Deep in a Dream : An Evening with the Songs of David McComb: CD RELEASE

[Jonathan Alley]

Hi All

Realise it's been some time since I've posted to these parts regards the progress of the documentary 'Love in Bright Landscapes' that's because we've been busy making it.  More on this soon (there are completed about 20 interviews for the project, plus location footage, and more).

As both a calling card and a fundraiser for the completion of the film, Danielle Karalus and I are excited to announce that in coming weeks, we'll be releasing a live album of David McComb's songs, recorded at the benefit show at Melbourne's Corner Hotel in June 2008, featuring contributions from all the bands who played on the evening. This project has been undertaken with a great deal of care and attention, and couldn't have happened without the support of the bands, 3 RRR FM, Salt Studios, who recorded the show to multi track on the evening, and the cooperation of key folk such as your webmaster and others of similar import.

So: what's ON IT?  I won't reveal full details just yet, but I can confirm the following ....

Shackleton (Mick Thomas of Weddings Parties Anything, Chris Altmann of The Vandas, Anna Burley of The Killjoys) performing 'Spanish Blue'.

Charles Jenkins (solo) performing 'Raining Pleasure'.

A really beautiful reading of 'Tender is the Night' (featuring, among others, Matt Habben who played in costar ) by Diving Bell.

Sean M. Whelan reading David's poem 'Behind the Garages of this Country' (as published on this site and in Beautiful Waste).

The first ever live performance of 'Blackeyed Susan' (from The Black Swan). Apparently this was never worked up live in The Triffids' final performing years (if I am incorrect, I am sure someone here will put me right) and The Susans never did it either. Phil Kakulas co-wrote the song with David and now, odd loping time signature and all, ... here it is, performed by The Blackeyed Susans.

And the album will close with..... The Blackeyed Susans performing an slowly building, impassioned, ultimately rafter raising version of The Good LIfe Never Ends, originally recorded by costar. (so, how about that...?)

And, I should add that The Susans performances feature guests Graham Lee and Rob McComb, both as ever in superb form.

More specific detail regards this release that will be of interest to forum members will be posted soon!

Regards. I hope you're looking forward to hearing it.

JA

[genkboy]

looking forward indeed !

[Jonathan Alley]

'Deep in a Dream : An Evening with the Songs of David McComb' is now ready to roll. 

The official release date is November 6.

But with Graham's ok I have posted a link to our online shop in the Special Offers section open to members only. 
This will enable folk here to order the physical album now, at a discounted price. They are ready to ship.

Here are some more details on the album, including the full track listing

This album has been produced as a fund raiser for our documentary Love in Bright Landscapes, and was recorded by Salt Studios mobile recording van (any bands reading: their services come recommended) in June 2008 and mixed in July 2009.
The album features The Blackeyed Susans (with guest Triffids Graham Lee & Rob McComb), Charles Jenkins, Mick Thomas'  Shackleton, and Diving Bell all performing from McComb’s incredible songbook. Spoken word performer Sean Whelan also read McComb’s poem 'Behind the Garages of this Country' with collaborators The Mime Set. The gig was an overwhelming success, closing with of one McComb’s last major compositions, costar’s The Good Life Never Ends, performed by The Blackeyed Susans, available for the first time on this album.

The cover photo is by Tony Mott, the inlay art comprises photos from the show and photos kindly donated by Dr Harold McComb. Thanks to Julian Wu for the pic on the back cover. 

Tracklisting is as follows: all recorded 100% live.

The Blackeyed Susans                      Ocean of You                        
The Blackeyed Susans                      A Curse on You            
Charles Jenkins                                Raining Pleasure               
Shackelton                                      Spanish Blue
Shackelton                                      25 to 5      
Diving Bell                                       Red Pony                              
Diving Bell                                       Tender is the Night (The Long Fidelity)               
Sean M Whelan/ The Mime Set         Behind the Garages of this Country               
The Mime Set                                  Lonely Stretch                           
The Blackeyed Susans                      In the Pines                  
The Blackeyed Susans                      Blackeyed Susan               
The Blackeyed Susans                      Jimmy                  
The Blackeyed Susans                      The Good Life Never Ends               

Feedback from some industry/media types who have heard it already has been very positive, chiefly that there's a tangible sense of atmosphere throughout. And, that in keeping with the full title , there's a great sense of it capturing an evening with the songs. 

Thanks to all those here that supported this project in anyway: it means a great deal. I've listened to this album exhaustively during its production and I still love every bar of it. I hope you do too.

Regards
Jonathan

[Mark_from_Perth]

Looks great Jonathan, I can't wait to hear it, especially The Good Life Never Ends, which has become one of my favorite songs from the ASITSOAS shows.  I've done the deal (shpping cart worked fine).
cheers Mark

[lonesomesquare]

'Deep in a Dream: An Evening with the Songs of David McComb' is now ready to roll. The official release date is November 6. But with Graham's ok I have posted a link to our online shop in the Special Offers section open to members only. This will enable folk here to order the physical album now, at a discounted price. They are ready to ship.

Thanks J! Thank you G! Just ordered one of the very first copies to go overseas, but I'm pretty sure more will follow.

[genkboy]

yep, one more should be on its way !

[lonesomesquare]

Just ordered one of the very first copies to go overseas, but I'm pretty sure more will follow.

yep, one more should be on its way!

The glorious purchasing side effect of passing from summer time to winter time that must be

[Kieren]

one for me as well - can't wait!

[jeanke01]

Another one should be on its way to Belgium... can't wait to receive the package...
I hope this will help to finish the documentary...
Can't wait to see that neither...

[mark t]

Heard diving bell doing tender is the night on the radio this morning, I did well not to start bawling outside the post office .

[praxeas]

Thank you! Have to agree about "The Good Life Never Ends" for reasons more and less obvious.

[Jonathan Alley]

A quick note to say thanks for kind words and thoughts , and that all orders have been despatched.
May many more radio plays of Diving Bell's 'Tender is the Night' eventuate. The violin melody in particular gets me still.

[Kieren]

Thanks Jonathan - I got my copy last night and listened to it on the way to work this morning on the train.  My first impressions are that the BES tracks are, as you would expect, the highlights.  "Blackeyed Susan" and "The Good Life" are particularly great.  I was also quite fond of the Mime Set's quite faithful take of "Lonely Stretch".

[Eke]

Looking forward to mine. It shouldn't take too long to get to the UK but then it'll have the postal strike to contend with

[geoffm]

been  given 1 full spin in the car thus far and very enjoyable it is.Well packaged,good performances and a lot of less well known tunes
Unusual in that it has come with little fanfare and a short gestation period.A credit to you Jonathan and all involved.
Will say more when my keyboard decides to behave itself.Taken15 minutes to type this