Dean Kaelin David’s long time voice coach, was kind enough to answer my question to him about his involvement with BEGIN. Here is an excerpt from our correspondence:
I am afraid that I won’t be very helpful on this at all unfortunately. Kurt and John are great and very talented, so I am sure the album came out well, but I haven’t even heard the finished project yet. My only involvement really was warming up David and keeping his voice in shape throughout the very compressed recording process.
David’s part of the entire album was finished in the last 2 weeks before David left on his mission. In fact, even on the Monday before he left he was doing some finishing touches. Kurt Bestor and David selected the songs to record. Kurt put together quick arrangements so that there would be something for David to sing to. Then David sang all the songs. After David left, Kurt and John finished the arrangements and orchestrations, mixed and mastered it and Deseret Book put together the artwork, CD duplication and marketing.
For David’s part, he did an amazing job. On the recording session I attended David sang the song 4 or 5 times so that Kurt would have different takes to choose from. I felt that any one of the takes could have been used for a finished product. David’s tone, interpretation, pitch and control were so great that each take sounded like it was ready for the album This is EXTREMELY unusual in today’s music world. Most singers go over and over a section trying to get it close, then the engineers use electronic tools to tune the voice and make it sound good. The fact that David did this so quickly will definitely give the album more of a ‘live’ and an honest feeling. It isn’t ‘manufactured’ and perfected by electronic gadgets, but David’s soulfulness, emotion, passion and interpretation come through clearly and naturally. I am quite certain that his fans will really enjoy it.
My very best to you and all you are doing.
Dean Kaelin
Thanks, Dean! As always, your insights are like no other. Keeping David’s voice in shape those last couple of weeks, with so much going on is contribution enough. Thank you for that.
In a follow up question, I was able to ask Dean which song David sang in the session he attended. He replied that it was “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M.
wow! Very nice input by Dean!!
Heidijoy(Quote)
Interesting comments by Dean!
sunny(Quote)
Wow thanks. I didn’t realize David did all of his recording in 2 weeks.
violet4ever(Quote)
Thank you AFS and Mr. Kaelin! I so appreciate this behind the scenes look about the music! This is exactly what I love to read about!!! It also confirms what we all believe.. David is a brilliant artist:)!
Jana OREGON(Quote)
“David’s tone, interpretation, pitch and control were so great that each take sounded like it was ready for the album This is EXTREMELY unusual in today’s music world.”
Thank you so much Janey for obtaining this!
ArchieFanDoc-AFS(Quote)
I’m so glad David had the support of Dean to help him keep his voice “in shape” to make the album so quickly. I’m sure David wanted it as perfect as possible. We love David’s voice just the way it is — so he doesn’t need anything like autotune…David’s true and natural voice is what makes David and his music so special. Thanks for sharing this story.
TrudyFOD(Quote)
I just love insider BTS info. So, thank Dean for us. The fact that David can sing perfectly beautiful and in tune take after take doesn’t come as too much of surprise to anyone who has watched David sing Zero Gravity while jumping all over the stage. LOL But It’s nice to hear it from someone in the know.
This album is such a beautiful gift to all of us. Many thanks to David … and Deseret Book, Kurt Bestor, and everyone involved in this project. After listening to the clips, I simply have no words for how beautiful these songs are. David, doing what he loves and what comes naturally, what could be better?
MT(Quote)
Oops, forgot to thank you guys for sharing this! Thank you so much.
I can’t wait to get the album and finally hear the full songs. ♥
MT(Quote)
Thanks AFS for contacting Dean and sharing this.
jackryan4DA(Quote)
You’re welcome, jackryan, MT, jana, violet, Trudy and Doc.
janey(Quote)
Thanks Janey!!
Heidijoy(Quote)
Loved reading Dean’s remarks about BEGIN. Thanks, Janey for sharing with us.
Bebereader(Quote)
You’re welcome, Heidi and Bebe. It’s always nice to hear Dean’s take on David’s music. He is such a giving man and always so kind to the fans. Such a great guy!
janey(Quote)
Thanks guys for bringing us Dean’s comments. Thank you Dean Kaelin for the honesty you have always brought to us concerning David’s voice and his music. We are so blessed to see how God is working through this you man. Praying for Elder’s and his mission mate’s safety and well beig. Palm to Heart
maxie2go(Quote)