The Music of Quarry: “B-A-B-Y”
Quarry–Episode 6, “His Deeds Were Scattered”
Quarry places special emphasis on the music of ’70s Memphis and how it creates a foundation for the world the characters live in. Many of the musical performances featured in the series were also shot as full music videos. Read on for music consultant David Porter’s reflections on bringing his song “B-A-BY,” performed for the show by Keia Johnson & The Royal Studio Players, to the series.
The year was 1966; that was the year of Isaac Hayes and David Porter’s turnaround year — when we were able to come up with some of the greatest creations in our catalog. This one, “B-A-B-Y” for Carla Thomas, was a joy.
After the classic recording of “Gee Whiz,” written and recorded by Carla, it was no short of a massive challenge for Isaac and me to try and stay in the lead with another great song for her. We had marginal success with the song, “How Do You Quit (Someone You Love)?” but it wasn’t quite there. On a cool day in ’66, Isaac and I were working in the studio on a song (“B-A-B-Y”). We didn’t have the concept direction of the total path of the song (which was a rarity), and were looking for answers.
We always came up with the parts for the guys to play, in all of our creations, but not quite on this one. On the session was Duck Dunn, Steve Cropper, Al Jackson, Booker T. Jones, Isaac Hayes and myself. In the middle of working to find the groove, Booker T. started playing a bass line pattern on the organ. We instantly recognized that as the missing pocket piece for the song. We taught that pattern to Duck Dunn; and with that feel, found the correct personality for the song.
That led me to ask Carla if Vaneese, her much younger sister, could sing background — giving it the tenderness and youthful spirit that the music was speaking to. This was the birth of what became the biggest record of Carla Thomas’ career.
Looking for a great, female classic song for Quarry was easy; with the drama, energy, and mood shift for the right music texture in the studio scene, “B-A-B-Y” was and would be perfect. Finding the right young artist to sing it, also was easy — Keia Johnson was a no brainer for me. An actress, performing artist and a great personality, Memphis-born Johnson was the right icing for a good song. Having the honor to showcase the attitude and music of those times with such a great production was manna from heaven. And in shooting “B-A-B-Y,” I loved every second of it. Quarry has been such a joy for me to be involved with on any level: such a great production, such great direction, such great scene setting, but also to have an opportunity to bring the music, the stories and the attitude of the music from that era is a tremendous honor. “B-A-B-Y” was one of the exciting songs from that period of time.
Listen to the Quarry Spotify Playlist, updated weekly. Discover more videos on YouTube at The Music of Quarry and go behind-the-scenes with the Music of Memphis.
Watch the entire season of Quarry with your Cinemax subscription on MAX GO.
