DUMPSITE, Page 20

  Solly was nowhere to be found. His assistant was on the job directing all the arriving guests to their table’s. The place was filled. Every table was taken and a line was starting to form. Solly’s able assistant had a look of despair on his long narrow face and his posture was beginning to fail him. But he was not about to fall on his face. When the first problem arose, he stepped around the corner, pulled up his pants, licked his hands, checked his eyebrows and stepped out a new man. He explained to the gathering crowd it would only be a short wait. His new-found demeanor did him well.

  As the dynamic trio exited the café they talked briefly about the string session. They would meet at 3:00 in the studio to confirm all was in readiness. They felt a reassuring sensation throughout their psyche; they would soar to new musical heights.

  Mother went to his office and checked the phone for messages. There was one. He listened. Noodles asked for a return call. His call must not be very important for him to leave the message on the machine rather than calling Mother’s cell.

  He would wait an hour before calling Noodles. He first would check the front desk to see if Maggie was back. Cassandra was on duty. She told him, no Maggie this morning, the log had no mention of her coming back.

  Muddy went to the studio after he changed to a relaxing set of sweats. He had brown pants with pockets, a tan top and a towel around his neck. He looked like he was about to attempt a five-mile run, make it half-mile. No, he was about to play the drums. He would get himself in a good frame of mind for the upcoming session. Muddy banged away contentedly, for over two hours.

  Jonas was more relaxed for this session. He had a chance to talk to Belle before she went to work. She had taken the opening at the new law office in Toms River. The first few days were somewhat stressful, but she was getting the hang of the law vocabulary.

  Jonas rechecked the list as he confirmed to himself the places he picked were what he remembered and Chicago was where the case had been left. If only the used furniture store has the name of the purchaser filed away. Forget about it, he thought; let’s hope the place is still there.

  Duke–Dash arrived around one o’clock with his good friend Clea Lucia. He spotted Mother.

  “Are we ready,” Duke asked,

  “As ready as we’ll ever be,”

  “Good, let’s eat.”

  Muddy had finished beating the drums and returned to his suite, showered and shaved. It was getting close to the sweetening hour! Three o’clock came; the dynamic trio was in the studio ready to go. All was in readiness. Carl had also arrived; he was setting the chairs in place. He followed the chart which showed six first violins, six second violins, four violas, two cellos and a double bass. The chart also listed the microphones needed and their placement. One 414 microphone at the center of the six first violins, another in the center of the six second violins. Both the microphones hovered from a large boom over the head of the center violin about four feet above the instrument. The violas had a separation of three feet between them. There were four and they sat in two rows of two. The U-86, was hovering above the violas similar to the violin set up. All were in a slight semi-circle. The double bass was three feet from the violas facing front with a RE-20 microphone set three feet from the bridge as a small four-foot-high gobo separated the double bass from the other instruments.

  There were three other microphones setup slightly away from the sections but pointing in the direction of each, they were set to omni in order to pick up the overall sound. This could be considered excess but with a smaller then usual sized string section this would fatten the sound. Extra care was taken to make sure the phase of each microphone was correctly set. As the string players arrived. Carl guided them to their seats and gave each a music stand for their charts.

  Duke waited for all to arrive before he entered. He noticed some young folks in the group as well as the trained veterans. Angelo Salvatore played first violin. He usually let one of the other violinist tune the group. He also did all the hiring. Angelo was in his 60s and was a symphony player when not in the studio.

  “We’ll start with Helen Oh Helen, take a short rest and go to The Long Road Back,” Duke told the production crew.

  “I’m ready when you are Duke,” Mother said. “I’ll get my final levels as you run down the song.”

  “I’m looking forward to hearing your final arrangements, Duke,” said an excited Jonas.

  “Me too,” Muddy echoed.

  The strings were tuned and ready to go. They were chit chatting with each other until Duke hit his music stand with the baton. He instructed them to let him know if he had made any transcription mistakes. They acknowledged. He had a few short explanations to help them understand the charts before he counted them in. In less then twenty minutes Duke was ready. Mother set the levels; Jonas and Muddy were itching for the session to begin.

  “Ready, Mr. Mother!”

  Mother slated the violin track. Duke counted the violin parts in as the track was playing. The strings came in on the first chorus, then continued on the second verse. They played on the bridge and continued with a very different part as the saxophone played the short solo. All sounded good.

  “Duke it sounded good in here, are all the players happy with their performance?”

  They were. Duke proceeded to double the track. The doubling was powerful as Muddy and Jonas gave thumbs up to Mother. When the doubling was done Duke told the musicians he wanted a few vibrato parts in the beginning and in a few places throughout the song for effect. He had a single sheet which he handed to everyone.

  Mother asked, “What’s up Duke?”

  “We’ll be doing one more track; let me know if it works.”

  The song started, but Duke missed the cue and Mother started again. This time it flowed. The added part was very interesting. Something which made the parts where the vibrato was played stand out in a very natural way. Jonas and Muddy both loved the added effect. It gave the doo-wop song a push into the pop market.

  The song was done and everybody took five. Not Duke he had to get the charts ready for the next song. Carl collected the old charts as Duke placed the new charts on each music stand. There were bottles of water at a small table in the studio for the musicians as everyone stretched and relaxed for the next track. Muddy was in the studio talking to all the young ladies. Jonas and Mother discussed a few ideas in the bridge of The Long Road Back. They wondered how Duke had resolved the issue with the transition to the bridge. They would know in a few minutes. Mostly they told stories of their sessions in years past.

  Re-gathering with a quick tune up they were ready.

  “Let it run,” Duke called.

  After slating the song, the track started. A short piano intro and the strings were in. Then out for the first verse. The French horns would carry the verse. The strings sounded full and vibrant. Take one was done in three plus minutes.

  “Chill for five minutes,” Duke told the musicians as he headed to the control room. I don’t have them doing anything for the outro, does anyone feel there should be strings there. Muddy was silent and waited for Jonas and Mother. Both said they would not be needed.

  Jonas, complimented Duke on the whole arrangement and said, “I can’t wait to hear what you came up with for the ending.”

  “Love it! Muddy said.

  Duke’s peacock feathers were in full array as he headed back into the studio.

  “All right, let’s double and then we have an ending to do on this song. Very short,” He explained to the musicians. “Great job from all of you.”

  The double went down in one take. Mother saved the project and loaded the take with the ending. Duke handed out the single paper chart for the ending which the group ran through.

  “Give me four for nothing Mother,” Duke asked. “Watch me as there will be four measures before you come in, follow my lead for the crescendo and cut.”

  Duke gave Mother the high sign and they hit the end. Not quite as Du
ke wanted but a quick explanation and they were ready. This time they hit it perfect. “Double while we have it!” Duke hollered.

  “Ready, Mr. Duke.” Mother replied. And the double was done.

  “Let’s listen to both tracks, this one first,” Duke asked.

  “I’m wiped out,” Muddy said. “and I haven’t done anything!”

  They all listened intently as did the musicians. The ending came first, they listened three times and were satisfied. Then the whole song played; it sounded great. Mother switched to Helen Oh Helen and with the same frame of mind they scrutinized the track.

  “We have a go!” said Mother. “Thank you all and thank you Angelo.”

  “Will the horn session go as well as this one?” asked a wondering Mudd.

  “Probably, but you never know,” Jonas told him.

  Thirty-five — Evening Session

  The afternoon session had gone well and didn’t run over which saved a few dollars. The evening session was set for eight. Carl, with the help of M&M, set the seating and microphones for the horns. There would be two French horns, two flutes, three trumpets, one trombone, two tenor saxophones, two alto and one baritone. One of the trumpet players would switch to a fugal horn on The Long Road Back. Duke looked relieved.

  “You look like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders,” said Jonas.

  “I’m more comfortable with the horns, glad the strings are done.”

  “The moneymen will be here tomorrow for the vocal sessions,” Mother told everyone. “I’m sure they will like what we finish today.”

  “Is Vikki singing on The Long Road Back?” asked Muddy.

  “Yeah, she is. Jules is doing the lead on Helen Oh Helen and Duke has agreed to give Outta Reach a try,” Jonas told Muddy.

  “Great, it sounds super. What about the harmonica solo in Outta Reach and the background vocals, who’s doing them?” Muddy continued his query.

  “We have Mervin coming in to do the harmonica solo early tomorrow. There are numerous folks doing the background vocals. As of yet we haven’t decided who’s doing what. It’s something we will sit down and discuss after the horn session,” Mother said.

  “Sounds like there is a lot to be done before we can mix,” Muddy suggested.

  “With all the talent we have at hand, it will go quickly,” Jonas came back.

  “It’s all really going well,” Mother concluded.

  As the dynamic trio and Duke were chillin’ Solly arrived to work his evening shift. He was checking on Maggie and found she had been a busy little beaver all day. As he was readying for the dinner crowd, Mother called.

  “Hey Solly, do you have any news?”

  “Nothing earth shattering, we’re busy with the drug bust. Still no Sean.”

  Solly went to the front desk, motioned Cassandra aside, not wanting any communication between them caught in the bug. Since she was working the desk all had been quiet. Gerald had been keeping to himself, Cassandra hadn’t seen him since three this afternoon.

  “Thanks Cassandra,” Solly said. “The office is running around as if chasing its own tail but no sign of Sean. The younger men who were picked up during the raid have been released but two of Sean’s older guys were still in custody. Agent Weisman didn’t care what happened to them, they won’t talk and there’s no proof they were involved with anything illegal except they worked at the storage facility. All they did was load trucks with the boxes and unload other barrels and cartons as they came in.”

  “It’s too bad we didn’t catch Sean with the contraband and finish the job,” said Cassandra.

  “A small section of the office is trying to find the leak. How someone got the information to Sean before the raid is a mystery.” Solly explained.

  “I hope they get to the bottom of this mess so it can be resolved without another long fruitless time period passing.”

  “They will,” Solly told her. “See you later.”

  He returned to his spot at the entrance of the restaurant when Cassandra called his cell. He answered. She told him to look up, knowing his spot was bugged. As she got his attention she directed him to look to his right. It was Gerald; it looked like he was heading to Maggie’s room. What’s this all about, he thought. He gave a thank you wave to Cassandra.

  The horn players were starting to arrive. They should all be in the studio soon and ready for the evening session. The microphones were ready to be placed where they would do the most good.

  The horns were set up exactly as the chart showed. Carl used two RE20’s, one on the trombones and the other on the trumpets. Two U86’s were hung from a boom over the saxophone section. A U87 picked up the baritone sax. The French horns each had a 421 a few feet from the bell. The flute had a U87 to work with.

  Duke was excited. The horns were his domain. He loved horn sections and was an expert in scoring charts for any type of music.

  The session started with a bang and ended with a bigger bang. All the tracks had the feel Duke emanated as he conducted. When the session was done and Duke came in the control room to listen to the tracks, he got many kudos. Jonas almost shock his hand off as he told him he had never heard a hotter horn section. Duke was flabbergasted and thanked Jonas.

  “That means a lot coming from a blues master like yourself.”

  Muddy tried to give Duke a high five but missed his hand. His mouth was still hanging in an open position. “I guess this means you liked the horns?” asked Duke.

  Muddy shook his head in an affirmative nod.

  While the dynamic trio was listening to the tracks, the boys from AC arrived; James, Chuck and Vince. They all loved what they were hearing.

  “Sounds like you had a couple of good sessions,” commented James.

  “Hey, Duke, you have any interest in doing some arrangements for a Broadway show?” Chuck inquired.

  “You bet I do,” Duke responded with no needed thought.

  “What have you guys done to my guitar work? It sounds incredible,” Vince glowed.

  “A touch of an aural exciter,” Mother told him, “you did the rest.”

  “What time do you want us in the studio tomorrow?” James inquired.

  “The first thing we are going to do will be around eleven in the morning. We have a harp man coming to solo on Outta Reach,” Mother told the group.

  “Why aren’t you playing the harp?” asked Vince.

  “We thought it would better to have an outsider do the session,” Mother said.

  “Not true,” Muddy injected, “Mother didn’t want to play. We all tried to get him to do it but no, he insisted on getting someone else.”

  “Well if it doesn’t work I’ll put him to work,” Duke said with a demeanor of both charm and distain.

  Solly popped his head in the door and inquired, “All done?”

  “Yes, were just getting the studio set for vocals.” Mother told him.

  “I only see one person working in the studio.”

  “He needs a lot of direction,” Muddy explained.

  “Mother, can you see me in my office when you’re done?” Solly asked.

  “I can be there in fifteen minutes.”

  “See you then, good evening to all.”

  Within fifteen minutes everything was complete. The studio was cleared and the door locked. Mother went to meet with Solly.

  Solly shared the information he thought Mother needed to know. He told him things were quickly going to come to a head. They were hoping to get information which would lead to finding Sean and his imminent arrest. With the bait Noodles had put out for all to see they felt sure within three to four days the case with the diamonds would be located; if they find a dead end no one else would ever find the diamonds. Solly put Mother at ease with his low-keyed explanation. Mother went to inform Mudd.

  “It certainly seems everything is under control.”

  “I don’t know Mother,” said an apprehensive Muddy, “I always worry wh
en I hear all is well.”

  “You’re watching too many B-movies.”

  “No, no,” Muddy adamantly said, “It’s a family thing. I can always smell trouble.”

  “The smell you’re talking about is coming from the kitchen.”

  “I’m heating a can of spaghetti, you want some?”

  “I’ll pass, see you in the morning.”

  Only Duke, Mother and Jonas were there for the harmonica work to be performed by Mervin. He was fifteen minutes late and he had had a few drinks. Duke was not happy!

  “Set up the track for Outta Reach, would you please.” Duke told Mother.

  Within a few minutes the track was up and ready. Mervin was playing as Mother was making a level check. He was slobbering all over the microphone. The notes were mostly flat, some were missed. Duke was not happy!

  “Let’s try a take,” Duke instructed Mervin.

  The take started but was not happening.

  “I’m going to tell him to forget about it,” declared a very frustrated Duke, “I don’t want to waste more time. We need time for the vocals. You know how they can drag on.”

  “Your call,” said Mother.

  “Get your harp out, you’re the guy.”

  Duke went into the studio and told Mervin, as he showed him the door. Unknown to anyone in the studio, Mervin went to see Gerald. It was a short visit.

  Mother had his harmonica. Carl took control of the board and the rest is history. Duke lit a fire under the harp man. The solo went well.

  The vocal microphones were set as Jules came into the control room.

  “I need a cup of coffee to warm my vocal cords, they’re still asleep,” said a light-hearted Jules.

  “I’ll get the coffee,” Carl told him. “How do you like it?”

  “Black.”

  The coffee woke up his vocal cords as well giving a spark of life to Jules. He went in the studio to have the U87 microphone with its windscreen adjusted to his height and started to run over the lyrics. The track for Helen Oh Helen started to play as Mother set the level for his vocal.