My Kind of Girl played on Wogan Mon 29.9.08

Rmoore · Post by **Rmoore** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 11:05 pm

Matt hated overdubbing his vocals (although he had to do this occasionally) and he never used the Beatles layering techniques, as I say he like to record live - and did where ever possible, right up to the end of his career. The Main time that he overdubbed vocals was when singing in spanish - pronuciation being the problem.

There were times when overdubs were added to a recording Matt had already recorded (one whole album features additional overdubs).

On Days Like These was 4 track and recorded as live - it was more problematical than you would think. The engineers at Abbey Road in those days were stunning in their abilities to mix perfectly in stereo to two channels. I suspect that the track listing for that song would have been - Stereo Orchestra on 1 & 2, Either Backing Vocals or Harpsichord on track 3 and Matt on Track 4.

Now I know this leaves a few unanswered questions, what album? Tell me more about the sessions!

Ah-ha, I'm not giving away to much before the book is published!

Richard

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:49 am

Richard

Many thanks for replying.
"On Days Like These was 4 track and recorded as live - it was more problematical than you would think" - are you saying this busy, audibly rich recording would of been very tricky to 'capture'?

One more question please!
You mention Matt hated overdubbing, I imagine the only two reaons for overdubbing would be i) vocally off pitch or ii) a bad recording.

So, are you saying Matt was happier to go with either of the above and not overdub in order to capture the essence of a one-take, 'live' performance?

Thank you in advance!

Rmoore · Post by **Rmoore** » Wed Dec 31, 2008 3:07 pm

Ok i'll spill a few beans, On Days Like These took two sessions to complete and a large number of takes. However why is not known. Kenny Clayton cannot remember either.

Neither of the two reasons you give were the reason Matt had to overdub vocals. There were odd occasions where Matt and his Musical director were not available on the same day so the orchestra would record one day and Matt would add his vocal the following day however this was a very rare occurance. In the Mid 70's vocal overdubs happened more often - John Burgess prefered to record this way - even though Matt hated it!

The other reason would be for foreign recordings.

Matt was never happy to go with a sub standard recording. He would simply keep recording until there was a take he and his producer were happy with. I have found very few instances where Matt recorded only one or two takes. His vocals were rarely anything other than perfect of course but there can be a great number of problems that occur during a recording session.

He simply prefered to record with the orchestra in the same room.

Richard

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 7:37 am

Thank you Richard,

Now I see what you mean when you use the term 'overdub'.
I was on the wrong track (pardon the pun), thinking overdubbing was re-recording on top of previously recorded vocals.
(I've been in a studio (a long time ago) and overdubbing for me was correcting my mistakes. It usually only took two or three days.

)
Anyway, you mean literally 'play-back, record the vocals'. I'm with you!
You'll have to forgive me.

Thank you for all this information regarding Matt in the studio, I find this very interesting.

Especially for the information regarding On Days Like These, I will listen to this song with renewed fascination!

Richard, I could talk to you all day.
If you are ever near Yorkshire, please let me know!
I would love to pick you brains further!

Thanks again.

Rmoore · Post by **Rmoore** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:36 am

Your welcome.

Once Michele's book is published, perhaps I should write an article about Matt's recording sessions in more detail.

Richard

Gray · Post by **Gray** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 5:03 pm

Richard

I would lap that up!

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:33 am

I'm sure many of us would be interested Richard.

Marian and Peter.

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 1:49 am

Of course I want to read this, Richard. The more details the better. I was hoping these recording session details would be in the book, but perhaps Michele has had to cut her book down.

Rmoore · Post by **Rmoore** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 7:28 pm

I have compiled a complete annotated session listing which we hope will be included in the book - but we'll have to wait and see. However there will be bits and pieces that I haven't included in the text which might interest you.

Watch this space.

Richard