SKYWATCHING 02 - Things Will Change... (Old Demo)

New (Old) Music for the New Moon! Plus, GEAR TALK!

I like to share new music on the New Moon. This time it’s an old demo. It’s new to you. So that counts, right?

I continue to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Skywatching by sharing the demo for “Things Will Change and Go My Way.” This song—especially this version—feels like a companion piece to “Small Time Blues (Acoustic).”

Here is a photo of me in my studio around the time I was demoing for Skywatching.

Tracking in the control room of The Puzzle Tree. Photo by Rebecca Douglas.

GEAR TALK:
In this shot, I’m playing Elaine’s 1956 J-45. Or maybe it’s 1954. In any event, it’s a wonderful instrument. It’s the guitar that I played in Almost Famous. And it’s on the cover of Under the Waves. The mic in the photo is a Coles 4038 ribbon mic. My console at the time was a Soundcraft Ghost. It served me well until I upgraded to my current desk, a Trident/Orum Series 80.

One of the first sizable investments I made when I got serious about recording was to purchase three Summit MPC-100As. These combo mic pre/compressor/limiters continue to serve me well. I love them as D.I. for bass, guitar, and keys. Also in the rack in this shot is my trusty Manley Variable-Mu compressor/limiter. I just printed a mix through it the other day.

Look closely at the photo above and on top of the rack, you can spot a vintage Echoplex. It was on loan to me at the time. (Thanks, Mike!) Later, I purchased a Roland Chorus Echo RE-501 to satisfy my tape echo needs. The Chorus Echo is all over my records and soundtrack work. Dial up Skywatching on your favorite streamer and check out that groovy echo on Rob Brill’s drums on “Do Be True.”

Also on top of the rack is The Pod. Remember The Pod? It was Line 6’s ground-breaking amp simulator. I have a bunch of great amps so I rarely used it. The only time it made it onto a record I can recall is the outro lead guitar on “A Lot Like You” from Under the Waves.

Peace & Love Songs,

Pete

PS: Paid subscribers can download “Things Will Change and Go My Way (Demo)” by visiting my “Rarities” bonus link page HERE.