Review:

on 2011-05-26 CharlesMartel Said:

After the retrial of Phil Spector on charges of murder and his subsequent conviction, it is timely that I revisit one of his most significant releases ever. Whatever the merits of his later actions, this record will always stand testament to the genius that he was. The wall of sound technique that he pioneered would be the subject of many attempts at copying, but few if any would ever achieve it to the same degree of skill as Phil Spector.

The Ronettes were his creation, an all girl three-piece in the same vein as the Supremes, Phil Spector made his profession personal with his relationship with lead vocalist, Ronnie. "Be My Baby" proved to be the epitome of the wall of sound technique in its early years, and even now, over 45 years after its initial release, still has the power to astound. A relatively simple song was turned brilliant by the production technique in the days when the producer was seen as little more than the guy who was able to twiddle the knobs. Yet therein was the art. More powerful and more dramatic than the Motown sound, it stands up there with the all time greats of the sixties.
Rating: 9/10