Skip Spence – Oar (1969)

[Album 853/1001]

There’s nothing better than a group of musicians playing together live.

But when it comes to studio recordings, I quite admire when artists go for the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) approach.

Like Dave Grohl with the debut Foo Fighters album, or Elliott Smith with Either/Or.

Or Alexander “Skip” Spence with Oar.

Now I understand the arguments in favour of hiring the best & brightest in the land to play on a record.

And it is possible that there were superior studio musicians that could have played the drum / bass / guitar parts here.

But I don’t see how any more technical proficiency would have made the record any stronger.

There are no “look at what I can do” solos; sonically, it’s not unlike Smith’s Either/Or, with its understated acoustic-driven arrangements.

Part of the charm with the DIY recordings is that it’s likely closest to the artist’s initial vision.

Spence only recorded 1 solo album but it’s safe to say he went 1 for 1.

…..

Verbalize the Positive

I hadn’t realized he was born in Windsor, unexpected Can-Con!