Various Artist - Phil Spector - Wall of Sound - The 1961-1962 Productions (2021)

Phil Spector changed the landscape of music with innovative productions that influenced virtually every pop producer who followed in his wake. The traditional drums-bass-guitar combination was still the standard in the early 1960s, and only two-track technology was available. Spector created what would become known as the Wall of Sound, using large bands (with several guitarists, two bassists, full string and horn sections), echo chambers, powerful vocalists, and symphonic structures not previously associated with youthoriented pop music. He managed to draw from different musical genres, including R&B, soul, teen idol pop, rock & roll, and doo-wop, to create a lush, resonant, and dramatic sound. This quintessential collector’s edition compiles Spector’s most essential and enduring work from the beginning of his career, gathering a variety of the great sides he produced for a dozen different labels, such as Atlantic, ABC-Paramount, Gregmark, Jamie, Trey, Musicor, Dunes, Big Top, or his own Philles Records, between 1961 and 1962. Included here are classics like The Crystals’ “He’s a Rebel”, Ben E. King’s “Spanish Harlem”, The Paris Sisters’ “I Love How You Love Me”, Gene Pitney’s “Every Breath I Take”, and Curtis Lee’s “Pretty Little Angel Eyes”. Our release also presents lesser heard tracks which are just as enjoyable as the hits. This is the material upon which Phil Spector’s reputation was built.

“There’s little in pop music of the ‘60s that’s more satisfying than the singles Phil Spector created for his Philles Records label.” - Mark Deming (AMG)

“Phil Spector is my hero. He gave rock & roll just what it needed at the time and obviously influenced us a lot. His productions… they’re so
large and emotional… Powerful.” - Brian Wilson

Original recordings produced by Phil Spector (except tracks 6 & 20, which were produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, although Spector was featured as co-composer on
both tracks).