Mirage

DavidMn · #1 08-20-2005, 12:05 PM

Ok, everyone knoes this album was mainly recorded in France. The question I have is this; what was the main reason? I've heard it was becuse of Mick's tax issues he was having at the time. I've read some stuff about that in his book, but if anyone knows more, or if I'm wrong please let me know. And as long as I'm at it, I'll say this too; I'd love to know more about the recording of Mirage. I mean it kind of gets left behind in discussion for the most part when it comes to the albums the big 5 were on. As a matter of fact, I think it would be somewhat interesting to see somthing come out on the making of Mirage, although that will probably never happen. I mean, its the only album with Stevie, Lindsey, CHristine, John and Mick that wasnt recorded in the U.S for the most part. AM I cuckoo here?

David · #2 08-20-2005, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Ok, everyone knoes this album was mainly recorded in France. The question I have is this; what was the main reason? I've heard it was becuse of Mick's tax issues he was having at the time. I've read some stuff about that in his book, but if anyone knows more, or if I'm wrong please let me know. And as long as I'm at it, I'll say this too; I'd love to know more about the recording of Mirage. I mean it kind of gets left behind in discussion for the most part when it comes to the albums the big 5 were on. As a matter of fact, I think it would be somewhat interesting to see somthing come out on the making of Mirage, although that will probably never happen. I mean, its the only album with Stevie, Lindsey, CHristine, John and Mick that wasnt recorded in the U.S for the most part. AM I cuckoo here?

I think the majority of the album was recorded in the United States. Basic tracks were laid down in France, but the band went there in April 1981 & came home in May. The entire rest of the year, for the most part, was spent recording, mixing & mastering Mirage at Larrabee Sound & a few other studios.

In fact, there's a radio interview out there -- I forget which -- with Stevie, & she's doing the interview from Larrabee. The radio station must have caught her on one of the few days she actually showed up at the band's sessions. Ken Caillat, Mick & Lindsey have all said Stevie wasn't around much -- around 10 percent of the recording time, & most of that was the work in France. Lindsey estimated Stevie was available for the U.S. sessions for about ten or fifteen days total. That's out of seven or eight months. Lindsey & Christine & the engineers played around with vocal tricks on the board to get the effect of Stevie without her actual singing. For example, "Book of Love" backup vocals were made to sound like Stevie even though she didn't sing on it. (Stevie was, as everyone knows, busy promoting her solo album at this time.)

The only reason I've ever really heard about going to France was because the band wanted to intentially isolate itself from Los Angeles hullabaloo.

DavidMn · #3 08-20-2005, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I think the majority of the album was recorded in the United States. Basic tracks were laid down in France, but the band went there in April 1981 & came home in May. The entire rest of the year, for the most part, was spent recording, mixing & mastering Mirage at Larrabee Sound & a few other studios.

In fact, there's a radio interview out there -- I forget which -- with Stevie, & she's doing the interview from Larrabee. The radio station must have caught her on one of the few days she actually showed up at the band's sessions. Ken Caillat, Mick & Lindsey have all said Stevie wasn't around much -- around 10 percent of the recording time, & most of that was the work in France. Lindsey estimated Stevie was available for the U.S. sessions for about ten or fifteen days total. That's out of seven or eight months. Lindsey & Christine & the engineers played around with vocal tricks on the board to get the effect of Stevie without her actual singing. For example, "Book of Love" backup vocals were made to sound like Stevie even though she didn't sing on it. (Stevie was, as everyone knows, busy promoting her solo album at this time.)

The only reason I've ever really heard about going to France was because the band wanted to intentially isolate itself from Los Angeles hullabaloo.

Well, I've certainly got somethings still to learn, that's for sure. Oh well, thank you for enlightening me.

tuigirl · #4 08-20-2005, 04:31 PM

Did I read that they used the same recording studios as Elton John did for his "Honky chateau" album....Chateau D'herouville? I think this is near Paris, I need to google and find out......Also wasn't there an interview from sometime then (maybe a mag) that suggested they had a miserable time esp with some of the food ..I have a feeling I heard about that from Mick...perhaps it's in his book.

macfan 57 · #5 08-21-2005, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuigirl

Did I read that they used the same recording studios as Elton John did for his "Honky chateau" album....Chateau D'herouville? I think this is near Paris, I need to google and find out......Also wasn't there an interview from sometime then (maybe a mag) that suggested they had a miserable time esp with some of the food ..I have a feeling I heard about that from Mick...perhaps it's in his book.

Yes, they used the same studio as Elton John did. In his Q & A, Ken Caillat mentioned that both Stevie & Lindsey complained about everything in France. I also have a Fleetwood Mac promo interview in which Stevie complained about the food, cold showers & just generally pretty much everything.

tynan88 · #6 08-21-2005, 06:33 AM

I read an article about Stevie in which she says she was haunted by a ghost in her bedroom in France..it was in a book in our school library so I haven't got it...can anyone else know what that is?

HomerMcvie · #7 08-21-2005, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macfan 57

I also have a Fleetwood Mac promo interview in which Stevie complained about the food, cold showers & just generally pretty much everything.

I'm not surprised. I've told my story of a lady I know, who was responsible for taking care of Stevie's dressing room at one of her solo shows. She said Stevie complained about eveything, and was a total b***h. She said NOTHING pleased her. Of course, when I tell this story, the army comes at me with bayonets.

Taking cover now....

~*BellaDonna*~ · #8 07-25-2016, 03:42 PM

I didn't really like Mirage very much upon it's original 1982 release, but.... 34 years later, it has become a favorite. Is it September yet?

FuzzyPlum · #9 07-25-2016, 03:54 PM

KC: 'If you just listen to Tusk without any of Lindsey’s songs, it sounds almost identical to Mirage'

Is this really the case? Clearly Stevie and Chris' Tusk songs are much more straight forward and 'normal'. I wouldn't compare them with Mirage though. I find Mirage to be experimental in a very different way to Tusk but still a long way from their previous sounds. Stevie & Chris' Tusk songs are in line with The White album and Rumours. I think the way the Mirage songs are produced gives them all a very different feel.
I love the songs on Mirage but I really dont like the flimsy, fluffy production touches. It's the album that made them a pop group rather than a rock band.

**jbrownsjr** · #10 07-25-2016, 07:02 PM

it took me a few weeks to actually understand Mirage. Once I did, I was hooked. It has so many beautiful things about it.

BLY · #11 07-25-2016, 08:01 PM

I was in College when Mirage was released and I was hooked at first listen. Hold Me and Gypsy were of course instant classics for me and the heavy rotation on MTV gave me the visual as an added bonus. Love in Store, Book of Love, Eyes of The World, Straight Back and Wish You Were Here were the stand outs for me at first but as all of their albums every track I can appreciate and got into. I CANT WAIT for the deluxe release.

**jbrownsjr** · #12 07-25-2016, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLY

I was in College when Mirage was released and I was hooked at first listen. Hold Me and Gypsy were of course instant classics for me and the heavy rotation on MTV gave me the visual as an added bonus. Love in Store, Book of Love, Eyes of The World, Straight Back and Wish You Were Here were the stand outs for me at first but as all of their albums every track I can appreciate and got into. I CANT WAIT for the deluxe release.

Ditto.... really needing it, soon than later.