Got a newsletter from Beck’s old keyboardist, Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Manthing / Malibu / Shotgun), via his website. He mentioned some very cool recordings he did with Beck, co-starring Roger’s Jellyfish bandmate, Jason Falkner (who is on Sea Change and Info) and a few others. Here’s what he wrote:
The most recent and biggest surprise of late was getting a call from Beck recently to help do some “direct to disc” recording. Those invited to help out were, Justin, Jason Falkner and special guests Jamie Lidell and Mocky. Direct to disc recording involves all of the musicians performing simultaneously (no overdubbing) live in a studio environment. The audio signal is then sent to an antiquated machine that literally cuts the signal onto vinyl instantly there on the spot. The objective being and incredibly enhanced recording signal and sound quality not to mention the “live” element of the performance being captured. In other words, no second takes for the musicians. Get it right and get it right now! Needless to say this was a new and exhilarating challenge that we all welcomed. It really forced some interesting spontaneity to emerge from this great ensemble of musicians. No word yet as to how Beck plans on using the material garnered from these dates.
In another recent interview while in Australia, it was reported that Beck “shelved his idea of an album of two-minute pop songs to highlight society’s ever-dwindling attention span for a project of “more inconvenience”.” Beck explained, “It’s almost a reaction against everything having to be so pocket-sized, quick and easy and downloadable. It makes me want to make something that doesn’t fit in through the front door, that you have to break a wall to get into the house.”
But then, Beck also told the Japan Times he wanted to do a Elliott-Smith-style-acoustic album too.
these teases kill me. i want to hear all these things.