I've been into the total immersion lately. 7 discs of "Fisherman's Blues" sessions. Every take from The Monkees "headquarters" album. "Stranded in Reality" 30 discs of Ian Hunter( a week off with snow days=SHOPPING) This is old school. I'll concede. I'm one of the last people I know with a 6 disc player in their car. Seeing as my day is usually 3 hours of commuting. I think this is a good use of my drive time.
In my early recording career, i couldn't afford outtakes. This always made me envious of the great musical equivalents of "Heaven's Gate". It usually doesn't make for good music though. With "Fisherman's Blues", the best stuff was done the first day, then three years later.....a classic. I'll let you know how the Ian experience goes. I dreamt my ex-girlfriend was the subject of "Once Bitten Twice Shy" and I'm really sad that Mick Ronson is gone. My favorite all time guitarist.
I don't worry that i'll start aping these LP's subconsciously. They're already in my DNA. Essential elements.