You have no idea how important you and your guitar were to a scared kid in the 1960's. Hiding out in a basement, listening to this tune. I'm 65 now, and it's still just as important. THANK YOU.
Louie will probably never read this. But, I'd sure like him to know how much his craft was such a HUGE part of my childhood and I can never thank him enough.
“We didn’t have pedals in those days.” That’s the other great lesson here. Some of the best sounds and tone STILL come from plugging your guitar straight into an amp. Period. Of course, you actually have to be able to play! Thanks, Louie.
I always loved the guitar playing on Monkee’s records. A lot of people grumbled about the make believe make up of the band but the records themselves were really well done and nice to hear. Thank you Louie Shelton, that music has a place in history.
Mr. Shelton, I hope you read these. You have brought so much joy to me life. This will be the only way I can ever say thank you!!! Would love to sit next to you on a plane and "pick" your brain. I'm no musician and don't know one thing about music except what I like! And I've loved your many works for my whole life. Thank you sir for your work and enriching my time here on the planet.
I am ashamed that I didn’t know who this man was till now...and I am 60 ...grew up in this music..the guy is literally one of the best guitar players I have ever heard...
@@philmoore71 I was 11 or 12 when this record came out. For many years, I really thought Nesmith played it! I didn't actually discover Louie's identity until about 15 years ago and I thought, "so this is the guitarist I loved to hear back in the day". At that time, I believed that this was THE sound of an electric guitar and I wanted one badly.
Watch the documentary "The Wrecking Crew" to see them all and learn how many songs the "session" musicians did for the bands of 50's 60's 70's songs that were the biggest hits from Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, to Beach Boys, Elvis, The Associatioin, Fifth Dimension, Righteous Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel--(not featured but Don MacLean American Pie also used piano player Randi of Wrecking Crew on that album) etc. wonderful to see who it was all same people on nearly every song one probably ever loved:).
My brother sent me this video this morning. I gasped and my eyes nearly filled with tears when I heard the solo. These guitar riffs have been part of my musical life since I was 9 years old. Thanks for breaking it down for us!
The first 30 seconds almost brought tears to my eyes. I've been a pro my whole life, but this was the song that made me want an electric guitar more than ANYTHING when I was five years old. So great to see this.
I played the guitar quite a bit....until I had a massive stroke 8 years ago. Still kickin'....but can't use my right hand! lol I can REALLY rip the fret up and down....however....
And to think that some of us boys and girls watching TV back mid-60's thought that the guy with the knit stocking cap, Mike Nesmith, was actually playing that Gretsch guitar he had in the studio back then.....LOL. They did a nice lip synch and air guitar fake, but that's about it, and it was that way for all their hit songs. What did they sound like when they toured?
@@dickhowser4659 Peter Tork was a very good guitarist - check out this performance of his:czcams.com/video/wz9mPiHkFtc/video.html. Mike Nesmith wrote the song Different Drum (which made Linda Ronstadt a star) and he was a good guitarist as well. Mickey Dolenz learned to play the drums after they hit big and Davey Jones was a good singer. They did tour and did play live.
@@babablowfish Thank you for sharing the solo performance by Peter Tork. Fun to see. Yes, he could play a little guitar and yes Nesmith did play guitar, and yes, they were able to go out and tour on the basis of the TV program and the recordings. But, fact remains that the people who laid down the track on vinyl were folks like Louie Shelton and the gang in the Wrecking Crew no doubt. From Tork's Pleasant Valley encore, you can get linked to Tork, Nesmith, and Dolenz performing same live. Look closely and you will see a bunch of dudes playing behind them in the shadows.....if you look closely at what they, ex-Monkees are playing, it isn't what you are treated to in audio. The Beach Boys and others all had traveling bands or supporters that provided the authentic licks and solos and drums from offstage or up on risers. The Eagles have been doing this for 10 years, and still their stupid fans fork over huge money to seem "the Eagles" live. These guys, especially in their later years, couldn't replicate the records, and I am giving Tork a big thumbs up for that acoustic interpretation in 2013?.....it sounded good. But Louie Shelton and guys in the Crew were awesome players with special talent. Heck Glen Campbell used to go out on tour with the Boys because he did the guitar work on some of their hits. It is the biggest charade in show business how many groups never did anything but lip synch or fake their music for TV, during live concerts. Heck, the Rolling Stones use assists like that in their later years.
@@petewentz3528 No argument from me about the great unsung heroes behind the bands. I was simply replying to Dick Howser who said, "And to think that some of us boys and girls watching TV back mid-60's thought that the guy with the knit stocking cap, Mike Nesmith, was actually playing that Gretsch guitar he had in the studio back then.....LOL.." He appeared to be saying that the Monkees were total musical fakes. Despite the great studio musicians who worked behind the scenes, the Monkees did have some musical chops and did perform and gave us some great music. I don't enjoy As My Guitars Gently Weeps any less because Eric Clapton played the lead, not George Harrison. Nor do I enjoy Joe Cocker's rendition of A Little Help From My Friends any less because he didn't write the song and he didn't play any instruments. I think we are in basic agreement though that Mr. Shelton is incredible and that studio musicians do a tremendous amount towards making a lot of songs into truly great songs.
@@babablowfish No arguments here either. I think the other dude simply was honing in on fact that many folks mistakenly see their musical band/group heroes as consummate musicians/creators. In the case of the Monkee's, they were created in a studio audition laboratory if you know what I mean. Their musical chops were incidental and the show producers didn't even care for much of what they heard when they auditioned. But they liked them as TV sitcom actors, for sure. The fact that they the Monkees went out and worked to improve enough to perform live is a tribute to them for sure.
I remember when this came out I was 16 - trying to pick this out on my Gibson and wondering why it didn't sound anywhere near as good. These guys like Louie Shelton, Hal Blaine, Carol Kaye, "The Wrecking Crew / Clique" etc. were all such amazing pros who made so many great-sounding records. It's hard to lay down even a "good" track, and these people made true greatness look & sound so easy. Heroes!
I can remember in 1967 when I was studying the progression of the record-player needle across the record track to see where that lead solo work was.....and played it repeatedly....It was a good thing that it was on the first track on the B side. This drove my mother nuts. To actually see the actual artist behind that recording - finally after 43 years.... Now, I can scratch that item off my bucket list. I salute Louie Shelton!! He's the real thing!
Why do you even spend a second thinking about a stupid thumb icon? If it makes you feel better, isn't it possible somebody accidentally clicked it -- or didn't understand what it was for? I wish I had the free time to sit and worry about a thumbs-down icon. It would be a pleasure.
Wow. This solo is iconic for me. It was one of the first rock songs I heard as a child, and is still impressive today. Great to see this performed and explained by the original musician. What a treat. Thanks for the amazing music.
Wow! As a drummer myself, The Monkees records were highly influential to me at the time. Seeing a face attached to one of the most recognizable and wonderful guitar performances I've ever heard is fantastic. Thank you Mr. Shelton for these "how I played it" videos! Keep 'em coming!
"Every time" I get on the computer to practice, this is the first thing I watch and play along with ! The Monkees couldn't have picked a better guitarist for Last train to Clarksville. Suggested it to my band mates now we play it out at every gig.
Wow thanks for the history lesson Louie, Im 58 and cut mt teeth on 60s music. I have played 39 yrs in clubs , casinos , large venues and small . This music inspired me to play , thanks for a life time of great music.I am a utility player drums , bass , lead ,and steel guitar .
I love that bright sounding telecaster through a Fender Super Reverb playing that riff....wow....sounds as good today as it did when I first heard it as a teensger....Thanks Louie....for an awesome guitar sound and riff!!😎😎
what a history lesson. this guy has been there and done that,,,,,,fantastic to see him so friendly and open. they dont make people like this anymore a true master.
He must have played this a thousand times but you can see he loves playing just like it was the first time. Thank you for posting this. What a gift to your fans!
53 years are gone now since this I heard this amazing guitar work at the first time. After this video I like to concentrate all my energy to master it as good as possible - thanks a lot with the best wishes for you, Mr. Shelton
I asked Louie about this Tele in the video, and he told me that it is a 52 Reissue Fender Custom Shop Relic! Said that he had an actual 52 when he was young and that Fender worked with him on this one, to get it to his specs!
I JUST REALIZED I saw Louie Shelton play live when I was in college! It was at Citrus College in Glendora California. There was a Catholic girls' school in the hills just above Citrus, St. Lucy's Priory, and every year St. Lucy's had a benefit concert by rock groups from Los Angeles a in the auditorium of Citrus College. The first year I was there they had Pacific Gas and Electric, the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, And Steppenwolf! The next year they had Jim and Jean, We Five, and Boyce and Hart. Quite a contrast musically! Incidentally that was the last year St. Lucy's did that. Louie Shelton played guitar in Boyce and Hart's backup trio - he played several lead solos and got a lot of applause. The best song he played was an instrumental, the Rolling Stones' "Eruption." Shelton tore that fretboard up - he was playing a Gibson SG through a Standel amp and some kind of really gritty fuzz pedal. The audience literally sat quiet for about ten seconds after Louie finished, and then broke out into the loudest cheer in the whole concert. Louie tore that guitar up! And that show has stood for nearly fifty years (since 1968) as a touchstone whereby I judge all guitar players!
"we didn't have pedals in those days" How many guitarists would be seriously handicapped if they had to compose and play without their pedals? What a great player and one of the most memorables riffs. Thanks for sharing.
Hendrix did. And he used those pedals masterfully, too. I was just watching him do it today on an excellent, clear, color filmed outdoor concert doing "Voodoo Chile." He was in good form and not UI, so it's an incredible performance. Had to put it on loop for a long time.
Louie Shelton is the goods. This guy has forgotten more about the guitar than most accomplished players remember. His playing is just awesome. What can you say about a guy who was part of the Wrecking Crew and has played on so many hit records. He now lives in Australia. Wish he would tour but age and distance probably preclude that although his site says he commutes back to the USA for production work. Just a stellar musician.
It’s pretty incredible to see such a truly talented guitarist play through his own tunes like that with such knowledge of the song’s chords & tonality/structure etc. makes me really appreciate having gone to school to understand what the heck he’s talking about - lol! ;) ...so much cooler that he gets the “schooling & theory” behind “why” it works! - *mad respect* I think I may like the monkees even more now!!! :)
RIGHT UR ... Been struggling with this song not knowing it was made up of 3 diff guitar riffs.. No wonder I have a diff time trying to play it ..He didn't need to do this .. Great guy .. Same first name ..
...I'll say it again ....these guys are gold !....they're real players !...not shredders....they play for the song ...idiots plz stay off of this thread until you grow up musically....
Man, all these years I've had this as "That Great Gretsch Tone" in my head and come to find out it's a Telecaster in the hands of a master! Louie Shelton is the best.
Back in the mid 90s I got to work a show in Buffalo New York with what was left of the Monkees... Last Train to Clarksville was the song that made me a fan of the Monkees when I was a boy. Little did I know it was really Lou and The Wrecking Crew that reeled me in " Hook " Line & Sinker... we thank you ....I hope the Monkees thanked you as well. 😊
Wow! Thank you for being part of creating such an iconic song! The studio musicians that were a part of all these incredible songs do not get the recognition they richly deserve! THANK YOU!!!
For those of us old enough to remember the monkees , we all thought Mike Naismith played everything for the group. Fantastic. It must be a brilliant feeling knowing that you had massive input into some of the greatest songs ever recorded. And 3 gold records on the wall of your studio. Amazing. Thankyou for your videos. 🇬🇧👍👍👍
Last Train to Clarksville sticks out from the thousands of songs done in the 60s. Thanks Louie Shelton and to the songwriters Boyce and Hart and to the Monkees also.
I remember seeing Louie Shelton's name on the credits of some of my favorite albums. He has played with: Marvin Gaye, Simon and Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, Boz Scaggs, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Jackson 5, Neil Diamond, John Lennon, Barbra Streisand, the Carpenters, the Mamas & the Papas, Glen Campbell, Ella Fitzgerald, the Partridge Family, James Brown, Diana Ross, Otis Spann, Whitney Houston, Joe Cocker, Kenny Rogers, Henry Mancini, Dave Grusin, Quincy Jones, Michael Franks, Lalo Schifrin and more! What an amazing musician, what an incredible career. Thanks for all those memorable riffs Louie.
If that "old guitar" is what I think it is, it's worth a ton of $$ ! It looks like an original Tele, and that was in 1951. I should know because I had one... , once (sobbing deeply). I bought mine because that was the same year I was born too. I always said we were both "born" in the same year! That was the easiest playing guitar I've ever had. All I had to do was just lay my fingers on the fret board & she rang true & clear every time.
Fort those who wish to know, "Last Train to Clarksville" was written, produced and recorded by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart at RCA Victor Studio B in Hollywood on July 25, 1966. It was played by Boyce and Hart's band, "The Candy Store Prophets" who were: Tommy Boyce and Wayne Ervin on acoustic guitars, The Ventures' lead guitarist Gerry McGee (who sadly died last October) on electric guitar, Bobby Hart on keyboards, Larry Taylor (who sadly died last August), on bass guitar, was the session bassist for The Monkees and Jerry Lee Lewis and in 1967 joined Canned Heat. He was the younger brother of Mel Taylor, the long-time drummer of The Ventures, Billy Lewis on drums, Gene Estes on percussion and the inimitable Louis Shelton doing that fabulous lead guitar part on a Telecaster into a Fender Super Reverb amp.
With that illustrious line-up, no wonder The Monkees were shot to stardom. I hope these session musos - well those still standing or sitting - still receive the royalties.
Great info! As an audio engineer, I EAT this stuff up, and could read this type of history all day. I love researching the studios (Western, Goldstar, Sunset Sound, RCA, Capitol, etc) where these songs were recorded; the equipment used, (Pultec EQ’s, UREI compressors and preamps, LA2 and Fairchild Limiters, Telefunken and Neumann mics, etc) and the incredible talent of the session cats who played on the tracks. Thanks for posting the background for this track! 🙏❤️
The beatles "paperback writer" came out one month earlier in may 1966. Coincidence? I think not. Ive always thought i could hear the influence of paperback writer in last train to clarksville. Not that it isnt a great song in its own right. But just a wee bit derivative.
@@stevemccutcheon8803 All sources I have found say that Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart wrote LTTC. If you look at the 45rpm Colgems single, the writing credit is the same.
I started learning in 1966 at 16 and formed a band with my friend who was a musician. Monkeys last train and I m a believer was my best two first time songs but never figured out the solo till now after seeing Louie play the riff. Fantastic player
I was born in 1967 and although I was too young to really know the music of the 60s at the time - it was a decade I've always loved. And the guitar on this is groovy af. Thank you.
The thing I really respect about studio musicians is the play economically - doing a lot with very little flashiness. They know how to use the fretboard effectively
Mr. Shelton, this video is absolutely delightful. I can’t begin to tell you how influential your guitar playing has been on me. If you ever get in the mood to make another video like this, particularly with the work you did for The Monkees, I’d be thrilled. Much respect. Thank you for all the great guitar work over the years. ❤
This is one of the songs that all of us tried to play in our garage bands growing up. (never could do it). Good to know now that it was 3 guitars at once. I don't feel like I failed now. Louie, thank you for bringing such a beautiful talent to many of our lives growing up. Bill in Horn Lake, MS
"Hope you enjoyed that" We did Louie, we did. :)
That intro/solo is a masterpiece.
Utterly brilliant. Who'd have thought 50 odd years on, we'd get to see this? I wouldn't.
CZcams has amazing things that dimwit TV execs would neeeeeever give a chance to air.
Never thought
You have no idea how important you and your guitar were to a scared kid in the 1960's. Hiding out in a basement, listening to this tune. I'm 65 now, and it's still just as important. THANK YOU.
Louie will probably never read this. But, I'd sure like him to know how much his craft was such a HUGE part of my childhood and I can never thank him enough.
“We didn’t have pedals in those days.” That’s the other great lesson here. Some of the best sounds and tone STILL come from plugging your guitar straight into an amp. Period. Of course, you actually have to be able to play! Thanks, Louie.
Right on. I see people with 10 pedals on their board that can't come close to this guys talent.
So true.
What a lovely humble man........and a musical genius to boot. Thank you kind sir.
I always loved the guitar playing on Monkee’s records. A lot of people grumbled about the make believe make up of the band but the records themselves were really well done and nice to hear. Thank you Louie Shelton, that music has a place in history.
Yeah, they grumbled about a made up band that used studio musicians never realizing that 80% of all bands in the 60's did the exact same thing
Every now and then one hears a guitar riff or solo that is so perfect, it is like it was meant to come into existence. This may be one of them.
That was amazing! No ego, no bullshit, just a total and complete understanding of the guitar playing on a classic track!
I met this gentlemen on the Gold Coast in Australia. Just a beautiful humbleness and manner like no other person I’ve met.
👍
He’s very humble kind and talented.
He played on the soundtrack of so many young lives in the 60,s 70,s and the 80,s and iam just now learning about him. What a master.
.
Mr. Shelton, I hope you read these. You have brought so much joy to me life. This will be the only way I can ever say thank you!!! Would love to sit next to you on a plane and "pick" your brain. I'm no musician and don't know one thing about music except what I like! And I've loved your many works for my whole life. Thank you sir for your work and enriching my time here on the planet.
I am ashamed that I didn’t know who this man was till now...and I am 60 ...grew up in this music..the guy is literally one of the best guitar players I have ever heard...
Also played the guitar solo on Hello by Lionel Richie
I thought Nesmith played it ... just kidding
@@philmoore71 I was 11 or 12 when this record came out. For many years, I really thought Nesmith played it! I didn't actually discover Louie's identity until about 15 years ago and I thought, "so this is the guitarist I loved to hear back in the day". At that time, I believed that this was THE sound of an electric guitar and I wanted one badly.
Pretty sure he did the solo on "Valerie" as well. Here it is. czcams.com/video/bituOCBCSC8/video.html
Watch the documentary "The Wrecking Crew" to see them all and learn how many songs the "session" musicians did for the bands of 50's 60's 70's songs that were the biggest hits from Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, to Beach Boys, Elvis, The Associatioin, Fifth Dimension, Righteous Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel--(not featured but Don MacLean American Pie also used piano player Randi of Wrecking Crew on that album) etc. wonderful to see who it was all same people on nearly every song one probably ever loved:).
My brother sent me this video this morning. I gasped and my eyes nearly filled with tears when I heard the solo. These guitar riffs have been part of my musical life since I was 9 years old. Thanks for breaking it down for us!
A riff from my childhood. All the magic if AM radio but with bright country picking & nice harmony layers. Those inversions are genius
It’s amazing at 62 how many Louie Shelton tunes I grew up with
The first 30 seconds almost brought tears to my eyes. I've been a pro my whole life, but this was the song that made me want an electric guitar more than ANYTHING when I was five years old. So great to see this.
dammit you made my eyes well up samswank! thank you...
Sam, me2 (re: tears)! I was 9 years old then (1966)....great tune!
Yes! What wonderful sound, I was 8.
Still playing guitar. 😀
I played the guitar quite a bit....until I had a massive stroke 8 years ago. Still kickin'....but can't use my right hand! lol I can REALLY rip the fret up and down....however....
Stephen sorry to hear of the stroke man, your left hand hammer-ons and glissando must be super. Good health to you eh!
One of the greatest guitar solos in History! No wonder the Monkees went to #1 in 1966 -- Louie Shelton took them there.........
And to think that some of us boys and girls watching TV back mid-60's thought that the guy with the knit stocking cap, Mike Nesmith, was actually playing that Gretsch guitar he had in the studio back then.....LOL. They did a nice lip synch and air guitar fake, but that's about it, and it was that way for all their hit songs. What did they sound like when they toured?
@@dickhowser4659 Peter Tork was a very good guitarist - check out this performance of his:czcams.com/video/wz9mPiHkFtc/video.html.
Mike Nesmith wrote the song Different Drum (which made Linda Ronstadt a star) and he was a good guitarist as well. Mickey Dolenz learned to play the drums after they hit big and Davey Jones was a good singer. They did tour and did play live.
@@babablowfish Thank you for sharing the solo performance by Peter Tork. Fun to see. Yes, he could play a little guitar and yes Nesmith did play guitar, and yes, they were able to go out and tour on the basis of the TV program and the recordings. But, fact remains that the people who laid down the track on vinyl were folks like Louie Shelton and the gang in the Wrecking Crew no doubt. From Tork's Pleasant Valley encore, you can get linked to Tork, Nesmith, and Dolenz performing same live. Look closely and you will see a bunch of dudes playing behind them in the shadows.....if you look closely at what they, ex-Monkees are playing, it isn't what you are treated to in audio. The Beach Boys and others all had traveling bands or supporters that provided the authentic licks and solos and drums from offstage or up on risers. The Eagles have been doing this for 10 years, and still their stupid fans fork over huge money to seem "the Eagles" live. These guys, especially in their later years, couldn't replicate the records, and I am giving Tork a big thumbs up for that acoustic interpretation in 2013?.....it sounded good. But Louie Shelton and guys in the Crew were awesome players with special talent. Heck Glen Campbell used to go out on tour with the Boys because he did the guitar work on some of their hits. It is the biggest charade in show business how many groups never did anything but lip synch or fake their music for TV, during live concerts. Heck, the Rolling Stones use assists like that in their later years.
@@petewentz3528 No argument from me about the great unsung heroes behind the bands. I was simply replying to Dick Howser who said, "And to think that some of us boys and girls watching TV back mid-60's thought that the guy with the knit stocking cap, Mike Nesmith, was actually playing that Gretsch guitar he had in the studio back then.....LOL.." He appeared to be saying that the Monkees were total musical fakes. Despite the great studio musicians who worked behind the scenes, the Monkees did have some musical chops and did perform and gave us some great music. I don't enjoy As My Guitars Gently Weeps any less because Eric Clapton played the lead, not George Harrison. Nor do I enjoy Joe Cocker's rendition of A Little Help From My Friends any less because he didn't write the song and he didn't play any instruments. I think we are in basic agreement though that Mr. Shelton is incredible and that studio musicians do a tremendous amount towards making a lot of songs into truly great songs.
@@babablowfish No arguments here either. I think the other dude simply was honing in on fact that many folks mistakenly see their musical band/group heroes as consummate musicians/creators. In the case of the Monkee's, they were created in a studio audition laboratory if you know what I mean. Their musical chops were incidental and the show producers didn't even care for much of what they heard when they auditioned. But they liked them as TV sitcom actors, for sure. The fact that they the Monkees went out and worked to improve enough to perform live is a tribute to them for sure.
We didn’t have pedals in those days…Amen brother,no need at all.Perfection and simplicity is all you need.super job.thank you so much.
You take these things for granted when you hear these songs then come across this…and the genius that created them….
“I did this here… that seemed to work pretty good”. Humble genius. Legend.
I remember when this came out I was 16 - trying to pick this out on my Gibson and wondering why it didn't sound anywhere near as good. These guys like Louie Shelton, Hal Blaine, Carol Kaye, "The Wrecking Crew / Clique" etc. were all such amazing pros who made so many great-sounding records. It's hard to lay down even a "good" track, and these people made true greatness look & sound so easy. Heroes!
Man, I loved the guitars on Clarksville!!
This song and the TV show was the 1st pop music allowed in our house. Thank you!
Every note is beautiful in this man's hands! Intro alone is a master class on alternate picking.
LOVE THIS!! You can see the joy on his face while playing.
I saw that -- He looked over His right as if --I'm back there again
Epitome of the Fender Telecaster and amplifier sound. Thanks for the magic, Louie.
wow. I used to play that as a teen. I'm 56 and loved this song.
I can remember in 1967 when I was studying the progression of the record-player needle across the record track to see where that lead solo work was.....and played it repeatedly....It was a good thing that it was on the first track on the B side. This drove my mother nuts. To actually see the actual artist behind that recording - finally after 43 years.... Now, I can scratch that item off my bucket list. I salute Louie Shelton!! He's the real thing!
Louis Shelton was/is a first rate player!! The thumb downers have no idea -
The thumds downers are morons !!
Terrets!
Why do you even spend a second thinking about a stupid thumb icon? If it makes you feel better, isn't it possible somebody accidentally clicked it -- or didn't understand what it was for? I wish I had the free time to sit and worry about a thumbs-down icon. It would be a pleasure.
Ignore the thumbs downers, you know what's what.
I get goosebumps when I hear his guitar playing on this song - this song is so 60s and I loved the Monkees.
I love his flamenco type guitar solo on Valarie. Absolutely brilliant.
I have to agree with you, as a twelve-year-old, That solo completely blew me away what an amazing player he is
Wow. This solo is iconic for me. It was one of the first rock songs I heard as a child, and is still impressive today. Great to see this performed and explained by the original musician. What a treat. Thanks for the amazing music.
great stuff! no wonder they sounded so good!!
Man this is straight up Country. When you come up through that, you can work in any genre
The holy grail of 'jangle rock' guitar tunes! So you were the evil genius behind that riff! :)
you are a hero to me as a kid and im 62 you are still the man.
Thank you Louie--I can't tell you how much it means to see you playing this. Just wonderful.
Just look at his eyes, he still thinks that's the coolest thing ever and he's right.
You're projecting. You're the coolest thing ever, Coolmodad.
@@commentatron 😁
A killer riff/hook. Hooks are like nukes: blow everything away!!!
I saw humility with quiet confidence.
@@commentatron I i
Louie Shelton; National Treasure!
That Tele sounds fantastic!!!
Wow! As a drummer myself, The Monkees records were highly influential to me at the time. Seeing a face attached to one of the most recognizable and wonderful guitar performances I've ever heard is fantastic. Thank you Mr. Shelton for these "how I played it" videos! Keep 'em coming!
Louie ..thank you for all you've given the world ..your awesome guitar playing is incredible
This guy is extremely gifted!!! What a guitarist!
Got to 50 seconds in and knew.... ...Legend. 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Surgical precision in the picking. And a monster classic, timeless hit.
"Every time" I get on the computer to practice, this is the first thing I watch and play along with ! The Monkees couldn't have picked a better guitarist for Last train to Clarksville. Suggested it to my band mates now we play it out at every gig.
Wow thanks for the history lesson Louie, Im 58 and cut mt teeth on 60s music. I have played 39 yrs in clubs , casinos , large venues and small . This music inspired me to play , thanks for a life time of great music.I am a utility player drums , bass , lead ,and steel guitar .
thats better than anyone is coming up these days....what a talent!
I love that bright sounding telecaster through a Fender Super Reverb playing that riff....wow....sounds as good today as it did when I first heard it as a teensger....Thanks Louie....for an awesome guitar sound and riff!!😎😎
what a career, what a player and what a great bloke, thanks, Louie.
*Minutia! Thank you, Louie...this song made my childhood very happy.*
Great. Even better when you can put a face to the music. About time all of you studio musicians got your due.
Brilliant playing that wedged the Monkees somewhere between “Day Tripper”(Beatles) and “The Last Time”(The Stones)
Thanks Louie!!,
I have heard him played in so many records just didn't know who he was. Now he is my no.1 guitar players of all time.
what a history lesson. this guy has been there and done that,,,,,,fantastic to see him so friendly and open. they dont make people like this anymore a true master.
He must have played this a thousand times but you can see he loves playing just like it was the first time. Thank you for posting this. What a gift to your fans!
This might be the nicest sounding Tele i've ever heard. Hoooly smokes
Fender Roadworn Tele. Readily available.
...and the player might have a bit to do with it as well.
@@yeahyeahyeahyeahwhatever ...it's a 52 Tele Reissue made especially by Fender for Louie !
@@alphabeets THAT's the truth. You could hand me that same guitar and no way would it sound as good. He's a total pro.
it ain't the arrow ... it's the indian who drew the bow !
“I played a Tele. Straight to a super reverb and a mic. We didn’t have pedals”. Love it!!!
"It works together with all those parts very well." Understatement of the century.....
I could watch this stuff all day long. What a treat - thank you for sharing.
53 years are gone now since this I heard this amazing guitar work at the first time. After this video I like to concentrate all my energy to master it as good as possible - thanks a lot with the best wishes for you, Mr. Shelton
I always thought that this was played on a Rickenbacker 12 string. Amazing how He gets so much "chime" out of a Telecaster.
Surprises me too....never dreamed it was a Tele...and a Tele is my go- to axe......
Same here! I was *convinced* for years that solo was a 12 string. Officially floored!
when did he say he's playing the same guitar here?!
MePJtheDJ at the end he said he played it on a Tele.
I asked Louie about this Tele in the video, and he told me that it is a 52 Reissue Fender Custom Shop Relic! Said that he had an actual 52 when he was young and that Fender worked with him on this one, to get it to his specs!
One Word:- Brilliant!
What a great tutorial from the man who actually played on the record. Timeless. Classic. Perfect. Thank you, Mr. Shelton!
I JUST REALIZED I saw Louie Shelton play live when I was in college! It was at Citrus College in Glendora California. There was a Catholic girls' school in the hills just above Citrus, St. Lucy's Priory, and every year St. Lucy's had a benefit concert by rock groups from Los Angeles a in the auditorium of Citrus College. The first year I was there they had Pacific Gas and Electric, the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, And Steppenwolf! The next year they had Jim and Jean, We Five, and Boyce and Hart. Quite a contrast musically! Incidentally that was the last year St. Lucy's did that. Louie Shelton played guitar in Boyce and Hart's backup trio - he played several lead solos and got a lot of applause. The best song he played was an instrumental, the Rolling Stones' "Eruption." Shelton tore that fretboard up - he was playing a Gibson SG through a Standel amp and some kind of really gritty fuzz pedal. The audience literally sat quiet for about ten seconds after Louie finished, and then broke out into the loudest cheer in the whole concert. Louie tore that guitar up! And that show has stood for nearly fifty years (since 1968) as a touchstone whereby I judge all guitar players!
"we didn't have pedals in those days" How many guitarists would be seriously handicapped if they had to compose and play without their pedals? What a great player and one of the most memorables riffs. Thanks for sharing.
that's true the only thing you really had for a pedal was A primitive wah pedal and maybe a fuzz pedal and that's it.
Hendrix did. And he used those pedals masterfully, too. I was just watching him do it today on an excellent, clear, color filmed outdoor concert doing "Voodoo Chile." He was in good form and not UI, so it's an incredible performance. Had to put it on loop for a long time.
@@davidb2206 Totally agree. The sounds Hendrix pulled out of his guitar and effects were extraordinary
Louie Shelton is the goods. This guy has forgotten more about the guitar than most accomplished players remember. His playing is just awesome. What can you say about a guy who was part of the Wrecking Crew and has played on so many hit records. He now lives in Australia. Wish he would tour but age and distance probably preclude that although his site says he commutes back to the USA for production work. Just a stellar musician.
Such a vivid memory of this hit from summer of '66! Thanx for showing us how it was done!!
Fred
It’s pretty incredible to see such a truly talented guitarist play through his own tunes like that with such knowledge of the song’s chords & tonality/structure etc. makes me really appreciate having gone to school to understand what the heck he’s talking about - lol! ;) ...so much cooler that he gets the “schooling & theory” behind “why” it works! - *mad respect* I think I may like the monkees even more now!!! :)
“I’ll play that with the track too, it seems to work pretty good” 😂😂 yeah Louis it works pretty good. And the prize for understatement goes to...
After all these years and probably has played this a million times, he still bobs his head and moves to the music. The man is a treasure
One of the greatest guitar songs of all time.
only a dummy gives a thumbs down to an experienced studio master teaching a classic guitar riff ... really nice lesson
I agree, Internet Now! All tjhe work that Loie has done (Especially His Producing Seals & Crofts- the Warner Bros. recordings)!
RIGHT UR ... Been struggling with this song not knowing it was made up of 3 diff guitar riffs.. No wonder I have a diff time trying to play it ..He didn't need to do this .. Great guy .. Same first name ..
Internet Now Just miserable people that can’t play, or tried to, and are just complete failures...
...100% agreed....these guys are real players....not " shredders "....
...I'll say it again ....these guys are gold !....they're real players !...not shredders....they play for the song ...idiots plz stay off of this thread until you grow up musically....
Man, all these years I've had this as "That Great Gretsch Tone" in my head and come to find out it's a Telecaster in the hands of a master! Louie Shelton is the best.
Same with Johnny Marr and Jimmy Page. Most of their parts were recorded on a tele.
All these years later and this guitar part is still magical. Music today has no magic.
Back in the mid 90s I got to work a show in Buffalo New York with what was left of the Monkees... Last Train to Clarksville was the song that made me a fan of the Monkees when I was a boy. Little did I know it was really Lou and The Wrecking Crew that reeled me in " Hook " Line & Sinker... we thank you ....I hope the Monkees thanked you as well. 😊
Wow! Thank you for being part of creating such an iconic song! The studio musicians that were a part of all these incredible songs do not get the recognition they richly deserve! THANK YOU!!!
For those of us old enough to remember the monkees , we all thought Mike Naismith played everything for the group. Fantastic. It must be a brilliant feeling knowing that you had massive input into some of the greatest songs ever recorded. And 3 gold records on the wall of your studio. Amazing. Thankyou for your videos. 🇬🇧👍👍👍
The MONKEYS played their imaginary parts well..
Thanks for such a good music, which is part of the Sountrack Of Our Lives.
Last Train to Clarksville sticks out from the thousands of songs done in the 60s. Thanks Louie Shelton and to the songwriters Boyce and Hart and to the Monkees also.
I remember seeing Louie Shelton's name on the credits of some of my favorite albums. He has played with: Marvin Gaye, Simon and Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, Boz Scaggs, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Jackson 5, Neil Diamond, John Lennon, Barbra Streisand, the Carpenters, the Mamas & the Papas, Glen Campbell, Ella Fitzgerald, the Partridge Family, James Brown, Diana Ross, Otis Spann, Whitney Houston, Joe Cocker, Kenny Rogers, Henry Mancini, Dave Grusin, Quincy Jones, Michael Franks, Lalo Schifrin and more! What an amazing musician, what an incredible career. Thanks for all those memorable riffs Louie.
DUDE starts smiling every time he strums that old guitar like it was ringing hundred dollar bills..
Just like it used to...
If that "old guitar" is what I think it is, it's worth a ton of $$ ! It looks like an original Tele, and that was in 1951. I should know because I had one... , once (sobbing deeply). I bought mine because that was the same year I was born too. I always said we were both "born" in the same year! That was the easiest playing guitar I've ever had. All I had to do was just lay my fingers on the fret board & she rang true & clear every time.
it was
one of the best leads ever
Just wonderful ! Still crazy after all these years. Thank you
I guarantee it when folks listen to that song they are waiting anticipating that great great solo
Fort those who wish to know, "Last Train to Clarksville" was written, produced and recorded by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart at RCA Victor Studio B in Hollywood on July 25, 1966. It was played by Boyce and Hart's band, "The Candy Store Prophets" who were: Tommy Boyce and Wayne Ervin on acoustic guitars, The Ventures' lead guitarist Gerry McGee (who sadly died last October) on electric guitar, Bobby Hart on keyboards, Larry Taylor (who sadly died last August), on bass guitar, was the session bassist for The Monkees and Jerry Lee Lewis and in 1967 joined Canned Heat. He was the younger brother of Mel Taylor, the long-time drummer of The Ventures, Billy Lewis on drums, Gene Estes on percussion and the inimitable Louis Shelton doing that fabulous lead guitar part on a Telecaster into a Fender Super Reverb amp.
With that illustrious line-up, no wonder The Monkees were shot to stardom. I hope these session musos - well those still standing or sitting - still receive the royalties.
Great info! As an audio engineer, I EAT this stuff up, and could read this type of history all day.
I love researching the studios (Western, Goldstar, Sunset Sound, RCA, Capitol, etc) where these songs were recorded; the equipment used, (Pultec EQ’s, UREI compressors and preamps, LA2 and Fairchild Limiters, Telefunken and Neumann mics, etc) and the incredible talent of the session cats who played on the tracks.
Thanks for posting the background for this track!
🙏❤️
The beatles "paperback writer" came out one month earlier in may 1966. Coincidence? I think not. Ive always thought i could hear the influence of paperback writer in last train to clarksville. Not that it isnt a great song in its own right. But just a wee bit derivative.
I thought john Stewart of Kingston trio wrote it? Says so in his biography.
@@stevemccutcheon8803 All sources I have found say that Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart wrote LTTC. If you look at the 45rpm Colgems single, the writing credit is the same.
All I can say is "WOW !!!"
I started learning in 1966 at 16 and formed a band with my friend who was a musician. Monkeys last train and I m a believer was my best two first time songs but never figured out the solo till now after seeing Louie play the riff. Fantastic player
I was born in 1967 and although I was too young to really know the music of the 60s at the time - it was a decade I've always loved. And the guitar on this is groovy af. Thank you.
one of my favorite guitar riffs...brings back soo many memories. Thanks!!!
The thing I really respect about studio musicians is the play economically - doing a lot with very little flashiness. They know how to use the fretboard effectively
They dont waste energy with any flashy gestures or moves. Sort of like a classical performance.
Because it's not about theatrics. They're musical craftsmen :)
Well put. My sentiments exactly.
Absolutely love this song and the guitars are what make it so interesting.
It worked then and still does! Great riffs like this are magical.
Thank you Louie!
Mr. Shelton, this video is absolutely delightful. I can’t begin to tell you how influential your guitar playing has been on me. If you ever get in the mood to make another video like this, particularly with the work you did for The Monkees, I’d be thrilled. Much respect. Thank you for all the great guitar work over the years. ❤
Man Thanks for that! That guitar sound is so sweet! Mickey Dolenz was definitely the right vocal sound for that song.
Simplicity plus brilliance equals genius.
How could anybody give a thumbs down..whatever...what a incredible piece..
He’s got that Tele sounding like a Rick...
At last !!!!! Straight from the original, thanks Louie, you don't know how long I've waited to see this
Peter Butler - I agree. Same with intro to Hot Rod Lincoln,the man himself giving a lesson, Bill Kurtchen. Check it out on u tube
This is one of the songs that all of us tried to play in our garage bands growing up. (never could do it). Good to know now that it was 3 guitars at once. I don't feel like I failed now. Louie, thank you for bringing such a beautiful talent to many of our lives growing up. Bill in Horn Lake, MS
I loved that tune from the moment I heard it. Such great, accurate picking.