Album Notes

DAN MCCANN DOWNLOAD

This striking release from Dan McCann launches seven new songs.
You are invited to come in and listen with your mind's ear to these songs calling forth “Old Ike” (William Burroughs), “The Ballad of Cole Younger” (actual leader of the Jessie James Gang) and “New Cowhand”, McCann’s musically updated version of Johnny Mercer’s 1936 hit “I'm and Old Cowhand”. We continue into the personal struggles reflected in “K.C.” (a song about Kurt Cobain) and the devastating honesty of “Dangerous Girls” (a telling of the shabby lifestyle that led to McCann’s own Liver transplant in 2006). Come in and dig the social criticism voiced in “Live and Learn” and feel the strength of a woman’s love, as told in the hit bound song “Survivor”.

The category is Rock ‘n Roll/Americana, however this work reminds us that music is sometimes beyond genre and category; “Download” is a place where a rebel’s stance, poetry, serious reflection, fun and rock n roll can all occupy the same space. McCann’s previous work includes Dan McCann Street Songs, 2008 and former bassist for Evan Johns & The H Bombs on Rykodisc Records.

"DOWNLOAD" emanates from a fortunate gathering of players and spirit. Gary Mallaber played drums on Van Morrison’s "Moondance" and Steve Miller’s "Fly Like An Eagle" to give you an idea of his presence. Mike Thompson (piano on “Old Ike” and piano and banjo on “Cole Younger”) is the piano man for The Eagles, Denny Freeman, and Will Sexton to name a few. Joe Romersa played drums and engineered on the Grammy winning album “The Missing Years” by John Prine. Joe is also vocalist and writer of Soy Cowboy and the Silent Hill game vocalist and songwriter. Carmine Sardo is a California Rockabilly guitar legend and he shows us why as the lead guitarist on “New Cowhand”. That track also features Steve Hunter who has played drums with fellow Texans, Johnny Winter, Jerry Lacroix and Alan Haynes. Dylan Thomas has been a touring guitarist with The Dickies and his style will astound you on “Old Ike” and “Cole Younger”.

The Northstar Session is one of the West Coast’s best new songwriting and performing bands and it is home to Matthew Szlachetka (guitar), Kane McGee (vocals), Dave Basaraba (keys, sax and vocals) and Wayne Miller (bass). Matt, Kane and Dave are all over this record in key lead and support roles. Matt and Kane co wrote the music on “K.C.”. Dave is everywhere you need him playing and singing on “Old Ike”, “Cole Younger” and “Dangerous Girls”. Check out Matt’s signature guitar work on “Dangerous Girls” and “K.C.”. Kane takes over lead vocals on “K. C.” and “Live and Learn” and makes the songs breathe fire.

Joe Romersa and Dan McCann’s previous studio collaboration produced “Dan McCann Street Songs” in 2008. Now their forces are joined again at Shadow Box Studio in Encino where "Dangerous Girls", "Old Ike", "The Ballad of Cole Younger" and "K. C. “ (a song about Kurt Cobain) were recorded.

Joe Romersa describes his ideas and goals when recording at Shadow Box Studio:
No two sessions or artists are ever the same and should be approached with a clean slate each time you sit down to capture a performance. I try to be as transparent as possible when recording an artist. The "fun" and "vibe" is what I try to fuse into every recording process.
It's almost as important as the equipment used. The chemistry is also one of the most important elements, and every player on this record was a pleasure to work with. All I do is make sure the full spectrum of frequencies are filled and no unwanted distortion is added. Make sure the headphone mix is inspiring to play to. It helps the player perform to his best, resulting in a great sound.

Eric Garcia's verdant production and mixing at 48 Windows Studio in Santa Monica is felt on "Survivor", "New Cowhand" and "Live And Learn". "Live and Learn" is elegant and fresh blue eyed soul that rocks with Gary Mallaber’s signature on drums, Garcia’s wicked lead solo and Kane McGee’s slicing lead vocals. “Survivor” will be more than a few peoples favorite song in this collection. Eric Garcia’s production and guitar playing and McCann’s plaintive vocals on “Survivor” may remind you of The Band and Neil Young. Ziv Fisher on drums, with the great JIm Lang on piano and Hammond B3 Leslie, round out this country rock ballad.

Eric Garcia, who attended University of California at Santa Cruz, missed graduation because he was already on the road. He always had an interest in recording studios and that's where he would land up. After a stint playing with Bob Dylan and recorded for Capitol Records with the band The Nobody's, he embarked on a journey with computers and samplers. He knew that the future would be in digitally recorded and mixed music and got in at the beginning. Camped out at Eldorado Studios in Hollywood with the producer Dave Jerden, he worked with Jane's Addiction, The Go-Go's, Poe and more. He then entered the Post-Production Field of Advertising as an Avid Editor. Twelve years ago he made the transition back into audio with an early incarnation of 48 Windows Studio. Ten years ago he and partner Ziv Fisher opened 48 Windows Santa Monica. 48 Windows does Music, Sound Design, and Mixing mostly for commercials but also records artist. Eric is currently enjoying mixing in 5.1 surround.

The teamwork and social interplay of the players on this project is uncommon….. McCann recalls:
“Kane McGee (vocals & drums) and Dylan Thomas (guitar) were reintroduced to each other while recording for this project. When Kane and Dylan were kids, their parents, Gerry McGee (also the guitarist for The Ventures) and the late Delaney Bramlett were true friends and worked together in bands. At times we met and played together at Delaney’s Rock N Roll Ranch Studio. It was a great vibe.”

“Will Sexton introduced me to Mike Thompson and after seeing him play with Will in LA. After that, I knew we could record “Old Ike” and “Cole Younger.” Mike suggested banjo on “Cole Younger” and it turned out great. Dylan Thomas’ rhythm and lead guitar are also just huge for those songs. Dave Basaraba’s backing vocals are the icing on the cake.”

“I met Eric Garcia, Steve Hunter and Carmine Sardo, who all recorded in the 48 Windows studio phase of this project, working in a Burbank nightclub as the house band. Their music is elegant and intelligent and they fired up my mind as I imagined working with them. When the opportunity came to record with Eric Garcia at 48 Windows Studio we selected the songs to record and we did it.

“Let’s choose to support the music we like and use everyday.”

Notes by: Roswell Deming