Terrible Live Rendition of "San Francisco" - Say It Ain't Joe! (Osborn)

jaywa · #1 05-23-2011, 10:54 AM

I was youtubing this song (one of my all time favorites) by Scott McKenzie and found this dreadful live rendition, supposedly recorded at the Monterey Festival in 1967.

YouTube - ‪San Francisco - Scott McKenzie‬&rlm;

Then later when I was surfing Joe Osborn I saw something that said he played at the Monterey Festival, backing up the Mamas and the Papas.

As a huge fan of Joe Osborn I find it very hard to believe it's him on that Monterey clip. It sort of sounds like his tone but the dude on that clip can barely play and has no idea how the song is supposed to go! And they never show anyone in the band so it's impossible to confirm the player's identity.

Anyone have some insights into this?

grayhawk1853 · #2 05-23-2011, 01:53 PM

Probably not Joe. He recorded for a bunch of different bands on their studio versions as part of the wrecking crew but didn't have the time or inclination to tour after he started doing session work so it most likely is not him on that.

jaywa · #3 05-23-2011, 02:36 PM

That's what I have to think too. The guy at Monterey sounds like he had never even heard the song before... much less played on the studio recording of it.

jerry · #4 05-23-2011, 06:09 PM

If I remember correctly, it was Joe and Hal Blaine as the rhythm section. I have to dig out my Monterey DVD............

jaywa · #5 05-24-2011, 07:12 AM

Hal Blaine as the drummer on that clip I could buy. The drumming is very much in his style, and solid. The rest of the band, not so much.