Toph Speaks

3 Abbey Road, St. John’s Wood

If you have the Sundance Channel, you should be watching the best show on TV. I’m not kidding when I say this either - Live From Abbey Road has to be the best thing I’ve seen on TV in a long time. Remember how good MTV’s Unplugged used to be? Well, I always had two main problems with MTV’s Unplugged. 1. The artists were mostly pretty crappy, and I didn’t care. 2. I hated the forced nature of the program, especially the audience’s participation. Even still, it was the best thing, in my opinion, that MTV had going for them. The Dave Matthews episode is still one the coolest things I’ve seen on TV. Fast-forward to last Thursday night. The premier of the new Sundance show Live From Abbey Road. The first episode included John Mayer, Richard Ashcroft and Norah Jones. Usually, these are not groundbreaking performances (with the exception of Norah Jones, who I think is stunning, and amazing), but seeing them at Abbey Road is electric. Can I say that without sounding like an idiot?

So, why Abbey Road, why now, and what’s the significance? It’s easy to chalk Abbey Road up to The Beatles and be done with it, but Abbey Road Recording Studios is that and so much more. Arguably, Cliff Richard and the Drifters recorded the first European rock and roll song at Abbey Road in 1958. In the early 1900’s, to show you just how long it has been around, conductor Sir Malcolm Sargent used Abbey Road regularly as he was its next-door neighbor. The range of musicians in Abbey Road at one time recording can vary between the classical titans of our time to Snoop Dogg. Some of the most popular recordings have been by The Beatles, Radiohead, Pink Floyd, Fats Waller, and many others. Word is, because people were tired of leaving Abbey Road to drink, they built a bar inside. At this bar you can see the likes of Kanye West, Green Day, Metallica, and Josh Groban hanging out, talking about music. I’d actually really like to hang out with that group. It’s cool to know that not only have some of my favorite albums of all time have been recorded there, but also the musical scores to five Star Wars movies, Lords of the Rings, and Harry Potter to Shrek and G.I. Jane. Of course, nothing beats G.I. Jane, but check out more on the Abbey Road Homepage. This is a recording studio so versatile that really only The Beatles knew how to fully tap into all of the resources. Not to go into overdrive here, but The Beatles broke all traditional thinking, by changing recording techniques, and changing the boundaries of what was considered popular music. They did everything from flanging, backwards recording, automatic double tracking, and controlled feedback. The Beatles utilized Abbey Road studios to full effect, or so says The Beatle Anthology.

Now, Abbey Road isn’t a place that does many tours, so for most people this is the first time they can look inside and see the magic. It’s definitely not the place that TV cameras have entered. So, why start opening its doors now? Well, the site, Live From Abbey Road says, “Our focus is to capture great, live, musical performances and to place musicians in the world’s most inspiring and creative environment in which to do so, Abbey Road.” They go on to say, “Today, music television has evolved into more of a ’spotlight’ for celebrities, and our aim, is to shift attention and make music television more personal.” Arguably, that is what the music business has been craving and lacking. It’s especially due in a time where the two biggest music television channels can’t even afford to put music television on air. Instead we’re seeing reality TV overthrow anything resembling quality music television, and completely losing the sense of the musician and their craft. Instead of reality shows about the recording process, we’re seeing shows about Super Sweet 16 and other things of that nature. It’s not right, even if I do think some of the super sweet 16 chicks are hot. What? Who said that?

So, here’s a taste of who you’ll see this season on Live From Abbey Road: Paul Simon, Damien Rice (oddly i’m listening to him now), Massive Attack, Snow Patrol, LeAnn Rimes, Josh Groban, The Killers, Gnarles Barkley, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Kooks, Dave Matthews Band, Iron Maiden, Gipsy Kings, The Goo Goo Dolls, Corrine Bailey Rae, Ray Lamontagne, John Mayer, Norah Jones, and many others. You’ll be getting 3 songs from each, as well as interviews and such. To the best of my knowledge, it’s airing on Thursday nights on the Sundance Channel. I’m not sure of the times, because I’m on the West Coast and nothing out here makes sense. Check your local listings. It’s going to be a 12-part season, and each week will feature different musicians. I urge you to watch everyone if you give a shit about music. Mainly, because it’s so amazing to watch how each individual musician interacts with their band. I’m such a nerd.