Douglas Farthing Hatlelid

Better known as Chip Douglas, another (mostly) unsung hero of the 60’s California pop scene. Chip began his career as a member of cult hero band Modern Folk Quartet (“This Could Be The Night”) along with Cyrus Faryar, Jerry Yester and photographer Henry Diltz. When The Turtles and their bassist Chuck Portz parted ways, Chip was asked to join the band. Chip’s first record made with the band was “Happy Together”. He did the arrangement and played bass. The song exploded knocking The Beatles’ “Penny Lane” out of the # 1 single spot on the U.S. charts. After watching Chip perform with The Turtles  at the Whisky a Go Go, The Monkees’ Mike Nesmith asked Chip to quit The Turtles and become The Monkees’ producer. After producing one single which was unable to be released because of a contractual dispute, Douglas began as producer on The Monkees “Headquarters” album. Playing bass as well as producing the album, Douglas was there to inspire and support the band on their first effort as musicians on their own record. The band even cut one of Douglas’ songs called “Forget That Girl”. Douglas also produced and played bass on the band’s next album (Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones) and continued on to their next album (The Birds The Bees & The Monkees) where he found, produced and played bass on “Daydream Believer” as well a few other songs on that album. After the recording of The Birds, The Bees & the Monkees, Chip returned to The Turtles where he produced and played bass on the album The Turtles present The Battle Of The Bands which yielded hits “Elenore” and “you Showed Me”..

What I love about Chip’s playing is that his parts are always in service to the song. On “Happy Together”, he is playing a pulsing bass line that stays pretty much on the root notes in the lower register. Chip’s picking style (evidenced on the “Happy Together” video) is an open handed first finger style. I’m sure on some of The Monkees tracks (especially “What Am I Doin’ Hangin’ ‘Round), he’s using a pick. Speaking of “What Am I Doin’ Hangin’ ‘Round”, check out the movement on that track. The bass really leads the track and there’s a lot of movement with some really sweet licks. It’s a part that really embeds in your mind and since I was a kid it’s a part so memorable that I used to sing in my head. He does an interesting variation at 2:35 and an amazing riff at 2:38. Contrast this with the sublimely less is more part on The Turtles’ “You Showed Me”. Here he’s very out of the way except on the end of each chorus. On The Turtles’ “Elenore” he locks in with the kick drum, but still goes off on a cool walking pattern on the chorus. In a world of giants like Carol Kaye, Ray Pohlman and Joe Osborn, Chip found his own melodic niche and gave the world some amazing bass tracks that just so happen to be some of my favorite songs of all time. As a producer, he was great at dropping in cool little sonic gift surprises that never get old even after hundreds or thousands of listens.

Suggested Chip Douglas bass listening:

Monkees:

Daydream Believer, What Am I Doin’ Hangin’ ‘Round, Hard To Believe, I’ll Spend My Life With You, For Pete’s Sake, You Told Me, Forget That Girl, Pleasant Valley Sunday, Daily Nightly, Don’t Call On Me, Love Is Only Sleeping, Door Into Summer, Words, Cuddly Toy,

The Turtles:

Elenore, Happy Together, You Showed Me