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Hi Jacob,
You correctly note a difference between the elaborate studio creations of the
Cossacks, vs the more spare arrangements recorded by The Madeira.
There are different schools of thought on this, and I've had this debate with
other band members numerous times.
As much as I love the old Cossacks' recordings, they did have what you refer to,
and as cool as effects and reverse-tracking and the like, these are things
mainly only possible in the studio, and it's always been my aim for our band to
be able to perform the songs from our CD's as well or better when we play out
live. This can't always be, sad to say!
To give you a perfect example, when we recorded our CD's our band was a 5-piece,
configured like The Astronauts. Shortly after completing the master recording
for CD #2, our 3d guitarist started getting very busy with high-paid gigs in a
Beatles tribute band, and since he is a full-time musician, we really had to
agree that he was doing the right thing in leaving Longboard Ranch. We now have
a replacement 3rd guitarist busily learning our material, and what he's supposed
to play in our song arrangements, but for the past year, we've effectively been
a 4-piece band.
At recent shows, long-time fans of the band have told us that they wish we'd do
more songs with the full 5-piece sound that we used on the CD's. To me this
kinda drives home the point that it's best if a band wants a career performing
live as well as recording, to arrange and perform the songs on the recordings
such that the band can deliver at least that quality of arrangement and
performance to the live audience.
IMHO, The Madeira seems to be operating on a similar premise, which I think is a
good thing.
While their foundation is definitely trad-based, I hear a lot more going on than
was the case with First Gen surf bands back in the day. Ivan takes his lead
guitar in directions and to places that even Dick Dale and Jimmy Messina didn't
go, another good thing, since again IMHO that makes The Madeira's music new and
refreshing and a kick in the butt to listen to! And let's not forget that
absolutely killer rhythm section driving the songs! And Dane Carter on drums -
WOW!!
Bruce D
"There's no such thing as too much reverb"
Bruce D
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