Sweet Mountain

[GoogaMooga]

Brian only wrote/produced a half dozen songs for Spring, but one song, "Sweet Mountain", has been stuck in my head for two days now. Had not heard it since I bought the Rhino way back. Simply forgotten how good it was. Some people call it American Gothic. Whatever it is, it has a kind of lofty, romantic - but also a little bit spooky - beauty to it.

[juggler]

Yes, that's a hell of an arrangement.  It boggles the mind that one person could be so talented.

[Tony S]

Always loved sweet mountain and Brian's Coda at the end to

[MyDrKnowsItKeepsMeCalm]

Hearing it for the first time. Love it!

[Bill M]

Hearing it for the first time. Love it!

And if you're anything like me, it will continue to grow on you for many years to come.

[phirnis]

According to the credits on this CD version, Brian did the vocal arrangement while David Sandler arranged the music:

https://www.discogs.com/de/Spring-Spring/release/3721371

[WillJC]

.

[phirnis]

According to the credits on this CD version, Brian did the vocal arrangement while David Sandler arranged the music:

https://www.discogs.com/de/Spring-Spring/release/3721371

That's an inaccurate transcription of the liner notes, both Brian and Sandler are credited for arranging music and vocals.

The music itself was written by Sandler, adapted from an older song by him called Standin' Tall (https://youtu.be/srAO7KCxIE4), then both of them reworked it lyrically and melodically into Sweet Mountain. Marilyn estimated it was "75% Brian" and told a Dutch Newspaper in 1972 that he played all of the instruments, but Sandler remembers playing the Moog bass part side by side with Brian. The oboe and sax were probably Alan Beutler.

Thanks for clarifying. Fascinating stuff! I love it as a Spring production but always felt that Sweet Mountain should've become the standout track on either CATP or Holland. It's a very good song with an incredible arrangement.

[SBonilla]

According to the credits on this CD version, Brian did the vocal arrangement while David Sandler arranged the music:

https://www.discogs.com/de/Spring-Spring/release/3721371

That's an inaccurate transcription of the liner notes, both Brian and Sandler are credited for arranging music and vocals.

The music itself was written by Sandler, adapted from an older song by him called Standin' Tall (https://youtu.be/srAO7KCxIE4), then both of them reworked it lyrically and melodically into Sweet Mountain. Marilyn estimated it was "75% Brian" and told a Dutch Newspaper in 1972 that he played all of the instruments, but Sandler remembers playing the Moog bass part side by side with Brian. The oboe and sax were probably Alan Beutler.

I'd put money on Brian having a decent amount of input on the chorus and fade tag, extending its original progression from I ii I ii to I vi7 ii7 V7sus . On the tag, especially, it 'feels' like YOU CHEATED by The Shields. That would be a typical Brian move.  

[WillJC]

.

[gxios]

The "In care of my sweet mountain" part is not on the Sandler original so I guess that's the part Brian added.  I've had that record since 1973 and I feel I hear something new in it during every play.

[Seaside Woman]

The "In care of my sweet mountain" part is not on the Sandler original so I guess that's the part Brian added.  I've had that record since 1973 and I feel I hear something new in it during every play.

Sandler visited the Blueboard once and said if anyone had any questions he'd be happy to answer. I was the only taker. I asked him about Sweet Mountain and he said exactly that that, he wrote it and Brian helped on the bridge. I love that song ...