Erin 4 hands
Josh and drums
Rich in form
The Fig Jam Truck rolled into Pirate Studios on Friday March 1…right on the first day of Autumn after a disgustingly hot summer to record ostensibly a 5 track EP. What eventuated was an 8 track recording with a few bits of skittish drum loops chucked in as well.
Erin and Josh had never been in a studio before…for Richard it was his 13th album including Lime Spiders, Krunch, Figtree Renaissance, Blue Valentine and FTR and solo albums.
It didnt take long for the weekly rehearsals to prove their worth as the band locked into a groove late on the first day. Ziggy Stardust was tried out as the only cover and slower numbers like My time and Lovely were left until
Mick Elderfield [Saxophone] and Sharon Lee Twiss [Guest Vocals] were in town on the Sunday.
Erin with studio hounds
Rich playing one of David Sparks prized Gilets
Console to studio?? Come in…
David Sparks , Pirate Studio owner and Lime Spiders guitarist put down some tasty overdubs on Valentines Day and Cover Girl using Rickenbackers and Guild 12 strings before ripping into a dirty distorted guitar attack on Ziggy using an Orville white bodied guit. Richard played a Gilet handmade 6 string acoustic. Erin played a Fender Jazz bass through an Ampeg 8 x 10 cabinet and Josh used Ludwig Kit with Gretsch snare and Zildjian cymbals.
Rich and Erin listen to playback…god knows what song but they dont look impressed??
On the Sunday when Sharon and Mick were to put down their stuff Elizabeth Walton also put down her Electric Piano tracks on the the Fender Rhodes adding a subtle jazz infused colour to the sessions.
Mick Elderfield working Sax magic on Valentines Day
Rich and Josh singing back ups on ‘Its Alright’
Mick and Rich discuss the finer points of Jazz
Sharon put down the vocals on My time and then Mick and Elizabeth went to town on a ‘fantasy’ on Lovely, one of the lead tracks which Richard wrote on coming back from the ill fated In your face tour in May 2012. Indeed a lot of these songs came out of his frustration with the lack of success with that album and tour.
The saxophone suddenly lifted the game of the whole proceedings…Mick Elderfield is a jazz player par excellence and his eerie synthesis with Elizabeth Walton who is also a jazz player of excellence had everyone gasping. The two had never played together before and first take was the only option.
Sharon is happy with the vocal on My Time I think??
Joshs new tit tatt
Next Mick and Elizabeth put overdubs of Sax and Piano onto My Time and Lovely and the icing as put on the cake. Mixing is set for the Easter Weekend on what is shaping up as an amazing little EP…tentatively titled ‘Who the F**K are Fig Jam?’
The Pirate GreenRay mascot under the watchful eye of Hendrix
Much gracious thanks to David Sparks as usual for service, talent and friendship above and beyond the call of duty. The guy is a true genius on the Guitar and his ear is what keeps me coming back…Elizabeth Walton commented on how well the two of us work together.
Thanks to Mick Elderfield for ethereal Saxophone of the hihghest order and Elizabeth Walton for exqisite and delicated keyboard flourishes..it adds a real emotional depth the the tracks she is on…her first time on a recording as well. Sharon Lee Twiss ..what can you say… gorgeous soulful lead vocal on My Time whch seemed to fit her like a glove…thanks all and I know Josh, Erin and Me loved every minute of it
Richard Lawson Music 