Larry Knechtel (1940-2009)

[Freddie Freeloader]

If the name and face are not familiar to you his work certainly is.



Larry Knechtel was one of the great names to grace the Los Angeles recording studios since the 60's .

He was actually a member of The Wrecking Crew, the first call rhythm section that played on recordings by the Beach Boys,The Byrds, Mamas and Papas, Presley, The Monkees,Randy Newman, Sinatra (Strangers In The Night), Simon and Garfunkel,Bread, TV shows such as Batman...



Perhaps his most legendary appearance was his featured solo on Bridge Over Troubled Water. Now that can't have been bad for the old CV.



Here is a 1969 live performance. Just Larry and Art. Beautiful.



[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYKJuDxYr3I]YouTube - Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (Live 1969)[/ame]

[Freddy]

Wonderful, stunning, this is the first time I've heard the live version so many thanks Freddie.



What a great legacy to leave behind.



Freddy

[ollie]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVtdYKVXYhI]YouTube - Bread - Guitar Man (1972)[/ame]



He played the guitar solo in this too

[Freddie Freeloader]

...and bass guitar on this !



[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HC3AVQcpKw]YouTube - Mr Tambourine Man by The Byrds[/ame]

[Freddie Freeloader]

Here is a rare and precious insight into the LA studio musicians world and, especially, into the genius of Brian Wilson.

The audio is from the Pet Sounds box set which not only has a stereo mix of the album but has the entire album without vocals and the entire album with only a cappella vocals !



But the real deal is nearly an hour of Brian Wilson rehearsing, instructing and creating the backing tracks with the musicians.

Put it on your Christmas list...



[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofByti7A4uM]YouTube - Behind The Sounds: Wouldn't It Be Nice[/ame]

[bigmamou]

name='ollie']YouTube - Bread - Guitar Man (1972)



He played the guitar solo in this too

Actually he doesn't even appear in this video. He did play the solo on the original recording though.

[Freddie Freeloader]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieI78Iwbx-0]YouTube - Elvis Costello & The Fairfield Four - That Day Is Done[/ame]

[HUGHJAMPTON]

He provided some really nice keyboard work for Simon's first post S&G solo album, most notably on this. A sad loss. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD_gGOBrJN0]YouTube - Paul Simon - Congratulations[/ame]

[bigmamou]

name='bigmamou']Actually he doesn't even appear in this video. He did play the solo on the original recording though.

I should have also added that in the video Ollie linked too it is Dean Parks playing lead guitar. He is a par excellence LA studio musician who started playing with Larry in the studios in the 1960's - Dean has also played on a jillion hit records as well.

[ollie]

name='bigmamou']I should have also added that in the video Ollie linked too it is Dean Parks playing lead guitar. He is a par excellence LA studio musician who started playing with Larry in the studios in the 1960's - Dean has also played on a jillion hit records as well.

I didnt actually say it was larry in the vid just that he played on the song and yes dean parks is a session monster especially his steely dan contributions plus he likes de-temple sweetspot pickups so he must be ok