Doug Sparling
I'm a multi-instrumentalist and a composer. I enjoy playing and writing in many styles: celtic, ambient, jazz/rock, and new age (mostly piano). Some pieces are composed or arranged, others are improvised.
All my recordings are quick and rough demos, so please excuse the rough edges.
I've ordered the tunes by genre:
1) Celtic
2) Ambient
3) Jazz
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
After playing in various rock, country, and Irish bands for over 20 years, I've returned to my roots and started writing and recording at home. I'm a multi-instrumentalist - guitar, lap steel, keyboards, drums, penny whistle, and violin. At one time or another I've also played viola, mandolin, Irish button accordion, concertina, uilleann pipes, and pedal steel guitar.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Not much anymore, but that's OK with me. I'd rather "work in the studio" anyway. I recorded some penny whistle tracks for a few years ago. I had quit playing and they pulled me out of "retirement."
Your musical influences
Seamus Egan
Joanie Maden
Arty McGlynn
Clannad
Alex DeGrassi
William Ackerman
Pierre Bensusan
David Nevue
Liam O'Flynn
Jeff Pearce
Brian Eno
John Scofield
Bill Frisell
David Torn
Larry Carlton
What equipment do you use?
Fender Strat, Ibanez Artist,Epi Les Paul
Martin D1
Boss Effects
PodXT
EBow
Yamaha Keyboards
Various penny whistles (Burke, Copeland, Water Weasle, Generation, Susato)
Csound, Ableton, Acid
Fostex MR-8
SM-57, MXL LD and SD condenser mics
Anything else?
A demo of a tune from my upcoming CD is featured on a new McDonald's website (http://www.imlovinitlate.com/) that will benefit the Ronald McDonald House. The tune, "The Old Stone Bridge," is available as a free download, but your donation is appreciated. This is a great cause, so please extend your support...
