Hearts Full of Grace (Demos & Alternates), by Al Swainger's Pointless Beauty

Hearts Full of Grace (Demos & Alternates)

by Al Swainger's Pointless Beauty

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	1.	The Way Back (Original Demo) 07:00
	2.	Sunship Travelling (Original Demo) 07:57
	3.	Pausing For Breath (Unused Shorted Edit) 01:25
	4.	The Shrug (Original 2005 Monkey's Uncle Recording) 04:09
	5.	Stir Crazy (Original Demo) 02:59
	6.	Existential Blues (Original Demo) 02:41
	7.	Hour of the Wolf (Original Demo) 00:54
	8.	Two Steps (Original Demo) 05:34
	9.	Remember the Sky (Original Demo) 06:10

about

These are the original pre-studio demos that I prepped for reference before hitting the studio with the full band.

I tend to do a lot of production work in advance as part of the compositional process, including track sequencing, so I know how things will sit as a narrative. It's kind of my way of 'storyboarding' an album.
They generally don't feature solos but I include the space they will occupy to get a sense of pacing.

Some deviations from the above include :

Pausing for Breath - this was improvised live in the studio but I initially wondered whether it was too long between tracks. Here's an unused shorter edit.

The Shrug - A version recorded with the band Monkey's Uncle from 2005. I always loved this but didn't quite feel it captured the vibe as freely as I imagined it could be. Wonderful solos though from Otto Caretta on Tenor and Jesse Molins on Guitar.

Hope you enjoy this as a behind the scenes look at my process!

Cheers
Al

credits

released March 30, 2023

Al Swainger - Bass, FX, Keys, Programming

Jon Clark - Drums on 'The Way Back'

All tracks recorded at Other Compass Studios between March 2020 and May 2021

except :

The Shrug (Original 2005 Monkey's Uncle Recording)

Otto Caretta - Sax / Jesse Molins Guitar / George Cooper - Piano / Al Swainger - Double Bass / Gary Evans - Drums

Recorded at Depot X by Rick Wolkers 2004 / Mixed by Tim Morris 2005

license

about

Al Swainger Bristol, UK

Cinematic Fusion for the Emotionally Curious

www.pointlessbeauty.com

Rich and eclectic atmospheres to help you daydream and stimulate your emotions.

Pointless Beauty is the contemporary project of bassist, digital artist, composer, producer Al Swainger.

Blending a wide range of influences improvised music, this is a very personal take on what jazz or progressive music could be. ... more