Comic 181
Back-up Vocal~ One of my favorite elements of learning about the making of classic albums, is hearing bands talk about the studios they selected for recording. I don’t think of the locations a record label might pick for a new artist making their first album. Rather, I’m referring to the studios that a veteran band may desire, once their success earned them their wings and they can decide for themselves what studio compliments their sonic agendas for their next project. For example, a band might want a particular studio simply because their favorite bands used it. Some love a smaller studio with more warmth in the acoustics. Others want a much larger room, conducive to a bigger, sound. Bands like Rush, may use the same studio for multiple records because they trust what they get from a legendary place like the old Le Studio. But, we mostly speak of studios desired for the positive attributes they provide. I don’t hear much mention of spots with awful properties, purposely chosen for the horrific and limited sonic options housed within their walls.
With that notion in mind, even if only for one song, it seemed fitting to explore the prospects on display from the interiors of the DBS 3 tour bus. Whilst it gathers dust on the lawn of the Manifold Studios compound, our Bo saw no harm in making use of its flaws for the greater good of a dream. A few years ago, I read a fascinating book called “Are We Still Rolling?”, by Phill Brown. It’s a wonderful memoir of a sound engineer, documenting his career working with some of the biggest names in several genres of Rock music. Among his many stories, he described recording a handful vocal tracks of the late, great Robert Palmer in some outdoor spots. Capturing natural atmosphere brought ever further dimension to Palmer’s performance. I remembered the book as I crafted this Comic and thought it would be fun to approach the notion from a slightly different angle. Plus, this newest offering allowed me to explore the phenomenon that IS the DBS 3 tour bus a touch more. As I have previously stated, the bus is a prop I must apply sparingly, since it feels like a trope that only offers so much in the joke department before it gets completely redesigned in a future story. So, I use it while I can, while staying mindful of what I feel to be its inherent limits.
Finally, there is a yet another “Wiseguy” Shout-Out in this one. For those who know how to spot it.