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Sunday, July 25, 2010

"Pride And Joy" Backing Track - Stevie Ray Vaughan

It's Backing Track Week here on The Big Picture and we're going to start off with the bass and drum track to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble's "Pride And Joy." P&J is a cut from SRV's breakout album Texas Flood, which was recorded in three days in 1982 in Jackson Browne's personal studio in Los Angeles. The song peaked at #20 on the Mainstream Rock chart in 1983. Here's what to listen for:

1) Drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon are an excellent rhythm section. These guys are first class all way in terms of being able to lay down a shuffle rhythm.

2) Like most great blues drummers, Chris plays on the back end of the beat. Listen how far back the snare is. Also notice how he pushes to the front slightly during the solo to raise the song's energy, as any great drummer does.

3) The recording is very modern, with the drums present and in your face and obviously multi-miked.

4) Notice the click at the beginning of the song. This may have only been played at the intro as a tempo reference for the drummer, or it could've been an active click during the entire song. Anyone know for sure?

5) Listen for the guitar overdub during the solo. It's very simple, but perfect for the song and never makes it feel like it was overproduced.



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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hiya,

Long time reader... first time commentator...

These both sound like practice tracks prepared for young budding guitarists (for shredding purposes - not unlike your GnR post Dec 2009).

Cold Shot sounds like the snare and the bass are both programmed (very mechanical - a la quantization). The snare has some programmed flam (as opposed to delay) and bass sounds like an awful monophonic synth... just listen to the ending, whats that all about - crykie dick! (insert cringe here!)

"Pride And Joy" is a much better job... sounds more like live musicians playing well, and lets face it... any time is a good time for a walking bass line!

(just my thoughts)

Love your site(s), keep on doing what your doing.

Cheers
Murray

Bobby Owsinski said...

Thanks for point this out, Murray.

I took Cold Shot off the blog because after going back and listening to it in a little different light, I agree that it's programmed. This one probably is as well but there's just enough of a natural musical feel that I'm not sure.

I'll be a more diligent about the tracks in the future.

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