the recording on this one is exceptionally good. I think you may have perfected the perc mic up over this last year. is there a hint of reverb? Nice one, really warm malaria-like sound

@ Kirk& Kamachi: excellent observation, and you are correct. As most of my patterns are built around clave, and as clave is structured upon so many off-beats, to get my metronome to "click" on some key clave beats, I set my metronome at double time- so my bpm notation reflects what my metronome setting was dialed to. Here is a clave link that graphically shows how many times clave percussion scores are transcribed in 2/2 (cut time) to make it easier to read... but if one is counting 8th notes instead of quarter notes, the bpm will be doubled. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clave_(rhythm)?wasRedirected=true

Excellent playing. But +1 here for the 110 BPM perception :-)

Excellent! I find it interesting that in almost every one of these that you list the BPM I feel them in half time, so I would think of this as 110 BPM

glad to be back. good stuff here.

@ Richard: many thanks- recording accoustical percussion is sometimes tricky and I'm still learning the skill sets required for that. I mount my own skins from bulk rawhide (so not actually tanned) but I don't actually make the rawhide from animal skins... that's a lot of work on a non-industrial level and there are some health concerns when it comes to working with (especially imported) fresh animal skins. Many of the (nonterrorist) cases of anthrax reported involve folks making their own drum heads, so I just use commercially cured cow skin from the USA for the latin drums and buy pre-made drum heads for the African drums, which are usually water buffalo, goat or some sort of deer.

the sound quality is great,,, i can almost see/feel the bending/vibrating of the skin,, do you make,, tan etc your own skins?,,, this has a wonderful warm quality,, great piece

I heard the style somewhere but you perfected it. Thanks for uploading.

Phenomenal - almost, pheromonal!!

i played this in college. fun.

@ Dave: thanks for listening! This recording is 8 tracks, consisting of 2 (stereo) bass drum, cowbell, clave, chinese blocks, and 3 tracks of various sized conga drums playing their parts. Traditionally it is performed by a group of percussionists, which I would *love* to assemble- but that rarely is possible for me to do where I live. Perhaps I should move to Africa.

Thanks Norm, I posted the lyrics. Now then on to this great groove, Yeah baby thats really moving isn't it. Is this one track or a few tracks overdubbed together? I am moving every part of my body to this groove.

Absolutely brilliant.

Great brilliant top job mate.

@ Jarvis: Ha! I'm vocally challenged, but to hear the lyrics, go here: http://alonetone.com/vaisvil/tracks/walk-with-sorrow-norm-rick-chris-emily

Cool job ...but hey lyrics and no vox ?

Yet another good one. I love how you always post the style and a bit of history with each track. It always helps me understand the song better.

excellent! I like the way the congas answer each other.

Great stuff Norm! I must make some time to jam with some of your tracks

Beatiful!

Lovely!

Oh you brought it home alright! Excellent!

Here's to Billy!

All of your stuff is just excellent!

Well, the Unicorn in the glass dust may be the way to you, but Bee's voice is the way to me. Don't tell Bee, but MY dreams are slightly different: in them I hear her telling me how naughty I am.

Great to hear from you again Rick! The surf must have been exceptionally good for quite awhile... Awesome work!

I loved that album.

Not what I was expecting with a Bee vocal. Cool piece. And, while I can only hope to hear Bee singing when I pass, I hope it is something more along her typical angelic lines.

Whoa! That's awesome Tipu! A big part of the fun for me at AT is tying my patterns to helium balloons and releasing them onto the interweb - there is no telling where they will ever end up or what (if anything) ever becomes of them. But sometimes somebody nabs one and sends it back so different, so evolved and so reconsidered that I hardly can recognize it. Heard from a completely different clave (or phase shift) with fresh new perspectives (not to mention wonderful mixing, mashing and effects) for vintage patterns. Heard for the first time again... Yeah, I wax poetic. But man, I just love that.

Wow, has it already been a year?? Are you attending the gathering this year?

They say a cut dog bears no pups, but I've got nothing but a pair of Indians. I'll meet you back at the Winnebago...

Excellent Reg!

Way to work it Daawg!

The drums do work here.

Ha! No, I'm afraid Hank Thompson got it right the first time, regardless of what Kitty Wells sang. Great version!

How did I miss this? LET IT BURN!

Gin. Nice work!

Mandolishous!

3/4 is perfect for a processional!

Boom!