Bill Laswell on the making of Public Image Ltd’s Album (1986) - first takes, unlikely sessions, and the stories that grew around it. In this long-form conversation, Bill Laswell reflects on how PiL’s Album took shape - from cutting key tracks as first takes with Tony Williams at New York’s Power Station, to bringing Ginger Baker into the sessions, to working with musicians including Steve Vai, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Bernie Worrell and others. Laswell also discusses the recording approach behind the album’s distinctive sound and shares his memories of how the sessions unfolded. The interview also touches on a long-circulating story that Miles Davis appeared at the sessions. Laswell explains that Ornette Coleman briefly visited the studio but did not record. The story has circulated in different forms over the years, and John Lydon also revisits the episode in his memoir Anger Is an Energy: My Life Uncensored, where he reflects on the same period from his own perspective. As with any historical recording session, memories and perspectives can differ, and the conversation is intended as part of a broader exploration of how the record came together. This episode is part of a short run of Album-related conversations on The Ireland Podcast, including a two-part episode with Steve Vai. Chapters and links in the description. The Ireland Podcast is a record of long-form conversations. Views and recollections are those of the guest.
The Ireland Podcast
Chapters
00:00 Steve Vai intro + opening
00:24 Introducing Bill Laswell
01:15 “The project came into me” - how Album began
03:00 Building the record before vocals
04:47 Tony Williams - first-take recordings
07:29 Bringing Ginger Baker to New York
10:13 First takes and recording philosophy
13:33 Steve Vai joins the sessions
17:10 Recording drums in elevator shafts & car parks
21:42 Space and restraint in production
24:25 The Miles Davis / Ornette Coleman story
26:32 Recording John Lydon’s vocals
31:37 Mixing the record
33:07 Release, credits and legacy
35:28 Creating “Ease”
38:29 Writing and constructing “Rise”
41:29 South African musical influences
43:05 Studio logistics and momentum
47:28 Looking back on the record
49:07 Respect for John Lydon
51:48 Final thoughts
53:07 End
Chapters
00:00 Steve Vai intro + opening
00:24 Introducing Bill Laswell
01:15 “The project came into me” - how Album began
03:00 Building the record before vocals
04:47 Tony Williams - first-take recordings
07:29 Bringing Ginger Baker to New York
10:13 First takes and recording philosophy
13:33 Steve Vai joins the sessions
17:10 Recording drums in elevator shafts & car parks
21:42 Space and restraint in production
24:25 The Miles Davis / Ornette Coleman story
26:32 Recording John Lydon’s vocals
31:37 Mixing the record
33:07 Release, credits and legacy
35:28 Creating “Ease”
38:29 Writing and constructing “Rise”
41:29 South African musical influences
43:05 Studio logistics and momentum
47:28 Looking back on the record
49:07 Respect for John Lydon
51:48 Final thoughts
53:07 End
