Smithereens

[Folkie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o371qrsqeqw

This is one of my favorite Smithereens songs. The 12-string has a beautiful chorus and shimmer. Definitely sounds like a Rick 12 to me. Any opinions?

[analogpackrat]

Green Thoughts was my first exposure the 'Reens. Still love their music. Try the "new" CD from a couple of years ago--good stuff even with a change of bassist and mostly Fender instruments.

[j.alderton]

I've always appreciated The Smithereens and their music over the years. They're a fantastic band to see in concert, too. In fact, I just saw today that they'll be opening for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on 4 or 5 dates this summer. Glad to see they're enjoying a well-deserved renewed interest in their music. (They're probably the nicest bunch of fellows in rock music, as well. Very personable with their fans.)

[analogpackrat]

Wow, that would be an awesome show to see--two of my favorites!

[jimk]

Was it just my imagination, or did the guitar outro to "I Don't Want to Lose You" remind anyone else of McGuinn's outro to "I'll Probably Fee a Whole Lot Better When You're Gone?"
JimK

[Folkie]

Was it just my imagination, or did the guitar outro to "I Don't Want to Lose You" remind anyone else of McGuinn's outro to "I'll Probably Fee a Whole Lot Better When You're Gone?"
JimK

JimK,

No, it's not your imagination. I instantly noticed the resemblance, too. In fact, there's enough of a similarity between the two passages that it has to have been intentional, IMHO. What better way to pay tribute to the Byrds than in the middle of a 12-string song?

That's not the only place where The Smithereens have borrowed from other artists. The chord progression to "Time and Time Again" sounds a lot like the one from Van Halen's version of "Oh, Pretty Woman," and the bass intro to "Blood and Roses" sounds suspiciously like the old classic rock tune "Riders on the Storm."

There are other examples, but these come first to mind. I wouldn't call it plagiarism, but they do have a penchant for "borrowing" or "lifting" from other artists.

Robert

[Folkie]

I should clarify what I said about The Smithereens "borrowing" from other artists. I don't mean to suggest that they're simply stealing ideas, just that they frequently quote familiar riffs and melodies to pay tribute to the bands who influenced them.

[kennyhowes]

I should clarify what I said about The Smithereens "borrowing" from other artists. I don't mean to suggest that they're simply stealing ideas, just that they frequently quote familiar riffs and melodies to pay tribute to the bands who influenced them.

That's more accurate.

[fluffy]

I should clarify what I said about The Smithereens "borrowing" from other artists. I don't mean to suggest that they're simply stealing ideas, just that they frequently quote familiar riffs and melodies to pay tribute to the bands who influenced them.

That's more accurate.

Let he who is not guilty cast the first song....

[kennyhowes]

I should clarify what I said about The Smithereens "borrowing" from other artists. I don't mean to suggest that they're simply stealing ideas, just that they frequently quote familiar riffs and melodies to pay tribute to the bands who influenced them.

That's more accurate.

Let he who is not guilty cast the first song....

I can deal with that!

[Folkie]

After listening closely to "I Don't Want to Lose You," I've concluded that not only are there multi-tracked Ric 12-strings, but that the lead and rhythm guitars are run through some sort of heavy studio compressor (There were no JangleBoxes back in 1986). Does anyone know which Ric 12 model and what compressor the Smithereens used? Could it have been a 370/12RM which would have its own onboard compressor?

[j.alderton]

I read a great article from GuitarWorld recently where Jim Babjak talked about the creation and recording of 11 Smithereens songs. In the early days of those first few albums, he had 2 guitars (both Rickenbackers) that he used: one was a Burgundyglo 340/6, and the other he referred to as a "black 12 string". Later in the Capitol years, he used a 660/12 Mapleglo and, I think, DiNizio's 360v64/12 on some tracks. I never have seen a model number with reference to that early Ric 12, though. As an aside, he also played a fantastic looking 360 Tuxedo throughout the "Green Thoughts" tour. They've really made some great music over the years. I hope the upcoming dates on Tom Petty's tour bring some new found recognition of their work.

[Folkie]

Thanks for the very precise answer, Jon. Then "I Don't Want to Lose You" was recorded either with Jim Babjak's 660/12, or Pat DiNizio's 360/12V64, or both. Beautiful, lush, jangly twelve-string sound. I still wonder what compressor they used in the studio for the album "Especially for You." And I, too, hope the opening dates with Tom Petty will stimulate a resurgence of interest in this sometimes neglected band.

[kennyhowes]

Thanks for the very precise answer, Jon. Then "I Don't Want to Lose You" was recorded either with Jim Babjak's 660/12, or Pat DiNizio's 360/12V64, or both. Beautiful, lush, jangly twelve-string sound. I still wonder what compressor they used in the studio for the album "Especially for You."

Neither. They got those guitars waaaaay after EFY.

The little black one Jim refers to may be his 230 JG (as seen in the video for "Yesterday Girl"). I don't think he used it much after that.

The 340 BG is a '71 and it's a super guitar.

Hopefully one of these days I'll run across Don Dixon and ask him about studio gadgets from the time.

P.S. The first half of the solo on "I Don't Want to Lose You" is not a 12 string, but octaves, Wes Montgomery style. The second half of the solo is Pat, on either the Jazzmaster or the Tennesseean he was using at the time.

[kennyhowes]

Also, simply doubling a 12-string track that's arpeggios like that part can give the feeling of compression without necessarily running through one. I haven't heard the record in a while, I'll check it out.