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I was watching the new FX show "The Americans" (set in the early 80's) and they used Fleetwood Mac's "TUSK" for part of the soundtrack. Looking at this video of FM playing with the USC Trojan band I don't really hear anything that convinces me the band was actually playing! There is no increase in the volume of the drums, the horns sound just like synthesizers, it just seems like they are miming. Maybe it was bad mic placement, or was there something else going on?

I know the USC band got credit for recording on some version of the song, and they still have it in their field book - but this tape seems weak! Anybody here who was in the band (or in the audience) at the time care to comment?

BTW, the next song in the set is here.

I can't imagine it was anything other than live. Check out the second song you posted ("Don't Stop"); as the song winds down, Fleetwood Mac exits the stage and the USC Band plays out the ending - and that with our director, Dr. Arthur C. Bartner, conducting from an elevated spot out in the audience. The video, by the way, is from 1997.

I was in the USC Band from 1979-1984, joining right after the original recording of "Tusk" was made in 1978 (or early to mid 1979 - not sure which). The Band's portion of the recording was made on the field at an empty Dodger Stadium. In the fall of 1979 Fleetwood Mac had us join them live for the kickoff concerts in L. A. for the "Tusk" concert tour. I was involved in that; here's an old photo of us at the Fabulous Forum:
Shortly after that, Fleetwood Mac joined us for one of our halftime shows. Very cool memories!

Just not mixed very well. You can hear the trumpets a bit out of time at 2:50. if this was a synch they would have done it cleaner.
I'm sure this is live.