Jim Keltner & "Every Time I Try"

There's a great interview with legendary drummer Jim Keltner in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of Drumhead magazine.

Not many people know this but Jim Keltner played drums on the track "Every Time I Try" performed by my band Spain for the soundtrack of Wim Wender's 1997 film End Of Violence. Not the version that appears on the second Spain CD She Haunts My Dreams (Joey Waronker plays drums on that one), but the original version which can be found here and here.

We were introduced to Mr. Keltner through our association with former Dreamworks Records president Lenny Waronker (Joey's dad). I remember at the session (which took place at Conway Recording Studios in Hollywood) thinking how great he sounded and how he made the song come alive. At one point myself and one of the band members had a little argument about how we should play and/or arrange the song, and we asked Mr. Keltner what he thought, to which he replied, "Its a great song...I'll play it however you like!"

Anyways, Mr. Keltner isn't credited on either the soundtrack or the CD single version of the song, so I thought I might write about it here. It was one of the most memorable recording sessions I've been a part of and I'm so thankful he was able to play on one of my songs. I am truly blessed!

Spain 'Every Time I Try' Video (1997)

Spain 'Every Time I Try' video (1997) directed by Wim Wenders (from his film 'The End Of Violence').



When Wim Wenders approached us to write a song for his film, he wanted to put us out of our element and see how we would sound writing an electronica song. He didn't like what we submitted and so asked me to write a song with more of a Spain-vibe and, with one day before the deadline, this is what I came up with.

Wim Wenders filmed this video with us at a San Fernando Valley soundstage around the time the movie was released, if I remember correctly. The video is included with the DVD, buy or rent a copy if you're interested, its a great film.