DOUG VARTY BAND
''FELL FREE''
DECEMBER 19 2011
39:15
1. Kickin' Ass/3:56
2. Upsetter (feat. Mr. Chill)/3:01
3. Feel Free (feat. Mr. Chill)/4:46
4. The Itch/3:30
5. Paid/4:28
6. Now You're Talking/3:50
7. Misfit/3:29
8. Intoxicated/4:11
9. I Wanna Fight About It/4:30
10. Make My Day/3:39
Doug Varty/(vocals and guitar
Rob Allen/bass
Dale Penney/drums
REVIEW
By Bob Breen, engineer, co-producer
Feel Free is a bit of a departure from Doug's previous recorded work. In this post big-label era of music, there's nobody to try and please but yourself and your audience. So perhaps for the first time, Doug indeed 'felt free' enough to make exactly the kind of record he wanted to make. In this case it is a tongue in cheek nod to Bon Scott era AC/DC, where a cast of misfit characters get themselves into all manner of trouble in the pursuit of a good time - savouring close encounters, innuendo, intoxication, and back alley violence like a delicious meal. This is in fairly stark contrast to Doug himself - loyal husband, proud father, yoga instructor, hard-working gigging musician, and the nicest, most accommodating, soft-spoken and upright guy you'll ever meet. He's also a monster talent which this album demonstrates. He hasn't been edited, auto-tuned or endlessly fixed. This is what he does best... he entertains.
An anomaly these days, the album was entirely recorded to 2" Analog Tape at my studio. The trio of Doug Varty (vocals and guitar), Rob Allen (bass) and Dale Penney (drums) recorded the album playing "live" together, including most of the lead vocals. To add to the energy of the performance, the sessions were broadcast live via the web as the album took shape, and we received comments and encouragement from as far away as Australia while we were recording! It was a novel approach to welcoming an audience into a tight 9x12x7 space. David Crosby once told me "fun hits tape," and I think you can hear that we had some fun. Overdubs, of course, were added later. Doug added guitar parts, almost entirely recorded using vintage Canadian-built Traynor amplifiers at ungodly volumes. Dale and Doug contributed backup vocals and percussion, and Kelly "Mr. Chill" Hoppe from Big Sugar came in to add searing harmonica parts to Upsetter and Feel Free. I added a lead solo and a few subtle textures.
Mixing was a lengthy process as it was the first project recorded at my studio, which I spent three years building to be a no-compromise throwback to bigger rooms where I had worked in Los Angeles. In fact the whole project started as a bit of an experiment to see if the studio even worked! Fortunately, I was able to work in the manner to which I was accustomed. Still, gear and techniques were upgraded several times during the mix process to capture a sound and texture reminiscent of Doug's favourite classic rock albums, which have influenced his writing, singing and playing. Mixes were accomplished entirely by hand from the 2" masters, with touches like real tape echo, but without console automation (much like the latest Foo Fighters' disc). Doug was exceedingly patient while I experimented and remixed to produce a final product which - I think? - sonically rises to the level of the band's blazing top-notch performances. The result, we hope, is a timeless album that updates the immediacy, good humour, and energy of great rock music for an era where too often production and precision is perhaps overvalued. Hopefully you hear it that way too.
''FELL FREE''
DECEMBER 19 2011
39:15
1. Kickin' Ass/3:56
2. Upsetter (feat. Mr. Chill)/3:01
3. Feel Free (feat. Mr. Chill)/4:46
4. The Itch/3:30
5. Paid/4:28
6. Now You're Talking/3:50
7. Misfit/3:29
8. Intoxicated/4:11
9. I Wanna Fight About It/4:30
10. Make My Day/3:39
Doug Varty/(vocals and guitar
Rob Allen/bass
Dale Penney/drums
REVIEW
By Bob Breen, engineer, co-producer
Feel Free is a bit of a departure from Doug's previous recorded work. In this post big-label era of music, there's nobody to try and please but yourself and your audience. So perhaps for the first time, Doug indeed 'felt free' enough to make exactly the kind of record he wanted to make. In this case it is a tongue in cheek nod to Bon Scott era AC/DC, where a cast of misfit characters get themselves into all manner of trouble in the pursuit of a good time - savouring close encounters, innuendo, intoxication, and back alley violence like a delicious meal. This is in fairly stark contrast to Doug himself - loyal husband, proud father, yoga instructor, hard-working gigging musician, and the nicest, most accommodating, soft-spoken and upright guy you'll ever meet. He's also a monster talent which this album demonstrates. He hasn't been edited, auto-tuned or endlessly fixed. This is what he does best... he entertains.
An anomaly these days, the album was entirely recorded to 2" Analog Tape at my studio. The trio of Doug Varty (vocals and guitar), Rob Allen (bass) and Dale Penney (drums) recorded the album playing "live" together, including most of the lead vocals. To add to the energy of the performance, the sessions were broadcast live via the web as the album took shape, and we received comments and encouragement from as far away as Australia while we were recording! It was a novel approach to welcoming an audience into a tight 9x12x7 space. David Crosby once told me "fun hits tape," and I think you can hear that we had some fun. Overdubs, of course, were added later. Doug added guitar parts, almost entirely recorded using vintage Canadian-built Traynor amplifiers at ungodly volumes. Dale and Doug contributed backup vocals and percussion, and Kelly "Mr. Chill" Hoppe from Big Sugar came in to add searing harmonica parts to Upsetter and Feel Free. I added a lead solo and a few subtle textures.
Mixing was a lengthy process as it was the first project recorded at my studio, which I spent three years building to be a no-compromise throwback to bigger rooms where I had worked in Los Angeles. In fact the whole project started as a bit of an experiment to see if the studio even worked! Fortunately, I was able to work in the manner to which I was accustomed. Still, gear and techniques were upgraded several times during the mix process to capture a sound and texture reminiscent of Doug's favourite classic rock albums, which have influenced his writing, singing and playing. Mixes were accomplished entirely by hand from the 2" masters, with touches like real tape echo, but without console automation (much like the latest Foo Fighters' disc). Doug was exceedingly patient while I experimented and remixed to produce a final product which - I think? - sonically rises to the level of the band's blazing top-notch performances. The result, we hope, is a timeless album that updates the immediacy, good humour, and energy of great rock music for an era where too often production and precision is perhaps overvalued. Hopefully you hear it that way too.
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