3 Hit Albums From the 1980s That Were Recorded in Unusual Locations

Most songs you think of being recorded in a typical studio; however, that is not the case for some. Songs, over time, have been recorded, possibly in the last place you would even guess. I mean, who would guess that hit songs would be recorded in places of worship, by a portable cassette player or on a houseboat?

‘The Trinity Session’ By The Cowboy Junkies

The Cowboy Junkies recorded their 1988 album The Trinity Session in a church. The band rented out the Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto, Ontario. The name of the church, of course, is ultimately referenced in the album title. When renting out the church, the band put “The Timmins Family Singers” as their name so they would not raise any questions. The album went on to go platinum in both Canada and the United States.

‘The Texas Campfire Tapes’ By Michelle Shocked

Michelle Shocked’s debut album, The Texas Campfire Tapes, was recorded on a Sony Walkman. Yes, a portable cassette player. The entire album was recorded on a Walkman by British producer Pete Lawrence. He released the album on his Cooking Vinyl label in 1987. At the time, Shocked promoted the album’s release, showing her support and pride in the work. However, she did not stay with that mindset. She later disavowed it, as she became upset by the comparisons to Alan Lomax. Lomax recorded many folk artists in the 1950s and 1960s, ultimately discovering and making a name for many artists, such as Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, and Muddy Waters. Shocked went on to claim that the album was exploitative and was released without her consent. After she gained control of the tape, Shocked released her own, pitch-corrected version of the album in the 2000s.

‘A Momentary Lapse of Reason’ By Pink Floyd

Most of Pink Floyd’s 1987 album A Momentary Lapse of Reason was recorded on band member David Gilmour’s houseboat. The houseboat, named “Astoria,” was docked along the Thames in Hampton, just 16 miles outside of London. However, some of the songs were recorded in studios such as Britannia Row and A&M Studios in Los Angeles, California. The album was Pink Floyd’s first digitally recorded album.