Enter your email address in the space above for our FREE Newsletter and email updates.
Hands Without Shadows ®
by Michael Angelo Batio
ITEM. 110 $14.95
I started recording “Hands Without Shadows”® in July of 2004. 15 months later, the CD was completed. In between recording I performed over 100 shows on 3 different continents, filmed an instructional DVD and recorded numerous sessions for other artists. I wanted the CD to include some of my new songs plus my versions of some of the best rock songs of the past- to pay tribute to some of the legendary Rock Guitar greats like Jimmy Page, Randy Rhoads, Jimi Hendrix and more. I also wanted the CD to be cohesive and have a central theme, sound and continuous atmosphere from beginning to end. “HWS” is my uncompromising vision.
All of the rhythms on “HWS” were recorded with Dean Guitars using one Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier amp with a matching 4 by 12 cabinet.
All of the solos on “HWS” were recorded using various single Marshall amps with an assortment of Dean Guitars. With the exception of “All Along the Watchtower”, all of the lead guitars were recorded dry, with no FX, except where a “Wah-Wah” pedal is heard. When the “Wah” is played there are still no other FX.
My initial mixing discussions with engineer Chris Djuricic were based around two “schools of thought”. Do we make a really “wet” mix with a lot of reverb, ambiance and effects or take a different approach and make clarity the issue over the use of FX? We both thought that keeping the over all mix “drier” was the way to go. There is virtually nothing added to the guitars. Again, I recorded almost everything completely dry and we left much of the CD’s mix of the guitars that way.
MAB with Bass virtuoso William Kopecky performing as part of the “pre production” for the “Hands Without Shadows”® CD.
