next big thing is keyboards, and lots of them - piano, string pads, etc etc. I'm hoping a lot of this can be done from home but then again am realistic about what is acheivable here, with my lack of technical abilities - or rather, perhaps I am being unfair to myself here - I could do the technical side but I find all that mucking around takes its toll creatively. That's why I feel my best place is in a studio, with an engineer working the buttons and making sure things sound exactly right, while I pull stuff out of my head and get it out there.
So, rather than try to get all this done at home then find a place for doing vocals, I have scraped every last penny into one more session at Ford Lane Studio.
I was also considering adding another song or two but frankly I think 21 is probably enough. We shall see.
In the meantime the old muse visited me and I wrote a new song. It is technically a b&gger to play so I need to practise a lot.
Apart from that I'm off up to Aberdeen for a week in Sept before coming back down to record again. Then it's Aberdeen for a month - hopefully I can join Grant in working on some mixing etc from time to time. Hopefully by the end of Oct we shall have the final mix and then it's off to the duplicators to get pressed up.

2009-07-31T12:09:00.000+01:00

Semi-final! Won't change much from this I don't think...

Another Week Goes By

2009-07-21T19:01:00.002+01:00

Well that's the end of another session. It's by no means complete, unfortunately but I guess I forget sometimes that things in studio land take twice as long as you expect.

So the cello is done, electric guitars, trumpets, strings, and some vocals. I need to figure out how to stretch the coffers to accommodate the rest of the vocals.

It's sounding great though and I am looking forward to putting the final vocals down - you'll be surprised for sure, different approaches, vocal techniques, pushing myself loads to show you I can do more than piss about with a guitar and some depressing lyrics. Ok so the lyrics are still depressing, but this time there are drums :0)

There are some cracking and often scary violin parts - and I really mean that - actually scary. I felt a bit bad making the violin players do it, but I think in the end they started to have a bit of fun. Either that or they were just delirious from all the work I was making them do.

The only thing that alleviated my guilt a bit was that although I worked everyone really hard, I was first up, first in the studio, last to leave the studio. It's not like I waved my hands and said "onward slaves, get on with the work!"

I've learned loads as well, about how to arrange strings properly. Some of the things I had put down weren't strictly ballroom so to speak, and I broke a lot of rules I didn't know existed :0)

I am now, frankly, knackered and my ears don't work anymore. Now I have to find some time to finish the guitars and keyboards and then locate a studio for the vocals up in Scotland.

2009-07-21T18:56:00.001+01:00

Grant, after several days recording with me. A warning to all those - abandon hope at the studio door, I will work you til you go insane!

2009-07-21T10:29:00.002+01:00

Eszter and Bettina

2009-07-21T10:28:00.001+01:00

2009-07-21T10:27:00.000+01:00

2009-07-21T10:24:00.001+01:00

2009-07-21T10:23:00.000+01:00

2009-07-21T10:21:00.000+01:00

2009-07-21T10:19:00.002+01:00

Nigel "there's 8 bars more of the song than there is on the score" Rippon

2009-07-21T10:16:00.000+01:00

Once more into the breach, dear friends...

2009-07-14T14:25:00.004+01:00

So tomorrow is phase 2 of the recording, a lot of time and effort gone into arranging parts and it is going to be a hard week. It's also going to be a full house as we hae 2 violinists and Grant staying for most of the time. Eszter is coming all the way from Cluj-Napoca in Romania and Bettina, from Bath -not quite so exotic but still a fair old trek to play - so very grateful to both.

But tomorrow is guitars and cello, by the ridiculously talented Nigel Rippon. I can't wait to get started! We'll also be getting some more trumpet, this time from Duncan Fraser. More on the musicians another time, I think.

I was sad to hear that we won't be allowed to use Vettriano pics in one of the artworks for the album booklet. Shame, seeing as the artwork in question was for Jack, which is essentially a song about him. Not to worry - we have had worse setbacks, and perhaps it is a blessing in disguise.

Now I must go and print the scores for the week so people know what to play.

Going to the country, gonna eat a lot of peaches...

2009-06-17T20:26:00.003+01:00

Well, I'm up in Cammachmore and have been for a few weeks now - being my alter-ego and earning the dough. I've been doing a lot of walks along the cliffs and beach and generally regenerating.

I did a gig last night, which was ok - I played Friend, Lay With Me and Faster in the Dark along with other Overtaking on a Bend tunes and some oldies for good measure.
Playing a gig without the band there after listening to the roughs over and over was slightly odd but there we go.

So the next session is booked 15th-19th July. This is going to be a hard week, guitars, trumpets, strings and vocals. I'm not sure if we will succeed but I'm going to give it all I've got.

Jason's been working on string arrangments in my absence so things are ticking over nicely.

That's all for now :0)

This is a Low

2009-05-25T17:55:00.002+01:00

Gratefully stolen title from Blur.

This is the hard bit, waiting to hear the stuff again after a week out. Knowing how much it's going to cost to finish it and knowing how much I don't actually have. It would be so easy just to stop now, make my excuses. Plus it means you'll never get to judge if it was good enough - if I was good enough.

But the hard bit is to carry on, when you think you've lost your way a bit, when the great times of the week before have faded a little from memory, and all you have is the vague recollection you've done some recording and nothing really to show for it.

Overtaking On a Bend is a monster by nature, 21 tracks in varying states. Some I guess could stay as they are, but others require "treatment", thought, precision, time, and money.

And on top of that, I have to complete the PGCE part of my MA before August is out.

So it's time to get the head down, do the hard work, push and push and push some more. It has to go out there, for better or for worse. Overtaking on a Bend is my baby. It may turn out rather ugly, and it may not make any friends; but it's mine.

2009-05-17T18:19:00.001+01:00

2009-05-17T18:16:00.001+01:00

2009-05-17T18:15:00.000+01:00

2009-05-17T18:13:00.000+01:00

2009-05-17T18:11:00.000+01:00

The End of Week One

2009-05-17T17:57:00.002+01:00

Some of this is written from notes I took on Friday, so please forgive jumping around of tense should it occur.
So week one is over. It feels like a month or so, however - long days, evenings, loud and even louder drums ringing in my head. Fabulous. You won't believe how good it sounds, and I haven't got the words to describe it. But imagine if you will, a delighted Jo leaping around a studio in total glee.
21 tracks are now done, slightly differing from the original line up, we have:
Tears 1995
Jack (previously entitled Amateur Philosophers but that was awful)
Dangerous Ground
Becoming Myself Again
Can't find Love
Easier Said than Done
Faster in the Dark
Friend
Half of One
If I Say
Lay with me
Love 2
Nothing Room
Page 94
Pieces
Poseidon
Waltz
Running Out of Air
Sleepy Man
Waiting
Won't let you down.

Not necessarily in that order.
We've done all the drums and bass (these guys were AMAZING) some cello, percussion, vibraphone, trumpet, piano and of course guide vocals and very bad guitar a la Jo.
I'm now collapsed on the sofa (well I was when I originally wrote this on Friday afternoon) while Rob (c/o Ford Lane Studio) and Grant get all the audio off the studio computer and onto my hard drive.

After that we'll get a copy on to my computer (in fact this didn't happen til Saturday, the drive got wiped by an errant helper and we had to go back into the studio and retrieve all the tracks again the next day. Luckily Rob had not deleted the files. You can imagine the fear though - all that work for possibly nothing!) and Grant will take the mobile hard drive north for mixing.

The next task is the keyboards, guitars and string arrangements. I am hoping to woo Nigel (percussion and cello) back in for some guitar work...

I am hoping to get a small string section together for the strings rather than programmed stuff. There is a real, for want of a better word, "vibe" to this album and I don't want to spoil it with plastic violins.

Vocals, well, they're a long way off but will probably happen up in Scotland.

Next though, it's back to work to try to pay off all the money I've spent this week, and in a couple of weeks time, some photoshoots for the covers.

Speak soon!

jo

Update!

2009-05-13T09:08:00.002+01:00

I'm shattered! Just a quick one, lots of drums down, some great percussion - but a very long session last night has left my head buzzing like crazy. So I'm sitting here at the kitchen table contemplating one more cup of tea before heading out.

Yesterday was nuts, technical problems meaning the session was pushed back to nearer half two - much stress abound. However Dave and Duncan rose to the challenge and fired out some cracking takes.
Then, for an evening session we had Nigel Rippon in for some percussion on Easier Said than Done, and a new one. Finished round about 10 and collapsed in a heap.

More drums today!

jo
x

Artwork Update

2009-05-07T08:03:00.001+01:00

With Overtaking on a Bend getting closer and closer we have decided this time, because we have the time, to do it a bit different. When we did Papercuts and lime many years ago we had the music long before we had a visual look for the album and the album cover was very much a last minute design, it’s a design that I liked but it was finished with a few days to go before the cds were pressed. On Overtaking I decided to create artwork very early on and to create a very specific style of artwork that fits with the look I was hoping to achieve.

Long ago I decided I wanted a specific look to the album, a 1940’s/60’s detective Noir look, very Raymond Chandleresque.

At the moment we are hoping to create a story in images that will carry on throughout the booklet, and will tell a story, the songs themselves do not tell a story, it isn’t a concept album, but possibly snatches of the songs might evoke an image that will make up part of a story you can make for yourself. How's THAT for some lazy writing! :-)

This idea is very much in the starting stages just now and we will keep you updated as time goes on.

The “we” isn’t royal by the way, Stuart Mitchell is doing the actual hard work on the artistry while I point and say “less of that”, “more this” etc etc.

Friend Lyrics

2009-05-07T07:56:00.003+01:00

I miss my friend
I don't know when
I'll ever speak to him
I miss my friend
And feeling down
I can't get up again
And could I
Before I die
See his eyes
Rest on mine?

I miss my friend
I feel it when
I'm losing who I am
I miss my friend
But when I close my eyes I understand
We'd said, back in time
We are lost satellites

I miss my friend
And every now and then
I need to hide
I miss my friend
And sometimes I feel emptier inside
When the tide turns away
All that remains
Is seaweed spray

I miss my friend
But then again
I know we are entwined
I miss my friend
But I can see the galaxy we hold inside
And could I,
Before I die
See a sunset through your eyes?

I miss my friend.

2009-04-30T22:35:00.001+01:00

This is another draft - definitely getting there!! I need me in this though, I really fancy being Philip Marlowe :-)

Half of One Lyrics

2009-04-30T18:19:00.003+01:00

All the words
I wanted to say
Were carried away
I was on dead air
I was weeping then
But you just heard a sigh
I was trying to hide
A secret fear

If you ever leave
I'll crumble away
Hope that terrible day
Will never come
But if by chance
You're taken from me
What would I be
But half of one?

All that I am
Rests in your eyes
But a foolish disguise
Is protecting me
If I opened my heart
Would you just look away?
Or would you stay
And comfort me?

If you ever leave
I'll crumble away
That terrible day
May never come
But if by chance
You're taken from me
What would I be
But half of one?

Half of one.

Pre-Order

2009-04-30T12:04:00.003+01:00

It's now officially on Pre-Order! That means I have to actually do this then, eh...
http://www.jomccafferty.com/shopuk.htm
You can also go here http://www.jomccafferty.com/shop.htm if you are of an international persuasion and select your zone.

Woohoo!

Stuart and I have been working on the cover a bit more. Will post drafts later after work :-)

Tuna sandwich and coffee for lunch!

x
:-)

A confession

2009-04-29T18:38:00.000+01:00

My idea for the cover. Without the writing. Or the silly face. In black, with lights beaming out from the cars. And Stuart's moon.

I really can't draw. I am ashamed.

Maybe stars?

2009-04-29T18:33:00.000+01:00

This is a first draft of a cover by Stuart. I am creeped out by myself but am liking the moon!

Two excellent quotes from the past...

2009-04-29T18:22:00.001+01:00

All highly inaccurate...
2006

The house is built, the albums written and in the next few months it’s likely recording will begin on ‘Overtaking on a Bend’, the first fully non acoustic Jo McCafferty album, with the hope to see it released at some point towards the end of the year.

2005

The album is fully acoustic and is a stop gap between
'Papercuts and Lime' and the new band album
'Overtaking on a Bend' which will hopefully be
available next year. - April 29th 2005

I totally promise it will be out this year -2009

:-)

2009-04-29T18:04:00.000+01:00

I've been thinking along the lines of a Raymond Chandleresque feel to the album artwork. I don't know why, it just sort of feels right. I love Philip Marlowe. And I love that moon :-)

The First Post

2009-04-29T16:31:00.000+01:00

It's been around 5 years since I decided to make this album, and it has always been entitled Overtaking on a Bend. The contents of the album have changed over time, with songs losing favour over time, or new songs coming to the fore.
It's almost become a bit of a joke, "When's the album coming out", people would say, knowing full well I'd never do it. The time for Overtaking on a Bend had been and gone and I began to think I ought to just leave well alone. After all, I'm a different person now.
And what's with all this music anyway, I'm never going to be famous, or headline Glastonbury. No one will ever care what dress I am wearing, or whether or not I eat breakfast. What am I doing it for?
At the moment, I don't actually know. Short of finishing what I started, there is no real need for an album. I wonder if I am making a fool of myself by even doing it in the first place.
You see, it's been at least 6 months since my last gig and probably a year since the one before that.
2008 was an terrible year.
But now, it's the end of April. The sun has been out for a few weeks, and I am beginning to feel more alive. I am becoming myself again. I'm not sure what that means for the rest of the world, but for now, I feel - better.
I feel positive. On May 11th I go into Ford Lane Studios with Duncan Burgess and Dave Clarke to record the bones of Overtaking on a Bend, and I intend to keep this diary as best I can, with ideas, pics, vids, lyrics etc, when I get time.
Songs that are on the current list are :
Running out of Air
If I Say
Poseidon
Dangerous Ground
Becoming Myself Again
Friend
Head's Up
Amateur Philosophers
Easier Said than Done
Sleepy Man
Nothing Room
Half of One
Throw
Won't Let You Down
Tears 1995
Lay With Me
Love 2

The album will go on pre-order very soon. I hope you're all going to like it. I really do.