Wall of Orchids

fter Lane Steinberg's first band The Wind went into hiatus, he decided to take a break from the constant live playing and learn how to use the recording studio. Moving to New York, he struck a deal with Hoboken's famed Water Music: he would manage the studio while gobbling up all the unused studio time for his own use. The result was the legendary Wall of Orchids recordings. Playing everything himself, Lane used the 24-track enviroment to carefully construct pop songs with deep arrangements in the manner of his heroes Spector & Wilson. Taking all the time he needed and working painstakingly, he completed seven mini-symphonies before splitting with the studio. Two of the songs, "Life Must Go On" and "Come Back To Me" were originally released on the Pop Look & Listen label as a 45. Today, original copiesfetch $25 or more between collectors. Indeed, it was the singles' legendary status which led to Lane's deal with Japan's EMI records.

As for now, Lane is busy with Tan Sleeve, his new project with former Wind bandmate Steve Barry, and tending to the various domestic and Japanese re-releases of his rich past which seem to be popping up everywhere. Though the prospect of re-creating the Wall of Orchids "sound" live is improbable, Lane has mended fences with his old Water Music partners and there is tentative talk of some new Wall of Orchids recordings. We'll see.

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