The Wrecking Crew

[ghost of miles]

I already knew that studio session players dominated many 1960s pop album dates, but this article offers a more detailed exploration of the story. Carol Kaye's a name I've heard before... does she show up on any West Coast-recorded jazz dates from the 1950s/60s?

The Wrecking Crew

[Guy Berger]

Thanks, Ghost -- that was fascinating.

Guy

[Jim Alfredson]

Even without jazz, Knechtel’s knack for just the right riff made the difference on a huge number of now-classic pop hits. From bass on “Mrs. Robinson” to organ on “Good Vibrations” to the magnificent grand piano on “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (for which he won a Grammy)...

I swear that was Richard Tee, not Knechtel.

[GA Russell]

I once heard Hal Blaine being interviewed by Larry King on his Mutual radio show. I think this was about 1975, but it could have been later.

Blaine had published an autobiography and was flogging it. He talked about the Wrecking Crew, but I don't recall his telling any interesting stories about them.

I suppose his bass drum on A Taste of Honey was the most famous drum solo of the 60s!

I didn't know that Mike Melvoin was a member of that group. I have been listening yesterday and today to a Cal Tjader album called Sounds Out Burt Bacharach on which he plays an important part.

edit for typo

Edited April 10, 2007 by GA Russell

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

chewys brought the cal into work and everyone thought it was like elevator music-- which was my original point in bringing it in in the first place exactly

[chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez]

. “Carol Kaye was the greatest bass player I’ve ever met,” says Brian Wilson. Which is curious because, as she says, “My background was the jazz world. I played electric guitar on jazz dates long before I started playing bass on the rock ’n’ roll sessions in the sixties. I played with people like Teddy Edwards, Jack Sheldon, and Billy Higgins.”

what is she talking about?

[Larry Kart]

. “Carol Kaye was the greatest bass player I’ve ever met,” says Brian Wilson. Which is curious because, as she says, “My background was the jazz world. I played electric guitar on jazz dates long before I started playing bass on the rock ’n’ roll sessions in the sixties. I played with people like Teddy Edwards, Jack Sheldon, and Billy Higgins.”

what is she talking about?

The answer to your question is here:

http://www.carolkaye.com/

Google before you ask.

[randyhersom]

I assume Larry's link will point you to Hampton Hawes on Prestige, among other places.

[randyhersom]

Well no. But she does play on one of the two sides reissued as Northern Windows Plus. A little too electric and arranged for some jazz purists, but worth a listen.

I personally don't mind if someone asks on Organissimo.org before they google. If you don't have time to help out, someone else might.

Edited April 12, 2007 by randyhersom

[Noj]

http://www.carolkaye.com/

Incredible list of credits.

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

And don't forget Charles Kynard's "Reelin' with the feelin'".

I think Jim Horn and Larry Knechtelwere the first of the Wrecking Crew whose names I knew - they were actually given credits on early Duane Eddy albums. And it was Horn who played what I still remember as being a great tenor solo on his version of "Peter Gunn".

MG