How we recorded our third record                september 2008

Last year the vocal group was forming really long. The idea came to my mind in autumn. It had to be another artistic program combining music and poetry and entitled “In blue”. And at that moment, despite the fact that we did not realize that, it was our third record “in embryo”.

Buy why our own songs, not well-known hits? It is no use questioning the position and the influence of the latest hits, but we wanted something new and different. Our plan consisted of two stages: recording our own songs and recording a few hits. So far, the first stage has been completed.

We decided to start recording in winter, but there were some delays due to the fact that Direct studio had been reserved by other music groups. Finally, we had to make a decision and we began to record our record in RGstudio in Gdańsk.

Sessions in Gdańsk

The first meeting in the studio was in May, when, traditionally in Poland, final examinations in secondary schools take place.

RGstudio in Gdańsk is huge and impressive. The smaller studio was being renovated and modernised, so the only choice was the concert studio.

Michał Mielnik ushered us into the studio, but it was Tomasz Cybula who was responsible for the sessions. We agreed on two long sessions, because of the distance between Tczew and Gdańsk. One of the meetings, “the evening one”, was with a break for coffee to refresh ourselves. Our way home from that session was really long. It was raining heavily, so we were glad eventually reaching our destination.

The guitar tracks were recorded mostly in RGstudio in Gdańsk as well as most vocals. However, high costs made us resign and move to Directstudio, which was connected with so-called “exporting” of our session.

The electric guitar in “Wieczorna fala” (Evening Sea Wave), some short motives and the introduction to blues, were already created in Directstudio. Also, already in Tczew, other instruments were recorded and mixes along with mastering were completed.

The vocalists

Last year there were more girls in the group then  the ones you can hear singing the songs from the latest record: Kasia Okuniewska, Magda Demidowicz, Magda Chrzanowiecka, Kasia Szreder  returned to our group after some time, Magda Piwońska, Magda Marulewska and Ania Kraj. The last four cooperated with the group as students. Actually, with the last four we decided to record a few hits and our own songs. However, I eventually invited three of them: Magda Piwońska, Magda Marulewska and Ania Kraj to help me to create the new record.  Frankly speaking, they were very busy at that time, working, studying and taking one examination after another. Fortunately, we managed to complete our task successfully.

Now a few words about the girls:

Magdalena Piwońska, who is studying education, has a nice, warm and subtle voice with an interesting vibrato. There is some shyness and naturalness in her. She is always ready to work hard in the group.

Magdalena Marulewska, who is studying at Gdańsk Polytechnic, has a bright and moving voice. She is creative and I can always count on her when it comes to creating new vocal lines or singing higher parts in the songs.

Anna Kraj (studying law) has a kind of inborn sensibility and sort of instinct what and how to sing, she is also creative and very dynamic.

We all put a lot of effort into recording our third record, trying to make it diverse in respect of atmosphere and expression.

The Musicians

Our main concert was to invite young and talented musicians to take part in recording. I feel very grateful to Piotr Kowalski and Adam Przybyłowski Junior.

Jan Rejnowicz, who played so beautifully on the keyboard, is one of Peter’s friends. Peter, as a basist, also played brilliantly. Peter is a creative and universal musician as far as different music styles are concerned. It was such versatility that was required in the songs. Michał Szczeblewski, a drummer and session musician, created interesting and sometimes unexpected impressions in some songs, whereas in others he provided dynamics enriching the sound. Jakub Kubicki, a trumpeter who does not have to be recommended because it is his playing itself that is a good recommendation of his music skills, gave the record an ultimate shape. All that he did was done with a good taste. We are particularly grateful for a solo in the key of B which is definitely “unfriendly” for a trumpet. Once again: special thanks!

 I would like to mention one more person. I mean Adam Przybyłowski Junior. Although he did not perform as a musician, his advice and numerous tips contributed to the final sound of the record “In blue”.

The cover

To see that the cover is interesting and esthetical is nothing difficult. Just take it and have a look at it. Our assumption, i.e. its designer (Łukasz Liedtke) and mine was promoting Tczew and the secondary school no 1 in Tczew! The vocal group desired to give a share in 750 anniversary of founding the city and in 60 anniversary of establishing our school. This is why the front page is a photo of a characteristic, 19^th century multi-span steel bridge over The Vistula River ( a photo by Iwo Dylkiewicz). Inside the cover you can find Szkoły Morskiej Street taken at night. The way paced by many pupils and teachers every day. On the back, among others, there is a logo of our school.

I would like to give special thanks to all people who devoted their time and energy and helped us to record a new CD.

Agata Demidowicz

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Ukojenie – CONSOLATION

Za oknem – OUTSIDE

Bosa Blue Bossa – BAREFOOT BLUE BOSSA

Kołysanka dla Anusi – LULLABY FOR ANUSIA

Wieczorna fala – EVENING SEA WAVE

Prosty blues po polsku – SIMPLE BLUES IN POLISH

Ogień -FIRE