I believe I launched my career, just as radio was being consolidated. But I stayed loyal to one local station, as it was gobbled up. I'd pin my ears to their playlists, hoping to make a connection between the music I loved vs. what was popular. I remember the fateful day I heard "Lay Me Down" by Crosby Nash. I bought the double CD, only to discover the title track was literally the only track I wanted to hear more than once.
Bob Stanley is THE primo pop musicologist : all of his books are superbly written, funny and informative. Thanks for bringing them to the attention of your subscribers James.
There’s a great Dead Wax episode on YouTube where Bob Clearmountain in his home studio cheerfully deconstructs and reassembles “Born in the USA” for the boys. Weinberg’s drums sound like, well, a guy with a trap kit, until BC gates and reverbs them. Bruce’s Tele, present but subliminal throughout, is ferocious soloed. Joe Strummer would get RSI.
I’ve always wondered about Joan. That tone of hers seems designed to thwart producers who try to wrangle it in any sort of context. I think she’s unproduceable. A good band maybe? Steve Albini? Rick Rubin? Beats me.
I think I could have explained this better, but I believe that the right combination of players can nudge a singer towards a performance that works on tape. I listen to those old Joan Baez records and hear a performer who was never taught how to use the studio as an instrument.
Can't believe I missed one of the most important things I meant to say: Bob Stanley's liner notes are always fantastic and make connections between the songs that I would have failed to make on my own. I've made an American Baroque playlist based on his track listing but I won't really know what's going on until I get my CD in the mail.
I believe I launched my career, just as radio was being consolidated. But I stayed loyal to one local station, as it was gobbled up. I'd pin my ears to their playlists, hoping to make a connection between the music I loved vs. what was popular. I remember the fateful day I heard "Lay Me Down" by Crosby Nash. I bought the double CD, only to discover the title track was literally the only track I wanted to hear more than once.
Bob Stanley is THE primo pop musicologist : all of his books are superbly written, funny and informative. Thanks for bringing them to the attention of your subscribers James.
There’s a great Dead Wax episode on YouTube where Bob Clearmountain in his home studio cheerfully deconstructs and reassembles “Born in the USA” for the boys. Weinberg’s drums sound like, well, a guy with a trap kit, until BC gates and reverbs them. Bruce’s Tele, present but subliminal throughout, is ferocious soloed. Joe Strummer would get RSI.
I’ve always wondered about Joan. That tone of hers seems designed to thwart producers who try to wrangle it in any sort of context. I think she’s unproduceable. A good band maybe? Steve Albini? Rick Rubin? Beats me.
I think I could have explained this better, but I believe that the right combination of players can nudge a singer towards a performance that works on tape. I listen to those old Joan Baez records and hear a performer who was never taught how to use the studio as an instrument.
Yes. She’s so smart and funny in person but you never hear that.
Can't believe I missed one of the most important things I meant to say: Bob Stanley's liner notes are always fantastic and make connections between the songs that I would have failed to make on my own. I've made an American Baroque playlist based on his track listing but I won't really know what's going on until I get my CD in the mail.