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 is employed as 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!
These Guitar Therapy sessions help me begin figuring out arrangements and how they look/sound in a live situation.
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 my video 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're 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 Jimmy Paxson recorded the drum tracks.
Seth and I are *also* working on a totally different version of Slow Burn, which I’m planning 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 Seth's mixing process ~ very close to how the finished track will sound.