All I want to listen to is awesome 4 track pop like Gene Defcon (k). I also like Panty Boy (aloha, victoria) and Jim Gutherie (three gut, toronto).
Who can you recommend in the vein of self produced 4 track home recordings? Total obscure local artists are encouraged.
― ddd, Tuesday, 24 September 2002 13:18 (twenty-three years ago)
The most beautiful album ever produced was made on a 4-track: it's called "Mr And Mrs Smith and Mr Drake" and features Tim Smith, Sarah Smith and Bill Drake who at the time (1984?) were the nucleus of Cardiacs and later recorded and performed as The Sea Nymphs.
Even if you can't stand Cardiacs (why?) this tape is worth seeking out (it is stylistically far removed from recordings of the 'parent band'). The songs are stunning, recalling the best moments of the Incredible String Band but really quite unlike anything before or since, and the sound of the whole thing is gorgeous... Delicate acoustic guitar work blends with rich, creaky organs and triumphant brass and woodwind, and to top it off there's an old upright piano which sounds so authentic that you can smell the dust behind the lid.
(What's more, it's going to be re-released on CD "soon" - see www.anyware.co.uk/ame for details.)
Another 4-track classic is "Loaf Of Legs" by Zag And The Coloured Beads, an obscure Surrey-based combo from the eighties. They really are very obscure - I suppose their main 'claim-to-fame' is that their keyboard played (Bob White) went on to be in Levitation (with Bic Hayes from Ring, who were also excellent, and featured Zag himself - all a bit confusing!). However they produced two excellent albums (the other one, "Sawtooth Gripmaster", is even better!).
Happy ending: I've recently been in touch with a membed of 'the Beads', and he's interested in putting these hard-to-find tapes out again on CD - stay tuned to www.zatcb.co.uk for further details... can't wait!
― James Larcombe, Tuesday, 24 September 2002 14:07 (twenty-three years ago)
In fact... wasn't "Nervous Recreation" by Ring done on a 4-track? (Marina will know.) Another extremely good album, that.
― James Larcombe, Tuesday, 24 September 2002 14:22 (twenty-three years ago)
surely 4 track genius is when you have no clue or suspicion that what you are listening to was recorded on 4 track?
― pulpo, Tuesday, 24 September 2002 14:39 (twenty-three years ago)
Indeed - I was astonished when I saw the device that was used to record "Mr And Mrs Smith..". It's just a tape player with four huge knobs on it! You'd never know from listening to it though.
― James Larcombe, Tuesday, 24 September 2002 14:45 (twenty-three years ago)
the hiddens cameras' "ecce homo" is an incredible one too. they're from toronto. the cd is hard to get nowadays but there's mp3's on their site. www.musicismyboyfriend.com
― Rhys, Tuesday, 24 September 2002 15:42 (twenty-three years ago)
Must second 'stereo 99's' Grifters recommendation.Possibly the best gut drunk rock set of spliffy drinkers to grace this planet
Also, early Guided by Voices, Mountain goats, Peter jeffries,some of my efforts, circa '84.....
― Yooof 35 yrs old, Tuesday, 24 September 2002 21:32 (twenty-three years ago)
To the best of my knowledge the Mountain Goats have not ever used a 4-track. ;)
― That Guy (J0hn Darn1elle), Wednesday, 25 September 2002 00:59 (twenty-three years ago)
Either "It doesn't matter" or "Songs about girls" by me, 1993 or 1994 respectively. Both classic, of course. 8-)
― Rob M, Wednesday, 25 September 2002 06:32 (twenty-three years ago)