I haven’t posted much to this blog lately; been too busy behind the scenes getting “The Lucky One” ready for release. At this point the overdubs are done, the mixes are underway, and we’re getting the artwork ready for production. Whew! Lotta stuff. Worth the effort, because the tracks sound amazing.

The initial band sessions in Philadelphia produced a bunch of tracks that were just crackling with energy, and my goal after that was to keep that energy while filling out the arrangements. In the end, the overdubbed harmonica tracks just rolled into place, most on the first or second take. (I spent more time and takes on some of the solos, because, well, they’re solos.) From the beginning I knew that the vocals would be a challenge for me, and getting those right is what took months of hard labor in a darkened room, all by myself. Like Ringo said: It don’t come easy.

Now that we’re coming down to the finish line, I feel–joy. Joy that I was lucky enough to come to this place in my life, with the people and resources around me that I needed to do this record. Joy that the vision of 21st century harmonica that I began working on over a decade ago is being realized. Joy every time I hear the music.

I’m the lucky one.