Parking Lot Perspective

So today I was well surprised to actually see the finished CDs for the 1st printing of "After the Fact"!

Yet I must admit it's with some mixed emotions that I finally observe this release. Since I'm now literally seeing/hearing the finished result, I know it's time for it to go into the world.  So now I must truly roll with it (in the words of Steve Winwood),  in spite of the knowledge that it's not perfect...

For one thing, a few of these songs could have had at least some (more) vocals. In most cases I did try, but for various reasons those 'versions' just weren't as good as the instrumentals....  And for practical reasons, I couldn't just re-record the tracks.  So instead the answer was to use the instrumental versions in place of the ones w/ vocals.  Eventually, this newfound scenario required finding some way to combine them all...

In addition, one could also cite the sometimes rudimentary application of those (old) drum machines. I definitely agree that many of these songs would've had more impact with a live drummer.  However, I do sort of like how these "lo-fi" drum parts work in as well...

Which is really the point, as it turns out here.  The perceived sonic "shortcomings" ended up not being as important as the "vibe", which also furthered the story element.  So the concept became to pluck songs from various stages of development (depending on what 'chapter' they represent, and combining it all to evoke a story (or at least a "song-collage"...).

But anyway, back to today! So I picked up the CDs and went to get some food.  On the way out, cradling my burrito like a football, I strode through the parking lot just slightly behind a group of snowboarders. Suddenly I looked up as a tall dude in the center started shouting: "I Love This Day!!"  Everyone started cracking up a bit, as the sentiment was contageous.

A few hours later, after said burrito, I cued up this never-seen-before CD.  It'd been a couple months since hearing the album straight through, but on re-listen I think it still works overall :)  It may not be the most awesome version it could be, it's definitely a lot better than it could have been....

In any case it's been a long strange trip to the transient place this album evokes.  And hopefully, looking back on today, these mixed emotions will be replaced by the wisdom of that snowboarder!