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The VOCALS

 

Once the music was in the can and I drove the 700 miles home to Sarasota from Nashville. Lisa and I began immediately rehearsing singing the songs to the CD of the music.  We spent a month working on our lead and harmony parts.  We even did one of the JUST for TONIGHT shows performing Karaoke Kleen—we sang some of the songs live accompanied by the CD.
A month later, we were ready to record vocals.

 

On July 24th, I fly to Asheville to begin work on the vocals at Danny’s studio in his and Liz’s house in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I completed most of my lead vocals in the first two days and Lisa flew up on the 26th and she spent the next three days recording her leads and BGVs.  Recording at Danny’s is pretty special for many reasons.  First, Danny is the most spiritually evolved person that I have ever met and you cannot help from growing just by being around him.  He calls out the best in vocalist, for sure.  Danny is the only person I know with whom I could get vulnerable enough to sing the way I sang on this record.  Danny helped me go beyond my best and when I listen to this album—even though I am still a little bit critical of my voice—I know there is no way that I could have sand any note on this album any better than I did.  I have heard Lisa attest to the same.  Danny is a powerful catalyst in his spritely, Irish way.  Also, Liz is the best-damned cook ever.  We had these incredible vegan lunches and dinner spreads every day that we recorded.

 

We spent five straight days there recording vocals 12+ hours a day.  Then, I came back two weeks later to record and mix vocals for another four days.

 

Danny and I have a very rich synergy and friendly friction that produces much creative energy.  We both had a blast working out all those harmony parts.  The spirit of creative evolution of the songs followed through with the vocals.  We changed up almost every song’s chorus and harmonies.  Every song had at least 10 vocal tracks, with Willingness having over 20.  I have a modicum of pride around the vocal production on this album.  And what brings me the most pride/joy/satisfaction is the honest transparency of the vocal production.  I know my voice is not a great one.  However, I was able to sing full out with all the heart and soul that I could find and we were able to capture it in the recording with minimal ornamentation.  The result is a warm and honest record.  For that I am deeply grateful to Danny and Ace for helping me to keep it real and to remain restrained in the production process.

While I love the vocal production for all the songs, I want to say a word about Willingness.  After hundreds of listenings to this song, I still LOVE it.  I love the simple rhythmic bed with it’s crackling energy.  But mostly, I love the way the choruses evolve throughout the song.  The final chorus of Willingness—no matter what else I do in my life—will stand as one of the finest things I have ever been a part of creating.  I never listen to that song—to Lisa and Danny’s soaring crazy harmonies–that I am not breathing a little harder by the end of the last note.

 

J. Eric Gentry (Image 1)– Lead & Background Vocals.  In addition to writing all the songs, I sing lead vocals on eight of them.  I have always been self-conscious about my voice.  I know that I do not have an aesthetically pleasing voice and no matter how much I work on it, I still sound gritty.  I have learned to make my voice more expressive, honest, and authentic—trading technical and musical excellence for these commodities.  Had it not been for all the vocal (and spiritual) growth that I have done with Danny’s mentorship, there is no way that I would have been able to sing these songs. I am proud and grateful for how nicely the vocals—including mine—came out on this album.  When you hear me sing the songs on this CD you can know there has been 25 years of self-criticism, disappointment and pain for me to get here.  I am honored to share with you in this way.

 

Lisa Egan (Image 2 & 3)– Lead & Background Vocals.  Lisa is the other half of Kleen.  In addition to being a great vocalist, she is also one of my best friends.  We have been singing together for the past six years and she, without any doubt, brings the grace to our ensemble.  Lisa has been sing professionally for years in the Sarasota area.  We first met when she did background vocals for the Unloaded EP at Spirit Garden in 2006.  We have played together in many different ensembles and have done many gigs together as Kleen.  There is no one I enjoy singing with more than Lisa.  Instead of me telling you about her, I asked her to speak to you with her words…

 

After singing in bands at clubs on and off for 5 years, I decided I wanted to just sing in churches, spiritual centers, weddings and some recovery parties. When I met Eric in 2006 we spoke of our interest in spiritual/recovery music and I met the band Unloaded. I felt the kindred spirit among us and the recovery music was the perfect next “step” for my singing journey!

 

After finishing the Unloaded cd, I continued singing with Unloaded and Eric and I started the duo, kleen. Eric and I met Danny Ellis and I decided to just sing with Eric. So we worked on our selves and our voices with the wisdom and guidance that Danny provided.

 

Then life took me on another ride and I didn’t sing for awhile. But it always “calls me back” and we started Just for Tonight. The fellowship and reconnection with all the guys lead us to more growth and fun!

 

When Eric set the intention to make the fully produced cd, I was glad and grateful to be part of the unfolding process. With the lead Eric made meeting the Nashville musicians and producers, I know it would be an exciting experience!

 

Then finishing up the vocals at Danny and Liz’s was magical. What a nurturing environment to be in. To be the channel, as we are taught, through step 11. I am very amazed at how this dream is coming true.

 

Blessings,
Lisa

 

Danny Ellis (Image 4)—Vocal Production & Post-production/Background Vocals.  As I have stated elsewhere, Danny is really the spirit of this album.  It was his direction and production with the vocal arrangements that has given us our sound..  He is a vocal genius and his direction is spot-on.  The whole vocal process—from pre-production, to tracking, to post-production—was made very sweet because it meant that I was able to hang out with Danny.  Danny’s inspiration accounts for about 75% of the background vocal arrangements and a significant part of the melodies and choruses of each song.  We are indebt to Himself.  Danny’s album 800 Voices:  My Life in an Irish Orphanage , is one of the best and most soulful records to which I have ever listened.  If you have not ever heard Danny sing, take a second and go here …listen to Track 3 (Tommy Bonner).

 

Danny (Image 5) also sang wonderful BGVs on this album.  You can hear him doing all kinds of tasty little vocal tricks throughout the record.  From the Queen-like descending harmony with himself after the bridge on SurrendHer, to the very nice third part harmony in Hope, or my favorite the “I believe in you believe in me” tagline in I Believe.  Danny’s soul permeates all the songs on this record and it is so much the better for it.

 

Jacque Gentry – Background Vocals.  My sister, Jacque, came to Ashville one afternoon to help with BGVs.  She sang beautifully on Holy Ground and White Knuckle.  I am very stoked that she is on this album.  Thanks, Jacque.

 

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