Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

We did our CD on tape, then transferred to pro tools for mix, tweaks, etc. Our engineer is known as a "drum guy", so the next time we go in he wants to get at least the drums on tape, and everything else record directly on computer. One big problem I have is the dang cost of a reel of tape! But I like tape, and the manipulations you can do with it. Sad to see it going away.

I also like the sound of tape, much more "real" sounding to me.

Bob, its much more "reel" sounding right?

Although I'm a sworn disciple of digital, one cannot deny the magnetism of tape...

Aaarrrgh!

Dire Straits...

Anything by The Zombies. I just put them on and I can't believe I haven't fallen dead in love with this band before. I'd clone the singer if I could.

The recording just breathes, just amazing presence especially when the timeframe is taken into account. I'm going to have trouble listening to anything else for a while!

Bob, I agree wholeheartedly and enthusiastically!

Back in '00, I picked up their then-new boxed set and was completely captivated by the B sides! I'd heard "Tell Her No" and "Time of the Season" hundreds of times, of course, but much of their more obscure material had squeaked by me. Rod Argent was a major talent on keyboards, and nobody before or since has had Colin Blunstone's vocal style. Yessss....

What I think blew me away the most is probably how far ahead of their time they were, both in terms of their music and their sound. They were doing things it took anyone else years to do, and with so much space, so much groove...

I'm thinking I'll be hunting down that box set, Paul!

The Zombies set the high bar no question, but except for their hits they were largely ignored for their contribution to the development of intricately arranged, jazz fusion influenced, popular music.

One of my all time favourite bands from the 60s that I also need to re-discover.

I've never listened to the Zombies....but that is about to change!

Any particular album that I should look out for?

"Odessey and Oracle was their only cohesive full-length platter (the first album was largely pasted together from singles and covers)." (from AMG)
But there are several compilations as well... i have their first LP (CD), Zombies - "Begin here", 31 compositions in total... love "Sticks and stones" in particular...

My favorite recorded ALBUMS:

Dismemberment Plan - Emergency & I - clean and punchy, great stereo imaging, great tones

Fugazi - Argument - lo-fi vibe, hi-fi presence, incredible songs and performances

Elvis Costello - Brutal Youth - genius.

Tom Waits - Mule Variations - this album sounds like it could automatically bring rain, even on the brightest days.

Joe Jackson - I'm The Man - Raw and dirty, yet tight and well crafted.

Beach Boys - Pet Sounds - No comment needed. This is an album that was BASED on recording.

Mercury Rev - Deserter's Songs - See above.

My favorite recorded SONGS:

Elvis Costello - "Watching The Detectives" - Everything is slammed HARD, but absolutely tastefully. Extremely gritty, recorded in a style way ahead of it's time, in my opinion. Incredible with loud, loud speakers.

Squeeze - "Is That Love" - If this song sounded different in ANY way, it might actually make it less enjoyable to listen to. Perfectly mixed, especially vocal tracks. Great song, too.

Medications - "Safe And Sorry" - Clean, accurate, and really live feel. That's good because they're a great live band.

Radiohead - "Electioneering" - Take the characteristics of "Watching The Detectives" and then add tons of room and artificial ambience, and change the style of music entirely. Brilliant sound.

Avoid Odyssey and Oracle as a Zombies primer. It's not disappointing, just off the usual mark. It would be like listening to "Their Satanic Majesties" for an introduction to the Stones.

The boxed set (3 or 4 discs, I forget; my copy is in S. America) was about $65.00 back in '00 and had all od "O & O" on it, besides everything else they released. Great buy.

"You Made Me Feel So Good" I had never heard before I bought this album, and now it's my all time fave...

Gotta buy another copy!

Thanks for the Zombies info....they will shortly be in my CD collection.