Background and Recording
In 1991, after the platinum certification of The Yellow Tape—an independently recorded and manufactured cassette—Barenaked Ladies won Discovery to Disc, a contest hosted by CFNY-FM, a Toronto based rock radio station. With the prize winnings of $100,000, the band hired Michael Phillip Wojewoda to produce the album. Wojewoda felt the band had potential, specifically demonstrated with the track "The Flag", "there was definitely some wisdom in their young years." To get better acquainted with the band Wojewoda invited Barenaked Ladies to sing back-up vocals for "California Dreamline" during the recording of Rheostatics's Whale Music. While in the studio the band met Rush drummer Neil Peart, who had influenced some of the Barenaked Ladies. The band selected 14 songs out of 20 candidates that they had written to record in the studio. "...they didn't need a lot of shaping. It was... a matter of shifting through a lot of great moments and finding the ones which fit best on the record," said Wojewoda. With the tracks selected Wojewoda and the band drove to Le Studio. The band worked on the album for ten to twelve hour sessions each day, with little conflict among members. At night the band would commute to their house by skiing in the moonlight.
After some difficulty recording "The King of Bedside Manor" it was suggested that the band members record the song naked. Wojewoda and engineer Jean Diamont were also required to remove their clothes; said Wojewoda, "I think the recording has this totally over-the-top nervous energy as a result of being naked." Led by Jim and Andy Creeggan the band developed horn parts for "Enid", "Wrap Your Arms Around Me", and "Box Set". Guest musicians are used throughout the album including Lewis Melville, Chris Brown, and members of the Bourbon Tabernacle Choir. "I don't think there're many musicians from Toronto who aren't on Gordon," said Brown. The album was mixed in March 1992. Before the album's release Sire Records had to receive clearance from various parties for music that Barenaked Ladies had included various tracks of Gordon. Having played the songs during live performances Barenaked Ladies integrated themes from Styx, Rush, The Housemartins, and Vince Guaraldi into various tracks. Gordon was released on July 28, 1992.
Read more about this topic: Gordon (album)
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