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!

Just lovely. Well done.

Rocks. Nice work.

Stong work.

Great song!

Just beautiful. Nice work, gents!

Nice piano intro - I can tell you have been playing it for years. I think it works well with your Fat Stack riff.

Excellent.

I've got a fever and the only cure is "more mousetrap"!

Outstanding! Another great percussion track, which we have come to expect from you. Thanks for posting this!

Fantastic!

Well done!

Excellent. That mouse had it coming. Let me know when you are inclined to do a track about your bear problem: you'll need some heavier percussion for that one!

@Richard: Many thanks! The quick rapid tone was created by rapidly striking the mallets on the highest pitched (smallest)cabinet. Thanks for listening!

Thanks for posting this, Chris. 2 hours of Chicago radio air time - sweet. You did a great job of music selection. Alas, I did miss hearing your personal commentary on the second hour, but it says something that the radio station thought enough of your work to feature it over a 2 week period.

Nice work! And way to go on the computer closet... basically a cajon. I use cajon quite a bit: the key to building one is to make the striking face out of very thin ("aviation grade") plywood, if you can get your hands on some. Well done!

Excellent! It's great to hear you back on the keys - I've missed it.

That bass is simply too cool. I love what you have done with this pattern. Almost has an eastern feel in places... Having grown up near Winfield, KS (home of Dorothy), I can assure you that they have never heard anything like this before - they'd love it! They'd probably bake you a pie for the opportunity to do a little "scat" vocalization on the mix, and, afterwards, while tending to the livestock, they would ponder about the possibility of there actually being 3 kinds of music: country, Western & JAZZ.

You sound great with it already! I love mandolin.

Folks don't know what they are missing with your stuff. Very tight. I've really enjoyed it. Thanks!

Top notch.