thetijuanataxi
Well-Known Member
Okay fellow Cornerites, especially those of you with ears keen enough to notice dropouts on "Monday, Monday", I hereby make this declaration. The first 4 Baja albums were essentially the TJB featuring Julius Wechter. I say the only difference between the early BMB and TJB was who was at the helm. Both Herb and Julius have stated that the same musicians were used for both bands in the recording studio. And despite what has been said in earlier discussions, I am convinced that Herb Alpert indeed plays trumpet on those first 4 Baja albums. I know that Julius said Herb didn't play on those recordings, but perhaps his memory wasn't entirely accurate or maybe he had an agreement with Herb not to tell. Just listen to the beginning of "Spanish Eyes" and tell me the trumpeter isn't the same one featured on "Salud, Amor, Y Dinero". Tell me it's not Herb on "Guacamole" and "Hecho In Mexico" Herb co-arranged and produced those albums and even sang on "Going Out The Side Door". Not to mention that he was pictured incognito on the album covers. That being the case, with the shoestring budget that A&M was on at the time, and no touring schedule to bog him down, why on earth would Herb have paid another trumpeter to sound THAT much like him? It clearly defies logic. And if you listen carefully, (especially you trumpet players out there), it becomes clear that it's Herb playing on most if not all the early BMB tracks. Sure his attack is different and his horn blends into the band rather than being the dominant sound of the band. But it's just Herb changing roles the way a fine actor does to fit the movie he's in. Certainly, it is not Lee Katzman. There is a definite change in the trumpet sound where he takes over. BTW, it is clearly Bob Edmonson's trombone on "More". I challenge the golden eared of the Cornerite clan to relisten to those albums and then tell me it's not Herb on those albums. Until Herb himself looks me in the eye and says it wasn't him, I will be convinced that it is.
David,
realizing why I always liked those first 4 Baja LPs the best.......
David,
realizing why I always liked those first 4 Baja LPs the best.......