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 like the drum work that you have added to this. "We speak in different time signatures" = brilliant!

I have adored this song since I first heard it over a year ago. It's great to have you on Alonetone, Liam!

Listened to the entire thing this morning. Wonderful! Production comments?

Rocks! I'd love to see you guys live. How do I get tickets?

Your harmonies are always amazing! Thanks!

I still adore this.

The guitar, bass and trap-set are working well together on this. I like it! If that's not enough to make her stay, you are better off without her. Didn't I already add percussion to this? Yep - that's definately my head banging against the wall in the back-ground.

The emerald green essence turns to the color of a Monarch’s chrysalis and the dripping sugar swirls into a gentle cloud. As your guitar carries me away, I smile and turn to the nonchalant fairy sitting next to me, who hands me a rather large bottle rocket.

Thanks for loading my cabinets up with such tasty awesomeness!

Yep, Byrne-ish indeed!

Awesome! Your mom must be proud!

@Richard: Guilty as charged. But what happens on AloneTone stays on AloneTone. We're glad you are here! @Sis: All of my beats are grabbable. That's what they're here for... I'm happy to steal a pumpkin for you any time. My patterns are alot like pumpkins: you don't have to ask - just grab one and run. I thought you guys may be ready for a straight forward 4/4 pattern to play with instead another of my rhythmically esoteric patterns.

Are you playing the dig on this one by any chance?

I wonder how many days a month they would let me get away with going in there and jamming for awhile? "Hey! Would you guys mind holding off on the over-head customer service announcements? I'm recording here!!"

Brilliant! I'm usually asked to leave Sam Ashe after a couple hours of playing on all of their cool percussion toys. Surprisingly, some folks don't have an appreciation for extended drum solos... and some might even be inclined to give you a nasty look if you just laugh when they ask you to stop. Note to self: save the gong trials for the last.

Yes! One of your best yet. Awesome is the correct word.

Ha! This is just what I had in mind for this pattern... and delivered most excellently by a real life surfer: perfect!

Sweeeet!

whoops! Forgot to log in for that last comment...

Hey, isn't that George Burns?