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  CACOPHONY RECORDS Rachel Barton Pine, violin ("ex-Lobkowicz" A&H Amati,
Cremona, 1617) Recorded live: May 29-30, June 25, and July 13, 1997 at WFMT Chicago Stringendo would like to thank the following people for their help and support and general cool-ness: Bill Kronenberg and the Third Coast String Quartet; Nort Johnson and Showcase Music Magazine, Lou Brutus, Freak, Scott Loftus, Chris Payne, Dave Richards, Joe Robinson, and everyone else at Rock 103.5; Scott Davidson and Rebel Radio; Wendy Snyder & Bill Leff and Q101; Jonathon Brandmeier and The Loop; Karl Kochmann and everyone at Star Security; Jerry Mickelson and JAM Productions; Ross Beacraft; and Ron Rolland. "ABOUT THE ALBUM" Rachel has an amazing ability to make the impossible a reality. The idea of making a CD of covers of some of her favorite rock songs had been discussed several times since she performed her own arrangements for two violins and a cello of One and Fade to Black live on Chicago's Rock 103.5. After subsequent appearances on other rock stations, an amazing number of people approached her after her classical performances and explained that they had decided to attend their first classical concert after hearing her rock renditions on the radio. Because their experience was very positive, the idea of an outreach album crystallized. The original plan was to release the performances of these two arrangements. Rachel brought with her two exceptional musicians, Edgar and Brandon, to make the recording. However, with incredible faith in the group's ability, she ambitiously decided to arrange and record eight additional covers. In view of a commitment to record her fourth classical CD in two weeks and the full schedules of everyone involved, we reserved two nights of studio time ten days later. The group was able to meet only twice, so several of the songs had not been rehearsed. However, everyone agreed that the music is so full of energy and the raw intensity so important to the sound that editing would detract from the credibility of the music. So on May 29 and 30, everyone gathered at the studio (there is no multitracking for acoustical instruments) to attempt the impossible: to record Rachel's arrangements of nine rock songs, her transcription of the national anthem, and two classical pieces--all in complete live takes in two evenings. To my astonishment, in less than eight hours, all nine arrangements, the national anthem, and one of the classical pieces (with two edited notes) had been completed to everyone's satisfaction. Edgar's incredible improvisational ability and terrific sense of humor kept the group focused but relaxed. Brandon's exceptional ability to adapt to a totally new genre of music and his experience as a chamber musician provided a powerful driving bass that, like drums, kept the group synchronized. Rachel's endless energy and mastery of her instrument carried everyone to levels none had thought possible. The final piece that remained unrecorded was Paganini's Caprice 24, one of the most exciting and difficult pieces for solo violin. Determined to complete the piece in a live take, Rachel returned to the studio on June 25. Since everyone was in town that evening, the group decided to add Blow up the Outside World. Rachel passed out her arrangement at the studio, and within fifty minutes, the song had been recorded. Rachel finished off the Paganini on July 13 for a miraculous total recording time of nine hours and forty-seven minutes. It was an incredible honor to work with these musicians; the exceptional quality of this CD is a tribute to their talent. I hope that you enjoy this disc as much as we have enjoyed its creation. |
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