(l-r) James Taylor with his Olson guitar, assistant engineer Scott Moore and producer/engineer Dave O’Donnell. Photo by David Goggin.
Hollywood, CA (July 8, 2015)—James Taylor’s Before This World, his first album to hit #1 on the Billboard 200, included work at United Recording in Hollywood.
The album was produced and engineered by Dave O’Donnell. It began with tracking at Taylor’s private studio in Massachusetts with additional work performed at United Recording in Hollywood.
“I loved working on this album at United,” said O’Donnell. “Assistant engineer Scott Moore was great and I love that old Neve console. They have a nice selection of outboard gear, including 1176s that were in perfect shape and nice to have. They also have excellent microphones, as good as you can get, and everything else we needed without having to bring in anything extra.”
Grammy-winner O’Donnell has worked with Taylor for the past 15 years, and has recorded with many other top artists, including Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Keb’ Mo’, Lyle Lovett, Milton Nascimento, Joss Stone, Morrissey and Ray Charles, among others.
“In addition to James’ performances and the great songs, this record is all about how great his band is,” commented O’Donnell. “Jimmy Johnson on bass, Steve Gadd on drums, Michael Landau on guitar, Larry Goldings on keyboards and accordion, Luis Conte on percussion, and the singers Arnold McCuller, David Lasley, Kate Markowitz, and Andrea Zonn.”
Before This World, on the Concord Music label, is James Taylor’s 17th full-length album and the first disc of original material since 2002’s October Road.
United Recording
www.unitedrecordingstudios.com
