Turtlerock Forum

ok, this is real random..

I wonder if anyone out there can settle this one.

In the song, "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes, do you think the main riff is played with a Synth or a Guitar?

I always thought it was a synth (Sure the underlying deep pads are) but recently listening to it, I started to think it's a guitar with a fair amount of chorus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifDycyRNpcI

Help me settle this lame debate with some friends.

Guitar with chorus I say. I know it was all cut live with no overdubs, so I think the synth player was too busy doing the other parts.

both - I think Waddy Watchell was her guitar player from memory (dont quote me)

[edit] Personnel
Bill Burks – Art Direction & Design
Bill Cuomo – Prophet, Arranger (1,3)
Brian Garofalo – Bass, Background Vocal
Craig Krampf – Drums, Background Vocal
Craig Hull – Electric & Slide Guitars, Background Vocal
Daniel Moore – Background Vocal, Harmony Vocal (2;4;8;10)
Danny Kortchmar – Acoustic Guitar (4;7)
Dave Ellingson – Background Vocal, Harmony Vocal (2;3;7;8)
David Alexander – Photo
Don Francisco – Percussion (6;9)
Doug Sax – Mastered
Jerry Peterson – Saxohone
Josh Leo – Electric Guitars, Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar, Background Vocal
Julia Tillman Waters – Harmony Vocal (4)
Kim Carnes – Vocals, Piano (10)
M.L. Benoit – Percussion
Maxine Willard Waters – Harmony Vocal (4)
Michael Brokaw – Management (Kragen & Co.), Direction
Mike Reese – Mastered
Niko Bolas – Engineering Assistance
Paul Roberts – Cover Inspired by
Steve Goldstein – Keyboards
Val Garay – Producer, Recorder
Waddy Wachtel – Electric Guitar (1), Acoustic Guitar (2), Background Vocal, Harmony Vocal (6)
Wendy Waldman – Harmony Vocal (7)

the articulation and the chords in the chorus give it away (as being a guitar).

in 1981 you weren't allowed to have guitars in pop music (unless you were U2)... hence the cunning synth disguise ;-)

wez wrote:the articulation and the chords in the chorus give it away (as being a guitar).

in 1981 you weren't allowed to have guitars in pop music (unless you were U2)... hence the cunning synth disguise ;-)

That's why I don't like much 80s (radio) music, even thought I was in a guitar band in the 80s.

One of those MIDI synth guitars or Keytar?

intro could be either....chorus is guitar.......

wez wrote:the articulation and the chords in the chorus give it away (as being a guitar).

It was recently, when I heard the chorus with the slow strum that made me think 'tis guitar'

Cheers for your input people.

Regards
Mike

useless information
when it came out people were really upset because the chorus is sung
as "Betty davis eyes "

she was only EVER known as Bette apparently !

My brother thought it was "Betty davis thighs" !

Great, now I can't get the song out of my head. Thanks Mike

"she's got .............

I much prefer the Buckwheat version myself