Slow Burn
This page follows the creative journey of “Slow Burn” ~ from early performances and reflections on the song to recording sessions and how it continues to evolve on stage.
Early Versions
Slow Burn (Solo Electric Performance ~ December 2019)
An early solo electric performance of the song as it was first taking shape.
This is a song I co-wrote with one of my favorite songwriters, Patricia Bahia. Slow Burn will be part of my upcoming album, also titled Slow Burn 🕯️
Story Behind the Song
A glimpse into the meaning behind “Slow Burn” ~ and the personal journey that inspired it.
Recording the Song
Slow Burn (Lead Vocal Session ~ January 2023)
Here’s a little snippet of me recording lead vocals for the next album’s title track, “Slow Burn.” We recorded in producer Seth’s tracking room at Mutato Muzika studios (Devo co-founder Mark Mothersbaugh’s studio, where Seth has his job of being Mark’s lead audio engineer). I’m THRILLED with how the song (and the album) is turning out, and I can’t wait to share it with you!! 😍
Live Performances
Slow Burn ~ Guitar Therapy Session 1
I was really excited to play this one! Slow Burn is a song I co-wrote with the amazing Patricia Bahia, which will be part of my upcoming album.
These sessions help me begin figuring out arrangements and how they look/sound in a live situation (for future gigs 😉)
By the way, I LOOOVED Susie’s vocal improv on this song, check it out!
Lineup
Adam Gust – Drums
J Jo Orbele – Bass, Background Vocals
Susie Major – Backing Vocals
Recorded by George Skarpelos
Directed, shot, and edited by Mark Ludmer
Slow Burn (Acoustic) 🔥 Ali Handal (Tiny Desk Contest 2023)
This performance was created as part of a submission for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series in 2023.
Even though it wasn’t selected, this version became a special moment in its own right ~ a fully realized performance that captures the heart of the song.
“Slow Burn” was written as a love song to both a long-time partner and a lifelong music journey, reflecting on what it means to keep going and keep growing.
🎶 Song Evolution 🎶
This is a sneak peek at where we are with the title track, Slow Burn. On this month’s recording-in-progress track, you’ll hear a “scratch” (i.e., temporary) vocal and acoustic guitar, which I recorded while we recorded the drum tracks (played by Jimmy Paxson).
Seth and I are *also* working on a totally different version of Slow Burn, which I’m hoping to be able to share with you in the near future 😍
The version of “Slow Burn” I’m sharing with you has the final acoustic guitar on it ~ I used my hubby Andrew’s handmade Ryan guitar, and WOW does it sound amazing! I use this guitar for all of my acoustic tracks that need to sound gorgeous. It’s the most beautiful acoustic guitar I’ve ever recorded with. 😊 There’s also a new “scratch” lead vocal on the track that you haven’t heard before. I’ll be replacing it with a final lead vocal, as well as lots of backgrounds as the song progresses. Also still to be added are more guitars. You’ll hear a bit of what I have in mind on the choruses, as I added some heavily-reverbed slide guitar (to get that sound, I had my Reverb setting on my amp all the way up, which I don’t usually do – I love the “countrified” effect!!).
A near-final version of the song at the end of the mixing process ~ just before mastering, and very close to how the finished track would sound.