Mar 03 2003
Chris 'Vinyl' Blair.
Article taken from abbey road studios magazine 'playback'.
Getting a call from the Studio Manager and being politely asked to, "help him out as a tape op on the Abbey Road album" is a very Abbey Road way of starting a career. Chris 'Vinyl' Blair, then just 17, had only been at the studios for 6 months before that call came. Says Blair, "it is not the sort of thing you turn down."
Vinyl Blair has come a long way since his tape op days and he is now Abbey Road's undisputed mastering master. "What I am doing here is normally attended by the artists or the producer or the record company. It's the final bit where you piece the whole album together and normally someone has firm ideas about how they want it - but they are usually open to suggestions from me. I can come up with ideas that they haven't even thought of."
He's worked with practically everyone in the business from Queen to Pink Floyd to the Beatles. Ask him though who his favourite people to work with are and you'll get a surprise. Blair is not locked into nostalgia. "The Radiohead guys are very nice, the Travis guys are very nice. I've done them from day one and they are friends now. There's a Christian group I do, Delirious. I always enjoy them coming. They do about an album a year. Very high quality.
"If you are planning on having Blair master your album, whatever you do don't ask him to put vinyl scratches onto your CD. "If I had a pound for every time someone said I want scratches of a stylus going down on a record on their CD I'd be quite a wealthy man now. The two main requests are artists want it really loud up to number 11 and they want it to leap out of the speakers."
Make sure that you've got some idea about your running order; obvious advice - but not to everyone. "There's this band who would ring every day with a new running order. I must have altered the running order about 12 different times. In the end I thought it was a wind up." Says Blair, "you can sense the running order as you're loading tracks in. You might not load them in the right order because you can juggle them around in the computer. I've been doing this so long I can tell. I am nearly always right the way they are going to piece it all together.
Radiohead do however occupy a special place in Blair's heart, if only for the colossal number of reels of half inch they will bring to a session. "On one Radiohead album I did they brought in 122 reels instead of the 6 that most people work with. That was pretty daunting.
"Ultimately for Blair, "everyone is a perfectionist in this, because at the end of the day we're just making records for ourselves."
[nov.28.02] Everyone loves Chris Blair
While at Abbey road studios mastering the 'Everyone' album for Furious Records we took the opportunity to present our mastering 'guru' Chris Blair [pictured left] with a particularly fine-framed plaque of all the Delirious? albums that he’s worked on as a sign of our appreciation.
We’re hoping it’ll find a place on his wall somewhere between Sting’s Brand New Day and Radiohead’s OK Computer !!!!
Stu G.
Article taken from abbey road studios magazine 'playback'.
Getting a call from the Studio Manager and being politely asked to, "help him out as a tape op on the Abbey Road album" is a very Abbey Road way of starting a career. Chris 'Vinyl' Blair, then just 17, had only been at the studios for 6 months before that call came. Says Blair, "it is not the sort of thing you turn down."
Vinyl Blair has come a long way since his tape op days and he is now Abbey Road's undisputed mastering master. "What I am doing here is normally attended by the artists or the producer or the record company. It's the final bit where you piece the whole album together and normally someone has firm ideas about how they want it - but they are usually open to suggestions from me. I can come up with ideas that they haven't even thought of."
He's worked with practically everyone in the business from Queen to Pink Floyd to the Beatles. Ask him though who his favourite people to work with are and you'll get a surprise. Blair is not locked into nostalgia. "The Radiohead guys are very nice, the Travis guys are very nice. I've done them from day one and they are friends now. There's a Christian group I do, Delirious. I always enjoy them coming. They do about an album a year. Very high quality.
"If you are planning on having Blair master your album, whatever you do don't ask him to put vinyl scratches onto your CD. "If I had a pound for every time someone said I want scratches of a stylus going down on a record on their CD I'd be quite a wealthy man now. The two main requests are artists want it really loud up to number 11 and they want it to leap out of the speakers."
Make sure that you've got some idea about your running order; obvious advice - but not to everyone. "There's this band who would ring every day with a new running order. I must have altered the running order about 12 different times. In the end I thought it was a wind up." Says Blair, "you can sense the running order as you're loading tracks in. You might not load them in the right order because you can juggle them around in the computer. I've been doing this so long I can tell. I am nearly always right the way they are going to piece it all together.
Radiohead do however occupy a special place in Blair's heart, if only for the colossal number of reels of half inch they will bring to a session. "On one Radiohead album I did they brought in 122 reels instead of the 6 that most people work with. That was pretty daunting.
"Ultimately for Blair, "everyone is a perfectionist in this, because at the end of the day we're just making records for ourselves."
[nov.28.02] Everyone loves Chris Blair
While at Abbey road studios mastering the 'Everyone' album for Furious Records we took the opportunity to present our mastering 'guru' Chris Blair [pictured left] with a particularly fine-framed plaque of all the Delirious? albums that he’s worked on as a sign of our appreciation.
We’re hoping it’ll find a place on his wall somewhere between Sting’s Brand New Day and Radiohead’s OK Computer !!!!
Stu G.
Mar 01 2003
It’s that t again for another meeting of Delirious Stalkers Anonymous as we serve up a healthy confessional of all that’s clean and juicy from your favourite band. The last month has been very much an ‘at home’ affair, with all concerned getting their heads down to some serious hard graft in the studio, but as ever, we’ve got some fine cuts for you to chew over. Here we go...
news:
The thing about someone like Jon Thatcher is that he loves to play: whether it’s little green aliens or digital cameras, you just can’t stop him trying out something new. Anyone who’s been on the site over recent weeks will have noticed the trail of treats he has been leaving for those of us keen to find out about how the band are getting on in the studio. Obviously, as a bass player he has a lot of time on his hands, but I think we’d all agree that he’s done alright. (What he has missed, however, is the fact that the studio happens to house a rather fine collection of house plants. Very rock and roll.)
Thinking about the album, manager Tony Patoto was recently heard getting even more excited than usual: this time about Stew’s drumming. It’s no secret that that Schmee is one of the more passionate drummers about, but it seems that something’s happened of late that means that in the studio the little drummer boy is whacking the skins with even more passion than normal. Apparently Tony’s cries of ‘yeah baby!’ could be heard for miles.
You will have also noticed that we’ve been a bit on the keen side lately, mailing you a couple of weeks back with news of our latest trek into the cyberjungle. The med:ia player is up and running, offering you the ultimate sampler for Accessed: - crammed full of juicy tunes and holy goodness. Click onto it right now to see what the buzz is all about and check out how easy it is to email it to your friends: certainly more exciting than junkmail. We’re also dead excited about the underworld: - a fantastic new opportunity for you to team up with us and other d: friends from around the world to help spread the lovin. Click away for more info and you could soon find yourself right at d: heart of things.
future plans:
The tours plans for the band are firming up nicely, with dates settled for North America during the next three months and a handful of other treats around the globe including Australia and Sweden. Tour manager Ian Cattle was recently spotted at Furious HQ which means that future plans for gigs are motoring. While things are still at this embryonic stage you can be sure that with all this fresh material the band will be desperate to get out to show off their new toys like kids on Christmas day.
worldwide roundup:
It seems that Access:d has done pretty well over its first few months. Reviews have been coming in from around the world, and we didn’t even have to pay for them! Amazing. Here goes with a couple:
‘If there was ever any doubt about Delirious? ability to keep their eye on the ball while heading for stardom, this will blow it away. These guys are a huge influence on thousands upon thousands of young people and they are leading them, feet first, into revival. Excellent stuff.’ Faith for Life magazine
‘This is more than a live reworking of Delirious’ newest material. Access:d is simply one of the best live albums available, demonstrating a band that has grown increasingly more comfortable in front of large audiences. It’s a portrait of a band that blends live rock energy with truly passionate worship better than anyone else.’ Christianitytoday.com
hot seat:
stewart john smith, mr smee, schmee.
Q. what was the last book you finished?
A. Topsy and Tim go to hospital [read to his daughter last night]
Q. if you weren't in Delirious, which band would you most like to be in right now?
A. James Brown's band
Q. what's your top tip for long-haul travel?
A. stock up on triathlon magazines, drink water, upgrade using air miles.
Q. what magazines do you buy regularly?
A. cycling weekly, 220 triathlon
Q. what was the last fashion mistake that you made?
A. oompalumpa trouser and sock combo [as named by jon and stu g]
Q. do you have a favourite star wars film?
A. i hate the science fiction genre.
lyrical direction:latest demos overview
Having played a copy of the band’s demo tracks to melting point over recent weeks, I’m wondering whether it might be time to chuck in a few thoughts about the lyrics. Of course, we all know that things might well change between now and then, but here’s a rough idea…
First up is the focus. Like all classic Delirious songs, this collection deals in all the classic messages we love to hear. Spiritual without losing its head, passionate without going into soft focus, these songs take you right to the heart. Like all Delirious tracks the current crop burn with a God-soaked fever, but it’s also clear that Martin and Stu G have decided to take a more outspoken path when it comes to faith. You don’t have to dig deep to uncover the truth that lies behind these songs, and on many occasions the boys are pumping out some seriously classic lyrics: ‘to God in heaven be the glory’. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Then there’s the language. The band have never sung directly about other people – they’re not story tellers like Pulp or Suede – instead the band have always taken an intensely personal line, putting into words the blood that fuels them: ‘what can I do with my obsession?’… ‘I’m not ashamed’… you know the rest. The current songs stick with the vibe, but somehow they’ve managed to move on to a new level, playing off between the ‘I’ and the ‘you’ statements in a tasty little way.
Take the track that’s been given the working title ‘Inside Outside’. Stu G takes on the singing duties for the verse, words tumbling out, half mumbled over a rolling melody. He’s singing about being caught up, being ‘inside, outside… I don’t know how high, I don’t know how wide’. Then Martin comes in with the rising pre-chorus, and what, for me, is one of the real treats of the album: ‘but you, you’re all over me’. He carries on and the lyrics and melody take off together, smoke rising as the euphoric, optimistic dance grabs control: ‘you still captive, fascinate, saturate, liberate, elevate.’
It’s classic stuff, with all the personal intimacy of Cutting Edge Fore, the attitude of Mezzamorphis and the freedom of Glo. You know what this is? It’s the perfect answer to all Richard Ashcroft’s questions.
news:
The thing about someone like Jon Thatcher is that he loves to play: whether it’s little green aliens or digital cameras, you just can’t stop him trying out something new. Anyone who’s been on the site over recent weeks will have noticed the trail of treats he has been leaving for those of us keen to find out about how the band are getting on in the studio. Obviously, as a bass player he has a lot of time on his hands, but I think we’d all agree that he’s done alright. (What he has missed, however, is the fact that the studio happens to house a rather fine collection of house plants. Very rock and roll.)
Thinking about the album, manager Tony Patoto was recently heard getting even more excited than usual: this time about Stew’s drumming. It’s no secret that that Schmee is one of the more passionate drummers about, but it seems that something’s happened of late that means that in the studio the little drummer boy is whacking the skins with even more passion than normal. Apparently Tony’s cries of ‘yeah baby!’ could be heard for miles.
You will have also noticed that we’ve been a bit on the keen side lately, mailing you a couple of weeks back with news of our latest trek into the cyberjungle. The med:ia player is up and running, offering you the ultimate sampler for Accessed: - crammed full of juicy tunes and holy goodness. Click onto it right now to see what the buzz is all about and check out how easy it is to email it to your friends: certainly more exciting than junkmail. We’re also dead excited about the underworld: - a fantastic new opportunity for you to team up with us and other d: friends from around the world to help spread the lovin. Click away for more info and you could soon find yourself right at d: heart of things.
future plans:
The tours plans for the band are firming up nicely, with dates settled for North America during the next three months and a handful of other treats around the globe including Australia and Sweden. Tour manager Ian Cattle was recently spotted at Furious HQ which means that future plans for gigs are motoring. While things are still at this embryonic stage you can be sure that with all this fresh material the band will be desperate to get out to show off their new toys like kids on Christmas day.
worldwide roundup:
It seems that Access:d has done pretty well over its first few months. Reviews have been coming in from around the world, and we didn’t even have to pay for them! Amazing. Here goes with a couple:
‘If there was ever any doubt about Delirious? ability to keep their eye on the ball while heading for stardom, this will blow it away. These guys are a huge influence on thousands upon thousands of young people and they are leading them, feet first, into revival. Excellent stuff.’ Faith for Life magazine
‘This is more than a live reworking of Delirious’ newest material. Access:d is simply one of the best live albums available, demonstrating a band that has grown increasingly more comfortable in front of large audiences. It’s a portrait of a band that blends live rock energy with truly passionate worship better than anyone else.’ Christianitytoday.com
hot seat:
stewart john smith, mr smee, schmee.
Q. what was the last book you finished?
A. Topsy and Tim go to hospital [read to his daughter last night]
Q. if you weren't in Delirious, which band would you most like to be in right now?
A. James Brown's band
Q. what's your top tip for long-haul travel?
A. stock up on triathlon magazines, drink water, upgrade using air miles.
Q. what magazines do you buy regularly?
A. cycling weekly, 220 triathlon
Q. what was the last fashion mistake that you made?
A. oompalumpa trouser and sock combo [as named by jon and stu g]
Q. do you have a favourite star wars film?
A. i hate the science fiction genre.
lyrical direction:latest demos overview
Having played a copy of the band’s demo tracks to melting point over recent weeks, I’m wondering whether it might be time to chuck in a few thoughts about the lyrics. Of course, we all know that things might well change between now and then, but here’s a rough idea…
First up is the focus. Like all classic Delirious songs, this collection deals in all the classic messages we love to hear. Spiritual without losing its head, passionate without going into soft focus, these songs take you right to the heart. Like all Delirious tracks the current crop burn with a God-soaked fever, but it’s also clear that Martin and Stu G have decided to take a more outspoken path when it comes to faith. You don’t have to dig deep to uncover the truth that lies behind these songs, and on many occasions the boys are pumping out some seriously classic lyrics: ‘to God in heaven be the glory’. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Then there’s the language. The band have never sung directly about other people – they’re not story tellers like Pulp or Suede – instead the band have always taken an intensely personal line, putting into words the blood that fuels them: ‘what can I do with my obsession?’… ‘I’m not ashamed’… you know the rest. The current songs stick with the vibe, but somehow they’ve managed to move on to a new level, playing off between the ‘I’ and the ‘you’ statements in a tasty little way.
Take the track that’s been given the working title ‘Inside Outside’. Stu G takes on the singing duties for the verse, words tumbling out, half mumbled over a rolling melody. He’s singing about being caught up, being ‘inside, outside… I don’t know how high, I don’t know how wide’. Then Martin comes in with the rising pre-chorus, and what, for me, is one of the real treats of the album: ‘but you, you’re all over me’. He carries on and the lyrics and melody take off together, smoke rising as the euphoric, optimistic dance grabs control: ‘you still captive, fascinate, saturate, liberate, elevate.’
It’s classic stuff, with all the personal intimacy of Cutting Edge Fore, the attitude of Mezzamorphis and the freedom of Glo. You know what this is? It’s the perfect answer to all Richard Ashcroft’s questions.
