Hello! My name is Wess McMichael. I am a songwriter living in Norman Oklahoma. Many of my friends are incredible musicians. I asked them to help me record a collection of original songs. This is the result of that collaboration.
credits
released May 16, 2017
This collection of songs was recorded three days in September of 2016 at Blackwatch Studio in Norman Oklahoma. I had the lyrics and music together, studio time booked, but was unsure of how to proceed. It occurred to me to make music the same way I paint, that is to say, put some color down on the canvas and see if a bird or fish is hiding in there. I am so lucky and blessed that my friends are world class musicians. Me and James Wyrick put down the guitar and drum tracks the first night and I began calling my friends to see who was available.
Because James is automatic and organic with a click track in his ear, we were able to create a canvas for everyone else to contribute to.
Jemar Poteat heard about the project on Facebook and said if I needed low end to holler, which I did. Jemar's bass work is on "Laugh or Cry," "Little Witch," and "A Little Lie."
Lacy Saunders wrote the music for "Laugh or Cry," and "A Little Lie." I had sent her some poems that crossed my mind and to my surprise, she sent back these beautiful complete songs. She also sings on "Rachel is Beautiful" and "Little Witch" after having hearing me sing the song only once in the control room. The photos are hers as well.
Kate Dinsmore also recorded the vocals on "Half the Bullets" after hearing me sing the song once, moments before recording it in two takes. Her band mate from their group Harumph, David Leach, played the rock solid bass on the same track.
Caleb McGee and Clint Hardesty provided the soulful blues to "The Sun Must Love the Moon." Caleb on vocals and Clint on harmonica.
Trevor Galvin's beautiful sax improvisations are heard on "A Little Lie," and "Little Witch."
Kierston White, who is one of my favorite songwriters, put down the vocals to "Turn on Your Blinker." She also came up with the cascading vocal idea during the chorus. She called it a waterfall.
I want to thank Jerod Evans, who recorded, mixed, and mastered the project. He is full of ideas and professionalism as well as great positive energy and "hang."
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