Music Production and acoustics (instrumental, punk, albums, Nirvana, Polish)

jamerson macmanus · 03-06-2008, 04:17 PM

tom dowd (quite possibly the greatest producer all time) was asked before he died, "how did you produce artists like ray charles, aretha franklin, eric clapton?" and his response was

"you dont produce a great artist. you just make sure the mics are on and they have enough coffee."

i agree with that to some extent (the humility there is the real remarkable thing) but then again a good production team (engineers included) can elevate the songs to new heights that some artists could never have dreamed of.

in short i think that good production is invaluable... but it definitely begins and ends with the quality of the artist

jackhammer · 03-06-2008, 04:17 PM

@ urban- I agree entirely. So if a Dinosaur Jr. album was "overproduced", would that lessen the enjoyment? A great deal of bands become more polished the more albums they release (not all) and to the outsider this could seem to be a case of softening their sound but it could be a greater need to polish the production. Production seems to have a lot more impact than people think.

right-track · 03-06-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamerson macmanus

in short i think that good production is invaluable... but it definitely begins and ends with the quality of the artist

^ In a nutshell, that's what I've been trying to say.

Some good opinions already...I like this thread.

jackhammer · 03-06-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right-track

^ In a nutshell, that's what I've been trying to say.

Some good opinions already...I like this thread.

That's what I have tried to do with the thread. Instead of the usual "check this band out", I thought it was high time we delved deeper into music form etc.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 03-06-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

@ urban- I agree entirely. So if a Dinosaur Jr. album was "overproduced", would that lessen the enjoyment? A great deal of bands become more polished the more albums they release (not all) and to the outsider this could seem to be a case of softening their sound but it could be a greater need to polish the production. Production seems to have a lot more impact than people think.

I wouldn't say it lessens the enjoyment. I think if it was given a proper production it would still be a good album. I think what the production (or rather lack of it in this case) does as far as this album goes is make it stand out & makes it memorable. It stands out for me because it's so raw. It was that which grabbed me the first time I heard it & it's that which makes me never forget it.
So i'd say for me , it doesn't make the album good , it makes it memorable.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 03-06-2008, 04:26 PM

While on the subject of Motown I think BBC4 is essential viewing tomorrow night...

Quote:

21:00 What's Going On... ...The Life and Death of Marvin Gaye Part of Detroit Night. Documentary Profile. Marvin Gaye had ground-breaking albums which revolutionised American Soul. Yet his personal life was marred by failed relationships, drug addiction and an abusive father. Interviews with him and those who knew him. >>
22:00 Motor City's Burning... ...Detroit from Motown to The Stooges Part of Detroit Night. In 1967 the biggest riot in American history erupted on the streets of Detroit - but it wasn't the only revolution going on. The 60s would see Detroit create music that captured the sound of a nation in upheaval. >>

right-track · 03-06-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

While on the subject of Motown I think BBC4 is essential viewing tomorrow night...

Motor City's Burning looks particularly interesting.

jamerson macmanus · 03-06-2008, 04:31 PM

Quote:

While on the subject of Motown I think BBC4 is essential viewing tomorrow night...

Quote:
21:00 What's Going On... ...The Life and Death of Marvin ***e Part of Detroit Night. Documentary Profile. Marvin ***e had ground-breaking albums which revolutionised American Soul. Yet his personal life was marred by failed relationships, drug addiction and an abusive father. Interviews with him and those who knew him. >>
22:00 Motor City's Burning... ...Detroit from Motown to The Stooges Part of Detroit Night. In 1967 the biggest riot in American history erupted on the streets of Detroit - but it wasn't the only revolution going on. The 60s would see Detroit create music that captured the sound of a nation in upheaval. >>

how i wish i had bbc4

Urban Hat€monger ? · 03-06-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by right-track

Motor City's Burning looks particularly interesting.

Yeah i'm looking forward to that. Radio Times promises MC5 & Funkadelic as well in that.

And I think I may have to delay my review of Whats Going On another 24 hours

jackhammer · 03-06-2008, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

Yeah i'm looking forward to that. Radio Times promises MC5 & Funkadelic as well in that.

And I think I may have to delay my review of Whats Going On another 24 hours

As long as it's in by Sunday! Good call on that line up. Thank god for my PVR!

03-06-2008, 04:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
jamerson macmanus Groupie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dayton, Ohio 1903 Posts: 31	tom dowd (quite possibly the greatest producer all time) was asked before he died, "how did you produce artists like ray charles, aretha franklin, eric clapton?" and his response was "you dont produce a great artist. you just make sure the mics are on and they have enough coffee." i agree with that to some extent (the humility there is the real remarkable thing) but then again a good production team (engineers included) can elevate the songs to new heights that some artists could never have dreamed of. in short i think that good production is invaluable... but it definitely begins and ends with the quality of the artist __________________ theres a solitary man crying hold me

03-06-2008, 04:17 PM	#12 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	@ urban- I agree entirely. So if a Dinosaur Jr. album was "overproduced", would that lessen the enjoyment? A great deal of bands become more polished the more albums they release (not all) and to the outsider this could seem to be a case of softening their sound but it could be a greater need to polish the production. Production seems to have a lot more impact than people think. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”