Paul Leim: Nashville Recording Session
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- Опубліковано 14 сер 2012
- Vic Firth takes you inside a Nashville recording session with studio legend Paul Leim! In this video, you'll see firsthand how a song is recorded, from the artist's first listen to the songwriter-produced tune to the final product.
For more great videos with Paul Leim, check out his Vic Firth artist page:
www.vicfirth.com/artists/leim.php
ABOUT PAUL LEIM:
Nashville recording artist Paul Leim talks about the unique concepts in the design of his signature drum sticks.
Few other musicians have so successfully bridged the gap between records, motion pictures, live performance and television as Paul Leim.
Paul has performed live with a diverse list of top artists, composers and producers world wide, including John Williams, Doc Severinsen, The Berlin Orchestra, The London Symphony, The Boston Pops, Tanya Tucker, Tom Jones, Randy Travis, Peter Cetera, Neil Diamond, Lynda Carter, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and "ELVIS, The Concert" along with Elvis' "TCB Band".
Motion picture credits include "The River", "Tank", "The Legend of DB Cooper", "Dirty Dancing", "Elvis and Me", Elvis, and "Star Wars "Return of the Jedi".
Episodic television series and specials include 'Wonder Woman", Knight Rider, Dukes of Hazzard, "Elvis", "Fall Guy", "Spencer for Hire", "The Tonight Show", "Growing Pains", "Battlestar Glactica", "Barbara Mandrel and the Mandrel Sisters", and "Dolly".. He was staff on "The Grammy Awards", eight years on Dick Clark's "American Music Awards", 4 years with the "Academy of Country Music Awards", and the perennial "Grand Ole Opry".
His Gold and Platinum album credits, consisting of over 300 million records sold include, Lionel Richie, Dolly Parton, Peter Cetera, Tanya Tucker, Randy Travis, Michael W. Smith, Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers, PUR, Lorrie Morgan, Lyle Lovett, Amy Grant, Colin Raye, Montgomery Gentry, Lonestar, Shania Twain, Faith Hill, Bob Seger, Billy Currington and Kenny Chesney.
He is 8 time Academy of Country Music drummer of the year Nominee, multiple winner of Nashville Music Award, "Drummer/Percussionist", and Nashville Music Row Magazine's "Top 10 Music All Stars" award winner. Most recently he is winner of "Drum Magazine" Drummie of the Year, (Country Category) 4 Years in a Row and Modern Drummer Magazine "Reader's Poll", Drummer of the Year, (Country Category) for an Eighth year in a Row (2001 -- 2008).
Please understand. This session was about doing my lifelong friend a favor and he one for me by letting Vic Firth use bits of his session and song to simply show a short session. If we had played the entire song there would have been licensing issues. If we had put vocals on it, they could have been copied as song ideas and that would have been bad. The gloves are because of sever arthritis in my right hand from playing 50 years. I tried just using a right glove. Then some folks said I was trying to look like Michael Jackson. So I went to using both. I guess they are right when they say there are folks out there that just have to find something bad in everything. Thank you to 230,000 viewers and the 95% nice comments. Happy Holidays to all. Here's to another 50 years of music. CMA Country Christmas will re-air on ABC TV Christmas Eve. Lots of different styles on that and we all sight read it, mostly first takes on the pre-record. Just sayin. God Bless. P
I did not meet you in Nville. I met Eddie Bayers just when he came to town. After reading this ,your a top shelf fella.
I am a session drummer and work with several different producers. I found you to be inspirational, and educational. Thank you Paul!
Paul can you tell me what the mutes are on the heads in this video?
Paul Leim you're brilliant sir. You've played on countless records and songs that millions have grown up on. Thank you for your brilliance and God bless you. Well done for all your years that you have dedicated to music. 😊👍🏻✝
What is the name of this band??
The level of professionalism on display here is a real pleasure to watch. Pay attention kids, serving the song and playing without ego. Note how many times, Paul uses the word “please”, manners make it a pleasure for everyone.
This is how it's done, folks. 90% of drum recording is just playing a steady, fatback groove to support the ensemble. I really like the part when Paul removes a fill he did earlier because it steps on the lead vocals. I've been playing professionally for almost 40 years - and no one ever paid me to play like Dave Weckl. This video is a great glimpse into the nuts and bolts of studio recording - and Paul Leim is one of the best!
100% this.
Thats was very pro
yup, less is more!
I once got hired by a producer who told me "I don't want you tearing up the set and I'm not paying you by the beat" and I laughed and said i won't be tearing up the drum set because I can't! A few tunes into the project and he could see my ability to just lay down a beat and he told me I was just what he wanted!
I knew a drummer who hated certain songs because the drum tracks were boring to him. Drummers just want to solo all the way through the track.
Yeah! More of these behind the scenes drum sessions at the studio. I could watch these all day.
I see a lot of comments on this video Vic Firth asked me to do for them. Most folks get it. We have a very limited budget for my dear friend Robin Hood. And we are trying to get 5 songs recorded in 3 hours. It is a pressure cooker. If we don't get them everyone is disappointed and he has wasted his money on my selection of musicians for his music and session. Thank you so much to those who understand what this session was for and about. And that was Not Me. Doing records it is never, ever about me.
On Master sessions we have more time than that. Most of the Country hits of the 60's and 70's were recorded exactly this way. That is what I was trying to show. Basically Time is Money.
For those geniuses (JB comment below) asking for a drum solo and putting down what I have made a living at for 50 years. I have this to say. If I had insisted on a drum solo (like you probably would have to assuage you overblown ego) I would have ruined this session and recording. Vinnie and Steve, Dave and Peter are all good friends and would tell you exactly the same thing. You stuff your ego in a bag when you walk into a session with a professional attitude. Play what the songs needs. Steve would take a bullet before playing a drum solo in the middle of Fire and Rain with JT. I have been on over 300 million records with all kinds of music, from Doc Severinsen, to Roy Rogers, and Tom Jones to Shania Twain, Whitney Houston, and Kenny Rogers, and Chesney. The London Symphony, and Star Wars soundtracks. Big Band and Live TV. So I have nothing to prove to JB here on anyone else. And yes, I became a financially successful record making expert in the process. Thank to everyone for listening all these years, and to my response now. Even those who find being successful repugnant or evoking jealousy. When I was doing 450 sessions a year in Dallas in the 70's guys, out of North Texas State University (one of the finest musical educations in the world) would as to come into the studio with me and see a session. Then they would say, "I just want to Move to NY and play Jazz and starve!" I would say, "Well then that is exactly what you should do". I wish everyone to have their dreams come true playing music of all kinds, like I have. Be blessed my friends. Life is Good. P
Paul Leim You rock! Got the pleasure of seeing you live with Mike Nesmith couple years back!
Thanks Bud.. Had fun with Nez back in the 70's and in 12-13.. Thanks for coming. Happy New Year. Paul
Man it really warms my heart that after all you are a human with feelings. I mean its the irony - you play great, but even an internet troll can hurt you. Yeah, because you are a living being, not an half digital internet spawn. Keep it up, those who understand admire your work.
Are you still on here IDIOT, you are not for real, nobody is this stupid, but there is a first time for everything LOL!!
So, wait JJ, how many Diamond selling albums have you played on? Okay, how about Platinum? Gold? Number 1 hits? The joke is, while you troll away, Paul is working as he has for 50 years and with the biggest artists in the world. So your comments have no weight or value other than giving those of us who get it a chance to reiterate how brilliant Paul is. Word of mouth is everything in this business and so far the word on you is dick! The internet remembers. Good luck!!
After some wonderful personal comments through my website from longtime drummers and professionals at the highest levels of their professions, who are fans and always have loved drums and drumming as I have. And congratulating me on getting to do music in my life at the highest level of every genre for all my life. To those who called me a 'rock and roll wanna be' and 'turd in a bowl'.. I will quote an expert in his field that told me how to respond to these kind of asshole wanna be's.. And I quote his supporting comment. "Paul, One thing I've learned over the years is that everybody is an "expert" on things they don't know anything about." So you wanna bee's that have a negative comment on my 50 years of playing at the top level with the most famous artists on the planet, on millions of records..... I won't even give you the pleasure of my first response.... The second and appropriate one is 'Have a Nice Day' .. LMAO Paul
The world is full of haters
Paul Leim It's a nice surprise to see you responding as I rewatch this video for a little inspiration before a Christmas rehearsal tonight! Always been a fan of your career, from the radio jingles to the present, and I'm grateful for this insight of a session! Thanks for the music, and all the best from OKC!
Joey Breezes you are welcome Joey. Have a great Holiday season. God Bless. P
Paul Leim the fact that you actually reply is awesome, your one of my favorites, keep up the good work!
jjB: I am not in a drum or popularity contest. And never intended to be. Dave, Steve, Kenny, Vinnie and many top pros are all my good friends as Jeff was. We all respect each other for what we do. We would never make comments about each other like this. We have all been at this for over 40 years and established ourselves, and are happy in our own skin. That being said, and being a feeling human being, I do read what people say and I get my feeling hurt when folks say nasty things like you do. So you accomplished what you wanted. This was a simple session of simple songs simply to show what a fast 'demo session' is like. It was not brain surgery or sight reading a Big Band chart with John Williams, (which I have also done). So..whatever your name is, I wish you the best in life and hope you can enjoy it. Paul
"You guys ought to do this for a livin'. You're really good. You'll get paid for this." LOL, the producer is phenomenal. He cracked me up.
The producer is Robin Hood Brians. Robin engineered the first three ZZ Top albums at his studio in Tyler, Tx. as well as recording their live album. He's been a hit record engineer/producer since the 1960's. His first big hit at his studio was Judy In Disguise by John Fred and the Playboy band. Robin has been a good friend of mine for 50 years. Paul is from Troup, Tx. and started out playing on sessions at Robin Hood's studio in Tyler. Paul set in with my band one night. Great drummer. Solid as a rock.
Why do people who are utterly clueless insist on commenting on videos like this?
Do you have any idea how hard it is to play this well? If you could play as well as Paul Leim, you'd be working in Nashville. But I guarantee all your "innovative feel chops and drum sounds" would get you fired off this record in a heartbeat. Paul overdubbed the tom fill because the part was asked for by the producer, after the main take was done.
The idea that this is "business-people's music" is ludicrous. These guys are on this session BECAUSE they can get it done fast, so that it doesn't cost a lot of money to the person who actually wrote the song. It has nothing to do with what they want to play. It could very well be that the songwriter spent 5 months working on the song before this. It's irrelevant.
The arrogance it takes to insult some of the best, most consistent, and musical players in the world is also the reason you are not one of them.
Thank you.
davidfmmacd amen.
+davidfmmacd
And then again, it DOES sound like all the other millions of country takes, regardless how well Paul Leim played the parts and how well theyfir into the style of music - but that's not the musicians fault, it's the song writer's. And this still is a demo tape.
He overplayed the HiHat though. Strange that even Pros still do that. It clearly overpowers the snare in the mix. I first suspected this was because it was just a rough mix for this video, but if you look closely you can observe him smashing the hats harder than even his snare drum.
Thank you David,, appreciate the comment.. I cannot believe how nasty guys can get. All the best. Paul
Wish there was more studio video of you Paul - even though it might bring more idiotic comments - there is so much that serious players could learn from watching you
even though i really dislike pop country music... i have to admit, they get the best drum sounds in music today... that snare has a lot of body with a good pop
There's one thing this guy does so incredibly well that I'm sick to my stomach even just thinking about it. His snare hits are SO EVEN across the board. It's like his hands are made of pure MIDI and can be programmed to hit at a specific level every single time. He is every engineer and producer's wettest dream. The only problem I can see recording him is that I wouldn't feel like I was actually doing any work behind that mixing desk :)
Paul was the co-producer on this session. And the producer (Robin Hood) is the guy who got him started when he was 15... Robin produced all the great ZZ Top recordings (La Grange, etc). All great guys!
What is a Co-pruducer?
As a producer who's come up through the garage punk, indie rock, and now producing synth-pop for the majors, I'm absolutely blown away by the DISCIPLINE -- more than anything (I mean, killer playing ability is a given with Nashville vets...they're just untouchable!).
Wonderful video. So glad I stumbled across it while doing late night trolling on UA-cam;-) Inspires me to be better in every way.
As a drummer for 40 years, 22 years with Big Bands,professionaly,etc... I can only say how impossible is to play like this on such level ! Most people don"t get it ! I"m learned a lot from people like Paul...You are Great,man...!!
That punch in was sooooo tight. People have no idea how long you must hang around in studios as a drummer to get it so tight the engineer can punch you in at exact moments, with the same tempo/expression/dynamic/etc.
The reason he is Paul Leim.
Crazy that this is only a demo. I can’t imagine the precision and discussions in the master recording
I retired from playing bass 5 years ago after playing for over 40 years....there is nothing like playing with excellent tight pure musicians!!!
Paul Leim is a living LEGEND!! Thank you Sir for your great inspiration!!
Session players are the holy grail of musicians!!!!🙏🙏🙏
What an awesome glimpse into a pro session. Thanks Paul!
“People ask ‘how can I get in?’” Move to a town with a music scene that’s not big yet, find a group of guys you work well with, do this for 30 years, and hope it blows up like Nashville did.
As an engineer nothing is better than musicians that can really PLAY!! love it
Except that they never play more than the most vanilla stuff possible to appease the sheep they are shilling this stuff to. What difference does it make how good they are when all we get is the same boring shit over and over again out of Nashville?
Incredible. They make it look so easy.
Few people will ever understand how good these musicians are.
I feel bad for not having heard of this amazing musician before.
High school with money. Great line. Great insight on how talented Nashville musicians are. It's a business folks, and you gotta be damn good to be able to be part of it.
Paul, you are a pro and a machine! You were kind enough to speak to me on the phone for advice about 20 years ago. I’ll never forget it. I wish you had more videos like this. Thank you for everything that you do!
i love this so much. please do a series of in studio videos!
Old school. Down and dirty. The way it should be done. No bs. Just pure talent and music.
Paul is a legend. Right up there with Greg marrow , Lonnie Wilson , Dan needham, John Robinson, Shannon Forest, Redmond etc. One of the OGs. The definition of a pro session player. Awesome insight.
If you left out several..
Love it...God Bless Paul...
Love the behind the scenes on how music is produced and recorded!!
love... love.... love this video. thanks Paul & Vic Firth. very insightful!
That sir, was a whole lot of fun. Thanks so much for sharing this look inside a session. Loved it!
Thanks for the look inside. You guys are fantastic!
I swear I watch this every few days. I admire how professional these guys are. His pocket, groove, flow and style is admirable. I love it
At 5:58 he sums up what it's all about, I've never played a session, but I did do voiceover work while I was in Nashville, and trust me, when studio time is booked and the meter's running, you'll feel the pressure..
Thanks for sharing this, it's awesome! please do more Studio Recording Sesioens for us!!!
Awesome! Thanks Paul!
What a cool insight into how it is done!! Thanks so much for posting this!!
Very cool to see professionals in action. Thanks for sharing a glimpse!
Really cool to get a glimpse at these sessions. Thanks!
Love the tempo and groove of this song. Really like his feel and approach to his drumming.
Paul Leim's pocket is so beautiful. Thank you so much for this! Just wow
This is awesome. Very creative, very fast and it sounds killer. Love to see how the pros make this song come alive. Well done!
Groove, consistency and efficiency....love it!
How fun is that!?? ❤️❤️❤️. I love it. Thanks for makin this.
This guy was a major influence on my studio drumming. Awesome player!
WOW,what a bunch of great guys!
Much respect for your skills and for what you do. Thank you for sharing a session with us!
What a great video! It's really fascinating to see how things are developed in the studio. Paul Leim, you are a CLASS act, sir!
One of my all time favourite country drummers!!
This was so fun to watch!
Great work!! thanks for sharing this its really fun to watch. Cheers.
High level professionals.
Thanks for the clinic, Paul!
Mr. Leim, I've followed you for many, many years and have admired your playing since I was around 14 years old. Being brought up in Texas, I was raised on country music so It seemed natural for me when I started playing drums to gravitate towards country studio players like yourself, Larry Londin, Eddie Bayers, Milton Sledge, and Rick Marotta. The comments from some below are ridiculous. Thanks for posting this video! It was cool to see the process and get a look into that world. Thanks for the inspiration over the past ____ years. You're a legend! Thank you! Oh and your kit is freakin' sweeeeet!!!!
That was fun. Studio musicians, the unsung heroes.
This is amazing, vic firth! Thank you for this! I need to practice!
Great share, thanks. So cool to see this being done.
Thank you for this insight into the process. Amazing to see real pros at work.
Thank you Mr. Leim!!! Incredibly educational and you make the very very hard work seem effortless. Great tone and feel!. Fantastic time! Again, Thank You!!!
Paul - thanks for sharing this. Very interesting collaboration, workflow, and personalities!
Much respect Paul from New Zealand. Your body of work has inspired me over the years x
Way cool!!!! These guys are top notch musicians.
Really informative. Amazing, the talent assembled in that room.
Thank you for the inspiration
Wow, these are real pro’s at work. Thanks so much for posting this!
And this is how its done, amazing process. well done Paul, it is a stunning view on how extremely well versed everyone is with how a song is constructed.
I love learning about drums, music and the business. thank you for the time and insight.
I was lucky to meet Paul on my wife's Birthday when we were visiting an attraction in Tennessee on a holiday from the UK. I couldn't believe my luck to be in the same tour group and he was nothing but a gent - incredibly insightful and only happy to talk drums and give advice on what (retrospectively) should have been his day off. To anybody who can't summon up the smallest bit of respect for somebody who CLEARLY knows his craft, I'd invite you to share your discography and success at making a living at something that's incredibly hard to do consistently at this level.
Paul you are a fantastic drum arranger and even a better player! Your creative energy really makes the song.
Thanks Mr. Leim!! It's so great to get lessons from one of the Masters of country music!!!
Thanks for giving us a peak behind the curtain Paul! Really great seeing some pros laying it down! Back to the woodshed I go.
Perfection brought to you by Vic Firth and Mr. Leim.
Thank you for the video. Professional players who strive to work together and do their best gets my respect, nice to see how you accomplish this.
I remember watching this a long time ago. I found it again, wanting to check the personnel of "(I've had) The Time of My Life", since it's grooving so hard. This guy shows up. What an amazing and groovy musician! Big respect, Mr Leim!
Paul, thank you. You are one of the finest musicians that there are, period, and so much taste, sense of form, articulation and feel. I've loved everything you've played on from old Amy Grant records to Lionel Richie etc... Always the exact right thing for the music - You're an inspiration.
Wow Paul this was great!! Been a fan of your work for years! You are a beast Sir!!!
PAUL LEIM=LEGEND! Had a the pleasure to watch him in person a couple of days ago on a session. He was incredible!
The nashville number system - learn something new everyday - thx 4 sharing
This cat is at the top of his craft...WOW...the stuff you NEVER get in drum instructional videos...WELCOME TO THE STUDIO!
Damn that was awesome! Love the duct tape muffling device, learned something new there.
Wow this was fascinating!
Loved watching this process and a small insight on how leading and taking input to come to a finished product. And...I don't even do country music. Paul you are living the dream.
I SO need these guys on my songs!!
Paul, you are very correct. The biggest critics are more often than not the people least qualified to do so. You’re operating at the top of your field and have been for decades. Few understand how difficult it is to be a studio musician. And a studio drummer? Well, it’s arguably THE most difficult role. Thank you for this video. I’m a hard rock/metal guy, but love awesome musicianship in any style or genre. You are incredible, sir. All the best.
WOW! Thank you so much for making this video. My 15-year-old son, who is my drummer, and I just watched this video and loved, its been a while since I've been in the studio, but to let him watch you write number charts and redo them, and punch in, and create like a fine oiled machine, was poetry in motion. Such a blessing. Thanks again to both Vic Firth and Paul Leim for doing it. Oh and my boy loves playing his Vic Firth sticks. They're his favorites.
Im 21 love here in Houston and I would love to meet this legend Paiste all day !!!
thank you for sharing brother
That level that these guys are showing in there needs just one word: GODMODE!
Paul, i played in bands for years that rehearsed and rehearsed and.......WENT NOWHERE. To see how rapidly you could put a track together left me speechless, WOW. IMPRESSED!
Great vid! Cool to see pros like these guys in action.
Great glimpse into the high pressured world of a session musician.
Paul love how your snare sounds!
Great playing, and exactly what the song called for!
Paul Leim laying that solid foundation down. Everything Paul talked about and the way he led this band is how it goes down in a Nashville environment. I suggest watching this video to get an idea of what it's like to be in a Nashville session if you're thinking of making the move there. Truly a Nashville/Texas professional making it look easy! Thanks for the video Paul!
Paul, thanks for posting this awesome video. You've been an inspiration to me for most of them 40 years! Please keep posting more. I'm still a wanna be!
I most certainly learned alot from being that I'm currently recording myself and well have less experience. I digged the double layers and the "punch in" i just love how he took control of the whole situation like a true profressional and that's something I'm still learning. OWN IT! Mistakes and all. Thanx for this PAUL!
I"m in pure heaven! Love seeing this process!!!!
Love this guy. So solid.
Love that part about walking on the vocal.
I'm working with my very favorite vocalist, who used to sing with the guys in STP in the 90's. He's in SoCal, and I'm in Detroit, so I did a demo for him here, and one of the things I was very conscious of, was not to step on his vocals with a fill...
Free education from Paul on so many points
Thanks for your insight, Paul. Great playing, and highly professional. “Time is money” is the studio mantra, to be sure. From an ex-Navy drummer and friend of Kenny Malone, I say, WELL DONE!