Page 17 - BiTS_03_MARCH_2023

BiTS: Now, over the years you’ve played with dozens of people. Probably too many to
remember or name but two of them happen to
be amongst my favourites. First up, Doug
MacLeod and then Fiona Boyes, who I

interviewed just a couple of weeks ago.
DC: Oh, no kidding. Fantastic. Yes, Doug, I played
with and recorded with. I met him about 1999

and played many, many gigs and I did I think
about nine records with him and from Doug’s
recommendation to the folks at Reference
Records, I got to meet Fiona and recorded on one

of her records which was just fantastic. She’s
an amazing player and singer-songwriter as
well.

BiTS: She didn’t start until she was in her 20s,
she was telling me, which really quite surprises
me.

DC: Yes, well, she sure fast-tracked herself,
didn’t she [chuckles]?

BiTS: Tell me something about one of my
favourite Doug Macleod albums. I did open for
Doug on one occasion when he was over here,
so I have met him. I’m a huge fan, but tell me

about “Break The Chain”, which if I remember
rightly, was recorded in the round. Is that right?

DC: Yes, that was recorded at George Lucas’ Skywalker studios and yes, we just set up, just
basically on the floor in this giant, it kind of looks like a warehouse almost, and just kind of
faced each other. No headphones on. Just looking at each other, nodding when he’s going to
make a change and just sort of feeling where we’re going to do the dynamics and so forth. The
thing is when you’re in that type of situation, and you’re all recording live, you can learn to
breathe together and so forth. Once again, that’s a fantastic experience right there.

BiTS: There is a wonderful feel about the entire album. I was listening to one of the tracks
earlier on today, ‘One For Tampa Red’ which has got some fabulous bass playing from what
sounds like a stand up bass.

DC: That’s my upright bass, right there, yes. In fact, I would say all of the records I’ve played
with Doug, I play the upright bass. I think I did one track on one of the records and I can’t
remember what it was, where I played a National acoustic bass guitar and also on one of the
tracks I think on “Break The Chain”, I think I played my ukulele bass.

BiTS: Okay, I was going to ask you about these other instruments that you play. Ukulele bass
and I believe a mandolin as well?