I am making my own album - two actually one with my compositions and a
cover or two and a Christmas Album. I am not doing a very good job of
telling musicians what I want...I'm wondering how good albums are
built...in terms of (1) arranging and (2) recording process:

(1) Arranging - I know how I want it arranged in general, but I can't
write scores - so I just say to a Pianist, put some stuff in like
Hornsby or Dave Grusin - I give em scratch tracks with my
versions/ideas of strings, bass, flute or what ever - but when they
get here they haven't really nailed the performance - Some parts sound
cool, but there are mistakes or weak spots. I can't pay them to come
back twice. Now I don't have many studio musicians around Bloomington,
IL - though I have used some from chicago and st. louis. So how do you
get good - tight arrangements and get the musicians "in the pocket" so
to speak? Do you some how chart everyting out?

(2) So I'm recording this track by track - I had a drummer come in and
lay down rythym tracks along with my scratch guitar and vocal; I had a
pianist then add some stuff then I'll add some parts and so on...It
sounds alright - just not tight - Do you recommend like doing the bass
and drums together? Also Do you recommend using a click track on
everything?

You all have taught me how to record, eq, compress..and you have told
me what to buy...now bring it home baby, and tell me how to make a
realy good record!

Thanks,

John