Musical longevity & making future classic albums

[BevvyB]

Originally posted by alphajerk
i think a classic album is an album you can put on and not stop until its over. one that leaves you with a feeling of what the hell am i going to play after that one?

Yes.

That"s almost another thread question.

In fact, i'm going to open it up right now

[Kris]

I have a feeling that Gov't Mule's "From the Deep End" series will become "classic"... How many bands have record 2 albums full of material with the best bass players on the planet (along with various other special guests)? Also a DVD filmed by Phish's bass player, mike Gordon...
I just saw them live in New Orleans... They played approximately 6 hours and had well over 20 guests on stage throughout the night, all filmed for DVD release and cd release as well...

Talk about live performance... Wish you all could have been there!!!!!

[Jack the Bear]

Originally posted by BrianT
For instance, the specific record that Mutt Lange complimented me on, and hired me as a result of, seemed like a very bad creative idea to me when I actually made it. I wasn't particularly proud of it, even though it drove an album to sales of about 6 million. I was always a little self concious about it, for some reason. Now, I'm not saying this record was necessarily a "classic", but it became a pretty big friggin' deal, and I had no idea at the time I made it.

S


Regards,
Brian T [/B]

Forgive my ignorance here Brian, but which record are you refering to?

Cheers,

Tony Mantz.
Glorified Tape Copy Boy.

[BrianT]

Originally posted by Jack the Bear
Forgive my ignorance here Brian, but which record are you refering to?

Cheers,

Tony Mantz.
Glorified Tape Copy Boy.

HEY!

I said I was kind of self concious about it, K?

If I tell you, alphjerk will laugh at me. And I'm sooooooo sensitive

Regards,
Brian T

[Jules]

I have produced a couple of 'classic' tracks in the alt rock genre I inhabit.

And one clasic album that is very obscure, it is perhaps the one work I am most proud of.. It SOUNDS pretty awfull, isnt my usuall rock stuff but is at the same time, a great, yet underground record.

("The Poison Boyfriend" by Momus - it is being re-released any day now...)

Personally, I am 'going for' a classic every time! (Cept with some lame trash for cash project).

I find classic tracks a far more realistic goal to strive for than classic albums, but then I am very "pro single" or frequently uninterested in whole album projects (no doubt a European 'singles market' influenced quirk)

[ExistanceMusic]

I think posterchild hit the nail on the head back there, and that is the point that a classic album is a classic for more reasons than just the music contained therein.

There is a world of difference between what I think we are talking about here which, when you read this whole thread, is really the difference beween a true classic album and everyones personal favourite albums.

An album that is a touchstone of a generation, defines a particular era and conjurs up images that hundreds and thousands, if not millions of people, can relate to and is universally accepted, years after it's release, is classic. For instance, I don't think there's been much, or ANY argument over the claim that albums like Dark Side of the Moon or Abbey Road are classic. They just are. It's a fact.

Then we have everyones favourite albums, which are often singled out above other records as being different for the fact that they document or provide a soundtrack to a persons life on a more personal scale.
I can't speak for everyone, but many of the recordings I consider favourites in my life hold that title because when I listen to them, they conjure up images and memories that are seperate, but forever intertwined with the the music, for instance old girlfriends, growing up, particulary good cross-country trips, that sort of thing, and I know that even if other people out there do consider them "classic" albums, I know that it would inevitably be for reasons other than mine.

Basically, I think a "classic" recording is more than the songs, the production and the artists, and that aiming to make a "classic" album is an impossible dream, as classic status come from circumstances way, way out of the control of a mere engineer, producer or musician.
The best I could ever hope for is that the music coming out of those speakers, that "HOLY SHIT, im part of something GREAT" feeling AJ mentioned, is part of a favourite album, the recording of which is an experience that I'll remember as a great time in MY life and career, hoping that other people will feel the same. But I'd never delude myself that it'd be for the same reasons.

BTW, My "Classic" List?

1. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds- The Good Son (or Murder Ballads, depending on mood)

2. Soundgarden- Superunknown

3. Paul Kelly- Hidden Things

4. Pennywise- Full Circle

5. Faithless- Sunday 8pm

6. A Tribe Called Quest- People instinctive travels and the paths of rythym.