Comments for No Hard Chords

Comment on 130) The Beatles – “Eight Days a Week” by WStevens

WStevens — Sun, 26 May 2013 05:58:45 +0000

@ samhuddy – Actually, the repackaging for the U.S. market continued all the way through Revolver. Sgt. Pepper was the first Beatle album that the record company didn’t chop to pieces before release. That’s why the original cover to “Yesterday and Today (the butcher cover) was made – it was to protest Capitol Records “butchering” the Beatles’ work, which greatly annoyed them – especially Lennon. He said that the band put as much thought & attention into the sequencing of the songs on the albums as they did into the songs themselves and they resented the hell out of having it all released willy-nilly. On the U,.S. version of Revolver, the only John songs on it were She Said (She Said) and Tomorrow Never Knows. I was so glad when their UK material was FINALLY packaged for the U.S. market as intended – when CD’s were finally released in the late 1980′s/early 1990′s.

Comment on 42) Elvis Presley – “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” by EricW

EricW — Sun, 12 May 2013 21:11:31 +0000

The recitation was introduced in a 1950 recording by Blue Barron and His Orchestra (with spoken interjection by DJ John McCormick). Al Jolson’s version–with the same recitation–was recorded a few weeks later, and knowing Elvis, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jolson’s recording was the one that he heard.

Anyway, for posterity, here’s Barron…and McCormick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuKnuzYYdA0

Comment on 175) The New Vaudeville Band – “Winchester Cathedral” by Brett Alan

Brett Alan — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:43:08 +0000

I actually kind of like the record. I mean, it’s goofy, but fun for what it is.

You may be right about the Bonzos being the source of all this, since Geoff Stephens actually tried to hire them to do the tour under the NVB name after the song became a hit. There’s a further connection with another group you mention, too–the NVB album included an original song called “There’s A Kind Of Hush”, which became a hit for Herman’s Hermits.

Comment on 170) The Four Tops – “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by Tim Byron

Tim Byron — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:16:12 +0000

Thanks GeorgeL and bob – much appreciated!

Comment on 170) The Four Tops – “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by GeorgeL

GeorgeL — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:17:50 +0000

To Tim Byron ; The compilation that is mentioned above has some good stuff. Some others I could think that you might like (not all are H-D-H):

7 Rooms of Gloom – 4 tops
I’m In A Different World – 4 tops
You Keep Running Away – 4 tops
You – Marvin Gaye
Chained – Marvin Gaye
How Long Has That Evening Train Been Gone – D Ross/Supremes
Ain’t No Sun Since You’ve been Gone – Temptations
Come Round Here (I’m The One You Need) – S Robinson/Miracles (this is a H-D-H production very similar to “Reach Out I’ll Be There” )
Destination Anywhere – Marvelettes
Nowhere To Run – Martha & Vandellas
You’ve Been in Love Too Long – Martha & Vandellas
Behind a Painted Smile – Isley Bros
Forever Came Today – D Ross/Supremes

Hope this helps!

Comment on 169) The Association – “Cherish” by GeorgeL

GeorgeL — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:41:50 +0000

Wow! I think this is a wonderful pop song. I thought “Never My Love” was an even better record. “Everything That Touches You” is a forgotten gem as well.

Comment on 174) The Supremes – “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” by GeorgeL

GeorgeL — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:38:20 +0000

Love the Supremes. Love Motown. This is a great production but somehow just doesn’t make my all time favorites list. You should check out “Remove this Doubt” from the same album It very hard to describe – a very moody, eerie ballad with classical overtones. A brilliant recording but not hit single material. Just double checked. It is the b side of “Hanging On”. Interesting to compare the two songs. Most of the Supremes albums up through “Love Child” are worth checking out. Many quality songs/hidden gems.

Comment on 172) The Monkees – “Last Train to Clarksville” by GeorgeL

GeorgeL — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:32:10 +0000

Interesting to note : The 4 Tops did a version of this on their “Reach Out” album along with a version of “I’m A Believer”. Both versions are terrible! Great songs but not good Motown product. Surprisingly, the same album also included a lame remake of “Cherish”. For some reason, I thought that with a better arrangement The 4 Tops could have done a good version. They later did a pretty decent “Never My Love”. FYI – Those 3 songs I mentioned render the “Reach Out” album as 3 songs short of excellent. The covers of “Walk Away Renee” & “If I were A Carpenter” on the same album (which were later released as singles) were wonderful. Motown seemed to have this philosophy that they had to pad out their albums with a few remakes of then current hits. I always preferred good old fashioned Motown original album filler instead!

Comment on 170) The Four Tops – “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by GeorgeL

GeorgeL — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:27:11 +0000

This is a great song — brilliant production. However, I kind of have to be in the mood for it. I tend to like the Four Tops’ lesser known songs (“Yesterdays’ Dreams”; “You Keep Running Away”) best. They also did an awesome remake of “Walk Away Renee”.

Comment on 171) ? and the Mysterians – “96 Tears” by GeorgeL

GeorgeL — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:24:44 +0000

Aretha Franklin did a good remake of this on her “Aretha Arrives” album.