Bourland, the power of song and working with PARMA

My job as lead producer for PARMA Recordings has got to be one of the greatest jobs on planet Earth. The music that I produce, the brilliant people I get to meet and work with and the dots that become connected amazes me every day and represents tremendously immersive work that is entirely gratifying. I feel fortunate to work with the entire team at PARMA. They have the same passion and thirst for excellence that I do, and it shows itself in every detail. I am a lucky guy.

In May, I had the pleasure of producing four days of recording sessions with composer Roger Bourland (Chair of UCLA's The Herb Alpert School of Music, Department of Music), soprano Juliana Gondek (Professor of Voice, The Herb Alpert School of Music, Department of Music) and pianist, conductor and opera coach William Lumpkin (Boston University, Associate Professor of Music, Coach and Conductor, Opera Institute). The 18 songs that we recorded evoked a powerful range of emotions for me. They were ethereal, profound, devastating, uplifting, witty, funny and at times left me completely speechless.

It's a powerful combination ~ a truly great melody, a moving lyric, a world class vocalist and a nuanced accompanist, and it never ceases to amaze me. From day one, the communication, the flow and the musical telepathy between all of us was natural, and many stunning and evocative moments were captured. I am especially eager for this release, and can’t wait for the world to hear it.

 

(Left to right) Pianist William Lumpkin, PARMA producer Andy Happel, soprano Juliana Gondek and composer Roger Bourland at Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockport, Mass., May 2012.

Andy and Roger Bourland during a live take...

 Admiring the view...