Posted by Brian Moritz on March 18, 2002 at 22:38:29:
In Reply to: Re: Split Decision posted by Ron Wilson on March 16, 2002 at 02:02:45:
: I just want to also say that Brian the recording engineer did a masterful job in the sound quality end of it. This is one of the best recorded SMB CD's ever in my opinion. I hope you can work together for future SMB and Dreg CD's.....
Dear Ron,
Thanks for your kind words, so far people seem to really dig it from the reviews I've read (no tomatoes so far thankfully), and I'm really happy for the band. I just helped them here and there, nothing more. I kept telling Steve his writing was killer on it, and some of his best compostional work - and he kept saying I was biased. Which of course I am... but not when it comes to Steve's work where I feel I'm pretty objective and a fan first and foremost. Notice I didn't say totally objective... :) I wish you could hear some of the stuff that didn't make the CD... I'd go numb sitting in the studio listening to playbacks sometimes when I'd solo the ensemble guitar tracks - unable to believe that a human being could write something with so many counter point melody parts so effortlessly. There was one section in one song with 10 guitar parts all playing different melodies and rhythms and all the melodies had harmonic purpose too, it was beyond amazing it was totally sick!!! I felt EXACTLY like Salieri in that Mozart movie Amadeus... Like it just wasn't fair!!! I felt like when I picked up the guitar afterwards I was perfectly ready to play the guitar equivelent of the "knuckle song" or "heart and soul". Between Dave's absolutely brutal chops and precision technique, and Van's killer groove I'll never have the same standards again. I'm so glad I got the chance to work with them, what a lesson in everything including working as a team, well except for relaxing. Thanks again for your comments, it means a lot even though I was just a small cog in the wheel.
Peace and warm regards, Brian
PS I'd love to work with the SMB again or the Dregs (I really want to see those guys recording another CD, it's long overdue!), nothing would make me happier. Now that I know what's going on, I'd be a lot more effective on my end. Sort of like how in school Driver's Education doesn't really prepare you for when your car spins out of control, but once it's happened - next time you know what to do... or something like that ;)