A few patrons have expressed interest in hearing more of my guide vocals. These mixes are akin to the files I sent to Michael and Danielle, so they can learn their parts for TO TOUCH THE MILKY WAY. I think when people hear the album, they assume the vocalists created their own melodies; in fact you’ll hear that I am very specific with what I have in mind. I spend months with the lyrics and backing tracks, perfecting the timing and melody. You’ll find these quite close to the final versions, except — of course — that Michael and Dani are great vocalists!

I’ve never considered myself to have lead vocalist qualities. There’s not enough personality in my voice, in my opinion. Others have said they like my voice. I guess this is a case of “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

TO TOUCH THE MILKY WAY is the first album I’ve used MELODYNE pitch correction on my guides; this subtle change really helps give my vocalists an exact guide for what I have in mind. At the same time, I don’t think you notice it on these tracks, because I haven’t gone all Cher with it!

The spoken part in the middle of “Memories” and the backing vocals in the 2nd half are the same as on the album. I kept myself in those sections (and Dani’s in there too).

One reason I don’t share guide mixes with you during the creation of the album is I don’t want my voice to get stuck in your head; I’d rather you hear the songs with the vocalists, as I intended it. I don’t want you comparing it to what I sang as a guide, I want you to experience the lyrics and melodies for the first time.

I’m pretty comfortable letting you hear these now. I think they sound alright. I can’t say that about my guides from 10 or 20 years ago. ;-)

I rendered these mixes today. The musical parts are the same as on the album, levels are roughly the same; though unmastered. My vocals have in-the-box reverb, vs. the actual Lexicon I used on the final mixes.

Let me know what you think.