Introduction of Strings into Soul Music

[Paulmc]

Anybody performed any research when Strings were introduced to soul music if the form of a violin string arrangement.

Motown and Ric Tic used musicians from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Strings can also be found in Chicago recordings of the Impressions. So it wasn't just Detroit.

Its puzzling me how Soul Music evolved with violin strings, what were the first recordings? Who were the arrangers that brought in these instruments.

Any help appreciated.   

[Bo Diddley]

It depends if you class "The Drifters" -  There Goes My Baby, as Soul. That was 1958. 

[Ian Parker]

Buddy Holly - Raining in my heart.

   strings were unheard of in 'rock n roll' back then ,   this song certainly changed that

[The Yank]

I would say the Drifters "There Goes My Baby" definitely started the trend of strings in Soul Music. But, there were earlier examples like this from 1956 - 

 

Edited December 15, 2020 by The Yank

[Robbk]

5 hours ago, Bo Diddley said:

It depends if you class "The Drifters" -  There Goes My Baby, as Soul. That was 1958. 

I remember it being out in 1959.  Was it really recorded as early as 1958???

 

I just looked it up.  It was recorded on March 6, 1959, and not released until late April.  What a weird memory I have!  Half the time I can't remember my own name, how to walk or talk, and yet I can remember when songs came out over 60 years ago.  I remember loving "There Goes My Baby" BECAUSE of the sweet strings, and that most of the R&B music on the radio in 1958 had gone WAYYY-YYYY downhill from its height in 1953-54, each year.  '58 was the WORST!  -until FUNK started bumping all the sweet Soul (except Motown) off the radio in 1966.  The new Drifters' style was a breath of fresh air, and started the transition of "R&B" to "Soul".

Edited December 15, 2020 by Robbk

[Bo Diddley]

16 minutes ago, Robbk said:

I remember it being out in 1959.  Was it really recorded as early as 1958???

 

I just looked it up.  It was recorded on March 6, 1959, and not released until late April.  What a weird memory I have!  Half the time I can't remember my own name, how to walk or talk, and yet I can remember when songs came out over 60 years ago.  I remember loving "There Goes My Baby" BECAUSE of the sweet strings, and that most of the R&B music on the radio in 1958 had gone WAYYY-YYYY downhill from its height in 1953-54, each year.  '58 was the WORST!  -until FUNK started bumping all the sweet Soul (except Motown) off the radio in 1966.  The new Drifters' style was a breath of fresh air, and started the transition of "R&B" to "Soul".

You're right Rob - please excuse the pre-festive brain fade!

 

[Thinksmart]

Strings were there from the start with them on early Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John, Roy Hamilton, Clyde McPhatter and other records. The pop end of R&B would often sweeten the songs with strings if budgets allowed.

They were established in the popular song form strongly already and natural to include if the budget allowed. Sinatra's era at Capitol in mid-late 50s was very popular with lots of strings, as were other leading popular singers from the swing/showtune/light opera influences popular at the time (alongside early rock and roll).

I feel sometimes it is the Gospel end of early Soul that gets most emphasis but pop music was a big influence too via doo-wop and other aspects.

 

 

[Paulmc]

On 15/12/2020 at 16:02, The Yank said:

I would say the Drifters "There Goes My Baby" definitely started the trend of strings in Soul Music. But, there were earlier examples like this from 1956 - 

 

I just looked this song up on Wikipedia, apparently the piano on the session was played by 11-year-old Barry White. 

[Ficklefingers]

On 15/12/2020 at 11:57, Bo Diddley said:

It depends if you class "The Drifters" -  There Goes My Baby, as Soul. That was 1958. 

Without doubt !! Great tune too..

[Concrete]

Lamont Dozier cited Gershwins  West Side Story and other Broadway musicals as his influences for the string laden motown hits its not hard to see the progression.

 

[Robbk]

15 hours ago, Thinksmart said:

Strings were there from the start with them on early Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John, Roy Hamilton, Clyde McPhatter and other records. The pop end of R&B would often sweeten the songs with strings if budgets allowed.

They were established in the popular song form strongly already and natural to include if the budget allowed. Sinatra's era at Capitol in mid-late 50s was very popular with lots of strings, as were other leading popular singers from the swing/showtune/light opera influences popular at the time (alongside early rock and roll).

I feel sometimes it is the Gospel end of early Soul that gets most emphasis but pop music was a big influence too via doo-wop and other aspects.

 

 

Several of The Platters' mid-to-late '50s hits had luxurious strings, and so did The Flamingos' cuts for Decca, and The Five Keys at Capitol, and Jesse Belvin at RCA, and Brook Benton with Epic and Mercury.

[Midnight Drifter]

On 15/12/2020 at 18:10, Robbk said:

I remember it being out in 1959.  Was it really recorded as early as 1958???

 

I just looked it up.  It was recorded on March 6, 1959, and not released until late April.  What a weird memory I have!  Half the time I can't remember my own name, how to walk or talk, and yet I can remember when songs came out over 60 years ago.  I remember loving "There Goes My Baby" BECAUSE of the sweet strings, and that most of the R&B music on the radio in 1958 had gone WAYYY-YYYY downhill from its height in 1953-54, each year.  '58 was the WORST!  -until FUNK started bumping all the sweet Soul (except Motown) off the radio in 1966.  The new Drifters' style was a breath of fresh air, and started the transition of "R&B" to "Soul".

Ah, your memory works just right!

[Ljblanken]

I started a thread on this topic ten years ago (time flies!)... may be some good info there: