Bloggers@large » Podcast

Anatomy of a song

Henk van de Goor — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:34:37 +0000

Here is a little lesson in pure ’70′s pop-history that I came across and was fascinated with. As such I like to share this with you all.

The British pop-group 10cc (known mostly from their song “Dreadlock Holiday“) released a song called “I’m not in love” on May 31st 1975. A time when synthesizers where not that common – yet. When you listen to the song however, it sounds very much like a modern day synthesizer was used. But it wasn’t. The unique sound the song has, was completely conceived using the technology available in 1975 – which included a moog synthesizer – and pushing the technology to it limits. Mainly using so-called “tape-loops” (now we’d call that “sampling”). The idea was, to use just voices as backing track to the song. The end result is – as said – a milestone in recording. A lot of techniques used in the record were done for the very first time.

How, and what did they do exactly to create that unique sound?

In the podcast below, which is just a partial audio clip from a BBC radio documentary, some of the very special techniques are explained and discussed, and some other “special ingredients” are disclosed, including an unique alternative lead vocal that never made it to the record! It is also revealed who the sultry voice is, of the woman that speaks just a few simple lines during the song (“Be quiet. Big boys don’t cry”).

All in all very interesting and intriguing stuff, highly recommended to listen to if you’re into pop history or music in general! So click on the title below and listen for yourself. By the way: if anyone has access to the whole documentary: please let me know. I haven’t been able to find it (yet).

10cc – I’m Not In Love – making of documentary

And here is the finished product, so you can enjoy what just was pointed out to you in the documentary. Can you hear what they where talking about?

10cc – I’m Not In Love

Mashup the music

Henk van de Goor — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:12:01 +0000

Ok, this post is actually a blatant excuse to try out a WordPress plugin called “µAudio Player” that I just installed and enables me to attach MP3 files within my postings here at Bloggers@large. One could use that for Podcasting or, like I have done below, attaching audio files that I would like to share with you readers (or should that be “listeners”?).

In this case I have inserted one file from the famous (or infamous) “mashup” artist who calls himself “Mighty Mike” and made a bootleg mashup of Duffy’s “Mercy” and the classic Police song “Roxanne”. I think that “Mercy for Roxanne” worked out very well!

The other Mashup is from producer/mixer/DJ Mark Vidler, aka Go Home Productions, and called Rapture Riders, featuring the classic “Riders on the Storm” by The Doors and “Rapture” by Blondie. This unofficial remix was later approved to be included on Blondie’s Greatest Hits: Sight + Sound and was a top ten hit on the U.S.

Anyway: to listen just click on either song title below, then click on the play button and wait a bit till it’s playing. If you have a crappy connection, it might take some time for it to work.

Mercy for Roxanne (Duffy vs the Police) by Mighty Mike

Blondie vs The Doors / Rapture Riders by Go Home Productions

Good Friday

Henk van de Goor — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:54:53 +0000

I have to admit it: I always wanted to buy myself a big US car (in particular the Lincoln Continental Mark V), but driving home from work today in my friends convertible (a Mazda MX5 or ‘Miata’ as it’s known in the US) is making me rethink this. I was impressed with how smooth a ride it is. You can clearly hear us talking and even the radio playing in the background. Can’t imagine a more relaxed way to travel home: blue skies, sunny and a nice warm Friday afternoon.

Bloggers@large » Podcast

Anatomy of a song

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Mashup the music

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Good Friday

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