I don't know, I always thought the strain in his voice on this tune was an intentional production decision (however it was accomplished). Seemed to be the sound they were going for.
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Hungry Heart. Was this record sped up drastically?
- Thread starter ElectroVibe
- Start date
Not out of line with my thoughts, though. If he absolutely couldn't sing it in C#, he probably could barely sing it in C.
I'll have to look at that. Someone here suggested that the instrumental tracks being sped up to that degree would be painfully obvious. Wikipedia only says that the vocal track is sped up. I suppose it's possible that Bruce and Clarence both tracked over a slowed-down version, but how noticeable would that have been on the sax part?
Okay, I've safely arrived at my destination. 
Here's the instrumental track in C (-ish), from the River outtakes.
I think Clarence's baritone saxophone sounds more warm and natural here, than the album version in C#. C is a really nice key for bari sax.
Here's the instrumental track in C (-ish), from the River outtakes.I think Clarence's baritone saxophone sounds more warm and natural here, than the album version in C#. C is a really nice key for bari sax.
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Okay, I've safely arrived at my destination.
I think Clarence's baritone saxophone sounds more warm and natural here, than the album version in C#. C is a really nice key for bari sax.
That's interesting. Sounds comfortable in that key, although unfinished (don't hear the bells, for one thing). Would we assume that, unlike Steely Dan, they would only commit one full version to tape in the studio? I mean, I have heard outtakes of Josie in all sorts of keys, but those guys were nuts.
If we assume this is the only full take, then it would seem like this is how they recorded it.
It would seem so unnatural to record things so separately. Bruce seems like the kind of singer who likes to work with the energy of the other band members. I think they just sped up the whole final recording because somebody thought it might sound better.
I think the proof that the bass was also recorded in C and the tape sped up, are the Jamerson-style fills that Garry Tallent starts playing around 0:45. I can hear pretty clearly the sound of his open low E string; do you agree?
Now that you have the sound of Garry Tallent's open low E string in your head, re-listen to the official released version. For example 0:45 in the chorus, on the lyric "lay down your money and play your part." It sounds like an open string, not a fretted note, can you hear it too?
Sorry, but one side sounds a lot more crazy. There's enough evidence to me that the band played it in one key.
As Bruce would say, "Awright, awright, awright..."
I stepped away from this thread for a few days, so not sure if this had been shared. Apologies if it has:
"Engineer Neil Dorfsman recalls "Hungry Heart" was recorded "live" in the studio, on June 14 and again on June 21, 1979. Flo & Eddie (Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan of the Turtles) contributed backing vocals during one of these sessions. V2c has heavy echo added to Springsteen's vocal. Mixing by Bob Clearmountain for The Ties That Bind single album took place in September, and there is a session logged on September 5, but it is not clear what occurred on that date. Additional sessions took place on March 24 and April 10, 1980, but it is confirmed that Clearmountain's mix from 1979 was not tampered with, making it the first of many Springsteen releases he would go on to mix. However, "Hungry Heart" was pitch adjusted, raising the pitch of Springsteen's vocal to achieve a more radio friendly sound. That is why The River track is slightly shorter than The River: Single Album version."
From: Hungry Heart - Brucebase Wiki
I stepped away from this thread for a few days, so not sure if this had been shared. Apologies if it has:
"Engineer Neil Dorfsman recalls "Hungry Heart" was recorded "live" in the studio, on June 14 and again on June 21, 1979. Flo & Eddie (Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan of the Turtles) contributed backing vocals during one of these sessions. V2c has heavy echo added to Springsteen's vocal. Mixing by Bob Clearmountain for The Ties That Bind single album took place in September, and there is a session logged on September 5, but it is not clear what occurred on that date. Additional sessions took place on March 24 and April 10, 1980, but it is confirmed that Clearmountain's mix from 1979 was not tampered with, making it the first of many Springsteen releases he would go on to mix. However, "Hungry Heart" was pitch adjusted, raising the pitch of Springsteen's vocal to achieve a more radio friendly sound. That is why The River track is slightly shorter than The River: Single Album version."
From: Hungry Heart - Brucebase Wiki
I don't know how I found this thread again, but I read through it all again and did notice that the people who remembered him being "famous" from his early days seemed to state that they were from areas on the east or west coast. In a large city or near one, I presume.
That is still a minority to the rest if the United States. But his older stuff gradually got the same attention in the 80s once he became a superstar.
I'm also embarrassed by my arrogant tone, once again. I'll never learn.
That is still a minority to the rest if the United States. But his older stuff gradually got the same attention in the 80s once he became a superstar.
I'm also embarrassed by my arrogant tone, once again. I'll never learn.
FWIW, I first learned of Bruce in '75 because of a certain precocious 17 year old ...
... and BTW was just blowing up.
Anyway, Chi-town 'burbs.
... and BTW was just blowing up.
Anyway, Chi-town 'burbs.
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