Getting closer to complete

Rick Salt and Joel Spillette

Blaise Zhiam

The upcoming BoodAbooM album is still in production down at Lois Lane Studio. The bulk of the recording has been done, bed tracks, the majority of the guitar tracks, keyboards and lead vocals have been laid down. We are still adding the harmony vocals and a few other odds and sods before sitting back in “digesting mode”. That’s when it’s time for critical listening, as well as deciding any final judgement calls on the mix. We were moving along quite well and should be finished within the next couple of months. A few schedule set backs happened as we allowed for other acts to bump in when needed, but that was taken into consideration some time ago.

The songs are feeling great with wonderful performances from the same crew that put together the “Choices” album. Blaise is of course on bass as an integral element in the BoodAbooM sound, joined by Billy Hicks on drums, Joel Spillette on keyboards, myself on the majority of guitars with Rick Salt lending his magic guitar licks to a few of the songs as well. The songs are ranging from lay back ballads to full out rockers, toe tappers, foot stompers and a reggae tune in the middle to round things out. Twelve songs strung together around a theme of mindful awareness, appreciation and consideration for all things.

A couple of gigs have come and gone since my last entry, a rare BoodAbooM duo show in a local pub and a fund raiser for the local food bank. Pub gigs are fun, but many of our fans who had hoped to enjoy the usual engaged performance were faced with a packed pub which is considerably noisier than our concert / coffee house shows. The place was hopping and stayed that way all night. The opportunity did give Blaise and myself a chance to lean into the party time tunes which is always a blast. Tunes from “Toots and the Maytals” to “Ben Harper” mixed in with “Leonard Cohen” and “Bruce Springsteen” were served up ala BoodAbooM style. The food bank fund raiser was a concert environment held at Headliners in Nanaimo. The talent was quite amazing and included Jayden Holman, Mikaila Tombe, and young guitar prodigy Ian Perry. Terrazetto also deserves an honourable mention for their great performance. Ken and Len put on one helluva show.

Recently I compiled and posted a video for the song “Hummingbird” from my “Choices” album on YouTube. I love those little birds and was happy to realize they are in abundance around our new home. Our previous home was also a haven for hummingbirds which was the inspiration for the song. Please have a look and share a link with your friends who might enjoy.

The next show for BoodAbooM will be November 2nd when Blaise and I will be opening the show for Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart who are performing at Headliners in downtown Nanaimo. Stacey and her husband Mark are song writers who have toured internationally with their Americana Roots music style. Stacey is Steve Earle’s sister and both she as well as husband Mark toured with “The Dukes” in the early stages of Steve’s career before branching out on their own. I’m sure it will be a great show. Tickets are available by contacting Headliners, Arbutus Music or at Fascinating Rhythms in Nanaimo.

Beyond all of this I have had some correspondence with the folks on the Occupy Canada facebook page. With their permission, I will be compiling images taken during last year’s Occupy movement efforts and posting them in video form with the song “Start A Revolution” from my Choices album. It seems fitting, since I am a supporter of passive resistance as a means to edge toward change. Everyone knows, the world needs change. “Choices” which includes both of the mentioned songs is available for download from iTunes and at CD Baby.

Stay tuned to this blog for news about upcoming shows, videos, progress of the BoodAbooM album, as well as where and when we are having our CD release parties. Yes, there is likely going to be more than one!

Fall is arriving out here on the west coast and it’s been a beautiful transition from one season to the next. Although it’s been dry gentle weather out here, soon it will be colder yet. As with all things, that too will pass.  Everything changes, nothing stays the same, before you know it, summer comes around again.

Remember, treating everyone and everything with loving kindness brings the love back to you. Be kind to each other.
Brother T

Comments can be sent to boodaboomband@gmail.com