Record music without even meeting
Aivars Hermans and Raimonds Macats have been connected by a long musical friendship for more than 30 years. They play music together in various projects and groups, make sound recordings, and also collaborate, producing both their own music and the work of their brothers. Aivars Hermanis is a guitarist, arranger and producer of sound recordings, author of around 200 songs and instrumental pieces, participated in more than 1000 (!) studio sound recordings. On the other hand, Raimonds Macats is not only an excellent multi-instrumentalist, master of keys and harmonica, but also a sought-after arranger – his songs, instrumental compositions and arrangements are regularly played on radio and TV.
However, the latest joint work of the musicians – the instrumental album “Winter Evening” – is very special, that is, it was made during the somewhat forgotten covid idleness (idleness or homelessness – call it what you want). The musicians recorded it each in their home studio, without even meeting in person, but by synchronizing the recorded instrument parts with the so-called “play back” method and transferring the files to each other over the Internet. Master of percussion instruments Artis Orubs also joined the recording, and he also recorded the parts in a similar way in his home studio, later sending them to his colleagues.
With the “Cherry Case” already in the nth version
The album contains four instrumental compositions by Aivars Hermanis and two by Raimonds Macatas, as well as one instrumental version each of the songs of Raimonds Paulus (“Winter Evening”) and Zigmars Liepiņš (“Cherry Rain”), arranged by both masters. It should be noted that the album was also released in a CD version – this is a forewarning for those who don’t know what to give music lovers for the fast-approaching end-of-the-year holidays.
Both musicians played to their heart’s content on this disc – a pleasure to listen to! Aivara’s guitar skills haven’t gone anywhere, neither has Macata’s mastery of keyboards, but together they complement each other perfectly. From the songs included in the album, the first thing that catches your ears is “Cherry rain” – although this song has been heard in countless versions, each subsequent one only revives interest in this composition by Zigmars Liepiņš. “The Road”, “Autumn in Liepāja”, “Cēsu autumn” and other instrumental compositions – they will also find their supporters.
For leisurely mornings and calm evenings
By the way, interest in the album was primarily created by the publisher from the publishing house “Upe tuviem und tālis” and the request of the musicians themselves: “CD “Winter evening” – a good companion for motorists and an unobtrusive background in the evening by the fireplace and a glass of wine.” It somehow doesn’t go together at all, that’s why I encouraged you to start listening, and I have to say that the album won’t really suit either one or the other – the compositions included in the masterpiece are not so lyrical, contemplative and dreamy, to be accompanied by a glass of wine by the fireplace. but not so jesters as to encourage them to listen while driving. Rather, one could imagine playing the songs of “Winter Evening” on a beautiful, sunny winter morning, when you don’t have to go anywhere and you can calmly look out the window at the work of the cold season. For motorists – maybe sitting at the wheel and waiting for a delayed wife or leisurely digging their cars out of the cabins on holiday mornings…
However, everyone will have different, own associations, so a single definition of feelings is not possible here. The main thing – do not open social networks while listening to the album and do not delve into the discussions there, then “Winter Evening” will most likely not achieve its goal.
2023-12-26 03:15:10
#Musicians #Aivars #Hermanis #Raimonds #Macats #report #work #home
