Sorry if this has been posted elsewhere. According to Billy's Facebook page, he received a call from Yes to engineer the backing vocals for the new album. I believe he is in the studio with them this week.
I'm sure there will be a few comments about this.
I hope this doesn't mean heavily layered vocal stacks, which is sort of a specialty of his. The Yes vocal blend works best when there aren't heavy overdubs. Squire and Howe blend well as it is, and much of that effect is lost if they (and whichever Jon is in the house) add lots of overdubs.
YOSO horny.
Agreed. Can't say that I'm a fan of this.Originally Posted by profusion
Music isn't about chops, or even about talent - it's about sound and the way that sound communicates to people. Mike Keneally
Not good news IMO.
I'm holding out for the Wilson-mixed 5.1 super-duper walletbuster special anniversary extra adjectives edition.
He is engineering them, that does not mean he sings too.
True, but he has a "sound" that rubs me the wrong way when it comes to vocals.
Music isn't about chops, or even about talent - it's about sound and the way that sound communicates to people. Mike Keneally
True, but I think you have to assume they brought him in to do more than just set up microphones and press the "record" button.
Most likely, both the band and Roy Thomas Baker are after a certain vocal arrangement, and they hired a guy who they know can achieve it. That is what concerns me, since I don't want the sort of '80s "gang" vocals he favors.
AFAIK, engineering is not the same as production. My guess is that RTB will have final say. Having said that, RTB was one of the first to emply the massive stacking effect (that Billy likes) on those landmark Queen efforts.
Thinking back on the vocal work done with Queen under RTB's production stacked vocals aren't too much of a shock.
While not stacked to the roof, even FFH under Horn's production watch has many moments where there are multiple Benoits and Squires. I think anyone expecting to hear only three single-tracked voices in harmony on this new cd will be disappointed.
Even JA was multi-tracked back in the day to help thicken the choruses/harmonies. However, my guess is that those moments only had 4-8 voices rather than the 16, 32 or 64 Freddies on Bohemian Rhapsody, etc.
+1 to that Brother.
He's the engineer on backing vocal sessions. That does not seem like a role that will afford him much creative input, whether you see his involvement as a good or bad thing.
Henry
Where Are They Now? Yes news: http://www.bondegezou.co.uk/wh_now.htm
Blogdegezou, the accompanying blog: http://bondegezou.blogspot.com/
+1
Then why even bring him in?
I'm holding out for the Wilson-mixed 5.1 super-duper walletbuster special anniversary extra adjectives edition.
Music
http://greylyng.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/floatinglanternsband
http://lightuponblight.bandcamp.com/...-upon-blight-2 (new album!)
http://www.facebook.com/greylyng
http://the-zero-dollar-trio.bandcamp.com
“The only truth is music.”
― Jack Kerouac
Why not get William Shatner to do backing vocals? Ponder that mystery!
Maybe to engineer the backing vocal tracks?
You guys are cracking me up!
My rating on the new Yes album has just dropped from 4.5 stars to 2. Damn that Sherwood already! How dare he be a musician, writer, producer, engineer, facilitator, etc?
Hired on to work for Mr. Bill Cox, a-fixin' lawn mowers and what-not, since 1964.
"Arguing with an idiot is like playing chess with a pigeon. It'll just knock over all the pieces, shit on the board, and strut about like it's won anyway." Anonymous
“Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.” George Carlin
Wait until they release the cover - you might add a star.My rating on the new Yes album has just dropped from 4.5 stars to 2. Damn that Sherwood already! How dare he be a musician, writer, producer, engineer, facilitator, etc?
Music isn't about chops, or even about talent - it's about sound and the way that sound communicates to people. Mike Keneally
Just don't let him write, that is all I ask.
Not a fan
Man, you guys are harsh! But, Henry's right. He just said he was mixing backing vocals. As to why he gets hired well I can tell you as one who hires him myself it's because he can do so many different things and he's very talented, efficient, professional and one of the most un-lazy musicians I've ever met. He's a work-o-holic and really loves music. I think I've been able to get some killer stuff out of him for my projects. Kills it on bass. He does some tasty guitar as well and I happen to like his voice. To each his own. I actually don't own all the Yes albums he did with them. Although I have Keys to Ascension which he engineered (and I think produced?). I like that one. Although IMO it always should have been just a studio album (and then make a separate live album).
Anyway, the new Yes album will be whatever it was going to be regardless. Pre-judging it based on someone engineering part of some songs because you associate them with something else you like or don't like is almost pointless. The vocals will probably be layered up no matter what anyway. Although I do know what you mean about the early Yes albums where you can distinctly hear Anderson, Howe and Squire. I liked that too. The "I Get Up I Get Down" section of "Close To The Edge" for example. But, I would imagine they're flying from fly from here sonically (as opposed to getting closer to close to the edge... hehe... allow me my stupid puns for prog entertainment).
Last edited by Squids; 03-06-2014 at 09:46 PM.
I'm in agreement here; he's fine as a producer, but his writing can be very flat and uninspired. Still, I'm sure nobody will think the new Yes album sounds like World Trade or Circa.
"Arf." -- Frank Zappa, "Beauty Knows No Pain" (live version)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks