To My Fellow Veteran Session Players..Red, Bill, Brent, etc - Page 2

flyingb54 · May 29th, 2006, 02:21 PM

Tommy was very much a part of that "Wrecking Crew", which featured a number of guitar players such as Jerry Cole, Howard Roberts, Glen Campbell, Barney Kessell and others.
I never worked with those guys, but I did quite a few dates with drummer Hal Blaine, and also worked on the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.
For a while, in the late 60's, Barney Kessell had a music store right next to Capital Records, a block away from where I lived. I used to see him there quite a bit. Nice guy.
I saw Cole play with Roger Miller when we shared a bill in Vegas in the early 70's. He was a very good player too...
jb
www.johnbeland.com

getbent · May 29th, 2006, 02:45 PM

John,

Did you play on the "Let your Love Flow" sessions... I'd love to hear about the setup for that.... some really good guitar sounds on that album... I used to play that song in a band and loved trying to get that clear, bell guitar sound on the "riff/chord" opening... good stuff.

flyingb54 · May 29th, 2006, 02:55 PM

No, I didn't play on Let Your Love Flow. I believe it was Emmory Gordy who played that riff.
However, I did play on their 2nd album (75) Plain & Fancy, which yeilded a major pop hit in Europe called "CROSSFIRE." Years later David Bellamy told me that Bonnie Tyler told him that the guitar on CROSSFIRE was used as a reference for her big hit ITS A HEARTACHE.
I was pretty flattered to learn that!

For the Plain & Fancy album (and hit) I used a Roland Chorus Amp, a 54 stock blackguard Tele, a 58 Strat and a Gibson Flying V. The album was recorded in the same studio as LOVE FLOW (the previous year) and utilized the same production & session team, with the exception of myself and drummer Mike Huey. The rest of the guys were from Neil Diamond's band.
PLAIN & FANCY was produced by Phil Gerhard in Los Angeles in 1975.
I did all the electric guitars and Richard Bennett did all the acoustics.
JB
www.johnbeland.com

getbent · May 29th, 2006, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingb54

No, I didn't play on Let Your Love Flow. I believe it was Emmory Gordy who played that riff.
However, I did play on their 2nd album (75) Plain & Fancy, which yeilded a major pop hit in Europe called "CROSSFIRE." Years later David Bellamy told me that Bonnie Tyler told him that the guitar on CROSSFIRE was used as a reference for her big hit ITS A HEARTACHE.
I was pretty flattered to learn that!

For the Plain & Fancy album (and hit) I used a Roland Chorus Amp, a 54 stock blackguard Tele, a 58 Strat and a Gibson Flying V. The album was recorded in the same studio as LOVE FLOW (the previous year) and utilized the same production & session team, with the exception of myself and drummer Mike Huey. The rest of the guys were from Neil Diamond's band.
PLAIN & FANCY was produced by Phil Gerhard in Los Angeles in 1975.
I did all the electric guitars and Richard Bennett did all the acoustics.
JB
www.johnbeland.com

JB,
Cool, so the Richard Bennett connection there was that he had been the guitar player/band leader for Neil Diamond (and I am assuming the guitar player on hot august night) or maybe Dennis St. John? Lots of good bellamy's songs it must have been fun to work with them! I remember lots of trips to the lake in Phoenix with the Bellamy's on KNIX...

TELECASTERbstrd · May 29th, 2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Hullett

I think back to those times and have seen people come to town, play circles around me and many others...and not get any where near the breaks that I did....

Bill Hullett

It's great to hear that stuff!
It gives me some hope! I don't plan on trying to compete in Nashville anymore, but I do plan on competing! I feel that I have some style to contribute.

Thanks Bill & John.

bluetele54 · May 29th, 2006, 09:23 PM

...I have "Toe Tappin' Music" on the Shiloh label(it states some of the tunes were on a Swampwater album),and it list's you ( JB ) as playing both acoustic and electric guitars,along with Clarence and Thumbs!!!...wow...I also have an album called "Gib Gilbeau Sings",but there are no musician credits...did you know Joel Scott Hill???...I remember the mid-70's Burritos as being a bit disorganized at the time,and they had Dan and Spooner come out to San Francisco to help write for the record(Building Fires was one of the tunes),with Norbert Putnum producing...I liked the tune,"Easy to Get On,but so hard to get off,life's not so merry go 'round"...I just got the "Festival Express" DVD(Canadian tour in 1970),and were you in the Burritos at that time???...do you ever talk to Parsons???,and where is Gib now???...

bluetele54 · May 29th, 2006, 09:34 PM

...Andy and I grew up in San Francisco and we were musical buddies...we listened intently to everything Jesse Ed Davis did on the Taj Mahal albums...I know he's been in the Nashville area for years,and he's done both sessions as well as road gigs...if someone can help me get in touch with him,I would appreciate it,as I've lost my contact info for him...if you prefer,you can leave his info through a private message...thanks sooo much!!!...

Bill · May 30th, 2006, 12:59 AM

John and Getbent, thanks for the Tommy Tedesco memories!

flyingb54 · May 30th, 2006, 03:33 PM

I never knew Joel Scott Hill from the Burritos. I saw him a few times with the FBB but to be honest I wasn;t at all impressed. The band itself was a bit boring.

At the time I joined in 1981 the Burritos were pretty disorganized with no set direction. It was a challenge but Gib, Pete and I (along with our manager Martyn Smith and publisher Bo Golden)) took it to a more commercial direction than where the band was at throughout the mid to late 70's. Thats when we moved to Nashville and started recording with Earl Scruggs, Jerry Douglas and other great players.

I certainly did know Gram Parsons and met him through Clarence White in 1970 at a session at Sunset Sound Recorders and again at Clarence's funeral. I also was in the crowd at the Troubadour when the FBB made their debut in LA back in 1969.
At the time I wasnt impressed at all with his singing or his personality. He was often so high you could hardly carry on a conversation with him. Onstage and on record I thought he sang very pitchy. At that time he was not a major player on the LA scene. My preferences leaned more towards his pardner Chris Hillman.
However, as the years passed I came to appreciate Gram's talent. I loved the first two FBB albums he did along with Chris, Pete, Bernie and Ethridge.

Thumbs Carlille used to hang at the studio where Gib and I recorded inthe 70's (Criterion Studios on Selma). He was a great player..very very unique. I was a big fan of his.

Today Gib is semi retired, living in Palmdale California where he occasionally plays locally. He underwent 6 bi-passes and that ended his touring days. I still hear from him occasionally.
JB
www.johnbeland.com

flyingb54 · May 30th, 2006, 03:39 PM

Jessie Ed Davis was a fantastic player. He played an old Strat and had a great feel for the blues. I was a tremendous fan of his and had the honor to have worked alongside of him on a few album projects.

He had a very bad substance problem which eventually killed him. Such a tragic loss. he was one of the unsung heros of the LA session scene..He and players like Jerry McGee.
You can see Jessie on the Concert For Bangladesh. He also played with Taj Mahall and Jackson Brown. Jessie played the guitar solo on Dr, My Eyes.

Didnt mean to hog the post..just answering questions.
JB
www.johnbeland.com

Rich Rice · May 30th, 2006, 03:41 PM

Do you happen to know who recorded the guitar solo on the Monkee's "Valleri"? I've always wondered who that was, and nobody seems to know. Thanks!
Rich

flyingb54 · May 30th, 2006, 03:55 PM

Rich..LA player Louie Shelton played the solo on the Monkees single, Valleri. There ya go.
My friend and once bandmate Jerry McGee played on many of those Monkee sessions as well.
jb
www.johnbeland.com

Rich Rice · May 30th, 2006, 04:01 PM

Wow, that was quick! Thanks! It still blows me away...

bluetele54 · May 30th, 2006, 04:47 PM

Hi John...sorry ' bout my unclear question re:Parsons...I meant do you ever talk to Gene Parsons,not Gram...since I'm in LA now,I've been around,and played with, Jackson Browne's current road band...do you know his guitar player,Mark Goldenberg???...he writes with a lot of folks,and has done a ton of sessions...

flyingb54 · May 30th, 2006, 05:22 PM

Gosh, I really ever hear of Gene any more. I think he went thru a crappy divorce ( are any of them "good"?) and the bbending business may have been sold. Bill Bores in Dallas does the instillations as does Larry Miltech in Montana.
I think Gene's site is www.stringbender.com
You might be able to email him via the site.
Jackson is an old friend..please tell him "Hey from Beland" when you see him again!
JB
www.johnbeland.com

steve hinson · May 31st, 2006, 05:22 PM

John-I hear that Gene is fine and still doing some bender stuff...I keep up with him thru our mutual friend Mike Beck...

getbent · June 1st, 2006, 12:06 AM

pretty cool that Louie played the solo on Valleri and on "Lowdown" from Boz Scaggs... that is variety!

Mark Goldenberg is a jaw dropping player imho... I would love to see a Vintage Guitar article on Jackson's amp collection... from what a friend told me he has a bunch of crazy cool pieces...

John, I've gotten hooked on an old album from a band called Silver (Tom Leadon, John Batdorf, Greg Collier, Brent Mydland and Harry Stinson) I know what became of Harry and Brent (god rest his soul) did you know any of the others? Anybody know what happened to them? That album is like a really, really good Eagles album (I know some people hate them, whatever) but this record has some good Poco, FBB, country rock... I"ve been building pedals the last few weeks and find myself listening to it over and over...

and last question... Sam Broussard? any experiences with him... Gary P. Nunn?

Wild Rice Chris · June 1st, 2006, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyingb54

Gosh, I really ever hear of Gene any more. I think he went thru a crappy divorce ( are any of them "good"?) and the bbending business may have been sold. Bill Bores in Dallas does the instillations as does Larry Miltech in Montana.
I think Gene's site is www.stringbender.com
You might be able to email him via the site.
JB
www.johnbeland.com

Gene's ex-wife (Meridian Green) is a friend of a guy I play string bass for, Rick Neeley. Rick was out in California in the 70's hanging out with Bob Gibson. Did you know them?

BrianF · June 1st, 2006, 02:49 AM

Quote:

John, I've gotten hooked on an old album from a band called Silver (Tom Leadon, John Batdorf, Greg Collier, Brent Mydland and Harry Stinson) I know what became of Harry and Brent (god rest his soul) did you know any of the others? Anybody know what happened to them?

Here's John Batdorf's website

http://www.johnbatdorfmusic.com/

getbent · June 1st, 2006, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianF

Quote:

John, I've gotten hooked on an old album from a band called Silver (Tom Leadon, John Batdorf, Greg Collier, Brent Mydland and Harry Stinson) I know what became of Harry and Brent (god rest his soul) did you know any of the others? Anybody know what happened to them?

Here's John Batdorf's website

http://www.johnbatdorfmusic.com/

thanks bro! I want the Clive Davis tapes! they have a second album that was never released.... sure wish stuff like that was on the intermess... itunes... something...

cowboytwang · June 1st, 2006, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluetele54

...Andy and I grew up in San Francisco and we were musical buddies...we listened intently to everything Jesse Ed Davis did on the Taj Mahal albums...I know he's been in the Nashville area for years,and he's done both sessions as well as road gigs...if someone can help me get in touch with him,I would appreciate it,as I've lost my contact info for him...if you prefer,you can leave his info through a private message...thanks sooo much!!!...

I don't know if anyone ever answered you on this, but there is a Andy Reiss on the forum here. He lives in Nashville and plays with "The Time Jumpers". His screen name here is Andy R, you can send him a PM and see if it's the same cat you know.

51mike · June 1st, 2006, 08:15 AM

I just wanted to let you all know how much I appeciate this thread and those of you who are sharing you're life experiences with us. I just love this stuff!
Johnny B, Thanks especially to you for starting it.
BTW, I'll be in Memphis the first part of the first week in July, and Nashville from the 5th - 8th.
Any chance of catching any of you guys at a gig. I'd surely like to stop by and say "Howdy".

May 29th, 2006, 02:21 PM	#41 (permalink)
flyingb54 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: BRENHAM TEXAS Age: 59 Posts: 811	You;re correct Tommy was very much a part of that "Wrecking Crew", which featured a number of guitar players such as Jerry Cole, Howard Roberts, Glen Campbell, Barney Kessell and others. I never worked with those guys, but I did quite a few dates with drummer Hal Blaine, and also worked on the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. For a while, in the late 60's, Barney Kessell had a music store right next to Capital Records, a block away from where I lived. I used to see him there quite a bit. Nice guy. I saw Cole play with Roger Miller when we shared a bill in Vegas in the early 70's. He was a very good player too... jb www.johnbeland.com __________________ "Son, that has nothing to do with nothin'"....Bill Monroe

May 29th, 2006, 02:45 PM	#42 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Posts: 10,015 37 Photos	Bellamy Bros Question John, Did you play on the "Let your Love Flow" sessions... I'd love to hear about the setup for that.... some really good guitar sounds on that album... I used to play that song in a band and loved trying to get that clear, bell guitar sound on the "riff/chord" opening... good stuff. __________________ 'never pet a burning dog'

May 29th, 2006, 02:55 PM	#43 (permalink)
flyingb54 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: BRENHAM TEXAS Age: 59 Posts: 811	POST "LOVE FLOW" No, I didn't play on Let Your Love Flow. I believe it was Emmory Gordy who played that riff. However, I did play on their 2nd album (75) Plain & Fancy, which yeilded a major pop hit in Europe called "CROSSFIRE." Years later David Bellamy told me that Bonnie Tyler told him that the guitar on CROSSFIRE was used as a reference for her big hit ITS A HEARTACHE. I was pretty flattered to learn that! For the Plain & Fancy album (and hit) I used a Roland Chorus Amp, a 54 stock blackguard Tele, a 58 Strat and a Gibson Flying V. The album was recorded in the same studio as LOVE FLOW (the previous year) and utilized the same production & session team, with the exception of myself and drummer Mike Huey. The rest of the guys were from Neil Diamond's band. PLAIN & FANCY was produced by Phil Gerhard in Los Angeles in 1975. I did all the electric guitars and Richard Bennett did all the acoustics. JB www.johnbeland.com __________________ "Son, that has nothing to do with nothin'"....Bill Monroe

May 29th, 2006, 09:23 PM	#46 (permalink)
bluetele54 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: valley village Age: 55 Posts: 1,473	re:Gib recordings ...I have "Toe Tappin' Music" on the Shiloh label(it states some of the tunes were on a Swampwater album),and it list's you ( JB ) as playing both acoustic and electric guitars,along with Clarence and Thumbs!!!...wow...I also have an album called "Gib Gilbeau Sings",but there are no musician credits...did you know Joel Scott Hill???...I remember the mid-70's Burritos as being a bit disorganized at the time,and they had Dan and Spooner come out to San Francisco to help write for the record(Building Fires was one of the tunes),with Norbert Putnum producing...I liked the tune,"Easy to Get On,but so hard to get off,life's not so merry go 'round"...I just got the "Festival Express" DVD(Canadian tour in 1970),and were you in the Burritos at that time???...do you ever talk to Parsons???,and where is Gib now???...

May 29th, 2006, 09:34 PM	#47 (permalink)
bluetele54 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: valley village Age: 55 Posts: 1,473	...any one know Andy Reiss???... ...Andy and I grew up in San Francisco and we were musical buddies...we listened intently to everything Jesse Ed Davis did on the Taj Mahal albums...I know he's been in the Nashville area for years,and he's done both sessions as well as road gigs...if someone can help me get in touch with him,I would appreciate it,as I've lost my contact info for him...if you prefer,you can leave his info through a private message...thanks sooo much!!!...

May 30th, 2006, 12:59 AM	#48 (permalink)
Bill Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 2,651 58 Photos	John and Getbent, thanks for the Tommy Tedesco memories! __________________ B i l l B a e c k A journal of our year in London

May 30th, 2006, 03:33 PM	#49 (permalink)
flyingb54 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: BRENHAM TEXAS Age: 59 Posts: 811	Joel, Gib I never knew Joel Scott Hill from the Burritos. I saw him a few times with the FBB but to be honest I wasn;t at all impressed. The band itself was a bit boring. At the time I joined in 1981 the Burritos were pretty disorganized with no set direction. It was a challenge but Gib, Pete and I (along with our manager Martyn Smith and publisher Bo Golden)) took it to a more commercial direction than where the band was at throughout the mid to late 70's. Thats when we moved to Nashville and started recording with Earl Scruggs, Jerry Douglas and other great players. I certainly did know Gram Parsons and met him through Clarence White in 1970 at a session at Sunset Sound Recorders and again at Clarence's funeral. I also was in the crowd at the Troubadour when the FBB made their debut in LA back in 1969. At the time I wasnt impressed at all with his singing or his personality. He was often so high you could hardly carry on a conversation with him. Onstage and on record I thought he sang very pitchy. At that time he was not a major player on the LA scene. My preferences leaned more towards his pardner Chris Hillman. However, as the years passed I came to appreciate Gram's talent. I loved the first two FBB albums he did along with Chris, Pete, Bernie and Ethridge. Thumbs Carlille used to hang at the studio where Gib and I recorded inthe 70's (Criterion Studios on Selma). He was a great player..very very unique. I was a big fan of his. Today Gib is semi retired, living in Palmdale California where he occasionally plays locally. He underwent 6 bi-passes and that ended his touring days. I still hear from him occasionally. JB www.johnbeland.com __________________ "Son, that has nothing to do with nothin'"....Bill Monroe

May 30th, 2006, 03:39 PM	#50 (permalink)
flyingb54 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: BRENHAM TEXAS Age: 59 Posts: 811	Jessie Ed Jessie Ed Davis was a fantastic player. He played an old Strat and had a great feel for the blues. I was a tremendous fan of his and had the honor to have worked alongside of him on a few album projects. He had a very bad substance problem which eventually killed him. Such a tragic loss. he was one of the unsung heros of the LA session scene..He and players like Jerry McGee. You can see Jessie on the Concert For Bangladesh. He also played with Taj Mahall and Jackson Brown. Jessie played the guitar solo on Dr, My Eyes. Didnt mean to hog the post..just answering questions. JB www.johnbeland.com __________________ "Son, that has nothing to do with nothin'"....Bill Monroe

May 30th, 2006, 03:41 PM	#51 (permalink)
Rich Rice Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: In a dream world.. Just ask my wife. Age: 53 Posts: 2,551 11 Photos	John, this may be a bit off topic, but Do you happen to know who recorded the guitar solo on the Monkee's "Valleri"? I've always wondered who that was, and nobody seems to know. Thanks! Rich __________________ Please visit my website! If you are driven to play, you will find a way.

May 30th, 2006, 03:55 PM	#52 (permalink)
flyingb54 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: BRENHAM TEXAS Age: 59 Posts: 811	Louie Louie Rich..LA player Louie Shelton played the solo on the Monkees single, Valleri. There ya go. My friend and once bandmate Jerry McGee played on many of those Monkee sessions as well. jb www.johnbeland.com __________________ "Son, that has nothing to do with nothin'"....Bill Monroe

May 30th, 2006, 04:01 PM	#53 (permalink)
Rich Rice Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: In a dream world.. Just ask my wife. Age: 53 Posts: 2,551 11 Photos	Wow, that was quick! Thanks! It still blows me away... __________________ Please visit my website! If you are driven to play, you will find a way.

May 30th, 2006, 04:47 PM	#54 (permalink)
bluetele54 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: valley village Age: 55 Posts: 1,473	...Gene,not Gram... Hi John...sorry ' bout my unclear question re:Parsons...I meant do you ever talk to Gene Parsons,not Gram...since I'm in LA now,I've been around,and played with, Jackson Browne's current road band...do you know his guitar player,Mark Goldenberg???...he writes with a lot of folks,and has done a ton of sessions...

May 30th, 2006, 05:22 PM	#55 (permalink)
flyingb54 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: BRENHAM TEXAS Age: 59 Posts: 811	Gene P Gosh, I really ever hear of Gene any more. I think he went thru a crappy divorce ( are any of them "good"?) and the bbending business may have been sold. Bill Bores in Dallas does the instillations as does Larry Miltech in Montana. I think Gene's site is www.stringbender.com You might be able to email him via the site. Jackson is an old friend..please tell him "Hey from Beland" when you see him again! JB www.johnbeland.com __________________ "Son, that has nothing to do with nothin'"....Bill Monroe

May 31st, 2006, 05:22 PM	#56 (permalink)
steve hinson Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: ...behind the pine curtain... Posts: 129	John-I hear that Gene is fine and still doing some bender stuff...I keep up with him thru our mutual friend Mike Beck... __________________ www.myspace.com/stevehinsonnashville

June 1st, 2006, 12:06 AM	#57 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Posts: 10,015 37 Photos	pretty cool that Louie played the solo on Valleri and on "Lowdown" from Boz Scaggs... that is variety! Mark Goldenberg is a jaw dropping player imho... I would love to see a Vintage Guitar article on Jackson's amp collection... from what a friend told me he has a bunch of crazy cool pieces... John, I've gotten hooked on an old album from a band called Silver (Tom Leadon, John Batdorf, Greg Collier, Brent Mydland and Harry Stinson) I know what became of Harry and Brent (god rest his soul) did you know any of the others? Anybody know what happened to them? That album is like a really, really good Eagles album (I know some people hate them, whatever) but this record has some good Poco, FBB, country rock... I"ve been building pedals the last few weeks and find myself listening to it over and over... and last question... Sam Broussard? any experiences with him... Gary P. Nunn? __________________ 'never pet a burning dog'

June 1st, 2006, 08:15 AM	#62 (permalink)
51mike Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Webster, NY Age: 58 Posts: 609 11 Photos	Thanks Guys! I just wanted to let you all know how much I appeciate this thread and those of you who are sharing you're life experiences with us. I just love this stuff! Johnny B, Thanks especially to you for starting it. BTW, I'll be in Memphis the first part of the first week in July, and Nashville from the 5th - 8th. Any chance of catching any of you guys at a gig. I'd surely like to stop by and say "Howdy".