New artiste Ben Haynes - using pedal steel!

[Mark]

I played pedal steel on a track for a young artiste called Ben Haynes - He has an EP of original material released today called - Whisper In My Ear - The producer had in mind the feel of a Neil Young track. Ben Kieth played steel for Neil and sadly passed away a few years ago. Something that was a little confusing... and a first for me... the artistes name is Ben Haynes... and the producers name is Ben Haynes... but they're different people! Confusing All the instruments are real... real drums and real strings etc... That's the first thing that struck me... the feel and sound is so real... and there's plenty of steel in there.

https://soundcloud.com/benhaynesmusic/whisper-in-my-ear-the-art-of-living-ep

Mark

[Will C]

Is it just me, or does he sound like Ray Lamontaigne? Nice work...

[Mark]

Yes Will, I can hear that... I really like the Ben's clarity, phasing and how he paces the vocal... The steel part was a challenge... the 'normal' filling the gaps didn't work (I did try it!), because the gaps needed to be uncluttered... The steel part weaves around the vocal part, sometimes like a counterpoint part, sometimes emphasising a vocal line.

[Will C]

I like to think of it in terms of colour.. delicate shades of water colour here and there to add atmosphere rather than the traditional "my turn now" approach often used in country. I did the same for Dan Greenwood in March. Less is more...

[LWhittemore]

Sounds great Mark!

Ben's a friend of mine, Very talented musician, We played in a band together for a few years. He was only 15 then and a fantastic drummer!