Wrecking Crew Film and AFM Contracts

[D409]

From David Hepworth's blog about the Wrecking Crew Movie :

http://whatsheonaboutnow.blogspot.co.uk/

There's a list of songs from the soundtrack that Crew member Tommy Tedesco's son is trying to clear the rights to in order to secure the film's general release. On this list there's a link to some AFM contracts relating to Beach Boys' songs, some of which it's been proven by AGD and Jon Stebbins amongst others that The Wrecking Crew didn't play on, such as Don't Worry Baby. Does this list mean that the myth making about the use of these musicians on Beach Boys records is continuing ? Surely these people realise that the Beach Boys played on more of their records than is acknowledged ?

http://wreckingcrew.tv/afmcontracts/BeachBoys_IGetAround+DontWorry.pdf

One big clue is that these musicians all appear to be string players...the songs in the contract don't feature string orchestrations !

[metal flake paint]

The Beach Boys Songbook: Romantic Instrumentals By The Hollyridge Strings.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I pointed this out to Tommy well over two years ago. Some of the sessions were by Usher/Melcher knockoff bands.

[Jon Stebbins]

Technically I Get Around can be added to Wrecking Crew credits because Hal Blaine plays percussion on it (Dennis plays the drums), Ray Pohlman plays one of two basses on it (Al plays the other), and Steve Douglas and Jay Migliori play saxes on it. But the Beach Boys are the primary musicians on the track, Brian - keyboards, Carl - guitar , Dennis - drums, Al - bass. They mislead you into thinking the Wrecking Crew performed the whole track.

No Wrecking Crew at all on Don't Worry Baby. Brian- piano, Carl - guitar, Dennis - drums, Al - bass.
 

[Wah Wah Wah Ooooo]

I'm a little new to this stuff with the wrecking crew.  I think it's really cool that the boys played on so much of what I always thought was the wrecking crew, but I've been wondering a lot lately...has anyone ever called Carole Kaye or Hal Blaine or anyone on how they mislead people in this regard?  What is their response when confronted with the fact that Dennis did play a lot of drums or Al played a lot of bass in the studio? 

[Jon Stebbins]

I'm a little new to this stuff with the wrecking crew.  I think it's really cool that the boys played on so much of what I always thought was the wrecking crew, but I've been wondering a lot lately...has anyone ever called Carole Kaye or Hal Blaine or anyone on how they mislead people in this regard?  What is their response when confronted with the fact that Dennis did play a lot of drums or Al played a lot of bass in the studio? 

In general its bad form to tell really old people that what they believe is false. Especially if you don't like getting yelled at. Carol won't budge, don't even try. Hal knowns he can't recall specifically which sessions he did or did not play on. He has gone by the expertise of other people who have told him which sessions he was on, and for decades a bunch of "historians" have told him he played on most, if not all of the Beach Boys hits. Its not his fault that they were wrong. But I'd suggest leaving him alone, and just go after the historians, writers, and filmmakers who continue to get it wrong, they are the ones who are doing the damage.

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

I found that Hollyridge Strings album at Goodwill for a dollar the other day.
 

[JanBerryFarm]

I asked Carol Kaye who played lead on Miserlou and she said she thought it was Jerry Cole. 

So much for professional memory.

[Wah Wah Wah Ooooo]

I'm a little new to this stuff with the wrecking crew.  I think it's really cool that the boys played on so much of what I always thought was the wrecking crew, but I've been wondering a lot lately...has anyone ever called Carole Kaye or Hal Blaine or anyone on how they mislead people in this regard?  What is their response when confronted with the fact that Dennis did play a lot of drums or Al played a lot of bass in the studio? 

In general its bad form to tell really old people that what they believe is false. Especially if you don't like getting yelled at. Carol won't budge, don't even try. Hal knowns he can't recall specifically which sessions he did or did not play on. He has gone by the expertise of other people who have told him which sessions he was on, and for decades a bunch of "historians" have told him he played on most, if not all of the Beach Boys hits. Its not his fault that they were wrong. But I'd suggest leaving him alone, and just go after the historians, writers, and filmmakers who continue to get it wrong, they are the ones who are doing the damage.

Yeah I wouldn't personally try to correct them. I wouldn't even know where to find them to start.  I just wondered if these issues had been presented to them, which apparently they have in one way or another.

[guitarfool2002]

I found that Hollyridge Strings album at Goodwill for a dollar the other day.
 

Nice find! I've actually never seen one around PA or in Boston, not that it's a rarity or anything...or is it?

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

I don't think they're rare, just really original and cool.

[guitarfool2002]

I don't think they're rare, just really original and cool.

Definitely, and they're rare to me because 1. I don't have a copy and 2. I never see a copy for sale around here, even among box lots of what was obviously an older person's easy listening collection packed with Mantovani, Jackie Gleason, 101 Strings, and usually at least one Les Baxter album for those times when Mom and Pop wanted to have a Tiki party. 

I have to remind myself to look for it next time I'm out searchin'.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I'm a little new to this stuff with the wrecking crew.  I think it's really cool that the boys played on so much of what I always thought was the wrecking crew, but I've been wondering a lot lately...has anyone ever called Carole Kaye or Hal Blaine or anyone on how they mislead people in this regard?  What is their response when confronted with the fact that Dennis did play a lot of drums or Al played a lot of bass in the studio?  

In general its bad form to tell really old people that what they believe is false. Especially if you don't like getting yelled at. Carol won't budge, don't even try. Hal knowns he can't recall specifically which sessions he did or did not play on. He has gone by the expertise of other people who have told him which sessions he was on, and for decades a bunch of "historians" have told him he played on most, if not all of the Beach Boys hits. Its not his fault that they were wrong. But I'd suggest leaving him alone, and just go after the historians, writers, and filmmakers who continue to get it wrong, they are the ones who are doing the damage.

Normally, I'd totally agree with that sentiment. However, when said old person not only disputes what you've said but also calls you a thief when you produce evidence that she's wrong and then goes on to not only send you extremely offensive emails but also denigrate you on their own MB whilst barring you from making a response... then no, they deserve all they get. Carol Kaye's standard defence is "I was there and you weren't"... except that on, f'rinstance, "Surfin' USA" (she claims top play guitar), she wasn't, according to the AFM contract and the memory of one David Marks. She's an incredible musician. Unfortunately, she can also be an extremely unpleasant person.

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

I know there's a second volume.
I want that one too!

[DSalter]

You can download both Hollyridge Strings albums from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Beach-Boys-Songbook/dp/B005KXT2TM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1341804163&sr=8-5&keywords=hollyridge+strings

http://www.amazon.com/The-Beach-Boys-Songbook-Vol/dp/B005KXSZ4K/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1341804163&sr=8-3&keywords=hollyridge+strings