Rickenbacker...rhythm only?

[firstbassman]

Here are some passages from the book:

p79

Duane got his wish: Clapton asked him to play on a track or two of his album. The following day, Duane helped cut a tune Clapton and Bobby Whitlock had written called “Tell the Truth.”

[Some paragraphs about recording “Key to the Highway,” “Why Does Love Have to be So Sad” and “I Am Yours.” The writer clearly states that Duane is NOT only playing slide.]

p82

The other track they recorded that day ... a ballad called “Layla.” ... Duane encouraged him to speed it up...” . . . Butch Trucks happened to be hanging out in the studio control room the day they recorded it. “Eric and Duane were playing the song back for us and all of a sudden Duane said ‘Let me try something,’” Butch recalled. “And he put on his guitar and came up with that signature phrase that kind of set that song on fire.”

There is an army of overdubbed guitars – no fewer than seven guitar tracks are used on the song.

Duane is mixed underneath the vocals, playing nonstop lead guitar.

p 87

Duane beamed with pride when he talked about his role on the album, especially when he played “Layla” for friends. . . . “For anybody who don’t know and cares enough about it to know that, I play a Gibson, Eric plays a Fender,” Duane said. “If you can tell between a Gibson and a Fender, then you’ll know who played what.”

It wasn’t much help, but Duane knew what he had done and that was enough. “Layla” was Duane Allman’s personal validation as a guitar player. He had stood on equal ground with one of his heroes and, for perhaps the first time, he began to realize just how good he was.

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If anyone is interested in the Allmans or R&R in general, it is a great book.

[jamesvwaal]

Mark, thanks for the 'heads-up' on the book. It sounds interesting and as I was a big fan of the Allman Bros Band I will check it out. I always thought that it was Duane's guitar playing non-stop lead underneath the vocals, but of course, it sounds to me like he is using slide constantly. Seven guitar tracks?? Whew!