Crossing [Multichannel Hybrid SACD] by David Elias

Having blazed a new/old trail in 2003 of addressing the folk tradition idiom by working with some incredible musicians in a live studio recording session that resulted in my first SA-CD "The Window", this disc "Crossing" continues to explore the depth to which highly articulate lyrics and accompaniments can be captured and recreated for the listener in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound.

'Crossing' joined the top list of picks by High Fidelity Review writers for the 2005 Surround Music Awards:

** "Listener's Choice" award ** final nominee.

'Crossing' was also a final nominee in these categories for the SMA 2005 Awards:

** Best Made-For-Surround Title ** final nominee

** Best Non-Orchestral Mix ** final nominee

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Features these fine Musicians to whom I'm grateful:

- Sally Van Meter (dobro/weissenborn)

- Matt Flinner (mandolin)

- David Phillips (pedal steel)

- Eric Moon (accordion, keyboards)

- Eric Thorin (standup bass)

- Marc Dalio (percussion)

- Chris Kee (standup bass)

- Peter Tucker (percussion)

- John Havard (electric)

- Reid Dennis (percussion)

"Crossing" is my second SACD (Super Audio CD). Its predecessor was "The Window" which was released in 2003. Both SACD's will play on any CD player and sound sparkly and shiny.

The sonics of both the instruments, vocals and ambient room were captured on the world's highest resolution recording equipment (Sonoma DSD, 2.8MHz single bit recorder). The tracks were mixed separately for both stereo and 5.1 surround sound on the same workstation, losing none of the live characteristics or quality of the session. There are largely no edits and very few overdubs, mostly just EQ and panning. This recording is as real as it gets. You can be part of the session when you listen!

Many people have asked me how I get such good results recording live in the studio. Examples have been my most recent 3 released discs including this one ("Crossing), the Xing Webcast and "The Window". All 3 of these have the common magic sauce of the DSD recorder. That is a vital first step. The reason is that the only other approach to capturing ambient characteristics of a band performing live in a studio or stage are analog tape. Unfortunately, tape is very expensive and kind of extinct at this point. The good news is that DSD (Direct Stream Digital) was developed in the late 90's by Sony and Phillips as a way to accurately preserve the quality of their master recording archives (all on tape and slowly deteriorating). It uses an extremely high sample rate that has none of the ceiling and quantized limitations of typical PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) digital recording. DSD behaves like analog where the quality is preserved 100% over time. Listen to this recording or any of the other DSD works I have to see what I mean.

Here's what a few people have said about songs on "Crossing":

"As with Elias' prior SACD release, I can quite confidently predict this will be another "must have" disc for Super Audio CD fans." - Brian Moura, HighFidelityReview.com

"The debut SACD by David Elias, titled The Window, has become a surprise hit in the Acoustic Sounds catalog. Surprise, that is, because it was an independent release by an independent artist on an independent label. There was no major label promotion machine in effect here. But word spread quickly, grass-roots style, that this was a disc of serious sonic and musical merit. And now we've got Elias' follow-up to tout." - AcousticSounds.com

"A beautiful pastoral melody with David's soulful intimate vocal is a feast for any music lover. And he writes and sings lyrics that actually mean something. Poetry married to music! It that's what you are looking for then David Elias is your songman!" - Guy Michetti, Mixposure Review Crew

"A professional recording of the highest quality, everything in balance so perfectly. Easing us into a kind of comfort and beauty. Sheer heaven." - Maria Daines

"Amazing that there are no edits or other digital magic. It sounds wonderful." - Gill Whitehurst

"I just wanted you to know that i have been listening to these songs on a regular basis. And it is just absolutely beautiful and moving. The perfect instrumentation for every song just totally gets me. Your voice is lifted to amazing height with this music. And i'm glad because everything you say is what I need to hear. Anyone who hasn't heard this is really missing out. Thank you thank you thank you" - Will

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"Crossing" was recorded in La Honda, California at Slipperworld Studios by Charlie Natzke. Check out www.slipperworld.net -- Two tracks were recorded to DSD by Gus Skinas at Immersive Sound in Boulder.

"Crossing" was mixed for both stereo and 5.1 surround sound by Gus Skinas at Super Audio Center in Boulder, Colorado. Check out www.superaudiocenter.com -- Gus also mastered this disc. Thanks Gus!

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