Soundkeeper Recordings - Americas

**bdiament** · 05-01-2012, 01:38 PM

Hi all,

First and foremost, my very grateful thanks to Chris for his permission to share this news with my fellow CA members.

Today marks the release of my latest Soundkeeper Recording: Americas by Paul Beaudry & Pathways.

This is an acoustic jazz album featuring Paul on bass (unamplified! so I could get the sound of the wood of his instrument and the "pull" of his fingers on the strings), Tim Armacost on tenor and soprano saxophone, Bennett Paster on piano (the room's immaculately maintained 1908 Steinway grand) and Tony Jefferson on drums.

The music is from the far off lands of Suriname, Honduras, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, Trinidad, Argentina, Nicaragua and Brooklyn.
In 2010, Paul and the band went on a Rhythm Road tour of Central and South America and the Caribbean (co-sponsored by Jazz at Lincoln Center and the U.S. State Department). They gave concerts and seminars and in each country, they learned local music. Americas features music they learned on that tour, played with the group's jazz sensibilities. There is also one original by group pianist Bennett Paster.

***

For those who might be interested, Americas was recorded "live" (for the microphones), direct to stereo, with no overdubs or mixing.

Balances were achieved by moving the players physically on the stage, instead of moving faders on a console. The performances were captured by a stereo array consisting of a matched pair of wideband microphones.

Recorded in a beautiful auditorium built in 1908 (when that Steinway was installed), at 24-bits, 192k sampling rate, the result is jazz (and world music) in high definition, with unrestricted dynamics. The goal was to provide the listener with all the cues necessary to give the feeling of being transported to the auditorium, in the presence of the performances.

Samples of the music and photographs from the recording sessions are now up on the Soundkeeper site.

***

But wait! There's more! ;-}

Fellow CA members who will be in the New York City area on Thursday, May 17, please join us for the "Americas" release party.

The particulars:

Place: The Kitano
66 Park Avenue (at 38th Street)
New York, NY 10016

212-885-7119 for reservations

Time: Sets at 8pm and 10pm
There is a $10 cover charge and a $15 food/drink minimum per set.

If you think you'll be there, please let me know. And please be sure to come by, say Hello and introduce yourself. I'd love to meet fellow CA members in person.

Best regards,
Barry
www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
www.barrydiamentaudio.com

**REShaman** · 05-02-2012, 10:52 AM

Barry is burning my order and I should have it in a few days. Ordered the DVD-R 192/24 AIFF version. Based on my appreciation of Barry's engineering/production prowess and listening enjoyment of Barry's first in my collection, Equinox, they better not try and light up as I maintain a smoke free house. I will return with my findings.
Waiting Is,
Richard

**ckpiv** · 05-02-2012, 05:36 PM

Ordered mine today as well. 24/192 aif version.
The few CD's that I have that Barry produced are top notch! Be nice to have a complete listing of his work

Very much respect Barry's production work and his forum input here at CA!

**bdiament** · 05-02-2012, 08:33 PM

Hi ckpiv,

Originally Posted by ckpiv

Ordered mine today as well. 24/192 aif version.
The few CD's that I have that Barry produced are top notch! Be nice to have a complete listing of his work

Very much respect Barry's production work and his forum input here at CA!

Your disc just finished burning - it is still warm. ;-}

Thank you very much for your kindness.

There is a partial list of credits (artists and labels - not particular albums) on the BDA site here. Some folks at the Hoffman forum have compiled a list with more specifics in terms of mastering credits. I believe there may be one or two others somewhere. They too cover mastering and some editing credits.
The only things on which I've been producer (along with recorded and mastered) are for Soundkeeper.

Best regards,
Barry
www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
www.barrydiamentaudio.com

**Paul.Raulerson** · 05-02-2012, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by bdiament

Hi all,

First and foremost, my very grateful thanks to Chris for his permission to share this news with my fellow CA members.

Today marks the release of my latest Soundkeeper Recording: Americas by Paul Beaudry & Pathways.

How did I miss this? Drats, the budget is busted Tim around he middle of the month. Aw well, something to look forward to!
Paul

**ckpiv** · 05-02-2012, 10:45 PM

Thanks for the quick service Barry. Looking forward to listening to Your latest work

Also thanks for the links - will investigate them.

All the best,

Charles

**audiozorro** · 05-13-2012, 10:18 PM

Another masterpiece from Soundkeeper Recordings!

I cannot attend the Americas release party this Thursday in NYC, but the album is so real I feel like the musicians have already graced my home.

After listening to 24/192 Americas I have two haunting questions:

1. Why isn't all recorded music this good?
2. Why can't Barry have a new release like this every month or two?

**bdiament** · 05-14-2012, 03:23 PM

Hi audiozorro,

Originally Posted by audiozorro

Another masterpiece from Soundkeeper Recordings!

I cannot attend the Americas release party this Thursday in NYC, but the album is so real I feel like the musicians have already graced my home.

After listening to 24/192 Americas I have two haunting questions:

1. Why isn't all recorded music this good?
2. Why can't Barry have a new release like this every month or two?

Wow! Thank you for taking the time to write your very kind post.

I'd love more frequent releases but due to the fact that we're a small, independent, things move more slowly than they would at larger companies. I like the fact that we burn our special orders -all the formats aside from the pressed CD- one at a time and can pay personal attention to our artists as well as our customers.

We're always on the lookout for new talent whose music moves me and that can actually play "live" (for the mics), balancing themselves as they play, etc. What a pleasure it was to record Paul Beaudry & Pathways, who did the whole album in two 4-hour sessions -which included set up, moving players around until I got the balance I wanted, recording, taking a dinner break, recording some more and breaking down the set up!. (A typical recording session would have used the first several hours just "getting a sound".) These guys came in and nailed every song. In fact, the only reason they did a second take of anything was to try a different musical approach - never because anyone made a "mistake".

I'm looking forward to hearing how they play the songs at the release party this Thursday.
Speaking of which, any NY area CA members, if you can make it to the show, please stop by and say Hello.

Thank you again audiozorro, for your much appreciated support.

Best regards,
Barry
Soundkeeper Recordings
Barry Diament Audio

**ckpiv** · 05-16-2012, 08:34 PM

Barry,

Good luck With the Americas release party tomorrow! Thank you for a fantastic recording.

All the best,

Charles

**bdiament** · 05-16-2012, 08:43 PM

Hi Charles,

Originally Posted by ckpiv

Barry,

Good luck With the Americas release party tomorrow! Thank you for a fantastic recording.

All the best,

Charles

Thank you so much for your kindness.
I've very excited to hear the band in person again.

Earlier this evening, Paul shared a video of the band playing "Harmonia Mundi", taken last November while the band was in India.

Best regards,
Barry
Soundkeeper Recordings
Barry Diament Audio

**bdiament** · 05-18-2012, 10:15 AM

Paul and the band were absolutely *smokin'* last night!
They played songs from "Americas" as well as some from their most recent tour of Kazakhstan, Bengladesh and India. There were two guest pianists, a guest drummer and a fabulous alto player who joined the band to jam at the end of each set.

We're in the process of looking over photos and videos and when they're selected, I'll post an "Americas" release party on the site.

Best regards,
Barry
Soundkeeper Recordings
Barry Diament Audio

**audiozorro** · 05-18-2012, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by bdiament

Paul and the band were absolutely *smokin'* last night!

We're in the process of looking over photos and videos and when they're selected, I'll post an "Americas" release party on the site.

Barry I have been to many jazz clubs and concert halls to hear great music only wishing that the live performance was recorded. I know that you were too busy with so many other things, but if your sole purpose was to record yesterday's performance what would have been the difficulties involved in recording last night's jam session?

**bdiament** · 05-18-2012, 03:56 PM

Hi audiozorro,

Originally Posted by audiozorro

Barry I have been to many jazz clubs and concert halls to hear great music only wishing that the live performance was recorded. I know that you were too busy with so many other things, but if your sole purpose was to record yesterday's performance what would have been the difficulties involved in recording last night's jam session?

I gave up recording events where an audience is present long ago. Too many compromises are involved, not the least of which is audience noise - coughs and throat clearing seem to most often be engendered by the quietest parts of the music.

In addition, the "house" used a (thankfully small and quite modest in level) PA system, which my recording mics would have heard as a "cloud" distinct from the instruments. Also, instruments were placed differently than I would place them for recording as now the visual element of the presentation comes to the fore. And the bass was played through an amplifier (something I feel destroys its sound for recordings).

And then there was the bar at the other end of the room, where it would seem the loudest banging of glasses and swishing noises from whatever machine made those noises were also saved for the quietest parts of the music - such as a very delicate solo section on the piano.

Lastly, the acoustic of the room itself is not one I'd choose for making a recording. Some of the walls were just too close and there was a *lot* of glass.

My feeling is a recording made in a situation like this would be a momento of the event but would be a far cry from showcasing the music and the players to anything remotely like what it should be. Particularly, when the visual element and all the other aspects of the event are removed and one has only the auditory cues captured for the recording. This requires a fine acoustic devoid of compromises like background noise, crowd noise and bar sounds, etc.

Happily, most (but not all) of the above considerations become moot in the context of a party to celebrate the recording. The music itself was certainly top notch, with the songs from the album being interpreted anew, as great players will do, making each hearing of a given piece a new adventure.

Best regards,
Barry
Soundkeeper Recordings
Barry Diament Audio

**REShaman** · 05-18-2012, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by bdiament

Hi audiozorro,

I gave up recording events where an audience is present long ago. Too many compromises are involved, not the least of which is audience noise - coughs and throat clearing seem to most often be engendered by the quietest parts of the music.

In addition, the "house" used a (thankfully small and quite modest in level) PA system, which my recording mics would have heard as a "cloud" distinct from the instruments. Also, instruments were placed differently than I would place them for recording as now the visual element of the presentation comes to the fore. And the bass was played through an amplifier (something I feel destroys its sound for recordings).

And then there was the bar at the other end of the room, where it would seem the loudest banging of glasses and swishing noises from whatever machine made those noises were also saved for the quietest parts of the music - such as a very delicate solo section on the piano.

Lastly, the acoustic of the room itself is not one I'd choose for making a recording. Some of the walls were just too close and there was a *lot* of glass.

My feeling is a recording made in a situation like this would be a momento of the event but would be a far cry from showcasing the music and the players to anything remotely like what it should be. Particularly, when the visual element and all the other aspects of the event are removed and one has only the auditory cues captured for the recording. This requires a fine acoustic devoid of compromises like background noise, crowd noise and bar sounds, etc.

Happily, most (but not all) of the above considerations become moot in the context of a party to celebrate the recording. The music itself was certainly top notch, with the songs from the album being interpreted anew, as great players will do, making each hearing of a given piece a new adventure.

Best regards,
Barry
Soundkeeper Recordings
Barry Diament Audio

Just listen to The Bill Evans Trio in the 3 disc The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings 1961 [Live, Original Recording Remastered] to hear the clinking of glasses, loud talking, waiters making enough noise. I have so many live recordings with ambient noise even during some of the most impressive playing. Don't blame you Barry.
Best,
Richard

**jhwalker** · 05-18-2012, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by REShaman

Just listen to The Bill Evans Trio in the 3 disc The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings 1961 [Live, Original Recording Remastered] to hear the clinking of glasses, loud talking, waiters making enough noise. I have so many live recordings with ambient noise even during some of the most impressive playing. Don't blame you Barry.
Best,
Richard

I love that recording! And some of the charm is in the ambient sounds - the first time I heard it, I kept being startled by the sounds of an early-60s jazz / supper club all around me! Now, I put it on, in part, to pick up on that vibe

**bdiament** · 05-18-2012, 06:31 PM

Hi Richard,

Originally Posted by REShaman

Just listen to The Bill Evans Trio in the 3 disc The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings 1961 [Live, Original Recording Remastered] to hear the clinking of glasses, loud talking, waiters making enough noise. I have so many live recordings with ambient noise even during some of the most impressive playing. Don't blame you Barry.
Best,
Richard

Keep in mind too, that is a close, multiple microphone recording. Those are directional microphones placed *very* close (sometimes *in*) the instruments. The approach I use is diametrically opposite, with a single pair of omnidirectional microphones to get the best pickup of the instruments and a real stereo image. My omni array would pick up the audience noises (not to mention the house PA) with appreciably more "presence".

I've done recordings in front of audiences before. They are the reason I won't do another.

Best regards,
Barry
Soundkeeper Recordings
Barry Diament Audio

**REShaman** · 05-19-2012, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by bdiament

Hi Richard,

Keep in mind too, that is a close, multiple microphone recording. Those are directional microphones placed *very* close (sometimes *in*) the instruments. The approach I use is diametrically opposite, with a single pair of omnidirectional microphones to get the best pickup of the instruments and a real stereo image. My omni array would pick up the audience noises (not to mention the house PA) with appreciably more "presence".

I've done recordings in front of audiences before. They are the reason I won't do another.

Best regards,
Barry
Soundkeeper Recordings
Barry Diament Audio

John, I can appreciate your perspective. The "sound effects" of a live performance can add all the feelings and nuance you expressed (and I never argue with perception). I get what you are describing.

Again, Barry, I fully appreciate what criteria you value that shapes your decision about under what, if any, live conditions you would record musicians.

Both, I'll give you another example involving John Pizzarelli's 2 disc Live at Birdland that is plagued with ambient sounds on the first disc (I believe) that is so obnoxious and so startling as to snap the heads of my guests in my direction as if something in my equipment broke or blew up. I have a ton of John Pizzarelli recordings and I am straining to recall if it is that particular recording. I am referring to a collection of assorted loud sounds of plates being stacked and glasses banging against trays (? by the wait staff?) and audience noise involving talking at rude levels. It clearly provides "live performance" aura but are so intrusive as to be highly unwelcome, distracting and rude. I am differentiating between what I imagine John finds charming and a level and presence that exceeds the charm and succeeds (at least for me) in distracting and detracting from my enjoyment. The first time I heard the clashing (listening alone), I thought something actually broke or died.

When the charm of live music ambience becomes churning, I draw the line. But that's about me and my standards and not to be imposed on anyone else. BTW: I feel mostly the same about audience clapping during a performance which is loud enough to compete with the sound of the actual performance and with the mastery, artistry and musicianship which I'd rather be hearing than audience response to what is clearly excellence. The timing for audience approval can be just as enthusiastic after at the end or in between.

I seem to be on a rant. Pardon me.

Best,
Richard

**dave_kiwi** · 05-22-2012, 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by bdiament

Hi all,

...

Today marks the release of my latest Soundkeeper Recording: Americas by Paul Beaudry & Pathways.

Since the 'Bonus Fairy Elf' paid a visit last week (which led to upgradingitis), I have added two recordings - Equinox and this one - Americas.

Looking forward to listening to these ....

**REShaman** · 05-22-2012, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by dave_kiwi

Since the 'Bonus Fairy Elf' paid a visit last week (which led to upgradingitis), I have added two recordings - Equinox and this one - Americas.

Looking forward to listening to these ....

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy! The antidote for upgradingitis: Take two Soundkeeper Recordings and play them in the morning. Celebrations are not contra-indicated.
Enjoy the music,
Richard

**dave_kiwi** · 05-22-2012, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by REShaman

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy! The antidote for upgradingitis: Take two Soundkeeper Recordings and play them in the morning. Celebrations are not contra-indicated.
Enjoy the music,
Richard

Thank you Richard. Just read an email - it's 03:45 am an I ain't sleeping - looks like my DVDs have already shipped. Thats good service -- and they certainly will be added to the regular early morning listening "session". (Heh, one of the advantages of actually being able to walk to work - gives me time to "relax" in the morning).

Have to admit though - this is the first time I have purchased music because of who recorded / mastered the music .... normally it's the artist / music that would drive the purchase.

**bdiament** · 05-22-2012, 03:06 PM

Hi dave_kiwi,

Originally Posted by dave_kiwi

Thank you Richard. Just read an email - it's 03:45 am an I ain't sleeping - looks like my DVDs have already shipped. Thats good service -- and they certainly will be added to the regular early morning listening "session". (Heh, one of the advantages of actually being able to walk to work - gives me time to "relax" in the morning).

Have to admit though - this is the first time I have purchased music because of who recorded / mastered the music .... normally it's the artist / music that would drive the purchase.

I'm honored and humbled.
There *are* samples of all the tunes on the Web site and I always imagined folks would check them out (as I would) prior to purchase.

May the music as well as the sound live up to your expectations! ;-}

Best regards,
Barry
Soundkeeper Recordings
Barry Diament Audio

**REShaman** · 05-22-2012, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by dave_kiwi

Thank you Richard. Just read an email - it's 03:45 am an I ain't sleeping - looks like my DVDs have already shipped. Thats good service -- and they certainly will be added to the regular early morning listening "session". (Heh, one of the advantages of actually being able to walk to work - gives me time to "relax" in the morning).

Have to admit though - this is the first time I have purchased music because of who recorded / mastered the music .... normally it's the artist / music that would drive the purchase.

Precisely my perspective as well. Brief history: I was reading my monthly subscription to Stereophile turned the page to Recording of The Month and stared at the review of Equinox. I was hungry for high quality productions even more than the artists behind the recording (who were they anyway?). Precisely as you articulated. I soon thereafter discovered that Barry was the man behind or in front or is Soundkeepers Recordings and surprise, the same Barry who also posts at CA. How great is that? Admittedly, I skipped Barry's Confluence only because the group did not vibe with me but that is musical taste not production quality. Americas has more of the musicality I enjoy and all of the high quality production I value. And Barry walks the walk. I am prepared to support that accomplishment. Plus Amercias started to sound better with each play. I also appreciate the autograph from Paul Beaudry et al. The packaging is nicely done. The contact with Campbell has that you're not a number feel, your a person quality; and they appreciate our business. I also appreciate that the DVD-R 192/24 AIFF files are so easily copied into iTunes Library which I store on an external Thunderbolt drive. The cover art is nicely done. I love cover art which is my reason for not going headless. Win-win is my favorite format. What a coincidence.

All the more to vicariously celebrate with you your decision to gift yourself.

Remember, though, not to go in swimming for at least a good hour after listening.

Richard

**dave_kiwi** · 05-31-2012, 02:03 AM

Well received my discs today - at work - and I have a lot of time to kill :-). (Meetings driven by timezones are a 'bitch" at times).

Seem quite provident as well, that Audirvana Plus has been updated - new beta version with Direct / Integer mode under Lion, so even just listening straight from Macbook is quite good. (Actually that's not fair - its sounds dam good just on the macbook, so it will be even better through the DAC etc at home.)

Americas first up - and what i heard so far -- no worries about not auditioning it first.

Barry - very impressed buy the quality of the whole 'package' - it looks as good as it sounds :-)

So, it will be a once through with both discs at work, and then a more serious listening session tonight.

**dave_kiwi** · 05-31-2012, 04:09 AM

Originally Posted by dave_kiwi

......
Americas first up - and what i heard so far -- no worries about not auditioning it first.

Barry - very impressed buy the quality of the whole 'package' - it looks as good as it sounds :-)

Just finished listening to both albums -

heh

heh

very good --- both very enjoyable, so well done Barry. Will certainly be following what you release next ...

**bdiament** · 05-31-2012, 06:23 AM

Thank you Dave for taking the time to post about your experience.

This is exactly what I want for Soundkeeper - not just the music and sound but the relationships with our artists, the relationships with our customers and the customer experience - I want them all to be something better than what artists and the folks who purchase their records have had before.

Thank you again. Very much appreciated.

Best regards,
Barry
Soundkeeper Recordings
Barry Diament Audio

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