Title: Christmas Carol Background Tracks
Artist: Stuke, Craig
Label: CD Baby
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 884502863765
Genre: Xmas Vocal

Craig loves to make music in his well equipped home studio. He has been part of the evolution of the 'home recording' scene since the invention of the multi-track reel to reel and cassette recorders started to be mass produced way back in the sixties. This was about the time the Beatles made their first appearance in the United States. Craig had an older sister and brother who listened to Elvis Presley and all the other popular top 40 music of the fifties. Craig's father on the other hand loved to listen to stage music from plays in New York. Because of that, he heard a variety of musical styles in the time period he grew up in, and that has no doubt made an impression on him that remains today. That said, what style of music did Craig like himself? The Beatles became one of his favorite groups. He was still a little young when they first appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, but they paved the way for a new era of music, and that is the music that really caught Craig's attention. He still liked the raw power and musicianship of people like Chuck Berry, but being a singer by nature, Craig also loved the groups like the Beatles that used a lot of vocal harmony in their music. Craig began singing and playing guitar before he was a teen-ager so it was a given that he would be playing along with the songs of the day, and also learning how to record his own masterpieces. This was a time when much of the music of the day was recorded in tune with itself (obviously) but not necessarily in perfect pitch. Craig didn't have any formal musical training at this point in his life, but he instinctively knew how to tune his guitar to play along with songs on the radio, and just 'felt' the chord changes in the music as well as the formula of two eight measure phrases which many times made up the verse and chorus of a song. He could not only sing and play along with the songs on the radio or cassette, but could improvise vocal harmonies and play things that he sometimes thought improved the original recordings. Being tech minded he also was very interested in the process of recording. He was always making crude recordings of his music on cheap cassette machines. He would record on one, and then re-record through a mixer while adding another vocal or bass line. He became really good at listening to the music 'in his mind' while recording bass, guitar, harmonica, or vocal harmonies live. That way, the lead vocal was the last thing to be recorded and was the best quality. What joy when he bought his first 'Teac' reel to reel, multi-track recorder. And then a little later, to get a four-track cassette recorder, you would have thought Craig had died and went to heaven. He had already began playing music for a living, and always spent his money on recording gear that he could use himself at home, rather than what most musicians did, going to the local studio to record. At the same time, synthesizers were coming on the market, and his first Roland 'Juno 1' became the source for bass, keyboard, and string sounds on new recordings. This whole process, (which most coming up today know little about) has brought us to the digital revolution which we are now in. Being able to record and edit our music with computers down to the finest point is a tremendous advantage. Yet there is something beautiful about the slight imperfections of performances and recording limitations of the old analog (tape or LP) way of recording when a song would be recorded in one pass. I can hardly imagine what it took to make those original recordings of Elvis Presley or other groups from the fifties, no one even aware that we would shortly be able to put a song together one track at a time. We can imagine being able to play it, sing it, drum it, do background vocals, play along with it, have a saxophone lead in the middle of it, and all the rest, but to record it all, at one time, so that it ends up sounding great, is a wonder in itself. It is interesting to reading the stories of how recordings of the past were made, and the inventiveness of musicians, producers and recording engineers. Music will always be moving forward and evolving. For Craig, the point of it all, and the purpose of his music, is simply to express his heart and soul and share the results with others. There is no wishing for being the next 'American Idol' (it's a little late for that anyway) or trying to have a number one hit song. It is, and always has been, just - what he does. This Christmas Background Tracks CD will fit a niche for those who need something easy to sing in their Church music service or other group setting during the holiday season. Whether it's used as accompaniment for an adult or children's choir, a soloist, either vocal or instrument, Craig hopes that what comes through in the music is the sense of peace and comfort that comes from knowing the 'One' that the music is about. The lyrics for these Christmas Carols can be found at Craig's web-site, craigstukemusic.com as well as more music and information about his music ministry.

Tracks:
1.1 What Child Is This
1.2 Away in a Manger
1.3 O Holy Night
1.4 Silent Night
1.5 We Three Kings
1.6 Angels from the Realms of Glory
1.7 The Birthday of a King
1.8 Joy to the World
1.9 Angels We Have Heard on High
1.10 It Come Upon the Midnight Clear