I started the 'roadmap' for my new interpretation of REELIN' before the turn of the century. I've always heard a 'different spin' on this great tune - from the moment Donald and Walter played me the unfinished track, I heard the 2 harmony guitars in the interludes, knowing that one day I'd interpret those phrases using the Celtic instruments they were meant for. My quest took me to Bill Whelan (composer of Riverdance), who introduced some of Ireland's finest trad players to the mix. And finally, here it is.
I recruited my bandmates Bernard Purdie and Chuck Rainey from the 'Royal Scam' LP - I grew up with them in the studios, and just knew that they were the perfect players for this track. I traveled a lot in the process of putting all these fine musicians together - New York for Purdie and Marc Quiñones, Texas for Rainey, Ireland for some of the wonderful Celtic playing, London for the brilliantly subtle piano of Wayne Brown and the dulcet tones of Hamish Stuart... and finally to the great North of England for the topping - Tasmin Archer singing lead.
I finally feel that my 'painting' of an already great song is complete, and it gives me great pleasure to share it with you.
from
Still Reelin' [EP],
released June 8, 2006
* * *
Elliott Randall, Guitars;
Bernard Purdie, Drums;
Chuck Rainey, Bass;
Wayne Brown, Piano;
Tasmin Archer, Lead Vocal;
Hamish Stewart, Elliott Randall, Tasmin Archer, Vocals;
Declan Masterson, Uilleann Pipes;
Robbie Harris, Bodhrán;
Zoë Conway, Fiddle;
Marc Quiñones, Latin Percussion;
Peter Fish, Synclavier;
Steve Donnelly, Acoustic Guitar;
Simon Hanhart, Jon Fausty, "Pappy" Middleton, Rob Mounsey, John Arias, Philip Begley, Elliott Randall, Recording Engineers;
Godfrey Diamond, Mix Engineer;
Scott Hull, Mastering Engineer