Big orchestral sound in pop, rock etc.


Most of the times pop, rock, soul etc. music is done by the same basic band (guitar/bass/drums) and one or more singers. Now I´m looking for albums that go bigger, where the band uses more musicians to produce a bigger sound. I´ve always been a fan of Elvis´ early 70s live albums and recently came across a few more live albums that may not share the same musical sensibilities, but which have a big orchestral sound: More people playing instruments, more background singers, full stage, full sound. I like that. Maybe you know a few more examples of musicians and bands that dared to go big. I don´t neccessarily mean the “XY plays his old hits with an orchestra“-thing even though that can result in great recordings too. Here are some big sounding albums I like:

Joe Cocker – Mad Dogs and Englishmen
Procol Harum – Live in Concert With The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra
Elvis – All the big Vegas shows from the early 70s
Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
Chicago – First few albums (still working my way through them)

chmaiwald

The Tedeschi Trucks Band - Especially one they did a couple of years ago - Layla Revisited - Live at Lockn’. Start there and then explore other’s they’ve done. I think you’ll like them.  They are the keepers of the flame for the big rock band.

Some of my fav pop/new wave albums with big orchestra sounds include:

1. ABC - Lexicon of love (Trevor Horn production)

2. Frankie goes to Hollywood - Welcome to the Pleasuredome. Another Trevor Horn production. In particular, 'Two tribes' which was recorded with a 60-piece orchestra.

3. Early ELO

4. Early Pet Shop Boys albums from 1986-1990

David Byrne "Live From Austin, TX"

Elton John "Elton John"

Collective Soul "Home: A Live Concert Recording with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra"

Any thing by Electric Light Orchestra 

Early albums by the Moody Blues 

Rick Wakeman "The Six Wives of Henry VIII"

King Crimson "In The Court of the Crimson King"