About this episodeJimmy Jam and Terry Lewis discuss their upcoming Las Vegas residency, reflecting on their 40-year legacy as pr…AI summary
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis discuss their upcoming Las Vegas residency, reflecting on their 40-year legacy as producers for Janet Jackson, Usher, and others. They share insights on their creative process, the importance of artist authenticity, and the evolution of music production technology, while also touching on the Minneapolis funk scene and personal anecdotes from their career.
Key takeaways 5
The duo's production philosophy centers on making songs feel like they belong to the artist ('sounds like me'), rather than imposing a signature sound, which led to successful collaborations with Barry White, Lionel Richie, and Mary J. Blige.
They view their live show as a 'true reproduction' of their studio work, leveraging their deep knowledge of the original sonic elements and arrangements to recreate the intended experience for the audience.
The transition from analog tape to ProTools changed production workflows, allowing for easier editing but potentially reducing the urgency and perfectionism associated with tape recording.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis maintain a partnership free of arguments by distinguishing between 'arguments' (trying to win) and 'disagreements' (trying to solve), focusing on finding the best way forward together.
The Minneapolis music scene in the 80s was highly competitive locally, with artists comparing themselves to each other rather than national standards, leading to a unique, funk-heavy sound that stood out when they toured nationally.
Notable quotes 4AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“If we if we wrote a song for them, we would want them to feel like that's their song. And he felt like that's my song. When he said that, you knew that was the green light.”
▶ 44:43Jimmy Jam describing the moment Barry White confirmed the success of their production by saying 'Sounds like me.'
“We always think about it as the difference between an argument and a disagreement. So argument is something you're trying to win. A disagreement is something you're trying to solve.”
▶ 1:49:04Jimmy Jam explaining how he and Terry Lewis have never had a real argument in their decades-long partnership.
“I think one time I asked Morris once like you know will Prince play you guys everything and I gave an example like you know when he made let's pretend we're married like he's like yeah guys check this out... I know there's a vulnerability and a drive to act like Prince, but then when the lights are out, you go back to normal or whatever, but it's like, does it not get awkward or with Janet?”
▶ 1:33:07Questlove asking about the dynamic of recording intimate vocals with Janet Jackson in a dark studio.
“No, I think we think of genres like that though. I I really don't. I think where we were all that stuff was budding and and spinning in our orbit all the time. I mean, the least amount of things that we would get would probably be R&B.”
▶ 1:26:00Terry Lewis explaining that The Time didn't view genres like new wave or rock as separate categories but just as music they played.
Chapters & Sections (64)▼
0:00The Legacy of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewischapter2
1:55Celebrating 40th Anniversary of Landmark Music Production
3:10Residency Experience and Future Music Projects
5:49The Art of Effective Communication and Storytellingchapter2
7:37Song Selection Process for Music Performances
8:48Touring and Performing Live Music
10:48Curation Process for Live Music Performanceschapter2
13:01Artist's Concerns with Iconic Song Catalogs
14:37Adapting Live Performances for Visual and Sonic Experience
16:08Music Production and Live Performance Techniqueschapter2
18:04The Rise of Regional Music Scenes
19:32Early Days of Minneapolis Music Scene
20:58The Funk Scene in Minnesotachapter1
22:33The Composition and Repertoire of a Musical Project
25:15Selecting the Perfect Female Vocalistchapter1
28:17The Evolution of Drum Machines in Music Production
29:51The Rise of Drum Machines in Musicchapter2
31:30Acceptance of Infidelity in Relationships
33:03The Challenges of Collaborative Songwriting
35:20The Challenges of Recording and Releasing Albumschapter4
38:01Feeling Stagnant in the Music Industry
39:46Collaboration and Inspiration in Music Creation
40:59Collaborative Songwriting Process and Inspiration
42:16The Decline of Black Music Divisions in the 90s
44:43Capturing an Artist's Unique Soundchapter2
46:18Analyzing and Replicating Musical Success
47:44Effective Communication in Collaborative Creative Processes
49:25The Art of Perfection in Music Productionchapter6
50:52Attending a Premiere and Performing at Disney
51:51The Importance of Unique Musical Style
53:03Dealing with Rejection in Creative Collaborations
54:13Collaborative Songwriting Process and Artist Selection
56:00Comparing Pink to Prince and Alanis
57:16Music Production Decisions and Rejections
58:50The Art of Selecting Collaborators in Musicchapter2
1:00:41Overcoming Rejection in Creative Processes
1:02:15Collaborating with Artists to Achieve Their Vision
1:04:00The Evolution of Sampling in Music Productionchapter1
1:06:44Collaborative Songwriting Process with Artists
1:08:08Music Production Techniques and Variationschapter1
1:10:25Recording and Producing an Album
1:12:32Studio Ownership and Partnership Disputeschapter
1:16:42The Evolution of New Wave Musicchapter2
1:18:28Perceptions of Music Genres and Creative Process
1:20:07Impact of Lead Vocalist on Music Presentation
1:21:29Challenges of Performing in Segregated Venueschapter1
1:23:24Early Career Challenges and Triumphs
1:25:43The Evolution of Funk and New Wave Musicchapter1
1:27:33Establishing a Reputation as a Rock Band
1:29:32The Reality of Touring on a Low Budgetchapter1
1:31:20Tracking Vocals in the Recording Studio
1:34:26Developing Trust in Collaborative Relationshipschapter1
1:36:48Confronting Stage Fright and Performance Anxiety
1:38:59Cooking and Food Preferences Revealedchapter2
1:41:00Terry's Secret to Perfecting Meat Alternatives
1:42:10Favorite Food Spots in Minneapolis
1:43:18Displacement and Disrespect in Native American Communitieschapter1
1:45:16Community Disrespect and Social Injustice
1:47:14Importance of Effective Communication in Relationshipschapter1
1:49:55Importance of Giving One's Best in Creative Work
1:51:37Collaborative Songwriting Process and Creative Decision Makingchapter3
1:53:59The Influence of Jelly Bean Johnson on Career Choices
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