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RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Topic: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments (Read 14748 times)
Stephen W. Desper
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RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
«
on:
May 13, 2016, 10:46:27 AM »
COMMENT:
Olympia Music Hall
Paris June of 1969
Professor Mike Conner, who helps me with the Study-Videos, sent me this link. Until now I have never seen it, but with this posting thought I’d comment on a few points from the mixer's point of view --- since I was the mixing engineer.
The concert is in five sections. You will need to toggle from section to section. Contrary to what it says, it is not complete, but still a good portion survives.
Mixer’s Comments
(47 years later. I was 27 years old at the time)
This is a typical show performance by all five Beach Boys: Michael, Carl, Alan, Bruce, and Dennis plus Ed Carter and Daryl Dragon made up the core band.
I am amazed that the mix sounds as good as it does all these years later. The video is for a TV Special with audio taken from my console output.
If you can, listen at a louder then normal level. This is a concert mix and the overall blend will only make sense if the level is high.
Front – three mics, not four. Makes for better blends.
Bruce has own Mic on organ
Al shares a mic between Bruce and Carl
Vocal mics are condenser types – technical explanation for preference in Part Two of my book, but note how even the pickup is and even good at a distance.
This particular concert used all 16 JBL speakers.
I did both the house mix and the monitor mix plus effects, which had to be changed (setup) during the show. Twenty input console – details in Part Two of my book.
#1
Darlin’
First song. Mix comes together within three bars or about 10 seconds
Note that all the words can be heard and understood
Background Vocals are all audible and in balance with the horns and organ
Drums are not overbearing
Wouldn’t it be Nice
By the time of this second song, mix is well developed. Vocal blend good and sax parts are well balanced
Sound of toms and snare now better balance
California Girls
Mike’s vocal is out front from backgrounds and all words understandable
Daryl Dragan on Organ. Bruce on Bass, which is now in proper balance
I Can Hear Music
Carl’s vocal is up front and well in front of BG’s except when the group sings
Drums are driving the beat, as they should
Horns are just in the mix
In Vamp, Michael’s part is brought up – important part of harmony
Piano can be heard where needed
#2
Medley
Organ supports opening harmony of Vocals
Carter on Bass, Bruce on Organ, Daryl on Piano
Bass and kick switch elevation in mix to push beat
I Get Around
Horn section supports choruses
#3
Sloop John B
Carl’s and Mike’s solo doubled using Phillips tape delay
Horn support with Flute out front
Do It Again
Michael talks longer than normal (prearranged) giving me extra time to set up for drum effect.
Note use of Phillips unit to produce Drum effect LIVE and Dennis love’s it
In second verse effect backs off to regular drum sound
Missed Mike cue while dealing with Phillips unit for next effect
Piano brought up to push beat along with organ
Breakaway
New song for concert
First or second time mixing in concert
Mike counter part up in mix
Ending put into tape echo
#4
Nearest Faraway Place
Piano Solo, Acoustic Piano with lid up! Not normal in a concert mix.
Ending put into reverb, as on record
Cottonfields
Alan’s vocal starts in deep reverb and comes out by second round – as on record
Organ support
Drums up to drive beat.
Horn section supplies BG harmony
Barbara Ann
Al up in mix
Opp’s lost control of Bass for a moment
Piano 8th note support from Daryl
#5
God Only Knows
Horn intro (real horns)
Slap echo on snare
Good balance between vocals and horns
Their Hearts Were Full of Spring
(a copula)
No feedback despite distance from microphone
Good Vibrations
Unfortunately the video ends before this song can start.
In this part of the show Michael throws a spell onto the audience
While I make an enormous bass feedback effect.
Too bad you can’t hear this song. Slap echo was created and made at correct place.
To my ears, the vocal and instrumental performances by every group member are right on. Whether singing lead, background, while playing an instrument, every note is on key, every cue is on time, and the show has a spontaneity that makes it unique, yet a continuity that makes it professional. Dennis’ timing is perfect, which pulls the whole show together. Show after show was like this. I’ve mixed nearly a thousand performances and can say that these guys never disappointed their audiences.
Thanks for Listening, Stephen W. Desper
Parts 1-2-3-4-5 >>>
https://youtu.be/USe4ZI8rHsI
«
Last Edit: May 14, 2016, 06:23:28 AM by Stephen W. Desper
»
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The Shift
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Biding time
Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #1 on:
May 13, 2016, 01:27:51 PM »
Well. Blow me down. This is outstanding. I think I've seen some bits but not this much of this gig before but this time it just moves me so much. I'm posting this mid-gig (and have paused to watch the outtsnading performances on the BBC Young Musician of the Year Award; currently playing Stella by Starlight!). Great accompanying notes boost the experience. As does the Dalwhinnie.
Coming after so much strife and negativity on his board this brings it all back to the music, where it counts, where it belongs.
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“We live in divisive times.”
drbeachboy
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #2 on:
May 13, 2016, 01:32:45 PM »
My first time seeing them live was about a month and a half after this show. I was very impressed with the whole show, but really took notice to both Carl and Bruce. They both really shined bright for this show.
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The Brianista Prayer
Oh Brian
Thou Art In Hawthorne,
Harmonied Be Thy name
Your Kingdom Come,
Your Steak Well Done,
On Stage As It Is In Studio,
Give Us This Day, Our Shortenin' Bread
And Forgive Us Our Bootlegs,
As We Also Have Forgiven Our Wife And Managers,
And Lead Us Not Into Kokomo,
But Deliver Us From Mike Love.
Amen. ---hypehat
Emily
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #3 on:
May 13, 2016, 01:37:09 PM »
That was great to watch. Carl's vocal on God Only Knows is maybe better than the recording. Beautiful. Thanks.
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Rocky Raccoon
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #4 on:
May 13, 2016, 02:19:12 PM »
The whole concert, including "Good Vibrations" and an encore of "Johnny B. Goode" with Paul Revere & The Raiders is available to purchase and download through the French National Audiovisual Institute's website. I downloaded it myself a little over a year ago.
http://www.ina.fr/video/I08024996
It's a great document of where the live band was at the time, warts and all.
«
Last Edit: May 13, 2016, 02:31:06 PM by Rocky Raccoon
»
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Quote from: BrianWilson2015 on January 26, 2015, 11:04:53 AM
Cheese pizza.
mikeddonn
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #5 on:
May 13, 2016, 02:45:19 PM »
Fascinating stuff Stephen! When I first heard Mike before Do It Again I thought it was Mike being Mike. Now I know the reason!
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Rocky Raccoon
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #6 on:
May 13, 2016, 02:47:51 PM »
Interesting that Murry was in the audience. What was Murry Wilson doing in Paris in 1969?
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Quote from: BrianWilson2015 on January 26, 2015, 11:04:53 AM
Cheese pizza.
chaki
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #7 on:
May 13, 2016, 03:33:29 PM »
gotta say... dennis is sounding pretty great in this show.
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bringahorseinhere?
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #8 on:
May 13, 2016, 07:05:41 PM »
Carl looks so COOL during this era. I want his hair!
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metal flake paint
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This harmony kick
Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #9 on:
May 14, 2016, 02:50:20 AM »
It's great to see the band so engaged in this performance, both vocally
and
instrumentally.
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"Quit screaming and start singing from your hearts, huh?" Murry Wilson, March 1965.
Cool Cool Water
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #10 on:
May 14, 2016, 03:39:40 AM »
i've seen all 5 parts about 4+ years ago, as it's been surfacing online for many years. A great show and thanks for the interesting info Stephen! I like Mike Loves backing vox on Darlin.
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Bicyclerider
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #11 on:
May 14, 2016, 04:49:29 AM »
Excellent concert with God Only Knows as the highlight. And the "orchestra" adds some oomph to Barbara Ann.
BTW Stephen that's not Deirdre it's The Nearest Faraway Place from 20/20 - as I'm sure you know!
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Bill M
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #12 on:
May 14, 2016, 06:55:27 AM »
Quote from: chaki on May 13, 2016, 03:33:29 PM
gotta say... dennis is sounding pretty great in this show.
That's the first thing that struck me. Dennis' best live drumming was probably 1969 & the Brian is Back / 15 Big Ones era. Thanks Stephen! Loved reading your notes. Great insight.
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c-man
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #13 on:
May 14, 2016, 10:13:10 AM »
This is great, Stephen - thanks for sharing!
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mojoman3061
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #14 on:
May 14, 2016, 01:40:47 PM »
The French audience got their money's worth and then some! Bruce plays some fine piano on "Nearest Faraway Place." "Pompidou" (in "Barbara Ann") was the new President of France, Georges Pompidou, who took office 20 June 1969. He'd been Prime Minister 1962-8. More about him from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Pompidou
What was with Mike and his weird noises?
I like the white suits the BBs (except Mike) wore. I don't know why they were criticized for those.
Edited because I didn't mean to say "Bruce play some fine piano"
«
Last Edit: May 17, 2016, 09:20:59 PM by mojoman3061
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Bicyclerider
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #15 on:
May 15, 2016, 11:28:45 AM »
Who is the guy stage right in the tie banging a tambourine? Was he the "orchestra" conductor?
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Stephen W. Desper
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #16 on:
May 15, 2016, 02:52:17 PM »
Quote from: Bicyclerider on May 15, 2016, 11:28:45 AM
Who is the guy stage right in the tie banging a tambourine? Was he the "orchestra" conductor?
COMMENT: Back then there was no such thing as an "Orchestra Conductor" or Musical Director." These are titles used in the 21st century. The guy on the right banging the tambourine is the tambourine player, the official percussionist who's only instrument is a tambourine. I think he also took care of all the horn-section instruments -- moving them about, checking them into and out of hotels and airports. During that time, the "British side-men" hired for this tour booked themselves into their own hotels and such. American Productions only dealt with the Beach Boys and their crew of Dragon, Carter, and myself. Everyone stayed in the same class of hotel and flew at the same class as the Beach Boys, usually first-class airline and first-class hotel accommodations. The English hired band had the obligation to show up for each gig, but otherwise booked their own air flights and housing.
I can tell you this, it was a happy time. The band (BB) was in great spirits, high creativity, high performance values, it was a joyous time to travel. None of the bull-sh*t you have today. As you can sense from the video, the band was having fun on stage, I was enjoying myself immensely -- wouldn't you? Mixing the best band in the world every night -- LIVE -- for enthusiastic audiences --- in a different great hall in Europe. it was a fabulous time. I am so blessed. God is good.
~swd
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orange22
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #17 on:
May 15, 2016, 06:19:15 PM »
Initial thoughts: mix sounds great, very balanced, particularly in light of the low video quality (you usually see the opposite on youtube). Thank you for sharing and the insightful comments Mr. D.
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Lonely Summer
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #18 on:
May 15, 2016, 09:59:50 PM »
Mr. Desper, did you also do sound for Paul Revere and the Raiders on this tour? Myself and several friends are huge fans of theirs and starved for any little tidbit of information about this time in their career.
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Custom Machine
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #19 on:
May 15, 2016, 11:31:36 PM »
What a great concert! Thank you, Stephen, for posting your mixer's notes.
Also, thanks to Rocky Raccoon for the link to the French National Audiovisual Institute's site - it's easily worth 3.99 Euros for the download of the entire non-stop concert, including Good Vibes and Johnny B. Goode, not to mention the somewhat better video quality.
Stephen, you mentioned that this concert used all 16 JBL speakers. Were these speakers actually transported from gig to gig? What models? Do you, (or anyone else reading this) know when Mike started and subsequently stopped wearing the "guru" robe outfit? Did he completely give up on his white suit, making this his typical concert attire during this period?
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Mooger Fooger
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #20 on:
May 16, 2016, 05:22:11 AM »
If you are going to order from INA-FR make damn sure you can speak French and DO NOT order until you have created an account. I ordered this and filled out all the automated account creation sections during the order process, and discovered my order is not in my account despite getting a confirmation email. Not something you like when your french is cursory.
«
Last Edit: May 16, 2016, 05:26:45 AM by Mooger Fooger
»
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Stephen W. Desper
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #21 on:
May 16, 2016, 06:39:24 AM »
Quote from: Custom Machine on May 15, 2016, 11:31:36 PM
What a great concert! Thank you, Stephen, for posting your mixer's notes.
Also, thanks to Rocky Raccoon for the link to the French National Audiovisual Institute's site - it's easily worth 3.99 Euros for the download of the entire non-stop concert, including Good Vibes and Johnny B. Goode, not to mention the somewhat better video quality.
Stephen, you mentioned that this concert used all 16 JBL speakers. Were these speakers actually transported from gig to gig? What models? Do you, (or anyone else reading this) know when Mike started and subsequently stopped wearing the "guru" robe outfit? Did he completely give up on his white suit, making this his typical concert attire during this period?
COMMENT to Custom Machine: The system including the speakers is addressed in Part Two of my book
Recording The Beach Boys
. I keep saying it will be out soon and something gets in the way. Now it's getting ready for hurricane season here in Florida, but all 168 pages are complete and being proof read as time allows.
I can't give you exact dates as to when Michael used the robe on stage, but this concert was in June of '69 and he wore the robe for the entire tour. Everyone, including Mike, was fitted for the white suits (two each) that were custom made for each member. They also had white crushed velvet matching suits for colder climates. Mike had several robes made, which he carried on the road and wore off-stage as well. He was rather easy to spot in an airport. As I recall, he went back to street clothes and a cap on the next tour.
~swd
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Tab Lloyd
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
«
Reply #22 on:
May 16, 2016, 08:01:52 AM »
Thanks for this footage. It erased any doubts in my mind that the guys could play their own instruments and put on a flawless show. I really dug watching all of them, sorry Dennis was not in 'sight' so much. Kudos to Bruce on the keyboards and bass...great to see.
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HeyJude
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
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Reply #23 on:
May 16, 2016, 09:00:55 AM »
Quote from: Mooger Fooger on May 16, 2016, 05:22:11 AM
If you are going to order from INA-FR make damn sure you can speak French and DO NOT order until you have created an account. I ordered this and filled out all the automated account creation sections during the order process, and discovered my order is not in my account despite getting a confirmation email. Not something you like when your french is cursory.
For those curious, I got the same results as above. I even went ahead and started an account *first*, and then placed the order. "It's only about $4.50 US, how can I lose?" Between my rusty French and Google translator, the checkout process and everything seemed normal and totally made sense. It's just that after you place the order, your order simply doesn't appear where it should (or anywhere else) to download.
I've put in an email to them, we'll see what happens. I would advise other folks against purchasing until they iron this issue out. Hopefully the tech support people can fix the issue. I'm sure it's a super easy fix for them, it's just a matter of whether they can process my English e-mail and whether their tech folks actually respond to issues like this in any sort of timely manner.
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Mooger Fooger
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Re: RARE 1969 Paris Concert footage + mixer's comments
«
Reply #24 on:
May 16, 2016, 01:39:43 PM »
OK the problem was solved, and I managed to access the file to view it. Outstanding concert and fantastic quality!
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