This is one of those mindblowing tracks that occasionally turns up when you least expect it. I bought a generic looking 'Top TV Themes' EP on the Pye Golden Guinea label, mainly because it had a version of the 'Out of this World' theme, which I've recommended elsewhere on this site. But I was disappointed - it turned out that this 'Out of this World' was exactly the same Tony Hatch version that I already had (the EP does not list any track credits).
I listened on, not expecting much, particularly from 'Maigret', a nice enough theme by Ron Grainer, but one that is a kind of accordian waltz!
Imagine my surprise when this turned out to be some kind of trashy, twangy, swampy surf pop masterpiece! It sounds like one of the very best Joe Meek produced instrumentals from the early 60s.
I'm inferring that this is Tony Hatch, since he did the 'Out of this World' and was a staff arranger at Pye in the early 60s. But if anyone else can shed a different light on this recording, I'd be pleased to hear about it!
Kinda surfy bouncy arrangement of this old Gershwin number, with five-part harmonies! Free Design ain't got nothin' on these cats!
from You Were On My Mind (A&M) available on CD - You Were On My Mind/Make Someone Happy (Collectors' Choice)
konsu: These people were just great. So many great versions of cool songs, done in some unexpected yet refreshing ways! "Love me not tomorrow" is such a moody stunner, and I love their bossa-folk version of "Make someone happy"! For fans of 60's folk-pop that takes chances, and consistently amazes. bullitthead: they kept me alive and well through Viet Nam