This is an odd time. The prospect of doom hangs in the air, but it's more of a phantom, a ghost, without substance or form. Few people actually know anyone infected with COVID19, and fewer still know anyone who died from it. Still, most outside life has shut down from fear. Concerts and sporting events are gone from the landscape as large gatherings are forbidden. What to do? We have music. Dreamwalkers Band started putting together our next album, which has the working title (don't worry, it won't stay) The COVID19 Album. The experience with the first Dreamwalkers album is making this process simpler. We will see if it's easier.

This weekend, Debbie Stern and I made ghost tracks for 10 (that's right 10) of her wonderful songs and I prepared five of mine, with another five to go. Ghost tracks give the band a bare bones structure of the song. Debbie recorded piano and vocals of her songs at a certain tempo, with clear arrangement of verse, chorus, and bridge. The rhythm section of Daniel Polyak on drums, and Dave Ross on bass will lay down the foundation for each song, and then other instruments such as guitars, strings, synthesizers, etc...are added. The approach is layered, and the song gets built, a piece at a time. After everything is in place, the vocals can be re-recorded with a complete arrangement.

Debbie is such a wonderful singer, and I know people will love her songs. I managed to use a little computer magic to make the process more efficient. I love putting together my own songs, and there sure are plenty to chose from. There are a few we didn't put on the first album that I wanted to record, and it's very gratifying to have the chance to do so again.

This time can be thought of as a reset. We continue to rehearse. We are healthy. When the doors open, we will be ready to play.

Peace,

Dr Dreamwalker