Re: A wee tune on the Sobell
I love the tone on that Sobell!
fine playing there.
Re: A wee tune on the Sobell
Fine playing as usual, Kevin. A great wee tune and the Sobell is sounding great in this recording.
I must say you are weathering the lockdown well too, and even keeping the hair tidily coiffured! :mandosmiley:
Re: A wee tune on the Sobell
3 for 3!
1. good tune
2. good sounding mandolin
3. good playing
thanks for posting it, kevin!
Re: A wee tune on the Sobell
I loved the first track on your "Springwell" album because the notes sounded like a fountain of the clearest water - if that isn't getting too poetic. Was that the same mandolin? Your playing here has something similar going on, and it's so enjoyable!
Re: A wee tune on the Sobell
Thanks! Yes, that same old Sobell, a 1983 model, Indian rosewood back and sides, small bodied, European spruce top, 8 strings, J74s....
The track, the first thing I ever recorded "solo" was done in Castlesound Studios in Pencaitland, Scotland in 1999. Alec Finn accompanied me on the track, and on the first take I was so nervous that I sat thinking as I played, this is rubbish, I'll need to redo this! Frankie Gavin immediately stuck his head round the door and said, mighty take lads, let's move onto the next track! I took a listen and realised that as I struggled through the notes, Alec was grooving away, holding it all together and making it sound wonderful! I was amazed. He made everyone sound so much better! What a thrill to have these old pals, and other compadres, help make it listenable!
It was onto analogue tape too, just on the cusp of digital recording, and there is a clarity and space in the sound, that I like too. Top quality engineering from Stuart Hamilton and beautiful mikes. And a classic space. Very lucky to have had the opportunity from Ian Green of Greentrax. Would never happen these days!
This video sound is just a wee Panasonic video recorder mike, and as my video editing software, MS Vista Moviemaker is now faulty, for no apparent reason, I can't edit the fluffs! Oh well!
I have material ready for a possible 5th solo cd, the first on my own entirely, probably. Hope to get it recorded this year. There's virtually no outlets for cds now, so I'd only make a few copies for the heck of it.
Thanks for your kind comments, it does mean a great deal!
Re: A wee tune on the Sobell
Thank you for sharing the story of that track, which is so interesting. Credit to Alec, for sure, but don't downplay your own excellent picking on that classic track.
And that's a real keeper of a mandolin you have there. I've never heard a better sound come out of a mandolin.
Let us know when that new recording is done, too. I'll buy a copy.
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Re: A wee tune on the Sobell
At Castlesound and Edinburgh 1999
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Re: A wee tune on the Sobell
Re: A wee tune on the Sobell
Great to see the live venues working again, Kevin. I went to hear Maggie Adamson (Shetland fiddler) and Leonard Brown (accodionist) in Inveraray on Wednesday evening at the Accordion and Fiddle Club. Great evening out and a good audience to hear two of our top musicians.
Your band of minstrels are sounding as good as ever. Stay safe.
Re: A wee tune on the Sobell
https://youtu.be/aqMpFPLzfGw
Thanks John, yes, it was quite a thrill to sit and play for folks again like that, rather forgotten how wonderful it is to do that, especially with those marvellous musicians!