FEATURE:
American Grammar
IN THIS PHOTO: A view of New York/PHOTO CREDIT: Craig Adderley
Is It Possible to Realise An Album Dream?
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I have written about this before…
PHOTO CREDIT: Blaz Erzetic/Pexels
but wanted to return to the subject. Rather than this being a vanity feature or something specifically personal, it is something bigger than that. There are those out there who are not musicians who have songs in them but you wonder whether they will ever realise that. There is technology that can help a bit with composition and realising songs. For me, I am very much about the lyrics. I can hear compositions but not truly realise them. I really do not have a desire to sing the songs at all. I have these tracks in my mind that have titles. The album, American Grammar, is not taken. I have searched for that title to see if another artist has taken it. It does not look like it. I would love to see an album come together at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. That would be a dream. Rather than this being some idle thought or excuse to write a feature, it has been an ambition for a while now. One of the main reasons why I want to see an album realised is because of my love of Steely Dan. The pairing of Donald Fagen and the late Walter Becker – and their cast of musicians – are a big influence. There has not really been anyone like them since they stopped recording together. Donald Fagen is still recording music but, as he is in his seventies, he will not put too many more albums out. In terms of their influence, there is not really anything like Steely Dan around. Maybe an attitude or essence though, when you think about the rich musicianship and these phenomenal compositions, nothing like that exists today. The same lyrical perspectives too. These intriguing and often sarcastic and odd characters standing alongside one another.
IN THIS PHOTO: Electric Lady Studios, New York City/.PHOTO CREDIT: Jeremy Liebman
Maybe one reason why a group such as Steely Dan have not been emulated or replicated is the cost of musicians. Fagen and Becker worked tirelessly in search of a perfect take. Musicians being almost drilled to get that sound. That would cost quite a lot in any studio setting, let alone Electric Ladyland. I don’t think anyone would need to be as precise and excessive. It is possible to strike a balance between carrying on a band’s sound and doing something that will not break the bank. I use Steely Dan as an example because they clearly speak to a lot of people yet musicians seem hesitant to even attempt to get close to that sound. There is a major gulf that I hope is addressed. The songs I have been writing about very much has Steely Dan in mind when it comes to compositions. Multiple guitar players and drummers. Lush and incredible brass players and this incredible production sound. Maybe not exactly the same kind of lyrics, there would be a mix of Steely Dan in there. When it comes to character-led songs and the worlds they create. For me, an album is also a chance to address themes that not many artists are discussing. Talking about gender inequality in music, discrimination against the L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+ community, sexual assault and women’s rights. In addition to perhaps ‘lighter’ themes. Romance, yearning and dreams combining with these songs that are perhaps a bit more serious.
PHOTO CREDIT: Photo By: Kaboompics.com/Pexels
It is a shame when you cannot realise a dream or ambition. For me, I can imagine songs in part. The lyrics at least and some of the melodies. However, it would be a case of collaborating with someone else. Musicians-wise, perhaps American players. I am not sure about vocals and whether it would be one person or multiple. I like the idea of that title, American Grammar, and what it could represent. A title track that is political. Reacting to what is happening in America now and comparing that to the past. Ideals of thew American dream and something classic together with modern-day America. Though the ideas are not concrete, I do think they are more than a passing fancy. There are guides regarding how to make an album. Of course, there is always that fight between ambition and budget. If you have a range of musicians recording out of a big studio, that can run into perhaps tens of thousands of pounds. You then have to factor that against the profitability of an album. Whether physical copies will sell enough to justify its existence. Maybe it would be a one-off project, however, I have been pretty hooked on this idea of an album. Not just to fill a gap that other artists are not taking advantage of. Ideas and themes not being spoke about enough. A chance to combine some legendary session musicians and some young talent on the same album. Maybe it will never happen, though I wonder how easy it will be.
PHOTO CREDIT: Daniel Semenov/Pexels
Alongside this is the very present threat of A.I. Artists like Elton John speaking out to protect their work by being stolen and used by A.I. Of course, if making a new album, there is always that tantalising treat of using samples. It can be expensive to clear songs, though A.I. makes it easier to do that. To also replicate artists’ sounds. I would never do that, though A.I. can be useful when it comes to helping with compositions. Easier to make demos that are almost studio-quality and realised. It is complex and challenging right now with A.I. possessing this threat. I want to do things naturally and not use A.I. at all. From the album cover shoot through to the recording of the songs, there would be something traditional and classic. That would mean quite an expense, so how realistic is it to make an album that is quite ambitious and full? Also, if you are not a musician and it will take longer to complete songs, is it pie in the sky? I would like to think there is a chance for people like me. Maybe crowdfunding an album and reaching out to composers and musicians. I am not sure whether Donald Fagen is contactable, though it would be great to ask his permission to do something similar to Steely Dan. Thinking about vocal collaborators that could be on the album. Song titles I have already including American Grammar, Hipsterlooza, Can’t Buy a Thrill, For Those in the Back Row, Negative Space, and Southside. The playful and humorous alongside tracks that tackle important themes. A great album cover that mixes mystery and suspense with 1950s America and this dead or long-gone dream. The chance to see music recorded out of Electric Lady Studios. Being in the city and drawing from it for ideas and even sounds. I keep wondering whether it is a dream that…
COULD ever be realised.