One superstar was overwhelmed to the point of being inspired to produce her. Another legend just wanted to be around to simply watch. Somehow, history was going to be made. It was inevitable.
You see, Brad, the thing with you is, we (your readers) know you know your stuff very well, and then you always manage to, somehow, surprise us time and time again with unexpected data and info God knows how you manage to dig out. Bravo. As for Tina, what could I possibly add to the plethora of messages from all sources that inundated the web when we heard of her passing. Few artists could command such a powerful stage presence and inspire millions across generations with her music, her lust for life, her grit and her legacy.
Thanks, Andy.....that means a lot. And, what a beautiful tribute. I may add that to the piece, now that the e-mail's out (as mine always are, it was "too long for e-mail"!!). I can't even recall how I found what I found...just relentless digging, and letting no (or certainly few) links go un-clicked!
Those outtakes astounded me! We can now go, chronologically, from one track to the next, and hear what Brian heard that, ultimately, HAD to inform his "Good Vibrations." That Tina was the hub of both Phil and Brian's brilliance couldn't go unnoticed. And, it was there all along!💝
Chris and Charles, you both make great points! Glad I don't have to choose! Spector captured "the moment," as only he could....the Wrecking Crew, the Gold Star sound....just the coming together of legends in March of '66! Not unlike the catch-the-lightning moment of, say, George Martin and The Beatles at Abbey Road for any given recording. And, there are so many others.
Out of the studio (and sans Phil's oppressive manner), Tina Turner-ed that thang into a whole 'nother universe of frenetic fury as only SHE could! I keep wondering about the "other" two "River Deep" songwriters, Jeff Barry (who just turned 85 last month!) and Ellie Greenwich.....did they ever visit the studio then? What are their thoughts? I'm sure I could find Jeff's reflections if I searched.....say, there's another article!!
Thanks, both of you, for your perspectives! 'Twas a fun way for all of us to acknowledge an early highlight of Tina's career!!
A beautifully written piece. And I found something Phil and I have in common, which is a first... a mutual preference for mono. Stereo never really having been intended for music, but for theater. Plus stereo gives me a headache, so y'know.
Thanks, Faith! I forgot about his "Back to Mono" movement! I even had a button in the '70s that said that! Stereo definitely became a new toy for music reproduction....the ole "because we can" rationale!
My pandemic album, which has now taken so long to record that it'll be ready for the next pandemic, will be all in mono. As we all know, that's how most people listen anyway -- there's no enough separation on a JBL Filp or a car stereo system (and certainly not a phone) to make stereo anything other than a delusion, and it's how live music is experienced for the most part, as well. Stereo just sounds... wrong.
I wish Giles Martin was doing the new Beatles mixes in mono, as they were originally done. They're fantastic IMO -- the new Revolver esp -- and much needed, but the stereo part, less so. (I just turn that function off and listen in mono anyway, but it would be so much better if it were mixed that way to start with.)
I have that box set, CDs and digitized, but not on vinyl, because I chose the remasters and Giles Martin remixes for the vinyl.... I think it's a compromise either way. I suppose I'm just playing the waiting game for him and Sam to get through the whole collection rather than buying the original monos. But I may cave.
I knew of her as a dancer and didn't know much about her as a singer. Top hits highlighted her harsh tones, so I never knew her range. Her voice shows up in the Bluesy type songs ...she could sing! I will be searching more of her earlier material. Thanks for the videos, she really felt her potential as a front performer when we see her break from Ik and the band and go out to the audience..loved that. Wanted comment on your Gordon Lightfoot tribute too, but phone wouldn't cooperate, so another great artist I didn't fully appreciate. I have been listening to his beautiful music a lot. I think my fav is Rainy Day People but still listening 😊
Great, thoughtful comment, De! Like most talented artists (and Tina was no different), the years, the trends, the perceptions, the press, and the musical material can and will be all dissected.....some people will naturally latch onto a particular Tina "era" (her '80s MTV era's an easy one, simply due to cable's vast reach and heavy rotation!), etc.
I think you'll find richer "gold" in her earlier recordings. In the '60s, she was a product of those times, in all the ways that may entail....raw-er music, tense racial decade, and her unfortunate physical and emotional abuse at the hands of the two important men in her life. It would be easy to argue that her '80s material was too "mechanically" commercialized, and MTV exploited the visuals at the expense of the aural (and her record company and producers pandered to that dynamic, as well).
As for Lightfoot, I don't think that was me....I didn't write about Gordon. I know some music writers have, but I can't recall who! His music? Wonderful, and he's another who will be greatly missed!
Vindicated at last! See, I KNEW you, of all people, would find something original to say, and you have not disappointed. Brilliant linkages, Brad, of which I had no idea. I read about Spector paying Ike to stay away in an obit, and the many takes. Didn't have access to those takes though so I'm looking forward to listening to them. Didn't know about good vibrations link. Thanks for a great article!
Well, mad props to you, Terry (if it's not been made clear elsewhere, dear readers, Terry encouraged me to write SOMETHING about Tina...this is the result. Visit and subscribe to his fabulously unique "Eclecticism: Reflections on Literature and Life"; his link is just above)!
What's surprising is that all of this was laying around somewhere on the internet's floor...it just took some digging to "PROVE" what I merely suspected (when I thought about the time frame of "River," and Phil's drive to top "You've Lost....", and being aware of Brian's working at Gold Star and '66 being when he worked on "GV"!
Yes, those outtakes are nothing short of stunning....so many times during my research, you could've heard me say, "WHAT?!? Holy crap!! Does no one else KNOW this?!?" I couldn't write it fast enough, especially once I saw the threads practically sew themselves together!
Thanks again, Terry....for the above, and for last week!😁👍
Great column, Brad. The HOF video is the crowning touch, really tying together how many major rock stars converged around Tina (and Phil). The pop music industry often produces and celebrates crap, but in this case, and that era, they got it right!
Thanks, Charles.....I'm glad you're on board! Yeah, how about that all-star cast onstage....could you recognize and name 'em all?!😉So much of this story could've been told by the players.....the music, so I tried to let it breathe on its own. I wanted to sort of stand back and not get in the way! Much of it didn't need my introduction or narration! Again, I'm glad you were here for it, and I appreciate all your input!
Now, my first guess was Brian Wilson, but I thought it was too obvious, that's why I went with Glenn Campbell, because I knew he was a well respected studio musician.
Great guess, Ben! Fellow musicians always knew what a dexterous and musically diverse player Glen was, which is evident, especially with his Crew playing (and the studio outtakes!), but a lot of that guitar wizardry was lost when/as he became famous as a pop singer!
But, the good news is, on his "Good-Time Hour" variety show, he made sure to show us, from time to time!
Thanks, Dan! It was fun to do, especially realizing (like all of us) how masterful both "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and "Good Vibrations" are, that it took Tina's passing to slap me upside the head to realize HER part in bridging these two songs and artists together!
The outtakes are an amazingly "bare" spotlight on the Crew, as they are just relentless in their locomotion from take after take!🚂
You see, Brad, the thing with you is, we (your readers) know you know your stuff very well, and then you always manage to, somehow, surprise us time and time again with unexpected data and info God knows how you manage to dig out. Bravo. As for Tina, what could I possibly add to the plethora of messages from all sources that inundated the web when we heard of her passing. Few artists could command such a powerful stage presence and inspire millions across generations with her music, her lust for life, her grit and her legacy.
Thanks, Andy.....that means a lot. And, what a beautiful tribute. I may add that to the piece, now that the e-mail's out (as mine always are, it was "too long for e-mail"!!). I can't even recall how I found what I found...just relentless digging, and letting no (or certainly few) links go un-clicked!
Those outtakes astounded me! We can now go, chronologically, from one track to the next, and hear what Brian heard that, ultimately, HAD to inform his "Good Vibrations." That Tina was the hub of both Phil and Brian's brilliance couldn't go unnoticed. And, it was there all along!💝
My pleasure, Brad! It's only the truth. You are, if I may, simply the best!
And yes, absolutely: those outtakes are pure gold. Thanks once again for sharing these gems!
Love this breakdown. My hot (cold?) take is that I prefer the rocked out version of River deep to the original Specter version.
Have to say I agree. In this case, Spector's contribution was recognizing Tina's greatness before others did, and making a bet on her.
Chris and Charles, you both make great points! Glad I don't have to choose! Spector captured "the moment," as only he could....the Wrecking Crew, the Gold Star sound....just the coming together of legends in March of '66! Not unlike the catch-the-lightning moment of, say, George Martin and The Beatles at Abbey Road for any given recording. And, there are so many others.
Out of the studio (and sans Phil's oppressive manner), Tina Turner-ed that thang into a whole 'nother universe of frenetic fury as only SHE could! I keep wondering about the "other" two "River Deep" songwriters, Jeff Barry (who just turned 85 last month!) and Ellie Greenwich.....did they ever visit the studio then? What are their thoughts? I'm sure I could find Jeff's reflections if I searched.....say, there's another article!!
Thanks, both of you, for your perspectives! 'Twas a fun way for all of us to acknowledge an early highlight of Tina's career!!
A beautifully written piece. And I found something Phil and I have in common, which is a first... a mutual preference for mono. Stereo never really having been intended for music, but for theater. Plus stereo gives me a headache, so y'know.
Thanks, Faith! I forgot about his "Back to Mono" movement! I even had a button in the '70s that said that! Stereo definitely became a new toy for music reproduction....the ole "because we can" rationale!
My pandemic album, which has now taken so long to record that it'll be ready for the next pandemic, will be all in mono. As we all know, that's how most people listen anyway -- there's no enough separation on a JBL Filp or a car stereo system (and certainly not a phone) to make stereo anything other than a delusion, and it's how live music is experienced for the most part, as well. Stereo just sounds... wrong.
I wish Giles Martin was doing the new Beatles mixes in mono, as they were originally done. They're fantastic IMO -- the new Revolver esp -- and much needed, but the stereo part, less so. (I just turn that function off and listen in mono anyway, but it would be so much better if it were mixed that way to start with.)
A couple decades ago, I was all over the MONO Beatles CD Box Set! Had to have it in the way they wanted it, and recorded it, to be heard. Period.
I have that box set, CDs and digitized, but not on vinyl, because I chose the remasters and Giles Martin remixes for the vinyl.... I think it's a compromise either way. I suppose I'm just playing the waiting game for him and Sam to get through the whole collection rather than buying the original monos. But I may cave.
actually I take that back. I think he did do new remixes of Revolver in mono as well as stereo. But not Pepper, I don't think..
I knew of her as a dancer and didn't know much about her as a singer. Top hits highlighted her harsh tones, so I never knew her range. Her voice shows up in the Bluesy type songs ...she could sing! I will be searching more of her earlier material. Thanks for the videos, she really felt her potential as a front performer when we see her break from Ik and the band and go out to the audience..loved that. Wanted comment on your Gordon Lightfoot tribute too, but phone wouldn't cooperate, so another great artist I didn't fully appreciate. I have been listening to his beautiful music a lot. I think my fav is Rainy Day People but still listening 😊
Great, thoughtful comment, De! Like most talented artists (and Tina was no different), the years, the trends, the perceptions, the press, and the musical material can and will be all dissected.....some people will naturally latch onto a particular Tina "era" (her '80s MTV era's an easy one, simply due to cable's vast reach and heavy rotation!), etc.
I think you'll find richer "gold" in her earlier recordings. In the '60s, she was a product of those times, in all the ways that may entail....raw-er music, tense racial decade, and her unfortunate physical and emotional abuse at the hands of the two important men in her life. It would be easy to argue that her '80s material was too "mechanically" commercialized, and MTV exploited the visuals at the expense of the aural (and her record company and producers pandered to that dynamic, as well).
As for Lightfoot, I don't think that was me....I didn't write about Gordon. I know some music writers have, but I can't recall who! His music? Wonderful, and he's another who will be greatly missed!
Loved the outtakes as a whole: fascinating to see the progression. Especially liked #7. Thanks for such a brilliant post, Brad
My pleasure!😁👍🎆🎇
Vindicated at last! See, I KNEW you, of all people, would find something original to say, and you have not disappointed. Brilliant linkages, Brad, of which I had no idea. I read about Spector paying Ike to stay away in an obit, and the many takes. Didn't have access to those takes though so I'm looking forward to listening to them. Didn't know about good vibrations link. Thanks for a great article!
Well, mad props to you, Terry (if it's not been made clear elsewhere, dear readers, Terry encouraged me to write SOMETHING about Tina...this is the result. Visit and subscribe to his fabulously unique "Eclecticism: Reflections on Literature and Life"; his link is just above)!
What's surprising is that all of this was laying around somewhere on the internet's floor...it just took some digging to "PROVE" what I merely suspected (when I thought about the time frame of "River," and Phil's drive to top "You've Lost....", and being aware of Brian's working at Gold Star and '66 being when he worked on "GV"!
Yes, those outtakes are nothing short of stunning....so many times during my research, you could've heard me say, "WHAT?!? Holy crap!! Does no one else KNOW this?!?" I couldn't write it fast enough, especially once I saw the threads practically sew themselves together!
Thanks again, Terry....for the above, and for last week!😁👍
Thank you for your kind words, Sire 😀
Great column, Brad. The HOF video is the crowning touch, really tying together how many major rock stars converged around Tina (and Phil). The pop music industry often produces and celebrates crap, but in this case, and that era, they got it right!
Thanks, Charles.....I'm glad you're on board! Yeah, how about that all-star cast onstage....could you recognize and name 'em all?!😉So much of this story could've been told by the players.....the music, so I tried to let it breathe on its own. I wanted to sort of stand back and not get in the way! Much of it didn't need my introduction or narration! Again, I'm glad you were here for it, and I appreciate all your input!
Now, my first guess was Brian Wilson, but I thought it was too obvious, that's why I went with Glenn Campbell, because I knew he was a well respected studio musician.
Great guess, Ben! Fellow musicians always knew what a dexterous and musically diverse player Glen was, which is evident, especially with his Crew playing (and the studio outtakes!), but a lot of that guitar wizardry was lost when/as he became famous as a pop singer!
But, the good news is, on his "Good-Time Hour" variety show, he made sure to show us, from time to time!
Fantastic breakdown of a legendary track. Well done, Brad!
Thanks, Dan! It was fun to do, especially realizing (like all of us) how masterful both "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and "Good Vibrations" are, that it took Tina's passing to slap me upside the head to realize HER part in bridging these two songs and artists together!
The outtakes are an amazingly "bare" spotlight on the Crew, as they are just relentless in their locomotion from take after take!🚂