"The Carpenter"John Conlee. Solo overdub comparison

[Joe Krumel]

The Carpenter by John Conlee
https://youtu.be/fUdTtq7w0YA Larry Sasser??

https://youtu.be/1smXrBTECVU Lloyd Green

The solos start around 1:35

[Michael Douchette]

Both are pretty dang good...

[Joe Krumel]

I couldn't agree with you more. They both are mighty fine.

[Fred Rushing]

Love Larry Sasser Stuff but is it possible that the first cut is Jeff Newman? Seems to have a lot of Jeff's Feel and Tone to me. Just wondering.

[Joe Krumel]

not sure. just watched paul franklin's interview with lloyd where he talked about overdubbing larrys solo. If its jeff,I don't know. Just thought the solo contrast was interesting.

[Ricky Davis]

This just in from Lloyd Green.

Let me explain this clearly. First, it isn’t/wasn’t a contest between Larry Sasser and me.
It’s simply the way the recording world revolved in those days. We were all replaced at one time or another, Pete Drake Weldon, Hal, Paul, me, and Buddy Emmons, for reasons known only to the singer/producer/record label. It was NOT some sort of childish game or contest. There were big career and financial stakes involved.
I never once asked why I was replacing another steeler. I was hired, I did my job.
On “The Carpenter” it was me who suggested they keep Sasser’s fills because they were the perfect ones. I never listened to Larry’s solo, nor any of the others I replaced on that album.
Larry Sasser has been my friend since the day I let him use my Sho-Bud to play on one Del Reeves song in the midst of an album we were cutting for Del. Larry was his road steel player at the time and Del and the producer, Kelso Herston asked if it would be okay for him to play on one song. Of course it was okay!
At my late, beautiful wife Dot’s Life Memorial Larry came early, stayed by my side through the entire morning and afternoon, concerned about my well-being. He had driven over from Atlanta and once he was certain I was okay that afternoon he drove right back home alone.
Larry and I have recorded together for CBS producer Larry Rogers many times with Charlie McClain, Mel McDaniel and others. To say we are mere friends would be an understatement. He was a superb recording musician, otherwise he wouldn’t have been called for so many sessions.
Which brings me to the present. I have no way of knowing where the solo came from that y’all have posted along side of mine to make it a “Who’s is best”. Only Larry would know if that is his. It is good but the record of “The Carpenter” which was released and got to #6 in Billboard was my overdubbed version. It caused quite a stir in Nashville and elsewhere when it was released; “Who played that solo?”. Some thought it was Paul, others thought Tom Brumley, others …..
Now, I think it’s unfair of making those two solos a contest when nobody even knows who or where the other one came from. It’s certainly not fair to Larry nor me. The record is what the world heard and stands on it’s own. Hell, I never told Larry I had played that until he had to know and Conlee, the little chubby, undertaker/singer didn’t ever know until Tommy White tried to introduce us at the Opry. And he looked confused as he ambled away.
So, play whoever’s solo, or play the released version. Please don’t make it a contest.

Lloyd

[Donny Hinson]

Of course, it wasn't designed as a contest, but most people make it that way, either consciously or subconsciously. Everything in life is a contest once two people are vying for the same thing, be it a war, music job, a woman, a big trophy, or whatever. Comparisons are a fact of life. I see the two clips posted as just two different ideas, both being equally good. Of course, the labels, producers, engineers, or stars will claim that only one sound or cut will make it successful, only one will be what takes it "to the top". I see that as wrong, too. They don't always know; nobody does.

Another good example of what Lloyd talked about (using one player vs. another), and probably one of the best known, was the Carpenter's old hit "Top of The World", where Buddy Emmons' fills were used, but Red Rhodes' intro was chosen for the hit.

[Jack Stanton]

"and Conlee, the little chubby, undertaker/singer"

Sounds like Mr. Llyod Green does not suffer fools...

[Joe Krumel]

I posted this simply to contrast the different solos that were available to anyone on YouTube.No contest was ever meant. The solos were both met with serious interest.Business is business I get it.Again,No contest was ever meant.Both solos are awesome.

[Josh Yenne]

Didn’t know anything bout this but I just did video lesson on Lloyd’s solo. On you tube. Full breakdown and lesson.

[Josh Yenne]

I’ll listen to other tomorrow. Lloyd’s is brilliant as always. I think I did it like he did.

[Frank Freniere]

Another good example of what Lloyd talked about (using one player vs. another), and probably one of the best known, was the Carpenter's old hit "Top of The World", where Buddy Emmons' fills were used, but Red Rhodes' intro was chosen for the hit.

Weird. I just finished reading this post & decided to tune in the new season of Ricky Gervais’s NetFlix series, “After Life.” The first episode begins with ... you guessed it: “Top of the World.”