I'm very surprised there are no other Georgie Fame songs here.
Here's yet another British solo singer of the 1960's who never really made it in America...except, I think, with the song 'Bonnie & Clyde'.
By 1969 Georgie Fame's success as a hit-maker was starting to wind down, before, in the early '70's, he teamed up with Alan Price and had a hit with the forgettable 'Rosetta'.
I think this song has been forgotten, this version anyway, but it's far from forgettable.
A really terrific late '60's chart hit, that only made it to no.16 on the British charts, but should have done so much better.
A really upbeat, summer song.
It was covered by someone else sometime in the '70's, I think, but that version was far inferior to this.
Wondeful gentle arrangement...lots of mellow brass & Georgie's voice at its understated, confident best.
available on CD - yes (Raven)
07 Dec 05 ·konsu: This song was written by Kenny Rankin. A legend in his own right in the US. The Fame version is awesome indeed, i've heard a lot of takes on this one and his takes the prize. 23 Mar 06 ·audioadventures: I agree I re-discovered this song recently and it has been added to my best songs of all time.
23 Mar 06 ·audioadventures: Bass riff lifted straight from Killing Joke. No lawsuits, no fuss. Grohl has since played drums for KJ and they have played live with the Foos. Cool!
Turn the lights down, turn the volume up and just LISTEN!! Whatever mood you're in, this will enhance it. The strings are just brilliant. I've listened to this track AT LEAST once a week for 25 years and will never tire of it. The whole concept of ELO captured my imagination from theearly 70s, and although they got a bit commercialised over the years, who didn't? Some say they copied The Beatles, isn't that the sincerest form of flattery? Other bands copied ELO (Cheap trick, Huey Lewis & The News,etc.). I defy any music lover to not like this!
from Out Of The Blue, available on CD
23 Mar 06 ·audioadventures: Out of the Blue - one of my favourite albums of all time. From Summer and Lightening to Big Wheels, Concerto for a Rainy Day is just class.
ELO must be the most sampled band at the moment. Maybe they are now cool! 16 Jan 07 ·coercri: I wholeheartedly agree. The Concerto for a Rainy Day is abolutely the best. Even my 14 year old daughter loves it!!! ELO has been an exceptional group over the years. I only regret not seeing them in concert.
A perfect song. I love every note. The mood is desolate, yet warm and reassuring as well. The bassline and guitar playing recall some of the great early-period New Order tracks. The track fades in beautifully with bass, drums, and guitar. The drums and bass are steady, while the effects-laden guitar shimmers over the top. Liz Fraser's vocal is at first understated, until the chorus begins. Her voice soars as a simple piano sound joins the mix. The chords are simple, almost inevitable, but the instrumentation and execution are quite stunning.
from the single Aikea-Guinea (4AD BAD501) available on CD - Aikea-Guinea (4AD)
23 Mar 06 ·audioadventures: Another one of my favourites of all time. Gives me goosebumps. 26 Mar 06 ·leonthedog: Yes, I remember playing this EP over and over back when it was only on vinyl... Although "Kookaburra"
is, in my opinion, even more heavenly! Like angels
comforting you...
More first rate synthesizer music from the 1980s. The album also features a remixed/re-recorded version "Jewel". Catchy. Unfortunately this line-up only recorded this one "proper" album plus an album of remixes before splitting up. The album is excellent almost throughout, the band's slightly artsy aesthetic conveyed lyrically and through mixing atmospheric chordal writing, inventive instrumentation/production and some almost industrial-sounding beats. Kraftwerk were never remotely this musically interesting. Propaganda were also better looking...
from A Secret Wish, available on CD
23 Mar 06 ·audioadventures: Another one of my all time favourites. The extended 12" is outstanding.