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I'm writing in response to this.
Just to be clear. I did not play in Crowded House.
And I did not play drums on Sixpence's cover of the Crowded House song (though I did play on most of their other hit recordings).
I'm still very much alive and am living here in beautiful North Carolina.
I'll be playing with the following people and at the following places over the coming weeks...maybe I'll see you out there somewhere....
Sat. Apr 2nd, 4:30pm
David Karsten Daniels (Full Band)
opening for Magnolia Electric Co., Matt Pond PA, et al
Harrisonburg, VA
MACRoCK 2005 $15 fri, $18 sat, $25 weekend
Sat. Apr 16, early afternoon
The Basics
opening for Derek Webb, Jars of Clay et al
Durham, NC
Carolina Hope Festival , American Tobacco Amphitheater
Thur. Apr 21
Mali
opening for Newsboys, Skillet et al
Wilmore, KY
Ichthus Festival
Sun. Apr 24
Mali
Louisville, KY
Fountain of Life Church, Morning Worship
I'll be in lovable Lubbock, Texas this coming weekend (Sat. March 26, 2005) playing with Mali at the Nation Shakers conference/ event taking place there. The David Crowder Band will be playing Friday Night and then we'll (Mali, that is) will take the stage Saturday morning and again Saturday evening.
Oh, and if you haven't noticed...my picture and bio have been posted over at the Mali site, so check it out if you want. And hopefully I'll see you in Lubbock this weekend.
Cheers!
I had a blast recording with ByWord this past weekend in Idaho. I played drums on 9 songs and added percussion on some of those as well.
Neil, Brent and Elliot all had specific ideas of how they wanted the drum parts to sound, and I did my best to fulfill their every wish. In the end I think we were all pleased with how the parts turned out and how everything sounded. Speaking of which...we recorded the drums in Neil's parent's living room. High ceilings, big space and these windows that allowed me to see the surrounding mountains. Such a beautiful view. After we finished tracking the last song I spent some time outside later that night just soaking up the incredible view of the night sky. Even with the clouds, I could still make out constellations, planets and even a satellite!
Other highlights...seeing deer run past the windows and up the surrounding hill side before I started tracking a part. Waking up to the sound of turkeys gobbling in the side yard. Eating Elk meat for the first time. Seeing AniMusic for the first time and listening to the commentary track of Napoleon Dynamite. All in all...a great weekend.
If you ever get a chance you should go visit St. Maries Idaho. It's a beautiful place!
With the help of a good friend who shall remain nameless (lest the "suits" at Warner Brothers come calling), I pulled some still images from a couple of the Sixpence videos I appeared in and have posted them in their respective Photo Albums.
There are two new photo albums: one that feature images from the original "Kiss Me" video that was shot in Paris (directed by Steve Taylor and photographed by Ben Pearson). The other album features images from "There She Goes" which was wonderfully directed by Brandon Dickerson.
I remember the day when I came home and saw my wife's note...
Neil Young from Idaho called...wants to know about recording/ dates, availability...
Man I freaked! Neil Young calling me! I thought that maybe Buddy Miller had somehow passed my name along to him, or maybe some random person from Squint Entertainment from back in the day...After going out and buying up all the Neil Young CD's and DVD's that I didn't already own, I came home, put on a disc and proceeded to call Mr. Young. Well after a few bouts of phone tag, I finally reached him.
Yep, you guessed it...he wasn't the REAL Neil Young. I mean he's really Neil Young...just not the "Crazy Horse" Neil Young... He and his friends all have a band and wanted me to play on their new CD. They heard my playing on Divine Discontent and liked the drumming enough to try and track me down. And so that's how I eventually got called up.
So this weekend, I'll be up in Idaho recording with Neil Young! It's like a dream come true. Maybe when I pray to God for gigs I need to be more specific...you know? I thought just praying to play for Neil Young was good enough...how was I to know there would be more than one Neil Young in the music industry?!
All sarcasm aside though...I'm thankful for the work and looking forward to making some new friends and some good music. Idaho, here I come.
I've just added a search function to my site...you'll see it on the left if you scroll down far enough on the page. And just to see if it works, I'm mentioning your name Donna. So if you google yourself and you find this entry...rejoice! It worked. And I'll mention my brother Doug too and Bryan while I'm at it. And so you're not left out either...here you are Linda. Mom and Dad (Don and Betts) would be so proud that I've included everybody. Hmm. Not sure if that was a good idea. Oh well, stalkers, please be kind.
Also, I brought back the good 'ole Google ads. If you click through enough, you'll help me pay for this website and potentially help put my child (children) through college. Isn't the web great?! So support the folks who've paid for the ads that are displayed here on my site. They want your business. And I want the kickbacks Google will pay me through their "adsense" program.
And in all fairness, the fine folks at Amazon allow me to display the albums I've played on (over on the right side of my page). If you click through and purchase any of those albums I make about .005 cents (or something to that effect) for your effort. So while you're clicking through the Google ads...purchase (from Amazon) an album I played on while you're at it.
And yet another place you can hear my drumming...
Read all about it here.
And I quote:
"Music inspires people in all walks of life and cleaning is no different. We've been able to establish a connection between music and cleaning and the five home care brands (Clean, Swiffer, Dawn, Cascade and Febreze) have joined together to help bring this connection to life for consumers through the 'Take the Bore Out of the Chore' program," said Aaron Eisel, brand manager. "Whether you're a fan of rock and roll classics or looking for something with a little soul, these CDs are sure to add some fun to your Spring Cleaning routine."
So as you're cleaning your toilet listening to "Kiss Me" for the umpteenth time...you can think of me as your inspiration: drumming for a cleaner house, and doing my part to "take the bore out of the chore."
You can preview the cd (Fresh Clean Beats) and check out the playlist at the Proctor and Gamble promotional site.
Check out the nterview with the Prayers and Tears posted over at Somewhere Cold...I was around to add some comments to the piece...check it out here...
Also, Pitchfork gave the album a thumbs up (actually it was a 7.5), check out their review here...
You might have also caught the great review of the record in the Independent by Grayson Currin.
Oh, and if you get a chance check out the Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers when they go on tour as the opening act for the Mountain Goats later in March and throughout April.
Anyway...I'm real proud of the work I did with that band and really hope alot of people get excited about their music...Rock on Perry! (and Alex, David and Josh)...
Ah, it's good to be home. And I'm glad I can post again...my internet connections weren't the best on the road...I need to work on that. Anyway... The tour with Mali went well. We made some great new friends and were reintroduced to some old friends - Adrian and Chad you know who you are...
The folks from Ichthus were more than accommodating, as were the guys in Sanctus Real and Day of Fire. Thanks Zak for letting me use your drums, not sure if I told you how much we appreciated being able to use your equipment!
All of us in Mali are looking forward to the next gig and especially Ichthus...so if you get a chance catch us out on the road coming up...
Peace!
Sixpence None the Richer: This Beautiful Mess
The second CD Sixpence recorded was my first with the band. We tracked the rhythm tracks in 4 days at Omni Sound studios in Nashville. Armand John Petri produced and many fans say that this is their favorite Sixpence album.
Sixpence None The Richer: Sixpence None The Richer
The Grammy nominated, RIAA Certified Platinum selling album that featured the breakout hit, "Kiss Me." Produced by Steve Taylor and wonderfully engineered and mixed by Russ Long, with additional mixing by Bob Clearmountain. The follow-up hit, "There She Goes" was also later added to this album.
Sixpence None the Richer: The Best of Sixpence None the Richer
Includes the hits "Kiss Me," "There She Goes," and "Breathe Your Name" and many other of the songs I played on and helped promote during my 7+ years with the band.
Sixpence None the Richer: Tickets for a Prayer Wheel
Out-takes and B-Sides from Sixpence's "This Beautiful Mess" CD. There were some extended jams, a live track, some moody percussion and even a re-mix done by friend and former roommate, Sal Salvador. Not only does this CD feature my drumming, and vocals(!), but I make my producing debut on this album with an angst-filled vibey take on an old Patsy Cline song.
Sixpence None the Richer: Mega 3 Collection
Includes Sixpence's first 3 CD's. Of these 3 CD's my drumming only appears on the 2nd and 3rd disc. The first CD featured the drumming of Chris Dodds, one of my favorite people and drummers.
Sixpence None the Richer: There She Goes
CD single of the 11th hour addition to Sixpence's self-titled album which helped solidify Sixpence as a legitmate "Breakthrough Artist" according to R&R magazine. The song went on to become a Top 10 Single with an appealing video (featuring "Saving Private Ryan" star, Adam Goldberg), by director and good friend of the band, Brandon Dickerson.
Sixpence None the Richer: Breathe Your Name / Northern Lights
CD single of the Top 20 hit, Breathe Your Name w/ non-album track Northern Lights, from Sixpence's Divine Discontent record. Both songs feature my drumming.
Sixpence None the Richer: Collage: A Portrait of Their Best
A compilation of the best tracks from the band's REX years. And yes, that's me in the corner with the beard and glasses.
Sixpence None the Richer: Kiss Me
Imported Single of the most played song from the year 2000. This song features my drumming and went to the top of the charts in over 10 countries (US, UK, Canada, Israel, Japan, etc...). I also appeared in all the videos and TV appearances that helped promote this song. Interesting side note: this song was chosen by Britain's Royal Family to be played for over 200 Million viewers during Prince Edward's 1999 wedding.
Sixpence None the Richer: I Can't Catch You
Import Single of a song from the band's self-titled album. This was one of the songs Bob Clearmountain mixed and it was honor to have him work his magic on my drum tracks!
[Various Artists]: City on a Hill: Collection
I played on the first City on a Hill CD as well as a track or two on the second CD.
[Various Artists]: Return Of The Grievous Angel: Tribute To Gram Parsons
I played drums with the Rolling Creek Dippers, aka: Buddy and Julie Miller, Victoria Williams, Mark Olsen, Jim Lauderdale.
[Various Artists]: Roaring Lambs
I played drums with Sixpence None the Richer, Emmylou Harris, Steve Taylor and percussion with Burlap to Cashmere on this CD.
[Various Artists]: Exodus
I played with Sixpence None the Richer, Michael W. Smith, and Kenny Meeks on this CD.
Kim Taylor: So Black, So Bright
I played drums on this CD that was produced by Jack Henderson. This is one of my favorite projects to have played on. Some of the tracks feature Linford and Karin from Over the Rhine as well.
[Various Artists]: Making God Smile: An Artists' Tribute to the Songs of Beach Boy Brian Wilson
I played drums and percussion (timpani, chimes, beat box) on Jason Harrod's version of "In My Room" for this Brian Wilson tribute album.
Rebecca St. James: Transform
I played on a track produced by Matt Bronlewee, that featured the London Symphony Orchestra and some very "Bjork" sounding vocals by Rebecca. I think we did about 40 tracks of various percussion overdubs for this track too.
[Various Artists]: Never Say Dinosaur
My first time to work with producer Brent Bourgeois and one of my first times in the studio with Sixpence. I borrowed a whole bunch of percussion from Steve Hindalong and had a great time overdubbing frame drums, rattan shakers and the like. The track ended up sounding very Daniel Lanois-ish with some Peter Gabriel-esq type layers thrown in for good measure.
[various artists]: Here On Earth (2000 Film)
This Soundtrack album features two songs I did with Sixpence, one a cover of a Sam Phillips/ T-Bone Burnett song: "I Need Love" and the other, the opening track ("We Have Forgotten") from Sixpence's self-titled record.
[various artists]: Snow Day: Music From The Motion Picture
Sixpence's version of The La's tune, "There She Goes" is on this soundtrack album. And yes, I'm playing drums on that song...
[various artists]: Bounce: Music from and Inspired by the Miramax Motion Picture (2000 film)
Another song ("Love") I did with Sixpence from their self-titled album, appears on this soundtrack. Mark Nash and I played a drum duet of sorts to get the primal heavy-handed approach needed for this wonderful song.
[various artists]: Dick
One of my favorite tracks. Everytime I hear this song ("Dancing Queen"), I can't help but think of Alan Partridge.
Sixpence None the Richer: Divine Discontent
Even though I quit playing with the band in 2001, the bulk of this record was recorded in 2000, and so my playing is featured on more than half the tracks on this record. Produced by Paul Fox, beautifully engineered by Mark Chevalier and mixed by Tom Lord-Alge.
Sixpence None the Richer: The Early Years
New Sixpence compilation from the REX years. Includes songs and b-sides from the early work I recorded with Sixpence - pre "Kiss Me" era.
Steve Hindalong, et.al: City on a Hill: Reflections on Our Spiritual Journey (Ccm Book)
Okay, this is a book. But I wrote the first essay that appears in the book and took all the photos that appear as well. You can actually read my essay by clicking this link and "looking inside the book." Fun, huh?
Various Artists: Pointfolio 1.0
A radio station compilation featuring in-studio and concert live cuts.
Includes, Sixpence doing "Kiss Me"(with me on drums), and Fleming and John's "Ugly Girl", Dido, BareNaked Ladies, etc.
Plumb
Loops, fragments of songs and lots of percussion is what I remember from this session. Producer Dan Haseltine and Matt Bronlewee made this a fun and creative time in the studio. It was great to be a part of the debut album of such a phenomenal artist (am I gushing to much here?).
[various Artists] : Felicity: Senior Year (tv soundtrack)
Features "Melody of You" a beautiful song by Sixpence None the Richer that I played drums on and was featured on the series final episode (I think).
Dale Baker
919-402-8048
dalebakerdrummer {@} gmail {dot} com
