Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

For years I have thought that Phil's talent was in uncovering and coaching singers, bringing together studio bands, and matching songs with artists.

The whole "wall of sound" on the other hand, was just spin that was absorbed by music press writers who didn't know their way around studios, and reverb used in excess in his mixes, which if anything worked against his songs, but unfortunately was imitated by big labels here. I think it's one of the reasons Pet Sounds didn't sell very well, sounds muddy, like All Things Must Pass.

I think the wall of sound treatment really added to the otherwise sparce basic vocal arrangements of the early girl groups etc...really could not imagine hearing those songs any other way..on the other hand, I agree with ya Glenn re: the Beatles and Beach Boys...I mean really, who's gonna do the Beatles better than George Martin..same for Brian Wilson..

The Wall of sound was real and was a quantum leap which made everyone else try to catch up very quickly, but no one could do it as well as Spector including Brian Wilson who is deaf in one ear.
The wall of sound had three or four bass players playing in unison, three or four guitars playing the same part etc, made for a very big full sound. Sonny Bono who worked for him did a very good job of showing what he learned from him on I Got You Babe which has great production regardless of whether you like the song or not.

Let's not forget that Sonny and Phil wrote that great Searchers hit "Needles and Pins" Phil produced lots of So. Calif. artists also. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' by Hatfield and Medley was a Giant hit with the Wall Of Sound, and how about the Ronettes(Phils wife Ronnie) they opened for the Fab 4 back then. I always thought it had it's own place in the Pop Music scene.

Needles and Pins, as has been said, is much like the Byrds "Feel a Whole Lot Better." Sonny I believe was said to have stolen one of the songs the Byrds were covering live (i.e. put it out on record before they had a chance to.) Which came first? I think Sonny was a bit of an underhanded hustler.

I have a huge amount of respect for Phil Spector's work, and nothing will diminish that. In the same breath I will say that I believe evidence will prove him a murderer, and he should pay the price.

I don't hear any real connection between Needles and Pins and I Feel A Whole lot Better and although I'm not going to look it up I believe it was out before I Feel A Whole Lot better was. Sonny was a talented musician and producer, singer? well...
Phil was a giant, why all this Phil Spector bashing? OK he's up on a murder charge, that does not diminish what he accomplished musically one bit. The guy took producing and made it an integral part of the recording process whether we like it or not. I'm a big garage rock fan which is about as far away from the wall of sound you can get but still appreciate what Spector did because I was there. Louis Louis is one of my all time favorites.

Louis, Louis? Is he from the North End of Boston?

Anyway, one comment on the YT interview with a weirdly-lit Spector cracked me up...some guy posted:

"Is that Christopher Guest?"

Weirdly lit? Is this a comment on the video production or Phil's drinking habits?

Whatever gave him that demonic glint in his eyes...

...a reminder that if you fail to pay your exorcist, you could get repossessed...

Alright, Louie Louie, the other was the female version by the Kingswoman, oh, that was Louise Louise.