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> Can anybody point out a better recorded example of Spector's wall of sound? "River Deep - Mountain High" is probably the pinnacle of the wall of sound that S

> Can anybody point out a better recorded example of Spector's wall of sound? "River Deep - Mountain High" is probably the pinnacle of the wall of sound that Spector did. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9Lehkou2Do https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9Lehkou2Do) That said, you aren't going to get the clarity you're accustomed to because of the layers and layers of sound required and the fact that up until the mid 60s you were dealing with only 2-3 track recording. The Beatles didn't get access to 8 tracks until late 1968 (Sgt. Peppers was done with two 4 track machines), and 16 tracks weren't common until the early 70s. Wilson did Pet Sounds by initially recording the backing tracks on a 4 track, piping that mono mix into track one of the new 8 track console Columbia had installed, and then using the remaining channels for vocals (one channel for each member) and sweetening. I'd say the best quality recording of Spector's wall of sound is "Let it Down". (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gyk_gvuIoI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gyk_gvuIoI) That said, if you've listened to Pet Sounds and "Wouldn't it be nice" then you've heard the wall of sound.

dekhn 5y ago
I happened to be listening to that track when I read your comment. My complaint about that track is that it's very muddy (none of the instruments playing together sound very clear). I went and listened to River Deep- same problem. Just too much sound and poor mixing. Now I'm listening to Let It Down- definitely much cleaner-sounding (less warble and garble). When it comes to multitrack recordings from the 1960s I still think the best is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983..._(A_Merman_I_Should_Turn_to_Be) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983..._(A_Merman_I_Should_Tur... which Hendrix was disappointed in (compared to both the Beach Boys and Beatles concept albums) but has an excellent stereo image, instrument separation, dynamic range, low background noise...
- hubbardd 5y ago
  >My complaint about that track is that it's very muddy (none of the instruments playing together sound very clear). This is partially the point though. It's meant to evoke a feeling, not to be a picture perfect, clean separation, pristine recording of instruments. One of Spector's sayings when talking about certain instruments in his Wall of Sound arrangements was "Felt not heard".
  - themadturk 5y ago
    Another thing to consider is that the Wall of Sound was produced to sound a certain way on a crappy AM car radio speaker. "Muddy" is the goal, because that's what sounded best when you were cruising around the neighborhood on Friday night with the windows down and your arm around a girl.

dekhn 5y ago

I happened to be listening to that track when I read your comment. My complaint about that track is that it's very muddy (none of the instruments playing together sound very clear). I went and listened to River Deep- same problem. Just too much sound and poor mixing. Now I'm listening to Let It Down- definitely much cleaner-sounding (less warble and garble). When it comes to multitrack recordings from the 1960s I still think the best is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983..._(A_Merman_I_Should_Turn_to_Be) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1983..._(A_Merman_I_Should_Tur... which Hendrix was disappointed in (compared to both the Beach Boys and Beatles concept albums) but has an excellent stereo image, instrument separation, dynamic range, low background noise...

hubbardd 5y ago
>My complaint about that track is that it's very muddy (none of the instruments playing together sound very clear). This is partially the point though. It's meant to evoke a feeling, not to be a picture perfect, clean separation, pristine recording of instruments. One of Spector's sayings when talking about certain instruments in his Wall of Sound arrangements was "Felt not heard".
- themadturk 5y ago
  Another thing to consider is that the Wall of Sound was produced to sound a certain way on a crappy AM car radio speaker. "Muddy" is the goal, because that's what sounded best when you were cruising around the neighborhood on Friday night with the windows down and your arm around a girl.