Backstage Spotlight™
November 2003 Recording Engineer Obie
O'Brien - Page 2
MBADC: Using Jon as an example, say Jon is in the middle of laying down an awesome
vocal—the kind where it just blows everything right out of the water. As the
engineer, do you hear that in the moment, or are you so busy getting down the physical,
technical stuff that you become aware of it later?
Obie: You know that it’s magic when it’s happening. Because you know what?
If you don’t notice it--if you’re so involved with the technical end of it--you
should get another job. It’s still all about the art and the magic. And l’m way
into the emotion of the stuff as it goes down--I don’t care if it’s a vocal or
guitar or an accordion, or a harmonica, or a Syrian cheese whistle. You know? I don’t
care, I want it to be happening. Because it’s like, well, another turned up guitar
into a turned up amp is like, "yeah?" But when you get to do stuff like this--!
And I’ll tell you the other thing, you can’t make a record like this without
really, really talented players. And to watch Richie come up with these crazy tunings, and
these crazy instruments, and all these wild parts, and the guy’s letting me do stuff
like letting me tape microphones to the backs of instruments…I’m telling you,
you don’t make a record like this without the guy being capable of pulling off this
stuff. And everybody knows Richie’s, like, you know--
MBADC: He’s one of the most underrated guitarists in recent music history.
Obie: I am such a fan of Richie Sambora, and I’ve worked with some of the
greatest guitar players ever. Ever! And this guy never ceases to amaze me. Besides being
one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met, and he’s married to Heather Locklear.
Are you kidding me?
MBADC: And people say Jon’s got it all…
Obie [laughing]: Shed no tears for Richard Sambora, OK? That’s what I’m
saying. Shed no tears for Richard Sambora. Compared to me he’s still young, he’s
tall, he’s good looking, he’s rich, he plays great guitar, and he gets to see
Heather Locklear’s ass. Come on! Aw please just shoot me in the head!
At this point the interview dissolves into laughter on both sides. When our Editor catches
her breath, she asks:
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