Wall of sound?

[SmthngOfADreamr]

Sorry if this has already been asked and I missed it, but why is the outtake version of TD called "Wall of Sound?" Is that the name of the studio where it was recorded or mixed or something?

Thanks to anyone who knows.

[Johnny Stew]

The "Thrown Down" outtake has been nicknamed the "wall of sound" version, sort of as a nod to the old Phil Spector productions of the '60s and early '70s.
Spector's production sound was very lush, and it seemed that a lot of instrumentation was coming at you at once.

The beginning of "Thrown Down" has a rolling sort of quality to it, so I assume that's why many people feel it's reminiscent of the old "Wall of Sound" type of production.

Myself, I always refer to that outtake as the "work-in-progress version."

[SmthngOfADreamr]

Cool, that's for response. Do you know of any songs that you could name as examples of this wall of sound type production from the 60s/70s? Sorry I'm so inquisitive today.

[Johnny Stew]

Phil was the producer behind a TON of hits, but some of his most memorable songs are:
River Deep Mountain High - Tina Turner
Be My Baby - The Ronettes
Walking In The Rain - The Ronettes
Chapel Of Love - Darlene Love
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
Da Doo Ron Ron - the Crystals
To Know Him Is To Love Him - the Teddy Bears

I'm going to have to stop there, because there are seriously dozens of them.

(For an example of a contemporary producer influenced by Spector, you might want to check out the work of Jim Steinman, who has kept the "wall of sound" alive on Paradise By The Dashboard Light, Total Eclipse Of The Heart, Making Love Out Of Nothing At All, It's All Coming Back To Me Now, and so many others.)

[bigmac]

Here's one "River Low Mountain High" by Ike and Tina Turner, it's failure sent Spector in seclusion for 2 years in '66. Most of the Ronettes tunes where produced by Spector. "My Sweet Lord" George Harrison, some Lennon too and "Let It Be", The Ritghteous Bros. used him too.

[gldstwmn]

Originally posted by SmthngOfADreamr
Cool, that's for response. Do you know of any songs that you could name as examples of this wall of sound type production from the 60s/70s? Sorry I'm so inquisitive today.

In addition to what Johnny has said, Phil Spector also produced The Beatles Let It Be and George Harrison's All thing Must Pass (one of my favorites and I'm sure the only triple album in the Billboard charts).

[wetcamelfood]

I'm still trying to find out what the name of the WB/Reprise sampler CD this was apparently on, anyone know the title so I can track it down?

(...and yeah I know, I have an mp3 of it already but I'm an "original" kinda guy so this is why I ask)

John

[DownOnRodeo]

I originally referred to that version as the Wall of (Berlin) Sound - or perhaps Wall of (China) Sound would have been more appropriate. A very big wall anyway! The vocals really suffer in that version, in particular any sense of a vocal melody.
I got concerned as Lindsey had always promoted his 'clear point' approach to arrangement/production, as opposed to Spector's 'Wall'. When I heard the first TD I thought - oh dear, he's lost the plot. But the first time I heard the final version of Thrown Down, I can't tell you what effect that had on me! That song is an excellent example of Lindsey's sparse yet effective production we know and love.

[strandinthewind]

Originally posted by Johnny Stew


River Deep Mountain High - Tina Turner

As an aside, one of the best things I have ever heard. It was even fantastic when she performs it flawlessly last year!!!!!!

Alright - you may return to the topic at hand