It’s almost complete – our new wedding hymns project featuring Tobin Wingard. This one has been percolating for a long time, but it will be worth the wait – Tobin is a great player and creator, and I’ve had plenty of time to arrange, rearrange, and generally do what music producers like to do when creating serious art – take a lot of time and continue to shape and mold the songs until they are closer to where you want them, within the limitations of the project. Limitations such as: no, you can’t hire the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra to play on all the songs (but wouldn’t that be nice!). However, as it turns out, we were able to use some string players from the ISO as well as the Chamber Orchestra to add some great energy and color.
The title is still a mystery, but it’s likely to be either “Rejoicing Together”, also the title of one of the upbeat Celtic numbers, or “Ceremony & Celebration”, emphasizing both the reflective nature of the songs chosen, and the decidedly celebrational nature of others.
Daniel Howell from Gaither Studios began the mixing process; I’m taking his excellent foundation and tweaking to my heart’s content. This was my first experience working with Daniel, and I was quite pleased with his ability to create 3 dimensions in the sonic spectrum with various reverbs and effects.
One enjoyable side note on the album credits – both my sons were involved in the percussion overdubs. Jesse added a cadence-like snare drum part to Simple Gifts (the wedding dance version), and Luke played shaker, triangle, tambourine, lap-slapping, and whatever else was at hand that made interesting percussive noises. I played a few parts as well, but as the producer that’s usually assumed – if it needs something added, and no one else is available, you play it yourself and then use the available technology to make yourself sound better than you really are!
So in a couple days I’ll be done micro-managing the mixes, and deliver it to be mastered. We should have product before Christmas, and hopefully by mid-December. In the meantime, some of the first mixed songs can be found on Wedding Processional Songs for Brides & Bridesmaids.
Update:
The album is available for listening and download! Check out our new Ceremony & Celebration Album