Ahhhh, where it all started. Gypsy Blues was my very first “official” CD and was very raw in many ways. I actually recorded this entire CD on a Fostex MR-8, 4-track digital recorder much like Steve Vai when he did Flexible. I had several friends who heard me play suggest that I do a CD. Little did I know that just doing five instrumental songs was a daunting task to say the least.
This entire CD was recorded with Marshall Micro Stacks with Celestion speakers (which I still have) in my bathroom in my old apartment. I used a Boss drum machine and a Fender bass. Though very raw, Gypsy Blues was a triumph in that I learned how to record and master digital music as well as how much time and energy it really takes to be a quality recording musician. There was no cutting and pasting of tracks on this CD. All guitar parts and solos were recorded live in one pass, (jamming if you will) with no more than usually 3-4 takes.
Enjoy… John E. Davis
CD Tracks: (click on link for audio file)
- Intro – (Free MP3)
- Gypsy Shuffle – (Free MP3)
- Feels Like A Mover – (Free MP3)
- Pillsbury’s Groove – (Free MP3)
- Voodoo Jam – (Free MP3)
- Engineered & Produced by John E. Davis.
- All songs Mixed and Mastered by John E. Davis.
- Recorded at the Park Springs Recording Studio
Arlington TX, 2005. - CD Design and Cover Concept by John E. Davis.
- Title idea and photography by Louisa Spells.
John E. Davis records for the Arlington Guitars record label.
Guitar tracks were recorded on Fender Stratocasters and Gibson Les Pauls. John E. Davis uses Marshall Amplification exclusively. Bass tracks were recorded on a Fender Precision Bass. Drums were recorded using a Boss – Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine.
This CD was recorded and digitally mastered on a Fostex MR-8 digital recording console. CDs were remastered and recorded with a Macintosh G3 computer and OSX music recording software. Special thanks to Doug Sahm, Pariah and the Sir Douglas Quintet for their influence on the track “Feels Like A Mover”. Thanks to George Lynch and Jimi Hendrix for all the various guitar ideas and musical concepts that made this CD possible.
Special Thanks to Kyle Ellison, Shandon Sahm and the members of Pariah for their influence. Thanks also goes out to Mom & Dad Davis and the Davis Family for their love and support. Thanks to everyone along the way for all the borrowed and stolen gear. Thanks to the gang at Todd Company for their patience in the endless amounts of gear that came and went.
And a very special thanks everyone who believed in me along the way. It’s your love that made this CD possible.