Motown Sound - Drumming Question

[Soulsmith]

Having a chat with a mate who is a musician the other night & Frank Wilson was playing in the back ground.

Mate stated that he could hear 2 drummers on the track. I have no reason to assume he is incorrect.

Question is would there either have been 2 drummers in the studio or would that second drummer have been over dubbed?

Thanks...

[Guest Carl Dixon]

When I did my session in Detroit and wanted to capture the spirit of the 1960's in the recording, I was advised to have two drummers in the studio,which I did - Uriel Jones and Spider Webb. So all four tracks feature two drummers playing next to each other in the studio, with individual mics.

[Guest markus gora]

Having a chat with a mate who is a musician the other night & Frank Wilson was playing in the back ground.

Mate stated that he could hear 2 drummers on the track. I have no reason to assume he is incorrect.

Question is would there either have been 2 drummers in the studio or would that second drummer have been over dubbed?

Thanks...

MAYBE THE DELLS WHERE IN TOWN & TAPPED WITH THEIR FEET ON THE GROUND...WHO KNOWS?...I'M JUST KIDDIN'

[Guest Carl Dixon]

In fact go here and see the two drummers on the session (top one):

https://www.youtube.com/bandtraxs

In addition you can see David J. Van De Pitte leading the band in the studio. He arranged the 4 tracks. He sadly passed away the week before last in Detroit.

Edited August 24, 2009 by Carl Dixon

[Soulsmith]

When I did my session in Detroit and wanted to capture the spirit of the 1960's in the recording, I was advised to have two drummers in the studio,which I did - Uriel Jones and Spider Webb. So all four tracks feature two drummers playing next to each other in the studio, with individual mics.

Thanks for that Carl,

I'd have actually paid money to be in your studio!

It does sort of confirm what I was told ie 2 drummers.

Maybe a Motown 'expert' can confirm whether either they actually used 2 drummers in the 60s or whether over dubbing was prevalent at the time?

Cue Jo Wallace.........

[Soulsmith]

In fact go here and see the two drummers on the session (top one):

https://www.youtube.com/bandtraxs

In addition you can see David J. Van De Pitte leading the band in the studio. He arranged the 4 tracks. He sadly passed away the week before last in Detroit.

Cheers for posting again Carl.

Well done for getting that sorted. Really sad to here about David.

[Guest TONY ROUNCE]

Thanks for that Carl,

I'd have actually paid money to be in your studio!

It does sort of confirm what I was told ie 2 drummers.

Maybe a Motown 'expert' can confirm whether either they actually used 2 drummers in the 60s or whether over dubbing was prevalent at the time?

Cue Jo Wallace.........

You'll have to make do with me, Col.

Lots of sessions doubled on musicians in the pre-overdubbing days, from soul to country to whatever. Even in the early 1970s, the great Hi records that Willie Mitchell produced usually had Howard Grimes and Al Jackson Jr. playing their drums in tandem. That's why they have such a massive sound in the rhythm section.

There are definitely two drummers on many Motown sessions. Another favourite trick of theirs and lots of other stidios was to have an acoustic, stand up bass and an electric bass playing at the same time.

Can't think of any one specific example, but I'm sure that someone can enlighten you!

Hope all's well...

[Godzilla]

Loads of ace bands have two drummers: The Fall, The Glitter Band.

OK - I'll get me coat. Still like 'em both though

[timthemod]

Although this was a 'Motown' commissioned session, it was conducted in Los Angeles with the 'wrecking crew' so it's probably Hal Blaine on drums either double tracked or any other drummer.

[Pauldonnelly]

wasn't Marvin Gaye the drummer on Smokeys version of The Monkey Time??

[Mike Lofthouse]

Having a chat with a mate who is a musician the other night & Frank Wilson was playing in the back ground.

Mate stated that he could hear 2 drummers on the track. I have no reason to assume he is incorrect.

Question is would there either have been 2 drummers in the studio or would that second drummer have been over dubbed?

Thanks...

Worth grabbing a copy of the Deluxe edition of the 'Standing In The Shadows Of Motown' CD. The 2nd CD has 'stripped down' instrumental versions of Motown hits - with a description of who is playing what on each track...for example 'It's a Shame' has 'Uriel playing the basic time and "Pistol" playing the fills. And on 'I Was Made to Love Her' - 'the double drum tandem of "Pistol" Allen and Benny Benjamin'. So it could be the are two drummers on Frank Wilson but of course there are also multiple percussionists too inc Ashford, Whitfield, 'Bongo Brown' etc And there are some references to overdubs.

Whatever, when you listen to the tracks without the vocals it is absolutely wonderful - geniuses all of 'em!

Mike