Ninety and Zero: Thomists' CD available |
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In the early years of the Thomists’, it seemed that Harry Rigby and the band released a new LP every year. (You remember LPs, don't you?) Actually, the Thomists’ have recorded nine albums over the years, intended primarily as souvenirs that were sold at dances and various campus outlets. Although the albums served as great memories for the musicians, dance fans and future alumni, the production of a new album every year or every other year just became impossible. "It was a tremendous amount of work," said Rigby. “The costs involved eventually became prohibitive for us. It took a considerable amount of extra practice, and we had to transport the whole band and all of our equipment to Halifax or Montreal to a studio that was large enough to accommodate us, and find an engineer who was experienced in recording such a large group. We would record the whole thing in a day, and stay up half the night mixing it, until we were as satisfied as we could possibly be, given the circumstances." "Once the Eighties arrived, money became much tighter, and we had to be a lot more careful about how we spent it. Operating a band this size is very expensive. We were constantly concerned about having enough money for instrument purchase and repair, clothing, transportation and vehicle maintenance, and purchasing new arrangements. It was a case of setting priorities." Rigby said that a big regret of course, is that many former Thomists never managed to be recorded on an album. A quick look at the band's nostalgic website (http://personal.nbnet.nb. ca/billhope/Thomists/) indicates that over 200 musicians have called themselves 'Thomists'. That's probably more musicians than Glen Miller ever conducted. When asked what prompted the production of this new CD, Harry told us that it simply "was time." "We've been talking about doing one for several years now, so finally we said if we don't do one now, we probably never will, so 'hang the cost' and let's do it. “Advances in recording technology have made it a lot easier for us as well. I think we ended up with a very good product that is representative of what we are. We have eighteen numbers which will readily be recognized as swing era classics, with a few newer arrangements mixed in. “We think they are the numbers that people look forward to hearing when they attend our dances. We're quite pleased with it, and I think you will be too." The new Thomists CD titled Ninety and Zero, will be ready for distribution by the end of November. To receive your copy, please complete and mail the attached order form. It will be a great nostalgia trip.
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Thomists as they appear on the cover of their new CD Ninety and Zero