Attention Southern California members!

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Attention Southern California members!

Postby Whopbamboom » Fri Feb 21, 2020 2:31 am

Hello all... this post mainly concerns players in SoCal since they would be within driving distance, but I first should say this:
I've been away from this forum for about 11 years now, after experiencing a huge event in my life, but am trying to become active again. Long story I'll save you from hearing. I expect to pop in from time to time, but not sure if I can possibly devote the same kind of time to this specific forum that I once did years ago. That being said...

I am now in the process of preparing for the recording of a song, the first of over 100 written along with my wife over the last 15 years. This particular recording will be perfect with a certain type of conga sound I am trying to chase down. I need to do two things that you guys can probably help out with:
-- locate some great players in the Southern California area that might be interested in doing some session work, either in pre-production or in production
-- locate some players (no matter the skill level) in the SoCal area that have in their possession some dry sounding congas that I could possibly visit and listen to in person. These will be congas with thick skins (steer/bull/mule), not the thin Asian water buffalo skins that come on the mass-produced stuff. The mass-produced drums just don't have what I'm looking for, as those ring way too much! I expect I'll likely find what I'm looking for with drums like Moperc, Isla, etc. etc. etc. and perhaps vintage mahogany Gon Bops with thick skins might do it as well.
Also, perhaps a lower tuning is also what will help yield the sound?

Here's the dry afro-cuban (not salsa-type) sound that I'm trying to chase down (Youtube links below):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqCXz8I5anE (They were playing in a small room over carpet, but the drums are still "dry" by themselves)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlgU77zanVo (Here is an example of a dry conga that has shorter sustain, being played in room with more reflective surfaces... I think closer to the final sound I am trying to achieve in my recording)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5cELP06Mik (A classic recording to show how these types drums can sound in a music mix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s4KfO7xX-0 (One more classic recording with a different musical context)

Thank you all in advance for any help!
Whopbamboom
 
Posts: 588
Joined: Sun May 13, 2007 8:02 pm

Re: Attention Southern California members!

Postby Whopbamboom » Fri Feb 21, 2020 6:12 pm

Crud, that third link got messed up. Fixed it so you can see it now. That one was Buena Vista Social Club's "Chan Chan". Great song, cool vintage sound... and dry congas in a room that has some reflection.

Also, perhaps you guys can identify the sizes of drums being used in "Chan Chan" and in "You're no Good" as posted in these links above?
Whopbamboom
 
Posts: 588
Joined: Sun May 13, 2007 8:02 pm


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