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Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
5971 Posts |
 Posted - 26/10/2006 : 15:14:17
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As we all know Dusty did not write her own songs. Indeed, one of her great skills was in selecting quite superb material to record. Often, of course, the songs would have been recorded by the writer himself/herself, or indeed other artists would cover the material.
I thought it would be interesting to listen to two different recordings of the same song, one of course by Dusty and the other by either the writer or A.N. Other!
The first song I’ve selected is one of the most beautiful songs that in my view Dusty recorded. Strangely enough in was on the album ‘Longing’ that was not released (although it has subsequently been made available on the ABC Dunhill Collection ‘Beautiful Soul’). The song is, in fact, ‘Beautiful Soul’. The first recording is by the song’s writer Margie Adams, the second of course, by our Dust.
For those interested in lyrics, I’ve noted those for you as well. IMHO these recordings are stunning, I hope you enjoy them!
http://www.yousendit.com/download/QygrOzFwBIc%3D
http://www.yousendit.com/download/Qyjet3ObwLg%3D
Beautiful Soul
Words and Music by Margie Adam
I wonder where you are, lovable lady
I wonder what you're thinking, beautiful woman
It seems like fog is settling in within your eyes
And the weight of something is pulling your shoulders down.
Could it be you ask too much, lovable lady
From a world that's out of touch, beautiful woman
So you're hammering at a door that will not open
And your beautiful soul is weeping.
Better learn the way it goes
Better share the pain that shows
You want to transcend it In order to end it
But your loneliness grows.
Do you hate yourself, lovable lady
Can I be of help, beautiful woman
your silence is a wall between the two of us
And my beautiful soul is weeping.
© Labyris Music Co. 1974
Janie xx
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Edited by - Janie on 26/10/2006 15:17:15 |
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Carole R.
Higher and Higher
United Kingdom
13237 Posts |
Posted - 26/10/2006 : 16:51:41
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Thankyou so much Janie!....
That is one gorgeous song...
Needless to say, I prefer Dustys version, Cos I love Dustys voice.. .
I also like the soul-type feel she brings to it.
I know nothing of Margie Adams, but she is obviously a talented lady.
Her voice however was sharper and lacked Dusty's tenderness.
Fantastic idea,...
I enjoyed listening to both those versions very much..AND singing along!..
I look forward to hearing some more....but my next door neighbour doesnt!...
Cxx |
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Sara
Higher and Higher
United Kingdom
9062 Posts |
Posted - 26/10/2006 : 17:02:47
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I prefer Dusty's version... Love that song
Sara x
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Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
5971 Posts |
Posted - 26/10/2006 : 18:21:56
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I must admit I prefer Dusty's rendition as well but to me there is always something special when you hear a song sung by its writer. For me, this is especially true of female songwriters - maybe I just identify a little more with the emotion, I don't know. I think of songstresses like Carole King, Carly Simon, Alanis Morissette, even Dolly Parton etc etc. Its as if they 'feel' every word they're singing having lived through the initial emotions. I guess that's why Dusty always manages to tug at the heartstrings because she achieves just that without being party to the initial construction of the song.
Janie xx |
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Littlebylittle
Wishing And Hoping
United Kingdom
449 Posts |
Posted - 27/10/2006 : 00:06:14
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| It's great to heard two different takes of the same song. I liked them both! |
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Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
5971 Posts |
Posted - 27/10/2006 : 00:22:24
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Keep tuned in Nicky, more will follow!!
Janie xx |
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SeanB
Brand New Me
Ireland
17 Posts |
Posted - 28/10/2006 : 10:08:06
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Thanks for posting this Janie, it is really interesting to hear the original.
Margie Adam's version is very heartfelt.The arrangement with piano and vocal almost sounds like a demo,that's not meant as a criticism- she probably wanted to keep it simple as it seems like a very personal lyric.
Dusty's version is brilliant,she expresses such warmth, emotion and vulnerability with her vocal.
I am sure Margie Adam must have been pleased with her interpretation.
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Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
5971 Posts |
Posted - 29/10/2006 : 21:27:28
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The next track I’ve selected on this Compare and Contrast thread is Mockingbird. The first cover is by Carly Simon and James Taylor, the second of course by Dusty. The interesting point about Dusty’s version is that she sings both parts herself. See what you think.
http://www.yousendit.com/download/nHdxUc42BIc%3D Carly Simon and James Taylor
http://www.yousendit.com/download/nHdxUXMcUTk%3D Dusty
Again, a gentle reminder that these links last for 7 days
MOCKINGBIRD Lyrics
(Inez & Charlie Foxx with additional lyrics by James
Taylor)
Everybody have you heard
She's gonna buy me a mockingbird
And if that mockingbird don't sing
She's gonna buy me a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring won't shine
He's gonna surely break this heart of mine
And that's why I keep on tellin' everybody.....
Hear me now and understand
She's gonna find me some piece of mind
And if that piece of mind won't stay
I'm gonna find myself a better way
And if that better way ain't so
I'll ride with the tide and go with the flow
And that's why I keep on shoutin' in your ear.....
Everybody have you heard
She's gonna buy me a mockingbird
And if that mockingbird don't sing
She's gonna buy me a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring won't shine
Gonna surely break this heart of mine
And that's the reason why I keep on tellin' everybody...
Listen now and understand
She's gonna find me some piece of mind
And if that piece of mind won't stay
I'm gonna get myself a better way
I might rise above, I might go below
Ride with the tide and go with the flow
And that's the reason why I keep on shouting in your ear...
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Edited by - Janie on 29/10/2006 21:30:02 |
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Carole R.
Higher and Higher
United Kingdom
13237 Posts |
Posted - 29/10/2006 : 23:46:44
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This is one of my fave Dusty tracks, I think the way she harmonised with herself, is absolutely exceptional...and the track was on her first album 'A Girl Called Dusty'.No wonder folk thought she was a black singer!..
James Taylor and Carly Simon's version ..okay, but lacks that certain something.
For the stage version, Dusty was joined by our very own Douggie Reece who harmonised with her brilliantly. ... See NME Concert....
Thanks Janie!
Cxx |
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Sara
Higher and Higher
United Kingdom
9062 Posts |
Posted - 29/10/2006 : 23:53:33
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Thanks, Janie, never heard Carly Simon's version before!
Dusty wins again
Sara x
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Littlebylittle
Wishing And Hoping
United Kingdom
449 Posts |
Posted - 30/10/2006 : 00:01:14
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| Dusty's was a far superior version. She sounds so wonderfully bored on the echo. What a wonderful version. |
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treking
Wasn't Born To Follow
United Kingdom
5586 Posts |
Posted - 30/10/2006 : 08:41:10
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Always loved this by Dusty and her's is always the top for me no matter who else I hear singing it.
No one else could manage the 2 parts so well.
It was one of the highlights of A Girl called Dusty.
This thread is good cause it gives us a chance to listen to the 2 versions one after the other which is not always possible .
Trek |
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Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
5971 Posts |
Posted - 31/10/2006 : 20:23:44
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I prefer the Carly Simon, James Taylor version of Mockingbird. If I'm totally honest I don't really like the song although it is deemed to be one of Carly's 'greatest hits'. The ironic thing is that I totally agree with Nicky about Dusty sounding 'bored' on the male part, but for me, that in itself detracts from the rendition. I can hardly claim James Taylor sounds overly dynamic but I do think he lifts the song a little more than Dusty does. For me, the interesting thing of course about Dusty's version is the very fact that she did sing both parts herself.
Janie xx |
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Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
5971 Posts |
Posted - 31/10/2006 : 20:51:34
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The third song in this thread is the classic 24 Hours From Tulsa. Although songs tend to be covered by more than one artist there is normally one singer that a song is most associated with..it becomes his/her song. However, with 24 hours I have always thought of the song as being a Gene Pitney song AND a Dusty Springfield song. For me, they share it. An interesting quote from the lady herself about her version ‘That was one of the first times that a woman took a song that was essentially male and singing virtually the same words, it became a different song….driving off into the night, being picked up at some gas station and this, that and the other, it was actually quite outré.’ It, of course, wouldn’t be the last time in her career that she would sing a song deemed to be thus!
http://www.yousendit.com/download/2guLmzC7oxM%3D Gene Pitney
http://www.yousendit.com/download/2guLm2E%2BBIc%3D Dusty
TWENTY FOUR HOURS FROM TULSA
Burt Bacharach/Hal David
Dearest darlin I had to write to say that I won't be home anymore
cos somethin happend to me while I was driving home
and I'm not the same anymore
Oh I was only 24 hours from Tulsa
ah only one day away from your arms
I saw a welcoming light and stopped to rest for the night
and that is when I saw her/him
as I pulled in outside of a small motel
she/he was there and so I walked up to her/him
asked where I could get something to eat and she/he showed me where
Oh I was only 24 hours from Tulsa
ah only one day away from your arms
She/he took me to a cafe I/he asked her/me if she/I would stay
She/I said okay
Oh I was only 24 hours from Tulsa
ah only one day away from your arms
Oh the jukebox started to play
and nightime turned into day as we were dancing closely
all of a sudden I lost control as I held her/his charms
and I caressed her/him, kissed her/him
told her/him I'd die before I let her/him out of my arms
Oh I was only 24 hours from Tulsa
ah only one day away from your arms
I hate to do this to you
but I love somebody new
what can I do
and I can never never never go home again
Janie xx
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Edited by - Janie on 01/11/2006 12:17:36 |
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Littlebylittle
Wishing And Hoping
United Kingdom
449 Posts |
Posted - 31/10/2006 : 22:54:40
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Dusty wins again for me.
Gene, bless him, sounds like someone is winding him up, and he has to trot the song out quick before he runs out of breath. |
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Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
5971 Posts |
Posted - 01/11/2006 : 17:17:59
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I couldn’t wait any longer…..this track is IMHO one of the best recordings Dusty ever made. Ironically it was deemed for release on the unissued ‘Longing’ album alongside one of my other favourites, which I started this thread off with. As with Beautiful Soul it finally found the light of day on the ABC Dunhill Collection of that name. Guessed it yet? It is Janis Ian’s incredible ‘In The Winter’.
http://www.yousendit.com/download/B0CoeA44wLg%3D Janis Ian
http://www.yousendit.com/download/B0CoeIayz4M%3D Dusty
The files are recorded in different formats – Janis’ in Mp3 and Dusty’s in WMA. I only mention it because my differing software competes to play the various music formats and I end up having to close one etc etc….probably doesn’t happen on most PC’s but you know mine!!
The lyrics are heart-wrenching…...
JANIS IAN | In The Winter Lyrics
The days are okay
I watch the TV in the afternoon
If I get lonely
The sound of other voices, other rooms
Are near to me...I'm not afraid.
The operator, she tells the time
It's good for a laugh
There's always radio
And for a dime I can
Talk to god, dial-a-prayer,
Are you there?
Do you care?
Are you there?
And in the winter
Extra blankets for the cold
Fix the heater getting old
I am wiser now, you know
And still as big a fool
Concerning you.
I met your friend
She's very nice
What can I say?
It was an accident
I never dreamed we meet
Again this way,
your looking well,
I'm not afraid.
You have a lovely home
Just like a picture,
No, I live alone.
I found it easier
You must remember how
I never like the party life,
Up all night, lovely wife
You have a lovely wife.
And in the winter
Extra blankets for the cold
Fix the heater getting old
You are with her know,I know
I'll live alone forever
Not together now.
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Just a little reminder that these links only last 7 days. So far this thread has featured the following tracks:
1. Beautiful Soul
2. Mockingbird
3. 24 Hours From Tulsa, and
4. In The Winter
Janie xx
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Edited by - Janie on 01/11/2006 17:21:44 |
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Carole R.
Higher and Higher
United Kingdom
13237 Posts |
Posted - 01/11/2006 : 18:30:23
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In the Winter;
What a treat!!!
Thankyou so much Janie...
Well I've never heard the Janis Ian version before, so I started with that one.
First of all, big up to Janis for writing the song in the first place...
Her version was quite simple,but very effective and I noticed some 'Eleanor Rigby' violins in the background...
However Dusty does it true justice...she has a way of acting it out in the way she sings the lyrics...very dramatic, most heart wrenching, altogether a fabulous 'Story song'..
Is there anyone out there who can't see this lonely figure going thru the motions of life in a sad solitary fashion?...
In my mind, I always imagine it to be an older Dusty looking sad dejected and neglected..and for some unknown reason wearing a headscarf...
THAT is how good Dusty was... Convincing, and so true to the lyrics of a song that you ACTUALLY believe she is FEELING these emotions...
Janis AND Dusty should be given their due credit for the writing of and the presentation of a simply marvellous song.
Cxx
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treking
Wasn't Born To Follow
United Kingdom
5586 Posts |
Posted - 01/11/2006 : 22:35:41
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The Janis Ian version is pleasant and its always interesting to listen to the writer sing her own song.
However Dusty is there In the winter, living the life of solitude and heartache in her great interpretation.
Such a pity it was lost on Longing, but so good it was eventually released on Beautiful Soul. I just wish it was played on mainstream radio occasionally.
Trek |
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Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
5971 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2006 : 18:06:30
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A slightly different skew on the compare and contrast thread. This time it is a three way split. The first is actually a demo by Carole King of her and Gerry Goffin’s ‘No Easy Way Down’. It is clearly not the polished production that she later performed for her debut solo album, Writer, in 1970 but I included it because Dusty loved Carole’s demos and said that she found them difficult to improve on. The second and third recordings are Dusty and my friend Barbra.
In his book ‘The Complete Dusty Springfield’ Paul Howes writes about Dusty…’.’In 1963 she said, ‘It’s marvellous to be popular but foolish to think it will last’. The personal problems that lay ahead for Dusty bring an added sense of poignancy to the lyrics – for her, there was to be no easy way down’’
http://www.yousendit.com/download/k4zLkw2moxM%3D Carole King Demo
http://www.yousendit.com/download/k4yrldZBkY8%3D Dusty
http://www.yousendit.com/download/k4yrldCR4oA%3D Barbra
NO EASY WAY DOWN writers Gerry Goffin and Carole King
Your toy balloon has sailed
In the sky, love
But now it must fall
To the ground
Now your sad eyes reveal
Just how badly you feel
'Cause there is no easy way down
The view from the cliffs
Must have been exciting
And up to the peaks
You were bound
Now you're stranded alone
And the past is unknown
And there is no easy way down
No it isn't very easy
When you're left on your own
No it isn't very easy
When each road you take
Is one more mistake
There's no-one to break your fall
And lead you back home, yeah
We all like to climb to the heights of love
Where our fantasy world can be found
But you must know in the end
When it's time to descend
That there is no easy way down
You know you're gonna find
There is no easy way down
Janie xx
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Carole R.
Higher and Higher
United Kingdom
13237 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2006 : 13:47:32
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Thanks for the opportunity to hear these Janie...
Guess what...Dusty comes out on top again!..
Personally, I'm not a great fan of this particular song.
Don't know why, but there it is!...
Cxx |
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Janie
Administrator
United Kingdom
5971 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2006 : 14:02:29
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Well, I think I'm going to be banned from this 'Dusty' forum before long because I prefer Barbra's version. Not only do I think she sings it better than Dusty but I actually think the production is superior. Lovers of 'Dusty in Memphis' will be shaking with anger at that one I suspect! I included Carole's version not because I think it was a fair comparison,being itthe demo,but I do so love to hear a song sung my its writer - and there aren't many better than Goffin and King. If I have access to the recordings I will try to do this wherever feasible.
I often wonder whether we aren't always as objective as we might be when listening to some of Dusty's recordings. I know I am guilty of placing the songs in the context of her life and often I believe I think more of the song because of what I believed she was going through at the time than I might have done if she had lived a Cilla Black-type of existence? Interesting or controversial, do you think?
I'm going to start a new thread with this one, methinks!
Janie xx |
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