The Byrds with Hal Blaine Session 1965 Part 1

Hal Blaine, Larry Knechtel, Leon Russell and Joe Osborn were asked to do a Session for a few tracks that they are known to complete quickly.
-Video Upload powered by www.TunesToTub...

[@goplad1]

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.

[@yvoncormier9762]

Thank you so much for saving a significant part of music history.

[@fuzzyduck3316]

Thank you very much. Amazing.

[@notbraindead7298]

Big thanks!

[@buddyrichable1]

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.

[@goplad1]

@@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.

[@billybobdeniro]

I've discovered that several of my favorite drummers are Hal Blaine.

[@GuitarlosCarlos]

NOW THAT'S HUMOR

[@stephenfiore9960]

...I heard Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones said Hal Blaine was 3 of his favorite drummers..

[@shawn13mertle13]

@Andrew Solymos Fishbone and MC5 as well.

[@dustypendleton6694]

I know, right?

[@bid84]

Wandering Actor Nicely copied and pasted, hope the few likes from strangers was worth it.

[@shawngregory1429]

I could listen to raw studio tracks like this all day.

[@gordonkahl7001]

Hear that !!

[@artysanmobile]

Shawn Gregory Well then, you have a career awaiting: recording engineer.

[@Majik53]

@@artysanmobile - I was just thinking that.

[@bonzoleum]

And how...

[@eamonstafford2056]

agree 100% - amazing

[@paulgeorgia8013]

7 out my top 10 favorite drummers are Hal Blaine

[@cazgerald9471]

I had to read that six times before I got it :)

[@StephenPeeplesSCV]

Damn right! Bruce Gary and I used to say that.

[@jong0000]

and the other three are Jon Hiseman...

[@DontLetTheOldManIn]

A great line! Perfect

[@BrentsBistro]

Paul G I love that line.

[@richardschaefer4807]

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.

[@jeffbwat]

Wow, you lucky lucky man. I've only seen him on the Be My Baby sesssion. The most immaculate drummer

[@oldermusiclover]

lucky you

[@oldermusiclover]

luck you

[@eddiecardona8345]

Dick Hafer is that you ? Lived on Reseda Blvd ?

[@richardschaefer4807]

@@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.

[@redlipstickmafia]

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!

[@bobphillips3222]

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.

[@jennifursun3303]

God Bless all those session players. we would not have had the music we do without them

[@oldermusiclover]

@Andrew Solymos thanks in the key of Eflat

[@oldermusiclover]

if you find his book get it

[@BazookaToe]

@oldermusiclover, arrived today as a matter of fact 😁

[@sylvandelacruz]

RIP Hal Blaine. Legend

[@richardschaefer4807]

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.

[@IIIElijah]

8th day you will. Find The Kingdom.

[@arricammarques1955]

Yeah, a marker of true talent = Humility and a sense of humor.

[@redlipstickmafia]

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.

[@jerrybrownell3633]

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.

[@jennifursun3303]

get his book

[@InflatablePlane]

Him and Jeff Porcaro were both featured on an extraordinary number of records.

[@davefiano4172]

@@jennifursun3303 Name of book? Thanks!

[@oldermusiclover]

@@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

[@davefiano4172]

@@oldermusiclover Thanks! Saw the movie didn’t know about the book. Really great YT vids on Carol Kaye too!

[@coloradomilitiaman8926]

RIP, Hal Blaine 1929-2019 -- THE GREATEST Pop Drummer in recorded history!!

[@davidsuprenant893]

Yes indeed he was.

[@badhabits25]

At 7:39 the guy playing the 12 string messed up. Just wonder if they left it.

[@X-OR_]

I love the sound of a 12 string in the morning.

[@misterschubert3242]

Smells like...victory...

[@JOHNWLOUCKS]

@@misterschubert3242 smells like Ricky

[@richardschaefer4807]

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.

[@GKASEY1424]

Thank you for sharing.

[@buddyrichable1]

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.

[@richardschaefer4807]

@@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....

[@notbraindead7298]

Wow!

[@jeffbwat]

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.

[@russellcampbell9198]

Always loved the initial sliding bass line. Just one seemingly small thing can lift a piece up so much.

[@jennifursun3303]

my fav was the 12 string Rick so wanted to here that thing in person. one of my fav sounding guitars

[@paskuniag]

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.

[@jennifursun3303]

@@paskuniag the guys in the Wrecking Crew played a lot of different instruments

[@Vinnybrain]

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!!

[@oldermusiclover]

@@paskuniag i thought it was Joe or Carole

[@CarvedTop]

“It felt about a hair slow”. Ahh, the days without a click track, when music had Feeling!

[@carrollshelby8690]

The click track was around when this was recorded. Do you know the reasons for using a click track?

[@CarvedTop]

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.

[@10bbremer]

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.

[@egglardo]

@@carrollshelby8690 So additional tracks can use the click track as a time reference.

[@carrollshelby8690]

@@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.

[@chiefhalftown]

Terry Melcher's production on Paul Revere and Raiders hits shows what a great producer he was. Sensational sounding singles!

[@ApartmentKing66]

@Juke Joint Pretty common knowledge.

[@davidgibbs381]

. . . and still waiting for Paul and the Raiders to be inducted into R-n-R HOF. The fact that they're not is pathetic!

[@errorsofmodernism9715]

@@ApartmentKing66 the postman was the first to know this fact

[@redpilledpict2747]

@Juke Joint Charlie Manson did.

[@mrblue99999]

@Juke Joint I DID NOT KNOW THAT

[@broncodeviltexas]

Hal played on 5 consecutive record of the year Grammy songs. His contribution to our music was incredible.

[@jacobgonzalez4419]

Man, it breaks my heart how many artists' tapes have been lost or destroyed over the years... Thanks for saving these

[@josephpetrizzo3524]

The best session drummer of all time mr hal blain, R.I.P. hal you are truly missed by all. 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

[@frandanco6289]

Blaine...

[@oldermusiclover]

I know Charlie Watts was in awe of his and Ringo loved him

[@michaelharrington75]

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.

[@robnamowicz8073]

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.

[@johngoldstein2754]

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.

[@56dinosaur]

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)

[@ApartmentKing66]

I always wondered why he changed his name. Maybe he just didn't like it.

[@Shermanbay]

I can hear it on the one channel (left?) with bass & drums in this mix.

[@lordofthemound3890]

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.”

[@msoiseth3419]

Boys and girls we''re hearing the making of a musical gem.

[@lionheartroar3104]

Amazing history here. Thank you for posting!

[@rockyjay55]

The most recorded drummer that ever was or ever will be!

[@robertdore9592]

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.

[@dclipper8052]

Yeah, I thought Earl was the most recorded.

[@rockyjay55]

HE PLAYED ON MANY TOO BUT NOT AS MUCH AS HAL.

[@martysquire1054]

@@rockyjay55 Whoah! easy Bunker man. Just chatting......*phew* (thought this was gonna be a chat room shooting)

[@drulius]

Looks like JR Robinson passed Hal for most recorded drummer

[@FenderTele]

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

[@redlipstickmafia]

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.

[@Cinemagoer_64]

May Hal Rest In Peace a wonderful man! The best session drummer of all time.

[@larryshelton2904]

This is so cool. They are actually putting together Mr. Tamborine man right here!

[@redlipstickmafia]

I listened to this song on 45 on a phonograph record player in my brothers' room so many times in the 60's!

[@jonathansteadman7935]

Thanks for saving this wonderful piece of rock history for all us Byrds fans to hear. Rickenbackers Rule.....and Gretsches.

[@jim2lane]

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. 😊

[@mikec6733]

It's like he had a built in compressor.

[@jim2lane]

@@mikec6733 - and metronome 😉

[@andhemills]

The original drum machine.

[@strikethenine8755]

@@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.

[@mikemcroberts6388]

" his unwaivering meter" I think you mean unwaivering tempo.

[@thomasbell7033]

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.

[@oldermusiclover]

get his book if you can find it

[@thomasbell7033]

@@oldermusiclover Can you give me the title?

[@oldermusiclover]

@@thomasbell7033 Hal Blaine & The Wrecking Crew

[@thomasbell7033]

@@oldermusiclover Thank you.

[@TheORIGINALBrentTheGent]

My Friend (Larry Knechtel) Played Bass Guitar on This Session !

[@cryptohalloffame]

very cool

[@waynedeadder664]

You can hear them speak to him

[@flguy6807]

I think he played on the Doors last album if I remember correctly.

[@brittoverbaugh4035]

@@flguy6807 HE CERTAINLY PLAYED ON THE FIRST ONE (UNCREDITED).

[@GDBrock1]

Yes, according to Robbie Kreiger's book, he did play on "L.A. Woman@@flguy6807

[@joehsmothers]

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.

[@joehsmothers]

Sorry about the spelling Larry. Knechtel!

[@erickrause381]

that bass slide that Larry Knechtel added really made the song..

[@gregoryantoniono3673]

@@erickrause381 Big time. He was a stone cold genius. Bass, piano, guitar ... he could literally do anything.

[@erickrause381]

@@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

[@gregoryantoniono3673]

@@erickrause381 He also played the stunning guitar solo on "Guitar Man" by Bread. How is isn't a household name is beyond me.

[@jimmyb1559]

OOOOOOh that Rickenbacher is so sweet!!! So many great musicians behind the scenes of these great songs. Just love watching these. Thank you.

[@kb516]

Roger McGuinn on 12-string Rickenbacker.

[@oldermusiclover]

so so love that guitar just want to touch it some day sadly he doesn't play it much any more

[@drrjim]

So cool to hear that bass part develop into that signature slide bass intro.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

this is pretty epic stuff...history come alive...how many listened to this song and we are hearing it tracked! WOW...

[@davewilder6935]

Got to meet Hal Blaine a few years ago at a viewing of the Wrecking Crew documentary. He was a funny guy:)

[@MrBradymoss]

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 KZbin are priceless.

[@sblack48]

Snare, bass, high hat, 2 toms and 1 ride. That’s it. 35,000 sessions. No Neil Peart kit needed.

[@MikeKiker]

Not true. Hal invented that kind of kit with his custom 8-piece concert tom set. Look it up.

[@buddyrichable1]

Mike Kiker You are right. I’ve seen that custom kit in a KZbin 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.

[@raitisfreimanis]

Neil Peart had no problem playing on a basic set. Both Neil and Hal were great drummers.

[@sblack48]

Raitis Freimanis no disrespect intended

[@charlietrece7958]

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.

[@keelyrm]

thanks to all involved,, on this 52 year journey to my ears....

[@altadena57]

"Do that pick up on the snare; and do it Heavy!". Brilliant on everyone's part, so perfect !!

[@futbolt]

Was that Roger McGuinn ordering that?

[@thegoose858]

@@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.

[@futbolt]

@@thegoose858 Yes I'm with you, producer in charge seems more likely than young Roger McGuinn instructing Hal Blaine.

[@recordguy4321]

i still use 7a's and a super classic set with a 57 wfl snare

[@hihats]

@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

[@THECLARENCES]

Long live the memory of the late, great Hal Blaine. xoxo The Clarences

[@rman52]

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]

Who is the Jim who's vocal was supposed to have been added, I thought the vocals were Roger Mcguin and David Crosby?

[@rman52]

@@josephbarth2714 Roger is Jim McGuinn's middle name.

[@RonnieTheSim]

@@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.

[@redlipstickmafia]

@@rman52 wow, I never knew that!

[@robertbrescia3196]

@@RonnieTheSim Pretty sure Gene Clark and David Crosby sang harmony on this track.

[@larryshelton2904]

He got it right, all of them. Hal was the rock drummer of the 60's.

[@smasica]

Love the double chirp of a second guitar on the chord changes behind McGuin's finger-picking.

[@Braglemaster123]

12 String Rickenbacker with McGuin “

[@ptownscribe1254]

Who's playing it?

[@smasica]

@@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..

[@RobbyLakeMusic]

@@ptownscribe1254 Glen Campbell on "snap rhythm" guitar (Me thinks)

[@californiaslastgasp6847]

@@smasica The Wrecking Crew documentary, made by Tedesco’s son, says that Bill Pittman was on the guitar for this song.

[@ROCKSTARCRANE]

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....

[@mikelane2866]

Crazy how this stuff shows up. Love it

[@johnwalker6919]

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.

[@jeffking6566]

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

[@RocknRollMusic-xq7ho]

I loved "The Wrecking Crew." Incredible musicians.

[@johnheinrich1718]

I never knew how many records were made with Glenn Campbell on them. There’s a very good KZbin about Glenn Campbell and Alice Cooper.

[@richardbowes6897]

These out / in takes are fantastic , Rock and roll history.

[@buddyrichable1]

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.

[@dlouisb]

brings tears to my eyes and ears that progression is so loaded, so solid thanks for uploading

[@reeselayton3031]

Me too, bliss!

[@unputer]

I IV and V getting the job done, as usual!

[@danmurphy7713]

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 !.

[@johndeangelo4465]

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]

Well, there will certainly never be a drummer recorded as much

[@cew142]

It is my opinion there are great musicians out there. You don’t hear them because that is not what the industry promotes.

[@selmer862]

​@@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!

[@californiaslastgasp6847]

@@selmer862 It’s bizarre how both of LA’s top drummers made millions and died poor.

[@moodyrick8503]

Hal Blaine Not many know his name, but everyone has heard him play. R.I.P. in peace, good Sir.

[@LIGHTintheHALLS]

That sound through all that vintage gear with classic session players is so amazing! 🔊🤠👍

[@bonzoleum]

Super warm!

[@mackbolzano3901]

Rock solid timing!!! Thanks for uploading this gem!!! Please more,more,more!!!😎

[@salchaos]

These guys were amazing. Who knew? Hal Blaine was a genus.

[@cephoras]

I think he's still alive , so he's still a genius. So was Terry Melcher.

[@timchurchill6975]

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

[@keithadamo304]

tim churchill kick some ass in the studio Tim 👍

[@johnking6550]

An remarkable piece of tape documenting some strategic stages of the in-studio evolution of this great classic. jtk

[@KeithSpinneyMusic]

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]

Bill Pittman also on guitar

[@boscojones3658]

Carol Kaye on bass as well.

[@recordguy4321]

@@boscojones3658 NOT!!!! Larry Knechtel..she likes to credit herself on songs she did NOT play on

[@doitnowvideosyeah5841]

@@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?

[@recordguy4321]

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

[@catsarereallycool]

Such beautiful music. Thank you.

[@frogface66]

Birth of a masterpiece

[@georgesmyth6577]

Getting closer to the version we knew and loved.thanks guys.

[@vj498]

Terry Melcher and Brian Wilson have a very similar way of producing, just the way they both talk to the musicians.

[@jordythefilmmaker317]

Even sounds like Brian, here and there!

[@Phoebedumplings]

Hi sounds ike Brian!

[@tony22745]

I heard a story that "Tambourine Man" is "Don't Worry Baby" in disguise.

[@arricammarques1955]

Charles Manson didn't make the cut. No pun intended.

[@callithowiseeit5806]

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

[@thenewyorkpauls]

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

[@Vito_Tuxedo]

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.

[@Vito_Tuxedo]

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.

[@Ak3r0n]

@5:32

[@magneto7930]

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.

[@Glicksman1]

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.

[@steadfastcoward]

What I love the most about these comments are all of you total drum geeks, God bless you all.

[@fcontitwo]

✨🌿 Hal was the man for the job !!! #RIP -Brother 🌿😎🇺🇸✨🙏🏼

[@margaretross9150]

I didn't realize recording a song took so much work and patience. Impressive.

[@chriswright8464]

Hal A MASTER OF HIS CRAFT !!!

[@ROCKSTARCRANE]

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!!

[@thepurpleufo]

This stuff is way beyond incredible. Never again will anyone produce music this great.

[@thomasjacques5286]

I will never hear these songs the same way again now that I know Hal was on drums......

[@brisbaneshadowsplayers4225]

And I discovered several of my favourite bands were the wrecking crew!

[@ApeLikeCreature]

This is amazing!

[@StephenPeeplesSCV]

OK, so Terry Melcher is producing. They start Take 5 at 5:00 into this tape. In the intro, Hal plays the pickup on a floor tom. Listen to what happens next. BANG! They get the intro we all know and love. I've had a tape of this session for many years; I got to meet and interview Hal in the mid-1990s and he hadn't heard it. How many sessions did he do in 1965? JFC. So I gave him a copy on a cassette.

[@recordguy4321]

actually take 7 when bassist Larry Knechtel slides into the opening riff is when the song starts to make it.. at the 8:20 mark

[@johnk.4018]

@@recordguy4321 Definitely!

[@andyweis5194]

I knew Terry. Nice guy and gone too soon. Was Doris Day's son.

[@ApartmentKing66]

@@andyweis5194 Everybody here acts like nobody knew Terry was Doris Day's son.

[@ApartmentKing66]

@@recordguy4321 Larry Knechtel played keyboards, not bass.

[@tmaddrummer]

Love it, love it, love it! It's Hal on Drums!

[@tonymurphy528]

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!

[@boosuedon]

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.

[@timhancock6626]

@@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.

[@erickrause381]

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..

[@Josie2013]

The Hollies were referred to as a "beat group" in their early days.

[@marks.3303]

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.

[@jeffkahl]

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.

[@dougsmith7083]

I'm digging that too

[@ptownscribe1254]

What's he playing?

[@andhemills]

@@ptownscribe1254 Leon Russell on keys

[@lordofthemound3890]

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.

[@J.B24]

I'm in heaven right now!

[@jamesdavis5096]

wow this is really really fascinating just interesting to hear how this was put together

[@hill-di2ui]

This is indeed a treat.

[@namcat53]

Love it. "Did someone fuck up?"...yes.

Loved it thanks for sharing the raw mix.

[@johnnytoobad7785]

someone should relase a CD of all Hal Blaine's "out-takes".

[@koshersalaami]

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.

[@generalpatzer6893]

Great track. RIP Mr. Blaine.

[@buddylobos5277]

WOW!!! Thank you!

[@fnord23]

Amazing to hear HB at work

[@altonwilliams7117]

One of my favorite aspects of music 🎶 The creative and recording process.

[@magneto7930]

Roger McGuinn, the only Byrd flying here.

[@cap52]

No one plays like Roger!

[@dolorestickner349]

Missing Chris' bass

[@magneto7930]

Man, that 12-string Rickenbacker is the sound of Heaven!

[@stephenfiore9960]

...only because “middle fingers” don’t fly.....(oops wrong kind of bird)

[@phreeky5497]

at 11:18, Melcher addresses McGuinn in the studio, calling him “Jim” (as his actual first name is James).

[@andrewjmcgee]

a joy!

[@mccloysong]

5:14 he does the pick up on the toms, he's asked to use the snare. It's goes in his memory, never needed to be asked again. Pro studio trait.

[@larryshelton2904]

I noticed that too. He was a great drummer.

[@ThePsho]

And it was great advice, too. It was a perfect transition between the intro and the beginning of the vocals. It definitely needed to be accented.

[@mrb4886]

I love you Hal Blaine. Mark B.

[@landlinesandpercolators8822]

You can really hear the "Don't Worry Baby" guitar nick here. Thanks btw!

[@davidgrose6349]

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.

[@1rwjwith]

What this is really about is Terry Melcher's production technique. It is a Byrds track because McGuinn's 12 string is the dominant sound.

[@hot88s23]

Wonder if that's McGuinn or Glen Campbell , who played 12-string on a lot of those dates.

[@mlumboable]

No,it's McGuinn.@@hot88s23

[@jimmcintyre6664]

@@hot88s23 100% McGuinn...a very accomplished player..every bit as good as Glen....the didn't use session men after the first single

[@Bidjje]

@@jimmcintyre6664 Umm ...? Don't get me wrong, I love Roger McGuinn. Yes, a very distinguished and accomplished player. But he is not even in the same league as Glen Campbell as an all-around player. No offense, but there's really no argument here. I'm pretty sure Roger would be the first to agree with me.

[@ApartmentKing66]

Thanks for not rehashing, as a lot of people here have, that Terry is Doris Day's son. You'd think they just found that out last week or something.

[@maryanneweldon8040]

This is Great! Thank you 😁😁😁👍👍👍