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'Shivers down the backbone....'
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MEMBERS UPLOADS - THE MOVE IT SESSION
by Ray BaisdenAnswering members questions about the origin and recording of the now legendary Move It guitar parts.
Ian Samwell created the guitar intro note for note. In fact its discovery triggered him to write the rest of the song. He played it for Ernie Shear at the beginning of the recording session, and Ernie repeated what Ian had shown him quite effectively, but with a somewhat different sound. Ernie played the part because he was a recognized professional with better equipment, and Ian had no problem with that.
Ian did indeed play rhythm guitar throughout the song, and it was recorded live in one take (as was everything else in those days). Terry Smart (the remaining original Drifter) played drums.
Here are Ian Samwell's own comments about the session: "It has been said that Move It was recorded in three takes, but I think one of those was a false start. So, in fact, we got it on the second take."
Frank Clarke (engaged like Ernie Shear for this session only) played bass. The Drifters never had a bass player until Ian Samwell himself took it up after Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch joined. Shortly thereafter, of course, Jet Harris came on board. By then The Drifters were well on the way to becoming The Shadows, and Ian Samwell gave up performing to become a highly successful songwriter and producer in his own right.
A great deal more detail about these and other questions you may have can be found by visiting the best part of my website . . . the excerpted chapters from Ian's own book about that time. You will learn about all of it first
hand at this address: http://saber.net/~orb/chlinks.htm
On the matters you raised, I think you will find the chapters about the writing and recording of Move It to be of particular interest. But I hope you will enjoy the others as well. Ian's influence on the music we all love began with Move It, but it has extended far beyond that. I would like to encourage everyone to spend a little bit more time and look at all of the things offered on his website. I come from the generation of the earliest rock 'n' rollers also, but what I appreciate most about Ian is his lifelong and continuing contribution.
"They say it's gonna die but Honey please let's face it, They just don't know what's a goin' to replace it." "They" would have been horrified to learn that rock 'n' roll wouldn't be replaced even 40 years later.
This is because rock 'n' roll is continually renewed . . . by many of the pioneers, like Ian, who continue to share and redefine their art, and by artists who weren't even around when this world changing art form was born.
Hail, hail rock 'n roll!
Check out Cliff's most recent and most excellent performance of Ian's first hit song, Move It . . . and please make a serious point of opening your mind to Ian Samwell's brand new recording project, Blonde on the Bayou, by The Beer Dawgs.
I look forward to becoming better acquainted. I would greatly appreciate any additional comments or questions you or any other participants in your
newsgroup might have.
Best regards,
Ray Baisden
