That was my #1, which maybe I can explain a little later if you want.
Please do!
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 11:51 (five years ago) link
30. What's New, Pussycat? — 181 Points, 6 VotesLyric: Hal DavidTom Jones, 1965 Parrot Records single, 181 points — https://youtu.be/cB-ur_x-1HgA 60s or 70s live tv version — https://youtu.be/YG1c3OasifcLive, 2018 — https://youtu.be/RP3WPZqkBwg - still in great voice.
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 11:58 (five years ago) link
29. Something Big — 227 Points, 5 VotesLyric: Hal DavidJim O'Rourke, from Eureka, 1999, 126 points — https://youtu.be/1TVVQvk5KbMBurt Bacharach, 1973 single, 101 points — https://youtu.be/m6ROvkl9gNY
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 12:21 (five years ago) link
The Jim O'Rourke version of this song is what originally turned me on to Burt Bacharach's songwriting back 1999 (well, that and Austin Powers :) I had always assumed that this was a much less obscure song (based on the fact that he decided to cover it), but apparently Jim did some crate-digging.
― enochroot, Thursday, 16 May 2019 12:30 (five years ago) link
Listening to the original version for the first time now, and it seems that Jim O'Rourke did a pretty straight/faithful cover. I was afraid I wouldn't like the original, but it's essentially identical.
― enochroot, Thursday, 16 May 2019 12:34 (five years ago) link
The pain and disappointment behind the jaunty exterior in this song fit O'Rourke so well, he was born to cover it.
https://media.timeout.com/images/102606826/630/472/image.jpg
"There'll be joy and there'll be laughter..."
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 12:38 (five years ago) link
The vote counts have really shot up! I gave points to Burt's "Something Big" though, oddly, it was O'Rourke's rendition posted in the other thread that got me reexamining the original. There's something going on in the chorus, rhythmically, that is immensely pleasing in both versions.
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Thursday, 16 May 2019 12:40 (five years ago) link
28. The Windows of the World — 236 Points, 9 VotesLyric: Hal DavidThe Free Design, from You Could Be Born Again (1968), 106 points — https://youtu.be/mbb_xx38zZYDionne Warwick, from The Windows of the World LP (1967), 56 points — https://youtu.be/Hvq5RYlgQ-UScott Walker, from Scott 2 (1968), 55 points — https://youtu.be/8OvChlYMN6sBobbie Gentry, unknown recording date, 19 points — https://youtu.be/tWeQLQ75sTsGentry version is on The Best of the Capitol Years and The Girl from Chickasaw County comps.
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 12:45 (five years ago) link
All the voted for versions of this are great but I couldn’t not vote for the Dedricks.
― Jeff W, Thursday, 16 May 2019 12:52 (five years ago) link
Free Design 4 votes, Dionne 5 votes, Scott and Bobbie 1 vote each
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 12:59 (five years ago) link
Correction, Dionne got 3 votes.
Dedricks?
― Careless Love Battery (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 16 May 2019 13:02 (five years ago) link
What is the family from The Free Design
― Josefa, Thursday, 16 May 2019 13:09 (five years ago) link
WAY too low!
(Oh well, that's what I get for not voting.)
― Hideous Lump, Thursday, 16 May 2019 13:10 (five years ago) link
27. You'll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart) — 255 Points, 8 VotesLyric: Hal DavidThe Stylistics, 1976 single, 235 points — https://youtu.be/T7pgAAW9pEURumer, from This Girl's in Love (A Bacharach & David Songbook), 2016, 20 points — https://youtu.be/OzAM69HpkWU(First recording is by Dionne, 1964.)
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 13:13 (five years ago) link
Had to be the Stylistics version, and it broke up my Dionne-heavy choices a bit. Also wow this is low.
― Doctor Nu (Noodle Vague), Thursday, 16 May 2019 13:22 (five years ago) link
Burt gave Phil Ramone a lot of credit for that original of Something Big - "I never sang better".
― Michael Jones, Thursday, 16 May 2019 13:24 (five years ago) link
And I think the Jim O version was my intro to Edith Frost (who really doesn't sing like that anywhere else, not surprisingly!) :)
― Michael Jones, Thursday, 16 May 2019 13:26 (five years ago) link
That Stylistics version is so beautiful. I might have heard it back in the 70s but wasn't really knocked out by it until this poll. Also had never heard of Rumer before the poll -- my first thought was "is this Rumer Willis?"
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 13:29 (five years ago) link
If not Rumer Godden.
― Careless Love Battery (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 16 May 2019 13:33 (five years ago) link
Next 4 songs are bunched up, climbing in 1-point increments.
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 13:35 (five years ago) link
26. Are You There (With Another Girl/Guy) — 260 Points, 7 VotesLyric: Hal DavidDionne Warwick, 1965 single, 260 points — https://youtu.be/3F9NWBPf23QDionne lip-syncing on French TV, 1967 — https://youtu.be/-8B_bhMMg8c
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 13:41 (five years ago) link
Too low! etc, etc.
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Thursday, 16 May 2019 13:43 (five years ago) link
otm
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 13:46 (five years ago) link
Don’t blame me, I had it at #19
― Careless Love Battery (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 16 May 2019 13:53 (five years ago) link
25. Casino Royale — 261 Points, 7 VotesLyric: Hal David (yes, there are lyrics on the end credits version, I don't recommend them)Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, 1967 single and movie soundtrack, 184 points — https://youtu.be/dgcV8PrCLcsGeoff Love & His Orchestra, from Big Bond Movie Themes (1975), 77 points — https://youtu.be/F0gI4KoD0TA
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 14:12 (five years ago) link
Seven James Bonds at Casino Royale,They came to save the world and win a gal at Casino Royale!Six of them went to a heavenly spot,The seventh one is going to a place where it's terribly...hot.
The formula is safe with ole double-oh seven!He's got a redhead in his arms!Oh, he's a lover, when you're in trouble
Have no fear, look who's here...James Bond...They've got us on the run…With guns…And knives...We're fighting for our lives...Have no fear, Bond is here...He's gonna to save the world at Casino Royale!
Never fear, Bond is here!
Have no fear, look who's here...James Bond...They've got us on the run…With guns…And knives...We're fighting for our lives...Have no fear, Bond is here...He's gonna to save the world at Casino Royale...James Bond...is here...so have...no fear...so have...no...fear.
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 14:16 (five years ago) link
Makes you wonder what the point is of working with a professional lyricist."Hal, you had ONE job..."
― enochroot, Thursday, 16 May 2019 14:21 (five years ago) link
24. A House Is Not a Home — 262 Points, 6 VotesLyric: Hal DavidLuther Vandross, from s/t album, 1982, 166 points — https://youtu.be/CGib6okEeZ4Dionne Warwick, from Make Way for Dionne Warwick (1964), 96 points — https://youtu.be/Mk7CNHHIuH4Terrific Dionne live TV version — https://youtu.be/olvaDzUi8c8No love for the original Brook Benton single, 1964.
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 14:33 (five years ago) link
The original is great, but Luther Vandross...
― L'assie (Euler), Thursday, 16 May 2019 14:35 (five years ago) link
Luther Vandross version live at the NAACP Image Awards (not sure of the year), Dionne looking on admiringly — https://youtu.be/Gu2JBMNBbKo
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 14:37 (five years ago) link
23. Promises, Promises — 263 Points, 6 Votes, 1 first-place voteLyric: Hal DavidDionne Warwick, 1968 single, 163 points — https://youtu.be/dGqPbfjJarIErik Friedlander, from Great Jewish Music: Burt Bacharach (1997), 100 points — https://youtu.be/ti8_LA-_OdE
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 14:51 (five years ago) link
The Friedlander version was my #1...
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 14:52 (five years ago) link
That's pretty cool. I kept meaning to get back to the Great Jewish Music stuff.
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Thursday, 16 May 2019 15:14 (five years ago) link
22. One Less Bell To Answer — 284 Points, 8 VotesLyric: Hal DavidThe Fifth Dimension, 1970 single, 262 points — https://youtu.be/pjW_z02EjaABarbra Streisand, from Barbra Joan Streisand (1971), 22 points — https://youtu.be/Txyd1fkJxmg
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 15:21 (five years ago) link
Streisand version is a medley with "A House Is Not a Home," but the vote was for just "Bell" so I didn't split the points.
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 15:23 (five years ago) link
Had the 5D version at #14
― Careless Love Battery (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 16 May 2019 15:36 (five years ago) link
And Dionne version of “Promises, Promises” at #22, almost right on the consensus.
― Careless Love Battery (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 16 May 2019 15:38 (five years ago) link
There are 3 songs on that comp that keep it from being one of the best records I own -- Yuka Honda/Sean Lennon "The Look of Love," Medeski Martin & Wood "San Jose," and Lloyd Cole/Robert Quine "Just don't know what to do w/myself."
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 15:46 (five years ago) link
ok, here's the song with points from seven different versions -- the last couple of ballots knocked it out of the top 20.
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 15:49 (five years ago) link
21. Trains and Boats and Planes — 375 Points, 10 votesLyric: Hal DavidDionne Warwick, 1966 single, 129 points — https://youtu.be/nuBumHuouugAstrud Gilberto, from Lo Mejor De Astrud Gilberto (1975), 77 points — https://youtu.be/e2n-x3hovJEFred Frith, from Great Jewish Music: Burt Bacharach (1997), 43 points — https://youtu.be/juNwNdYic5wThe Box Tops, from The Letter/Neon Rainbow (1967), 40 points — https://youtu.be/-gNB-6WNk7EBurt Bacharach, 1965 single, 36 points — https://youtu.be/58db0IGpiVMThe Everly Brothers, from The Hit Sound of the Everly Brothers (1967), 34 points — https://youtu.be/nA0bVfCpSR0Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas, 1965 single, 16 points — https://youtu.be/wIEpKZLH1GY
I couldn’t figure out how I felt about that song, so didn’t vote for it. Never paid much attention to it before, but like a lot of artists that sang it and am enjoying their versions of the song. Also, I’ve met the guy who arranged the Astrud Gilberto record. He also played on a lot of Burt’s Scepter sessions.
― Careless Love Battery (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 16 May 2019 15:53 (five years ago) link
The Astrud version is A+...her accent totally makes it and drives home the storyline.
― a large tuna called “Justice” (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 16 May 2019 16:13 (five years ago) link
I'm probably going to count down to 16 today and do the top 15 tomorrow. Gathering the discogs info and youtubes takes a bit of time and I probably wouldn't finish until evening, and I have a thing to go to tonight.
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 16:19 (five years ago) link
Don’t go, please stay.
― Careless Love Battery (James Redd and the Blecchs), Thursday, 16 May 2019 16:25 (five years ago) link
lol
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 16:27 (five years ago) link
https://i.imgur.com/e6Q9yD5.jpg
20. Alfie — 378 Points, 7 VotesLyric: Hal DavidCilla Black, 1966 single, 310 points — https://youtu.be/glpIgnmKrZc from the recording session. Stevie Wonder, from Eivets Rednow (1968), 36 points — https://youtu.be/sY6KW-Fxy68Dionne Warwick, 1967, 32 points — https://youtu.be/cW2fLeD5Pow
Stevie Wonder at the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song ceremony, 2012 — https://youtu.be/gMQ_Hj7_mxc (the Bacharachs and Obamas in the front row)
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 16:35 (five years ago) link
I really don't think anyone had ever put Cilla through something like this before. She had a really strong pop voice but what I wanted her to do on "Alfie" was go for the jugular. We did twenty-eight or twenty-nine takes and after each one, I kept saying, "Can we do better than that? Can I get one more?" The way Cilla remembers it, George Martin finally asked me, "Burt, what are you looking for here?" I said, "That little bit of magic," and he said, "I think we got that on take four."
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 16:42 (five years ago) link
Mike Myers: If you've seen the video of that session on YouTube, Burt breaks Cilla in the studio. He was going to do it until it was right and I love the quote from her, "I wanted to foo-kin' kill him but he was so foo-kin' gorgeous."
― WmC, Thursday, 16 May 2019 16:44 (five years ago) link
great rollout so far, although i just can't get down with "arthur's theme" or "casino royale" lol sorry !
aretha's "april fools" and dusty's "in the land of make believe" were my #7 and #8, respectively
jim o'rourke's "something big" my favorite discovery so far
so fucking otm
I was the Ribot voter, specifically for the solo acoustic version, but that's not on youtube. It's not quite as outside as if Eugene Chadbourne had covered the song, but it's got some sharp edges on it.― WmC, Wednesday, May 15, 2019 8:18 PM (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
― WmC, Wednesday, May 15, 2019 8:18 PM (yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink
i remember feeling that i should have spent more time with the "great jewish music" comp when i voted; now i'm pretty sure i'll have to spring for a copy
Medeski Martin & Wood "San Jose,"
just out of curiosity, what don't you like about this track ? that they take too many liberties ?
― budo jeru, Thursday, 16 May 2019 16:52 (five years ago) link