THINK!

IT'S FRIDAY

Time for some

BLUES BROTHERS!

On this day in music history: June 20, 1980 - “The Blues Brothers - Original Soundtrack Recording” is released. Produced by Bob Tischler, it is recorded at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago, IL, The Record Plant, Sound Mixers in New York City and The Record Plant in Los Angeles, CA from April - May and July 1979. On the heels of the surprise success of the album “Briefcase Full Of Blues”, The Blues Brothers are spun off into a feature length film released through Universal Pictures. With a screenplay co-written by Dan Aykroyd and directed by John Landis, the musical comedy film co-stars Aykroyd and John Belushi as Elwood and Jakes Blues. Like on their previous album, The Blues Brothers are backed by many of the same musicians that had played on “Briefcase”, with the exception of keyboardist Paul Shaffer who is prevented from participating in the recording of the film soundtrack or appearing in the film due to his contractual ties with Saturday Night Live. Shaffer’s place in the Blues Brothers band is taken by Murphy Dunne, and Steve Jordan though he plays on the album is replaced in the film by former Bar-Kays and Isaac Hayes Movement drummer Willie “Too Big” Hall. The film and album also feature performances and on screen appearances by numerous R&B and blues music legends including James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker and Cab Calloway. The album produced by SNL writer Bob Tischler is recorded prior to the start of principal photography in Chicago in July of 1979. One exception is the sequence in the church featuring James Brown as the Reverend Cleophus James. Not used to lip synching to his own pre-recorded vocals, filming his performance in proper synchronization with the track, is problematic at first. Landis solves the problem by having a 24-track tape machine running on set, with the pre-recorded instrumental playing as Brown sings his vocal live, and is captured on tape as the cameras roll. The album is another success, spinning off two singles including “Gimme Some Lovin’” (#18 Pop) and “Jailhouse Rock”. To promote the soundtrack and film, Belushi and Aykroyd and the the band go on tour, which is recorded for a live album titled “Made In America” released in December of 1980. First issued on CD in 1986, the soundtrack is remastered and reissued in 1995. Out of print on vinyl since the late 80’s, it is first reissued as a limited edition pressing on marbled blue vinyl by Music On Vinyl in 2014 and a standard black vinyl pressing by Friday Music in 2015. “The Blues Brothers - Original Soundtrack Recording” peaks at number thirteen on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA. 

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