'Til I Die, Big Sur mark 1, Lady: drum machine.

[Joshilyn Hoisington]

Before I hatch an investigation, does everybody agree that there's some kind of "electronic" beat going on the listed productions?

[I. Spaceman]

Definitely.
I think that primitive "rhythm box" thing was used on a few McCartney productions as well.

[Jeff Mason]

Definitely on Bluebird.  He talks about it onstage in 1976 as seen on Rockshow.

Till I Die -- I guess it could be -- never thought about it much...

[I. Spaceman]

Definitely on Bluebird.  He talks about it onstage in 1976 as seen on Rockshow.

You got it! That's exactly what I was thinking. Love that movie, saw it at the Cinerama Dome in 81.

Check the Desper mix of Til I Die. You can clearly hear the rhythm there.

[Jason]

Definitely something electronic in those beats. Lady in particular.

[Evenreven]

Now that everyone agrees, maybe this question should head over to the Desper thread? 

[Joshilyn Hoisington]

Yeah.

[andy]

Agree with the above. Several songs with electronic beats.

[c-man]

My thoughts too.  "Til I Die" sounds like it also has real drums overdubbed, halfway through or maybe more toward the end.  Probably Brian...really simple, light beat, similar to his playing on "Funky Pretty".   According to Badman, Dennis was away filming "Two Lane Blacktop" during the sessions that resulted in "'Til I Die", "Big Sur Mark I", "Lookin' At Tomorrow", and "H.E.L.P.".
Regarding the last two, I bet Alan plays the really simple drum part on "Tomorrow", and "H.E.L.P." doesn't have drums.

C-Man

[Joshilyn Hoisington]

"Til I Die" sounds like it also has real drums overdubbed, halfway through or maybe more toward the end.

Leading into the fade/tag is definitely a real snare, which continues out.

[Mitchell]

I am certain that I have read on this board (or one of its incarnations) that Til I Die is definitely a drum machine of sorts.

[monkee knutz]

A friend of mine who runs a recording studio had this bread-box sized drum machine from 1969 (or so) called a Maestro. Basically it was the percussion that one might find on a home model Hammond keyboard. I thought it was pretty cool- straight forward beats, too early for 'fills'... I liked it. It had like 10 programmed beats with colored buttons- just like a Hammond.

Here's an example of someone else who used it. Maybe the same drum machine? Dunno. This freak is from Michigan. He had a small number of astounding instrumental 45's out in the early to mid 60's then he returns in 1969 with this knock-out track!
Ladies & gentleman- Michigan's own Lenny Drake with "Love Eyes Cast Your Spell On Me!"
http://s58.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=26S0U6KIKECYY0EPZGL1P5HLG0

[harveyw]

There's a wonderful new book just published by Backbeat (UK) by Mark Brend called "Strange Sounds: Offbeat Instruments & Sonic Experiments In Pop". In amongst the chapters on Ondes Martenots, Claviolines and The Silver Apples, there's a section regarding early drum machines. Judging from the text (and the sound of the rhythm unit), my guess is that the drum machine used on Lady, Til I Die -obviously a drum machine- and Big Sur is the Acetone FR1 (or possibly FR2) Rhythm Ace.
The book also finally states that the first use of drum machine on a hit record (also a Rhythm Ace) is not Kraftwerk, Sly Stone or JJ Cale, but Robin Gibb's extraordinary "Saved By The Bell". Great to see Robin finally getting the credit he deserves.

ps: thanks for the Lenny Drake track. Knock-out indeed.

[Joshilyn Hoisington]

Would Brian's Baldwin have had a beat generator?  Now that I think about it, my grandparent's little organ can sound a lot like the beats on the abovementioned songs.  Might even be a Baldwin, that organ.

[NimrodsSon]

I doubt any of the Baldwin models would have such a thing, but I could be wrong.

[Mitchell]

I know some nicer granny organs have a setting for rhythm accompaniment. Maybe check the features of Brian's Baldwin...

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Definitly electronic. Either from beatbox or organ.

[Alan Boyd]

On the track sheets for the 2" masters for Til I Die and Fallin' In Love, there's a listing for "RHYTHM KING"

[Joshilyn Hoisington]

Why hatch an investigation when the investigation comes to you?

Very interesting.

[Joshilyn Hoisington]

[zyzzyballuba]

totally rad.

[Mitchell]

Now find one on eBay!

[monkee knutz]

THAT'S IT!!!! That's the one my friend has. Notice the logo on the left with the trumpets... it sez Maestro!!
Cool shiite!!

[monkee knutz]

Here's more on the Maestro Rhythm King! Many photos.
http://www.pmerecords.com/Keyboards/MaestroRhythmKing/MaestroRhythmKing.html

[RONDEMON]

I own one of these lil Maestros. They sound great!

Here's mine

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ieRG4c2_e4w/TaDvr9Y1aZI/AAAAAAACTf4/KYCY9gsAJGE/s1600/%2524%2528KGrHqIOKk%2521E1tud4oPMBNoOU4w9ig%257E%257E_12.JPG