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Louisiana
Native Ted Cobena “Not Homesick Anymore”
I pull up to Cobena’s Blue Chair Studio in Santa Rosa Beach and he walks out to greet me as the track Elephant Tears blasts out of the car’s CD player. “That’s one of my favorite songs,” Cobena says. “I read an article in National Geographic about how many elephants were slaughtered each year for their tusks.” All of the songs on Bold Tattoo are inspired by specific events and emotions. Cobena briefly explains each composition’s origins in the notes that accompany the disc. Cobena single-handedly recorded Bold Tattoo in 2004, although a handful of songs were conceived much earlier. “The process took about a year, including coming up with the original tracks, mixing them all together, and doing the mastering,” Cobena says. “The mastering itself is a tedious process.” The studio set-up intimidates me a little—lots of knobs and various switches. Cobena cannot recall the exact number of times he has listened to the album, but says he mixed it with headphone listening in mind. “Because I’m a drummer, I come up with the drum tracks first, either on the kit or the hand drum, and record it. I’ll come to the synthesizer next. Depending on the beat—fast tempo or dreamy—I can dial up different sounds. It may take a while, but I’ll find a sound that fits that particular beat. Then I’ll play with major and minor chords. After that, if a melody hasn’t come to mind, I’ll play with notes until a melody comes. The fun part is the embellishment. That’s when I grab my hand drums. If you listen, there are lots of congas and bongos. Elephant Tears, I did five different drum tracks to get that African feel.” Cobena is a huge admirer of world music, especially Japanese drummer Joji Hirota. “This will make you cry,” he says, pulling out a CD featuring Hirota and the Taiko Drummers. “Drum beats with Japanese melodies, and some girl singers who take it to another level.” But rockers need not fear, as Cobena still gives kudos to Max Weinberg and AC/DC’s Phil Rudd. “I can play in a blues band, a rock and roll band, or a Cajun rock band, but when I’m in the studio, Bold Tattoo is a good representation of myself,” he says. In 1991 Cobena relocated from Lafayette, La., where he drummed with the politically charged group Bad Clas. “I didn’t know any musicians here, so I sold my drums and said, ‘I’m gonna learn how to fish.’” Later Cobena met guitarist Fritz Froeschner which led to an introduction to Lew & Nora Hogue. A series of regular gigs followed, including many dates with bluesman Big Daddy O. Cobena is currently a regular on Tuesday nights at Pandora’s in Grayton Beach with singer-songwriter Bill Evett. “I’m recording a project with him,” Cobena says of his performing partner. Evett moved here from Nashville about two years ago. “He was working in a field other than music. He’s a prolific songwriter in the vein of Michael Franks—a mix of Franks, Stephen Bishop, and James Taylor.” Cobena used to go back to Lafayette every weekend to play with his pals, but says he is not homesick anymore. As the local music scene grows, so does Cobena’s enthusiasm. “Most of the musicians in this area are extremely talented and nice people,” he says. “No head trips, no big egos. Everybody helps each other.” Bold Tattoo is an adventurous project worthy of your ear time. The album is available at Seaside’s Central Square Records and from Cobena’s website bluechairrecords.com. Cdbaby.com, a highly recommended e-tailer, also sells the disc. Despite the limitations of Cobena’s studio—16-track recording as opposed to the major studios’ 128 or so tracks—the sound on Blue Tattoo is refined. The songs grow richer with repeated listens. Mark Your
Calendars Several major country artists have appeared here in recent weeks, notably Dierks Bentley and Blake Shelton. I’m especially excited about Miranda Lambert’s April 23 concert at the Swamp. Lambert’s CD Kerosene was one of the best mainstream country albums of 2005, Me and Charlie Talking a song for the ages. Five Great
CDs You Should Get Your Mitts on Right Now |
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Ted
Cobena’s frequent appearances as a first-rate drummer around
town hardly prepare me for his original CD release Bold Tattoo.
At first listen, the all-instrumental album—released under
the pseudonym Cliff Boulder—strikes me as new age-ish, better
than the usual background stuff but not my cup of green tea. When
I listen a second time under intense headphone scrutiny, I begin
admire the melodic qualities of the 11 songs, the moods evoked,
and the various world-music influences.Copyright © The Beachcomber, Inc. 2003 - 2008. All rights reserved.