session guitarist, Mixing

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: Roger Waters "Radio KAOS" album and tour: it was a technically challenging tour and an early example of the marriage of computer and analog technology. I played guitar and guitar synths.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: A recording of Steve Reich's "Electric Counterpoint" for a guitarist who performs it live, a library (production music) album of Ambient Electronica, a Rocktronica album, and acoustic EP for a local artist, and a new collection of my own material.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Chuck Sabo, Simon Edwards

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: It depends on the style/genre of music. If the project is Rock/Blues/Country/Folk/Acoustic, analog. For ambient/EDM, digital. I always use valve amps for electric guitars (even if I'm using the KPA, it goes into the power amp stage off a valve amp) and Neve 1073 mic pre-amps.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: When I'm working on your project I will believe in it as much as you do.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: They don't call it "playing' for nothing:-)

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: When can I have the tracks back? My answer? By the agreed deadline. How many stages of revision do I get? Answer: 1, and after that we can negotiate, but I recommend that we Skype while I'm doing that revision.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That it's easy.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What does this song mean to you? What do you expect from me?

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Trust us: there is a reason why we are all professionals.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: My Hummingbird, Strat, Deluxe Reverb,a laptop and a Shure SM58 beta. Can't I have more, please?

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I've been a session musician for over 40 years, starting in London in the late 1970s and rolling with all the changes in that time. My starting point was simple: I'd do whatever I was asked, even if there was no money, because I'd meet other musicians, and other (paid) jobs would come out of those freebies. My aim was always that when I left the session the artist/producer would say "what a great musician." Notice that distinction: I didn't say "guitarist," I said "musician."

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Clean, simple, powerful.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: David Bowie, but sadly that won't happen now... He always had an ear for great guitarists and his music was honest. He also had a reputation amongst musicians as being one of the good guys.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The equipment is only as good as the people on either end of it. Your bedside manner is as important as your technical skill.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Anything except Jazz and metal.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Being sensitive to the song.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I play the song, not the chart. I look for parts rather than just jamming along, and whatever I play is done with passion and belief: that combination of feel and accuracy is what makes for good recordings. I provide the client with one close-mic, one room mic, and one track direct from the guitar pickup so they can re-amp if they want to.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: It depends on the job: for mixing I listen to the reference tracks and the client's rough mix, discuss their requirements and then get to work. First job is to put everything up and see what's on the tracks, then I start to build the mix around the vocal. I make a balance first, before touching EQ or compression. For guitar sessions, I set up a suitable amp, play the song a few times (recording everything I do to catch those initial instictive ideas!) and then start refining the parts.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a studio with 2 live rooms, an acoustic piano (upright oblique-strung Erard) and lots of guitars/amps and odd stringed instruments such as a Timple, Banjolele, Autoharp, etc.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Jeff Beck, Underworld, Bob Clearmountain, Keith Richards, Vince Gill, and all the unsung heroes behind the desk whose names no-one knows.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Guitar recording, mixing, editing, songwriting.