Ignored Obscured Restored
There is a very distinct guitar sound that I love and have been trying to find a vehicle for in the band I’m in. It’s the late ‘60s sound of the Coral electric sitar (by Danelectro). Whenever I’ve tried to explain the sound I’m referring to I always cite two, well known examples – The Box Top’s “Cry Like a Baby, and “Hooked on a Feeling” by B.J. Thomas.
I had no idea they were both played by the same guy, southern session guitarist Reggie Young, who died last week.
Young played on many other classic tracks from the ‘60s and ’70s, including:
Suspicious Minds Elvis Presley
Sweet Caroline Neil Diamond
Skinny Legs and All Joe Tex
Dark End of the Street James Carr
Son of a Preacher Man Dusty Springfield
The Letter The Box Tops
Drift Away Dobie Gray
Cocaine J.J. Cale
I Can Help Billy Swan (a previous SotW)
According to the New York Times obituary, “a compilation album of 24 tracks from sessions on which Mr. Young played, including recordings by Merle Haggard, Jackie DeShannon and Bobby (Blue) Bland, is to be released by the English label Ace Records this week.”
It will be well worth checking out!
BTW, use of the Coral did not end in the late ‘60s/early ‘70s. Dave Stewart, of Eurhythmics’ fame, played it on Tom Petty’s 1985 hit “Don’t Come Around Here No More.”
Enjoy… until next week.