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!

Breath-taking!

Really, really fun.

That must have been one hella lathe. Awesome performance.

Ooh, the contrast between a lullaby & a wake-up call is brilliant.

Cuban garage band! Hey Pops - the guys are coming over to jam this afternoon, so I need to pull the '52 DeSoto out of the garage for a bit...

Sweet bassey goodness!

@Reefwalker: Well well well, a muffin man, eh? A pretty bold statement from a guy that I have seen wolf down a great deal of cake. But, in any case, finally I can answer in the affirmative: Yes, I know the muffin man. Muffin man. Muffin man. (I won't finish the rest as I know you are kind of protective about publishing your address).

"And I feel the pull of the tide... I bet the moon feels it too"; "I didn't have any eggs or any other crap you are supposed to mix with it"; "Mix it in a bowl with love & hate"... where do you get this stuff?? I'm a sucker for it. I hate chocolate cake. I mean, I love it.

Way to push the envelope, Chris! Very nice work.

Don't do another thing to this. It's perfect. What a song!

Yes, most excellent!

One of your best vocals yet! And a real high-lonesome sound to your guitar work. Well done!

How can I not fave a song about pick-up trucks, kids climbing on the dog, and leaving Memphis. And with slide guitar to boot.

"The sun comes down again With overbearing certainty" Now man, **sound of beer can being opened** that's poetry. Pure poetry. (You know, if you would just take that filthy sheet down off of your window your friends would be much more likely to drop over for a cool one! But on the other hand, they would have to promise not to ponder over any those questions...)

Brian, I think this is perhaps your loveliest post so far. Nice work, Samadad!

Solid!

Great voice!

@MTC: Please! Feel free to add something to my coffee. That's why I post this stuff.

The opening riff is most awesome!

Good to see that you are back in the saddle! This is very nice. Very nice.