Re: [Harp-L] Recreation of Bobby Gentry's classic 'Ode To Billie Joe' album

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Winslow Yerxa wrote:
<Tommy Morgan typically arrived at a recording session with a truckload of chromatics in all 12 keys multiplied by each key in several pitch levels, <ranging from something like A435 thru A444, just in case the orchestra or band was in something other than A440.

Indeed.  In case anyone wonders what the weight of a "truckload" is, Tommy told me a few decades ago that he carried 75 POUNDS of harmonicas to every recording session.  He used the higher tunings to get the Leo Diamond sound--the sound of a chromatic harp played hard with a heavy throat vibrato.  Had to tune the harps above A440 for that, because playing them so hard made the pitch drop at least a few cents.

Winslow also wrote:
<Tommy was part of an elite group of studio session players known as the Wrecking Crew that included, among others, guitarists Tommy Tedesco and <Glenn Campbell, bassist Carol Kay, and drummer Hal Blaine.

Yes, a fabulous crew.  I remember the day that I first heard Glen Campbell cut loose on guitar and realized what a monster he was.  Not just another pretty face, that guy.  

It's interesting to note that a very high proportion of the greatest records from the 1960s and 1970s were recorded with a few small collections of musicians: the Wrecking Crew in LA, the Swampers in Muscle Shoals, The Funk Brothers at Motown, the house band at Stax.  One of the guys in the Swampers said in the documentary about Muscle Shoals that they tried on every record not only to back the artist, but to become the artist's band.  Pretty cool attitude.  Also interesting to note that the rock bands that broke through in that era tended to be bands that had played together for years, e.g. Fleetwood Mac, Springsteen, Petty, Mellencamp.

Something to be said for hanging out with all the same guys all the time, I guess, at least where the studio is concerned.  Music is partly about mechanics, but mostly about feel and communication, both of which are enhanced by longstanding relationships.

regards, Richard Hunter