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!

"I climbed the mountain and the doubting started stopping."

I think it is very smart that AT does not have a system of "ranking" or "rating" songs other than "favorite". Such a system, by it's very nature, is just going to hurt somebody's feelings.

Spooky video is very well done!

Very nice! I like the horns!

Excellent!

Lucy has seen the future and it is microtonal!

Well, I didn't understand what you had to say about the tones of this piece, but I enjoyed it. And what a photo. Desperate. But well dressed. I sort of wish that was still the fashion...

"No ducks were hurt or killed during the production of the tune" is perhaps more of a reflection of your shooting skills as opposed to your musical skills. ;) I’m glad your finger is better – I misunderstood how it was hurt. Garcia never let something as trivial as a finger slow him down either.

A wonderful performance of a classic.

Oh, this is priceless! Where do I start? 1. I'm sorry to hear you got punched in the nose. 2. Get your camo off and head over to my house- I have the orange sauce waiting and the grill is hot. 3. Either those are field recordings or your calling is even better than I remember. 4. The first 3 shots were yours, which was always your way of saying "uh, guys, there's some Sprigs overhead..". The last shot, of course mine - which actually produced a Sprig. Excellent! Very clever.

Very motivating!

Lovely!

Wonderful sounds and an adorable hedgehog!

Chris, are you asking Reg for the lyrics or the bait? Oh, wait. He probably has both...

Exactly what bait does one use to hook one of those, anyway?

Bass directly on the ponche (2+), right where it belongs! Well done Chris!

@ Dave: You know I did!

@ Vaisvil: I just emailed it to you...

This is way hip, Chris.

Great sounds!