This is a track from the upcoming debut Dan Evick solo album, "Moving On". Dan is a folk blues artist from Wheeling, West Virginia and he has been developing his musicianship for the past few years. He is a singer, guitarist and trumpeter and has been a member of a few West Virginia area bands including Evick's Bag of Blues, Gunship 9 and Felis Leo.

This track was the first recorded for the album and the first song Dan has ever penned himself. We began recording it in November of 2015 with the most recent overdubs taking place in May of 2016. 

'Ship', like many of the songs on "Moving On" is primarily based around a solo guitar / vocal performance, later augmented by other musicians to fill out the sound. These musicians include:

Dan Evick - guitar, vocals, bass
Rachel Krems - double bass
Shane Powell - djembe 
Elisabeth Kiger - siren song
Ian Beabout - production

Special thanks also to Nathan James and Billy Salvatori, Creative Brain Trust, and to Natasha Muhametzyanova for the photo. 

"Ship" (working title) by Dan Evick

These are two nearly finished cuts from the upcoming Nick Prol album entitled "Loon Attic", featuring the performances of many musicians in the underground experimental scenes. 

Nick is a supremely talented avant garde pop composer (he calls it 'pop in opposition'), cartoonist and all around musical expert. He is influenced by people like Frank Zappa, Cardiacs, The Beach Boys, Henry Cow, XTC, Mike Keneally, The Residents and others. Nick recorded most of these tunes at home, with guests filling out the band and mixing completed by me.

Nick sang and played all the instruments except for where otherwise noted:

CARVINGS ON THE WALL

Charlie Cawood (Knifeworld) - bass, guitar, backwards oud
Dave Newhouse (The Muffins) - woodwinds, keyboards
Nathan James (Colouratora) - ahhhs
Connor Reilly (Mercury Tree) - Drums
Ian Beabout - production, editing

8TH WONDER

Dave Willey (Thinking Plague, Hamster Theatre) - accordion, bass, fuzz bass and cruddy mandolin
Mohadev Egg Helmet (Stop Motion Orchestra) - Fiery guitar-hand solo
Paul Sears (The Muffins) - Drums
Ian Beabout - production

"Carvings On The Wall / 8th Wonder" by Nick Prol & the Proletarians

To date, this is the biggest recording project I've been involved in. The entire recording consisted of 2 piano players, a drummer, a flutist and 17 singers. This is a small selection of a much larger project, but I thought I would share this recording to give those with interested ears a taste of some of the original music that's happening at West Liberty University. 

This is a selection from an original musical composed by my friend John Sherwood entitled "Ramayana - Past in Present." The musical is a retelling of the "Ramayana," an ancient Indian epic poem that inspired modern tales such as "Star Wars" and others.

The production ran in early September at West Liberty University and was performed by the school's Hilltopper Players Ensemble. The production was directed by WLU professor, Dr. Melinda Kreisberg, with assistance from Michael Aulick (co-director, script editor and scenic designer)and WLU's professor Dr. Linda Cowan serving as music director.

This recording was produced in the West Liberty University recording studio from December 12th-27th. In addition to assisting with sound reinforcement for the original production, I also acted as engineer and producer for these recordings. The personnel are as follows ...

Hanuman - Brady Dunn
Sugriva - Brent Kimball
Vanaras - Hunter Helms, Sarah Lemley, Grant Van Camp
Indrajit - Chad Grubb
Rakshasha - Emily Wade

Piano - Jessica Gulisek
Percussion and arrangements - Shane Powell

Produced by Ian Beabout and Nathan James
Mixed by Ian Beabout, Nathan James and John Sherwood

Special thanks to Dr. Matthew Harder

All performers permission was obtained for the posting of this recording.

"March Of The Bridge Builders" by John Sherwood

My pal Corey Knollinger and I have begun collaborating on music videos. The basic concept is to capture raw talent in an intimate studio environment - no overdubs or editing.

This is the second of the videos we've done together and features Morgantown's Chris Kuskey. Chris is a phenomenal musician and songwriter and this is an original, unreleased track from his upcoming album. Chris' style is self-described as 'arena jazz,' something with the pomp of rock music but the style and finesse of a jazz singer.

"Ghosts of You" was filmed entirely at West Liberty University's Recording Studio by Corey and yours truly, audio production by me (with additional assistance from Dan Evick.) I mixed and mastered the audio at home and Corey edited the video. Hope you enjoy!

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gbel8Y3Gsg

https://chriskuskey.bandcamp.com/

"Ghosts Of You" by Chris Kuskey

See the 'live in the studio' video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f26ZGFMwrlQ

Over a year ago, Dan Evick and I (my friend of some 10 years) embarked on an ambitious senior project. The plan was to demo and record a complete album of original material and promote said album - that includes music videos, radio and TV appearances, you name it. In those early discussions, we decided to cut a very 70s style music video 'in the studio' - black and white, complete with film grain and the works.

Dan and I were full of blind ambition but it was purely 'kismet' that we discovered award-winning filmmaker Corey Knollinger. Not only did Corey possess the technical know-how to accomplish this feat, but he's also a massive music fan. Combine that with an off-beat sense of humor and he fit right in to a close-knit, inside-reference laden friendship almost immediately. In other words, Corey 'gets' us.

This music video was not easy to make. We triumphed through countless animosities including cancellations, illness, weather, college student work and class schedules and time itself to realize this. It should be noted that with the exception of Dan himself, no one had ever played this song before. The 'band' was put together at the very last minute due to no small effort on the part of the dedicated and supremely talented supporting cast of players - and filmed and recorded in one complete, unbroken take with no overdubs, in the late hours of the evening.

"Moving On" is Dan's debut album and is the first release on Beabout Productions. It's a multimedia album project showcasing the talents of West Liberty University and Wheeling, WV area musicians, artists and filmmakers.

'Ship' is the first song Dan wrote for the album. This version was recorded live at West Liberty University's recording studio with audio provided by "Moving On" producer Ian Beabout and film shot and edited by Corey Knollinger.

The Dan Evick Band consists of:
Dan Evick - Vocals, guitar
Ryan Smurthwaite - classical guitar
Nathan James - bass
Brandon 'Tuna' Collins - cajon and shaker

"Ship" (Live Video Take) by Dan Evick

This is a track from the upcoming "Colouratura" album, by composer Nathan James. It is, as Nathan describes it, "a character piece" and was one of the first tracks recorded for the album.

When Nate and I listened back to the album a few weeks ago, we both agreed that the original 'Sea Shanty' was perhaps the only weak spot on the "Colouratura" album, so plans were made almost immediately to spruce it up. 

We assembled a band together and recorded the basic tracks of 'Sea Shanty' live in the studio in several unbroken takes. This is the 4th and final of those takes and the best. Later, Nate overdubbed the vocals and organ parts, with some sound design work from your's truly.

The band:

Nathan James - vocals, organ, mellotron, bass guitar, bass solo
Ryan Smurthwaite - guitar
Brandon 'Tuna' Collins - drums, slide whistle
Ian Beabout - production, sound design

Mixed by Ian Beabout and Nathan James

"Sea Shanty" by Colouratura (Nathan James)

St Patrick's Day may have ended a few short hours ago, but you can still enjoy this cover of the Irish traditional "Whiskey in the Jar" from Dan Evick's upcoming debut, 'Moving On' - out April 8th.

From a production standpoint, this was very much influenced by the movie 'Once,' which captures the Irish singer / songwriter in a raw state. Very early on, it was decided to keep things simple - no compression, very little EQ, and the only verb is on the tin whistle. We were also adamant about using only first or second takes on everything, in order to preserve the sanctity of a moment in time.

Dan Evick - guitar, vocal, mandolin, chain gang
Ian Beabout - tin whistle

"Whiskey In The Jar" by Dan Evick

This is a track from the upcoming Colouratura album, "Unfamiliar Skies"

This one's called NAUTILUS and it is a tribute to the 70s 'stoner metal' of Black Sabbath and Rainbow.

It features facemelting Tony Iommi meets Frank Zappa fretwork from guitar whiz Derek Pavlic, and the thunderous drums of Eric Holskey. A ‘method’ production of sorts, we had to expose the bass guitar to the elements until the strings rusted, to give it a deep sea murk, and Nathan sang the entire lead vocal through a waterlogged, 19th century diver helmet.

This is pay-as-you-want download, so you can all sync the NAUTILUS to all your favorite listening devices, and listen until you memorize the words and can air drum in your sleep. All proceeds will go toward finishing and releasing "Unfamiliar Skies" in 2018.

Have a happy new year. And, watch out for squids ......

Nathan James - tetanus bass, waterlogged vocals, keyboards
Derek Pavlic - guitar washes
Eric Holskey - drums, ebb and flow
Ian Beabout - sound design

Taken from the upcoming album “Unfamiliar Skies”, out Summer 2018.

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Ian Beabout at ShedSounds studio, October-December 2017

Words and music by Nathan James

“Spiraling down below
Caught in the undertow.
A metal rocket flies away
To the bottom to bury her
dead - Her dead ... her DEAD!

In a casket of steel they all trust
And they call her the Nautilus
It’s a prison of rivers and rust
Freedom lives in the Nau...til...US!

Ascending from the depths
They’re sinking battle ships
With an ice cold heart captaining
A ti-tan of suff-ring and
PAIN - And pain ... PAIN!

Disregard for the world that they lost
Raining death from the Nautilus
Nemo’s prison of rivets and rust
Freedom dies on the Nau-til-us.”

"Nautilus" by Colouratura

This is an extract from a much larger scale, 10 minute 'progressive rock' suite entitled 'Parallels.' It was composed back in June / July (around the release of the first album, and we knew right away this was going to be the opening number for the next album.

It features a full 'band' backing, plus woodwind arrangements by Dave Newhouse.

Colouratura are:

Nathan James - voice, keyboards, bass, horn 
Ian Beabout - flute, editing, sound design and production 

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Ian Beabout at ShedSounds Studio January 2017. Written by Nathan James.

The Players:

Nathan James - voice, organ, Coloracalliope
Derek Pavlic - bass, electric and acoustic guitar
Eric Holskey - drums
Dave Newhouse - woodwinds, sax arrangements
Mike LaRobinson - Trumpet
Ian Beabout - flute, sound design 

If you like what you hear, please consider donating to our GoFundMe campaign to release this album www.gofundme.com/unfamiliarskies.

"Parallels Movement 2 (Extract)" by Colouratura

I am a composer, flutist, producer and radio host. This is an account dedicated to tracks I have produced for other artists.

Ian Beabout Productions

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