Behind the Scenes

[HapiCmpur]

Anybody got any recommendations for good behind-the-scenes documentaries on the recording industry? For inspiration I'm going to check out Tom Dowd and the Language of Music this weekend, and I'm also going to watch Let it Be again, which I haven't seen since it was originally released. What else is out there?

 

[MadAudio]

That Tom Dowd movie is great, but only gives you so much insight. Definitely worth watching, though.

I've heard the Steely Dan aja DVD goes very in-depth to the making of that album.

 

[whyseye]

That Tom Dowd movie is great, but only gives you so much insight. Definitely worth watching, though.

I've heard the Steely Dan aja DVD goes very in-depth to the making of that album.

Do they spend much time on/with the musicians besides Becker & Fagen?

 

[MadAudio]

Do they spend much time on/with the musicians besides Becker & Fagen?

Dunno, I haven't seen it myself, but I've read praise for it here and at RP.

 

[gordone]

The "Dark Side of the Moon" DVD is really good. Too bad they couldn't get all of Pink Floyd in the same room to discuss the making of it (unless you wanted to see a studio catfight!)

 

[Noplasticrobots]

"Steely Dan's not one person? We don't get French benefits?" Anyone seen that commercial?

 

[c7sus]

I saw a short thing a few months back about making the last Phish album that was pretty cool.

Had some footage of them talking stuff out with Mitch Froom and some good jamming.

Their drum room has a pair of van doors behind it. it's how the drummer gets in the little dome they built over his kit.

Also "Anthem To Beauty" about the making of Anthem of the Sun, Workingman's Dead, and American Beauty by the Dead.

Check out Lesh's "Searching for The Sound" too, his autobiography. Lot's of stories about studio stuff back then. Great one about TC putting a child's toy spinning top on a grand piano and Dave Hassinger running out of the control room into the live room to see WTF was being done to his piano!

 

[jdh]

Wilco Documentary Is Good

Hi All...I'll pipe in with the Wilco documentary "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" by Sam Jones. It has lots and lots and lots of recording studio action.

Also I saw that Stelly Dan Aja documentary (it's the Great Album series) and it was very good...mostly Fagan and Becker, but has Skunk Baxter some too. There is lots of talk about how they used the recording studio.

 

[Dani Pace]

I caught a couple on satelite tv, one was on Muddy Waters and showed a lot of stuff from the old style analog studios ( no wonder some old recordings sounded pretty rough) and another about Motown with lots of footage of some of the original home studios. Sorry I don't recall the titles, check your local listings, I'm sure they will be aired again.

 

[HapiCmpur]

Thanks, guys. I'll see if I can get my hands on some of your recommendations. Please let me know if you think of any others.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

"Fleetwood Mac's Rumours", and "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown" - two must-have DVD's.

 

[RickW]

I was also gonna mention "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown". Gave me a whole new respect for the Motown sound. You could check out the Brian Wilson "Smile" DVD. It has some cool recording extras from new Sunset Sound sessions and a pretty good documentary about Brian Wilson and how he created his sound in the studio during the sixties. Plus, the live concert included is pretty amazing. Ahhh....those vocals.

 

[kats]

I wonder if you can get those MTV "Classic Albums" on DVD. There have been some great spots that deal primarily with the recording. Jimi Hendrix to LEd Zeppelin to Nirvana.

I'd buy the whole series.

 

[HapiCmpur]

I wonder if you can get those MTV "Classic Albums" on DVD. There have been some great spots that deal primarily with the recording. Jimi Hendrix to LEd Zeppelin to Nirvana.

I'd buy the whole series.

Is this what you're talking about?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/series/-/215/dvd/ref=pd_serl_dvd/103-7200032-3693457

 

[MadAudio]

Phil Collins's "Face Value" is a "classic?"

 

[Garry Sharp]

Phil Collins's "Face Value" is a "classic?"

If that's not bad enough - on the UK Amazon site they have Simply Red

 

[ez_willis]

Hi All...I'll pipe in with the Wilco documentary "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" by Sam Jones. It has lots and lots and lots of recording studio action.

I didn't even know there was such an animal. I'll definitely have to find this one.

 

[ez_willis]

If you want something more lifestyle based, go with 'This Is Spinal Tap'!

 

[smashngrab]

"we dont get french benefits?"

 

[greenascanbe]

Aerosmith's "The Making of Pump" and Metalica's "A Year and 1/2" (part 1) are both interesting glimpse inside the creative process.

A&E did specials on the making of "Just Push Play" & "Honkin' On Bobo" but I don't know if there on video yet. Both talked about how Pro Tools has changed the way the band recorded. Mainstream stuff for sure and not technical but interesting.