The Shanty Hounds brand new album, “Unleashed! Live At Grunts, Key West” is on the cusp of being released! We've had friends who helped us out thus far via a Go Fund Me that Dani set up, so these folks will be receiving the first copies. This is naturally a priority. Once these are shipped, the album will be available to all.
The quality of this recording; the production, recording, mixing, and mastering is the best I've ever heard for any album recorded in a bar. Honestly, it is truly astounding! The credit for this goes to our producer, Ian Shaw of Warmfuzz Studios of Key West and London, England, for the production, recording, and mixing. The mastering was done with Denis Blackham of Skye Mastering from Isle of Skye, Scotland, U.K.
Ian Shaw
Mind you, I'm not commenting on the band's performance. That's for others to evaluate. However, all of the aforementioned, anyone with something north of a tin ear would have no choice but say the same thing. Ian and Denis did a truly outstanding effort with this recording and in doing so, raised the industry standard for live recordings.
As of this moment the album hasn't been released, however, it has been sent to the radio stations. In less than a day, two stations have already commented on it.
One said that it sounded like a studio recording done with a live audience. Again, that's a true tip of the hat to Ian and Denis!
Let's take a quick look at the recording environment Ian had to work with. Grunts is a very small bar that started life in 1890 as, what is known here as a “Conch House”. It first was located on the corner of Front Street and Duval. In 1948 it was moved to its current location, 409 Caroline Street. It is approximately 500 Sq. Ft. in size. Here it was purchased thirty-five years ago and turned into a bar by the current owner. When you think about it, here is this small, little house/bar dating from 1890 and the recording was regarded by a radio station owner as sounding like it was recorded in a studio! Truly amazing!
The second station principal also noted the “top-notch production”.
Dani has three solo releases out prior to this. I have played with Dani standing two feet away from her for over almost five years. I never felt her recorded vocals did her justice. Her live performances always were so much more dynamic sounding. When the recordings arrived yesterday I took it upstairs to our studio, while she did something else downstairs. When the second song, “Meet Me On The Boardwalk”, came on, I paused it and ran downstairs to get her! I dragged her upstairs and we listened to it. Holy smokes! This album captures Dani's full power and range. Just incredible!
As a matter of fact, this album captures the true excitement of a Shanty Hounds gig! That's not something that I felt could be captured. I'm thrilled to say I was wrong! When listening, all I suggest you do is.... Crank It Up!!!
This naturally has live versions of some of our songs, which many know from both Dani and my previously released albums. We've also added two new songs, which are in almost every live performance that we've done over the last two years, “Yippie Cayo Hueso”, a homage to Key West. Cayo Hueso (say Cai O Way So) is the original name of Key West in Spanish, which translates to Bone Key. The other “Tote The Load” which is a duet.
The live audience was just out of this world! Many are locals who support us. Our friend Pat Henriques encouraged all to sing along with us on the choruses of “Yippie Cayo Hueso” and what a great job they did!
Pre-Show Prep 1
Pre-Show Soundcheck
We get by with a lot of help from our friends! Those who helped with the Go Fund Me, Ian and Denis for the total recording production and mastering, our fabulous friends who came by for support at the gig itself, to the radio stations who offer to play us, and of course, those who purchase the end product.Darrin Raposa for coming up with the name “Unleashed!” (Perfect!) Everything is part of the big wheel and we thank each and every one of you!
The CD will be available at our gigs and via CD Baby. Downloads will be through all of the major outlets (iTunes, Amazon, etc)
The Shanty Hounds “Unleashed! Live at Grunts, Key West”
- “Yippie Cayo Hueso!” © Christopher R. Rehm, BMI
- “Meet Me On The Boardwalk” © Danielle L. Hoy, BMI
- “Liveaboard” © Christopher R. Rehm, BMI
- “Songs of Love and the Ocean” © Danielle L. Hoy, BMI
- “My Little Island Town” © Christopher R. Rehm, BMI
- “Drunk On Mallory Square” © Danielle L. Hoy BMI
- “The Beach!!!!” © Christopher R. Rehm BMI
- “I Like It Hot” © Danielle L. Hoy BMI
- “Tote The Load” © Christopher R. Rehm BMI
Dani Hoy – Vocals and Guitar, percussion, harmonica, and Kazoo
“Key West Chris” Rehm – Vocals and Lead Guitar
Bob Tucker – Bass, Vocals
John Sausser – Drums and Percussion
On Wednesday, October 10 (the day this is blog is released) at 8PM EST 104.9 The X here in Key West will not only do a live debut of the entire album but will also broadcast it from our house at a BBQ we're having! No doubt they will be chatting with Dani and myself as well, plus we are hoping Ian Shaw will stop by too! He just re-set the bar for the quality of live recordings, so hopefully, he'll have time to swing by too! http://thexkeywest.com/
Additionally, Danny Lynn of Tiki Man Radio would also like to interview us and showcase the album, hopefully within the next week. Time and date TBA shortly tikimanradio.com
I'll keep you posted via my Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/ChrisRehm09
For those heading to MOTM in November, be sure to add our CD Release Party at Grunts, 409 Caroline St Thursday, Nov1, 8 - 11 PM!
Remember The Shanty Hounds Creed:
"If you're not having fun, I'm afraid we're going to have to ask you to leave!" 😅 😀😀
Thank you for reading my blog!
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