Smithereens 11: Guitarist Jim Babjak Breaks Down 11 Essential Smithereens Tracks
Smithereens lead guitarist Jim Babjak breaks down 11 essential Smithereens tracks.
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"Love Is Gone" (Demo)
From The Music from Jim Babjak's Buzzed Meg Part 1 (2001, Tex Remy Music)
By 1993, I was becoming prolific with my songwriting, and, as fate would have it, we were dropped by Capitol Records just as I was gaining stride with a lot of new material. Most of these songs ended up on my first solo album years later.
This recording of "Love Is Gone" was the original demo I presented to the band for possible inclusion on our next album, which ended up being RCA Records' A Date With the Smithereens.
We recorded the new version at the Magic Shop in New York City in 1994. This demo version was recorded at Tracks East in South River, New Jersey, in 1993. I used my 1973 Les Paul through a 100-watt Marshall 800 and later used the same setup for the version on the RCA album. I also played bass on the demo using my Rickenbacker Black Star. I think there were only 200 made, and if I'm not mistaken, I have the last one (No. 200).
The difference between the two versions was leaving out the fourth verse and adding a solo. I rarely add solos to my demos, almost never. That's because I like to keep it fresh for the final version.
The Smithereens' latest album, 2011, was released in April 2011 via eOne Entertainment. Order it on iTunes here. Keep up with The Smithereens at their official website.
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brofan
June 20, 2012 at 3:40pm
P.S. Saw you guys at Cabaret Metro in Chicago right after Green Thoughts came out in '88 I think? One of the best shows I've ever seen and I'll never forget you slinging sliders out into the audience and laughing your butt off during the White Castle Blues encore.
Yesterday I listened to a tape of the 5-6-88 show from the Bottom Line that was broadcast on WNEW....man, those were the days. Those first 2 records had more great tunes than most bands write over a career. You guys ruled - and still do. Thanks for all the great music over the years.
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brofan
June 20, 2012 at 3:33pm
Hey Jim, Carr Amps are built by Steve Carr by hand right here in Pittsboro, NC. From Wiki: "Founder Steve Carr said of the company: "We try to figure out the great things about forties, fifties, and sixties amps and throw in some new twists. But our amps don’t have a whole lot of knobs or switches. They’re super-useful but very simple."
Steve's Rambler amps have gotten rave reviews and Guitar Player said the Rambler's "layout and wiring are absolutely flawless." Jazz Times called the Carr Rambler's "top-notch craftsmanship, hand-wired electronics and thoughtful, well-researched design."
Also from Wiki: "The Carr amplifiers with 6L6 tubes are compared to classic Fender amps; the Slant 6V, which also has 12AX7 and 12AT7 tubes, was praised as "an amazingly useful and versatile amp" and was a "Guitar Player Editors' Pick" in 2009. The "exceptional" Vincent was praised for "its rich tone, variable power, and compact size."
I'm not a player but as a resident of Pittsboro I think it's awesome that a true craftsman like Steve Carr still takes the time and considerable effort to make the best possible product right here in the USA. Kudos to him.
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toothmonkey
June 20, 2012 at 1:08pm
Great story, Jim! I saw you guys at Abbey Road on the River in Kentucky (I think) in 2006 (I think). Anyway, it was great!













