The Move is Over!

I must thank Jeff and Rob of Climax Golden Twins for their help in moving the Massive Pile of Stuff which is my studio. It's amazing how much one can accumulate in three years! The new studio is in Fremont in Seattle, close to some happening bars, bakerys and resturants, and is a vast improvement over my last studio in several ways: first of all, it's not in my house (!); second, it's bigger (!!); and third, it sounds even better (!!!).

Climax Golden Twins have been working steadily on a new CD for the Meme label in Tokyo. They also had time to fit in the soundtrack for a movie trailer titled "John Gill" and put the finishing touches on the CD that accompanies the Buckwheat Hull Pillows (The Lovely Drone, or more affectionately called The Nite Nite CD). These pillows help you gain restful sleep and the CD helps to lull you in to that world which some of us don't see very often.

First Hand is continuing their CD project which features male/female vocal harmonies with acoustic guitar and a few other instruments.

But I keep hearing you say, "what about the Beefheart project?" Four of the five discs are at the mastering house right now. Two of the CD's contain Trout Mask House recordings and four video clips (one being the Cannes Beach footage from '68). The first CD is early material from 65-68, and contains demo acetates and Avalon Ballroom recordings. The second CD (which is not yet finished as John Peel hasn't sent us the master) is a recording that he made in 1968 at Frank Freeman's Dance Studio. Apparently, no one has ever heard this material before (even through bootlegs!), which I find fascinating and am honored to work on it. The fifth CD contains other late period demos/rehersals, radio apperances and live cuts. Of particular note is the Zappa/Beefheart rendition of Orange Claw Hammer featuring Don Van Vliet on vocals and Frank on rhythm guitar. There is also a creative process demonstration of two pieces, one being "Making Love to a Vampire" which starts with a tape of Don whistling a part from the song, then John French playing it on guitar, then a live version of the final song. It's pretty damn cool and I can't wait for you to hear it!

I travelled over Halloween to San Francisco to see the Residents play live again this year. It was an incredible experience, of course. Related to that, I've been commisioned to create two minute collages of their albums and encode them in Real Audio for placement on their web site. You may sample two that have already been completed for their new album "Wormwood" and an old album "Title In Limbo" through either my web site (www.scottcolburn.com) or theirs (www.ralphamerica.com). More Residential Real Audio files to come!

While I was in SF, I took the opportunity to overhaul my web site. You will now find several other Real Audio files for the Leotard Geeks and Pint Sized Spartacus. If you've ever wondered what these two releases sounded like, now is your chance - go to
www.scottcolburn.com/catalog/geeks.html
and
www.scottcolburn.com/sessions/sparta.html respectively.

You will also find the first installment of my personal record collection sale on my web site.. I've put up most of my seven inches and some of my LP's. First Come, First Served!

See you in the pages of TapeOP in the next issue and a couple more Mix articles coming soon.