10
“Wewere flown toFlorida for the recording session inWexler’s private
jet! And, remember, most of the band had never even been in an
airplane before!”
In the studio, besides Sahm and Wexler, was Tom Dowd, another
Atlantic legend. Among the starmusicianswho had been invited in to
join the sessions inCriteriaStudioswere steel guitarist CharlieOwens,
horn legend David ‘Fathead’ Newman, Dr John, percussionist Joe
Lala and Tex-mex accordion player Flaco Jimenez!
“It was the first time Flaco had set foot outside of Texas!”
In addition, The Lovers were reinforced by a new group member,
John Rendon, percussionist and guitarist.
Andperhaps therewere toomanypeople in the studio?The recordings
certainly seem a bit overburdened in places. The band’s special
groove and the closeness in playing which made the first album so
special certainly was not there in some of the tracks. One can be
amazed by Owens’ lightning-like steel guitar on
Carribean
or Sahm’s
brazenblues jammingwithTheMemphisHorns backinghim in
Spread
Some Love Around
, but the question is whether it really adds
anything.
Still, there aremanymoments in these recordings that are sublimely
beautiful. Louie has two silky ballads in
Forgive Me This Time
and
Never Be A Saint
, both dazzlingmelodies that are carefully set within
a framework of bewitching acoustic guitar playing and tender
harmonizing. Sahm’s
If You Ever Say You Love Me
is also a piece of
magic, sung by Louie in both English and Spanish. Sahm plays bajo
sexto, tones from a Hammond swell in the background, and Jimenez
