Spector's spectres

As I write in my Gusto column today, the music created by producer Phil Spector (above) and engineer Larry Levine - the latter of which passed away last week, sadly - was both ahead of its time and redolent of its own mileau. Employing reverb, echo, and stacked instruments playing unison figures, Spector and Levine birthed their "Wall of Sound," and gave high drama to pop music. Their best work is eternally fresh. It also has inspired some of the greatest albums in pop history. Here are a few in particular bearing a direct link to Spector's methods.

- The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds
Brian Wilson watched Spector like a hawk, and with his masterpiece "Pet Sounds," went so far as hiring many of the musicians Spector consistently employed for his biggest hits. This record is many things, but one of them is certainly a love letter to Spector's style.

- Bruce Springsteen, Born To Run
The title tune is all Spector, Springsteen wrapping his wizened romanticism around his own brand of the "Wall of Sound." Elsewhere, "Jungleland," "She's the One" and "Backstreets" give a nod to Spector's "teen symphonies."

- Richard Hawley, Cole's Corner
Hawley used reverb and echo in Spectorian proportions on this slab of massive, earnest romanticism. A post-modern Righteous Brothers.

- The Flaming Lips, The Soft Bulletin
Less of a direct connection, but producer (and Western New Yorker) Dave Fridmann used layering and ornate instrumentation to create a mood of dramatic ambience throughout this gem.

- Bruce Springsteen, The Rising/Magic
Producer Brendan O'Brien created lush layers of Spector-like intrigue throughout the dense "Risng" album. And the recent "Magic" features some pure Spector in the grandiose "Your Own Worst Enemy" and "Girls In their Summer Clothes."

Did I miss anything? Let me know.

(Photo: Spector in court while on trial for the murder of Lana Clarkson. Credit: Associated Press)

Comments

[Pumpy]

Oh yeah, and to answer your question - how 'bout the first Meatloaf album, and the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album by Elton John.

[Pumpy]

Out of 5 selections of albums that drew influence from Spector, our boy Jeff managed to lob two Springsteen ablums in thier. Just when you think Jeff's idol worship of Bruce can sink no lower, it does. I'm quite surpised that he couldn't fit a Rush album onto that list though. Kudos for that!