Hatch Farm Studios

The place where Jerry records every time he goes to England is called Hatch Farm Studios. There is a large farm with horse stables, cottages, and a variety of other enterprises on the premises including a state of the art recording studio. All set in the tiny village of Addlestone in the Surrey countryside. I spent many happy hours curled up on the couch in the corner of the studio listening to great music being created. Everybody is so professional it is amazing to watch and listen. In fact the sax player was a bit bored and so offered to play bass. Normally the keyboard player "kicks bass" or plays a bass line with his left hand. John Goforth did a tremendous job as bass player. He sounded like that was his instrument.

There were some magical moments in the studio and some tedium too.
All in all a memorable couple of days.


Ponies in the meadow at Hatch Farm Studios

England is so lush. A forked vine covered tree.

Which came first? The tree or the roof?

Donny Marrow and Jerry Cortez consulting

I loved this! An American Western from the Fifties... How fitting???

This was my vantage point in the cramped control room. Jerry Cortez, John Goforth's hand and Dana Sedgwick singing a reference vocal. If she were actually recording vocals she would have been sequestered in an Iso booth.

Brian Withycombe and Jerry Cortez

Musicians plus recording engineer: Donny Marrow, Brian Withycombe, John Goforth, John Burns, Jerry Cortez and Dana Sedgwick in front.

The whole group. From left to right: Jerry Cortez, Brian Withycombe, Dana Sedgwick, John Goforth, Kathy Cortez, Donny Marrow

One of the resident peacocks.
The white feathers signify that this one is a baby

Daventry

Jerry and I spent a week in England. There is something magical about England for us. First of all Jerry's main musical influences in the sixties came from the British Invasion. For Jerry England is mecca. For me it is the homeland of most of my ancestors. I relish being able to walk in the footsteps of my ancestors. This trip I visited the tiny village of Daventry in Northamptonshire. I found the street where my ancestors lived, but the houses had been rebuilt in the 1890's. I tramped through the church graveyard. The ancient Norman church made of ironstone which has the color of rusted metal is like nothing I have seen before.

The wonders of nature

As I was driving home under dark low clouds I could see a highlight of sun south of my house. I kept driving another ten miles and as I topped the crest of a hill the spectacle before me cannot be described the sun was so brilliant that it was difficult to see the road. I know there must be ways to balance the contrast, but this is exactly how bright the sun and how dark the road.

She Walks on Water

Today I went to the marina to take some test shots with a Nikon camera that I have not used for five years. I walked out on the jetty expecting my dogs to follow me. When I got near the end one dog started barking. I turned to find the other dog had followed the path of least resistance, walking on the ice. I had to pick up the other dog to keep him from trying to rescue his sister.




Poor little doggie she walked around several of the ice islands not daring to cross open waters. the whole thing was frozen, but it did look like floating icebergs.

Portuguese Alcatra

Saturday Night Jerry and I had a fantastic Christmas party. Thanks to everyone brave enough share their talents. We ended up having an impromptu little concert since many of Jerry's students were in attendance.

I made a Portuguese specialty for the first time. Jerry's cousin made this for family parties and every time I ate the dish it was so delicious. This was my first attempt and it came out just like cousin Cecilia's.

I did not take a photo, because I loathe looking at pictures of beef, cooked or not.

ALCATRA

(pronounced Al-COT-ra)

One clay pot
I use a Romertopf, but Ikea has one for only $25

Beef roast of any size that will fit your pot.
Bacon
Onion
Red wine

These directions are for a two pound roast. Increase onion and bacon for every two pounds more.

Season roast with garlic salt and powdered steak seasoning of your choice
marinate in refrigerator overnight in ziploc bag
chop 4 slices (1/3 pound) of bacon into small pieces and cook until crispy and fat is rendered
Remove bacon from drippings and add roast.
Sear all sides of roast in hot bacon drippings
Remove roast and then saute one thinly sliced onion in bacon drippings

Soak clay pot in cold water for 30+ minutes
place beef, onion, and bacon in pot
Cover completely with half water-half wine
place uncovered pot in cold oven
set oven temperature for 200º
Top up wine and water mixture whenever the roast becomes exposed, about every 6 hours.

Cook for 3-4 days

At the end of that time the beef will be very tender and stringy.
Remove roast and use a fork to shred or cut into slices
Serve with the pan juices

Mom's Funeral

Many people called Lois Cortez "Mom". Although she passed away in August 2007 I never did post the pictures I created. I think they tell the story well.

Oklahoma Rising

Jerry is playing guitar on this song created for Oklahoma's centennial.