Hey guys!
Anyway, it's not extreme but a great way to warm up a roomful of newbies working their first album.
If they seem a bit awkward on arrival, I will set out whatever libations they like on a table in the tracking room and allow a little lube to happen.
Then I get everyone set and tell them to make me one and only one performance of all the songs prepared for the project. If they screw up or have a train wreck, I just back them up 8 bars or so and count it in without interrupting the roll.
Usually takes about 2 or 3 hours, and everyone starts off thinking "shit, all this $ and we're wasting time making ruff performances" and "when do we do that stuff we keep reading about in magazines..." I make sure the drink (or whatever) keeps flowing between songs.
After about 4 or 5 songs the resistance within the band starts to drop away, and they start just playing as if they're at a rehearsal or an often-played gig.
When it's done, all 12 or 14 songs either on a roll of 2" or a series of PT sessions, the session's over. Leave the building.
When you return (either later that night if the band are just crazy to work - which happens, or the next morning) cut your ruffs together so they play as songs. Have a listen without the band there so as not to pollute the sense memory of the previous night's work.
Every time I've done this I've gotten at least 2 great performances, and once I got 10! In 3 hours!
When the band returns, play them the best ones and get ready to work on the others.
You might have some tracks ready, but even if you don't,
1. The band now OWNS the space.
2. They're probably not worried about mistakes anymore, since they've seen that mr professional can build a track with stops and starts.
JW