Hank and Bruce's first Drifters session: 65 years ago

[iefje]

Today marks the 65th anniversary of Hank and Bruce's first recording session as members of The Drifters. On this day in 1958, Cliff Richard & The Drifters recorded the tracks "Livin' Lovin' Doll" and "Mean Streak", the A-sides of Cliff's 3rd and 4th singles. Hank and Bruce played electric lead and rhythm guitar respectively, either Frank Clarke played double bass or Jet Harris played electric bass guitar and Terry Smart played drums. Also, Norrie Paramor played piano on "Mean Streak".

[Moderne]

According to Hank, Ernie Shear was also present at the session (although Hank only mentioned Livin', Lovin' Doll) as Norrie wasn't sure that Hank would be good enough. They did two takes and Ernie's solo was "Move It! revisited". Cliff told Hank, "I sang better on your take"! It was the take with Hank on that got released.
How did you know that Frank Clarke was also on the session, Ivo?

[iefje]

I got the information from Malcolm Campbell's book "The Shadows At EMI".

[GoldenStreet]

According to Vic Rust's The Shadows Recording Catalogue (if sufficiently reliable), Jet Harris is featured on the two tracks, with no mention of Frank Clarke.

Bill

[JimN]

According to Vic Rust's The Shadows Recording Catalogue (if sufficiently reliable), Jet Harris is featured on the two tracks, with no mention of Frank Clarke.

Bill

It should be easy to tell the difference. Frank played double bass, while Jet played bass guitar.

[Didier]

According to Hank, Ernie Shear was also present at the session (although Hank only mentioned Livin', Lovin' Doll) as Norrie wasn't sure that Hank would be good enough. They did two takes and Ernie's solo was "Move It! revisited". Cliff told Hank, "I sang better on your take"! It was the take with Hank on that got released.
How did you know that Frank Clarke was also on the session, Ivo?

According to Bruce's book, Cliff said to Norrie Paramor that he preferred the take with Hank (he don't mention "I sang better"). It was the last time that Earnie Shear was asked to come for a Cliff recording...

Didier

[GoldenStreet]

According to Vic Rust's The Shadows Recording Catalogue (if sufficiently reliable), Jet Harris is featured on the two tracks, with no mention of Frank Clarke.

Bill

It should be easy to tell the difference. Frank played double bass, while Jet played bass guitar.

Yes, pity Jet didn't play some double bass on early sessions at least!

Bill

[JimN]

According to Vic Rust's The Shadows Recording Catalogue (if sufficiently reliable), Jet Harris is featured on the two tracks, with no mention of Frank Clarke.

Bill

It should be easy to tell the difference. Frank played double bass, while Jet played bass guitar.

Yes, pity Jet didn't play some double bass on early sessions at least!

Bill

I suppose all Jet's Shadows sessions were "early", but the only tracks of which I am aware where Jet played a (borrowed? rented?) double bass were a couple of those on the "Dream" Cliff Richard EP.

[Iain Purdon]

According to Hank, Ernie Shear was also present at the session (although Hank only mentioned Livin', Lovin' Doll) as Norrie wasn't sure that Hank would be good enough. They did two takes and Ernie's solo was "Move It! revisited". Cliff told Hank, "I sang better on your take"! It was the take with Hank on that got released.
How did you know that Frank Clarke was also on the session, Ivo?

According to Bruce's book, Cliff said to Norrie Paramor that he preferred the take with Hank (he don't mention "I sang better"). It was the last time that Ernie Shear was asked to come for a Cliff recording...

Didier

Yes, I’m not surprised Norrie Paramor had Frank Clarke in as well as Jet. It was not unusual for A&R men to book in session players to make sure the finished recording would be good enough. Similar thing happened with the Beatles. The early version of Love Me Do was recorded with Pete Best on drums but in the middle he got faster and also changed the rhythm. The Beatles turned up to do it again with Ringo Starr, while George Martin had taken the precaution of booking Andy White on drums as well, and both had a go at it. All three versions are available. Andy’s is technically the best, while Ringo’s is good enough to guarantee his place on future sessions. The early version is “Best" in name only.

[iefje]

According to Hank, Ernie Shear was also present at the session (although Hank only mentioned Livin', Lovin' Doll) as Norrie wasn't sure that Hank would be good enough. They did two takes and Ernie's solo was "Move It! revisited". Cliff told Hank, "I sang better on your take"! It was the take with Hank on that got released.
How did you know that Frank Clarke was also on the session, Ivo?

According to Bruce's book, Cliff said to Norrie Paramor that he preferred the take with Hank (he don't mention "I sang better"). It was the last time that Ernie Shear was asked to come for a Cliff recording...

Didier

Yes, I’m not surprised Norrie Paramor had Frank Clarke in as well as Jet. It was not unusual for A&R men to book in session players to make sure the finished recording would be good enough. Similar thing happened with the Beatles. The early version of Love Me Do was recorded with Pete Best on drums but in the middle he got faster and also changed the rhythm. The Beatles turned up to do it again with Ringo Starr, while George Martin had taken the precaution of booking Andy White on drums as well, and both had a go at it. All three versions are available. Andy’s is technically the best, while Ringo’s is good enough to guarantee his place on future sessions. The early version is “Best" in name only.

You probably mean Andy White on drums.