Enjoy some lightly arranged, lightly produced tracks straight from the RV, currently holed up in New Mexico for the winter.
From our secret base in New Mexico, Jamie and Squeak and I have been working toward completing a bunch of projects that are begging to be completed. 2020 has been a rough year, as you are well aware. I am grateful that the three of us are doing well overall, but my heart aches for friends, family, and folks I don't know who are face to face with illness, loss, and systemic discrimination among everything else the world might throw at a person.
This year hasn't been good, but no year really is. All of the bad stuff that's happened wasn't born this year. It wasn't born in 2016. It's been here for a long time. The pandemic, state-sanctioned murders at the hands of law enforcement, the rise of white supremacist groups, and the casual (and inept) fascism of the Trump administration are laying bare the corroded frame of a country that refuses to do more than apply a fresh coat of paint.
So, Christmas music. I've gone through phases of my life where I loved it, and others where I hated it. In recent years, I've found it very comforting. Holiday celebrations with my family have become quiet and reflective, a spirit that I channel into playing these songs. Whether I officially released them or not, I would be playing these songs, just like I did last year and the year before. I've also never released (officially) an ukulele album, and while you'll also hear bass and acoustic guitar in these recordings, the ukulele is the star of the show. I recorded these tracks late at night in our RV while Jamie and Squeak were fast asleep about ten feet to my left. You'll hear some regular-life noises if you listen carefully: a dripping faucet or an owl that doesn't respect my process.
We're all working through a lot of emotions, and the natural stresses of the holiday season are weighing heavier this year. If these are the kind of songs that might help you take that edge off a little, I hope they do the trick. Stay safe and listen to music.
Best,
Ross
11/29/20
credits
released December 7, 2020
Album cover by Robin Boyd
Cover model: Squeakum Her Fuzz (Squeak)
Arranged and Performed by Ross Malcolm Boyd
"Christmas at the Lighthouse" written by Paul Stewart Cranford cranfordpub.com
Gear:
Kala KA-JTE Archtop Tenor
Kala KA-15s
Kala Striped Ebony U-Bass
My trusty old Yamaha APX-4 Acoustic Guitar
Blue Yeti Microphone
Some cheap condenser mics
Shure SM-58
Focusrite Scarlette 18i8
Adobe Audition
Reaper
GarageBand iOS
iZotope Ozone
I picked up a copy of Machinarium a couple years ago and immediately fell in love with the game's look and (of course) sound. The soundtrack is super solid on its own and is worth your time and money. Ross Malcolm Boyd
This band is really cool and rocks real good. I mean, just listen to the opener off Apocalipstick. Did you listen yet? It's real good, right? Ross Malcolm Boyd
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