> Speaking of which, has P2 ever talked about the whole California country
> rock style of harmony where it's always in unrelentingly sweet thirds-no
> tension, no dissonance, no variation?
>>Er, ah, that's your basic bluegrass harmony. Not Stanley mountain music,
>>bluegrass. Via Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, Doug Dillard, Bernie Leadon,
>>Jim Dickson (producer), et.al...Where's that dang Budrocket when you
>>need him, anyhow? He's got a pretty good grasp of the details.
I only find this style "cloying" when
over-used or ILL-used by inferior imitators (which may even include, er,
US). As for the Byrds, you can't find anything more glorious than the
outro of "Bells Of Rhymney," or the spooky, bagpipe-drone of the pedal
tone background harmonies on "If You're Gone" (from the Turn,Turn,
Turn Lp).
As for Herb Pedersen, check out his harmony arrangements for
the Dillards; some really beautiful bluegrass-meets-Beach Boys intervals, lots
of shape-note influenced note bending.
Interestingly enough, Dillards mandolinist, Dean Webb,
assisted the Byrds in developing their first hit record. Back in 1964,
both bands rehearsed at World Pacific Studios (under the ageis of manager Jim
Dickson) & were friends. Driving home late one night, Dean passed by
World Pacific & noticed Dickson's Volkswagen parked in the lot.
Inside, Dickson was vainly attempting to settle a loud argument involving
members of the Byrds (no surprise there...listen to the "hidden track"
on the Notorious Byrd Bros. reissue). They were divided on how the harmony
should sound on a particular song they were trying to record. Dean was
drawn into the dispute and asked to solve the dilemma. He took McGuinn
aside & worked out the parts on tape, singing tenor to McGuinn. When
that was done, Dean sang the baritone. The Byrds carefully followed Dean's
arrangement, and easily recorded the song in straight triad harmony. The
result was "Mr. Tambourine Man".
Further revelations on the "California sound" can be
found in Desperados, the upcoming book by Canadian writer John Einarson...should
be a corker, when finally released!
Buddy
Harmony Rockets
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Buddy Woodward - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
THE GHOST ROCKETS - "Maximum Rhythm & Bluegrass"
http://www.hudsonet.com/~undertow/ghostrockets
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Buddy Woodward - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
THE GHOST ROCKETS - "Maximum Rhythm & Bluegrass"
http://www.hudsonet.com/~undertow/ghostrockets
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