Day 8
In the Studio, working on a new recording. We like the challenge of MLTwinsifying different tunes. We especially dig that early stage of figuring out where to take a song. Playing around with harmonies, different ways to arrange something, what instruments to use, how true to stay to the original, what guitar picks to use (just kidding), etc.
In general, would you say you prefer our bigger, full band arrangements or do you like the stripped down acoustic stuff better? Or does it depend on the song and what you are in the mood for?
M&L xx
You should make an album or two of alternate and early takes of your songs. I’d buy that in a heartbeat.
I think, for me, it depends on the particular song, but I have to admit to being very fond of the Duo’s because they are fresh, in the moment and show off your spectacular vocal and playing assets. But what I love the most in all of your recordings is the way you let your individual personalities come through. I have always said the MonaLisa Twins are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. I truly mean that, my friend.
Any song you girls perform is genius.
It doesn’t matter to me how you play it, it always sounds fantastic. Aside from the fact that you two are the only music I listen to since less November.
like both ways , always interesting to see how you “make the song yours”
I love a little of both. I love hearing Mona playing the drums and Lisa wailing away on that Gretch and Uke!
I love everything. I think, for me, it depends somewhat on the song. I do really love the stripped down versions in the duo sessions, too. Sometimes I just listen to my CDs, other times I go to the computer and watch the duo sessions.
Do you ever contemplate making a CD of duos? Or, a DVD would be, too.
I love your Christmas album and, right now, I am mostly listening to the Christmas CD. It’s beautiful. I am so glad you did a Christmas album. Merry Christmas!
I’d have to go with the acoustic tunes. There just seems to be a sort of purity to Mona & Lisa playing and singing together. It’s evident in “Morning Has Broken”, “Snow Falls Softly At Night”, and my first exposure to the MonaLisa Twins, “If I Fell”, which isn’t completely stripped down but I think deserves a cello waiver, it’s so well done. “All About Falling In Love” is another standout, although all the duo session songs possess clarity and integrity that I find gently striking. Lisa mentioned that the duo sessions are not far from how they write and develop new music; I have to wonder whether this quality appears when the song is written or is there from the start. Can we come up with a “Thank you MonaLisa Twins” emoji? All those letters on my keyboard are wearing out. But until then, thank you MonaLisa Twins.
I’m torn. I have favorites on both sides of the question. If I was pressed to choose, I guess I’d slightly favor the tracks that let us also see your instrumental ability and versatility (drums, bass, mandolin, flute….etc;). But if you decided to do nothing but the stripped down duo pieces indefinitely, I would listen just as avidly to hear your gorgeous harmonies.
When the time is right and you decide to go back to doing live shows, it’s going to be so awesome with all your wonderful new songs you will have as well as all those incredible covers the studio focus enabled you to create for us. Great live performance times are in store for all of us for sure. In the mean time we’re so lucky to have this club for front row seats to see these Duo sessions and other new videos. With the Beatles, after locking themselves in the studio for some time to do Rubber Soul, Revolver, and Sargent Peppers, the world was enriched with so much more magnificent music. The same will be true with MLT. With every new song, album and video you’ve put out in the last couple of years, each time outdoing what you did previously, I’m just blown away. Definitely worth the wait.
I like to hear you singing, your voices hold me no matter if in studio, stage or acoustic session.. I’m loving the Duo sessions because I love to SEE you singing..if you start a show time .. I get on a plane immediately and I’ll see you.. is my dream ” see you ” .
Almost everything has been said about you and very cleverly by my colleagues but I would still like to add a little something.
I was recently invited by my local guitar store to attend a small intimate concert in the same store, of a modest local band that intended to play a tribute to Jymmy Endrix. I must say that I rarely move to attend concerts because I do not like the crowd, I do not like to go to bed late and I do not like driving at night (especially after a few beers). So I’m used to hearing music on my hi-fi system or on the computer (now with AKG headset) or on TV (home cinema). Well, when they started playing, from the first moments, I was captivated, transported by the power, by the magic of this set of drums, bass, guitar and vocals. It was great (while the band was really nothing special, it was almost the first time they played together!).
It gave me the desire (and the courage, too) to see a live band again. So I decided to quickly attend a concert at the local coffee-concert (http://www.brindezinc.fr/) and I selected a group by watching on youtube. In video, their music seemed “not bad”, “acceptable”, “nice” but I knew it was a style that I liked (Irish folk rock) not to quote “Joshua Burnell Band”. Their concert was just fantastic, amazing.
All this to say that despite the constraints and the difficulty of organizing concerts (especially for small groups in which the musicians themselves, must do everything), nothing equals the strength, the magic that emanates from the group and the pleasure , the happiness, the energy that the listener of the public can receive.
I know it’s not in your plans to play live in the near future but I was just answering the question.
That said it is always a great pleasure to see you and listen to you playing, whether the two of you or a in a Band and whatever the media.
Greetings.
As a sound technician I think you have achieved a clean and bright sound. The quality of your recordings and your live music is superior to that of many renowned Spanish groups. I, especially, really like how you pack the vocals into the harmonies of the songs in your country style: vocals and guitar only. It’s spectacular!…. but in moments of fun and day to day: nothing better than your rock and roll.
I like the duo-session versions a lot since that’s the closest we get to seeing you perform these day. The 4 piece band days at the Cavern had their advantages with the fuller sound but not such an intimate setting like the acoustic ones you’re taping. To listen on the stereo and put the headphones on, turn out the lights and let you take me away to a better place, I need the full studio version. So it really matters what the mood and the situation requires to get that uplift I get from listening to your songs. How’s that?
I generally prefer studio productions where you can layer as many elements as you want in order to realize exactly what’s in your head. But with folk songs and the like, something very minimal and “organic” may be what is called for.
There’s much to be said for studio productions for sure David. MLT have become masters in the studio like the Beatles. Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy with all those voices and choral background with only Mona and Lisa’s voice blew me away when I heard it, or Sweet Lorraine.
I see Lampi Bampi is watching to make sure Mona gets things right.
As far as a song, I like strip down for its simplistic raw feel. I like the full band sound for its passion and all out let loose. No reserve.
I think some songs work one way but not the other.
As an example Snow Falls Softly At Night works really well stripped down and Acoustic/Electric. Where as Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas doesn’t work Acoustically.
Over all I like the Full Band Sound best. That’s just me. Does that make sense?
Thanks for the Topic today Ladies. ?❤
I’m not fussed really I like the full band sound but then stripped down acoustic arrangements are also good. I record my songs and covers at home and it does depend on the mood of the song and the mood you’re in
Sorry ladies I’m totally biased.
Any songs you perform based on how you hear they’ll be best at that time are amazing. The common thread is your wonderful voices and MLT-licious harmonies. I love the Duo Sessions because ultimately seeing you play and sing together is so enjoyable, but the whole of Once Upon a Time with the production and video, for example, is incredible. Then there are your covers, even early covers like God Only Knows and Penny Lane, that I enjoy more than the originals.
The answer is the recipe is always great if MLT are involved. Again, sorry for no clear winner; I’m biased.
Wow, that’s a tough question because I love both. I would answer that by saying I honestly believe what makes you so special and outshine every other band I’ve ever listened to is your one of a kind incredible harmonies. Any music arrangement you do that highlight those harmonies will always touch and move people, because that is your magic. So it would depend on the song really for me.
But if forced to choose, I would say your acoustics because your majestic harmonies and sweet guitar sounds are all that is needed to create your music magic. Best Years of Our Lives, Starman, Getting Better…
As I mentioned the other day I really like your Duo Sessions. That’s because I also have your studio and live music to listen to. I love the mix you have created over the years. The best is hearing your artistry and the choices you make on where to take your music. When I see a new song is out, there’s always that fun feeling of wondering how you are going interpret it. If it’s an original there’s the trill of what did you create on this blank canvas. It’s kind of like pies. Apple pie and ice cream (acoustic) may be my favorite, but there many other good pies.
Great answers from both Tomás and Jacki. I love whatever you finally decide on as you seem to have things worked out perfectly for each of your recordings. As you suggest, it also depends on the song and what I am in the mood for. With a song like your “Bus Stop” cover, the full band effect seems to do the song more justice, along with that totally awesome video. However, with songs like “She’s Leaving Home”, a stripped down version seems appropriate. Then there are numbers like your radio station cover of Donovan’s “Catch the Wind” that need no more than your acoustic guitars, harmonica and vocals (perhaps an upright bass would add that little extra detail) – just exquisite, and as Becky Want says, “you have such sweet voices”. In the end, I’ve been following you long enough now to know that whatever you and Papa Rudi decide is appropriate, works well for me. Now you’ve got me wondering if in your photo you are working on one of your new (and eagerly anticipated) new originals, or one of your MLT Club duo session numbers.
I like both styles. I like the Duo sessions because its a live recording But either way I haven’t heard a song that I don’t like , You grow with each song. I see your Guitar case is well protected .
Great picture! I love seeing pictures in the studio. As the geek that I am, I’m always looking at equipment (??) and setups. I’ve been using AKG mics more lately ?♀️?? I can’t go for the c414 but the c214 works great for me.
Personally, I love stripped down versions of songs, but after the original version had full arrangements. It gives it so much more depth, and shows off the really good songs. That being, said it really depends on the song, but I’ve always loved how you approach the strings for the songs, always subtle and supporting the right emotion.
I am with you on that – hearing a stripped down acoustic interpretation of a previously fully arranged and produced song is one of my favourite ways to experience music.
First you get the bells and whistles in the full vision and then run the songwriting stress test with the acoustic version.
Love to hear that you are using AKGs too! Did you know they are an Austrian company? Both the c214 and c414 are terrific and we basically do nearly all studio recordings on AKG or Neumann mics except for the drums where dad has his own selection of specials mics he has collected over the years. Between those we’re pretty much covered 🙂
Yes, I did know they were Austrian, even before I knew MLT were Austrian too ? The P170 is quick and easy for the guitar, and sounds great too! Drums are so persnickety as to who they like to be paired with!
“Run the songwriting stress test” such an apt description!
I just luv whatever you come up with, simple, raw, and full MLTBuzzGrooving… Y’know best of both worlds… “MLTwinsifying”, Luv that phrase you just coined/conjured up…
Really for me, whatever way the song is done, if it moves me musically /lyrically, then it has done what it’s meant to do… Dancing and singing along are bonuses…. If it truly captures, then it defines its purpose, resonates in our musical ears, hearts, minds and brings smiles all around by with, Positivity Power Reigns Supreme… ??☮️