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Favorite Wally Song?


Kelly Lake

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I just found this website and joined as I have been a Raspberries fan since I was 15 in 1973. I can remember listening to the first two Raspberries albums all the time, and going through heartbreak/trauma/drama when I was 15 listening to "Don't Want To Say Goodbye" and "I Can Remember". Now I am trying to replace my Raspberries LPs with CD's and just ordered the gift set.

Here's my question, I am a fan of Wally's as well as Eric too...what's everyone's favorite "Wally" Raspberries song? Mine is "Last Dance" from Side Three...I think that is such a pretty song. Can't wait to get the live Sunset Strip CD to hear it on there!

Thanks all!

Kelly

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Kelly:

Welcome aboard to the best website on the internet! Pull up a chair an get comfortable, as you have alot of catching up to do! You will LOVE the Sunset Strip CD, so look forward to a great live record heading your way. My favorite Wally song is probably "Might As Well", but "Last Dance" is neck and neck, with "Party's Over" coming in third.

BHP

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Kelly Lake said:

I just found this website and joined as I have been a Raspberries fan since I was 15 in 1973. I can remember listening to the first two Raspberries albums all the time, and going through heartbreak/trauma/drama when I was 15 listening to "Don't Want To Say Goodbye" and "I Can Remember". Now I am trying to replace my Raspberries LPs with CD's and just ordered the gift set.

Here's my question, I am a fan of Wally's as well as Eric too...what's everyone's favorite "Wally" Raspberries song? Mine is "Last Dance" from Side Three...I think that is such a pretty song. Can't wait to get the live Sunset Strip CD to hear it on there!

Thanks all!

Hi Kelly, and welcome.... For me, Wally's shining moment with Raspberries (apart from all those indelible guitar licks) was "Party's Over," partly because it was so telling about the plight of the Raspberries. But I also love "Money Down" and, from the first album, "Come Around and See Me." And "Might As Well" holds up very, very well — too bad it was his only song on Fresh.

I also think that Wally's two songs on Fotomaker's 2nd album, "Name of the Game" and "Come Back," were inspired and match up to any of his 'berries numbers. But in a pinch, if I chose one Wally, it's "Party's Over."

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  • 2 weeks later...

Definitely "Come Around and See Me" but maybe not for the obvious reasons. It was one of the first original songs. It was really neat live, particularly, the ending. I always liked the demo better than the final recorded version.

Also, its worth noting that Jackie's post references the fact that the band was performing a lot of the first album before they had a record deal.

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  • 4 weeks later...
LC said:

Hi Kelly, and welcome.... For me, Wally's shining moment with Raspberries (apart from all those indelible guitar licks) was "Party's Over," partly because it was so telling about the plight of the Raspberries. But I also love "Money Down" and, from the first album, "Come Around and See Me." And "Might As Well" holds up very, very well — too bad it was his only song on Fresh.

I also think that Wally's two songs on Fotomaker's 2nd album, "Name of the Game" and "Come Back," were inspired and match up to any of his 'berries numbers. But in a pinch, if I chose one Wally, it's "Party's Over."

Re: my first reply here.... I was thinking more about it, and it's interesting to note that there were almost, like, two Wallies (vocal-wise) during the 'berries' original run. On those first songs where he sings lead ("Don't Wanna Say Goodbye," "Come Around and See Me," "With You in My Life," and "Might as Well"), he had kind of a "sweet" voice, for lack of a better word. On Side 3, there was a sudden transition to that growly, tougher-sounding Wally. "Last Dance" was kind of a transition, but with "Party's Over," Wally just let loose. He went even further on the Starting Over LP with "The Party's Over."

I guess the latter Wally songs, with those bad-a$$ vocals, hit closer to home for me. That's why I love/i] his Fotomaker songs, too: "Name of the Game" and "Come Back" are two of the great undiscovered rock'n'roll songs ever, IMHO.

Ultimately, though, it's the way Wally made his guitar sing that stands out; without his playing, the 'berries wouldn't have been quite as incredible. Of course Eric's songs and singing stand out, but it was great kismet that he hooked up with Wally, his perfect complement (foil?). And I don't mean to overlook Dave Smalley and Jim Bonfanti, because they weren't exactly spare parts. Overall, what a great unit (though I know I don't need to make that point here!).

Of all Wally's memorable guitar riffs with the 'berries (as on "Go All the Way," "Tonight," and "Ecstacy"), I think my favorite guitar moment is on "Overnight Sensation," which is one of my two or three favorite 'berries songs. Wally's subtle little solo at around 1:19 (on the clip below) is a cool bit of understated Wally.... Gotta love it!

Just thought I'd say that while I've got "Overnight Sensation" on the brain. Hit Record, yeah!

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As long as we're on Overnight Sensation, a really nifty guitar part in the song is right after the subtle solo at 1:19 the LC refers to ... when the band goes into the second verse ... Wally hits the high notes of a chord ... lets it ring through the rest of the bar ... and then, on the first beat of the following bar, hits the low notes of the chord. Its the type of quintessential Raspberries arranging that tends to go unnoticed in their songs.

Andiemay - Really???

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martinwilbury said:

As long as we're on Overnight Sensation, a really nifty guitar part in the song is right after the subtle solo at 1:19 the LC refers to ... when the band goes into the second verse ... Wally hits the high notes of a chord ... lets it ring through the rest of the bar ... and then, on the first beat of the following bar, hits the low notes of the chord. Its the type of quintessential Raspberries arranging that tends to go unnoticed in their songs.

Agree, MartinW... love that too. That's what I love about Wally... he doesn't have to blast you into next week to show his chops. Subtlety and understatement sometimes are "louder" than volume and speed.

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andiemay said:

Who is Wally???? :mellow:

Our sweet Andiemay probably is joking here; of course she knows Wally Bryson! It might just be her way of saying she only has eyes for Eric.

Speaking of which, doesn't the editor in you always want to fix the line in that great song? "I Have Eyes Only for You" would be grammatically correct ("I Have Eyes for You Only" would also be correct). But "fixing" it would ruin the heck out of the song!

Speaking of which, check out this awesome vid:

Speaking of which... Andiemay, that photo of you on your posts, I've been meaning to say, is sublime and sweet!

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