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!

Fantastic ranting!

Master Thespian! http://vimeo.com/15476780

Love the cello. Love the harmonies. Love the backing guitar work. Hate the phone. Your phone is the devil.

You are definately not living in middle C. Let me know when you hear that knocking at the door, so we can both charge through it...

Now this rocks!

Reg, while I appreciate that you are obtaining musical inspiration reading bed-time stories to your children, do *not* use this interpretation of Edward Lear's poem to tuck them in - and this song is way to rockin' to put anyone to sleep.

Yeah... that's a lot to go through in one year. I hope all is well with you and yours. the keys are key in this.

I can only imagine the relief/disbelief one has when they get out of one of those emergency shaft elevators. This piece is great for that... ascending.

Excellent!

A classis indeed.

I like the tapping... great percussive feel.

Excellent. Very clever.

Optimist!

Very nice!

Nice! Drumming sounds great and the guitar work is excellent.

I didn't realize that this is the only song all 4 created together... one of their best IMHO. Wild video!

This time of year I start to think of stealing pumpkins again... I think I'll have this one playing on my piepod, underneath the black knit dock hat and face paint.

@RW: Ooooh, nice to see that you are in touch with the church calendar. I put it out a day early...

@ Shirt: Thanks! Those sounds are from a matched set of "vibratones". The first sound is from an "ocean drum" (with reverb) and the final drone is from a "spring drum". The click sounds in the groove are a Japanese "Kokiriko" and a steel "Merengue guiro".

Great collab!