: Progaid recording, Briar Bank studios, 29/30 January 2005 :

Located in Penarth, South Wales, Briar Bank studios was the setting for the recording of All Around The World, the song chosen for Progaid. Progaid was put together initially to raise funds for victims of the Tsunami disaster of 26th December 2004, though it is intended for it to be a going concern to help similar causes as and when the need arises.

Assorted members of the progressive rock community had generously given up their valuable time to help record music and vocals for the song, sales of which will hopefully provide much needed funds.

All Around The World was a track originally recorded by Cyan, a project that Rob Reed of Magenta had put together some years ago. In fact Rob would be handling production duties over the weekend, ably assisted by studio engineer and co-producer Andy Edwards.

It was indeed an interesting and somewhat unique gathering of musicians, notable among them on Saturday were Pallas vocalist Alan Reed, IQ bass player John Jowitt, Landmarq singer Tracy Hitchings plus bass player Steve Gee and drummer Dave Wagstaffe, Stu Nicholson of Galahad, Nick Barrett of Pendragon, Rachel Jones (formerly of Karnataka), and assorted members of Strangefish, Fula and Blue Horses.

  
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The studio is a converted house, with the main studio on the ground floor, and a slightly smaller studio upstairs. Musicians would gather in an adjoining house, relaxing and waiting to be called for their section to be recorded. Took a bit of organizing, but it worked extremely well – everybody was patient and happy to do anything that they could to help.

Not surprisingly there was not a hint of ego to be seen anywhere, and the atmosphere was quite jovial and very friendly. In fact I heard a couple of people comment that it’s actually quite rare for musicians to get a chance to sit and actually talk in such a relaxed fashion. Even if bands are on the same bill together there is rarely time to sit around and chat, due to soundchecks, loading and unloading equipment and traveling to the next gig.

From my non-musician perspective, it was fascinating to be able to wander into the studio and be in the presence of great musicians producing some incredible work – I was impressed by the amount of thought and creativity with which they approached the project. Some people had been sent copies of the original song and had come prepared with a ready-made guitar solo, keyboard part or vocal, whereas others not familiar with the track were able to improvise beautifully on the spot and come up with the goods.

Among the high points for me were being inside the recording booth taking pictures while Tracy Hitchings was recording her vocal – what an incredibly powerful voice that lady has; Watching Nick Barrett improvise his guitar solo, and after some much needed food and drink, the recording of the “Prog Chorus”. This was basically everybody involved (including yours truly) gathered together in the sound booth to record the chorus for the song. It took a couple of attempts to get the unruly rabble to get it right, but it was all taken in good spirit and it turned out fine in the end.

After a rather late night fueled by one or two beers (or was it 3?) and some great musician stories, Sunday was a much more relaxed and sedate affair.

However, the day did turn out to be something special due to the arrival of original Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips. It is rare indeed to actually watch Anthony play live, and he played some of his trademark exquisite twelve-string guitar. Indeed he was quite the gentleman, and more than willing to provide as many takes as required, with many variations thereof. Not only this, but he discovered an old Hammond organ in the studio and was determined to get it working, which he did. It was a curiously entertaining sight to see him on his hands and knees playing the foot pedals. Not only this, but he even agreed to stay on to record a video interview with Dave Robinson of F2 records. What a man.

In addition to all of the tracks recorded on the day, other contributions were sent in by various musicians who wanted to be involved but were not able to attend, such as Roine Stolt of Flower Kings, Oliver Wakeman, IQ’s Martin Orford and Arena’s Clive Nolan. Neal Morse has also kindly taken time out from his European tour to record some vocals.

In addition to the musicians involved, there were several live radio interviews by local radio station Total Rock Radio conducted throughout the day, with Matt Cohen (Magenta bass player), John Jowitt, Alan Reed, Rachel Jones, Tracy Hitchings, Nick Barrett and others.

Such was the willingness of all to want to be involved there is more than enough material for the single, which to my ears really sounded something special even in it’s unfinished form. As a result of this it’s possible there could be a couple of alternate versions and different mixes on the eventual single, which it is hoped will be available to buy in late February/early March.

A huge thank you is due to everyone involved in the project, there are just too many people to name. And of course you can also help by purchasing the single.

And who knows – if enough interest is shown and a healthy number of copies are sold, we could be talking Progaid - The Concert.

John Morley

31/01/05.

  
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