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 My record of the week 60 years ago |
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 Feb 29 2024, 03:24 PM
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#361
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 BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 20 April 2009
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Agree Not Fade Away is a really striking cover and top of the pile.
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Feb 29 2024, 05:14 PM
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#362
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 BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 18 July 2012
Posts: 22,812 User: 17,376
 
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I like all of these but the charm of Little Children runs deep for this former-6-year-old! Best way to get kids out the house was to give us sixpence to go to the cinema down the road for saturday morning matinees and a singsong! Jim's is still honey-sweet and warm, Fred's is tuneful fun, The Hollies' is catchy, and Not Fade Away is Bo Diddley-esque mature rock. Heinz has turned out to be a bit surprising, I watched the Joe Meek film last week (which seems to have taken liberties with lots of the now-dead folk backstory) but Heinz comes over as a bit of a dick and Meek as very mentally ill. It's very DARK!
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Mar 5 2024, 07:25 PM
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#363
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BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 3 January 2017
Posts: 10,138 User: 23,961
   
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5th - 11th March 1964
32. It's An Open Secret - The Joy Strings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pFu5PKf_Cg We start off with a Salvation Army group but this has more of a folk/pop sound rather than the brass band I was expecting. They even appeared on Ready Steady Go. 36. Theme For Young Lovers - The Shadows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfjQYpV0tCM Taken from the latest Cliff Richard movie, Wonderful Life, this is another decent Shadows tune but not essential. 38. I Love How You Love Me - Maureen Evans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yoi-vTmB78 A drippy version of a love song which was first recorded in 1961 by a Phil Spector produced girl group called the Paris Sisters. It will be the last of Maureen's four top 40 hits. 40. A Fool Never Learns - Andy Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieD8ZUIBzFM This is quite a buoyant mid-tempo song with the backing band playing their part. It won't go any higher than number 40. Record of the week : 28. That Girl Belongs To Yesterday - Gene Pitney I like the big production on this with the drums, piano and orchestra and he has the powerful vocals not to be overwhelmed by it. The song was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. This week, it's one place below Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa which is on its way down the chart. It will eventually peak at number 7. |
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Mar 6 2024, 10:28 AM
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#364
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BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 18 July 2012
Posts: 22,812 User: 17,376
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Gene all the way today, not surprisingly for me, but The Shads nice tune is in the vein of Wonderful Land without the sweeping strings and melody. Don't know any of these bar Gene's, the Andy Williams song is jolly enough. Andy does ballads or drama though, "jolly" doesnt quite cut it. Maureen Evans, turns out I do know the song after all, who knew! It's a great tune, but ti seems a little too laid-back from the version I know. Cue Google. and I'm still none the wiser - so many versions! I assume it's the original US hit version I know, but it could be Bryan Ferry, Billy Fury, Glen Campbell too....
which leaves the Joy Strings. Inspired by another song I can't place either, I'd say. Pass, though it's 50 years this week since Olivia Newton John sang and name-checked the Sally Army Band for Eurovision's UK entry. |
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Mar 12 2024, 07:21 PM
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#365
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BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 3 January 2017
Posts: 10,138 User: 23,961
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12th - 18th March 1964
29. Tell Me When - The Applejacks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lANf_yLTtNE The first Brumbeat group to make a breakthrough. This is a very good, catchy debut single from them. It's quite unusual to see a female guitarist as part of a beat group. 32. My World Of Blue - Karl Denver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_flYVnLafdc Another really strong vocal from Karl even if he's a bit more restrained this time and I like the piano interjections in between each line. 36. I Wonder - The Crystals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQuOvw3brz4 The fourth and final hit for the Crystals. The previous three all won ROTW awards but the melody on this one sounds too similar to 'Da Doo Ron Ron' to make it a clean sweep. The wall of sound production is still fantastic here. 38. Move Over Darling - Doris Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMEM6fLCf38 A great string soaked ballad from Doris, her first hit since 1958 but also her last one. Co-written by her son, it will reach number 8, the same position attained by Tracey Ullman's 1983 cover which I'm more familiar with. Record of the week : 39. World Without Love - Peter And Gordon Any one of today's five would have made a good winner but I'm going for this charming little ballad with its vocal harmonies and electric organ instrumental break. The song was written by Paul McCartney when he was just sixteen years old. Peter Asher was the brother of Paul's girlfriend in 1964, Jane. The single will spend two weeks at number 1. |
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Mar 13 2024, 10:27 AM
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#366
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BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 18 July 2012
Posts: 22,812 User: 17,376
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OOh some faves here, I love the Peter & Gordon track, a def flashback to 1964 for me, but my heart belongs to Doris. Love her, and love this movie theme song - the film is a feel-good fave romp with James Garner who remarries after Doris is declared dead following a plane crash - but she was actually just stranded on a tropical for 7 years, and her kids have grown older. Doesnt sound like a feelgood plot, sounds like a tragedy, but it's a fab lighthearted romp regularly on TV back in the day which kept the theme alive (and a hit again in the 80's).
Tell Me When is fun track, liked that one when it cropped up on a box set 60's various artists compilation I bought in the early 80's. Never heard the Karl Denver track before s'OK, never heard the Crystals single either, and rather good it is, sounds a bit christmassy (obv) but I think I prefer it to Da Doo Ron Ron, which always came over a bit kiddie chant to me, even as a kiddie, this one's not irritating and gels better as a melody. I need to get a copy! |
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Mar 16 2024, 08:12 AM
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#367
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BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 20 April 2009
Posts: 8,512 User: 8,705
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Many of Peter & Gordon’s covers weren’t up to much but A World Without Love is gorgeous.
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Mar 19 2024, 05:44 PM
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#368
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BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 3 January 2017
Posts: 10,138 User: 23,961
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19th - 25th March 1964
28. I Believe - The Bachelors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9OctcNfHPE A unnecessary cover of the well known song, I don't like their vocals on it. This will go all the way to number 2. 31. If He Tells You - Adam Faith and The Roulettes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yN7iIlwb3Q Adam continues to try and keep up with what's doing well musically and this is his third single with the Roulettes but it's not as good as the first two and will miss the top 20. 39. Good Golly Miss Molly - The Swinging Blue Jeans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHk1081Unmk This cover of the Little Richard song sounds too like Hippy Hippy Shake part 2. The highlight was the busy instrumental break. Record of the week : 29. Viva Las Vegas - Elvis Presley After three years of this thread, Elvis finally gets his first ROTW award with this homage to Sin City. I like the fast paced, rhythmic backing track in particular. The single will peak at number 17, the third by him in a row to fall short of the top 10. A re-issue will do a little better, reaching number 15 in 2007. I still prefer the ZZ Top cover version from 1992. |
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Mar 20 2024, 11:20 AM
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#369
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BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 18 July 2012
Posts: 22,812 User: 17,376
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Love Viva Las Vegas, one of Elvis' best 60's movie tunes (admittedly not an enormously long list of highlights) and I also liked the ZZ Top cover. The film meant nothing to me, though, the only Elvis films I associate with the 60's were Fun In Acapulco and Speedway, so I do rather like the songs from those too.
The Bachelors' I quite liked back in the day, but they are pretty dreary by and large, including I Believe, the Adam faith is nothing much, and Good Golly Miss Molly was a record dad bought so got to hear it a lot in the mid-60's, though never a favourite as such, but I liked it. |
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Mar 26 2024, 05:42 PM
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#370
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BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 3 January 2017
Posts: 10,138 User: 23,961
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26th March - 1st April 1964
8. Can't Buy Me Love - The Beatles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3WJiqc_bEs This is OK but not one of my favourites from their early years. The guitar solo is the best bit. It will spend three weeks at number 1 and go on to be the fourth best selling single of the 1960s. 28. My Boy Lollipop - Millie https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7lCJg3WoSc This is a fun record by the sixteen year old with an early type of ska sound and that harmonica solo. It's a cover of a 1956 song by Barbie Gaye. 35. Mary Jane - Del Shannon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zDwzRw9Th8 Not one of his best songs, it sounds a bit out of date for 1964. It will go no higher than this position. 38. New Orleans - Bern Elliott and The Fenmen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hb_lY2K_wc The last of their two hit singles, it's a lively rocker with the rest of the band echoing each line of the chorus after the lead singer. Record of the week : 37. Everything's Alright - The Mojos I knew the first two songs well but I'm choosing one I've never heard before. It starts off slowly with a soulful lead vocal and then really gets going into the chorus with the group vocals ascending up through the musical scales. After that comes the rollicking piano solo. This was a good discovery. The group were from Liverpool and this was their second single and first top 40 hit, peaking at number 9. |
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Mar 26 2024, 05:47 PM
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#371
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BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 20 April 2009
Posts: 8,512 User: 8,705
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The Mojos track is really good and different. Not sure it tops the first two for me but an interesting pick certainly.
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Mar 28 2024, 10:59 AM
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#372
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BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 18 July 2012
Posts: 22,812 User: 17,376
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Gotta be Can't Buy Me Love, easy for me, even though My Boy Lollipop was a massive obsession at the time. Dad bought Can't Buy Me Love so it was part of my childhood, and that scene in Hard Day's Night is reason enough to love it. Still fond of Millie.
I have heard the Mojo's track on 4-disc vinyl box sets of 60's tracks I bought, but still not a fave sadly having just played it. Del Shannon's is new to me, I rather like it, trots along nicely. New Orleans is also not one I've heard before, though the song was slightly familiar to me by 1972 when Harley Quinne did the definitive version for me. This is decent enough, lively and party atmosphere, which is what is called for. |
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Apr 2 2024, 05:18 PM
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#373
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BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 3 January 2017
Posts: 10,138 User: 23,961
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2nd - 8th April 1964
Record of the week : 40. Juliet - The Four Pennies This is the only new entry this week so it automatically gets the award. I don't think I would have picked it if there had been more to choose from. It's a bit stodgy and laboured. I'm surprised it made it all the way to the top of the chart. It's the first top 40 hit for the Blackburn group, there will be four more to come from them. |
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Apr 3 2024, 09:13 AM
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#374
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BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 18 July 2012
Posts: 22,812 User: 17,376
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It's the tune that did it. This was another obsession of mine as a 6-year-old, that melody just got in my head and wouldnt leave. 60 years on it hasnt dated well at all, extremely old-fashioned. I'd like to see a modern arrangement in case the melody still works but the lyrics would need to go too...
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Apr 9 2024, 06:34 PM
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#375
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BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 3 January 2017
Posts: 10,138 User: 23,961
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9th - 15th April 1964
30. Mockin' Bird Hill - The Migil Five https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHkVCn1RzBE A cover of a song from 1951 but its roots can be traced back to 1915. The repeated "tra-la-la, tweedlee dee dee" gets a bit irritating, the most noteworthy thing about it is the ska style arrangement. 37. Gone - Shirley Bassey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLjVUixcBA4 This is what I've come to expect from her by now, a powerful vocal accompanied by dramatic orchestration. 39. Only You (And You Alone) - Mark Wynter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODOT4W97q0E A lightweight country style version of the Platters' song. It will be the last of his nine top 40 hits. He's still alive and, up until recently, still performing. Record of the week : 34. Hi-Heel Sneakers - Tommy Tucker I enjoyed this one a lot. It's a raw blues song from the Afro-American singer/songwriter with the electric organ combining well with the guitar. Peaking at number 23, it will be his only hit. He died in 1982. |
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Apr 10 2024, 08:56 AM
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#376
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BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 18 July 2012
Posts: 22,812 User: 17,376
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Turns out I know 2 of these already, Hi Heel has def been in films and TV or ads over the years, a good blues track that sounds about 20 or 30 years older than 1964. Like it. Mockingbird is another well-known ancient track that sounds older than 1964, the roots back to the start of the century makes sense, but the ska rhythm is pure 60's. I'm always going to be more biased towards ska sounds and its fun.
Gone is not one I recall, but nicely dramatic Shirl at play here. Dad loved Shirley Bassey. I think the arrangement is better than the song though. Mark Wynter was my little bruv's fave, partly due to the name and dad buying Venus In Blue Jeans - and this song is much-covered, have to admit I've never been a huge fan of it - The Platters' original is a bit plodding, Ringo's ditto if less in your face, so I quite like the more upbeat, speeded-up treatment here. |
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Apr 10 2024, 09:02 AM
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#377
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BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 20 April 2009
Posts: 8,512 User: 8,705
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Hi-Heel Sneakers is a lovely blues track - definitely the best here. I also said Mocking Bird Hill was a bit grating when I reviewed it.
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Tuesday, 05:42 PM
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#378
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BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 3 January 2017
Posts: 10,138 User: 23,961
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16th - 22nd April 1964
20. Don't Throw Your Love Away - The Searchers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zsndPQhWLI This will go on to be the group's third number 1 single. It does have a chorus that will stick in your head but not much else to make it a contender this week. The original version was by the American group, The Orlons. 27. Think - Brenda Lee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3DnBKZS-7Q A nice ballad with piano, strings and backing singers. As usual (the title of her last hit) she puts in a fine vocal. 29. Hubble Bubble (Toil And Trouble) - Manfred Mann https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3RFHTrdVJk An enjoyable, fast paced rhythm and blues style song with the harmonica playing a big part. 39. Baby Let Me Take You Home - The Animals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrQ4UGIPphk An impressive debut single by the Newcastle band. There's a lot going on. As well as the main melody, there's a slowed down part in the middle with the lyrics virtually spoken and then a frantic coda at the end. Record of the week : 31. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying - Gerry And The Pacemakers This is a gorgeous ballad, well sung by Gerry, with a tender accompaniment from the orchestra. The group wrote it for Louise Cordet who had toured with them but after her version failed to chart, they recorded the song themselves. It will peak at number 6. |
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Tuesday, 05:52 PM
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#379
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BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 20 April 2009
Posts: 8,512 User: 8,705
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Alas I was the only voter for Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying in the #6 poll - it’s beautiful
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Wednesday, 08:32 AM
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#380
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BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 18 July 2012
Posts: 22,812 User: 17,376
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I think I missed that poll, I've always loved that Gerry song right from being a lil kiddie - though I also loved Don't Throw Your Love Away even more at the time. I know all these and like them all, but I'd also go with Don't Let The Sun as top pick. I'm considering going to see The Searchers on their final tour if I can get organised enough to book!
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