The Music Producer - Carlos Alomar Interview at Sky Studios

[birdland1]

Wrong "Fame" photo! guys not the Performing Arts Fame! but he David Bowie Fame! not the same thing.

[fugamante]

God bless this Puerto Rican hero!!

[jamestlenahan]

@thedeepfriedcandy: Carlos was using a 70's Gibson ES-335. Later, I saw him live playing an Alembic. Most people know about Alembic basses, but they also made some very nice 6-string guitars. You can contact Alembic and ask what model guitar Carlos has. Carlos' Alembic had active electronics in it and could sound extremely clean and funky.

[andreasjacke]

He is a clever musician...

[thedeepfriedcandy]

Does anybody know what kind of guitar Carlos played on Fame? Or even what kind of guitar he was playing live back then. I'd appreciate it if anyone has that info. I've been trying to figure that out for years.

[Joeey]

@thedeepfriedcandy By the sound of it, it sounds like a Stratocaster. Here is a picture of him playing a Stratocaster with a similar sound. /watch?v=aPTign22Xio Take care.

[bowiemott]

@thedeepfriedcandy Dunno what guitar he used in the studio but he used the Alembic on the Station to Station tour and Roland JC-120s for amplification. He used a Mutron Filter pedal, which many mistakenly identified as a phaser. I caught the S2S tour and was able to move my way up to the front row so I could check out the front line quite clearly. Its possible he used other effects but I didn't see/hear them - but its been about 35 years since that show so there could be some details I've lost.

[JaxBerlinOfficial]

I'm taking guitar lessons with him!

[bkltd]

Legend!

[bowiemott]

Alomar deserves more credit for his contributions to Bowie's sound than he has received. Far more than a mere band leader, he helped shape the sound, tone, and arrangements for many Bowie tunes. While I'm sure DB is grateful, he could do a better job of pointing this out. As an example, a song like Golden Years would never have worked without Carlos. Props need to go to George Murray and Dennis Davis also. This interview just scratches the surface of this man's musical knowledge and abilities.

[Charles195th]

What happened to the "hair antenna" he used to have installed on his head?

It was his identity of the physical. I always wanted to know if he used aluminum or platinum on them to pick up those special frequencies. Hmph! Motivation...some times you have to have fifty thousand dollars in a brown paper bag.

[KingAcosta28]

How can I work there?

[maxvasquez]

He's one of my favorites!

[whitneybelker1]

No kidding, the guy is a living legend. He's worked with so many top musical talents. The best part is how cool and down to earth he really is. He now loves teaching at Stevens Institute of Technology and working with young talent!

[pianoforte4u]

Loved the interview. Carlos is a cool guy.