A Hal Blaine question

Sean Keane · 05-04-2004, 03:43 AM

There's no doubt about it for me- Hal Blaine's rythmic kick gives me a boot. I am not a musician but I do think I have an 'ear' and can spot something that I 'think' I'm somewhat familiar with, which is Hal Blaine's drumming. I looked on Steve Hoffman's Hal Blaine link and the discography only went to 1971 so I don't know if he played drums on a tune that perhaps came out after that year. The record is You Gotta Make Your Own Kind Of Music by Cass Elliot. It sounds like Hal to me. Does anyone know for sure?

Dugan · 05-04-2004, 09:28 PM

Here's the credits according to All Music Guide.
Bubble Gum, Lemonade & Something for Mama

Mama Cass - Vocals
Mike Deasy Sr. - Guitar
Red Rhodes - Guitar (Steel)
Hal Blaine - Percussion, Drums
Steve Barri - Percussion, Producer
Ben Benay - Guitar, Harmonica
Gary Burden - Art Direction, Design
Henry Diltz - Photography
Jimmie Haskell - Accordion, Arranger, Conductor
Phil Kaye - Percussion, Engineer
Larry Knechtel - Organ, Piano
Joe Osborn - Bass

Michael · 05-05-2004, 01:20 AM

There isn't a song that Hal played on that I don't love! He is one of my all time favorite 60's drummers...

Andreas · 05-05-2004, 02:10 AM

Sad that he does not quite remember every song he played on.

Surfin' USA? Nobody knows for sure.

Sean Keane · 05-05-2004, 03:33 AM

Thanks, Dugan. I guess I got a good ear.

sharedon · 05-05-2004, 04:35 AM

A great box set would be Great Songs Hal Blaine Played On!!

Evan L · 05-05-2004, 09:08 AM

Surfin' USA sounds like Hal's work to me.

Evan

Hawkman · 05-05-2004, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andreas

Sad that he does not quite remember every song he played on.

He probably played on so many that he CAN'T remember them all!

czeskleba · 05-05-2004, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andreas

Sad that he does not quite remember every song he played on.

Surfin' USA? Nobody knows for sure.

The drumming on that sounds beyond anything Denny Wilson could do, so it must be Hal.

John B Good · 05-05-2004, 02:06 PM

There was a cd just a few years ago that featured many songs he had performed on, I'm surprised it didn't stay in print longer.

RetroSmith · 05-05-2004, 02:25 PM

Surfin USA is Hal for sure. The drumming is very "Studio-like" and controlled, unlike Dennis Wilsons playing of that time. Its right around the time that Brian started using the session guys, also, so to me theres no doubt.

Dennis Wilson has said so many time how he was HAPPY he didnt have to be cooped up in the studio when he could be out cruising and scoring chicks. He said all the chicks THOUGHT he was playing on the records anyway, so he got the best of both worlds!!!

RetroSmith · 05-05-2004, 02:27 PM

Wanna hear a GREAT 60s best Hal Blaine record? Dig up the 45 version (no strings) of The Vogues "Youre The One" from 1965. Hal ROCKS on this Go Go tune. Probably, my favorite record of all time.

The Reprise version with strings is nice, but it doesnt have the "uummph" of the mono single version, released on Co and Ce Records.

Andreas · 05-06-2004, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey5967

Surfin USA is Hal for sure. The drumming is very "Studio-like" and controlled, unlike Dennis Wilsons playing of that time. Its right around the time that Brian started using the session guys, also, so to me theres no doubt.

Problem is, Brian did not use session musicians on the Surfin' USA album otherwise. Rumour is, even another (unknown) drummer played it. Hal Blaine, however, has said that he thinks he played Surfin' USA.

Sean Keane · 05-06-2004, 03:26 AM

Another track I suspect Hal Blaine playing on is Taos, New Mexico by R. Dean Taylor (That may not be the correct spelling). It's something about the way the cymbals are banged after a nice, punchy and fluid roll. Would someone know?

RetroSmith · 05-06-2004, 04:51 AM

Taos sure does sound like Hal, but at that point, other studio cats were copying Hal so they would get some work. jim Keltner especially.

**Steve Hoffman** · 05-06-2004, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andreas

Problem is, Brian did not use session musicians on the Surfin' USA album otherwise. Rumour is, even another (unknown) drummer played it. Hal Blaine, however, has said that he thinks he played Surfin' USA.

The Surfin' USA album was recorded well after the double sided hit SHUT DOWN/SURFIN' USA. That is Hal Blaine playing; I've seen the AFM sheet.

RetroSmith · 05-06-2004, 10:52 AM

yea, Hals the man. Hes done SO many sessions, I'm sure hes forgotten a good portion of the not so famous ones like Austin Roberts (Rocky) , The Defranco Family, all of Wayne Newtons 1970s Chelsea Records hits (great stuff, too)...etc.

Sure wish hal would come to NYC so I could shake his hand. People tell me all the time that my drumming "sounds just like Hal Blaine" ...theres a good reason for that...I stole from the best!!!!

**Steve Hoffman** · 05-06-2004, 11:04 AM

Mikey,

Keep on sounding like Hal; he is the best, most tasteful "pop" drummer I've ever heard. Just listen to MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS. He's the GREATEST! (And I don't say that because I have breakfast with him

)

Chris M · 05-06-2004, 11:20 AM

Hal's drumming on Guess I'm Dumb is killer. I like Glen Cambell's vocals but the Guess I'm Dumb backing track is one of my favorite pieces of music ever. I love that little drum pattern Hal uses to start the song.

Chris

**stereoptic** · 05-06-2004, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey5967

...the 45 version (no strings) of The Vogues "Youre The One" from 1965. ... Probably, my favorite record of all time. .

WOW, really?

Or should I ask you tomorrow? I could never pin down my all time favorite.

05-04-2004, 03:43 AM	#1
Sean Keane Pre-Mono record collector Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The island of Montreal Posts: 8,083	A Hal Blaine question There's no doubt about it for me- Hal Blaine's rythmic kick gives me a boot. I am not a musician but I do think I have an 'ear' and can spot something that I 'think' I'm somewhat familiar with, which is Hal Blaine's drumming. I looked on Steve Hoffman's Hal Blaine link and the discography only went to 1971 so I don't know if he played drums on a tune that perhaps came out after that year. The record is You Gotta Make Your Own Kind Of Music by Cass Elliot. It sounds like Hal to me. Does anyone know for sure? __________________ No idols.

05-04-2004, 09:28 PM	#2
Dugan Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Midway,Pa Posts: 4,193	Here's the credits according to All Music Guide. Bubble Gum, Lemonade & Something for Mama Mama Cass - Vocals Mike Deasy Sr. - Guitar Red Rhodes - Guitar (Steel) Hal Blaine - Percussion, Drums Steve Barri - Percussion, Producer Ben Benay - Guitar, Harmonica Gary Burden - Art Direction, Design Henry Diltz - Photography Jimmie Haskell - Accordion, Arranger, Conductor Phil Kaye - Percussion, Engineer Larry Knechtel - Organ, Piano Joe Osborn - Bass __________________ -Terry "Each time I find myself flat on my face, I pick myself up and get back in the race".

05-05-2004, 01:20 AM	#3
Michael I LOVE WIDE S-T-E-R-E-O! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: United States Of America Posts: 36,349	There isn't a song that Hal played on that I don't love! He is one of my all time favorite 60's drummers... __________________ I like my COLA Flatlined.

05-05-2004, 03:33 AM	#5
Sean Keane Pre-Mono record collector Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The island of Montreal Posts: 8,083	Thanks, Dugan. I guess I got a good ear. __________________ No idols.

05-06-2004, 03:26 AM	#14
Sean Keane Pre-Mono record collector Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The island of Montreal Posts: 8,083	Another track I suspect Hal Blaine playing on is Taos, New Mexico by R. Dean Taylor (That may not be the correct spelling). It's something about the way the cymbals are banged after a nice, punchy and fluid roll. Would someone know? __________________ No idols.

05-05-2004, 02:10 AM	#4
Andreas Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Posts: 7,551	Sad that he does not quite remember every song he played on. Surfin' USA? Nobody knows for sure.

05-05-2004, 04:35 AM	#6
sharedon Forum Zonophone Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: location, location! Posts: 4,738	A great box set would be Great Songs Hal Blaine Played On!!

05-05-2004, 09:08 AM	#7
Evan L Forum Legend Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Maine Posts: 16,030	Surfin' USA sounds like Hal's work to me. Evan

05-05-2004, 02:06 PM	#10
John B Good Forum Hall Of Fame Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: NS, Canada Posts: 11,243	There was a cd just a few years ago that featured many songs he had performed on, I'm surprised it didn't stay in print longer.

05-05-2004, 02:25 PM	#11
RetroSmith Forum Hall Of Fame (Formerly Mikey5967) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: East Coast Posts: 6,843	Surfin USA is Hal for sure. The drumming is very "Studio-like" and controlled, unlike Dennis Wilsons playing of that time. Its right around the time that Brian started using the session guys, also, so to me theres no doubt. Dennis Wilson has said so many time how he was HAPPY he didnt have to be cooped up in the studio when he could be out cruising and scoring chicks. He said all the chicks THOUGHT he was playing on the records anyway, so he got the best of both worlds!!!

05-05-2004, 02:27 PM	#12
RetroSmith Forum Hall Of Fame (Formerly Mikey5967) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: East Coast Posts: 6,843	Wanna hear a GREAT 60s best Hal Blaine record? Dig up the 45 version (no strings) of The Vogues "Youre The One" from 1965. Hal ROCKS on this Go Go tune. Probably, my favorite record of all time. The Reprise version with strings is nice, but it doesnt have the "uummph" of the mono single version, released on Co and Ce Records.

05-06-2004, 04:51 AM	#15
RetroSmith Forum Hall Of Fame (Formerly Mikey5967) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: East Coast Posts: 6,843	Taos sure does sound like Hal, but at that point, other studio cats were copying Hal so they would get some work. jim Keltner especially.

05-06-2004, 10:52 AM	#17
RetroSmith Forum Hall Of Fame (Formerly Mikey5967) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: East Coast Posts: 6,843	yea, Hals the man. Hes done SO many sessions, I'm sure hes forgotten a good portion of the not so famous ones like Austin Roberts (Rocky) , The Defranco Family, all of Wayne Newtons 1970s Chelsea Records hits (great stuff, too)...etc. Sure wish hal would come to NYC so I could shake his hand. People tell me all the time that my drumming "sounds just like Hal Blaine" ...theres a good reason for that...I stole from the best!!!!

05-06-2004, 11:04 AM	#18
Steve Hoffman Your host Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 39,603	Mikey, Keep on sounding like Hal; he is the best, most tasteful "pop" drummer I've ever heard. Just listen to MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS. He's the GREATEST! (And I don't say that because I have breakfast with him )

05-06-2004, 11:20 AM	#19
Chris M Negative Creep Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: City Slang Posts: 17,052	Hal's drumming on Guess I'm Dumb is killer. I like Glen Cambell's vocals but the Guess I'm Dumb backing track is one of my favorite pieces of music ever. I love that little drum pattern Hal uses to start the song. Chris

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