The Velvet Forum

Hi, new to Board, so sorry if already discussed. Is there a version of VU's Sunday Morning without the celesta? Luke

Live versions maybe, but not a studio version as far as I'm aware.

Thanks. That explains why I can't find one. I've tried finding an online app that removes one instrument, whilst keeping the rest intact, but without success.

Just out of interest, what's your issue with the celeste? I've always thought it a pretty integral part of the song and would miss it if it wasn't there - unlike say the godawful strings and flute on the Chelsea Girl tracks.

I like the celeste in "Sunday Morning" too. The instrument would be used again by the VU in "Stephanie Says". Both times it was apparently played by John Cale.

Buddy Holly also used one (played by Vi Petty, his producer's wife) in "Everyday", back in 1957.

Without the celeste there is very little else on the track.
Vocal and bass guitar with minimal drumming
I don't hear any guitar - the only other thing is the background chord drone which sounds more like some kind of organ/mellotron than a guitar to me?

Something that's been bugging me about Sunday Morning for ever is - how did they make that sound?

Aside from the celesta, drums, and bass (which sounds so professionally slick and unlike any other VU bass line that it could arguably have been played by a session musician, although I'm sure it wasn't), there is a piano starting half-way through, and the guitar solo in the middle.

What I can't figure out is what instrument(s) was/were used for the ambient pad. It sounds like something drenched in reverb, without the dry sound.

Although Cale is listed as playing the viola on it, I just don't hear a viola making that sound, no matter how much reverb was added. It almost sounds like a small woodwind section, with a hint of muted French horn in places.

I can't even decide if it's one instrument, or if it was doubled or tripled.

Interested to know if anyone has more information or hear something I'm missing.

I quite clearly hear a viola. Sometimes you can hear the sounds are made with a bow (and therefore no keys instrument). It's drenched in reverb sure, but not so different than how it sounds on the rest of the album? And while it's miles away from his viola on Fly (Nick Drake) it still sounds like the same instrument in my ears (though I have to admit I never really thought about what goes on behind the celeste and bass, but listening closely now it does seem obvious).

Thanks, I will listen again. Do you think it's a single viola track, or several?

I tend to think it's viola but then Cale would be playing on it twice. Of course it could have been over-dubbed.

But I wonder whether it could be a treated, strummed guitar sound. Of course there's also a guitar solo later, too, but maybe a different guitar(ist) there.