Blue-eyed soul at its best! They slay me now just as much as they did in the 60's! From a musical point of view a tenor and a baritone are an odd combination, but their harmony is impeccable!
My friend, you are dead-on in your evaluation of this song. Yes the Righteous Brothers vocals are great but everything about the song is amazing as well. The beautiful arrangement and instrumentation, the angelic back-up vocals, the whole sound and feel of the track, the wonderful, dynamic highs and lows. I'm not overstating it when I say that couples fell in love listening to this music and it was a part of their lives. So glad you are truly listening to this music and keeping it alive. Thank you for what you do. Peace.
Great reaction. Here's a little background on the musicians. Virtually every Righteous Brothers track was produced by Phil Spector . He was famous for the " Wall of Sound." The musicians he used were known as the Wrecking Crew. I am a retired studio session drummer. And I was fortunate enough to know most of the musicians personally. For example, the most recorded drummer in the history of recorded music was Hal Blaine. He was a mentor of mine. They were some of the best musicians in the world. Most had a jazz background but could play absolutely every type of music. You might want to check out the Beach Boys track Good Vibrations. Mr. Blaine was the drummer on that track also.
Phil Spector produced them as long as they were recording on his label, Philles Records. But in 1966, the Righteous Brothers moved to MGM's subsidiary, Verve Records. And "(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" was produced by Bill Medley. Interestingly, a previous Righteous Brothers hit on Philles was produced by Bill Medley, as well, because Phil Spector figured the song would be the B-side of the single. But eventually, radio stations latched on to that B-side, and Bobby Hatfield's solo rendition of "Unchained Melody" went on to become one of the group's most iconic and timeless hits. "Unchained Melody" was produced by Bill Medley, although the credit on the record label said it was produced by Phil Spector. I'm not sure if the early pressings credited Medley as the producer and once it became a hit, Phil Spector insisted that he receive the on-label credit as producer. I suspect that's how it went down. But if you look at the label of "Soul and Inspiration," you'll see that it was Bill Medley who produced it (which he's talked about in some interviews that are on RU-vid).
@@ProdigyBowlersTour everything you said is accurate. However the Wrecking Crew were the musicians on Unchained Melody, You've Lost That Loving Feeling and virtually every Righteous Brothers track. And Carol Kaye and Hal Blaine were predominant players on both.
Thomas rocker - That is absolutely correct. The Wrecking Crew played on about 70% of all the hit singles recorded in America in the ‘60s and ‘70s and just about every one that was recorded in Los Angeles.
@@ProdigyBowlersTour yep. They were ( and are) the most versatile musicians with whom I have ever worked. And most people have never heard of them. The same goes for the Funk Brothers from Motown Records.
Spector only produced the ones that would be released as the A side of singles on his label - the rest of them, including Unchained Melody, were produced by Bill Medley. He continued producing everything once they moved to Verve up until the Standards album and Souled Out.
Anything you do by them is bound to be good. LOVED your reaction! I've probably said it before, but I'll say it again; it's SO great to see younger folks of your generation discovering these old classics, and loving them as much as we did, when they first came out. I was pretty young when this song was released; early elementary school, but I remember hearing it on the radio a lot, and I liked it then. Love it, now. Thanks for your wonderful reactions, Bro. You're AWESOME!
@@lll9416 Phil Spector, the music producer. Granted, he's a murderer and a horrible person, but he did create this: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_of_Sound
@@lll9416 I never realized that Bill Medley actually produced the song. I always assumed it was Phil Spector. I had to look it up, but you are absolutely right.
Bill Medley quite effectively blends Phil Specters 'Wall of Sound' (You've Lost That Loving Feeling) with Brian Wilsons mind blowing instrument combinations (God Only Knows). Starting at 3:26 at 5 second intervals I swear I hear a "Triangle' !!! WTF!!! It returns through the outro too!! Brilliant. So hats off to Mr. Medley for learning from the best. Your appreciation for the musical arrangement displays your well tuned ear for music. Great reaction RLR. Stay safe, RNB
Time of My Life - Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes. Since you said you like all those sounds you should listen to The Beach Boys "God Only Knows", "Good Vibrations".
I remember listening to oldies like this on the bus to high school, per the bus driver's preference. So between this and my mom having been a teenager during this time and her introducing me to some of her faves, I've already loved this sound for ages.
Sir, I spent my early twenties driving around South Boston, MA listening my to WMEX and (Woop Woo) Arnie Ginsberg spinning the RB tunes all night long. The RB's were without a doubt the finest music I have ever heard in my life.
Timeless song and timeless voices. This was the most played song on the radio in the 20th century. Based on the number of people reacting to this song it’s on its way to the top in the 21st-century
If you like the instrumental parts, what you are hearing is Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound" played by "The Wrecking Crew"... Arguably the finest collection of studio musicians in the world. They have yet to be topped in my humble opinion... Look them up. There's a whole slew of write-ups about them. Almost every great artist from the Mid 1950's to the early 1980's used them.
These guys are Thunder and Lightning with those voices. Doesn’t get much better than this. More Righteous Brothers please. How about Rock and Roll Heaven. It’s their tribute song to stars that have passed. Bobby Hatfield also did another solo like he did with Unchained Melody called Ebb Tide. Really genius by the brothers. Thank you again.
There is an old interview, where they talk about (the taller guy) not singing inthe Unchained Melody song, he said he never thought it wouldn't be a big hit, and was kicking himself he wasnt in it more). Great vid, they really bare their souls in these old songs, so courageous. THANKYOU. HNYr!
I always love The Righteous Brothers performance. They're great. When you get a chance please play this song by Phil Perry Call Me. You will love this singer. Thank you.
The Righteous Brothers put you in a Happy place! They are so awesome. And no auto tune. Bobby (the blond) has passed on. RIP Bobby. Check out the group Toto - "Africa", "Burn", "Hold the Line" and "Rosanna". :-)
Phil Spector produced much of the music these guys did that became big hits. Utilizing session musicians, he would layer sound from multiple drummers, strings, guitars, etc. He'd put it down on 3 track tape and through many takes and mixes, he'd create what he called the "wall of sound." The musicians were mainly from a group loosely called the "wrecking crew." These musicians did backing for many, many entertainers of the day. From Frank Sinatra to the Monkeys. Spector suggested that Bill Medley use the deeper octave in his vocals to really drive the sound of the duo. Medley has said that it took many hours to get things to sound like what Spector was trying to achieve. It was tedious work, but he said that the end result was well worth Spector's perfectionism.
@Jennifer Zekas he did that song as his SECOND reaction to them. Thus is his THIRD song he's checking out. He did Unchained Melody FIRST...he's definitely hooked as a fan now! 😉❤😎
I was lucky enough to score a couple of tickets to a Righteous Brothers concert many decades ago and took my gal to see them. We both were able to meet them at that time after the show. As I turn 70 this year, it still brings back a wonderful time in my life.
Amazing reaction this song gives me the chills. I think you the first person I haven't heard say they got soul which am sure you just forgot but awesome please check out see that girl, unchained melody live, you've lost that loving feeling live them all
You need a live performance video. It shows the easy effortlessness and the partnership of their singing. And everybody needs to see Bobby's soft eyes and shy smile. And Bill's chiseled bass tone jaw LOL You're right all their performances are master classes !
Fantastic! Check out their live performance of this. And also Unchained Melody and You've lost that loving feeling. Try their lives performances. You won't be disappointed.
"Rock and Roll Heaven" - My favorite song of The Righteous Brothers. It is epic, please do that one next. You won't regret it and neither will your subscribers :)
Well I'll say it again I see some people have recognized who the arranger was for all the Righteous Brothers famous hits they had Phil Spector and his wall of sound that's what he's known for and he did a lot of hitmakers in the late 50s and the '60s and part of the '70s I believe and have great backup singers such as Cher and Marlene love
They are absolutely “Righteous” Brother! I grew up with these guys pouring their soul into my ears. Both Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield work so well together, and hold their own with a solo. Unchained Melody (your first immersion in Blue-Eyed Soul) is Bobby Hatfield’s greatest achievement! There are others who sing this song, but NOBODY sings it like Bobby! Goosebumps thru and thru. White cliffs of Dover, Ebb Tide is another excellent solo by Bobby. Bill Medley has You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling, Georgia on My Mind, Just Once in My Life. Fun songs where there was some good times and dancing would be Little Latin Lupe Lu and Koko Joe.
I was so lucky that my parents were both raised loving this era of music. We even still have a giant piece of furniture that plays LPs. Lol. No one cares about interior decorating when you dance to the Righteous Brothers in your kitchen. Great memories watching your reaction!
I love your emotional reaction to the Righteous Brothers. I have loved their sound since the 60s. I’d like you to react to Neil Diamond’s Holly Holy or Brother Loves Traveling Salvation show
I can never get over the song, “Rockand Roll Heaven”. The th early stuff was in my heart too this one was my favorite. I feel sad about Bobby leaving us to soon and felt like somebody got to him whispering the wrong words as these guys were the the cleanest cool guys in the industry that loved what they did and their fans. 2 of their hits were movie soundtracks for the movie Ghost with Patrick Swazi, Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg and the movie Top Gun with Tom cruise and Kelly McGill is. I can’t think of the songs. But everything they touched turned to gold. The black community was unsure about them at first because they were white guys singing soul. But called them blue-eyed soul.
Phil Spector didn't produce Soul and Inspiration. Bobby and Bill had left his record company before they recorded this song. Bill produced Your My Soul and Inspiration.
Phil Spector's Wall of Sound reminds me of that Memorex commercial where the guy is sitting in the chair and the sound of the music is blowing him away. fabulous sound! there will never be a sound like that ever again.
Listen to Bob James and Earl Klugh's version of 'Harlem Shuffle', then listen to the Rolling Stones version of the same song, in that order. The reason why, when I walked into a dance hall, the original version started playing and blew me away so much, I never forgot it. Give it a listen, you'll thank me for it.
SOMETHING I'D LIKE EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT BILL MEDLEY . . . Like many others, I met him after a show. Prior to that, I read his Autobiography. Bill M. is a KIND, CARING HUMAN BEING, who recovered from the murder of his 1st wife (mom to his 1st son, Darrin). She was re-married w/ a son, Damien, who Bill adopted. Bill recovered from a negligent, abusive childhood, made the same "relationship mistakes" we abuse survivors tend to make, but then found a wonderful woman, Paula, who gave him a daughter, McKenna who tours w/ him. He was known, in "the business" as being HONEST & sincere as well as TALENTED AS ALL GET OUT. He's 80 now; sounds as great as ever. I RECOMMEND catching "The Righteous Brothers" w/ new partner Bucky Heard, if you can.
