Raspbernie Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 This month, we're celebrating 20 years of EricCarmen.com! There will be something new posted each and every day for the next 20 days. In 1973, Raspberries appeared on an NBC Saturday Morning kid's show called Go! One scene in the program showed Eric, Wally, Dave and Jim playing a demo tape of "Tonight" for producer Jimmy Ienner, who inexplicably criticizes the attempt saying, "I asked for rough tapes. This is ridiculous!" One thing Eric was known for throughout his entire career was doing so much work on his songs before entering the studio that there was little left to do but press the record button. Now, for the first time ever you can hear what Raspberries recorded in Cleveland before heading to the studio in New York City. It certainly doesn't sound rough to my ears at all. In fact, it's pretty true to the record—save for the false ending and some additional vamping by Eric on the microphone. Even Wally's Bryson's blistering guitar solo had already been worked out to perfection! Take a listen and hear a song you've heard a hundred times before for the first time—the SUPER RARE Raspberries demo tape of "Tonight" from 1973: RASPBERRIES - TONIGHT (DEMO) Bernie 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LobsterLvr Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 There has always been something I wasn't crazy about in the final studio versions of "Tonight". It felt a bit too bombastic. Every instrument and vocal seemed too loud. But I love this demo! In this version I can hear 'the song'. Even though it's a demo...I think the mix of instruments to vocals is better. And I love the false ending! Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raspbernie Posted June 6, 2017 Author Share Posted June 6, 2017 Dave, I'm sure the band forgot about this version when they were rehearsing for their reunion shows, otherwise that false ending might have been a cool addition to the live version of that song on tour. Bernie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim From Wisconsin Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 Awesome!! This sounds great - I especially love to hear Jim beating the living daylights out of the drums! Tim 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 Love this! I do remember hearing "Tonight" with the false ending on some of the concert tapes I have from this period, so it wasn't totally forgotten! The demo tape even has some BASS on it! Fantastic!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prettymom777 Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 Bernie, before I go to watch a man build an ark (rain, rain, rain) I read something about a member of another band actually drumming so hard he blasted the %#*& out of the drumset. It was dust! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Benfer Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 Indeed a great version, though I might be in the minority in saying that I'm not too keen on the false ending. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prettymom777 Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 Well, to quote someone else who I believe has aged rather badly, "You Can't Always Get What You Want". I just use an old invention: selective hearing. It works well even in a boarding house. Craig, try it, you'll like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECatw Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 Bernie, you're the best! Love all the anniversary surprises and it's only day six! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bessieboo Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Wow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Posted June 7, 2017 Share Posted June 7, 2017 Never heard this before, except the part from the "Go Show". Wonder why Jimmy slagged this? Too much bass, probably. Well, I love it! I've only wanted to hear it since 1973. So, thanks, Bernie. You made an old fan get those goosebumps again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GirlFan Posted June 15, 2017 Share Posted June 15, 2017 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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