Matt Jones

before you play two notes learn how to play one note - and don't play one note unless you've got a reason to play it - Mark Hollis

A Letter from Walt Kraemer

Following up my response to yesterdays comment in the Pinball Song thread, Walt Kraemer has been kind enough to email me with some information about the song. So here it is, definitive and from the person who composed and produced it, everything you ever wanted to know about the Sesame Street Pinball Number Count.

As composer and producer of Sesame Street’s Pinball Music I was flattered to find interest in something I created over a quarter of a century ago. Our company, Imagination, Inc in San Francisco produced a great number of animation pieces for Children’s Television Workshop at that time so forgive me if I’m a bit hazy as to some of the particulars.

Those were indeed the Pointer Sisters. All four of them. At the time only three were performing regularly and I recall budgeting for just the three when June showed up at the session with the rest. It was a bonus. The basic track was performed by San Francisco Bay Area musicians and since there were to be eleven pieces of animation I had the track structured to accomodate three different lead instrument overdubs to give the pieces some variety. On some numbers Andy Narell plays a steel drums solo, on others Mel Martin plays a soprano sax solo, on the rest… I forget. Much credit should go to Ed Bogas for interpreting my melody ideas and for the musical arrangements.

The concept and design was devised by our animation director, Jeff Hale. It was his idea that I create basic tracks then record as ‘wild-lines’ the Pointers shouting the various 2-11 numbers in different intensities and different compliments of voices. Then, each time the pin ball hit a selected number he would drop in these (off-key—couldn’t be helped) wild lines. While I have retained first or second generation masters (quarter inch tape now converted to DAT and CD) of 99% my audio productions over the years it is for above reason there was never a ‘master’ track. This news came as a dissapointment to the folks back at Sesame Street who were planning the current CD release. Unfortunately, I have retained nothing from this session. Matter of fact, I haven’t heard the piece in years.

On the techinal side, we recorded at Richard Beggs’ (Francis Ford Coppola’s) studio in the Columbus Towers Building, 24 track, analog—of course. Mag transfers were made at Imagination, Inc. which is long out of business. And, again unfortunately, there is nothing left of either the animation cells nor audio elements for any of that beautiful work.

Personally, I am honored to be thought of in the same company as Herbie Hancock and Frank Zappa. My approach was to write the piece in 12-4 or 12-8 time but that didn’t quite work out. And it wasn’t until we had completed the project that I realized I may have stolen the first five notes of the Woody Woodpecker Song. Something I’m sure neither Hancock nor Zappa would be guilty of.

Cordially,

Walt Kraemer

20 Responses to “A Letter from Walt Kraemer”

  1. 10:31 am on 10 September 2003 :::

    Phil Says:

    Nice one Matt. Respect to Kraemer for getting in touch and taking the time out to write an informative and lengthy response. God bless Google!

  2. 3:30 pm on 10 September 2003 :::

    natis Says:

    That is way cool dude.

  3. 5:55 pm on 10 September 2003 :::

    Tommy Says:

    Nice. :)

  4. 10:20 pm on 10 September 2003 :::

    mal Says:

    Brilliant! :)

    As Phil says, god bless Google! And cheers to Walt, too, for that matter. :)

  5. 10:42 am on 11 September 2003 :::

    tim Says:

    I’m a amatuer musician, and I can trace my love of all thing funk back to some time in the early 80s and being sat infront of sesami st and seeing the amazing pinball animation, with the most far out tune behind it (Walt – its the superb Rhodes playing that I would reckon is why people think its a Hancock tune). Ever since, I’ve been trying to trace this tune. Anyone got it, like in any format (other than the remixed version thats just not the same!)??

  6. 12:20 am on 13 September 2003 :::

    strictly kev Says:

    I saw this as i was forwarded the letter from Walt by Sesame Workshop. Pity it didn’t reach us in time for the Ninja release as it would have made great sleeve notes. Might just make it on another Sesame release we’re planning in the future though ;)

    As the record will finally see the light of day on Monday i’d like to let Tim know that it is basically exactly the same as the original ‘Pinball Number Count’ that Walt recorded.
    When i obtained tapes (no.s 2 through 12, there is no number 1 apparently) from Sesame Street i realised that the track came in 3 different versions. Each had the same beginning and end chorus but there was a choice of 3 different ‘bridges’ scattered amongst the songs and each has it’s own particular number shouted throughout.
    All i did was a minimal re-edit of the original adding all 3 bridges to the existing chorus but chopping in different numbers randomly in the places they originally sat in each particular version.
    The version on the 3 CD Sesame boxset is an early mix that includes a couple of Count von Count samples at either end. This was originally done for a mix CD i released but didn’t make the cut. Sesame liked it so much they put it on their box set and kept the spokenword either end.
    The version coming out on vinyl is the exact same arrangement, without the Count, but remastered and mixed to a much higher standard. As the original tracks were less than a minute long the re edit brings parts of all the versions together to make up just over 2 and a half minutes worth of Pinball nostalgia.

    Enjoy

    Strictly Kev
    (DJ Food)

  7. 5:14 pm on 14 September 2003 :::

    Leon Says:

    See, kids, this–and not American liberals banging on about Howard Dean–is why weblogs are making the world a better place.

  8. 1:57 pm on 16 September 2003 :::

    Tim Says:

    Cheers Kev – respec!

  9. 3:18 am on 24 September 2003 :::

    Philippe Says:

    wow this is just the tops

  10. 5:11 pm on 1 October 2003 :::

    Ryan Says:

    Serious props for the info.
    Seeing this song’s inclusion on the recent set convinced me to pull the purchasing trigger.

    BTW, many omissions on the box set (‘Telephone Rock’ & ‘Letter B’ for starters), but that’s off-topic. Maybe CTW will keep the vaults flowing for the diehards? A Cut Chemist mix of that crazed “Hat, Hat … mmm, Hat” rhyming song, perhaps?

  11. 3:07 pm on 16 December 2003 :::

    ezra Says:

    Greetings all,

    I am trying to figure out the chords and melody for this very song. What a great tune! Damn it’s difficult!

    If anyone has any information they can share on this challenge, please email me at ezra@twinoaks.org

  12. 1:34 am on 21 December 2003 :::

    doug Says:

    Wow – what fantastic information.
    The pinball song always used to be my favourite part of sesame street and i apparently used to cry if i missed it.
    haha

  13. 5:20 am on 5 January 2004 :::

    tabitha Says:

    my band was doing an in store set at rough trade record shop in london last month and the shop played the pinball song while we were setting up. we all stopped what we were doing at freaked out at how amazing it was. i think they said some german dj’s released a remix of it?? it was only on vinyl so i didn’t buy it. looks like it’s available on cd through sesame street now, yay…..i really should have turntable, shame on me.

  14. 11:01 pm on 18 March 2004 :::

    Heather Says:

    This is all good, but what about the extraordinary Jazz Numbers Jeff Hale animation that pre-dated the Pinball version? I hear so much from Gen Y-ers about the Pointer Sisters \”Pinball\” numbers clip; but what about the psychedelic, beautiful, and still eye-poppingly imaginative \”Jazz Numbers\” cartoon that featured Grace Slick singing the numbers? Someone out there must remember it, and I hope if you do, Walt, you\’ll tell us Gen X-er old timers about OUR generation\’s numbers clip. Anyone out there remember the bald wizard in the peaked cap for 7? The devil at the end of 3? The snarling hockey-player whose flying puck leads in 4? How about the homage to the Jackson 5 and The Beatles in 5? I know *someone* out there remembers, not just me… and btw, Walt: I own all the clips of each version, so if you want to hear and see them again, post a request here, and I\’ll get you a VHS copy of the whole megilah!

  15. 6:18 pm on 29 March 2004 :::

    Jenn Says:

    heather,
    please let me know how I can get a VHS copy of your clips. That would ROCK!

  16. 1:33 pm on 31 March 2004 :::

    ted Says:

    I have pinball animations for the numbers 4,8 and 10 recorded from dutch television – with dutch lyrics. I can convert them to a digital format, but I am not sure about copyright…

    I am not sure what Heather means with the Jazz Numbers cartoon. Her description (\”psychedelic\”, and the hockey player in number 4), fit what I understand to be the pinball number animation…

  17. 5:41 pm on 13 May 2004 :::

    Josh Says:

    Heather, if you can get me a VHS copy (or post up somewhere a digital copy), that would rock! email me and let me know: jparish@columbus.rr.com

  18. 10:17 am on 13 June 2004 :::

    Mat Says:

    what a wicked tune. Not only was this a childhood song for me and my friends but I have also experienced some crazy sing alongs to this tune under various substances and it blows me away everytime.
    There is something about that tune that is magic! 123-4-5-678-9-10-11-12

  19. 12:02 am on 15 June 2004 :::

    Micah Moore Says:

    You can get EVERY one of the cartoons animated by that genius on DVD!!!And for like 12 bucks!!!
    Spread the word!!!

    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005QFDV/qid%3D1087254552

  20. 1:13 am on 9 February 2009 :::

    Matt Jones » Blog Archive » The Pinball Song, Again Says:

    [...] UPDATE: Since posting the information below, Walt Kraemer, composer of the Sesame Street Pinball Song, wrote to me with some definitive information about it. Click here to read Walt’s letter. [...]