A Sense of Space

The thing that strikes me about that picture, though, is the space around me. Yes, I’m sitting at one of the world’s most famous pianos (‘Mrs Mills’, as heard on Lady Madonna etc) trying to fix some cock-up or other, but just look how big that room is. And Studio 2, isn’t even the biggest space at Abbey Road.

A combination of economics and technology mean that we can write and record in smaller and smaller spaces, then process afterwards to fake an acoustic. That’s been taken to the next level during Lockdown, when dusty bedroom corners have been brought back into musical service for people well past the age for student accommodation.

But I crave space. Not just for the sound of it, although that is always fascinating, but for the way that it compels you to project your thoughts, and the sound of your voice, and your instrument, to really fill it.

Seeing so many fabulous musicians having to play their instruments in small, boxy sounding living rooms, reminds me how happy I’ll be when I hear someone like trumpet player Mike Lovatt take a deep breath and fill the Albert Hall with that thrilling golden sound, soaring effortlessly over a hundred other players.

I’m looking forward to that very much.