Shazam or Shazam?

[RayL]

I have to say that "Shazam!" was not a new word for some of us in 1960. . . . . The word first came to our attention in an American DC Comics title

Ah, Jim / Dick /Noel , that explains it - readers of the Eagle didn't come across such exotic words!

Regarding Duane's live sound, it wasn't just his Gretsch 6120 guitar that came on tour, he also brought his Magnetone amplifier which made a big contribution to the sound.

At the end of the tour with Bobby Darin that Dick remembers, Duane was persuaded to stay on and do a further tour, but this time as the headliner. That was the show that I saw. As well as the set list, my article also lists the personnel of the 'Travelling Rebels' (not quite the same as the 'studio' Rebels).

[humdrum]

It must also be remembered tha the version at the colosseum in Johannesburg was the only one to feature the original Shadows line up with Tony & Jet.

[humdrum]

After reading this thread on here I decided to look up Duane Eddy on you tube & it states that Duane didn't play on ramrod, but it was played by Al Casey who wrote it. The writer who says this was a good friend of Casey & he offers up some interesting proof. Has anyone else heard this story & do you believe it. The tape is on you tube under the Duane Eddy story.

[Twang46]

After reading this thread on here I decided to look up Duane Eddy on you tube & it states that Duane didn't play on ramrod, but it was played by Al Casey who wrote it. The writer who says this was a good friend of Casey & he offers up some interesting proof. Has anyone else heard this story & do you believe it. The tape is on you tube under the Duane Eddy story.

This old chestnut has been raised many times, Al Casey did play on the recording .....but the piano
The released record was basically a demo that had been put out on the Ford label (USA), after Duane played it on Dick Clarks Saturday Night tv show one week, people started trying to buy it so Lee Hazelwood went away & remixed/dubbed a sax & had in on sale inside a week
He used as the "B" side one of Al Casey's tunes "She gotta Shake" & renamed it "The Walker" although Duane was credited on the label
A somewhat inferior production but still sold enough to get into the "Top Thirty"

Heres Duane playing an impromptu version at a press conference in 2010




Ray

The personnel of the "traveling Rebels" did vary a bit from those listed on the back cover of Duane's first album somewhat but I've often wondered what the link is (if any) to the "Traveling Wilburys" as some of them played/produced on Duanes 1987 album "Duane Eddy"
As well as the obvious "Have gun will Travel" link to his first album title.

Duanes Magnetone amp with it's 15" speaker (and a tweeter !) was the first 100w amp to appear in the uk on stage with a musician, boy was it loud, deep & twangy

Dick.

[RayL]

Dick,

Just two of the 'Travelling Rebels' from the 1960 tour played on the 1987 Duane Eddy album. They were pianist Larry Knechtel and sax player Jim Horn.

Neither, of course, were in the 'Travelling Wilburys', though they were members of Duane's 'studio rebels' around 1960 and went on to work as west coast session musicians, part of the 'Wrecking Crew'.

Going off-topic, but if you play The Byrds Mr Tambourine Man back-to-back with S & G's Bridge Over Troubled Water then Larry Knechtel is the last and first instrumentalist you hear. He played bass on Tambourine Man (with those lovely upward slurs) and the piano part on Bridge.

[Twang46]

Dick,

Just two of the 'Travelling Rebels' from the 1960 tour played on the 1987 Duane Eddy album. They were pianist Larry Knechtel and sax player Jim Horn.

Neither, of course, were in the 'Travelling Wilburys', though they were members of Duane's 'studio rebels' around 1960 and went on to work as west coast session musicians, part of the 'Wrecking Crew'.

2 Travelling Rebels & 2 "Travelling Wilburys" ( George Harrison & Jeff Lynne) on the same DE album was the link I was meaning Ray

Dick.

[neil2726]

And Jeff Lynne wrote "Theme From Something Really Important" for Duane which was a fave of Jet's.

[dave robinson]

For what it's worth I like each of them for different reasons.
Duane's is the original and has the energy and excitement, whilst The Shads version in tame by comparison, but I remember liking the guitar sound at the time, as it demonstrates perfectly the difference between the old Vox 'Apache' sound and the new Top Boost. If I remember correctly it is the 'B' side to 'Geronimo'.

[Pierre TEODORI]

Hello,

Naturally I'm aware it was impossible in the 60s to get the same sound in live that at the recording studio.

Best regards

Pierre

Your wrong there Piere

Duane toured (in the early 60's especially) during the 60's with the same people in his band that he recorded with.
His "live" sound on stage was for me better than the recorded sound, I saw the 1960 show & witnessed the beginning of Bobby Darin's set being interrupted by people still cheering & shouting for Duane.
The running order was changed after the first few shows to Duane closing the first part of the show.

The Shads have some good live recordings as well that are easily the equal of the recorded versions they played.

Live music always wins for me ....warts & all

Dick.

ps.................we must have read the same comics Jim

Dick I don't say which sound (live or recorded) is the best, I only say it was nearly impossible in the 60s to recreate in live the same sound as the recorded sound for many reasons it would be too long to explain here. As good as some their live recordings are, most of the groups don't sound exactly the same live than the record's sound, but I don't judge if it's better or not.

Regards
Pierre

[humdrum]

For what it's worth I like each of them for different reasons.
Duane's is the original and has the energy and excitement, whilst The Shads version in tame by comparison, but I remember liking the guitar sound at the time, as it demonstrates perfectly the difference between the old Vox 'Apache' sound and the new Top Boost. If I remember correctly it is the 'B' side to 'Geronimo'.

Thanks for bringing us back to "Shazam" again Dave. I thought the subject was going to change.again like it has before. By the way the "Shadows version is one of the records I would take to a desert island with me.