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Heather Cairncross

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Recording Solo Vocals on The Genesis Suite with composer Tolga Kashif

Today I was recording solo vocals on a very interesting piece based on the music of rock group Genesis but completely transformed by composer Tolga Kashif. The track combined material from Land of Confusion (from the 1986 album Invisible Touch, remembered by many Genesis fans because of its video, which featured puppets from the 1980’s UK sketch show Spitting Image) and Tonight, tonight, tonight (also from the Invisible Touch).

Here’s the original single cover parodying the iconic 1963 cover ‘With the Beatles’.

album cover for Tolga Kashif's The Queen SymphonyI’ve worked with Tolga many times on wide variety of projects and also sung in a live concert (in Portugal) of his critically acclaimed CD The Queen Symphony. Inspired by the music of rock group Queen, it is a lushly orchestrated album with 6 movements based on some of their famous themes including Bohemian Rhapsody.

The text was a made up quasi-latin language and the singing was definitely folky in style – when I was booked I was told ‘voix bulgares’, which is a very strong, harsh, nasal sound. I found a great video on youtube of the Bulgarian Radio Choir which won a grammy in 1990 – it really is an extraordinary sound.

When we started working in the studio, it became clear that what Tolga really wanted was a cross between a devotional church quality with a layer of ethnic tone and breath layered on top. Much more intimate and innocent sounding. The first part was the lowest of four solo voices and although he wanted a rich somewhat Russian quality, I had to sing quite quietly. He jokingly summed it up as a religious peasant woman with lots of children, quite happy with her lot. We quickly agreed that if he described the sound he wanted as a colour or atmosphere rather than as a technical vocal description, then I could try a few vocal sounds until he liked one. (This is often the case in recording – the composer has a very clear idea of what they want but as they are not singers, it’s hard for them to either clearly demonstrate or describe). Our job as a session musician is to be very flexible and willing to try anything to achieve the result.

Later on in the music he wanted a complete change of colour and I had to resurrect the African tribal sound which I had used with Karl Jenkins on his album Imagined Oceans recorded way back in 1998. This involves quite a harsh, nasal sound – cutting off the head resonances – it’s loud! – the other important thing is to try to create a sense of improvisation in the way you deliver the rhythm – so it sounds very free and exciting.

In the second session I had to swap to another higher voice part and he wanted it to sound like a different voice again so we eventually went for a much younger almost boyish sound with an ‘inner devotional joy’ – I know….what we do to earn a crust!

Next week I am singing in the professional choir which will record the choral parts.  These will act as support for the solo sessions from this week – Tolga is a complete perfectionist and we did so many takes with very subtle nuances between them. He will spend days weaving into the finished product. I can’t wait to hear the finished product.

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3 Comments

on Recording Solo Vocals on The Genesis Suite with composer Tolga Kashif.
  1. Lynne
    06/07/2010 @ 12:01
    -
    Reply

    This is ace heather.. really enjoyed reading about what you are up to and it is very insightful! I’m looking forward to reading and following your adventures! I’ve signed up for the news feed! thanks for sharing it.
    L
    x

  2. From a vocalist’s view point – Tolga Kashif
    11/07/2010 @ 16:27
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    Reply

    […] by Heather on July 3, 2010 – 1 Comment Categories: In The […]

  3. The Genesis Suite - FORUM des Deutschen Genesis Fanclubs 'it'
    06/08/2010 @ 20:16
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    […] […]

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Heather Cairncross Singer

3 months ago

Heather Cairncross Singer

This Sunday in Brighton (my first gig there in soooooo long). I’ll be joining an amazing group of creative spirits led by pianist Mark Edwards for a new project The Common Rooms which brings together all things artistic, creative and positive. Please come and support such lovely idea!

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4 months ago

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Delighted to be a part of this inspirational new project.

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Heather Cairncross Singer

5 months ago

Heather Cairncross Singer

Never fails to amaze! Tokyo Opera City with Synergy Vocals and Colin Currie Group #musicfor18musians

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Heather Cairncross Singer

7 months ago

Heather Cairncross Singer

Not long now!

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Heather Cairncross Singer

10 months ago

Heather Cairncross Singer

I can honestly say I’ve never been better prepared for a recording!And, finally, our version of #musicfor18 with Colin Currie Group is about to be immortalised 🙂. Big day tomorrow when I hope we can realise all those little details that matter so much🤞.

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Heather Cairncross Singer

11 months ago

Heather Cairncross Singer

Onwards to Berkeley on the West Coast!Wonderful article in The New York Times about Steve Reich + the premiere of Traveler’s Prayer which gets its West Coast premiere TOMORROW at Cal Performances! "Reich’s sound is by now central to the history of American classical music — and modern art more generally. "We are honored and SO excited for this program with Colin Currie Group and Synergy Vocals! READ 👇 www.nytimes.com/2022/11/02/arts/music/steve-reich.html?searchResultPosition=1

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Recording Solo Vocals on The Genesis Suite with composer Tolga Kashif - Heather Cairncross UK Jazz Singer