Was just listening to some random stuff on Spotify and I started to think about how good the production sounded even on some older songs. Even though production values are always getting better, it doesn’t necessarily mean that old songs sound “bad”. Just different, based on the limitations of the time.
So what are some old songs you think sound great? Like 1995 and before, and if it came out before you were born that’s even better
Dude you’re right! I had no idea this song was from the 70’s, I remember hearing it a lot as a kid in the early 80’s and assumed it came out around the same time as the other songs I was hearing from Toto, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon, etc.
Thriller
Good call on that one!!! There are some seriously funky things going on with the bassline and synths in “Baby be mine”. And of course “Beat It” is one of the first songs I remember from my early childhood. No matter what kind of controversy there is surrounding his personal life, MJ was undoubtedly a talented musician. Coupled with a great producer and you got a true classic.
Here’s another earlier MJ song from 79 which is equally impressive…
A few years before Snap (1986),Luca Anzilotti and Michael Münzingmade this:
16 BIT - Where are You
Can imagine it would sound stunning on a large PA. Dry and crisp production.
Their other songs are not as good IMO, more standard 80s fare…
I have to be honest and say I didn’t really enjoy that one If you’re talking early electronic I think the following are more influential/relevant picks:
a-ha - Stay on these Roads
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
I hadn’t heard that a-ha song. Nice one! Indeed it sounds excellent, I could even imagine a newer group like Temper Trap singing it.
For Sledgehammer I was gonna say “No, that song sounded too 80’s!” because for some reason I thought it came out in 1992. But I think I’m getting it mixed up with “Digging in the Dirt”. So yeah it’s a good one.
Had to test a PA system at work a few months ago and only had a colleagues old iPod but I found this on it and it sounded amazing. I’d never heard it on decent sound system before
Maybe not too surprising, but anyways, the entire “Tales Of Mystery And Imagination” album by The Alan Parsons Project.
A lot of APP’s musical output sounds awfully kitschy to me in retrospect, but production-wise still awesome IMHO. And great memories, so why not a bit of kitsch now and then.
An album I’ve listened to many times is Porgy and Bess (the Miles Davis / Gil Evans collaboration)
A famously good recording for the time (1958-59).
Of course, a very different production style when compared to electronic music
Fantastic! Sounds better than most of the 60’s stuff I was listening to the other night. Great one.
Seal - Crazy
Indeed, this sounds maximally awesome for 1991! Really great. I only barely know this song but I do recognize the chorus.
Maybe not too surprising, but anyways, the entire “Tales Of Mystery And Imagination” album by The Alan Parsons Project.
A lot of APP’s musical output sounds awfully kitschy to me in retrospect, but production-wise still awesome IMHO. And great memories, so why not a bit of kitsch now and then.
Never heard of this before, but I listened to “The Raven”, definitely some cool vocoder stuff going on there
The original Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy radio play blows me away every time. I know its not music, but it just sounds phenomenal. Get a good copy of it, there is a few floating around.
[Edit]Had to add two more cents…Darkside of the Moon and The Wall[/edit]
If you’re talking early electronic I think the following are more influential/relevant picks: