Home » Guest Moderator Archives » Terry Manning » Songs from the 60's and 70's, obscure or not, that really stand out
| Songs from the 60's and 70's, obscure or not, that really stand out [message #50246] |
Tue, 08 March 2005 22:02  |
David Kulka
Messages: 459
Registered: January 2005
Location: Burbank, CA |
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Having dissed, discredited, and exposed many recordings and names here, suppose we pay tribute to some standouts, either well known or unknown. Here are four nominees that may have little in common, except for the fact that they are all wonderful.
#1. Dion, "The Wanderer", 1961. A classic oldie, perhaps overplayed and overlooked, but when a friend cued it up on "The Fabulous Dion" CD (Ace, made in France) I just about fell over. It sounds like it was recorded straight to 2-track, with very little compression, and all the gear working exactly right. (I'm not saying it was -- it just sounds that way.) The bass is fabulous, something the Protools kids should strive to achieve. The stereo mix has loads of separation, which I happen to like. Crystal clear -- wow. Now this is a GREAT rock and roll track!
#2. The Emotions, "So I Can Love You". Terry, did you record this one? I have the record somewhere but when the housekeeper was dusting, a lot of the old LP's got mixed up. Anyway, what a dynamite song. Those B3 glissando hooks are just addictive and the tambourine is undistorted, rare in a soul hit. (That's why I think you recorded it). This has always been one of my favorites and when I listened to it again tonight, it well stood the test of time. I wish I could mention some of the names, if only I could find the damned album. Anyone? A+++
#3. Dobie Grey, "Drift Away". Sometime in the early 70's. This perfect match of song and singer must have been one of those inspired accidents. Does anyone know the story behind this great song? Quite a lot of tape hiss during the intro -- maybe the engineer was too lazy to mute all the other tracks-- but nevermind. The strings fit in just beautifully, and the sonics are excellent. Was it on Decca? ABC? I'd sure like to know more about this hit. It's all about why we love music, hiss or not it sounds fantastic, and I'll never tire of hearing it.
#4. The Chi-Lites, "My Heart Just Keeps On Breakin'", 1973. Brunswick Records Ultra Range Sound Process. Written by Eugene Record (Record?) and Stank McKenney (Stank?) this is the perfect ying/yang, a contradiction in terms, one of a kind -- a soul/country-western track. It was on the "A Letter To Myself" album, which I think followed the monster hit "Have You Seen Her". The soulful harmonies, country fiddle, pizzicato strings, and doo wop chorus work perfectly together, strange as it may seem. And guess who engineered it? Bruce Swedien. The album art features the Chi-Lites in big afros and gigantic gauzy, flowing robes. iTunes doesn't have the song, but it's well worth seeking out.
So, those are MY four picks. I'd like to hear yours.
http://www.studioelectronics.biz
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| Re: Songs from the 60's and 70's, obscure or not, that really stand out [message #50258 is a reply to message #50246 ] |
Tue, 08 March 2005 23:12  |
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I really like this idea for a thread! I will think very hard and come up with my list, but, regarding David's:
•Dion NEVER MADE A BAD RECORD! "The Wanderer" is absolutely awesome in every way, but most everything he did was in the elite of recordings, too. Very talented guy.
•At least three of the players on the Dobie Gray session were either from from 1) The Memphis Soul/R&B session groups, having played at either or both Royal (Hi, Al Green, etc., or at American (Chips Moman's old place where a lot of hits were cut!) as well as Ardent sessions, or 2) from Muscle Shoals. (Leech, Briggs, & Young, at least). They migrated to Nashville and did a lot of pop-country, as opposed to the total country stuff. Great players!
More soon.
TM
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| Re: Songs from the 60's and 70's, obscure or not, that really stand out [message #50321 is a reply to message #50246 ] |
Wed, 09 March 2005 08:49 |
 Gordon Rice
Messages: 32
Registered: February 2005
Location: Philadelphia |
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Hey--
Anybody besides me think that Jefferson Airplane's "Crown of Creation" was an astonishing, life- and soul-changing moment? For the first time, we heard something like the actual bass sound Jack Casady was getting onstage (thank-you, Al Schmitt!). I know I haven't been the same since.
--gmr
Audio Engineer
Philadelphia PA
(Yeah, there've been some changes . . .)
Where are we going and what am I doing in this handbasket?
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| Re: Songs from the 60's and 70's, obscure or not, that really stand out [message #50359 is a reply to message #50246 ] |
Wed, 09 March 2005 11:53 |
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Not that I have many qualifications...
I'm a big fan of a song called "It's a Long Way There," by the Little River Band (1971). A great song and great-sounding production all in one. Definitely not amateur or three-chord kind of stuff.
Darren Landrum
"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic." - Dave Barry
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| Re: Songs from the 60's and 70's, obscure or not, that really stand out [message #50399 is a reply to message #50246 ] |
Wed, 09 March 2005 16:13 |
neve1073
Messages: 57
Registered: January 2005
Location: San Francisco |
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Half my collection is from the '60s. I'll skip the obvious and offer a couple slighty obscure (although everyone here will know them):
Forever Changes-Love
Astral Weeks-Van Morrison
=============================
Let's be discrete.
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| Re: Songs from the 60's and 70's, obscure or not, that really stand out [message #50407 is a reply to message #50246 ] |
Wed, 09 March 2005 17:26 |
WhyKooper
Messages: 91
Registered: June 2004
Location: Los Angeles/Newport |
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I'm still trying to figure out who/where/how the 1966 hit "Talk Talk" by the Music Machine was recorded. For it's time in 1966, those drums are really really well mic'd and recorded. The only name I find associated with it is a producer named Brian Ross. Never hear what the studio was, the format, the engineer, the mics. Nada.
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| Re: Songs from the 60's and 70's, obscure or not, that really stand out [message #50409 is a reply to message #50246 ] |
Wed, 09 March 2005 17:33 |
WhyKooper
Messages: 91
Registered: June 2004
Location: Los Angeles/Newport |
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........."Rock and Roll Woman ..Buffalo Springfield
Bluebird ..Buffalo Springfield..."
I second the vote on those two. R&R Woman is three minutes of pure pop magic. And from a tracking/mixing standpoint, Jim Messina should really be proud of the way he engineered it..which I've told him myself a few times. Especially since he had no automation to work with. Listen to that one close. There's an awful LOT going on there with the guitars. Stuff coming in and out on the faders all over the place. Nice dry room sound. A really good choice of instrumentation, playing, and mixing.
Same goes for "Bluebird". Massive compression on that middle acoustic lead, but dang, it makes it so full. That's one HUGE sounding acoustic guitar in the context of the overall recording. Not bad for the spring and summer of 1967.
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