Articles by Robyn Flans

Articles From This Author

Engineer Rich Breen looks over both charts and Pro Tools screens at the Neve console in Capitol Studio A, with, from left, Russell Ferrante, Bob Mintzer and Dane Alderson (peeking over the rack at rear-right).

Yellowjackets in ‘Parallel Motion’

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 11/02/2022

Even after 40 Years and 26 Records, the Yellowjackets are still moving in sync with their latest album, Parallel Motion.

Music Production

The Resilience of Jeff Saenz

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 10/12/2022

After losing both hands, engineer/guitarist/studio owner Jeff Saenz has returned to music, focusing on his work as a producer.

From left, in front of David Paich’s garage studio: co-producer Joseph Williams, Paich, and guitarist extraordinaire Steve Lukather. PHOTO: Courtesy of David Paich

Music Production

Now Toto & Solo: Hitmaker David Paich Records ‘Forgotten Toys’

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 09/28/2022

Recorded with the help of friends, bandmates and Bob Clearmountain, Toto keyboardist David Paich steps out with his first solo album.

2016

Classic Tracks: The Emotions’ “Best of My Love”

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 10/04/2016 ⋅ Updated: 02/10/2023

If The Emotions’ hit single “Best of My Love” sounds like a female version of Earth, Wind & Fire, that’s because it almost is....

2016

Classic Tracks: The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s “An American Dream”

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 10/02/2016 ⋅ Updated: 02/10/2023

The story behind “An American Dream," which put the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band back on pop radio after 10 years, was nothing less than...

2016

Michael O’Farrell

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 09/06/2016

Maintaining Sound Control With Nuage/Nuendo

2016

The New Sphere Studios

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 08/02/2016

A Bit of London in the Heart of L.A. Recording

2016

Cyndi Lauper & Tony Brown

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 07/01/2016

Cutting Country Gold, Old-Style, With Nashville’s Finest

2016

Classic Tracks: Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 05/31/2016 ⋅ Updated: 07/21/2022

When stars align and the right producer hears an artist, gets excited and shares a vision—even helps shape that vision—magic is often the result....

2016

Classic Tracks: Journey’s “Open Arms”

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 05/03/2016 ⋅ Updated: 07/21/2022

VH-1 named it the greatest power ballad of all time, and even though it only went to Number 2 on the Billboard charts in...

2016

David Van Slyke

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 04/07/2016

The Sounds of ‘CSI’ and Beyond

2016

Wynonna & Cactus Moser

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 03/02/2016

Bringing on ‘The Big Noise’

2016

Classic Tracks: Elton John’s “Honky Cat”

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 02/09/2016 ⋅ Updated: 01/13/2023

“Honky Cat” proved that John’s decision to record with his live band—bassist Dee Murray, drummer Nigel Olsson and guitarist Davey Johnstone—was a good one.

2015

Classic Tracks: Mary Hopkin’s “Those Were the Days”

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 11/04/2015 ⋅ Updated: 07/21/2022

Who could possibly predict that a five-minute recording of a Russian romance song composed in the early 1900s with English lyrics written in the...

2015

‘Skunk’ Goes Solo

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 08/05/2015

Master Guitarist Jeff Baxter Invites Friends Over to Write, Record

2015

The Boxmasters Times Two

By Robyn Flans ⋅ Published: 07/02/2015

Some people might call it schizophrenic, some might call it bi-polar. Heck, Billy Bob Thornton has even called the new Boxmasters project ‘Somewhere Down...