Recording in Tassie

 I’m sitting in the airport at Hobart, waiting while the plane scheduled to fly me home receives some running repairs!! I'm not feeling so sure about the plane or my prospects for a smooth trip home, but what a wonderful few days it’s been here in Tassie. 

The primary purpose of the visit was to record a couple of new songs. The trip became possible thanks to my dear friend John Coleman, who not only inspired the writing of the songs in question but also graciously suggested they were worth recording. John generously offered to tee up some recording time and for me to stay with he and Jenny in Susans Bay (thanks heaps you two). 

I flew in last Wednesday. John picked me up and here's the perspective that greeted us from their shoreline. Wow!!

 We spent the rest of the day catching up and practicing. 

Next day, we loaded guitars in the car and drove out to Al Campbell's recording studio, The Chapel, an old decommissioned Congregational church in Austins Ferry, north of Hobart. 

There's a cemetery out back (where failed projects and recording artists are buried - only kidding!!) and the building itself is surrounded by a grassy field sprinkled with old conifers.

Inside it’s a hotchpotch of instruments, mics, leads, headphones, stands, mixers, 

computers, plugs, books, cups and a coffee pot - perfect!

Oh and I also found a couple of fine musicians tucked away in there!

To begin, I felt daunted about my playing and singing - there's nowhere to hide when you're recording. Al and John were great encouragers, however, and pretty soon the music was flowing.

John joined in with a second guitar and later added some sublime harmonies. 

Al mixing it all with consummate skill, quietly erasing my worst notes and adding 

another layer of delicious harmony. 

On Friday, we were back into it, Al laying down a tasteful bass line and some sweet-sounding keys. 

Later, there was time a good walk around Susans Bay. 

It really is a stunning part of the world, and the country of this region has inspired the series of paintings that John is currently exhibiting in a gallery in the Salamanca Arts Centre in Hobart.

 This was the other delightful alignment for me about returning to Tassie - a chance to see the exhibition. 

On Saturdays in this part of Hobart the famous Salamanca Markets are in full swing. In keeping with this vibe, as well as exhibiting his paintings, John had planned a musical afternoon with another member of his band, Daniel J Townsend. And so, once again, we packed the car with guitars, amps and stands, and set off this time for the gallery. 

Here’s Jenny arranging the greenery, flanked by a few of John’s stunning paintings.

And the artist himself, setting up for a few songs with 'Still Stone Stingray' (oil and stone on board) 

in the background.

‘Seeing this place is a visual celebration of South East Tasmania’, John writes. ‘The collection of oil paintings and charcoal drawings are companions to a new album of original songs exploring life in Tasmania, titled The Amber and the Flow.’ 

Both the exhibition and the album are deeply moving, and to hear these songs sung by John and Daniel whilst dwelling amidst the paintings was rich indeed. Even better that Tassie friends Daniel (instigator of our Sacred Geography Overland Track walks) and Clare (fellow Courage & Renewal facilitator) could be there to share it. 

‘St Columba Greets the Morning’ (oil on canvas)

‘Shade Tree Place’ (oil pastel on paper)

'Oh Moon' (oil on canvas)

Daniel J Townsend and his deliciously mellow Gretsch guitar.

T'was a visual and musical feast indeed!

Meanwhile I'm still in transit (now in Melbourne awaiting a flight to Sydney where I'll catch another flight to Canberra, which I'll pass on the flight to Sydney!!), much delayed but feeling very grateful for a fantastic experience in Tassie, 

with special memories, 

and hopefully soon, 

a couple of completed recordings.

P.S. The Amber and the Flow can be accessed at johncoleman.bandcamp.com