CARAVAN SELF-PRODUCED “IF I COULD…” — THEN BROUGHT IN TWO REMIX ENGINEERS

Caravan went into their second album determined to produce themselves.

It sounded like freedom. It became an education. 🎛️

After working with producer Tony Cox on their debut, the four musicians took control of 1970’s If I Could Do It All Over Again, I’d Do It All Over You. They learned recording techniques and studio possibilities as they went, with engineer Robin Sylvester providing substantial help.

But making the music was only half the job.

The trouble arrived at the mixing stage. Pye Hastings later recalled the basic problem: each member wanted his own instrument louder than everybody else’s. Four musicians, four sets of ears — and no independent producer in the room to make the final call. 🎚️👂

So Caravan brought in John Punter and David Grinsted as remix engineers. In a contemporary interview, the band said the pair helped them overcome the mixing problem.

The finished album appeared in September 1970, carrying Caravan’s playful songs, odd rhythms and the extended suite commonly known as “For Richard.” 🎶

But the real payoff came with the next record.

Hastings later admitted that Caravan had learned they were probably not the best record producers. For In the Land of Grey and Pink, they enlisted David Hitchcock to steer the sessions instead. 💡

The title of that second album suddenly feels even more appropriate: Caravan did take control themselves — and then had part of the job done all over again.

Sometimes the most valuable studio experiment is discovering when to invite another pair of ears. 🔄

#musicOnOff #Caravan #IfICouldDoItAllOverAgain #CanterburyScene #ProgressiveRock #AlbumStories #MusicHistory