the spontaneous or the maticulous

[mathamagician]

Howdy folks, the one thing I dig the most about this forum is the recording stories. I've picked up so much just from other people's experiences or from the crazy techniques used by (insert name here) on (insert name here)'s album. So, as a conversation starter, which albums really strike you the most...the quick, alcohol-fueled couple of hour sessions (ie. Dylan's "Another Side Of...") or the long, carefully crafted (ie. MBV's "Loveless"). Let the opinions and examples roll...(50 words or more).

 

[bilco]

I have always liked live recordings more:

The Who - Live at Leeds
Joni Mitchell - Miles of Aisles
Yes - Yessongs

Neil Young's "Tonight's the Night" falls into your alcohol or something fueled category. Even though they are pretty wasted by the last few takes, it is honest and real.

That being said, I also really like the painfully meticulous crafted recordings by Yes, Jethro Tull and Steely Dan.

For singer/songwriters, I would almost always rather hear them recorded solo or with 1 or 2 backing instruments than listen to recordings where they overdubbed the vocals. The solo Johnny Cash CD, Willie Nelson's "Who'll Buy My Songs" and Bruce Springsteen's "Nebraska" are in your face honest.

As much as I love the first release by Rickie Lee Jones, which I think is one of the best produced projects ever, I really prefer to listen to just her and her guitar on that solo live album even more.

Listen to Jimmy Webb's "Ten Easy Pieces" sometime. Just him and the piano with one varying accompanying instrument that was probably added after Jimmy recorded the vocals and piano headon. That is a great CD!

I guess I'm not really addressing the spontaneous engineering idea part of your post, but I think as much as I love my PTLE rig and being able to stack tracks, the introduction of multitracking lead to the loss of a lot of soul in recordings......

bilco

 

[peopleperson]

Both.

When it works, it works, and you can easily hear it. MBV's Loveless has been a favorite of mine since it came out for the same reasons you like it (which probably took a long time cause K Sheilds has a reputation for being a ruthless procrastinating pothead). I love Albini recordings for the opposite reason. They tend to sound like a band kicking some no frills ass on their set in a great sounding room. Like the Pixies Surfer Rosa LP or PJ Harvey's Rid of Me LP. It's a very simple sound.

Again...both.

 

[mathamagician]

Both.
(which probably took a long time cause K Sheilds has a reputation for being a ruthless procrastinating pothead).QUOTE]

Shit, have you seen the guy lately...could the added poundage be a direct link to non exercise and too much munchies?

Good points, I like Albini's stuff, like a quick, direct blow to the gonads. Spiderland kicks mucho ass.

 

[peopleperson]

Oh dear god, Spiderland is one of the highlights of the 90's for me. An absolute classic. And don't get me started on the Jesus Lizard LP's.

No, I've not seen a single thing about or from K Sheilds since 93 or whatever. I remember reading somewhere that they had a whole new LP ready to go after Loveless, but scrapped the whole thing for some reason and that was it. Dunno if there's any truth to that. I'd love to know more about his guitar setup. What a huge mark that guy made, but that's a whole different discussion.