Song #34 No Christy No (1991)

1991 was a pivotal year.
I shuttered my studio, Skyline Recording, and disbanded my band, Eckey Thump.

The equipment improvements we made to Skyline (Neve v60 console, an extra 24 track  Studer A800 et al.) brought our hourly rate up, but also increased our monthly nut. Additionally, as we were now attracting higher-end clients, the focus of my job became less about engineering and producing, and more about servicing our "guests".  I was being relegated to the role of a concierge:
FAMOUS PRODUCER: This isn't Scottish smoked salmon!
Me: Okay, I'll go back and get some.

Meanwhile, Teddy and I attempted to setup our own music production company for commercials, films, etc., and had succeeded only in fatally damaging our musical partnership, and friendship (not forever).

After all the dust had settled, with no studio, no band, and no job (and a young family to support), I began to piece together a new life.

A Kurzweil K2000 synthesizer with built-in sequencing and sampling capabilities took the place of the recording studio and the band, and a post-production position at ABC television became my job.

Richy Stano and I maintained our friendship throughout this turmoil, and we began writing songs.
Here is our first collaboration:

No Christy No

You made me

You saved me

I was walking the line

Between love and hate

You came through

In a matter of time

When my old man weeped

And mamma cried

No Christy no

Take some but leave the rest

No Christy no

My time to get some rest

Mistaken

Forsaken 

I've been counting the time

From away the sheets

Who knows that

Who even cares

When your dream are real

The dragons come alive

No Christy no
Take some but leave the rest
No Christy no
My time to get some rest goes

And the only one who could sleep

Was not the only one who was there

The cat the silent witness

Sitting in her pretty chair

Yes I'm boring and helpless and rude

And I might end up playing your fool

But if you can't keep your distance

Then I'm not scared

© 1991 Britt Bacon and Richy Stano 

Britt: Kurzweil K2000, vocals

Richy: guitars

I believe we finished this demo at Ira Ingber's home studio... (thanks babe)

Song #33 Leapfrog (1983)

Recently mixing some international TV, and Internet spots for the movie, "Crawl" (in theaters July 12th), I was reminded of some angry alligators.

In 1983, frustrated by multiple attempts to secure a record deal, Ira Ingber and I decided to put out our own extended play record (EP), on our own label, "Beautiful Concept Records". Attempting to push the boundaries of popular music, we were convinced that people would accept odd rhythmic timings, e.g., 7/4 or 7 beats to a measure, if the underlying beats held to a steady quarter note pulse.

We were able to record during "off hours" at my studio, Skyline Recording, and finished "Leapfrog" b/w "Funny Ha Ha, Funny Strange", after multiple late night sessions. The songs were loosely based on fables; Leapfrog nspired by "The Scorpion and the Frog", and Funny Ha Ha, Funny Strange by "The Emperor's New Clothes".

Paul Delph, created the swamp atmosphere in the opening of Leapfrog, using only his analog Prophet 10 synthesizer, as well as the pizzicato strings and talkbox fx, while Pat Mastelotto pounded out the rhythm (not easy in a 7/4 time song) with his new Simmons drums.

Ira cameo'd on bass, and of course played all the guitars.
I engineered and sang.

After raising money (no Kickstarter back then) from friends and family ($3,000), we began the journey of transferring our masterpieces onto vinyl; no mp3's in those days (too bad for us).

We brought the final mixes to legendary mastering engineer Bernie Grundman to finesse the sonic finishing touches for the lacquer master (he had to insert a "de-esser" to suppress to the “spilt second decision” s's during the bridge), created the cover art with the guidance of my godfather, Marc Davis, and the talents of Ira's then wife, Bonnie, figured out the color-separation process with the help of graphic artist and future star, Phil Hartman, and had pictures taken by the sublime Ben Swets.

I hand delivered the finished EP's to record stores, and we eventually sold about half of the the pressings (250).

Hate to sound like an old fart, but geez you kids have got it easy.
Record and mix in your bedroom, and then upload.

Get off my lily-pad!