Old School recordings

[RAK]

I showed Jimi Hendrix a trick to use vibrato on just the high strings, while the bass strings played straight. He immediately started rolling tape and cut some tracks, although I don't know if they ever made it to the public.

I remember the night Albert King discovered how to control feedback; that was wild.

That's very cool. I'm curious, have you ever worked with a drummer by the name of Mo Jennings?

I'm sure you know Sam Lay, I got to work with him once. It was pretty wild to be around him, I'm still not over it.

 

[travelin travis]

thanks for the advice, i'll try to put it to good use.

now, back to jimi hendrix and albert king. why don't you start a "cruising memory lane with Harvey" thread. i'd read every word. i can't even imagine being in the same room with some of those guys. it sounds like you've lead a very interesting life.

 

[cephus]

Dude, seriously? "Hey Jude" is not the name of an album. In fact if I'm remembering correctly off the top of my head, it's not on any albums, it was just a single (not counting later releases of "best of's" like the Blue album)

Also, I'm pretty sure Lady Madonna was only a single also.

It sound like maybe you're thinking about the blue album: The Beatles 1967-1970

I have it on vinyl. It has a picture on the front of the hippie beatles standing in front of a stone house with vines and crap. And it has hey jude and lady madonna on it. And get back and revolution. It's an apple record. I forget the name. It's not the blue album. I do have the red one, though.

This is the cover:
http://www.loudbassoon.com/images/records2/beatles.jpg

EDIT: It was Old Brown Shoe, not Get Back.

 

[cephus]

Dude, seriously? "Hey Jude" is not the name of an album.

Seriously?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hey_Jude_(album)

Seriously.

An album, to me, is a collection of songs distributed as a unit. The fact that it was posthumous doesn't seem to disqualify it.

 

[travelin travis]

Your body starts giving out; you stop caring as much about the way you look or dress, and you can't remember why you walked into a room.

Maybe it's too late for me cause that describes me pretty damn well right there.

Oh well, I'll see how much trouble I can get into anyway. That's still fun at least.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

thanks for the advice, i'll try to put it to good use.

now, back to jimi hendrix and albert king. why don't you start a "cruising memory lane with Harvey" thread. i'd read every word. i can't even imagine being in the same room with some of those guys. it sounds like you've lead a very interesting life.

I've been very lucky to be in a lot of "right places" at all the "right times". Not because I was great or "special" - just plain old dumb luck. Being involved in music in L.A. in the 50's and 60's led to a lot of doors being open and I knew a lot of people before they became famous.

I was a decent rhythm guitar player, a fair songwriter, and a pretty good vocal arranger. Nothing special, but I was okay. That, plus designing stuff (like JBL speakers, Acoustic amplifiers, etc.), got me in a lot of places and meeting a lot of people.

I guess it was an early form of "networking", although I just thought of it as "hanging out".

After I moved to Texas, I kinda played down my old life in the music industry, cuz it really started to sound like bragging. When the Internet came along, it gave me a chance to hook up with a lot of old friends from those days, so it doesn't feel to much like I'm making a big deal about it, since I talk to a lot of people that were also there, back then.

Like I said, it wasn't that I was special; it was just dumb luck.

 

[RAK]

Seriously?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hey_Jude_(album)

Seriously.

An album, to me, is a collection of songs distributed as a unit. The fact that it was posthumous doesn't seem to disqualify it.

Please see my previous post. Again here is the definition from the Wikipedia link:

Hey Jude (original title: The Beatles Again) was a 1970 collection of non-album Beatles' singles and B-sides,

It's a greatest hits collection, which is why I didn't call it an "album" So even Wikipedia calls it a ". . .collection of non-album. . ." Apparently it wasn't even orignally called Hey Jude.

 

[RAK]

I guess it was an early form of "networking", although I just thought of it as "hanging out".

That does seem to be the best way to do it.

Like I said, it wasn't that I was special; it was just dumb luck.

My guess is you're selling yourself short Harvey. Sounds like you were a player in the scene.

In my short career I've already been amazed at the people I've been able to work with, and it's definetly just being in the right place at the right time. My feeling is, just show up and hang on for the ride while it's still going.

Still curious if you've run across Mo(Morris) Jennings?

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Still curious if you've run across Mo(Morris) Jennings?

No, he hung out with a whole different group of people than I did.

 

[travelin travis]

I kind of like to think that everything happens for a reason.........the big plan? I won't know that one till I'm dead. Either way, dumb luck or something more divine, you've had some very interesting experiences. If I had walked your trail, I don't think I'd have any problems bragging it up and watching my head swell up like a water melon. You show alot more restraint than I think I would. The way I see it, you obviously had something going for you just to get the chance to be involved with so many interesting people and projects. Meeting Bob Dylan at the 76 truck stop is one thing, but actually hanging out and being involved with some of the most creative musical souls that I can think of is another. I'm not saying that I've lead a boring life (oh, I've done some crazy shit ), but the last few years have'nt exactly been Disney Land, mostly because the consequences of my earlier "experiences" have been catching up with me in no funny ways.

Life just ain't dishing out the excitement that it used to. So when I get the chance to hear an interesting story, especially from an interesting person, I tend to perk up a bit and take it in like a good flick or a new sound. I'm saying that inspiration tends to be running low for me these days. Who knows, your next Hendrix story might throw a few sparks my way.

 

[chessrock]

Mainly memories. After 50, it's pretty much all downhill from there. Your body starts giving out; you stop caring as much about the way you look or dress, and you can't remember why you walked into a room.

My advice is to try and do as much as you can, while you can. Those things you don't do, you'll regret later on in life. Get out and experience as much life as you can. Security is way overrated.

It sounds like you're advocating lots of promiscuous sex and the use of illegal drugs.

In which case, I would have to give you two big thumbs-up on that one.

.

 

[RAK]

No, he hung out with a whole different group of people than I did.

Just curious. He's sort of the house drummer for a studio I work at from time to time.

I too would be interested in old war stories, as they say.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

If I had walked your trail, I don't think I'd have any problems bragging it up and watching my head swell up like a water melon. You show alot more restraint than I think I would. The way I see it, you obviously had something going for you just to get the chance to be involved with so many interesting people and projects. Meeting Bob Dylan at the 76 truck stop is one thing, but actually hanging out and being involved with some of the most creative musical souls that I can think of is another.

After I left Acoustic Control, I started an amplifier company called "Delta Products" in the late 70's. As president of this new company, I had to write a list of my credits and credentials for prospective investors. After I reached the fourth page, I reread it and finally tore it up; I didn't believe all the shit I had done - and I had lived it. But it shoulda taken about 4 or 5 lifetimes to do all that crap I had done before I was 40.

If I didn't believe all the stuff I had done, why would some stranger? So I just stopped talking about it till recently, and even now, in very small doses.

 

[j-boy]

Seriously?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hey_Jude_(album)

Seriously.

An album, to me, is a collection of songs distributed as a unit. The fact that it was posthumous doesn't seem to disqualify it.

BTW when it was first released, the album was titled "The Beatles Again", but this was soon changed to "Hey Jude". I've got a copy of the first version in my vinyl collection.

 

[j-boy]

Don’t forget that the Beatles weren’t in control of the recording circumstances early in their career. This is an important fact to realize. In fact, they were appalled at what EMI’s USA affiliate, Capitol Records, did to their releases. Songs that had been recorded and released in beautiful, true stereo in the UK were mangled with the fake-stereo *Duophonic* nonsense for American release. It was absolute sonic garbage, but the label honchos thought the screaming fans wouldn't care what it sounded like as long as the Beatles name was on the cover. Again, this was not the Beatles decision, but rather, it was a slap in their faces.

The famous “Butcher Cover” for the “Yesterday… and Today” album was in fact a commentary on the part of the Beatles on how Capitol was “butchering” their music!

Now another comment that I want to follow up on, concerns the early rock recordings versus the Sinatra-era 50’s big label recordings. There are in fact a few really high-end recordings of early rockers, including some of the Eddie Cochran stuff, and especially check out the Roy Orbison album “Lonely and Blue” which was recorded in true stereo in 1960 with extremely high production values. Also, listen to Elvis’ RCA album "Elvis is Back", made right after he returned from his stint in the Army... which is as good production-wise as anything being made in 1960 IMO!

 

[travelin travis]

After I left Acoustic Control, I started an amplifier company called "Delta Products" in the late 70's. As president of this new company, I had to write a list of my credits and credentials for prospective investors. After I reached the fourth page, I reread it and finally tore it up; I didn't believe all the shit I had done - and I had lived it. But it shoulda taken about 4 or 5 lifetimes to do all that crap I had done before I was 40.

If I didn't believe all the stuff I had done, why would some stranger? So I just stopped talking about it till recently, and even now, in very small doses.

To tell you the truth Harvey, I don't have any particular reason to believe anything you say. I know this may sound a little strange, but these days I don't really have a strong preference between reality and the imagined. I'm not saying that I've crossed over to a psychedelic universe or anything, but I tend to like to see the lines blurred a little bit. As far as your credibility goes in my eyes, I've seen your name pop up in a handful of publications and internet sites. I can't exactly recall but I seem to remember you being mentioned in The Guitar Amp Handbook or the TapeOP book. Maybe it was both. My memory does'nt really serve anyone well. The few experiences of yours that I've read on this board don't sound far fetched. Interesting, but not far fetched. Far fetched would involve Wonder Woman, Hendrix, and a pink UFO. You've only mentioned Hendrix so far so I think you're sitting on the reality side of the fence. If you feel like getting creative though, by all means work Wonder Woman and the pink UFO in there some where.

How did you get involved in music? Or was it electronics first?

 

[RAK]

BTW when it was first released, the album was titled "The Beatles Again", but this was soon changed to "Hey Jude". I've got a copy of the first version in my vinyl collection.

The 3rd time in the thread this was pointed out, but that's cool.

 

[RAK]

To tell you the truth Harvey, I don't have any particular reason to believe anything you say. I know this may sound a little strange, but these days I don't really have a strong preference between reality and the imagined. I'm not saying that I've crossed over to a psychedelic universe or anything, but I tend to like to see the lines blurred a little bit. As far as your credibility goes in my eyes, I've seen your name pop up in a handful of publications and internet sites. I can't exactly recall but I seem to remember you being mentioned in The Guitar Amp Handbook or the TapeOP book. Maybe it was both. My memory does'nt really serve anyone well. The few experiences of yours that I've read on this board don't sound far fetched. Interesting, but not far fetched. Far fetched would involve Wonder Woman, Hendrix, and a pink UFO. You've only mentioned Hendrix so far so I think you're sitting on the reality side of the fence. If you feel like getting creative though, by all means work Wonder Woman and the pink UFO in there some where.

How did you get involved in music? Or was it electronics first?

Was that a joke that you don't really believe him? Why not? If I (or anyone else) told you about our credits/resume would you not believe us also? I'm only asking because I'm curious. Don't read any judgement or tone into my question.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

You've only mentioned Hendrix so far so I think you're sitting on the reality side of the fence. If you feel like getting creative though, by all means work Wonder Woman and the pink UFO in there some where.

How did you get involved in music? Or was it electronics first?

No, it was music first, to be more popular.

I mentioned Hendrix a lot, but I was pretty good friends with Zappa, the Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and a bunch of other groups and people. First time I heard "The Band" was when Eric Clapton played a test pressing for me at a party ar Alan Parson's house.

I turned Bob Dylan on to a thing we were doing called "Folk Rock", and I guess I influenced him to reinvestigate electric guitars. The two songs I wrote with Roger McGuinn became the catalyst for The Byrds. The band I was in broke up and became The Association. John Denver was the opening act for us.

I'd sometimes drive Jim Morrison home from the Whisky, but that stopped after he threw up in my car one night. I was one of the last people to see Janis Joplin alive. She stopped by my table at closing time to make sure I was going to be at Elektra the next morning to hear her new album. The next morning, I got an call from Paul Rothchild telling me she had died; I didn't believe him at first.

I learned to play blues from Brownie McGee and Mississippi John. Still play the blues badly.

Learned "Travis picking" from Merle Travis - it didn't help.

Played Merle's guitar, Jimi's Strat, Jerry Garcia's guitar, and Earl Scruggs' banjo; it didn't make me sound better.

I designed the JBL "F" series of musical instrument speakers, the Acoust Control 261 and 361 amplifiers, worked with Harold Rhodes (as his only employee) on the Rhodes piano, designed the Charvel and Jackson guitar and bass amplifiers, designed the prototype of what became the CAD E-200 multipattern mic, and I'm currently designing some very unique monitor speakers for a well known audio company.

How'zat for tooting my horn? And that's just a few things I can recall off the top of my head.

 

[travelin travis]

Was that a joke that you don't really believe him? Why not? If I (or anyone else) told you about our credits/resume would you not believe us also? I'm only asking because I'm curious. Don't read any judgement or tone into my question.

Either my post was very unclear and screwy, or you took it wrong. I don't know which. No disrespect was intended toward Harvey. A less wordy and boring version of that post might go like this:

Harvey, I don't have any concrete evidence to support anything that you might tell me. It does'nt matter. I find your stories interesting and I have no reason not to believe everything you say. I've never picked up a bullshitter vibe from you. Even if at some point you decided to start laying it on, I would'nt mind. I find your stories interesting enough to listen anyway.

How's that? Any clearer or did I still come off like an asshole? I tend to have that effect on people.