THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
	info
THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED Copyright 2007....by CRYSTAL MAGIC MUSIC (ASCAP) Recording Produced and Mixed by: Michael Foster Recording Engineered by: Mark Easton Music Written and Arranged by Michael Foster and Mark Easton in June, 2007. Lyrics Written by Michael Foster in June, 2007. Recorded at ROUGH CUT STUDIO (Eastford, Conn.) in July, 2007. Mixed at GOLDEN SUN STUDIO (North Palm Beach, Florida) in September, 2007. Michael Foster: Electric and Acoustic Guitars (left) First Outro guitar solo,Vocals. Mark Easton: Electric and Acoustic Guitars (right), Final Outro guitar solo, Background Vocals. Barry Easton: Drums. Michael Corsini: Bass. This song was written to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Avalanche's formation in September 1977. It is really "classic" Avalanche music...but with a very fresh sound...reflecting our roots as a band...and our growth as a band as well. As in many Avalanche recordings...this is a song that was co-written by guitarists Michael Foster and Mark Easton...and clearly reflects how well two people can think as one...musically. Each brought very essential musical elements to this track...and the result is a sum...greater than it's parts. The arrangement of Acoustic and Electric guitar parts...as well as the rhythm section...all played in true Avalanche style...and lyrics that are honest and meaningful...combine to make this a track that really exemplifies the musical identity that Avalanche has spent 30 years developing. It truly represents a little bit of all the many facets of the band...from soft Acoustic guitar work...to intense electric guitar chord and lead work...with bass that explores the melodic as well as the rhythmic...and drums that never let up. The vocals try to relate the trials and tribulations, as well as the joys of being a professional performance and recording entity..and the harmonies added what we believe were the finishing touches to this song. The Road Less Traveled" went from just a chord pattern I sort of stumbled onto during one of the first days we got together for these current recording sessions in June, 2007...to the recording you now hear...and the entire process from conception, to writing and arranging, to being rehearsed, recorded, and completely "finished"...required only a total of 30-35 studio hours....and at least half of that was rehearsal time. When we rehearse a song...the solos are played "live"...as if we are on stage. For the actual recording phase...Mark and I both play our rhythm parts (rather than the leads) in the room when the basic tracks are recorded. The solos, vocals, and acoustic guitars we add as overdubs in order to be able to mix them properly. I know from my own experience playing in many different professional groups that this kind of tightness and empathy between players never happens on new material...in such a short period of time. Something very special seems to happen whenever we get into the same room to play music together. That chord pattern I "found" ended up being the entire chorus and solo section. Mark Easton wrote the chords for the intro...and from those...we both wrote and arranged the verses. That took us about...two hours. I decided to add an acoustic guitar part that played all suspended chords over the intial electric rhythm guitars (that were playing minor chords). Mark Easton then decided to add a second acoustic guitar...capoed at the fifth fret...for a totally different voicing. And so the original idea just "grew." The song wasn't even an "idea" yet...when these sessions started. That's pretty much typical of the way things work in this band. Things just happen when we get together. Music seems to "come together" in an almost "magical" way. We are very proud of this track...and the fact that through some very tough times..."we're still rolling along....and we're still singing our song" We hope you all enjoy this little piece of our musical history. Hugs...Mike (NAV)