[Harp-L] "Groovin"

["Henderson, Peter" <Henderson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Rob,

Thanks for filling in more of the blanks on the story of the "Groovin"
harp line - it really was the song's hook wasn't it?  Yup, I really love
to hear those stories too.  Recording back then was so immediate - no
focus groups of Brittany Spears fans, just players, producers, DJ's
hanging out in the studio.  I wouldn't be surprised if "Murray The Kay"
didn't get a little do re mi for running the single uptown to the
station and giving it a spin ;-)  

According to Michael Weinstein, back in the day bands would cut singles
into acetate and if it was hot they would literally play them that day
on the radio, heck at Chess I read they would play it from the studio
right out onto the street. When the "Young Rascals" went to record the
LP version with "Groovin" they had to recut the song and Gene simply
copped the part that Michael had laid down on the single and he did the
same on stage. Michael is a humble guy and like you harp is only part of
his thing, he's not one exaggerate and swears that if you asked Felix
about the harp line he'd back up Michael's version as would the
engineer.  Either way that lick is proof that a really simple line can
capture the essence of a song.  

As kid in the sixties that song was one of the soundtracks of my life,
riding around in the back of my mom's Chevy station wagon in Plainfield,
New Jersey I remember loving the sound of the harmonica coming out of
the AM radio.  That was music made to last!

See you around Rob,

Trip Henderson

-----Original Message-----
From: Rob Paparozzi [mailto:chromboy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Friday, August 19, 2005 10:45 AM
To: Henderson, Peter; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] "Groovin" 


Trip,

   Great Story, I love hearing about the old days in the studio...but
it's
so hard to verify much of this...as every musician has a difftrent story
to
tell,-)

   I did a gig with a version of the "Young Rascals", I was kinda doin'
the
part of Eddie Brigati...Felix wasn't in this version of the only but
Gene
Cornish and Dino Danelli were.

    I was trying hard to earn my keep so when we got to "Groovin"...I
took
out my Chromatic and was stopped by Gene who informed me that he played
an
Eb Diatonic on the record and in shows etc..he did nail it when we
played
it...now you have me wonderin????

   About 2 years, I played with Felix in the Studio, we did a remake of
"Groovin" for a Burger King commercial....but I forgot to ask him about
the
original harp stuff as I knew there was much tension between him and the
other Rascals..........

either way, great song, great harp and TERRIFIC stories,-)))

all the best,
Rob Paparozzi