Le Studio
Encyclopedia
Le Studio was a recording studio
located just south of the tourist town of Morin Heights, Quebec. It was the first ‘environmental’ recording studio outside a major urban center. Built on his property near his country home outside the village of Morin Heights, some 50 miles north of Montreal, the world-class facility was conceived, designed & created by André Perry in 1974 and managed by his partner in life and business, Yaël Brandeis. The new venue introduced what was then a revolutionary concept for sound studios; defeating acoustic rules by including a large floor-to-ceiling glass wall overlooking an unobstructed view of a pristine lake and the surrounding mountains. What made it unique was André’s philosophy & culture which permeated throughout; the location, choice of equipment, and the excellence and devotion of its talented staff. All were focused on providing state-of-the-art technology with a nurturing, creative atmosphere. Many international artists recorded their albums in this facilitie, including Rush, The Police, Sting, Cat Stevens, The Bee Gees, David Bowie, Keith Richards, Bryan Adams.
The artists and groups embedded themselves at Le Studio and its guest house for the duration of the recording process which could last between one to more than 4 months.
Le Studio was also known as Le Studio André Perry or Le Studio Morin Heights.
Le Studio Engineers: Nick Blagona, Ed Stasium, Leanne Unger, Paul Northfield
André & Yaël Perry sold Le Studio in 1988. After several changes of hand the complex closed permanently and at this writing is unoccupied.
Submitted by Yaël Brandeis, Le Studio manager:
"As of October 2011 Le Studio remains unoccupied and basically abandoned. We have visited the site a few times this summer and lately someone has definitely tried breaking in. The main door has sadly been hacked out around the lock and the door pins pulled to unsuccessfully gain access. Signs that someone may have illegally squatted there can be seen from the rear where we can see a makeshift woodstove and chimney having ben used for heat. Clearly if anyone has acquired the property they have no interest in returning it to any kind of use. The piano that can be seen in most of the videos online sits there unused. The pool table that countless personalities must have played and is seen in april wine's I like to rock video on is also still present including cues."
, drummer and lyricist of Rush
, Le Studio closed and sat abandoned not far from his residence in Quebec: "I drove us[ Alex Lifeson
and Geddy Lee
] to my house on the lake, sometimes playing Finnish rally driver on the snow-covered roads. Along the way, we passed near the village of Morin Heights, where we had shared so many good times, recording at Le Studio — now closed and abandoned. The number of albums we had made there stretched from Permanent Waves in 1979 to Counterparts in 1994." The house and grounds are featured in the music videos of the recording sessions of the Rush songs "Tom Sawyer"
, "Limelight"
and "Vital Signs".
At some point after the studio closed Steven Page
of Barenaked Ladies
apparently obtained one of Le Studio's consoles and integrated it into his own studio, Fresh Baked Woods.
The 233 acre (0.94291838 km²) site was listed for sale in July 2007, with an asking price of C$2.45M. The property remained for sale until 2009 when it was purchased and converted to a retreat and spa.
Recently a video was made in August of 2010 of the deteriorated state of Le Studio by a fan who lives in the area:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GOha8adhPA&feature=feedlik_more
As of May 2011, the building remains in the same condition as shown in the above video - unpowered, unheated, unoccupied, with no upkeep.
An updated visit was made by fans to the property in co-operation with its current owners. Video and photography was shot on site for archival purposes, covering the entire inside of the building and its current state. These fans will be presenting a documentary on a new 2011 LeStudio channel found here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/lestudiochannel
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
located just south of the tourist town of Morin Heights, Quebec. It was the first ‘environmental’ recording studio outside a major urban center. Built on his property near his country home outside the village of Morin Heights, some 50 miles north of Montreal, the world-class facility was conceived, designed & created by André Perry in 1974 and managed by his partner in life and business, Yaël Brandeis. The new venue introduced what was then a revolutionary concept for sound studios; defeating acoustic rules by including a large floor-to-ceiling glass wall overlooking an unobstructed view of a pristine lake and the surrounding mountains. What made it unique was André’s philosophy & culture which permeated throughout; the location, choice of equipment, and the excellence and devotion of its talented staff. All were focused on providing state-of-the-art technology with a nurturing, creative atmosphere. Many international artists recorded their albums in this facilitie, including Rush, The Police, Sting, Cat Stevens, The Bee Gees, David Bowie, Keith Richards, Bryan Adams.
The artists and groups embedded themselves at Le Studio and its guest house for the duration of the recording process which could last between one to more than 4 months.
Le Studio was also known as Le Studio André Perry or Le Studio Morin Heights.
Le Studio Engineers: Nick Blagona, Ed Stasium, Leanne Unger, Paul Northfield
André & Yaël Perry sold Le Studio in 1988. After several changes of hand the complex closed permanently and at this writing is unoccupied.
Submitted by Yaël Brandeis, Le Studio manager:
"As of October 2011 Le Studio remains unoccupied and basically abandoned. We have visited the site a few times this summer and lately someone has definitely tried breaking in. The main door has sadly been hacked out around the lock and the door pins pulled to unsuccessfully gain access. Signs that someone may have illegally squatted there can be seen from the rear where we can see a makeshift woodstove and chimney having ben used for heat. Clearly if anyone has acquired the property they have no interest in returning it to any kind of use. The piano that can be seen in most of the videos online sits there unused. The pool table that countless personalities must have played and is seen in april wine's I like to rock video on is also still present including cues."
2000s
According to Neil PeartNeil Peart
Neil Ellwood Peart , OC, is a Canadian musician and author. He is the drummer for the rock band Rush.Peart grew up in Port Dalhousie, Ontario . During adolescence, he floated from regional band to regional band in pursuit of a career as a full-time drummer...
, drummer and lyricist of Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
, Le Studio closed and sat abandoned not far from his residence in Quebec: "I drove us
Alex Lifeson
Aleksandar Živojinović, OC, better known by his stage name Alex Lifeson, is a second generation Serbian-Canadian musician, best known as the guitarist of the Canadian rock band Rush. In the summer of 1968, Lifeson founded the band that would become Rush with friend, drummer John Rutsey...
and Geddy Lee
Geddy Lee
Gary Lee Weinrib, OC, better known as Geddy Lee , is a Canadian musician, best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Canadian rock group Rush...
Tom Sawyer (song)
"Tom Sawyer" is a song by Canadian rock band Rush, named after Mark Twain's literary character. The song was released on Mercury Records and PolyGram in 1981 on the Moving Pictures album and numerous compilations thereafter, such as 1990's Chronicles. It has also appeared on several live albums and...
, "Limelight"
Limelight (song)
"Limelight" is a song by the Canadian progressive rock band Rush. It first appeared on the 1981 album Moving Pictures. The song's lyrics were written by Neil Peart with music written by Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson. "Limelight" expresses Peart's discomfort with Rush's success and being in the limelight...
and "Vital Signs".
At some point after the studio closed Steven Page
Steven Page
Steven Jay Page , is a Canadian musician. Along with Ed Robertson, he was a founding member, lead singer, guitarist, and a primary songwriter of the music group Barenaked Ladies ; he left the band in 2009 to pursue a solo career....
of Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies is a Canadian alternative rock band. The band is currently composed of Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart. Barenaked Ladies formed in 1988 in Scarborough, Ontario, then a suburban municipality outside the City of Toronto...
apparently obtained one of Le Studio's consoles and integrated it into his own studio, Fresh Baked Woods.
The 233 acre (0.94291838 km²) site was listed for sale in July 2007, with an asking price of C$2.45M. The property remained for sale until 2009 when it was purchased and converted to a retreat and spa.
Recently a video was made in August of 2010 of the deteriorated state of Le Studio by a fan who lives in the area:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GOha8adhPA&feature=feedlik_more
As of May 2011, the building remains in the same condition as shown in the above video - unpowered, unheated, unoccupied, with no upkeep.
An updated visit was made by fans to the property in co-operation with its current owners. Video and photography was shot on site for archival purposes, covering the entire inside of the building and its current state. These fans will be presenting a documentary on a new 2011 LeStudio channel found here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/lestudiochannel
Albums recorded at Le Studio
| Title | Artist | Year |
| Numbers Numbers (Cat Stevens album) Numbers is concept album by singer/songwriter Cat Stevens released in November 1975. Subtitled "A Pythagorean Theory Tale", it is a concept album based on a fictional planet in a far-off galaxy named Polygor and the "Polygons" who inhabit its palace... |
Cat Stevens Cat Stevens Yusuf Islam , commonly known by his former stage name Cat Stevens, is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, educator, philanthropist, and prominent convert to Islam.... |
1975 |
| Children of the World Children of the World Children of the World is the Bee Gees' fourteenth album, released in September 1976. The first single, "You Should Be Dancing", went to number one in the US and Canada, and was a top ten hit in numerous other territories. The album has sold over 2.5 million copies.Because their manager Robert... |
The Bee Gees | 1976 |
| Morin Heights | Pilot Pilot (band) Pilot was a pop rock musical group, formed during 1973 in Edinburgh, Scotland by the former Bay City Rollers members, David Paton and Billy Lyall.-Career:... |
1976 |
| 1 fois 5 1 fois 5 The album 1 fois 5, released in 1976, includes the greatest hits of the artists Robert Charlebois, Gilles Vigneault, Claude Léveillée, Yvon Deschamps and Jean-Pierre Ferland, interpreted by the Mont-Royal on National Holiday.... (enregistrement devant public) |
Robert Charlebois Robert Charlebois Robert Charlebois, OC, OQ is a Quebec author, composer, musician, performer and actor. He is an important figure in French language song.... , Yvon Deschamps Yvon Deschamps Yvon Deschamps, CQ is a Quebec author, actor, comedian and producer best known for his monologues. His social-commentary-tinged humour propelled him to prominence in Quebec popular culture in the 1970s and 1980s... , Jean-Pierre Ferland Jean-Pierre Ferland Jean-Pierre Ferland, OC, CQ is a Canadian singer and songwriter.-Life and career:Ferland began work with Radio-Canada in 1956 as an accountant, but his career there was short lived. Shortly after, he began taking guitar lessons with Stephen Fentock and began to fall in love with music, writing his... , Claude Léveillée et Gilles Vigneault Gilles Vigneault Gilles Vigneault, is a Canadian poet, publisher and singer-songwriter, and well-known Quebec nationalist and sovereigntist.A poet deeply rooted in his native Quebec, Vigneault has become an icon at home and Quebec ambassador abroad... |
1976 |
| Lavender Hill Mob | Lavender Hill Mob | 1976 |
| Vladimir Vysotsky Vladimir Vysotsky Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky was a Soviet singer, songwriter, poet, and actor whose career had an immense and enduring effect on Russian culture. He became widely known for his unique singing style and for his lyrics, which featured social and political commentary in often humorous street... |
Vladimir Vysotsky Vladimir Vysotsky Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky was a Soviet singer, songwriter, poet, and actor whose career had an immense and enduring effect on Russian culture. He became widely known for his unique singing style and for his lyrics, which featured social and political commentary in often humorous street... |
1976 |
| Fountains of Light Fountains of Light Fountains of Light is the second studio album by American progressive rock band Starcastle.-Track listing:Side 1# "Fountains" - 10:22# "Dawning Of The Day" - 3:43# "Silver Winds" - 4:54Side 2# "True To The Light" - 6:25... |
Starcastle Starcastle Starcastle was a progressive rock band formed in St. Louis, Missouri in 1969.-Formation:Starcastle began life in 1969 as "St. James". Heavily influenced by the British progressive rock movement of the time, the band began writing material that would eventually appear on the first album... |
1977 |
| Street of Dreams | Lavender Hill Mob | 1978 |
| Safety in Numbers | Crack the Sky Crack the Sky Crack the Sky is an American progressive rock band formed in Weirton, West Virginia in the early 1970s. In 1975, Rolling Stone Magazine declared their first album "debut album of the year", and in 1978, Rolling Stone Record Guide compared them to Steely Dan; their first three albums charted on the... |
1978 |
| 13 (portions) | Chicago Chicago Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles... |
1979 |
| Harder ..... Faster Harder ... Faster Harder ... Faster is the eighth studio album by Canadian rock band April Wine, released in 1979 . This album is RIAA certified gold in the US.I Like to Rock was a huge hit for the band... |
April Wine April Wine April Wine is a Canadian rock band formed in 1969. According to the band, they chose the name 'April Wine' simply because members thought the two words sounded good together... |
1979 |
| Permanent Waves Permanent Waves Permanent Waves is the seventh studio album by the Canadian rock band Rush, released January 1, 1980. The album was recorded at Le Studio, Morin Heights, Quebec, and was mixed at Trident Studios in London, UK. Permanent Waves became Rush's first US Top 5 album hitting #4 and was the band's fifth... |
Rush Rush (band) Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart... |
1980 |
| Thrillz | Walter Zwol & The Rage | 1980 |
| Ghost in the Machine - "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" is a song by British rock group The Police from their album Ghost in the Machine. It was also a hit single that reached the top of the charts in the United Kingdom in November 1981 and hit number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart that same... " song only |
The Police | 1981 |
| Moving Pictures Moving Pictures (album) - Personnel :* Geddy Lee - Bass guitar; Minimoog; Oberheim 8-voice synthesizer; OB-X, Moog Taurus bass pedals, vocals* Alex Lifeson - Electric and acoustic guitars, Moog Taurus... |
Rush Rush (band) Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart... |
1981 |
| You Want It You Got It You Want It You Got It You Want It, You Got It is Bryan Adams's second solo album, and was released in 1981 . This was the album that established the sound that Adams has retained throughout his recording career. Unlike the debut album where Adams and Vallance played most of the instruments themselves, You Want It You... |
Bryan Adams Bryan Adams Bryan Adams, is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, producer, actor and photographer. Adams has won dozens of awards and nominations, including 20 Juno Awards among 56 nominations. He has also received 15 Grammy Award nominations including a win for Best Song Written... |
1981 |
| Signals | Rush Rush (band) Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart... |
1982 |
| Straight Between the Eyes Straight Between the Eyes Straight Between the Eyes is the sixth studio album by Rainbow, released in 1982. A remastered CD reissue, with packaging duplicating the original vinyl release, was released in May 1999.... |
Rainbow Rainbow (band) Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. It was originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up... |
1982 |
| Synchronicity (overdubs) | The Police | 1983 |
| Alpha | Asia Asia (band) Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a supergroup as it included former members of several veteran progressive rock bands, namely John Wetton , Geoff Downes , Steve Howe and Carl Palmer Asia are an English rock group formed in 1981. The band was labelled a... |
1983 |
| Grace Under Pressure Grace Under Pressure (Rush album) Grace Under Pressure is the tenth studio album by the Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1984 . A symbol for the album is the letter "p" above a line with the letter "g" below .... |
Rush Rush (band) Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart... |
1984 |
| Tonight | David Bowie David Bowie David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s... |
1984 |
| Boy in the Box Boy in the Box (album) Boy in the Box is the second album by Corey Hart, released in 1985. It generated four charted singles. The song "Never Surrender" won a Juno Award in 1985 for "Single of the Year" and reached #3 on the U.S... |
Corey Hart | 1985 |
| The Thin Red Line The Thin Red Line (album) The Thin Red Line is the debut album by Canadian band Glass Tiger. It was released by Capitol Records .The album is most famous for the single "Don't Forget Me ", which reached #2 on the U.S. singles chart and featured back-up vocals by Bryan Adams. The follow-up single, "Someday", was also... |
Glass Tiger Glass Tiger Glass Tiger is a Canadian rock band formed in 1983, in Newmarket, Ontario.-Biography:Originally named 'Tokyo', the band produced several hit singles in Canada and placed two songs on Billboard magazine's top 10: "Don't Forget Me " and "Someday," both of which came from their debut album, The Thin... |
1986 |
| Secrets of the Alibi Secrets of the Alibi Secrets of the Alibi is the second album by The Northern Pikes released in 1988. It featured two hit Canadian singles - "Wait for Me" and "Hopes Go Astray".... |
The Northern Pikes The Northern Pikes The Northern Pikes are a Canadian rock band formed in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1984. The original members were Bryan Potvin, Jay Semko, Merl Bryck and Glen Hollingshead. Hollingshead left the band in 1985, and was replaced by Don Schmid in 1986... |
1988 |
| Big Houses | Eight Seconds Eight Seconds Eight Seconds was a new wave-pop band formed in 1982 in Ottawa, Canada. They are best known for their 1987 top-30 single "Kiss You " from the full-length album Almacantar... |
1988 |
| Talk Is Cheap Talk Is Cheap Talk Is Cheap is the solo album debut by Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, released in 1988. Recorded and released following a brief creative and personal fallout with Mick Jagger, Talk Is Cheap received glowing reviews upon its release.... |
Keith Richards Keith Richards Keith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting... |
1988 |
| Presto Presto (album) -Personnel:* Geddy Lee - bass guitar, synthesizers, vocals* Alex Lifeson - electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals* Neil Peart - drums, percussion* Rupert Hine - additional keyboards, production*Stephen W Tayler - recording and mixing... |
Rush Rush (band) Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart... |
1989 |
| Hell to Pay | The Jeff Healey Band | 1990 |
| Roll the Bones Roll the Bones Roll the Bones is the fourteenth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1991 . The album was recorded at Le Studio in Morin Heights and at McClear Place in Toronto with Rupert Hine returning as producer. The album won the 1992 Juno Award for best album cover design... |
Rush Rush (band) Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart... |
1991 |
| Gordon Gordon (album) Gordon is the debut album by Canadian band Barenaked Ladies. It was released through Sire Records on July 28, 1992. After The Yellow Tape was certified platinum in Canada, the group won a contest hosted by a local radio station. With the winnings, Barenaked Ladies were able to hire producer Michael... |
Barenaked Ladies Barenaked Ladies Barenaked Ladies is a Canadian alternative rock band. The band is currently composed of Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart. Barenaked Ladies formed in 1988 in Scarborough, Ontario, then a suburban municipality outside the City of Toronto... |
1992 |
| ...but you can call me Larry | Lawrence Gowan Lawrence Gowan Lawrence Gowan is a Scottish-born Canadian musician. Gowan has been both a solo artist and the current keyboardist and vocalist of the band Styx. His musical style is usually classified in the category of progressive rock.-Career:... |
1993 |
| Counterparts Counterparts (album) Counterparts is the fifteenth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1993. It became Rush's highest charting album in the US, peaking at #2 on the Billboard 200... |
Rush Rush (band) Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart... |
1993 |
| Fumbling Towards Ecstasy Fumbling Towards Ecstasy -Charts:-Release history:-Personnel:*Sarah McLachlan: Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Piano*Bill Dillon: Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Guitorgan, Bass, Piano... |
Sarah McLachlan Sarah McLachlan Sarah Ann McLachlan, OC, OBC is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter. Known for her emotional ballads and mezzo-soprano vocal range, as of 2006, she has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. McLachlan's best-selling album to date is Surfacing, for which she won two Grammy Awards and four... |
1994 |
| Matapédia Matapédia (album) Matapédia is a 1996 album by Kate and Anna McGarrigle.Kate's daughter Martha Wainwright appears on the album as a backing vocalist; she is also directly mentioned in the lyrics of the title track.... |
Kate and Anna McGarrigle Kate and Anna McGarrigle Kate and Anna McGarrigle, were a pair of Canadian singer-songwriters from Quebec, who performed as a duo until Kate McGarrigle's death on January 18, 2010.-Profile:... |
1996 |
| Creature Creature (album) Creature is the second studio album by Canadian alternative rock band Moist, released in 1996. It featured the singles "Leave it Alone", "Resurrection", "Tangerine", and "Gasoline".-Track listing:All songs written by Moist.# "Hate"-3:47... |
Moist | 1996 |
| Fascinoma | Jon Hassell (musician) | 1999 |
| Since August | Since August | 2000 |
| The Interzone Mantras The Interzone Mantras The Interzone Mantras is the sixth album from Canadian rock group The Tea Party.Named after William S. Burroughs' book of short stories Interzone and the band's interest in eastern mysticism and esoteric philosophies, the songwriting on The Interzone Mantras builds on the subtle electronica and... |
The Tea Party The Tea Party The Tea Party is a Canadian rock band with blues, progressive rock, Indian and Middle Eastern influences, dubbed "Moroccan roll" by the media. Active throughout the 1990s up until 2005 when the band broke up, The Tea Party released eight albums on EMI Music Canada, selling 1.6 million records... |
2001 |