Posted on 04/09/2020 4:20:06 PM PDT by lee martell
For some reason, I awoke with this song on my mind today. Before my eyes parted, I was listening to the piano introduction. "She's A Rainbow" was recorded in 1967 and released on the Rolling Stones album, "Satanic Majesties Request". It took me a while (years, in fact) to move past that name, one with 'Satanic' in the title. Eventually, I saw it as just a marketing ploy to grab attention from the Beatles' Sargeant Pepper Album. The Beatles album was filled with light ditties and toe-tappers. The Stones wanted to exhibit the other side of that coin. Friendly competition among professional musicians.
The song, "She Comes in colors/ she's a rainbow" is beautifully done, simply done. It's mostly refrain that is repeated throughout the piece connected by a few instrumental bridges. The 'verses' act as preludes to the refrain. Opposite of what usually happens in popular music.
The main pianist on this cut was the late Nicky Hopkins. Nicky performed for many top acts of the time, including The Stone, The Kinks, The Who and Jefferson Airplane. His work here is almost Mozart like in it's smooth, though intricate overall effects.
Brian Jones appears on the Mellotron. John Paul Jones provided the string arrangements. John Paul Jones later became part of Led Zepplin.
The song achieves an eveness, a timeless, trancelike density toward the middle. This is followed by deliberate efforts to lighten the mood, with notes being played out of time or off key towards the end. This is then followed by a chorus of altered voices singing "La-La-La" like little children.
The Stones used many different session pianists. Two others were Billy Preston, when a bluesy, or gospel sound was wanted. Another was Ian Stewart who was actually one of the co-founders of the group but pushed out by the manager. The manager didn't this Ian fit the image the rest of the group did. Ian provided several Boogie-Woogie sessions for the group as one of his specialties.
After watching “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”, “Out of Time” became my favorite Stones song.
Was that a good movie?
My local mall theaters may have already closed “due to the virus”. I haven’t called to find out yet.
I liked it. I like most Tarantino movies, but the soundtrack may have been my favorite aspect of the movie, many great songs from that era.
You’re not alone. I confess that I love MacArthur Park.
The Donna Summer version was popular when I was a child. I wasn’t aware of the Richard Harris version until a few years ago. I didn’t even know who Richard Harris was.
The song has a beautiful melody and, now that I’m older, I understand the lyrics more.
The Four Tops version is also great.
Thanks for reminding me about “She’s a Rainbow”. The first time I ever heard the song was on aTV commercial a few months ago. I loved the sound and energy of the song.
I’ve been meaning to download the song, but I keep forgetting to do so. Thanks for the reminder!
I like how the brass section in the middle of the song gives it strength, size and triumphic power. A whole different feeling from the beginning. As though a light was switched on to full brilliance. It’s sort of breathtaking.
Carol Kaye, as a member of the “Wrecking Crew”, played on thousands of tracks including most of the Beach Boys who never played instruments on their recordings.
I loved the early Byrds and was aware they had Hal Blaine, drummer for the Wrecking Crew, on a few tracks on their first album including “Mr Tambourine Man”. No doubt, other “Crew” members played on that first album.
As an aside, a friend is a critically acclaimed mastering engineer who gifted me countless CDRs burned direct from the studio masters - not pressed like all commercial CDs. One CDR has “Mr Tambourine Man”
I'll bet those CDRs are impressive.Some time ago I found an MP3 on the web of studio outtakes from the Byrds' Tambourine Man sessions. Absolutely sublime...magical!
IIRC, my mastering friend mentioned the Wrecking Crew only played on the first single (Mr Tamborine Man and “B” side) but the band played on the rest of the album tracks recorded after the single was released.
There’s a documentary on the Wrecking Crew - no doubt on YouTube. Only the best of the best musicians were allowed to join.
An aside, my mastering friend (Steve) had a standing breakfast reservation once a week with Hal Blaine and other “behind the scenes” people - the stories that were told!
Quick story...
Steve and his label president had reached a deal with Ray Charles to remaster a few of his top albums. They headed to Ray’s house with a check printed in braille, as requested by Ray. They knocked, Ray answered and was handed the check which he “read” with his fingers.
After a few moments, Ray smiled a huge smile and said, “Boys, we got a deal!”
A short factoid that I find interesting...not long ago I saw it written that when writing Tambourine Man Dylan was influenced,at least to a degree,by a Fellini film called La Strada...which has been my very favorite film for decades.Anyone who's seen it (which means not many Americans) will understand that that's a plausible theory/claim.
You are correct, it seems. I read this within a year after the Treyvon case. Must’ve been an unreliable source. Sorry.
Now that is some good music. Best heard live in a nightclub.
He may have changed his mind. Who knows with rock stars.
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