Getting Picky

I have now got 12 songs for the new album, and possibly 13 (how wonderfully 'unlucky'!)

It's too hot to do anything: I've just cancelled going round to Gina's. I haven't seen her for so long I have almost forgotten what she looks like- except I haven't, of course. I am pretty sure we keep each other sane, and that matters a lot.

After a break from hearing my new stuff, I've been properly listening this morning and doing a bit of guitar editing. I need to write more lyrics for a couple of the songs and simply play some of them better, because they are 'feel' songs rather than songs that should accurately march along. I did a lot of backing vocals about ten days ago that I'd completely forgotten about, and they do sound good.

What is going to be hard is getting the lead vocals right. This is not a problem when I'm singing live, but more to do with dynamics when I'm recording. I will have to sing a lot next week, I think, after the gig in Gatehouse of Fleet and when the weather is not so hot. I'd adapted to singing around a cancer in my lung, and now it's been removed my voice is sounding a bit overpowering. I can't dial up a different voice from anywhere, so it will be a case of meeting my expectations with what is physically possible. Ironically, I'm probably better at singing than I was before, but modulating the volume and tone is weird; imagine being given someone else's voice and being told 'sing with that'! You wouldn't believe how grateful I am to even have this 'problem'. I'd thought I might not ever be able to sing again, and was contemplating speaking over music with an instrument playing the melody in rhythm with the voice, or even using AI to mimic my own singing voice. The bottom line is that there is nothing like the feeling of singing, especially if it is your own song that is expressing an emotion you are trying to communicate. Oh Professor Lim and your team, how wonderful you are! God Save The NHS!!!

Right, now I'm ready for more playing. Wish me luck- and fortitude!