I was the person who discovered these original Byrds session tapes. This was back around 1989. They were being discarded along with dozens of other Columbia Records artists sessions tapes. Unfortunately I couldn't afford the other tapes so I have no idea what became of them. Thankfully these Byrds tapes were saved. I'm proud I was able to be part of that.
Thank you. These tapes are historical records. You say you couldn’t afford them? They were throwing them out and they were charging you? Thank God you got these with Hal Blaine. What a shame, who knows what was on those tapes. Cheers.
@@buddyrichable1 The guy had them on shelves and I was focused on the Byrds tapes. There were many others by many artists but I wasn't able to afford them. He wasn't throwing them away; Columbia Records did and he grabbed them from a dumpster! I just wish I had the ability to buy all those tapes! Big mistake but this was 30 years ago. I can't change the outcome.
I was able to actually meet Hal Blaine several times because my best friend and next door neighbor growing up was his cousin. (in New Orleans.) He was an incredibly nice man - my friend had great stories of going to his home in Hollywood every year during vacation from school - she was the same age as his kids. Boy was I envious when she told me about riding around Hollywood in his antique Rolls Royce convertible and swimming in the pool, staying at the mansion! He took us backstage for the John Denver show when he was touring with him in the early 1970's - I was about 13 yrs old and thought it was so cool when he introduced the whole group of us to John D. as "this is my family." I'll never forget that whole experience. I knew he played on a lot of important records, but it wasn't until I was an adult and a full time working musician that drummers would tell me WHO HAL REALLY WAS - the most recorded drummer in history who played on hundreds of number one hits!
The passing of Hal Blaine is an occasion to celebrate the invaluable contribution made by session musicians to the music those of us of a certain age grew up listening to. Thanks to you all.
I knew Hal for 30+years and he was one of the nicest guys I have ever met. He was a good, genuine and honest guy. We shared some good times together....and now I wish we had shared more.
I had the honor and pleasure of knowing Hal Blaine for many years...I was always amazed by the number of songs that he said he forgot he played on!...This actually was one of them. As I recall, he said he played on over 150 records that charted. The impromptu Barbara Ann with the Beach Boys and Jan and Dean remains one of my favorites. We were boat neighbors in Marina del Rey and remained friends until the end.
Wow, the stories you must have heard. I’ve seen videos of him talking about recording with Brian Wilson and playing on so many of their tracks. He seemed like such a gentleman and I could see why he was so in demand as a drummer.
@@buddyrichable1 I only heard Hal speak of Buddy a few of times. I know he respected Buddy's talent. After Hal moved from Marina Del Rey we only spoke on the phone and email. My kids wanted to meet him so badly...just couldn't seem make the timing work. I regret not making more of an effort. Guess I thought there would always be another opportunity. There is a lesson there....
Hal Blaine is probably one of the most important people in popular music history, given the range of his involvement with so many musical genres. You are in a very privileged position to have known Hal. Your first hand expreinces of Hal should be set down for the future.
Probably played on more hits than any other session drummer? Roger Hawkins (the Swampers) probably isn't far behind. Jeff Porcaro was a great session drummer too. He was the drummer for Toto, and played on some classic albums.
I heard a doc on public radio shortly before Hal Blaine died in which he told stories about this session, Pet Sounds, and many others. It was fascinating. He even told how he made those thundering sounds on Simon and Garfinkel's "The Boxer" ("The biggest floor tom I could find."). He was a great drummer and a wonderful raconteur.
Carroll Shelby Yes, originally it was used to sync up music to film. I use click tracks to practice to as way to improve on my timing, but I rarely record with one.
@@egglardo A friend of mine asked me to record over the last 24 bars of a track laid down by one of the best studio trombone players in L.A. two years earlier.
It was estimated that Hal Blaine played on nearly 35,000 sessions which would have made him if not the most recorded musician then at least close. Blaine himself said that was an exaggeration and was probably closer to 7000. As part of the Wrecking Crew he can be heard on hundreds of records. Rest in peace Hal and many thanks for your talents and all the music you gave us.
@@davefiano4172 Hal Blaine and the Wrecking Crew. there is also a book about just the Wrecking Crew that is the name of it and a DVD doc you can now buy
My little high school band Thee Esquires was recording around this same time on a Sony 777, bouncing tracks, doing reverb in a big concrete garage. Over and over, take after take of our little songs. We learned discipline, and that is what you hear on these band tracks. Oh, yes, and the genius, you can hear the genius too!!! RIP Hal Blaine, like no other.
Yowza to that Sony 777---1st learned how to multitrack the same way! And… a lot of it was harmonizing w/ McGuinn where he was singing alone, or adding extra lead fills and rhythm trax.
It's fascinating to listen to these raw tracks from back when analogue was king.This is a hairs on the back of the neck stuff a snapshot into a whole different era, that is now sadly lost . The warmth and sound of the instruments in the room is sublime
I hate that analog is gone. Digital just doesn't cut it for me. I miss recording analog in the studio, the sound of the reel rewinding, watching a really good engineer do a splice, riding the faders for a harmony vocal mix, the whole 9 yards.
And, though barely audible until the 1990's when it was mixed for true stereo, there's a electric piano on this recording, played by one Claude Russell Bridges (A.K.A. Leon Russell)
I still remember driving in my car, playing the stereo album, and hearing the electric piano for the first time. It’s even more evident on the b-side “I Knew I’d Want You.”
Ever heard of Earl Palmer? Both Billy Higgins and Hal Blaine recorded a lot of Jazz and Rock n Roll respectively, but only Palmer covered both genres to any great extent.
To note of Hal's playing style here is his ability to keep the volume level of his drumming the same even through fills and crashes - also his unwaivering meter. Qualities that made him invaluable to producers in those days. 😊
@@andhemills the most important ingredient was and is “FEEL” something that digital lacks…and no (IT) can duplicate. I love the session musicians…wrecking crew (LA), funk brothers (Detroit), booker t ( Memphis) and muscle shoals (New Orleans), 95% of all great music came from a select group of creative players from these 4 locations. Today it’s mostly machines and pretenders.
For the first Byrds single, Mr. Tambourine Man/I Knew I'd Want You, the producer felt bassist Chris Hillman and drummer Michael Clarke were untested in the studio and the label wanted the record out quickly. Jim McGuinn played his Rickenbacker, and Roger, Gene Clark and David Crosby sang. The Byrds played all the instruments on the rest of the album.
Mike Kiker You are right. I’ve seen that custom kit in a UA-cam video. I remember Hal Blaine talking about spending hours oiling up all his gear on a Frank Sinatra session. It was well known that Sinatra didn’t like to do more than one take, so Blaine didn’t want a squeak from his equipment to ruin a take. That kind of attention to detail is what made him the ‘go to guy’ for drums.
That was Larry Knechtel, usually heard on the keyboards, playing the bass. I always thought it was Chris Hillman. So did everybody else, including Dick Clark, who knew everything, but didn't know, for example, that the Monkees sang on their albums, but didn't play on them.
That slide is one of the many bass riffs that made me put down trumpet and pick up bass :) 49 years ago!LOL The 'Slide" -- He goes from the root to about 3 notes higher on this recording of the bass... At 8:30 and on the finished mass-released recording-- you hear him slide the whole octave--the whole 12 frets... Little nuances like that , are why I LOVE BASS!!
The background track is so good it could almost be a stand alone background track. Of course Jim's vocals were sensational when added as well. The wrecking crew were truly a one of a kind musical version of the 1927 Yankees. What a team. Since pop music has ended, you can truly say they will never be reprecated.
@@josephbarth2714 He as born James Joseph McGuinn III. In (I think) 1965 he joined a religious group (subud) whose members -- I've met some, they're just regular folks -- are often recommended to take new names in consultation with the group's leader. Look him up on Wikipedia for more details of how he arrived at Roger. He changed his middle name officially to Roger some time after, so he's now James Roger McGuinn. ----- As to who did the vocals, do you know whether Gene Clark also sang this one? I'd assume he would have.
Of course Hal was the greatest he proved it by playing on so very many hit records. I love everything about the man and the interviews on UA-cam are priceless.
You can tell this was a four track recording. McGuinn's 12 string, the "chip chip" guitar, and a low rhythm electric on one track (right); drums, center on their own track; electric rhythm, electric piano, and bass, left. 4th track usually left open for bounce / comp or sync striped to lock up with another 4 track machine....
@@gregoryantoniono3673 i heard larry played the piano on bridge over troubled water too. thats legendary. campbell and all those guys had an ear for great music.. we'll never see the likes of them again
Beautiful piece of music I'm in the studio tomorrow laying down an album for 2 days found this very inspiring. All the best . 1965 i was 5 playing on my brothers Ajax
@@ptownscribe1254 McGuin is the only Byrd on the recording so my guess would be either Tommy Tedesco or Barney Kessel as part of the legendary 'Wrecking Crew' session musicians who did the guitar work..
It's astounding to hear that the iconic bass riff at the intro didn't appear until Take 7 and how much it improved the song. Wikipedia credits Larry Knechtel as the bass player. McGuinn's playing through all those takes was flawless. Thanks so much for saving and posting these tapes.
Nice…..was thinking the same thing…..everyone concentrates on the 12 string, never realized how iconic that bass slide is….and no one even mentions it in the booth! listening to this is so great
Wow what a treat , Im 58 and these songs inspired me to learn to play . I have been a semi pro player for 39 yrs . clubs , casinos and studio work. Thanks for sharing this Mr Escobar . Hal Blaine and the wrecking crew were GREAT !.
Thoroughly enjoyed this upload. Hal Blaine was in a class of his own. I doubt there will ever be another drummer who will come close to his creative and diverse talent.
@@thomastrout9997 Earl Palmer almost certainly played more sessions than Hal Blaine in the L.A. studio scene. Earl wasn't a self-promoter like Hal was, but he got more calls than Hal did. Earl was a great jazz drummer, hence was more versatile than Hal, who was really more attuned to rock stuff. I'm not knocking Hal at all, and he was involved in lots of hits, but Carol Kaye mentioned to me once that Earl got more calls than anyone, because of that versatility. Remember that lots of session calls were for jazzier stuff, plus television and movie work. Earl was more suited to that stuff than Hal was. But Hal was the god of rock drummers in LA, that's for sure. Both were fantastic at what they did!
@@futbolt That was almost certainly the producer, Terry Melcher, who was pretty prominent in the '60' s LA music scene (and who was also, among other things, Doris Day's son). He passed away a few years ago.
@Stork Legs this session was before guys were told to beat the F out of their drums...this groove is relaxed...the entire track is...but there's great energy at the same time
Peter tork, told me that this was done routinely in the music world, that the record labels wanted to make sure that the music was note perfect, supposedly it wasn't a slight against the artist themselves because it was their original ideas, but the record labels were not taking any chances, they were loading up the guns to take on the Beatles, and a lot was riding on their success, so Hal. Blame, Leon Russell , Larry Knechtel, & Joe Osborne Are all the instruments that you hear on this wonderful song by the birds. In an interview I did with Peter about 30 years ago he muses that it was done all the time so when "they came after us they were pretty harsh, but" he said "I wasn't going to rat out the birds and everybody else.". ;)
I get chills listening to this little piece of music history. I remember as a teenager the first time I heard this. It was a turning point. Bob Dylan had recorded “Like a Rolling Stone “ and I couldn’t get enough of that masterpiece, and later on Jimi did “All Along the Watchtower” one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. Thanks for posting this.
When I first heard this record I had no idea, of course, how it was made and by whom. The 12-string guitar was so prominent and hypnotic that I thought that it was the only guitar on the record. Of course, there was another guitar (Jerry Cole) and an electric piano (Leon Russel) as well, but in mono on the 4" speaker in my car radio or on the oval POS speaker in my record player, who could tell that? Well, when I tried to learn to play it, I tried to make my Gretsch Streamliner, one-pickup 6-string sound like McGuinn's Rick 12 as well the other instruments all at the same time, so I overplayed the sh-t out of it and, surprise, surprise, it didn't sound right. Gee, I wonder why? Anyway, it was a while later that I realized that something else was going on, calmed down, and played the song like a musician who knows something, along with another guitarist. I think that younger musicians and fans today don't realize how primitive most of our listening systems were in the day and how difficult it was to figure out what the chords and parts of these records were. Being in a band in the mid-'60s was tough, and I mean it, but it was exciting and the music was magic.
You just don't get documented progression like this any more with digital music, early takes and songs development just don't exist anymore, it all just gets lost in the edit along the way, just hearing the moment Hal first picks up on the snare in the intro is priceless, you literally hear the magic dust sprinkling
CallitHowISeeIt Never mind the fact that within 2 decades at the most no multitrack sessions made in a computer program will be fully supported/readable, plug-ins won’t work etc
thenewyorkpauls: Forced hardware & software obsolescence has become fully incestuous, so I just mothball my systems every few years, complete and working. I can use freeze files if I have to move something from old to new. It still takes up way less physical space than storing tapes.
CallitHowISeeIt: I guess you’re right, but it’s not because it’s not possible. My DAW automatically keeps version backups, and I often “Save As...” new point versions as a song evolves. There’s no need to erase the files; hard disk space is cheap. So, I could do “documented progression” of the tracks I produce...but the key question is, “Would anyone care?” I think not. Anyhow, I suspect that the reason you don’t see “documented progression” of more recent stuff might be that the more recent material isn’t “vintage” or “classic” enough yet for anyone to care. Maybe it won’t ever be. Multiple takes like those from Byrds or Beatles sessions are interesting because they influenced multiple generations of musicians. It remains to be seen whether the same will be true of bands that arose in the digital age.
If music was actually real music played by real musicians on real instruments, then there might be an interesting reason for audible documentation. And if such was the case, you'd probably be documenting an individual instrument as bands don't enter a recording studio anymore. Although I do love technology, we definitely do miss out on a lot of things because of it. You notice bands don't put out live albums anymore because everyone has the concert captured on their cell phones, etc. So anyway we have the finished product, but we don't have the spirit that went into it.
This is truly amazing...and so revealing. So many things...the one guitar playing F# on the low E string in the D chord, the high "chip chip" guitar part. Never knew there were keyboard parts on this record. Sounds like 4 guitars in there!!
At first I was confused about who “Jim” was, and then I remembered that was Roger McGuinn’s original name! I really think Leon Russell’s electric piano was the secret sauce on both sides of the “Mr. Tambourine Man” single. I could never make it out until I heard the stereo album. Same on the Stones’ “Satisfaction.”
The story is that Larry Knecthel played bass on this track. It's a Precision bass, and Joe's signature bass was his 1960 Jazz Bass. Regardless, these guys sue knew what they were doing. One of my favorite tracks from my teens. Bought the single in 1965.
There are all these bogus "greatest rock drummers of all times" UA-cam sites and then there's the ACTUAL greatest rock drummer of all times, Hal Blaine.
it's amazing how you can hear Leon in this mix whereas in the ultimate version either he's been ducked considerably or really mixed low. gives a new perspective to the song. I almost wish they'd left him at the level he's at here.
You can hear him pretty good on the stereo album. I’d say the mix probably ended up just right. While he’s not distinct on the mono single, I think there’d be a big hole if the electric piano wasn’t there. “Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones is similar.
Hal Blaine's drumming on the outro to the 1975 song "Any World (That I'm Welcome To)" made it the most exhilarating finish to any Steely Dan recording.
History in the making, in England we thought The Beatles had re invented rock and roll, back came the Byrds and blew us away, I was hooked on them from the first 10 seconds of this record, I now have everything they recorded, plus all the Burrito's stuff etc. "Did someone fuck up?" Oh no. Hal Blane, genius!
The Beatles DID re-invent rock! This is considered "Electric Folk, or Electric Folk Rock". They just plugged in versus an acoustic guitar. The Hollies and the Byrds, among others started out as "FOLK" groups. John Phillips, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, even Steven Stills had their roots in Folk.
@@boosuedon The Hollies were definitely NOT rooted in folk. They were very much based on the clubs round Manchester doing much the same as the Beatles and loads of other groups. Folk in England at that time was something very different and " beer and beardy" for want of a better description . The youngsters followed the Hollies in dance halls and theatres.
Its funny, when Mcguinn first started playing folk rock with a beatle beat, the people at the clubs hated it.. I also think they caught heck from Doug weston at the Troubador for plugging in/going electric..
Very interesting listening. It’s mind blowing how many different groups and artists he worked with. Let alone the amazing songs he played on. He was an amazing drummer and person.
The Wrecking Crew. Leon Russell on piano, Jerry Cole on guitar, Hal Blaine on drums and Larry Knechtel on bass. Byrd Roger McGuinn on his 12 string Ric.
@@recordguy4321 do you know which electric guitar? I hear Roger and the 'hits' plus what sounds like muted fifths along with the bass. Am I missing something?
I just know there are 3 guitars Mcgunn, Cole and Pittman according to the session logs. Cole and Pittman are doing the "hits' while roger is doing the jingly jangly stuff. Leon Russell is playing piano but was turned almost completely off in the mix as you can hardly hear him
In these days of throwaway digital recording processing what a wonderful era this was. What a shame we have lost this technique of recorded sound. Must have been such an exciting an innovative time where new methods and techniques were discovered particularly through the 60s.
Hal was an absolute gentleman. He helped me connect with my father's family. I am for ever in this great man's debt... R.I.P. , Sir Hal -- the Legend, the Man...
I was just checking out a list of songs that Blaine played on during his long career. It's incredible! Something like 200 songs that everyone would know. The guy was everywhere. Hats off, Hal!!
![The Byrds- Recording “Have You Seen her Face” (silent studio footage) 1966 [RITY Archive]](/img/n.gif)
I was the person who discovered these original Byrds session tapes. This was back around 1989. They were being discarded along with dozens of other Columbia Records artists sessions tapes. Unfortunately I couldn't afford the other tapes so I have no idea what became of them. Thankfully these Byrds tapes were saved. I'm proud I was able to be part of that.
Thank you so much for saving a significant part of music history.
Thank you very much. Amazing.
Big thanks!
Thank you. These tapes are historical records.
You say you couldn’t afford them?
They were throwing them out and they were charging you? Thank God you got these with Hal Blaine.
What a shame, who knows what was on those tapes. Cheers.
@@buddyrichable1 The guy had them on shelves and I was focused on the Byrds tapes. There were many others by many artists but I wasn't able to afford them. He wasn't throwing them away; Columbia Records did and he grabbed them from a dumpster! I just wish I had the ability to buy all those tapes! Big mistake but this was 30 years ago. I can't change the outcome.
I've discovered that several of my favorite drummers are Hal Blaine.
NOW THAT'S HUMOR
...I heard Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones said Hal Blaine was 3 of his favorite drummers..
@Andrew Solymos Fishbone and MC5 as well.
I know, right?
Wandering Actor Nicely copied and pasted, hope the few likes from strangers was worth it.
Hal played on 5 consecutive record of the year Grammy songs. His contribution to our music was incredible.
I knew Hal for 35 years...He was as good a man as he was a drummer/musician. The world is a lesser place after his passing.
Wow, you lucky lucky man. I've only seen him on the Be My Baby sesssion. The most immaculate drummer
lucky you
luck you
Dick Hafer is that you ? Lived on Reseda Blvd ?
@@eddiecardona8345 Sorry...No....But I knew Hal for many years.....He was one of the best men I have ever known...He was as genuine as they come.
I was able to actually meet Hal Blaine several times because my best friend and next door neighbor growing up was his cousin. (in New Orleans.) He was an incredibly nice man - my friend had great stories of going to his home in Hollywood every year during vacation from school - she was the same age as his kids. Boy was I envious when she told me about riding around Hollywood in his antique Rolls Royce convertible and swimming in the pool, staying at the mansion! He took us backstage for the John Denver show when he was touring with him in the early 1970's - I was about 13 yrs old and thought it was so cool when he introduced the whole group of us to John D. as "this is my family." I'll never forget that whole experience. I knew he played on a lot of important records, but it wasn't until I was an adult and a full time working musician that drummers would tell me WHO HAL REALLY WAS - the most recorded drummer in history who played on hundreds of number one hits!
I could listen to raw studio tracks like this all day.
Hear that !!
Shawn Gregory Well then, you have a career awaiting: recording engineer.
@@artysanmobile - I was just thinking that.
And how...
agree 100% - amazing
The passing of Hal Blaine is an occasion to celebrate the invaluable contribution made by session musicians to the music those of us of a certain age grew up listening to. Thanks to you all.
God Bless all those session players. we would not have had the music we do without them
@Andrew Solymos thanks in the key of Eflat
if you find his book get it
@oldermusiclover, arrived today as a matter of fact 😁
I knew Hal for 30+years and he was one of the nicest guys I have ever met. He was a good, genuine and honest guy. We shared some good times together....and now I wish we had shared more.
8th day you will.
Find The Kingdom.
Yeah, a marker of true talent = Humility and a sense of humor.
I've watched several interviews with him and it seems he never had a bad word about anybody. He was such a really good person.
I had the honor and pleasure of knowing Hal Blaine for many years...I was always amazed by the number of songs that he said he forgot he played on!...This actually was one of them. As I recall, he said he played on over 150 records that charted. The impromptu Barbara Ann with the Beach Boys and Jan and Dean remains one of my favorites.
We were boat neighbors in Marina del Rey and remained friends until the end.
Thank you for sharing.
Wow, the stories you must have heard.
I’ve seen videos of him talking about recording with Brian Wilson and playing on so many of their tracks. He seemed like such a gentleman and I could see why he was so in demand as a drummer.
@@buddyrichable1 I only heard Hal speak of Buddy a few of times. I know he respected Buddy's talent. After Hal moved from Marina Del Rey we only spoke on the phone and email. My kids wanted to meet him so badly...just couldn't seem make the timing work. I regret not making more of an effort. Guess I thought there would always be another opportunity. There is a lesson there....
Wow!
Hal Blaine is probably one of the most important people in popular music history, given the range of his involvement with so many musical genres. You are in a very privileged position to have known Hal. Your first hand expreinces of Hal should be set down for the future.
I love the sound of a 12 string in the morning.
Smells like...victory...
@@misterschubert3242 smells like Ricky
The best session drummer of all time mr hal blain, R.I.P. hal you are truly missed by all. 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁
Blaine...
I know Charlie Watts was in awe of his and Ringo loved him
Probably played on more hits than any other session drummer? Roger Hawkins (the Swampers) probably isn't far behind.
Jeff Porcaro was a great session drummer too. He was the drummer for Toto, and played on some classic albums.
RIP, Hal Blaine 1929-2019 -- THE GREATEST Pop Drummer in recorded history!!
Yes indeed he was.
At 7:39 the guy playing the 12 string messed up. Just wonder if they left it.
I heard a doc on public radio shortly before Hal Blaine died in which he told stories about this session, Pet Sounds, and many others. It was fascinating. He even told how he made those thundering sounds on Simon and Garfinkel's "The Boxer" ("The biggest floor tom I could find."). He was a great drummer and a wonderful raconteur.
get his book if you can find it
@@oldermusiclover Can you give me the title?
@@thomasbell7033 Hal Blaine & The Wrecking Crew
@@oldermusiclover Thank you.
7 out my top 10 favorite drummers are Hal Blaine
I had to read that six times before I got it :)
Damn right! Bruce Gary and I used to say that.
and the other three are Jon Hiseman...
A great line! Perfect
Paul G I love that line.
RIP Hal Blaine. Legend
“It felt about a hair slow”. Ahh, the days without a click track, when music had Feeling!
The click track was around when this was recorded. Do you know the reasons for using a click track?
Carroll Shelby Yes, originally it was used to sync up music to film. I use click tracks to practice to as way to improve on my timing, but I rarely record with one.
I once suggested, at a Nashville session that we not use the click. Holy Jesus.! You would of thought I'd just killed everyone's puppy.
@@carrollshelby8690 So additional tracks can use the click track as a time reference.
@@egglardo A friend of mine asked me to record over the last 24 bars of a track laid down by one of the best studio trombone players in L.A. two years earlier.
It was estimated that Hal Blaine played on nearly 35,000 sessions which would have made him if not the most recorded musician then at least close. Blaine himself said that was an exaggeration and was probably closer to 7000. As part of the Wrecking Crew he can be heard on hundreds of records. Rest in peace Hal and many thanks for your talents and all the music
you gave us.
get his book
Him and Jeff Porcaro were both featured on an extraordinary number of records.
@@jennifursun3303 Name of book? Thanks!
@@davefiano4172 Hal Blaine and the Wrecking Crew. there is also a book about just the Wrecking Crew that is the name of it and a DVD doc you can now buy
@@oldermusiclover Thanks! Saw the movie didn’t know about the book. Really great YT vids on Carol Kaye too!
Man, it breaks my heart how many artists' tapes have been lost or destroyed over the years... Thanks for saving these
My little high school band Thee Esquires was recording around this same time on a Sony 777, bouncing tracks, doing reverb in a big concrete garage. Over and over, take after take of our little songs. We learned discipline, and that is what you hear on these band tracks. Oh, yes, and the genius, you can hear the genius too!!! RIP Hal Blaine, like no other.
Yowza to that Sony 777---1st learned how to multitrack the same way! And… a lot of it was harmonizing w/ McGuinn where he was singing alone, or adding extra lead fills and rhythm trax.
It's fascinating to listen to these raw tracks from back when analogue was king.This is a hairs on the back of the neck stuff a snapshot into a whole different era, that is now sadly lost . The warmth and sound of the instruments in the room is sublime
I hate that analog is gone. Digital just doesn't cut it for me. I miss recording analog in the studio, the sound of the reel rewinding, watching a really good engineer do a splice, riding the faders for a harmony vocal mix, the whole 9 yards.
Terry Melcher's production on Paul Revere and Raiders hits shows what a great producer he was. Sensational sounding singles!
@Juke Joint Pretty common knowledge.
. . . and still waiting for Paul and the Raiders to be inducted into R-n-R HOF. The fact that they're not is pathetic!
@@ApartmentKing66 the postman was the first to know this fact
@Juke Joint Charlie Manson did.
@Juke Joint I DID NOT KNOW THAT
My Friend (Larry Knechtel) Played Bass Guitar on This Session !
very cool
You can hear them speak to him
I think he played on the Doors last album if I remember correctly.
@@flguy6807 HE CERTAINLY PLAYED ON THE FIRST ONE (UNCREDITED).
Yes, according to Robbie Kreiger's book, he did play on "L.A. Woman@@flguy6807
And, though barely audible until the 1990's when it was mixed for true stereo, there's a electric piano on this recording, played by one Claude Russell Bridges (A.K.A. Leon Russell)
I always wondered why he changed his name. Maybe he just didn't like it.
I can hear it on the one channel (left?) with bass & drums in this mix.
I still remember driving in my car, playing the stereo album, and hearing the electric piano for the first time. It’s even more evident on the b-side “I Knew I’d Want You.”
Boys and girls we''re hearing the making of a musical gem.
The most recorded drummer that ever was or ever will be!
Ever heard of Earl Palmer? Both Billy Higgins and Hal Blaine recorded a lot of Jazz and Rock n Roll respectively, but only Palmer covered both genres to any great extent.
Yeah, I thought Earl was the most recorded.
HE PLAYED ON MANY TOO BUT NOT AS MUCH AS HAL.
@@rockyjay55 Whoah! easy Bunker man. Just chatting......*phew* (thought this was gonna be a chat room shooting)
Looks like JR Robinson passed Hal for most recorded drummer
This stuff is way beyond incredible. Never again will anyone produce music this great.
To note of Hal's playing style here is his ability to keep the volume level of his drumming the same even through fills and crashes - also his unwaivering meter. Qualities that made him invaluable to producers in those days. 😊
It's like he had a built in compressor.
@@mikec6733 - and metronome 😉
The original drum machine.
@@andhemills the most important ingredient was and is “FEEL” something that digital lacks…and no (IT) can duplicate. I love the session musicians…wrecking crew (LA), funk brothers (Detroit), booker t ( Memphis) and muscle shoals (New Orleans), 95% of all great music came from a select group of creative players from these 4 locations. Today it’s mostly machines and pretenders.
" his unwaivering meter" I think you mean unwaivering tempo.
For the first Byrds single, Mr. Tambourine Man/I Knew I'd Want You, the producer felt bassist Chris Hillman and drummer Michael Clarke were untested in the studio and the label wanted the record out quickly. Jim McGuinn played his Rickenbacker, and Roger, Gene Clark and David Crosby sang. The Byrds played all the instruments on the rest of the album.
Snare, bass, high hat, 2 toms and 1 ride. That’s it. 35,000 sessions. No Neil Peart kit needed.
Not true. Hal invented that kind of kit with his custom 8-piece concert tom set. Look it up.
Mike Kiker You are right. I’ve seen that custom kit in a UA-cam video.
I remember Hal Blaine talking about spending hours oiling up all his gear on a Frank Sinatra session. It was well known that Sinatra didn’t like to do more than one take, so Blaine didn’t want a squeak from his equipment to ruin a take. That kind of attention to detail is what made him the
‘go to guy’ for drums.
Neil Peart had no problem playing on a basic set. Both Neil and Hal were great drummers.
Raitis Freimanis no disrespect intended
So cool to hear that bass part develop into that signature slide bass intro.
No click needed just the right groove. Hal Blaine was my hero when I was just a kid trying to learn how to play in a cheap drum set down in Argentina.
Always loved the initial sliding bass line. Just one seemingly small thing can lift a piece up so much.
my fav was the 12 string Rick so wanted to here that thing in person. one of my fav sounding guitars
That was Larry Knechtel, usually heard on the keyboards, playing the bass. I always thought it was Chris Hillman. So did everybody else, including Dick Clark, who knew everything, but didn't know, for example, that the Monkees sang on their albums, but didn't play on them.
@@paskuniag the guys in the Wrecking Crew played a lot of different instruments
That slide is one of the many bass riffs that made me put down trumpet and pick up bass :)
49 years ago!LOL
The 'Slide" -- He goes from the root to about 3 notes higher on this recording of the bass...
At 8:30 and on the finished mass-released recording-- you hear him slide the whole octave--the whole 12 frets... Little nuances like that , are why I LOVE BASS!!
@@paskuniag i thought it was Joe or Carole
Thanks for saving this wonderful piece of rock history for all us Byrds fans to hear. Rickenbackers Rule.....and Gretsches.
The background track is so good it could almost be a stand alone background track. Of course Jim's vocals were sensational when added as well. The wrecking crew were truly a one of a kind musical version of the 1927 Yankees. What a team. Since pop music has ended, you can truly say they will never be reprecated.
Who is the Jim who's vocal was supposed to have been added, I thought the vocals were Roger Mcguin and David Crosby?
@@josephbarth2714 Roger is Jim McGuinn's middle name.
@@josephbarth2714 He as born James Joseph McGuinn III. In (I think) 1965 he joined a religious group (subud) whose members -- I've met some, they're just regular folks -- are often recommended to take new names in consultation with the group's leader. Look him up on Wikipedia for more details of how he arrived at Roger. He changed his middle name officially to Roger some time after, so he's now James Roger McGuinn. ----- As to who did the vocals, do you know whether Gene Clark also sang this one? I'd assume he would have.
@@rman52 wow, I never knew that!
@@RonnieTheSim Pretty sure Gene Clark and David Crosby sang harmony on this track.
May Hal Rest In Peace a wonderful man! The best session drummer of all time.
Of course Hal was the greatest he proved it by playing on so very many hit records. I love everything about the man and the interviews on UA-cam are priceless.
You can tell this was a four track recording. McGuinn's 12 string, the "chip chip" guitar, and a low rhythm electric on one track (right); drums, center on their own track; electric rhythm, electric piano, and bass, left. 4th track usually left open for bounce / comp or sync striped to lock up with another 4 track machine....
I didn't realize recording a song took so much work and patience. Impressive.
OOOOOOh that Rickenbacher is so sweet!!! So many great musicians behind the scenes of these great songs. Just love watching these. Thank you.
Roger McGuinn on 12-string Rickenbacker.
so so love that guitar just want to touch it some day sadly he doesn't play it much any more
Loved Larry’s bass as it evolved into one of the coolest bass slides ever! Mr. Knectel what a career! As it was with all the WC! Hal Blaine the best.
Sorry about the spelling Larry. Knechtel!
that bass slide that Larry Knechtel added really made the song..
@@erickrause381 Big time. He was a stone cold genius. Bass, piano, guitar ... he could literally do anything.
@@gregoryantoniono3673 i heard larry played the piano on bridge over troubled water too. thats legendary. campbell and all those guys had an ear for great music.. we'll never see the likes of them again
@@erickrause381 He also played the stunning guitar solo on "Guitar Man" by Bread. How is isn't a household name is beyond me.
This is so cool. They are actually putting together Mr. Tamborine man right here!
I listened to this song on 45 on a phonograph record player in my brothers' room so many times in the 60's!
this is pretty epic stuff...history come alive...how many listened to this song and we are hearing it tracked! WOW...
Beautiful piece of music I'm in the studio tomorrow laying down an album for 2 days found this very inspiring. All the best . 1965 i was 5 playing on my brothers Ajax
tim churchill kick some ass in the studio Tim 👍
I will never hear these songs the same way again now that I know Hal was on drums......
Love the double chirp of a second guitar on the chord changes behind McGuin's finger-picking.
12 String Rickenbacker with McGuin “
Who's playing it?
@@ptownscribe1254 McGuin is the only Byrd on the recording so my guess would be either Tommy Tedesco or Barney Kessel as part of the legendary 'Wrecking Crew' session musicians who did the guitar work..
@@ptownscribe1254 Glen Campbell on "snap rhythm" guitar
(Me thinks)
@@smasica The Wrecking Crew documentary, made by Tedesco’s son, says that Bill Pittman was on the guitar for this song.
It's astounding to hear that the iconic bass riff at the intro didn't appear until Take 7 and how much it improved the song. Wikipedia credits Larry Knechtel as the bass player. McGuinn's playing through all those takes was flawless. Thanks so much for saving and posting these tapes.
Nice…..was thinking the same thing…..everyone concentrates on the 12 string, never realized how iconic that bass slide is….and no one even mentions it in the booth! listening to this is so great
He got it right, all of them. Hal was the rock drummer of the 60's.
Wow what a treat , Im 58 and these songs inspired me to learn to play . I have been a semi pro player for 39 yrs . clubs , casinos and studio work. Thanks for sharing this Mr Escobar . Hal Blaine and the wrecking crew were GREAT !.
Thoroughly enjoyed this upload. Hal Blaine was in a class of his own. I doubt there will ever be another drummer who will come close to his creative and diverse talent.
Well, there will certainly never be a drummer recorded as much
It is my opinion there are great musicians out there. You don’t hear them because that is not what the industry promotes.
@@thomastrout9997 Earl Palmer almost certainly played more sessions than Hal Blaine in the L.A. studio scene. Earl wasn't a self-promoter like Hal was, but he got more calls than Hal did. Earl was a great jazz drummer, hence was more versatile than Hal, who was really more attuned to rock stuff. I'm not knocking Hal at all, and he was involved in lots of hits, but Carol Kaye mentioned to me once that Earl got more calls than anyone, because of that versatility. Remember that lots of session calls were for jazzier stuff, plus television and movie work. Earl was more suited to that stuff than Hal was. But Hal was the god of rock drummers in LA, that's for sure. Both were fantastic at what they did!
@@selmer862 It’s bizarre how both of LA’s top drummers made millions and died poor.
Got to meet Hal Blaine a few years ago at a viewing of the Wrecking Crew documentary. He was a funny guy:)
That sound through all that vintage gear with classic session players is so amazing!
🔊🤠👍
Super warm!
Hal Blaine
Not many know his name, but everyone has heard him play.
R.I.P. in peace, good Sir.
Sometimes music is more soothing to the soul when the vocals are dropped. And this guitar work is so soothing.
So we have Terry Melcher to thank for the little snare roll in the intro (5:20).
"Do that pick up on the snare; and do it Heavy!". Brilliant on everyone's part, so perfect !!
Was that Roger McGuinn ordering that?
@@futbolt That was almost certainly the producer, Terry Melcher, who was pretty prominent in the '60' s LA music scene (and who was also, among other things, Doris Day's son). He passed away a few years ago.
@@thegoose858 Yes I'm with you, producer in charge seems more likely than young Roger McGuinn instructing Hal Blaine.
i still use 7a's and a super classic set with a 57 wfl snare
@Stork Legs this session was before guys were told to beat the F out of their drums...this groove is relaxed...the entire track is...but there's great energy at the same time
Peter tork, told me that this was done routinely in the music world, that the record labels wanted to make sure that the music was note perfect,
supposedly it wasn't a slight against the artist themselves because it was their original ideas,
but the record labels were not taking any chances, they were loading up the guns to take on the Beatles, and a lot was riding on their success, so
Hal. Blame, Leon Russell ,
Larry Knechtel, & Joe Osborne
Are all the instruments that you hear on this wonderful song by the birds.
In an interview I did with Peter about 30 years ago he muses that it was done all the time so when "they came after us they were pretty harsh, but" he said "I wasn't going to rat out the birds and everybody else.". ;)
I get chills listening to this little piece of music history. I remember as a teenager the first time I heard this. It was a turning point. Bob Dylan had recorded “Like a Rolling Stone “ and I couldn’t get enough of that masterpiece, and later on Jimi did “All Along the Watchtower” one of the greatest rock songs ever recorded. Thanks for posting this.
I'm in heaven right now!
I loved "The Wrecking Crew." Incredible musicians.
I never knew how many records were made with Glenn Campbell on them. There’s a very good UA-cam about Glenn Campbell and Alice Cooper.
These guys were amazing. Who knew? Hal Blaine was a genus.
I think he's still alive , so he's still a genius. So was Terry Melcher.
thanks to all involved,, on this 52 year journey to my ears....
An remarkable piece of tape documenting some strategic stages of the in-studio evolution of this great classic. jtk
When I first heard this record I had no idea, of course, how it was made and by whom. The 12-string guitar was so prominent and hypnotic that I thought that it was the only guitar on the record. Of course, there was another guitar (Jerry Cole) and an electric piano (Leon Russel) as well, but in mono on the 4" speaker in my car radio or on the oval POS speaker in my record player, who could tell that?
Well, when I tried to learn to play it, I tried to make my Gretsch Streamliner, one-pickup 6-string sound like McGuinn's Rick 12 as well the other instruments all at the same time, so I overplayed the sh-t out of it and, surprise, surprise, it didn't sound right. Gee, I wonder why?
Anyway, it was a while later that I realized that something else was going on, calmed down, and played the song like a musician who knows something, along with another guitarist.
I think that younger musicians and fans today don't realize how primitive most of our listening systems were in the day and how difficult it was to figure out what the chords and parts of these records were. Being in a band in the mid-'60s was tough, and I mean it, but it was exciting and the music was magic.
What I love the most about these comments are all of you total drum geeks, God bless you all.
brings tears to my eyes and ears that progression is so loaded, so solid thanks for uploading
Me too, bliss!
I IV and V getting the job done, as usual!
You just don't get documented progression like this any more with digital music, early takes and songs development just don't exist anymore, it all just gets lost in the edit along the way, just hearing the moment Hal first picks up on the snare in the intro is priceless, you literally hear the magic dust sprinkling
CallitHowISeeIt Never mind the fact that within 2 decades at the most no multitrack sessions made in a computer program will be fully supported/readable, plug-ins won’t work etc
thenewyorkpauls: Forced hardware & software obsolescence has become fully incestuous, so I just mothball my systems every few years, complete and working. I can use freeze files if I have to move something from old to new. It still takes up way less physical space than storing tapes.
CallitHowISeeIt: I guess you’re right, but it’s not because it’s not possible. My DAW automatically keeps version backups, and I often “Save As...” new point versions as a song evolves. There’s no need to erase the files; hard disk space is cheap.
So, I could do “documented progression” of the tracks I produce...but the key question is, “Would anyone care?” I think not.
Anyhow, I suspect that the reason you don’t see “documented progression” of more recent stuff might be that the more recent material isn’t “vintage” or “classic” enough yet for anyone to care. Maybe it won’t ever be.
Multiple takes like those from Byrds or Beatles sessions are interesting because they influenced multiple generations of musicians. It remains to be seen whether the same will be true of bands that arose in the digital age.
@5:32
If music was actually real music played by real musicians on real instruments, then there might be an interesting reason for audible documentation. And if such was the case, you'd probably be documenting an individual instrument as bands don't enter a recording studio anymore. Although I do love technology, we definitely do miss out on a lot of things because of it. You notice bands don't put out live albums anymore because everyone has the concert captured on their cell phones, etc. So anyway we have the finished product, but we don't have the spirit that went into it.
Amazing history here. Thank you for posting!
This is truly amazing...and so revealing. So many things...the one guitar playing F# on the low E string in the D chord, the high "chip chip" guitar part. Never knew there were keyboard parts on this record. Sounds like 4 guitars in there!!
Rock solid timing!!! Thanks for uploading this gem!!! Please more,more,more!!!😎
At first I was confused about who “Jim” was, and then I remembered that was Roger McGuinn’s original name!
I really think Leon Russell’s electric piano was the secret sauce on both sides of the “Mr. Tambourine Man” single. I could never make it out until I heard the stereo album. Same on the Stones’ “Satisfaction.”
Leon also added mightily to Gram Parsons' version of Wild Horses.
Crazy how this stuff shows up. Love it
The story is that Larry Knecthel played bass on this track. It's a Precision bass, and Joe's signature bass was his 1960 Jazz Bass.
Regardless, these guys sue knew what they were doing. One of my favorite tracks from my teens. Bought the single in 1965.
Long live the memory of the late, great Hal Blaine. xoxo The Clarences
There are all these bogus "greatest rock drummers of all times" UA-cam sites and then there's the ACTUAL greatest rock drummer of all times, Hal Blaine.
it's amazing how you can hear Leon in this mix whereas in the ultimate version either he's been ducked considerably or really mixed low. gives a new perspective to the song. I almost wish they'd left him at the level he's at here.
I'm digging that too
What's he playing?
@@ptownscribe1254 Leon Russell on keys
You can hear him pretty good on the stereo album. I’d say the mix probably ended up just right. While he’s not distinct on the mono single, I think there’d be a big hole if the electric piano wasn’t there.
“Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones is similar.
Terry Melcher and Brian Wilson have a very similar way of producing, just the way they both talk to the musicians.
Even sounds like Brian, here and there!
Hi sounds ike Brian!
I heard a story that "Tambourine Man" is "Don't Worry Baby" in disguise.
Charles Manson didn't make the cut. No pun intended.
✨🌿 Hal was the man for the job !!! #RIP -Brother 🌿😎🇺🇸✨🙏🏼
Such beautiful music. Thank you.
Beautiful little drum fill at 7:02
someone should relase a CD of all Hal Blaine's "out-takes".
These out / in takes are fantastic , Rock and roll history.
Getting closer to the version we knew and loved.thanks guys.
And I discovered several of my favourite bands were the wrecking crew!
One of my favorite aspects of music 🎶
The creative and recording process.
Hal A MASTER OF HIS CRAFT !!!
Hal Blaine's drumming on the outro to the 1975 song "Any World (That I'm Welcome To)" made it the most exhilarating finish to any Steely Dan recording.
History in the making, in England we thought The Beatles had re invented rock and roll, back came the Byrds and blew us away, I was hooked on them from the first 10 seconds of this record, I now have everything they recorded, plus all the Burrito's stuff etc. "Did someone fuck up?" Oh no. Hal Blane, genius!
The Beatles DID re-invent rock! This is considered "Electric Folk, or Electric Folk Rock". They just plugged in versus an acoustic guitar. The Hollies and the Byrds, among others started out as "FOLK" groups. John Phillips, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, even Steven Stills had their roots in Folk.
@@boosuedon The Hollies were definitely NOT rooted in folk. They were very much based on the clubs round Manchester doing much the same as the Beatles and loads of other groups. Folk in England at that time was something very different and " beer and beardy" for want of a better description . The youngsters followed the Hollies in dance halls and theatres.
Its funny, when Mcguinn first started playing folk rock with a beatle beat, the people at the clubs hated it.. I also think they caught heck from Doug weston at the Troubador for plugging in/going electric..
The Hollies were referred to as a "beat group" in their early days.
It is so cool to watch this being figured out, first the snare instead of toms on the opening beats, then the sliding bass up to five.
This is the first time I've ever been able to hear Leon's piano on the track.
everyone keeps saying it’s buried deep in the mix but i’ve never had trouble hearing it, clear as day even on the album
Very interesting listening. It’s mind blowing how many different groups and artists he worked with. Let alone the amazing songs he played on. He was an amazing drummer and person.
The Wrecking Crew. Leon Russell on piano, Jerry Cole on guitar, Hal Blaine on drums and Larry Knechtel on bass. Byrd Roger McGuinn on his 12 string Ric.
Bill Pittman also on guitar
Carol Kaye on bass as well.
@@boscojones3658 NOT!!!! Larry Knechtel..she likes to credit herself on songs she did NOT play on
@@recordguy4321 do you know which electric guitar? I hear Roger and the 'hits' plus what sounds like muted fifths along with the bass. Am I missing something?
I just know there are 3 guitars Mcgunn, Cole and Pittman according to the session logs. Cole and Pittman are doing the "hits' while roger is doing the jingly jangly stuff. Leon Russell is playing piano but was turned almost completely off in the mix as you can hardly hear him
Birth of a masterpiece
In these days of throwaway digital recording processing what a wonderful era this was. What a shame we have lost this technique of recorded sound. Must have been such an exciting an innovative time where new methods and techniques were discovered particularly through the 60s.
Absolutely. Thank god for UA-cam!!
The sixties were the greatest decade of pop music.
wow this is really really fascinating just interesting to hear how this was put together
Love it, love it, love it! It's Hal on Drums!
Hal was an absolute gentleman. He helped me connect with my father's family. I am for ever in this great man's debt... R.I.P. , Sir Hal -- the Legend, the Man...
You can really hear the "Don't Worry Baby" guitar nick here. Thanks btw!
This is amazing!
Brings me to wonder just what Dylan & the Byrds left on the floor while building this piece.
I was just checking out a list of songs that Blaine played on during his long career. It's incredible! Something like 200 songs that everyone would know. The guy was everywhere. Hats off, Hal!!