When we were a "studio band", working together could be as immediate as me sitting up late with Cheryl gestating lyrics (while Hilary napped on the couch), or as remote as Sam and I communicating bass, drum, and guitar ideas over the phone (my long distance company had a great plan whereby I paid 15 cents for the first chord, and only 5 cents for each successive chord). Mike wondered if he would actually get the chance to run through the material with anyone else in the band before taping day! Each recording session was like a puzzle-party where everybody brought a couple of pieces. Dave shook hands with Sam on the way into the studio his first time, and on one occasion in 1995 we actually got finished recordings before a certain two band members who appeared "together" on the tracks had actually met in person!
In 1995-96, Linda Smith took a turn as SP female vocalist, recording one album with us and joining us in our first live appearance in New York. It was mid-way through this period that we began actually disregarding geography and rehearsing together as a band. Here was a typical itinerary that Linda faced if she wanted to travel from her home in Baltimore to join us for a rehearsal at Dave's place in Allentown, PA:
5:35 a.m. Wake up and dash out of door clutching microphone.
6:00 a.m. After a brisk walk, arrive at Baltimore bus terminal.
6:00 - 6:22 a.m. Read promotional posters in bus terminal lobby while waiting for the Philadelphia bus to board.
6:23 a.m. Board bus.
6:24 - 6:45 a.m. Admire fabric designs on bus seats while waiting for bus to depart.
6:46 - 9:34 a.m. In-depth, though unnarrated tour of "off the beaten path" sights between Baltimore and Philadelphia
9:55 a.m. Arrive at Philadelphia bus terminal.
9:56 a.m. - 12:56 p.m. Exact 3-hour layover to await once-per-day Philadelphia-Allentown bus.
12:57 - 2:23 p.m. Bus makes the most of the 45 miles between Philadelphia and Allentown, neglecting no junction.
1:55 - 2:55 p.m. Band members take time out from rehearsal-in- progress to pick you up at Allentown bus station and bring you to practice room.
4:15 p.m. Band members take another break to escort you back to bus station to begin return journey.
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Copyright © 1999. J & H Caws-Elwitt. Revised -- November 27, 1999.