April 2003

LIVE RECORDINGS

The Downtown Messiah 2002, Bottom Line, New York

In just five years, The Downtown Messiah has gone from a local production to a national phenomenon, syndicated on more than 70 Public Radio International (PRI) stations across the U.S. Vernacular Music is proud of its association with the Messiah, which began with the project’s 1998 debut. Produced by WFUV and the Bottom Line and led by musical director Richard Barone, the December 2002 performances featured David Johansen, Jane Siberry, Marshall Crenshaw, Dar Williams, Randy Brecker, Vernon Reid, Terre Roche, Margaret Dorn, Peter Kiesewalter, and other luminaries of the downtown New York scene. Vernacular recorded, edited, and mixed the production, using a combination of the mobile facility and the Tenafly, N.J., outpost.

Shaun & Suzi’s 10th Annual Mardi Gras Ball, upstairs at the Middle East, Cambridge

When he’s not designing ultra cool web sites for such clients as, ahem, Vernacular Music, Shaun Wolf Wortis is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and band leader best known for his work with Boston underground legends Slide, Gato Malo, and Family Jewels. For the 10th year in a row, Shaun and fellow Slide member Suzi Lee led an assembly of local talent in a Mardi Gras raveup that can only be described as "Big Sleazy." Recorded by the Vernacular mobile, Mardi Gras 2003 featured the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, the Jelly Rollers (featuring Bertrand Laurence), Ramona Silver, Peter Moore, Val Forgione, Mick Mondo, Kip McCloud, Al Janik, Chilly Kurtz, Asa Brebner & Family Jewels, Chandler Travis, Brother Cleve, Ducky Carlisle, and a reunited Slide.

Greetings from Area Code 207, November 15, 2002, Asylum, Portland, Maine

In its first foray into the Portland music scene, the Vernacular mobile recorded the CD release party for Greetings From Area Code 207 Volume III. Spearheaded by Charlie Gaylord ­ host of a renowned local music show on WCLZ, and a member of several bands ­ GFAC 207 benefits the St. Lawrence Arts & Community Center in Portland’s Munjoy Hill. The Volume III gala featured Darien Brahms, the Coming Grass, the McCarthys, the Ponys, Rocktopus, and Spouse. Besides Gaylord and members of Rocktopus, visitors to the Vernacular truck included mastering legend Bob Ludwig of Gateway Mastering & DVD, Gateway CFO Gail Ludwig, Gateway engineer Adam Ayan, engineer/producer Joe Brien, and Doug Wood of Grace Designs. In March 2003, Gaylord booked the Vernacular studio to mix the Darien Brahms set (on which he was prominently featured on guitar). Upcoming mixing sessions will include material by the Ponys, Spouse, and Rocktopus. Stay tuned for release plans ....

George Stevens Academy, Blue Hill, Maine

To celebrate its fourth consecutive championship in the State Jazz Festival, the George Stevens Academy Jazz Band (www.georgestevensacademy.org) hired Vernacular to record a live CD. The mobile traveled up to GSA’s campus in Blue Hill to track the two-hour show, which featured three combos, various solos, and the full band. Mixing took place at the Vernacular studio.

STUDIO PROJECTS

Drew Weaver & the Alvarados

California’s best-kept secret, Drew Weaver & the Alvarados made their second pilgrimage to Kennebunk to continue work on an as-yet untitled project, which will be the follow-up to “Why, Where or When” (the second of two Alvarados discs produced by Paul Verna). Besides overdubbing and mixing works in progress, Alvarados Drew Weaver (guitar, vocals) and Barry Spry (bass, vocals) cut four new songs with Maine recruits Charlie Gaylord (guitar) and John Davison (drums). The new album is planned for fall release on Black Saddle Entertainment.

Alias

In mid-March, the Vernacular mobile trekked north to Ellsworth, Maine, to record three songs by up-and-coming hard rock band Alias on location in a private home. The day after cutting basic tracks, the truck moved across town to the home of lead singer P.J. Linscott, where we tracked vocals and additional guitars. Mixing is under way at Vernacular HQ.

Raymond Scott Orchestrette

Pushbutton Parfait, the debut album by the Raymond Scott Orchestrette (Evolver/Instinct Records) features two tracks -- "Penguin" and "Coming Down to Earth" ­mixed by Paul Verna at Vernacular’s former NYC location.

PRESS

Mainebiz

Amid this flurry of regional and national activity, Vernacular Music was profiled in the March 17 edition of Mainebiz, a statewide business biweekly.