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also because (he mechanics of having a
label hadn t really been approached.
'
Originally envisioned as an R&B singles
label, ( hey were forced into high gear by
the release of the Allmans album.
Walden had hired Frank Fenter, who
had been heading Atlantic operations in
Europe , and Capricorn Records quickly
got down to the business of internal and
external definition.
" When I learned how it was to deal
with a big company trying to get the
attention required w * e decided we
would pul together a very aftift*
Oflflltcd label. Phi! Walden speaks with
"
the air of a man who know where every
*
paper on a cluttered desk can be found.
'
"It was out of necessity. I couldn t
promise an artist certain things and then
have the big company let him down.
'
We ve done a lot of things that we ve
'
paid for out of our own pockets, and all
our profits went right back into the
artists." One of the best of those moves
was installing John Sandlin as
- -
producer in residence and A&R
Director.
•••
From the street , Capricorn Sound
Studios looks like a nesting place for
indiscriminate wmos. The only due to
the studio s existence is a small
'
-
hand lettered sign scotchtaped on a bare
window. Expectations call for a couple
of tape machines propped on wobbly
chairs to protect them from the spilled
beer and cigarette butts, and a Polish
janitor with a three-slay gross th of
heard, Gallo Port strong on his breath.
'
Inside, however, it s like walking in
on a Costeau acid fantasy. The
boardroom has a circular feel, almost
like a diving bell. The orange carpeting
-
is so thick you can feel your feet sink in
with every step. The multi colored
lights, a little too crayon garish at first,
soon mellow out; what initally seemed
like some bizarre amusement at a
carnival becomes as comfortable as the
overstuffed couch in your grand -
mother s sitting room.
'
lohn Sandlin just about lives here.
When you hear a tape in the studio, it ' s
as if he were entertaining in his living
room. The perfect host, he takes the
time to explain as many aspects of the
equipment and recording process as he
thinks you can comprehend. The stuido
he explains, is four years old, but the
" new look " only six months. It was
originally built to facilitate the
recording demos, but the increasing
demands of Capricorn necessitate
ceaseless updates.
"The old studio WJS funky, " Sandlin
said , "but it had basic good vibes. A lot
of good music has come out of here be -
Brother Berry Oakley (above left ) :Bobby Womac (above right) now in Die fold, and Alex Taylor cause the environment feels ridit. " It
( lop ) who may no longer be. was constructed with concepts borrow-
42 CACCffl