Another interesting week at the coalface. Working with two clients, Ben Francis (my very talented web-site designer) and Rasheed Oganlaru. Ben's song, a power ballad Stay Forever was almost complete before I went on holiday, so this was a tidy-up, a little fairydust and mixing. Fairydust was sprinkled in the shape of strings, percussion and some insane Russian choir in the bridge. Mixing went well and Ben marched into the night clutching his treasure. The CD remained in his briefcase.He posted it on his Facebook (Benedict Francis) and I have also posted it in mine (John Hamilton).

Btw, if you're not my Facebook friend yet, feel free to apply. There have been some nice responses already from the posting, both as to the quality of the song and also the singing - which happens to be my daughter Alice. I must say that, over the years, I have been very fortunate in my choice of session singers - Anne Hamilton, Ffion Wilkins and now Alice.

Rasheed's song is a combination of dark melancholy and Stevie Wonder funk (as described by Rasheed!). I just think it's a brilliant piece. The chords are a little off the mainstream, which always interests my jaded fingers, and I had a great time programming drums and bass (Tamla style where I could pretend to be James Jamerson - legendary Motown bassist) Stevie type keyboards (in your dreams, Jock!), some funky rhythm guitar, strings and percussion. Rasheed recorded the vocals in the control room (to keep it real) and did a great job. He has a vocal style reminiscent of the late, great Billy Eckstine (YouTube him, children) but with a totally modern stylistic take.

To followers of my blogs, you might have spotted that Rasheed is a bit of a polymath, in that he was in the studio last week laying down voice-overs in his capacity as a life-coach. So not only does he inspire me with his great music, he can sort out my meaning of life issues when we have a coffee break - and the clock keeps running! - just kidding. . .really.

A propos nothing, I bought the remastered Beatles Abbey Road and Revolver (my two faves) and while appreciating them, the experience was somewhat surreal. I am so familiar with these two albums that it was almost disconcerting to hear the fine detail that the mastering revealed. I suppose that the total sound amalgamation of the originals was the initial hook that excited me, and now to hear the tracks, analysed so forensically, is slightly weird. I'm glad I bought them, and helped shore-up EMI's dwindling fortunes, but for the above reasons, the jury is still out on this.

Tonight (Sat) and tomorrow I am gigging with my brilliant function band Tuxedo. I find the therapy of delivering a song in three minutes to a crowd of crazy dancers an essential counterpoint to the (equally enjoyable) process of bringing a song into the world in the more time consuming environment of the studio.

I'm already drafting out my next blog which is really at the heart of everything I do. Songwriting and the mystery of the creative process. I would really like to open a dialogue with you on this, because I think shared challenges and responses will be of great mutual benefit. Watch this space.

John H

Good, creative week.

Did final mix on David Stark's (Songlink) new song 'Remember', which a beautiful Beatles tribute song. Great fun working with David, as not only is he talented musician/composer, he is a fount of (often unrepeatable) tales of the music business.

Also winding up a new album with the exceptionally gifted singer/songwriter Juliet Lawson. Highly recommend that you give her a listen when the album is out - watch this space!

As many of my friends and clients know, I play guitar with London function band Tuxedo. We did a wedding in Farnham, Surrey on bank holiday Monday - the sun shone, the bride was radiant, and we played pretty well. The musicians are so gifted - James (our leader) an exceptional keyboard player, Curtis (bass) an Jim (drums), a brilliant rhythm section, and our beautiful, mad but gifted singer, Ffion. They are such a pleasure for me to play with.

A bit of celeb on Thursday when Kate Silverton from BBC Morning News came in to do a voice-over on behalf of Clarks' Shoes. She was very professional and friendly, not to mention rather gorgeous.

Last night I went to Winchester to socialise with my web-designer Ben Francis. Said thanks for the Kate gig (see above) as Clarks located me on a Google search - so the SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) seems to be doing its job.

Next week I'm going to a launch party (organised by my writing partner Kelly Lyne) for Filament - an erotic magazine for women. What a tough life!

Next night I'm taking daughter Alice to see Mama Mia to celebrate her 20th birthday, then finally, on Wed to see a band called 6 Toes - check them out on U-Tube - they are excellent.

I have had this book for several years now, but recently, inspired by a recent burst of creativity at the behest of daughter Alice and several talented clients, I have revisited its pages. The premise is pretty straight-forward. Zollo interviews some of the most prominent songwriters of the past 50 years - Paul Simon, Brian Wilson, Randy Newman, Carole King, Sammy Cahn, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and many more (these just happen to be my favourites!) and asks them about their particular views on the subject of songwriting.

This can cover the mechanics of musical and lyrical structure, discipline (coping with the 'that's good enough for rock' attitude), spiritual empathy (am I really the conduit for a greater intelligence, or did I have too many glasses of red last night?), motivation and inspiration, words first or music? ('The phone call' - Sammy Cahn), and many other random but related angles.

As someone who has always enjoyed and flourished in the company of others, I personally find writing reveals a curious anomaly in my own psychological make-up - that is I love the totally self-absorbing process that is songwriting. where I can retreat into my imagination and find an inspiration that eventually appears in she shape of a completed song. The best of fun!

I'd be curious if any of my blog readers have any songwriting insights they would like to share. I'll be happy to post them up as they come in.

When potential clients are checking out different studios, it is quite natural that the subject of price will be high up their list of considerations. You can look at EQ Studios price (currently £40.00 per hour) and then see another facility charging  £30.00 per hour and think, 'This is a no-brainer. I'll go for the cheaper one'. Ok,  if the product on offer is (say) a Mars Bar, and one shop is charging 50p and the one next door, 40p, all other things being equal, you go for the 40p tooth decay.

But the key phrase is all other things being equal, and I would suggest that, when you are checking out different studios,  the following might also be worth taking into consideration:

Sound Quality: Check our equipment list. It is high-end professional, and when you listen to the samples on our Portfolio page, you'll see what we mean.

Efficiency: If EQ Studios at £40.00 ph can do the job twice as fast as the £30.00 option, we now become, pound for pound. better value.  And we can work very fast, especially when the client is on a tight budget.

Our Reputation: Have a glance at our Testimonials page and you will see that EQ Studios come highly recommended by a broad band of clients, ranging from Songlink International, singers, songwriters, composers, trainers, voice-over artistes, publishers and producers. We didn't print these testimonials to boast, but more to reassure you that, if we can do a good job for these clients, we should be able to help you.

Pricing Flexibility:  We are aware that these are testing times financially, and if you go to our Services page, you will see the special deals that we have on offer.

Facilities: EQ Studios is a customised Recording Facility set in a purpose-built suite in West London. As well as a spacious, air-conditioned Control Room, we have an acoustically treated Live Room, as well as a large Recreational area where you can chill-out with a nice cup of tea!

Atmosphere: Check the Testimonials page again, and you will get a picture of clients who return again and again to EQ Studios, not just for great sounding, good value productions, but because we manage to combine artistic creativity and achievment in an efficient, friendly and stress-free  environment.  We want your visit to our facility to reward you with the results you always dream about. Whether you are an established professional or a start-up enthusiast, we will give you our total undivided attention in our efforts to shape your dream. Oh, and it's fun, too!