I've always liked the song Scarborough Fair in any version - Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 have the edge for sure, but I've recently stumbled across a great version I've not heard before.
It's an instrumental by The Roundhouse, and can only be described as a folk rock/prog/jazz workout, complete with dulcimer, harpsichord, flutes, rock guitars and everything but the kitchen sink, and it's about seven minutes long too. So that's been on rotation in the Five-Centres kitchenette for the past week or so, along with:
(Blame It) On The Pony Express/Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon. Nice sound of 1970 here, by a band I know absoutely nothing about and no amount of internet research can shed any light. I've got some great singles by them, but who are they? Any ideas?
Seagull/Bad Company. You can't beat a bit of Bad Company at the best of times, their Feel Like Makin' Love a song that befits just such a moment. However, this is a similiar slow rockin' vein and must be heard. You may want to cry.
Anything by Serge Gainsbourg (except the cod reggae). Such a great voice, years of abuse coming through. I love a song sung in French, didn't always, but I've learnt to appreciate it. Gilbert Becaud's Top Ten hit A Little Love And Understanding is not sung in French, but might as well be. But he's no Serge. Shame he's dead.
Chevy Van/Sammy Johns. An early to mid-Seventies country-tinged US Top Ten hit about makin' love in the back of van. And how.
Sing Me An Old Fashioned Song/Billie Jo Spears. Not a patch on her classic Blanket On The Ground obviously, but any song that sings of flies in buttermilk and skip to my lou gets my vote. All we need is shoofly pie and my life will be complete.
Patchwork/Tindersticks. I love Stuart Staples' voice as I've said before. He's done a version of Hushabye Mountain, as song which is the highlight of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang if one had to choose only one, which is superb. This song makes tears prick the backs of my eyes. I'm welling up thinking about it. And I have no idea what it's about.
6 comments:
Have you heard Tony Bennett's version of 'Hushabye..'. Definitive I'd say.
And Tindersticks 'Tiny Tears' is in heavy rotation in my house. Used to perfection in Sopranos
I've not heard the Tony Bennett version, but I'll certainly be checking it out.
Tiny Tears is a gem
I've got Chelsea Morning by SM&B66. Much better than Joni Mitchell.
I always remember Pony Express from family weddings in the early 70's, ditto Mony Mony, which has been on the internal jukebox all weekend.
Fairport Convention do the best version of Chelsea Morning for my money
Not sure how available TB's version is. Preview temporarily available here.
Ta Val, that's great. Makes me want to stay in bed forever.
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