Spotniks "Orange Blossom Special"

[almano]

Just listening to the Spotnik’s version of “Orange Blossom Special” once again, and I was left wondering – did Bo Winberg use fingers or a “pick” to play those notes so cleanly and at that speed?

I rather suspect it’s a “finger picking job” myself – but I’m sure some better informed practitioner of the old fingers and thumb method will be able to tell me correctly. If Bo Winberg actually did all of that with a pick he must have lightening speed in his picking style – my pick goes flying across the room after the first two bars if I try to play like that!

I bet he had the wick turned up full on the echo as well with that one!

Cheers,

Alan.

[dave robinson]

I don't know for certain, but I was once told that this tune was recorded at a playable speed and then there was some clever engineering speeding up the track for the final cut. The sound of the track does suggest this, but does anyone else know anything along those lines? The Shads once did something similar on 'Friday On My Mind' on the second lead part.

[dolmo333]

Hi Alan and Dave!

The same thing as Dave says are supposed to be confirmed that it was a speed up of the recording. The recording was at playable speed. Happy Henriks Polka on the other hand was rumored to be at real speed.

Regards

Daniel, Sweden

[Geoff Alderton LH]

Hi Alan.
I have always thought as Dave describes. This story has been around for many years. They played OBS at the Paladium gig a few years ago. Bo W didnt play the lead for this number. His sidekick played it fingerstyle on a Telecaster and did a good job.
During the Spotniks first UK tour, early 60's, they played the York St Baths Hall in Barnsley. I stood in front of BW for the whole gig. They didnt play OBS during the set.
Regards Geoff.

[Geoff Alderton LH]

Hi Daniel. Yes HHP was on the set list at the Baths Hall gig, played live and very fast at the end of the number.
Regards Geoff.

[burnsernst]

Hi,

I guess The Shadows did a "speed up " part on "The average life of a daily man". That`s why I had to give up my plan of recording it. Would be a great tune to do otherwise.

Ernst

[ecca]

It was speeded up. You can hear the texture of it.

[kittycph]

Spotnicks 1963

[ecca]

His fingers are in the wrong places at times.
Still loved it though.

[Didier]

Just listening to the Spotnik’s version of “Orange Blossom Special” once again, and I was left wondering – did Bo Winberg use fingers or a “pick” to play those notes so cleanly and at that speed?

Hi Alan,

OBS was recorded at half speed on Bo Winberg's own Tandberg open reel recorder.



When I got the record back in 1962, I was surprised by the tone and the playing speed. I had at home an open reel tape recorder, so I recorded it at 7.5 ips et listened to it at 3.75 ips. Suddenly the tone and playing speed were back to normal ! The trick was discovered...

A few years ago, Peter Korving recorded it the same way and posted it on this site, you can listen to it here : http://www.4shared.com/audio/Juguo-SH/O ... Peter.html

Didier