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Legendary drummer & producer Steve Jordan (The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Batiste, SNL band & more), discusses the history and deep personal reverence for the music of Chess Records and the 75th vinyl reissue series.
Topics Include:
Steve Jordan discusses touring with John Batiste at Davos Economic Summit
He's producing Robert Cray's new album at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals
JayVee Records finishing Willie Mitchell documentary, The Verbs album, and Tony Joe White posthumous record
Chess Records called arguably the cornerstone of modern music
New vinyl reissue campaign marks first proper Chess reissues in decades
Steve's compilation "Let's Play Chess" features personally meaningful recordings
The Dells were his first Chess records—Chicago's hardcore R&B answer to Motown
Tommy Tucker's "High Heel Sneakers" on Checker was childhood obsession
British Invasion reintroduced American blues that establishment had suppressed racially
Etta James "At Last" originals fetch four to five hundred dollars
Universal fire destroyed masters; some duplicates recovered from Europe thankfully
Early stereo versions often poorly done with hard-panned instruments and fake echo
Chess building preserved physically but control room was completely stripped of gear
Steve brought API console and ribbon mics for 2010 session there
Correctly guessed drum placement; Hubert Sumlin confirmed the next day
Otis Spann's piano still vibrates sympathetically when musicians play the room
Jack Wiener designed Chess gear and later mastered recordings in basement
Mastering represents twenty-five percent of the mix, often overlooked historically
Jamie Krentz alerted Universal to Chess catalog's 75th anniversary reissue potential
Rarities campaign revealed extraordinary alternate takes including deep Lowell Fulsom version
Willie Mitchell spent years perfecting Royal Recording's signature snare drum sound
Keith Richards session led to lifelong friendship with Willie Mitchell
Willie gave Steve one of Al Jackson's tom-toms from Al Green recordings
Recording, overdubbing, and mixing in same room captures authentic studio sound
John Lennon was his white whale—missed meeting him by five minutes
Finally played with Paul McCartney on Rolling Stones' Hackney Diamonds album
Blues Brothers debuted on SNL's third season finale with Saturday Night Live band
Matt Guitar Murphy was a Chess session player—Steve's first Chess connection unknowingly
John Belushi educated Steve nightly on deep Chess catalog from his Chicago roots
Devo's SNL performance was a life-changing moment Steve witnessed firsthand
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About The Vinyl Guide
If you like records, just starting a collection or are an uber-nerd with a house-full of vinyl, this is the podcast for you. Nate Goyer is The Vinyl Guide and discusses all things music and record-related.