The Convolutum CD
Convolutum is neologism that means a mix of many things, and that is what this CD is about. It is all music that I've created over the span of several years, devoid of any unifying theme. My daughter, Madelynn, designed the CD cover and my granddaughter, Jael, provided the color.
Most of the recordings were made using the TASCAM DP-006 machine, and edited and mastered with Audacity. Any additional software/hardware and sources will be listed below.
Here is a list and description of tracks:
1) Fanfare a 6 - This fanfare was recorded in 2014 with a six track recorder (did a little track bouncing), trumpets and a hand-carved djembe from Dakar, Senegal. It is an arrangement of the hymn tune "Old 100th" or also known as the "Doxology" which was written by French composer Loys "Louis" Bourgeois (1510 – 1559). The arrangement is on my free music page if you want to try it. The piccolo licks were simply add ons and not in the written arrangement, per se. Also improvised was the final Bb trumpet lick that concludes the track.
2) A Phrygian Study - This was recorded simply using a drone-loop and playing an improvisation based on a Phrygian mode (Greek). I played a C trumpet in this recording. It was recorded in 2015.
3) Ecossaise - An ecossaise is country dance in two where lines face one another. Schubert wrote plenty of these and this is from one of his collection of six, D. 421. I played these on a Conn 80-A Victor cornet. I have written about this horn in a previous blogpost. The drum used is a larger 12" Toca street style djembe, gifted to me by my daughter-in-law, Sarah.
4) Abraham Praise - This is an old traditional Hebrew tune, transcribed in the 18th century by Meyer Lyon, hence the tune name LEONI. It is associated with a fabulous Christian text by Thomas Olivers. I recorded it in around 2015. The background loops were put together by a now defunct software, Sony AcidStudio (wish I still had it!) The horn used was my regular Bb Bach Strat, model 43. However, I didn't have a flugelhorn at the time, so I used a French horn mouthpiece to give it that warm flugel sound. I think it worked!
5) Cylindrical - So this is a recent track, from 2022. I decided to go very minimal. Four tracks: 1) Solo cornet using my Olds Ambassador, 2) The bass ostinato, on my Wild Thang flugel (both horns listed here) 3. An egg shaker, then 4) a wind-powered (like blow into it) melodica. I am very pleased to tell you that the melodica part was one take with no edits!
6) Christmas Time is Here - This is one of my favorite Christmas tunes, and I had to do it. I believe I recorded this in 2010 a few weeks before Christmas. Song by Vince Guaraldi ("Peanuts").
7) Jammin' at Johnny's - Recorded in 2015. This was done with Sony Acid Pro loops and Bb trumpet improv. Total improv - one take.
8) Ave Verum Corpus - I have always loved this Eucharistic hymn by Mozart. The translation is: Hail, true body, born of the Virgin Mary. Who truly suffered, sacrificed
on the Cross for man. Whose pierced side overflowed with water and blood. Be for us a foretaste In the test of death. In this arrangement, I played with some different settings in Audacity and GoldWave to acheive a full brass sound. This one is my mother's favorite. Recorded during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic, 2020.
9) Gloria - This setting of the "Greater Doxology" (Gloria in Excelsis Deo) It was recorded in 2010 using Band in a Box, the afore-mentioned African djembe, hand claps and more. All on four tracks.
