Cara CD - Long Forgotten

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Travelling Audience
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 08:37 AM

The CD is playing at this very moment. Good to read your review Guy, at the same time. What a brilliant Trio!

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 09:13 AM

I just think the title should have been something like "Always remembered" rather than "Long forgotten". What do you think??
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 10:29 AM

Great GS now they have a title for next year !!!
         WARNING ESOTARIC STUFF AHEAD: To create something original you kind of have to forget (or put to your intuative side) the things that made the material that you found (REMEMBERED) , inspired by the musical past but made something new . Wow there was an inside out sentence .sorry .. My father once wrote. "Tradition is not a form to be imitated but the disopline that gives integrety to the new" . This is what makes the CD so good. These guys are not copying but using traditional methods to pull new music out of the air. No small feat !!
            Because of all this I really like the TITLE . It could look like this on the next pressing " LONG FORGOTEN in large print and in small letters underneith (NEWLY FOUND) ...that covers all bases and draws the optomisum we are after to the eye of the perspective CD buyer!! !! HA<><><><> All the best Guy

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 10:32 AM

Oakley how much did you pay the Wolf Guy, offers of cheap real estate on the north bank of the Humber or did you sell him the bridge at a knock down cost

Guy .......... it's not his bridge, don't fall for that old rumble

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: GUEST,ossonflags at werk
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 10:45 AM

It's nice.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 10:54 AM

ten quidd for a bridge . How could I go Wrong ?????? The check is already in the mail   !!!!

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: MR
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 11:07 AM

Guy Wolff

Thanks very much for your lovely, insightful commentary. You've made a tired man very happy!

Mike Ryan

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 11:49 AM

Mike it was a pleasure. CONGRATULATIONS !!! I know you will have a great resonce to this cd and will have more gigs then you will know what to do with . I know this will help with the exhaustion factor. Ahh the life of a musician !


          When you get some rest I think it would be really fun to open up a dialauge with all three of you on the making of this very well done CD.
         

          Questions.:
          1) What were the mikes and what kind of system were they recorded onto ????.
          2)Placement of mikes & numbers. ???.
          3)There is no bleeding to hear. How were you all sitting ???
          4)How many sessions to pull this thing off.???? Post production ..???
          5) Reverb and conpression   ??   It is very clean so no effects??

         It would be very helpful to the mudcat audience who are recording at home and in the studio to have this kind of interatctive conversation and a lot of fun to boot !! ...   Al the best , Guy

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Rasener
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 12:47 PM

Mike, John and Oakley
What about writing a tune for Walesby!!!!

Maybe you could call it the Walesby Wolds

Just a thought and hope you guys are OK

Les

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Micca
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 02:01 PM

Villian, maybe "Wold and Go"?

with a Hey and a Ho
and a "Wash and Go"
as we combed the Spanish Mane

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Rasener
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 02:06 PM

LOL

Micca

I think it should be

"Wild Wold Walesby and Go"

with a Hey and a Ho
and a "Wild Wold Walesby and Go"
as we drink Tom Woods
at Walesby Village Hall we know thats good

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Sttaw Legend
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 02:32 PM

"Long Forgotten" has this morning dropped through my letter box - turn up the volume and where's the bottle of red wine.....see you later can't stop...

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Oaklet
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 04:03 AM

Just in answer to some of Guy's questions:

I am not sure what the mics were - except they were professional studio type, directional affairs that, according to the owner of the studio were fabulously expensive.

John sat in front of a wooden frame, over which was hung a blanket. This was good, because we couldn't see him. He had two mics angled at the guitar, from memory one pointing at his sound-hole and one aimed a little higher up. The pipes had individual mics for chanter and drones. The fiddles had overhead mics, mine positioned close enough so that I could helpfully ruin a perfect take by hitting it with the scroll or the end of the bow.         
         
Where we doubled the melody instruments, we generally sat as we would in performance, a few feet apart although I had to stand up so that I could prompt the "Sorry - got to do that again - you hit the mic again, idiot..". Where bleed was an issue - particularly with the pipes, these were recorded at the same time (we played together listening via headphones) but in another adjacent studio. The final song had me and MR in the studio and the second guitar track was added later.
   
The recording session lasted three days. We got all the tracks done in two and did re-records and tweaks on the morning of the 3rd day. On the afternoon of the same day, and for the entire fourth, we presided over the mixing without too much comment as the bloke new what we wanted. We had the fifth day off.

The decision to digitally re-master was not easy to justify and still isn't - I still listen to both versions. The re-mastered version is slightly crisper and has a digital crunch from the DAT removed at the start of one track. There is some adjustment to levels but the changes are not that obvious.                  

Having been the recipient of the comment "Get out of the toilet, Oakley" by he who posts as Deanmeister here, I have had to reduce my enthusiasm for talent-substitute (otherwise known as reverb.) There is some on the fiddle, perhaps a bit too much here and there but at least it is confined to the slower stuff. The rest of the voices didn't need reverb other than to give some presence and depth. From memory, I think that the engineer avoided compression but I could have got that bit wrong.

Later on - I'm going to try to get that guitarist to join by bribing him with a bottle of sweet sherry. He really knows about this stuff and might be able to elaborate. Thanks for the questions, Guy and for sharing your thoughts. It is really appreciated.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: MR
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 04:17 AM

If memory serves only the product of one mic was used in the recording of the guitar. All else is true.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 07:19 PM

Mr Oakley, Thanks so much for the above writing effort. I realy like the idea of the rug wall to help with bleed. I think the mikes must have been something very good from the results . Someone just showeed me a AKG ribbon mike that cost him the profitts of a big project but will bring his studio more work . The knocking the bow story is wonderful ( not at the time Im shore) .
    John if it was just one mike was it on the sound hole or just above it in the midrange spot (two inchs above the sound hole and alittle back twards the bridge??? ) I liked the idea of having two mikes on the guitar in those spots because you get such different sounds from both placements .
               THe redos and post production in two days is very inpresive. Your
post-production work is very very clean . The reverb used just sounds like a slightly larger room . Compresion is very understated , a class act .

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 07:31 PM

I hit the wrong botton again sorry . Remastering is a hard choice but I think you made the right one . The cd has a pulled together presence that you get from this exstra work . The quality of the tone of the preformance shows through and thats really all we are all after .
          You all must have wanted to sleep for a month when the thing was "in the can" as they say . Thanks for such clear answers .
          I hope the above questions and answers were interesting to anyone thinking of recording . I hope others ask related questions when they hear how full this CD is . We all just want to get better at the prossess of recording and I have gotten a lot from this . Thanks Oakley and Mike .. !

All the best to all here , Guy

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Thumper
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 07:56 PM

The cd was Great, you can give yourself a round applause.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Oaklet
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 08:39 PM

Guy - you are very, very welcome. I'll try to get John to join this forum and answer the guitar-mic question himself tomorrow.

Thumper, thanks for your kind words. I will now treat myself to a very big hand indeed.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Oaklet
Date: 27 Nov 04 - 08:51 PM

But I am a bit worried about Sttaw Legend - it's been three days...

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: artbrooks
Date: 28 Nov 04 - 12:17 AM

As a member of the Across-the-Pond Fan Club, all I can say is...when does the next one come out?

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 28 Nov 04 - 04:17 AM

All those on this side of the pond...and those who can make it over here for the 14th May you will have the opportunity to hear CARA play live at our Handfasting!!

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: freda underhill
Date: 28 Nov 04 - 06:41 AM

I would love to be there - both for you and Micca, and to hear CARA live!

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Oaklet
Date: 28 Nov 04 - 08:10 AM

I have spoken to John this morning who has dedicated his recent months to collecting computer viruses. There are only two he hasn't got, apparently. When he's got them all, he's is having his whatever reformatted and then he'll join. So he says.

Art - there is aready talk of a fourth but it is early days.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Sttaw Legend
Date: 28 Nov 04 - 08:12 AM

Every Christmas list needs Long Forgotten on it if you haven't already got a copy. Long Forgotten is an exquisite compilation of music. Cohesion beams from these wonderful musicians whose love for their music and playing together is on record now for the third time.
It is passionate music, which comes straight from the heart. The sixteen tracks have a certain harmonic unity throughout, but also great variety, bringing in the expressive capabilities of the individual musicians/instruments.
Sound quality overall is tremendous, the violin sounding very much like my contemporary day hero Bruce Macgregor when he's in his melodic mode (that's me in the dog house if Oakley doesn't like BM). The arm-powered airbag, for me, has great expressive potential when played well – and on Long Forgotten it's played very well. Guitar is the backbone throughout the CD be it rhythm, lead, finger picking or bass lines.
This CD is a delight and comes highly recommended. It should indeed be on everyone's "must buy" (goes down very well with a fine bottle of red)

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: freda underhill
Date: 28 Nov 04 - 08:16 AM

I agree, Straw Legend, its a wonderful CD.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Oaklet
Date: 28 Nov 04 - 08:47 AM

Thanks on behalf of all three of us, Mr Legend for expressing your thoughts. Blimey!

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 12:36 AM

**** Four Stars :
Another amazing disc by this wonderful Celtic trio!
A MUST-HAVE under any tree this year!
Get it for all the music lovers in your life!










Well, what are you waiting for? Go on now...

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 04:34 AM

; ) Cheers Oak & MR.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: GUEST,Concerned of Huddersfield
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 06:34 AM

Oh dear, oh dear feeding Oakleys industrial sized ego is not a good idea, he'll be demanding smoked salmon and canapes back stage next, not to mention he doesn't like to decor and has never been so humilated in the whole of his life as he flounces out of the stage door .................. and into the nearest brothel/bar/boutique/bordillo

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Hand-Pulled Boy
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 06:50 AM

I've heard it and it's good.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Oaklet
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 06:58 AM

And a pineapple in me dressing room...

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: GUEST,Oaklet Fan
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 07:27 AM

The only thinkg thats industrial sized about Oaklet is his














talent, and good humour. if his ego's industrial sized, I'll massage it any time.

(What's an ego, anyway?)

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Oaklet
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 07:34 AM

That's lovely - thank you. I do fall asleep if I have me shins gently stroked, if that's any use...

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Rasener
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 01:16 PM

"Oh dear, oh dear feeding Oakleys industrial sized ego is not a good idea"

I agree. How the **** will I get him to appear at MRFC again or Mike Ryan or John Rawlings. :-)

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Alio
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 01:52 PM

I also really liken] the tune Cara play on the Yellowbellies CD - Abbeyfeale - it's so beautiful.

Ali

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Rasener
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 02:44 PM

Ali
Did you play their number on BBC Radio Manchester?

I agree with you - its such a lovely number and they allowed me to select it for the CD.

Can you thank Geoff for buying 3 Yellowbellies CD's, got the cheque today

Once again, thankyou for promoting Lincolnshire.

Les

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 29 Nov 04 - 07:08 PM

Aye, 'tis a thing of beauty, indeed. I've just done me sums, and well over two thirds of the CD is ear coitus, and looking through a cross-section of others, the batting average is nowhere near that level. Given that most of it sticks out above the clouds, it has twin peaks, for me at least, the Distant Hills and the title track. They stand on the shoulders of the Company of Bricklayers and Bootyman's Umbrella, and then there's the Faerie Queen and the Mason's Apron up there, too. But I should mention Janey's Jigs, and Ar Eirinn is sublime, and .............

It deserves its praise here.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: MBSLynne
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 02:33 AM

Be careful Skip....Oak might hear you saying something nice about him!!!!

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 03:59 AM

Lynne, he enjoys the fundament of my affections, and knows it.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 30 Nov 04 - 04:26 PM

Oakley and Mike thanks for answering so many of our questions so clearly . Very helpful indeed ! All th best , Guy   . I hope John's computer isnt causing him to many migrains. !! Thanks again <><><><><>

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Pistachio
Date: 08 Dec 04 - 06:12 AM

The waterfall of guitar strings lets this masterpiece flow restfully and tho' I'd prefer a 'nice bottle of Red', I find this a soothing accompaniment to ease away the ironing, the writing of letters, the thoughts of what has been and what's to come. I've floated along and just about worn out the CD. Don't ask for a favourite track, it is a complete work of emotion, sensitivity and soul. Wonderful guitar, exceptional fiddle and haunting pipes and whistles,enough said.
Hugs,
Hazel.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: chris nightbird childs
Date: 08 Dec 04 - 09:41 AM

Frome the opening strains of Faery Queen to the wandering thoughts of Long Forgotten, this disc IS a complete work of beauty that has found a permanent home in my player since I got it a month ago...

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 08 Dec 04 - 11:38 AM

and mine....
Best wishes.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 08 Dec 04 - 11:58 AM

'Tis wonderful. I'm really enjoying it. And I swear to god the cheque will be in the post tomorrow - I bought stamps at lunchtime.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Oaklet
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 10:42 AM

Thanks for all the support expressed on this thread - it really means a lot to all of us. If you want to download a few clips of Long Forgotten's content, this is now on the Cara Website on "The Music" page - accessible from the home page with its Fibulamatic-approved curtains.

If you want to hear what we get up in the evenings - we've put The Faerie Queen in its entirety (dial-up users - beware, it is a 4Mb file) and added snatches of 3 other tracks from the new album. The Paypal facility for Long Forgotten will follow in the next couple of days.

Anyway if you want to have a browse - it's www.carasmusic.com

Thanks again

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 12:02 PM

Echoed again and again. Go buy the CD NOW and give it to a loved one.............So that you can listen to it yourself whenever!!
Best wishes. Mike.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Willa
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 04:10 PM

Long Forgotten is at the top of my Christmas wish list.

My favourites from the first two CDs are Little Tune, 2nd of May and The Glass Tower, but it's a difficult choice to make as the material is all so beautifully done.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 11 Dec 04 - 08:17 PM

If you go to their website and just listen to "The Faerie Queen" and "The Mayfly" you will be hooked....DO IT!!!!!
Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 04:24 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Cara CD - Long Forgotten
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Dec 04 - 05:09 AM

100