Session Men by Gil Baker


A film maker named Gil Baker has made a series of documentaries on session musicians---those who are heard in a lot of my favorite music, and perhaps at least some of yours. The guys who have worked in the L.A. studios, Nashville, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, Detroit, and others. These fantastic videos are available for viewing on You Tube, and are well worth your time.
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The L.A. film includes mention of Carol Kaye, including comments about her by Nancy Sinatra. Some of the players discuss the money inequity issue; everyone else involved in a hit song receives points---the songwriter, the publisher, the producer, the singer---everybody except the session musicians, who are paid a flat fee. Many of the signature hooks of a song were added to the song in the studio by the guitar player, bass player, or pianist. No songwriting credit, no royalties. One musician said for one song he played on his income was $100, the singer’s $120,000.

Bill, your review of the new Doug MacLeod album in one of your two recent emailings is fantastic, your best yet!

Thanks, mon. I’m actually enjoying the music history aspect more than discussing sonics, but I’m gonna lose my audiophile badge. KOJ is pretty intense. Doug was a gas, I may still be able to make a local show.