Recording Diary

Poles Apart

A reflection by Alex Kerwin on the 'all stars' weekend as the band recorded the soon-to-be-released 'Poles Apart' CD.

As we waved Keith and Phyll Farrington off at the airport on their intrepid journey down under, we breathed a heavy sigh, not just of relief of completing this mammoth project but also in sadness that our job was over.

To gather the cream of Australasian banding was no mean feat. From the first meeting in Riki McDonnell's office to the unplugging of the microphones after the recording it was a huge undertaking. It of course helps when you are driven by one of the most enthusiastic, generous and motivated men in music, Riki McDonnell.

Riki told me whom he wanted in the band and between us we co-ordinated arrival times, posted music and kept in regular contact with each player. We had players from Brisbane, Australia, Wellington, Blenheim and Christchurch as well as Aucklanders.

Riki McDonnell and Keith Farrington

Each one of the players involved are highly respected and decorated players. We even had Kevin Jarrett MBE on the back row!

When we were initially given the green light from Trevor Caffull for the recording to go ahead, by an almighty co-incidence I received an email from Keith Farrington from Doyen Recordings. I have been fortunate to work with Keith several times and he produced my debut CD, The Kerwin Sound two years ago. Keith mentioned that he was visiting New Zealand for a holiday, so I asked very nicely if he would produce ‘Poles Apart'. Thankfully he said yes to the job.

Riki McDonnell and Alex Kerwin

The idea behind the title track ‘Poles Apart' is quite simple, Riki's a New Zealander and I'm from Huddersfield, England. We asked my husband Simon Kerwin to write us a duet that would be almost a musical fight between the northern and southern hemispheres. I'm not going to give away which songs are used; you'll have to buy the CD when it comes out! We also recorded another of Simon's compositions again a duet for cornet and euphonium which is more of a duelling banjos, anything you can do, I can do better idea. We had a lot of fun with that.

Simon Kerwin rehearsing the band

We started recording on Friday evening (March 3rd), with the piano. It was an easy decision to use Lee Farley as our piano accompanist. Lee is another positive person and an accompanist you don't have to dictate to, she feels the music so well and communicates without needing to talk, which is a dream for a soloist.

Some people find it so easy to do recordings, and revel in the fact that you can take musical risks. I on the other hand, find them to be very daunting. If you make a mistake, the pressure is on to get it right after all time is money! You have to be mentally prepared too.

When you manage a band or any project in fact, you gear yourself up for problems (or challenges as Riki likes to call them). After we had recorded with the piano, we set up the band seats and stands. I had been expecting a problem (ok Riki a challenge!). I was sure that someone would have missed a flight, or decided to set a jelly that night instead, well you know what I mean, I figured that someone would make an excuse and back out. To my absolute astonishment, I didn't get any call offs and not one person was late. On every seat was placed a polo shirt and cap with "Poles Apart, Kiwi All Stars Recording 2006" embroidered on it as a souvenir for everyone. It was almost overwhelming to see everyone sat down in their places raring to go. There was a real excited atmosphere, friends were reunited and there was chance to make new acquaintances.

Solo Cornet section

The job of getting the band to play well all weekend was given to Howard Taylor. Howard is a Cornishman, who moved to New Zealand several years ago and enjoyed success at the 1999 New Zealand Championships with Waitakere. Then a couple of years ago, Howard moved to Australia where his work with Brisbane Excelsior has seen them not only winning the Australian Championships 2005 but also gaining an invitation to All England International Masters.

Right from the first note, you could tell that this was something special. To have Phil Johnstone and Rick Casagrande on BBb tubas wow! It was like hearing the organ in Huddersfield Town Hall!

During the course of the weekend we recorded many pieces including, Hungarian Melodies by Vincent Bach, Time Piece by Norman Bearcroft, Sounds from the Hudson by Herbert Clarke and Summer Isles by Philip Sparke plus many more.

On Saturday evening we descended on Daikoku Japanese restaurant to enjoy a great meal and to catch up with our many friends in the band.

Daikoku Japanese Restaurant

Throughout the weekend Riki McDonnell, had a smile on his face like it was his birthday and Christmas all rolled into one. He kept saying how fabulous it was. Riki performed sublimely all weekend, he is such a musical player and so dependable, I don't think I've heard him split a note! Because he is so positive, it rubs off on everyone and there was no animosity or stress. There was just a sense of fun from everyone including Keith Farrington. When you hear Keith's dulcet Lancashire accent coming through loud and clear over the speakers you can't help but chuckle, especially when Howard tried to communicate with Keith by bending down and talking to Keith through the speaker and not over the many microphones that were set up! We had the very best sound engineer engaged for the CD, Paul McGlashan is one of the most sought after engineers in New Zealand, and it was obvious why. He has the very best equipment and knowledge of how to produce the best results.

Howard Taylor, Mason Elliott and Ashley Gittins

Early on Sunday afternoon, we completed the recording. It was then time to pack everything down and load the van with percussion. The adrenaline was still running high; there was a real sense of anti-climax mixed with relief. I was delighted that we had accomplished a great recording but so sad that it was at an end.

To celebrate the end of the recording and also his birthday, Riki invited all the band, engineer, producer and spouses to his glorious house in Rothesay Bay. It is an astonishing house with an amazing music room and lots of gizmos and gadgets. And on Sunday it was filled with sounds of laughter, clinking of glasses and Riki saying how ‘sensational' everything is!

Alex and Simon Kerwin

The CD will be released hopefully within the next few months on the Doyen Solo Series Label. Many thanks go to Trevor Caffull, Keith Farrington, Dr Nicholas Childs, Howard Taylor, Simon Kerwin, the Kiwi All Stars and The McDonnell family for all their assistance and hospitality and to Riki McDonnell for his sunny disposition, awesome playing and never ending generosity.

Alexandra Kerwin 2006