Mixing Live And Dangerous by Thin Lizzy with Sound Engineer Ben Findlay
Jan 14, 2024
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Sound engineer Ben Findlay discusses mixing Thin Lizzy's 'Live and Dangerous' Super Deluxe Box Set, revealing the number of overdubs and his traditional recording techniques. He also talks about the recent Beck Bogert & Appice Box Set and his collaborations with iconic artists like Robert Plant and Paul McCartney.
'Live and Dangerous' by Thin Lizzy had numerous overdubs, revealing the extent of post-production work on the album.
Ben Findlay discusses the Super Deluxe Box Set release of 'Live and Dangerous' and his work with Beck Bogert & Appice.
The podcast explores the process of remastering and remixing in music production, highlighting the role of mastering engineers and technological advancements.
Deep dives
Ben Finley's Career Journey
Ben Finley, Grammy-nominated record producer and sound engineer, shares his career journey, starting from being inspired by musicians like Jeff Beck and Peter Gabriel to wanting to be a part of the music industry. Despite not making it as a pop star, Ben pursued his passion for technical work, saying yes to any opportunity that aligned with his interests. He gained experience by working on various projects, such as building stages at festivals and assisting with live shows. His career took off when he had the opportunity to tour with local bands and eventually started working for a small audio company in Bristol. Through networking and being open to opportunities, Ben's career expanded, leading him to work with renowned artists like Paul McCartney and Paul O'Newtini.
Revisiting Thin Lizzy's 'Live and Dangerous'
The iconic live double album 'Live and Dangerous' by Thin Lizzy is examined in detail. The recording process involved capturing live performances from different venues, resulting in variations in the acoustic spaces and audience reactions. The album is praised for its authenticity and energetic approach, capturing the band's dynamic stage presence. Producer Tony Visconti's meticulous efforts to create a cohesive live album experience are highlighted, including the use of audience tracks to enhance the immersive feeling. The recent Super Deluxe edition release offered fans the opportunity to listen to additional source concert recordings, showcasing the band's versatility and the evolution of their sound. The importance of 'Live and Dangerous' as a groundbreaking record in music history is emphasized, despite the band's humble initial intentions for the release.
Jeff Beck's 'Beck Bogert Appice Live in London'
The discussion delves into the exploration of another live album, Jeff Beck's 'Beck Bogert Appice Live in London.' This live recording, featuring the trio Beck, Bogert, and Appice, showcases their unique blend of rock and jazz fusion. The discovery of previously unreleased live material from a London gig adds excitement to the box set release. Producer Ben Finley, who has worked closely with Jeff Beck, shares his insights into the project. Attention is drawn to the absence of overdubs in the London performance, making it a genuine representation of the band's musicianship and the direction they were taking at the time. The challenges and nuances of working with vintage tapes are discussed, including the process of baking the tapes to extract audio and the careful transfer to digital formats. Overall, the box set offers an intriguing glimpse into a lesser-known period of Jeff Beck's career.
The Art of Remastering and Remixing
The conversation also explores the concepts of remastering and remixing in the context of music production. The distinction between these two processes is explained, with remastering involving enhancing the audio quality of an existing recording, while remixing entails reworking the individual tracks to create a new mix. The role of mastering engineers in the remastering process is highlighted, as they bring a fresh perspective and polish to the original recordings. Examples are given to demonstrate how remastering can improve the overall sound of a reissue. It is noted that technological advancements have allowed for higher resolutions and better sonic accuracy in contemporary remasters. The impact of different formats, such as surround sound mixes, is also discussed, showcasing the evolution of audio production techniques.
The Future of Sound Engineering
The discussion concludes with an overview of the future of sound engineering. The ease of recording live shows in the digital age is compared to the challenges faced in the past, particularly in capturing the ambiance and audience reactions. The flexibility and capabilities provided by modern recording technologies are celebrated, allowing for comprehensive recordings and potential archive releases. The importance of adapting to different acoustic spaces and the unique features of each venue is emphasized, as sound engineers play a crucial role in managing these variables. The possibility of upcoming projects and collaborations, as well as the continuous evolution of technology, points to an exciting future for sound engineering.
So after decades we can now see how many overdubs there really were on Thin Lizzy's classic live album 'Live and Dangerous'
In this exclusive podcast sound engineer Ben Findlay talks about and shows on screen what was involved in mixing the This Lizzy 'Live and Dangerous Super Deluxe Box Set.
Ben shows on screen the actual multitracks so we get to talk about the age old question...so how many over dubs were there?
Ben Also talks about the recent Beck Bogert & Appice Box Set.
Ben's expertise is a rare blend of traditional, pre-digital recording techniques and vast experience in live concert mixing. His skill set extends to record production, 5.1 surround sound mixing, album mastering, on-site recording, live TV broadcast mixing, and studio consultancy.
Ben's versatility makes him an invaluable asset for any audio project. His impressive portfolio includes collaborations with iconic artists such as Robert Plant, Peter Gabriel, Clannad, Simply Red, Lionel Richie, Jeff Beck, Paul McCartney, Sting, Cara Dillon, Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens), Thin Lizzy, Paolo Nutini, Patti Smith, Gary Moore, Van Morrison, and Beck-Bogart-Appice. Join me as we delve into the world of sound engineering with the immensely talented Ben Findlay.
Thank you for all your support
Phil Aston
