
Writing for the Telegraph, Andrew Perry and Robert Sandall talk about the new television music series that will feature the most famous recording studio in the world - Abbey Road, and will appropriately be called, 'Live From Abbey Road.'
A number of big acts like Paul Simon, Randy Crawford and the Killers recorded performances their specifically for broadcast. They believe that it will be a step forward in solving the problem of how to get live music to work on television.
With that as a backdrop, they take a look at the 11 of the greatest recording studios in the world.
Here's a brief look at their choices and the major recording to come out of them.
Toe Rag, Hackney, East London
The major strength of the Toe Rag studio is its vintage analogue equipment that engineer Liam Watson has there.
The key recording for the studio: Elephant by the White Stripes
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Little Mountain, Vancouver
Many of the greatest sounds of the '80s American rock were created in this studio in Canada. It became well known when Bon Jovi produced their third album there.
The key recording for the studio: Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi
Rainbow Studio, Oslo
Most of those that use this studio say that the way they have the light setup inpires them greatly in their music. That and its excellent piano. Some of those that use it often are Manfred Eicher, Keith Jarrett and Jan Garbarek.
Key recording for the Studio: Khmer by Nils Petter Molvaer
Compass Point Studios, Nassau, Bahamas
This studio lures some of the bigger named artists as it's not cheap to rent for sue. It starts off at $15,000 a week, plus extras. The Rolling Stones, U2 and REM have recorded here.
The key recording for the studio: Nightclubbing by Grace Jones
Sunset Sound, Los Angeles
A Disney employee created this former auto repair garage into a recording studio and originally had soundtracks from Bambi to Mary Poppins made there. Eventually some of the big names like the Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin IV and the Doors worked there.
The major recording in the studio: The Doors by the Doors
Electric Lady, New York
Jimi Hendrix had this former nightclub converted in a sound studio and told his architect that he wanted it "soft, curvaceous, with no right-angles."
Hendrix died right after the party celebrating its opening.
The major recording in the studio: First Rays of the New Rising Sun by Jimi Hendrix (unfinished)
Hansa Tonstudios, Berlin
Originally this studio was only used by German groups until 1976, then Iggy Pop and David Bowie went there to record in Studio 2, which some consider some of their best material.
Movie used the location whichwas nicknamed "the Big Hall by the Wall" because of how close it was to the Berlin wall at that time. Appropriately, Bowie wrote his song "Heroes" there, concerning two East Berliners that dreamed of escaping the country to the west.
The major recording in the studio: 'Heroes' by David Bowie
Real World, Box, Wiltshire, UK
Peter Gabriel is the originator of this studio, building it in the 1980s. It's called real world is might be the most expensive studio in the UK. It has a glass floor in it where there is a literal river running underneath it visitors can see.
The major recording in the studio: Us by Peter Gabriel
Rockfield, Nr Monmouth, South Wales
The was the first residential studio and became well known when Freddie Mercury wrote some of his Bohemian Rhapsody there on the studio piano.
The major recording in the studio: A Night at the Opera by Queen
The Black Ark, Kingston, Jamaica
Alleging that he heard music from a tree that he fell asleep under, Lee "Scratch" Perry made the decision to build a studio there.
Performers like Paul McCartney and the Clash have used the studio.
The major recording in the studio: Heart of the Congos by the Congos
Abbey Road, London
This is of course the most famous recording complex in the world. It was the world's first custom-built recording studio, being opened in 1931.
The studio doesn't attract so many artists for its name alone thoough, as it has a state of the art mixing suite and its acoustic design creates a natural sound in either room that artists keep coming back for.
The major recording in the studio: Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles








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