Artist Name: Slimdog Tracks Title: Like Holding Fire In Our Hands Genre: Roots-Rock/Alt-Rock Rating:
Equipment
Computer – PCAudioLabs Windows 10 Pro 64 bit; DAW – Pro Tools 2020.12; Interface – Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 using Firewire connection to a Cranborne Audio Camden EC1 Preamp; Microphone – Shure SM7B; Guitars – Gibson Melody Maker 1962 with Blackout pickups, Taylor 414ce-R acoustic, 1977 Rickenbacker 2003 Bass and Fender Stratocaster 1984 (lead at the end); Monitors – Behringer B2031 Truth, KRK ROKIT 8 and IK Multimedia iLoud; Headphones – AKG K240; Virtual Instruments – Toontrack Superior Drummer 3 and UVI Falcon; Virtual Amps – Plugin Alliance ENGL Savage 120; Plugins – FabFilter Pro-C, FabFilter Pro-Q3, Brainworx bx_stereomaker, bx_blackbox, bx_limiter True Peak and AMEK EQ 200.
Music
“Like Holding Fire In Our Hands” is a Roots-Rock/Alt-Rock song from Slimdog Tracks. The song was written, performed, recorded, mixed and produced by Lynn R. Slimmer (aka Slimdog).
Review By Dave Martin
The track “Like Holding Fire In Our Hands” by Slimdog exemplifies the challenge of categorizing music into a single genre. Although Slimdog labels it as Alt Rock or Alt Roots Rock, I hear flavors that transcend these classifications and defy easy definition.
I hear a bit of a Kansas vibe, which I think of as Art-Rock/Prog Rock, a bit of a .38 Special Southern Rock vibe, and even a bit of a Jimmy Page flavor in the acoustic solo. So, rather than trying to categorize the tune, I’d simply call “Like Holding Fire In Our Hands” music created by someone who has listened to (and been influenced by) a lot of different music. You know, what musicians do; we take inspiration from wherever we find it, then let it percolate in our own heads until we need to use the flavor of that inspiration.
On first listening to “Like Holding Fire In Our Hands,” I was drawn to the sound of the guitars—a Gibson Melody Maker, a Taylor 414ce-R, a Fender Strat, and for good measure, a bass track played on a Rickenbacker 4003. The guitar geek in me loved the sound of the Melody Maker through an ENGL Savage 1200 Amp Model, and my internal bass nerd nodded approvingly at the use of the Rickenbacker on this song.
I may have mentioned it before, but it’s worth repeating: it’s hard to make looped/virtual drums—this case, Superior Drummer 3—sound real. Slimdog did a great job programming/editing the drum track; when listening to the mix, the drums sounded like the parts that an excellent drummer would play. Well done!
With further listening, the lead vocal caught my attention; the tone and texture of the classic Shure SM7B, helped by an amazing preamp—Cranborne Audio’s Camden EC1 Preamp—suited Slimdog’s voice on this song perfectly. Then there are the synth pads, courtesy of a UVI Falcon Synth, that fill out the sonic landscape of the song without getting in the way. The background vocals are also well done; their placement helps to support the song further.
Dave’s Suggestions
When listening to “Like Holding Fire In Our Hands,” it’s apparent that this isn’t Slimdog’s first production; the performances are fully realized, the mix works great and the tune (and the recording) held my interest through repeated listening. Honestly, even after those repeated listenings, the only thing I might consider changing is letting the final solo continue for a bit longer before fading out. I realize that this goes back to something I’ve talked about in these columns before—the artist’s vision. If the ending makes Slimdog happy, I’m happy.
In his notes, Slimdog mentions an instrumental album he made last October called A Fool’s Errand, which is currently streaming in all the usual places. After getting to know “Like Holding Fire In Our Hands,” I’m looking forward to listening to that project.
Summary
“Like Holding Fire In Our Hands” is an excellent recording of a well-written song. I’m glad I had the opportunity to listen to it, and I hope you will, too.
Dave Martin is a producer, engineer and bassist. Dave owned Nashville’s Java Jive Studio for close to 25 years. Dave has recorded, produced and/or played with symphony orchestras, rock and roll icons and country music legends ranging from the Old Crow Medicine Show, The Dead Pickers Society, Porter Wagoner, Robben Ford, Billy Cobham, The Box Tops, Carl Verheyen, Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest), Adrian Belew, Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick), Eric Johnson, Robbie Fulks, Steve Vai, The Coasters and others. Dave is also a member of the Western Swing Hall of Fame.