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Sometime around 1973, I had the opportunity to accompany Shadrack as they went to Atlanta to record at the Sound Pit. Jim Shields and I grew up together in Greenacres, and played in bands together since we were in Junior High. But when I went off to college, I left all that behind, not that I didn't miss it! But Jim was an amazing musician, and he had decided to dedicate his life to music. So whenever I came home between semesters or on a break, I got together with Jim and found out what was going on in the world of music here in Kingsport.
Jim was great! He used to loan me his ARP-2600 while I was home just to dink around with and try to learn how synthesizers worked. This particular time, the band he was in, Shadrack, was going to be recording in Atlanta, and it just happened that I had nothing else to do, and was fascinated with recording, so Jim said sure, come along with us, and I did!
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I recently found a copy of the reel-to-reel tape they cut and I've cleaned it up and put it on here with the pictures I took. (The player should be loading below.)It really was an amazing experience, and I think of it often. I learned a lot in that week about recording that I still use today. Watching Leo work with those big 16 track analog tape decks and that vintage Neve board was a trip! I kept quiet and mostly watched, and so after a few days he decided I was OK and started explaining things if I asked.
I had never heard Shadrack, and had never heard the songs they recorded. In fact, Jim was the only member of the band that I knew. As I recall Stan Bowman played some guitar and bass, and Keith Glover was the lead vocalist and played guitar, and the drummer was Harold Sheffield. I watched and listened as drums, bass, and guitar tracks were laid down, then more guitar was layered on top of that. Then Jim sat at the big Steinway and put down some amazing piano parts, and later Mellotron strings and flutes, of course the mighty Hammond B3, and his ARP 2600 synth. Finally, vocals were added and then harmonies on top of that. It was fascinating hearing and watching all the tracks come together into a song that the guys had in their head but I had never heard. Of course, its of the mid-seventies era, kind of a mix of Emerson Lake and Palmer and Yes. But the virtuosity is incredible! Oh if only Jim were still with us! Hearing this I realize how much I miss him! I will always remember that trip and the songs they recorded. |
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"Look To Me" By Shadrack: |