Does anyone remember these British singers?

[BeauJangles]

Another "one-hit-wonder" here in the United States was a British group called, The Left Banke. So many songs during the 1960's were stories of heartbreak, and in 1967 Walk Away Renee, hit AM the airwaves across the nation. What was so special about the chorus here were the vocal harmonies. This is a wonderful tune. Following up with a second hit song, a rather haunting melody composition, Pretty Ballerina. The bridge had a string quartet arrangement that were used sometimes used by other musical artists and groups. I'm reminded of Yesterday, by Paul McCartney of The Beatles as an example. Here's Walk Away Renee. 

1. Walk Away Renee

   The Left Banke, Angie Heaton

   And when I see the sign that points one way
   The lot we used to pass by every day

   Just walk away Renee
   You won't see me follow you back home
   The empty sidewalks on my block are not the same
   You're not to blame

   From deep inside the tears that I'm forced to cry
   From deep inside the pain that I chose to hide

   Just walk away Renee
   You won't see me follow you back home
   Now as the rain beats down upon my weary eyes
   For me it cries

   Just walk away Renee
   You won't see me follow you back home
   Now as the rain beats down upon my weary eyes
   For me it cries

   Your name and mine inside a heart upon a wall
   Still finds a way to haunt me, though they're so small

   Just walk away Renee
   You won't see me follow you back home
   The empty sidewalks on my block are not the same
   You're not to blame

      

[BeauJangles]

As mentioned, Pretty Ballerina by The Left Banke, was mysteriously a haunting melody. This is a simple piano piece taking to minor key in both the composition and vocals. On the bridge were strings. It's a lovely song. I'm surmising here this was a B Side to Walk Away Renee. This one didn't quite reach the high end of the Top 40 here in America. It may have lacked a sense of pop element for some reason and perhaps that is why I was so drawn to this one in particular. Beautiful. 

 

1. Pretty Ballerina

   The Left Banke

   Pretty Ballerina
   Left Banke

   I had a date with a pretty ballerina
   Her hair so brilliant that it hurt my eyes,
   I asked her for this dance and then she obliged me
   Was I surprised, yeah, was I surprised, no not at all

   I called her yesterday, it should have been tomorrow
   I could not keep this joy that was inside,
   I beg for her to tell me if she really loved me,
   Some where a mountain is moving
   Afraid it's moving without me.
   (Instrumental Strings Break)
   La La La La La La

   I had a date with a pretty ballerina
   Her hair so brilliant that hurt my eyes
   I asked for this dance and then she obliged me
   Was I surprised, yeah, was I surprised, no not at all.

   And when I wake on that dreary Sunday morning,
   I open up my eyes to find there's rain,
   And something strange within says go ahead and find her
   Just close your eyes, yeah, just close your eyes
   And she'll be there
   She'll be there
   She'll be there

      

    The Left Banke ~ 1969              Pretty Ballerina 

Edited June 13, 2020 by BeauJangles

[BeauJangles]

Procol Harum came out with an instant smash hit in 1967 with, A Whiter Shade Of Pale. They were very progressive rock and the song became a number one across the the UK and the United States. The song itself, was heavily ladened with the organ sounds of a Hammond B-3. Very standard in the industry to this day. Keyboardist Steve Winwood, also used the instrument extensively in his career. A Whiter Shade Of Pale, was a slow burn on the edge of psychedelia still popular at its time. As far for Top 40 hits in America, Procol Harum took a more demure edge back and remained pretty much progressive album oriented rock. At one time, famed lead guitarist Robin Trower, was a member of the band.

 

A Whiter Shade of Pale

Procol Harum

We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kinda seasick
But the crowd called out for more
The room was humming harder
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
The waiter brought a tray

And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale

She said, 'There is no reason'
And the truth is plain to see
But I wandered through my playing cards
And would not let her be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast
And although my eyes were open
They might have just as well've been closed

And so it was that later
As the miller told his tale
That her face, at first just ghostly
Turned a whiter shade of pale

         Procol Harum

 

[Guest]

Robin Trower 's guitar efforts were pretty much lost in Procol Harem.  He still doesn't get the respect of peers like Hendrix, Page, Clapton, Gilmour, and others.  The last list of Rolling Stones greatest guitarists doesn't even list him.

[BeauJangles]

21 minutes ago, Saved.One.by.Grace said:

Robin Trower 's guitar efforts were pretty much lost in Procol Harem.  He still doesn't get the respect of peers like Hendrix, Page, Clapton, Gilmour, and others.  The last list of Rolling Stones greatest guitarists doesn't even list him.

Conquistador has probably the best lead guitar break from the majority of Procol Harum's works. This one does sizzle! It's one of their last big hits from the early 1970's. I also have Robin Trower's Bridge Of Sighs LP. The title track is excellent. 

 

1. Conquistador

   Procol Harum

   Conquistador your stallion stands in need of company
   And like some angel's haloed brow
   You reek of purity

   I see your armor plated breast
   Has long since lost its sheen
   And in your death masked face
   There are no signs which can be seen

   And though I hoped for something to find
   I could see no maze to unwind

   Conquistador a vulture sits, upon your silver sheath
   And in your rusty scabbard now, the sand has taken seed
   And though your jewel-encrusted blade
   Has not been plundered still
   The sea has washed across your face
   And taken of its fill

   And though I hoped for something to find
   I could see no maze to unwind
   And though I hoped for something to find
   I could see no maze to unwind

   Conquistador there is no time, I must pay my respect
   And though I came to jeer at you
   I leave now with regret
   And as the gloom begins to fall
   I see there is no, only all
   And though you came with sword held high
   You did not conquer, only die

   And though I hoped for something to find
   I could see no maze to unwind
   And though I hoped for something to find
   I could see no maze to unwind

   And though I hoped for something to find
   I could see no maze to unwind

[Guest]

24 minutes ago, BeauJangles said:

Conquistador has probably the best lead guitar break from the majority of Procol Harum's works. This one does sizzle! It's one of their last big hits from the early 1970's. I also have Robin Trower's Bridge Of Sighs LP. The title track is excellent. 

 

1. Conquistador

   Procol Harum

   Conquistador your stallion stands in need of company
   And like some angel's haloed brow
   You reek of purity

   I see your armor plated breast
   Has long since lost its sheen
   And in your death masked face
   There are no signs which can be seen

   And though I hoped for something to find
   I could see no maze to unwind

   Conquistador a vulture sits, upon your silver sheath
   And in your rusty scabbard now, the sand has taken seed
   And though your jewel-encrusted blade
   Has not been plundered still
   The sea has washed across your face
   And taken of its fill

   And though I hoped for something to find
   I could see no maze to unwind
   And though I hoped for something to find
   I could see no maze to unwind

   Conquistador there is no time, I must pay my respect
   And though I came to jeer at you
   I leave now with regret
   And as the gloom begins to fall
   I see there is no, only all
   And though you came with sword held high
   You did not conquer, only die

   And though I hoped for something to find
   I could see no maze to unwind
   And though I hoped for something to find
   I could see no maze to unwind

   And though I hoped for something to find
   I could see no maze to unwind

When I think of this song, I think of the version with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra where I think Trower had left the band by then.  I could be wrong.  Bridge of Signs sends sparks up my spine whenever I hear it.

Edited June 15, 2020 by Saved.One.by.Grace

[dhchristian]

On 5/18/2020 at 5:36 AM, Debp said:

Anyone remember these British singers from the 1960s and 1970s?

I remember Marianne Faithful had a sweet voice.   Not sure how long she lasted with her career.

Also, Petula Clark had a cheery hit song called Downtown.   If you are too young, look it up on YouTube.... you're sure to like it.   Quite catchy.

Remember Gerry and the Pacemakers?   I recall their Ferry Cross the Mersey was a nice song.

Any other favorites?

My First cassette tape I owned as a kid was Jim Croce's Greatest Hits, I Know he is not British, but I could still sing his songs from memory. too bad he died young, Airplane crash I believe was the cause? 

Here is one song of his. This was one of his last songs recorded. 

I Got a Name

Jim Croce

Like the pine trees linin' the windin' road
I've got a name, I've got a name
Like the singin' bird and the croakin' toad
I've got a name, I've got a name
And I carry it with me like my daddy did
But I'm living the dream that he kept hid

Movin' me down the highway, rollin' me down the highway
Movin' ahead so life won't pass me by

Like the north wind whistlin' down the sky
I've got a song, I've got a song
Like the whippoorwill and the baby's cry
I've got a song, I've got a song
And I carry it with me and I sing it loud
If it gets me nowhere, I'll go there proud

Movin' me down the highway, rollin' me down the highway
Movin' ahead so life won't pass me by

And I'm gonna go there free

Like the fool I am and I'll always be
I've got a dream, I've got a dream
They can change their minds but they can't change me
I've got a dream, I've got a dream
Oh, I know I could share it if you want me to
If you're goin' my way, I'll go with you

Movin' me down the highway, rollin' me down the highway
Movin' ahead so life won't pass me by
Movin' me down the highway, rollin' me down the highway
Movin' ahead so life won't pass me by

[BeauJangles]

33 minutes ago, dhchristian said:

My First cassette tape I owned as a kid was Jim Croce's Greatest Hits, I Know he is not British, but I could still sing his songs from memory. too bad he died young, Airplane crash I believe was the cause? 

Yeah, Croce was pretty good. It's always got to be those small craft crashes that get them. Tragic loss. 

"Operator"

"I Got A Name" 

"Time In A Bottle"

 

Jim Croce, Five Others Die in Plane Crash - Rolling Stone

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jim...

Natchitoches, La. — Pop singer-songwriter Jim Croce, 30, was killed September 20th when the single-engine plane in which he and five others were riding hit a tree on takeoff

 

I also liked another American folk singer from the 1970's, Harry Chapin. VW van or Beetle crash. 

"Cat's In The Cradle" (And The Silver Spoon"

"W. O. L. D" (I Am The Morning DJ)

"Taxi" (Where You Going To My Lady Blue?)

 

 

HARRY CHAPIN, SINGER, KILLED IN CRASH - The New York Times

https://www.nytimes.com/1981/07/17/obituaries/...

Jul 17, 1981 · Harry Chapin, a folk-rock composer and performer active in many charitable causes, was killed yesterday when the car he was driving was hit from behind by a tractor-trailer on Long Island.

 

And Canadian folk singer, Gordon Lightfoot. He's still around.

"Sundown"

"Every Highway"

"Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"

 

Edited June 15, 2020 by BeauJangles

[Guest]

How about Scottish band Nazareth with songs like Hair of the Dog and Love Hurts.  Dan MacCafferty has a great voice for rock music.

[BeauJangles]

9 hours ago, Saved.One.by.Grace said:

How about Scottish band Nazareth with songs like Hair of the Dog and Love Hurts.  Dan MacCafferty has a great voice for rock music.

Love Hurts is a great hit song by Nazareth. Album oriented FM rock stations played this one a lot because it was a top requested number. I never once grew tired of hearing it. Love the slow lead guitar on the bridge. Terrific heart break tune. 

1. Love Hurts

   Nazareth

   Love hurts
   Love scars
   Love wounds and marks
   Any heart not tough or strong enough
   To take a lot of pain, take a lot of pain
   Love is like a cloud, it holds a lot of rain
   Love hurts
   Ooh love hurts

   I'm young
   I know
   But even so
   I know a thing or two, I learned from you
   I really learned a lot, really learned a lot
   Love is like a flame, it burns you when it's hot
   Love hurts
   Ooh love hurts

   Some fools think
   Of happiness, blissfulness, togetherness
   Some fools fool themselves, I guess
   They're not foolin' me
   I know it isn't true I know it isn't true
   Love is just a lie made to make you blue
   Love hurts
   Ooh love hurts
   Ooh love hurts

   I know it isn't true
   I know it isn't true
   Love is just a lie made to make you blue
   Love hurts
   Ooh love hurts
   Ooh, love hurts, ooh

   

   Nazareth Promo Poster