In January 2021, the legendary producer Phil Spector died. William Dart launches a new year of New Horizons with a look back at his best and worst work.
The Crystals - one of the groups associated with Phil Spector in the early 60s. Photo: Public Domain
Phil Spector is considered one of the most important and influential producers of pop music, known for his "Wall of Sound" techniques.
But contemplating his legacy is problematic, given that in 2009 he was convicted for the 2003 murder of actress Lana Clarkson.
William Dart works his way through a number of his recordings with artists such as The Crystals, Ike and Tina Turner, The Beatles, John Lennon, George Harrison, Leonard Cohen, and Ramones.
Music Details
'Song title' (Composer) – Performers
Album title
(Label)
'He's A Rebel' (Pitney) – The Crystals
Spector: The Early Years
(GO Entertainment)
'River Deep, Mountain High' (Spector et al) – Ike & Tina Turner
River Deep – Mountain High
(EMI)
'Silent Night' (Gruber) – Phil Spector & Artists
A Christmas Gift For You from Phil Spector
(EMI)
'To Know Him Is To Love Him' (Spector) – The Teddy Bears
Phil Spector: The Early Years
(GO Entertainment)
'To Know Him Is To Love Him' (Spector) – Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris
Trio
(Warner)
'The Long And Winding Road' (Lennon, McCartney) – The Beatles
Let It Be
(Apple)
'The Long and Winding Road' (Lennon, McCartney) – The Beatles
Anthology 3
(Apple)
'The Long and Winding Road' (Lennon, McCartney) – The Beatles
Let It Be ... Naked
(Apple)
'Jealous Guy' (Lennon) – John Lennon
The John Lennon Collection
(EMI)
'Let it down' (Harrison) – George Harrison
All Things Must Pass
(EMI)
'All Things Must Pass' (Harrison) – The Beatles
Anthology 3
(Apple)
'All Things Must Pass' (Harrison) – George Harrison
All Things Must Pass
(EMI)
'True Love Leaves No Traces' (Spector, Cohen) – Leonard Cohen
Death Of A Ladies' Man
(Columbia)
'Baby, I Love You' (Spector et al) – Ramones
End of the Century
(Sire)
'Da Doo Ron Ron' (Spector et al) – The Crystals
Wall of Sound: The Very Best of Phil Spector
(Sony)
