I have read that Prince laid down flat on his back while recording his first record ? (demo?),

to make his voice come across clearer.

Wonder if he still makes use of this technique once in awhile, does anyone know,

and is it a common way to record amongst recording artists ?

Did any artists here try that ?

I read he did it to remain calm in his voice,

I also read he drank a half of bottle of red wine before recording 'little red corvette'.

How many people are present in the studio when Prince records ?

Do you think he sometimes record alone, or is there always witnesses/assistance of somekind ?

usually it's prince and engineer, unless other band members are around. he usually lays down drums then bass, then either keyboards or guitar until the music tracks are laid down, then he goes in the console room and sends the engineer away whilst he lays his vocals down at the desk, then calls the engineer back when he's finished to mix the track whilst prince leaves him to it

John Lennon lay on his back to record the vocals for the album slow version of "Revolution" in 1968 for "The White Album" (That was a nickname for that unnamed album too... but it did have the stamped text "The Beatles" unlike Prince's "Black Album" which had no mention of Prince's name).

ufoclub said:

John Lennon lay on his back to record the vocals for the album slow version of "Revolution" in 1968 for "The White Album" (That was a nickname for that unnamed album too... but it did have the stamped text "The Beatles" unlike Prince's "Black Album" which had no mention of Prince's name).

lennon just did the overdubbed lead vox on his back. and the black album wasn't supposed to have an artist name. like a compilation album doesn't have an artist name (although usually refererred to as "various artists")

btw have you heard the 10 minute take 20 of revolution? amazing stuff, the track just goes on a wild jam session that ends up sounding closer to revolution 9

During the recording of the Scandalous Suite, I'm pretty sure Kim B. laid down in the studio.

I'm not sure if the engineers were present during that session or not.

unique said:

ufoclub said:

John Lennon lay on his back to record the vocals for the album slow version of "Revolution" in 1968 for "The White Album" (That was a nickname for that unnamed album too... but it did have the stamped text "The Beatles" unlike Prince's "Black Album" which had no mention of Prince's name).

lennon just did the overdubbed lead vox on his back. and the black album wasn't supposed to have an artist name. like a compilation album doesn't have an artist name (although usually refererred to as "various artists")

btw have you heard the 10 minute take 20 of revolution? amazing stuff, the track just goes on a wild jam session that ends up sounding closer to revolution 9

I think Lennon did it to try to really get a lazy sound, which I'm sure was funny to him in condescending contrast to the required energy for a political revolution. I'm not sure I've heard that long version, but I bet I have it.

In my opinion, The Black Album was not a compilation album (unless you count most of his albums outside of "One Night Alone", "The Truth", and "Lovesexy" as compilations). Lovesexy still reworked "The Ball", it's trailing segue, and scavenged "When 2 R in Love". In fact I think The Black Album is Prince's most cohesive album concept (outside of maybe the more boring The Rainbow Children). "Graffiti Bridge" or "1-800-New Funk" were literally compilation albums.

The "Black Album" was first announced in a press release as "The Funk Bible" as Prince's next album. Then he decided to go further with his "Camille" idea of releasing an entire album under a psuedonym, and take off any mention of himself... except for the intro sub-monologue which names himself and names the album.

I remember back in 1987 just trying to imagine what "The Funk Bible" would sound like. Then Rolling Stone published a little blurb about "The Black Album" with a description of the song "Bob George", and I thought it was a new different project. This was still before "Lovesexy" was announced if I remember correctly.

I still have these two mentioned press releases as magazine blurb clippings.

the "black album" had no title or artist. it wasn't a compilation. i just mean it had no artist name in the same way as a various artist compilation has no artist name either

unique said:

the "black album" had no title or artist. it wasn't a compilation. i just mean it had no artist name in the same way as a various artist compilation has no artist name either

ah sorry!

Laying on your back is a technique used with falsetto vocals.

Shyness may have played a part too.

He lays down and records while eating a bowl of Cap'N' Crunch.

treehouse said:

Laying on your back is a technique used with falsetto vocals.

Shyness may have played a part too.

Thank you !

unique said:

usually it's prince and engineer, unless other band members are around. he usually lays down drums then bass, then either keyboards or guitar until the music tracks are laid down, then he goes in the console room and sends the engineer away whilst he lays his vocals down at the desk, then calls the engineer back when he's finished to mix the track whilst prince leaves him to it

Sweet !

unique said:

ufoclub said:

John Lennon lay on his back to record the vocals for the album slow version of "Revolution" in 1968 for "The White Album" (That was a nickname for that unnamed album too... but it did have the stamped text "The Beatles" unlike Prince's "Black Album" which had no mention of Prince's name).

lennon just did the overdubbed lead vox on his back. and the black album wasn't supposed to have an artist name. like a compilation album doesn't have an artist name (although usually refererred to as "various artists")

btw have you heard the 10 minute take 20 of revolution? amazing stuff, the track just goes on a wild jam session that ends up sounding closer to revolution 9

Wasn't Marvin Gaye the first musician to dub his own voice ...ever ?

DennisMark said:

unique said:

lennon just did the overdubbed lead vox on his back. and the black album wasn't supposed to have an artist name. like a compilation album doesn't have an artist name (although usually refererred to as "various artists")

btw have you heard the 10 minute take 20 of revolution? amazing stuff, the track just goes on a wild jam session that ends up sounding closer to revolution 9

Wasn't Marvin Gaye the first musician to dub his own voice ...ever ?

no. overdubbing started long before he was born. the technique started in the 1920s before magnetic tape was used in the studio. les paul did a track in the 1940s with various guitar overdubs, and buddy holly overdubbed his voice and guitar in the 50s

This is a great thread. Thanks to each poster for the info you've each shared. I love reading stuff like this about Prince, other artists and about the recording process in general. Very interesting.

speaking of Laydown...y'all need 2 peep the NBA version...shonuffunkadelic

here

you can't post youtube videos here or the paisley po po will cry

NelsonR said:

speaking of Laydown...y'all need 2 peep the NBA version...shonuffunkadelic

here

Thanks !

unique said:

DennisMark said:

Wasn't Marvin Gaye the first musician to dub his own voice ...ever ?

no. overdubbing started long before he was born. the technique started in the 1920s before magnetic tape was used in the studio. les paul did a track in the 1940s with various guitar overdubs, and buddy holly overdubbed his voice and guitar in the 50s

Thank you for the information - tell me then was Marvin the first to then record his own voice and use as background vocals too...?

DennisMark said:

unique said:

no. overdubbing started long before he was born. the technique started in the 1920s before magnetic tape was used in the studio. les paul did a track in the 1940s with various guitar overdubs, and buddy holly overdubbed his voice and guitar in the 50s

Thank you for the information - tell me then was Marvin the first to then record his own voice and use as background vocals too...?

no

unique said:

ufoclub said:

John Lennon lay on his back to record the vocals for the album slow version of "Revolution" in 1968 for "The White Album" (That was a nickname for that unnamed album too... but it did have the stamped text "The Beatles" unlike Prince's "Black Album" which had no mention of Prince's name).

lennon just did the overdubbed lead vox on his back. and the black album wasn't supposed to have an artist name. like a compilation album doesn't have an artist name (although usually refererred to as "various artists")

btw have you heard the 10 minute take 20 of revolution? amazing stuff, the track just goes on a wild jam session that ends up sounding closer to revolution 9

I have never heard that, but I would love to.

I have tried to imagine how Revolution 1 and Revolution 9 are related, and I can't!

NelsonR said:

speaking of Laydown...y'all need 2 peep the NBA version...shonuffunkadelic

here

That shows how much better his videos could be with real directors.

Just imagine if that song had a real video and was on a cd available in stores, and they played that during the playoffs

unique said:

DennisMark said:

Thank you for the information - tell me then was Marvin the first to then record his own voice and use as background vocals too...?

no

Ok - I know this is a little off topic, but since I am the original poster I hope it's ok, tell me please, then, what was the special thing Marvin introduced as studio techniques/ ways of recording as the first one to do ? (I know there was something)

DennisMark said:

unique said:

no

Ok - I know this is a little off topic, but since I am the original poster I hope it's ok, tell me please, then, what was the special thing Marvin introduced as studio techniques/ ways of recording as the first one to do ? (I know there was something)

i don't know. i'm a big fan of marvin, and what's going on is one of the greatest albums ever, with only pet sounds beating that, but with everything i've read, i couldn't say there was an answer

unique said:

DennisMark said:

Ok - I know this is a little off topic, but since I am the original poster I hope it's ok, tell me please, then, what was the special thing Marvin introduced as studio techniques/ ways of recording as the first one to do ? (I know there was something)

i don't know. i'm a big fan of marvin, and what's going on is one of the greatest albums ever, with only pet sounds beating that, but with everything i've read, i couldn't say there was an answer

Thanks, alright, let's just conclude he for sure was the first to be 'Marvin Gaye' 'The Prince of Motown'

I wonder who he laid down for Lady Cab Driver

jenst said:

I wonder who he laid down for Lady Cab Driver

Jill?