Colourful picture of attempt to follow recordings? (8)
I believe the answer is:
tapestry
'colourful picture' is the definition.
(a tapestry is a woven image)
'attempt to follow recordings?' is the wordplay.
'attempt' becomes 'try' (synonyms).
'to follow' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'recordings?' becomes 'tapes' (tape is a kind of recording).
'try' put after 'tapes' is 'TAPESTRY'.
'of' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for tapestry that I've seen before include "Piece of strong material with picture or design woven into it" , "Eg, arras, Gobelin" , "work of art" , "As pretty as embroidered material" , "Decorative hanging" .)