Sorry folks, I am not a real David Essex fan, but this guy could sure record a great orchestrated popsong... it has all the right stuff (for me that is). The drive, the energy,
the passion and a thumping orchestration, cracking like a whip on the melody...
Let it be known that I HATE covers... I like originals, but there is the odd exception and this is one of them. Amen Corner had a hit version with the song, but when you hear the 1969 Dave Clark Five version you will immediately forget the Amen Corner one. DC5 started out as a beat group and I don't like 1963-1966 beat. But like many groups they tried to survive in the music business and adapted to the new "sound" of the decade. They gave this song the late 60s treatment the way it should have sounded in the first place. Dramatic, musicall over-produced and full of power. If you like a strong orchestrated poptune, this is one of them. DC5 deserved the hit... not the Amen Corner.
18 Jun 02 ·n-jeff: I was always quite fond of the version by Clive Langer and the Boxes from about 82. Sung in a terrible fake South London accent.
If Parodice woz alf as naice as evven wen oym kissin yew. But I've not heard the DC5 version. Must say, I'm intrigued.
I'm beginning to sound like and old record, because it seems I'm repeating myself in commenting on songs... but this another recommendation. If you have read other comments on my fave songs, I guess you'll know what to expect. A strrrrrrrrong melody, backed by a great orchestration. Butterscotch only made album and a couple of 45s. Take it from a devoted popfan... this is one hell of a tune !
01 Jun 04 ·dexxas: Wow i had a LP of Butterscotch sir in my attic on the RCA label 1970.. i think roughly the year. I agree with everything you say. Chris Arnold - David Martin - Geoff Morrow were butterscotch. a related website to them is http://www.ne.jp/asahi/salaryman/asada/edisco1.htm
concerns a chap called Tony burrows another fine singer. I cant recall right now which one out of the three guys first mention was the lead voice. But a bit of trivia for you. You can hear this voice again on a 1970's recording theres a whole lot of love by guys and dolls. this band singer mimed one of the three guy's above who was a session singer and writer. I think the Voice is Geoff morrow. http://www.ne.jp/asahi/salaryman/asada/amandm.htm most of these songs listed for butterscotch are o the LP i belive its suprise suprise the album. Hope that helps.
Jefferson (Geoff Turnton) was a member of the Rockin' Berries in the mid 60s. A couple of years later, top producer Tony MacAuley took him under his wings and he released a solo album. What can I say... these songs are 'tailor-made' for me, as if they written especially for my personal musical taste. He also released a couple of singles for PYE and some were meant for a second album, which was never released. I picked the single "You know how it is with a woman" but 'City girl" is equally good. I wouldn't know which one to choose... A recommendation ? 100% yeeeeeeeeees ! Did I mention it's all melodic and hugely orchestrated ? I guess not, but by now I think you'll know I like songs like that ;)
To most people The Love Affair will always be connected with their hits "everlasting love" , "rainbow valley" or "a day without love" ... undoubtably great songs which had lots of airplay and all made it into the charts. BUT ... there was trouble inside the group. The members wanted to play a more progressive sound and get rid of their pop-image. So a deal was made with the producer... he picked material for the a-side, the group could record a progressive tune on the b-side. One of those great a-sides was recorded in 1970 and released in 1971. "Wake me I am dreaming" has all the elements of their hit sound, but was hardly played. Why ? No idea, because it has the commercial potential it needed. Maybe it's due to the fact that the overall music scene was changing rapidly (country rock, glamrock, etc)... they surely deserved a hit with this orchestrated melodramatic ballad
