Hello all---
This is a great thread. Thanks for starting and continuing it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by madformac
Just sounds like Lindsey using a delay somewhere around the 400milisecond range on a Stratocaster, I'm certain its a Strat from the tone.
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Interesting. I'll have to listen to it again. I always thought it was a Telecaster or even a Chet Atkins or something like that. But then, you're probably right---I'm not a very technical person.
In the photos from his early days with the Mac, Lindsey almost always has a Les Paul, although I don't think he used it exclusively in the studio.
I think it's also interesting to note the changes in guitar tones that Lindsey has used over the years. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like he doesn't vary the tone in recent years as much as he did pre-TANGO.
Before I say this next comment---let me just say up front that I'm a huge fan of Lindsey's music and recording techniques. He been a particular influence on me in terms of using the studio as a tool [albeit my small home recording set-up] to make songs come alive.
But, since this thread was started to discuss Lindsey "Live v. Studio," I wanted to throw this out there.
After THE DANCE was released, I remember hearing an FM bootleg from the tour that followed. I was shocked. Not only was all of the between-song banter by the band members nearly exactly the same as it was on THE DANCE...the playing was also practically identical. The solos were nearly note-for-note the same.
For a group of musicians as talented as FM, this was just completely shocking and saddening to me. I remember asking a friend, "What's the use of playing live if you're just doing the same thing every night?"
Last year, I was blessed to be able to see Lindsey here in Houston [7th row tickets! woo-hoo!]. But, again, there seemed to be little room for improvisation or spontaneity. He certainly played with emotion---I don't think anyone could argue with that---but, in terms of the songs that were played, the comments that he made, and the notes that were played---it all seemed very rehearsed. Maybe I'm mistaken, but I seem to recall some of the comments Lindsey made and the song arrangements matching the Soundstage DVD.
I think Lindsey is one of the most underrated, talented guitarists in rock music today. But this approach to live performance...it's almost clinical...and it's hard for me to reconcile his obvious talent with such a rigid approach to performance.
I know. I'm probably just being too picky!
But I can't help comparing my other favorite performers with my favorite band, Crowded House. They don't play two concerts the same; the set list changes each show, they do audience requests, they make songs up on the spot, they encourage fans to participate in the shows. To me, their concerts are the definition of what a live show should be: an interactive experience.
From a technical standpoint, Lindsey is a far more talented musician than any of the members of Crowded House. Yet, his set lists rarely change from one show to another. Even the stories he tells to introduce songs rarely change.
I guess that's the one thing about him, as a performer, that I've never understood. We all know about him being a perfectionist and having control issues, particularly in the studio. Maybe he's just not comfortable with allowing things to be more relaxed on stage. But it still seems strange to me that this incredibly talented person, who seems so willing to try different or unusual approaches to recording, is almost rigid when it comes to concert performances.
mattl