A great version of this Troggs song, which formed one side of Spiritualized's first single. It's a pretty straight cover version, but with a richer production and that probably soon to become hip again early 90s dance/indie crossover sound (wah wah guitars, funky drums). Actually, it has aged pretty well, and I still can't listen to it without singing out loud when I hear it 'I've been watchin' you; and a lovin' you in vain...'
from the single Anyway that you want me (Dedicated)
10 May 01 ·tinks: does that mean that it's almost time for a soup dragons revival?? hahahaha... 30 Jan 04 ·shaka_klaus: i heard another version of this one recently in a commercial on tv. don't remember which at the moment. spiritualized gives me goosespots. i saw them in 98 at a festival and they opened up with 'cop shoot cop', what can i say? amazing. this version is also a fav of mine. 30 Jan 04 ·delicado: I've been listening to the original Troggs version a lot recently. The Spiritualized version is a great cover - the same in many ways but also very different and intense. I think they're a good band; not everything they do is spot-on, but when a song by them is good, it's normally pretty mind-blowing. 31 Jan 04 ·shaka_klaus: i forgot to write that the version of the song in the commercial is sung by a female singer. 18 Apr 07 ·artlongjr: The female singer may have been Evie Sands, she sang the original, which was written by Chip Taylor. Chip is famous actor John Voight's brother. My favorite version of this tune is by the band American Breed from about 1967. Haven't heard the Troggs version yet.
It's hard not to smile when you hear this lovely, rousing late 60s number. Roger Nichols is the composer (along with Paul Williams) of many late 60s and 70s hits for, amongst others, The Carpenters. He wrote this song with 'Pet Sounds' lyricist Tony Asher, and they created a beautiful combination of sunny soft pop sounds (handclaps, brass, group harmonies) and pleasing, happy words. Musically, it is superior and extra-catchy, with nice Bacharach-esque touches and great instrumentation. The lead vocal also deserves a mention for sounding almost supernaturally brilliant (far better than it sounds in the sound sample). The singer is Melinda Macleod; her voice is lovely anyway, but here it sounds as if 3 perfect takes have been somehow overlaid on top of each other to produce an incredibly rich, soothing effect. It's over quickly - in just over two minutes. At which point I normally listen to it again a few times.
from Roger Nichols and the Small Circle of Friends (A&M) available on CD - Complete (Polydor Japan)
13 May 02 ·PappaWheelie: I couldn't agree more. This is the epitome of what Pizzicato Five were trying to recreate in the early 90's. 29 Jan 03 ·klatu: I didn't realize someone had picked this one already! I spelled it "&" instead of "and". Excellent choice!
This song is a little more....soulful.. than lots of the stuff I listen to. I find it utterly charming though. Dusty was a goddess, and singing this lovely, simple Goffin/King song she completely slays me. It's a slow arrangement in which Dusty is accompanied by piano, light, gospel-style backing vocals and unobtrusive strings. There's nothing complex or especially clever here; just beautifully executed and perfectly distilled pop.
from the single Some of your lovin' available on CD - Silver Collection (Philips)
02 Feb 02 ·Mike: Nice pun on "slays" and "executed" there. 07 Dec 05 ·Swinging London: Dusty said that this was the only song she sang that she actually took home after recording it and played it over & over.
Another great dramatic pop number by Mina, this song is from the comic Alberto Sordi film, 'Fumo di Londra'. The backing track is identical to that used in the film, although Mina's version was released separately as a single. What can I say? This is an other deeply affecting dramatic pop number in which Mina belts out the words in a heartfelt manner. If these are the same words I used to describe her track 'se telefonando', then that's because this song is pretty much in the same vein, with a heavy, brass-laden pop arrangement. ps. a version of this song exists with none other than ME singing in Italian - reverb-laden vocals belted out karaoke style over the same background track.
from the single Breve Amore available on CD - Studio Uno 66 (BMG Italy)
04 May 01 ·tinks: the 'fumo di londra' soundtrack was recently reissued as a 2lp set, with tons of outtakes. i really, really love it. i'd make a recommendation from it right now, but i can't remember the song title, and the record isn't with me. argh! 04 May 01 ·delicado: The one which really bowled me over was 'Mr Dante Fontana'! Like 3 brilliant songs rolled into one! 04 May 01 ·tinks: wouldn't you know it? that was the one i was trying to remember! i couldn't recall if that was the title or if they just said "hey, mr. dante fontana" a lot. 16 Feb 04 ·jeanette: Also from that Fumo Di Londra album: that fabulous 'You Never Told Me'. A Brit-girl-sound lost classic! 16 Feb 04 ·delicado: Yes; that's actually an English-language version of this same song
An instrumental of monumental brilliance. Mixing religious moods with tight beats and strings really seems to work for me. The track opens quietly with piano chords and a bass guitar. A slow, funky drum beat comes in, and after this the track goes on all kinds of journeys, building up and down with doomy strings and psychedelic guitars. A really incredible way to set a mood...
from Song of Innocence available on CD - 1968 to 1970 (Stateside)
04 May 01 ·tinks: and if you like this, you'll probably dig the work axelrod did on the electric prunes' "mass in f minor" lp, too. 08 Apr 02 ·tempted: Endtroducing... by DJ Shadow would've never happened without David Axelrod. Not the way it did.
