Right-Click to Save    Well, it’s Monday… and its raining… hence, this song.  This 1971 tune by the Carpenters was the fourth #1 hit for the duo.  I was never a big fan of theirs, but if I had to pick a favorite Carpenters song , this would be it.

But this isn’t about Karen and Richard… it’s about their backup band. Studio (or session) musicians are never given their dues, unless they strike out on their own.  Producers would often use these anonymous musicians if they felt the competency of the real band was not up to par.  One group of session players became known as “The Wrecking Crew”.  They recorded behind nearly every artist that came out of California in the 60’s.  They got their nickname from the fact that older studio players from the 50’s thought this new generation was going to “wreck” the industry.  Several members of “The Wrecking Crew” went on to make a name for themselves, such as Dr. John (piano) and their upright bass player, Glen Campbell – yes, Mr. Rhinestone Cowboy himself.

I’ve known several studio players in my time and they’ve all been less than pleasant individuals – right up there with stand-up comedians.  They tend to look down on us here in the trenches trying to make a living.  But who can blame them?  We’re all out here trying to imitate what they did in the studio.  They especially don’t like people like me with arranger workstations who can mimic any instrument – one track at a time.  Doncha’ just love technology?