John Lakata

[falconwhit]

I just found out that "John Licata" who was the engineer for the Scepter sessions was actually called John Lakata.

[Mark]

Nice to find out a bit more about the man and his work now he's linked up on Discogs. Considering what else was recorded at Scepter (and by the same guy), it's tempting to conclude the way that record sounds really doesn't have much to do with where it was recorded and who by.

[falconwhit]

Actually, I believe the "who by" did matter.
Norman Dolph testified that Licata/Lakata was a great engineer and that he was very cooperative (my words, not his - I don't have the quotes in front of me).
Great engineers are those who are not limited to one style and can make good recordings across different styles. The result with a lesser, or more narrow-minded engineer, would have certainly been inferior.

That being said, I think a great part of the credit should go to the engineer who mixed the LP. I think it's clear if we compare the acetate mixes with the final mixes that they did a great job in LA.

[falconwhit]

One more thought - back in the days, recording engineers were seldom if ever credited. This became more common towards the end of the 60s.

Licata/Lakata clearly must have had a solid resume by the time he became chief engineer at Scepter. It may have been much more varied than what is listed on Discogs now.

[Mark]

Actually, I believe the "who by" did matter.
Norman Dolph testified that Licata/Lakata was a great engineer and that he was very cooperative (my words, not his - I don't have the quotes in front of me).
Great engineers are those who are not limited to one style and can make good recordings across different styles. The result with a lesser, or more narrow-minded engineer, would have certainly been inferior.

That being said, I think a great part of the credit should go to the engineer who mixed the LP. I think it's clear if we compare the acetate mixes with the final mixes that they did a great job in LA.

Sure, I didn't mean to belittle Lakata's role. Definitely true to say he did a fine job of getting a true representation of the band's sound on tape.

For what it's worth I prefer the original Scepter mixes to the LP versions.