Video Interview: Tracking 21st Century Marc Bolan and T. Rex—with Marc Urselli
Ready for a big surprise? How about 26 of them in a row?
Engineer and mixer Marc Urselli gives the epic inside story of making “AngelHeaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan and T. Rex.”
That’s what’s in store for listeners of AngelHeaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan and T. Rex. Our guest in this video chat is Marc Urselli, who was selected by the collection’s renowned producer, Hal Willner, to engineer and mix this varied and vibrant song collection.
As a result, Urselli was on hand for next-gen versions of Marc Bolan’s many masterpieces, whose home-hitting lyrics collided gorgeously with raw rock power and glam-birthing fashion. The who’s who of elite artists Urselli tracked and mixed for the double album—recorded over the course of three years in 10 studios and six countries—is simply staggering: U2 featuring Elton John, Devendra Banhart, Nick Cave, Elysian Fields, Perry Farrell, Joan Jet, Kesha, Father John Misty, Sean Lennon, Julian Lennon, Beth Orton, Peaches, Todd Rundgren, and many more.
Helming it was no less than Hal Willner, who recorded what he considered to be his “White Album” according to Urselli, but tragically passed away on April 7, 2020 of Covid complications just before the album’s original scheduled release this spring. He left behind a huge musical legacy, from a 40-year career where he produced albums for artists including Lou Reed, Marianne Faithfull and William S. Burroughs, and concept albums drawing upon the music of Thelonious Monk, Kurt Weill, vintage Disney films and others. In addition, Willner produced concert events exploring works from the likes of such Leonard Cohen, Allan Sherman, Neil Young, Edgar Allan Poe and Tim Buckley. He also served as the “Saturday Night Live” sketch music producer for nearly four decades.
As we’ll find out, there are important reasons why Willner selected Urselli for this aurally adventurous project. Reflecting the extreme creativity and inspiration each artist drew from the utterly unique Marc Bolan, Urselli absorbed huge waves of the unique energy that Willner led with. We listeners get to soak it all in, each track taking our ears into unexpected direction.
This article includes all of the photos posted throughout the video, plus a few bonus extras! Now get terrific engineering, tracking, mixing, and producing insights from Marc Urselli about recording AngelHeaded Hipster.
Photo gallery from the video, plus bonus shots not seen on YouTube:
Hal Willner mixing at EastSide Sound. (photo: Marc Urselli)
Hal Willner and Marc Urselli (photo by David Brandel)
Hal Willner and Marc Urselli, another studio shot. (photo by Jay Wesley)
Hal Willner with Bono of U2 (photo by Ross Stewart)
Hal Willner with Marc Urselli _ Adam Clayton of U2 (photo by Ross Stewart)
Hal Willner with Trombaone Shorty & Bono of U2. (photo: Marc Urselli)
Hal Willner with Edge and Adam Clayton of U2, with Trombone Shorty. (photo by Ross Stewart)
Bono’s microphone setup by Marc Urselli for recording “Bang a Gong” at Piety Studios, New Orleans. (photo by Marc Urselli)
Bono in Silhouette: Recording vocals at Piety Studios, New Orelans. (Photo by Marc Urselli)
Marc’s U2 drum micing setup at Piety Studios, New Orleans (photo by Marc Urselli)
A closer look at the micing on Larry Mullen Jr.’s drums (photo by Marc Urselli)
Nick Cave on the fader (photo by Marc Urselli)
Nick Cave Hal Willner Marc Urselli in The Village Studio A, Los Angeles. (photo by Ethan Silverman)
Another view of the The Village Studio A control room.
Nick Cave session setup in the live room of The Village Studio A. (photo by Marc Urselli)
Strings setup for Nick Cave session at The Village Studio A. (photo: Marc Urselli)
The drums for Nick Cave’s recording of “Cosmic Dancer” were moved to recording in the booth, an early decision that would help shape the sound of the rest of the album. (photo by Marc Urselli)
Working at Village Recorders’ Studio D live room, Los Angeles. (photo: Marc Urselli)
Horns setup for the Børns session at The Village Studio D, Los Angeles. (photo: Marc Urselli)
Horns setup for the U2 session at Piety Studios. (photo: Marc Urselli)
Mapping out a horn session across the iso booths at EastSide Sound, New York City. (photo: Marc Urselli)
Strings orchestra session at EastSide Sound. (photo: Marc Urselli)
Working at the famed Sunset Sound, Los Angeles. (photo: Marc Urselli)
Recording at Sear Sound, NYC. (photo: Marc Urselli)
The Sear Sound control room, the home of Walter Sear’s hand-built custom analog console. (photo: Marc Urselli)
Most of “AngelHeaded Hipster” was mixed on this Harrison /digitally controlled analog console at EastSide Sound, New York City.
Mastering was performed by Howie Weinberg in his LA suite. Listening back with author Larry “Ratso” Sloman, Hal Willner, and Howie Weinberg. (photo: Marc Urselli)
Howie Weinberg’s mastering console. (photo: Marc Urselli)
A sonic partnership: Marc Urselli and Hal Willner. (photo: Marc Urselli)
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[…] That’s what’s in store for listeners of AngelHeaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan and T. Rex. Our guest in this video chat is Marc Urselli, who was selected by the collection’s renowned producer, Hal Willner, to Read more… […]