Bourgie, Bourgie

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In the 80s I had a vocal version of this on a single. My erratic memory tells me this wasn't the Gladys Knight version but a version with a more pared-down arrangement, possibly by an 80s British pop band.

Internet searches suggest this is fantasy on my part and that it must have been the GK version. Anyone remember a version that might be the one I'm thinking of?

― ArfArf, Sunday, 22 September 2002 10:42 (twenty-three years ago)

the only 2 versions i know if this are the FANTASTIC ashford & simpson one, and the John Davis Orchestra one, which isn't bad

― gareth (gareth), Sunday, 22 September 2002 10:44 (twenty-three years ago)

I think you might be thinking of a band actually called that who were active in the early '80s. The original version is by Ashford & Simpson of course. It seems the Watergates (Julian Jonah) did a version as well some years back.

― David (David), Sunday, 22 September 2002 10:50 (twenty-three years ago)

Gareth what are you doing here. You're meant to be somewhere near the North Sea.

― David (David), Sunday, 22 September 2002 10:52 (twenty-three years ago)

i'm not going today (see the southend thread)

― gareth (gareth), Sunday, 22 September 2002 10:57 (twenty-three years ago)

there was a scottish band featuring paul haig called bourgie bourgie who also did a version of said song - perhaps it was them?

― stirmonster, Sunday, 22 September 2002 11:08 (twenty-three years ago)

Thanks to all. Stirmonster I had thought it might have been the band of that name, but again, my searching couldn't confirm that they'd actually recorded the song. I don't suppose anyone knows where I could find a copy of that version?

Is there a vocal version by Ashford and Simpson? (I'm assuming, perhaps wrongly, that they wrote the song). Searching through KaZaa I can only find the GK version and instrumental versions (var. attributed to Larry Levan, Ashford and Simpson and John Davis).

― ArfArf, Sunday, 22 September 2002 12:04 (twenty-three years ago)

A&S wrote the song, and recorded it c. 1978. I have their version (which has vocals) somewhere, on the b-side of 'Love Don't Always Make It Right'. At least, I think all that is true. I could be losing my mind.

― David (David), Sunday, 22 September 2002 12:14 (twenty-three years ago)

Hmm I found this review of Ashford and Simpsons album "Send It", which seems to suggest they didn't record a vocal version?

"Send It also includes the dance-oriented instrumental "Bourgie Bourgie," which became a vocal number when, in 1980, lyrics were added for a remake by Gladys Knight & the Pips. "Bourgie Bourgie" was a bigger hit for that group, although Ashford & Simpson's original version enjoyed a fair amount of exposure in dance clubs."

Still love to track down the version (if it exists) by the band Bourgie Bourgie.

― ArfArf, Sunday, 22 September 2002 12:24 (twenty-three years ago)

That's why I suddenly had that afterthought about losing my mind. Yes you're right it was instrumental.

― David (David), Sunday, 22 September 2002 12:29 (twenty-three years ago)

Seems an appropriate response to my request for information about a record that may never have existed!

― ArfArf, Sunday, 22 September 2002 12:43 (twenty-three years ago)

Bourgie Bourgie was indeed a Scottish post 'postcard' type band, with Paul Quinn (not Haig) on lead vocals.

A bit of a mystery whatever happened to him, he'd released singles with Edwyn Collins, Vince Clarke and I think had worked with Roddy Frame too. Maybe the other ILx grey foxes can fill in the details.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 22 September 2002 15:16 (twenty-three years ago)

not me billy

― mark s (mark s), Sunday, 22 September 2002 22:17 (twenty-three years ago)

The unfortunate fate of Paul Quinn is revealed in David Cavanagh's excellent book 'My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry For The Prize'.

― Snotty Moore, Sunday, 22 September 2002 22:54 (twenty-three years ago)

I used to see a bit of Paul Quinn in the late 80s. He was super-nice, but I recall that he had some sort of serious wasting disease like MS. I hope he's coping.

Snotty, can you give us more details?

― Momus (Momus), Sunday, 22 September 2002 22:57 (twenty-three years ago)

ah, i always get my haigs and quinns mixed up.

― stirmonster, Monday, 23 September 2002 04:20 (twenty-three years ago)

The Cavanagh book (quite properly) didn't give much in the way of details. It said that Paul Quinn was ill with MS and that Alan Horne was looking after him.

Paul Quinn and the Independent Group made two LPs ("The Phantoms and the Archetypes" and "Will I Ever Be Inside of You") for the re-launched Postcard label in the '90s. Both were patchy, but both had fabulous moments.

― Tim (Tim), Monday, 23 September 2002 09:18 (twenty-three years ago)

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