"Real bands don't use tracks"

[mikehalloran]

This is one of the issues that IMO shouldn't be one, that happens with the rise of the studio as an instrument and shaper of a sound. You can go back to the 50's at least for songs that are almost impossible to pull off live because some of the appeal is studio trickery.

…

If you don’t know this one already…

Although Les Paul was known for using tape loops and other tricks onstage, with and without his wife, Mary Ford, there was one that no one could figure out — how were Mary Ford’s vocals harmonized live? This was the 1950s.

One evening, backstage after a concert with Mary Ford, a little girl accompanied by her parents asked Les & Mary, "Where’s the other lady?"

Mary’s sister was hidden behind a screen and sang harmony. According to Les Paul, that girl was the only person who figured it out.

[HCMarkus]

Mary’s sister was hidden behind a screen and sang harmony.

Perfect, Mike!

We musicians have always done whatever it takes.

[SixStringGeek]

I haven't played out much since the 80s where I was either the guitarist working with a keyboardist with one synth and limited skills (I made her patches for her and showed her what to play) or I was a keyboardist (I'm a very limited keyboardist BTW but a decent synth programmer) who doubled on 2nd guitar when required. I also relied a lot on MIDI mapping tricks and an arpeggiator in a Korg DW8000.

We didn't use tracks because we were too poor to own the gear to reproduce everything anyhow so if "the record" is a photograph, we played a caricature line drawing - only the front most parts made it - the ones you would sing out loud if you were trying to remind someone of the song.

Nobody cared. We were very popular.

The only live playing I get anymore is at an open mic in town on Tuesday nights. You can get up and do 2-3 songs. Most everybody that isn't an acoustic guitar folkie is plugging in their iPhone and playing a partial backing track while they add their thing. Same with most "pro" acts in town. It is the only way to compete with the DJs. I generally just find people who are playing stuff I know or can fake my way through and offer to accompany them. I don't have time to prepare a repertoire anyhow.

Whatever keeps the DJ's off the stage makes me happy.

[stubbsonic]

I remember going to a "solo" show of an artist I care about (not mentioning any names) when iPhones (or maybe it was an iPod) were fairly new, and this artist used the device to play background tracks while playing guitar and singing live.

It seemed gimmicky and mildly annoying, only because I would have been interested in hearing things more stripped down. I adjusted to it, and enjoyed the show (perhaps in spite of the b.g. trax). It's worth mentioning that this artist was somewhat known for using current tech in new ways.

Anyone wanna guess who?

[Bobbyd]

I remember going to a "solo" show of an artist I care about (not mentioning any names) when iPhones (or maybe it was an iPod) were fairly new, and this artist used the device to play background tracks while playing guitar and singing live.

It seemed gimmicky and mildly annoying, only because I would have been interested in hearing things more stripped down. I adjusted to it, and enjoyed the show (perhaps in spite of the b.g. trax). It's worth mentioning that this artist was somewhat known for using current tech in new ways.

Anyone wanna guess who?

Trent Reznor?

[stubbsonic]

Trent Reznor?

Nope, but this artist has the same initials.

[Killahurts]

Real bands do use tracks, with a professional setup. Fake bands use their iPhones.

[stubbsonic]

Real bands do use tracks, with a professional setup. Fake bands use their iPhones.

You have hereby opened a new can of worms.

[daniel.sneed]

Monty Python fellows may say:
Bands with tracks do use tracks, while bands with no track don't use tracks.

[bayswater]

Todd Rundgren?

[stubbsonic]

Todd Rundgren?

[Tritonemusic]

This is one of the issues that IMO shouldn't be one, that happens with the rise of the studio as an instrument and shaper of a sound. You can go back to the 50's at least for songs that are almost impossible to pull off live because some of the appeal is studio trickery.

…

If you don’t know this one already…

Although Les Paul was known for using tape loops and other tricks onstage, with and without his wife, Mary Ford, there was one that no one could figure out — how were Mary Ford’s vocals harmonized live? This was the 1950s.

One evening, backstage after a concert with Mary Ford, a little girl accompanied by her parents asked Les & Mary, "Where’s the other lady?"

Mary’s sister was hidden behind a screen and sang harmony. According to Les Paul, that girl was the only person who figured it out.

I couldn't resist. This thread reminded me of this video (fun to watch):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjKX0P4t_ac

[mikehalloran]

I couldn't resist. This thread reminded me of this video (fun to watch):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjKX0P4t_ac

I love that! I thought this was filmed before the auto accident that shattered his right arm but it’s after. Notice that Les’s right elbow never changes. E.R. doctor was a guitar player who argued against amputation and set the bones at an angle that let him still play.

I can’t play guitar anymore and never owned a Les Paul but, if I did, it would have a pair of DeArmonds like that one. I like P-90s but damn!

[bayswater]

I couldn't resist. This thread reminded me of this video (fun to watch):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjKX0P4t_ac

Thanks for that. I’d have have never come across it myself. The playing gives you the “tingles”. I played it for a bunch of people and it was surprising how many were taken in by the first half.