Thursday, February 7, 2008

Artist Update: Larry Gold

When it comes to producing, composing, arranging, and playing ALL things strings you will be hard pressed to find anyone better than Larry Gold. Born in North Carolina but later becoming relocating to Philly, Gold was a child prodigy and soon discovered at a mere 13 years old by the prestigious Philadelphia Orchestra. Excelling at classical music but yearning to follow his heart and play rock and roll, Gold faced a very tough decision. He went the rock n roll route, playing in various different bands and doing the unthinkable at the time: playing totally different musical styles for each band he played in. His talents continued to blossom as Gold became part of Sammy Davis Jr's house band but it wasn't until Gold hooked up with the legendary duo Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff that his life changed forever. Gold started working with the O'Jays, Teddy Pendergrass, and Lou Rawls among others and has continued his success today working with artists like Christina Aguilera, Ween, Ne-Yo, and R. Kelly.

Now I first heard of Larry Gold back in 2000 on Jill Scott's first album then noticed him again on Erykah Badu's album, Monica's, and The Roots' but it wasn't until I saw him in the credits for Bubba Sparxxx's Dark Days Bright Nights ('Take Off', 'Open Wide', 'Warrant') that I really started to take notice. Who was this guy and why is Tim all of a sudden using him? He showed up again on Ms. Jade's album ('She's A Gangsta', 'Why You Tell Me That'), and then came the Justified album and that's when I started hearing what Tim had heard from day 1: a true musical genius in his element. Say what you will about what Scott Storch added to "Cry Me A River" but it's Larry Gold's strings that deserve just as much credit if not more to the beauty of that track. The Tim & Gold combo continued with Brandy's album ('Who Is She 2 U', 'I Tried') and again for Bubba ('Deliverance' 'My Tone'). Tim must have realized that though he could of easily sampled strings, Larry Gold was all he needed. They continue to work together today, most recently on Justin's Future Sex /Love Sounds album ('Lovestoned', 'What Come Around Goes Around', 'Losing My Way').

Here's a brief peak at Larry Gold working on a track for Tim (can you name it?):



You can bet the Larry Gold and Timbaland combination will continue and I look forward to what more these two have in store. Also make sure to check out Gold's album Larry Gold Presents Don Cello and Friends and show your support!

16 comments :

  1. shelby norman - i will
    good track b.t.w :)

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  2. Music is back ! Thanks !

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  3. does anyone have a link to her music im trying to find it but everyones links are expired

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  4. I WILL - SHELBY NORMAN

    Sick track!! Best shelby track! And This Love Is Real is good too.

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  5. Where did u find this and is there more to this clip?
    I remember seeing part of it where he is laying down.
    I was like..wtf? an interview while he sleeps?

    schmenkee

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  6. Schmenkee I knew you'd make a comment as I know you're a fan of Gold's. I could of sworn I saw a longer version of this smae interview way back when but this is the only version out that Unreal was nice enough to give me.

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  7. Don't forget Larry Gold worked a lot for Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins back in the day when he had hot string sections on all his choruses and bridges (he's shit now) that's where I first noticed his name appearing. Shows how versatile he is that he can provide hot strings to both a DC and a Timbo track.

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  8. Ditto on what Luke said. I first heard of Larry Gold back when he was working alot with Rodney Jerkins. Alot of Rodney's songs used to have hot string sections. It was near enough a Darkchild trademark. But I first thought "SHIT! These strings are hot!" and took note when I heard "The boy is mine", which Larry Gold arranged the strings for. That shit sounded amazing and was unlike any other song at the time because it was so rich, with the harp and orchestrated strings throughout.

    I love his work with Timbo though. It gives his music alot of depth. His string arrangements on Kiley Dean's "Keep it movin'" are hot to death. That shit sounds like something out of a film. That will forever be my jam. I think the song is why I love Katharine McPhee's "Neglected" as it has a similar vibe.

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  9. Damn I forgot about that Shelby Norman track. Can anyone upload it for me?

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  10. Anybody have that track or other tracks, it sounds hot!!!

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  11. Can someone please post some links to any shelby norman tracks;I've searched everywhere and I haven't been able to download anything...Please!Anyone!!!

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  12. Shelby Norman Feat Timbaland - You Hated Me

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  13. http://www.mediafire.com/?7gyawmjyxey

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  14. I will post This love is real later when I am on my own PC (on wich the mp3 is).

    Does anyone have "I Will"?

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  15. http://www.zshare.net/audio/73832736377255/

    Shelby Norman - This love is real

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  16. wow...thanks for the tracks

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