MLT Club Member David Herrick
MLT Club MemberForum Replies Created
-
I’m with you on the examples you cited, Jung. I learned both of those songs in childhood, but I didn’t grasp their deeper meaning until much later. “Blowin’ in the Wind” really hit me at the time of the Tiananmen Square massacre.
Another song I’d put in that category is “Puff the Magic Dragon”, which was my favorite song when I was six. Once my dad listened to it with me and he ended up fighting back tears, and I couldn’t for the life of me imagine why. Now, of course, it moves me in the same way.
I saw Peter, Paul and Mary in concert in 1990, and at the end of that song Peter added a spoken epilogue about Jackie Paper all grown up and bringing his son to visit with Puff. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.
-
It just struck me that Mona’s and Lisa’s voices could perfectly fit the mood of this song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwolvKdwpg4
-
Please ignore the fact that this is from a sequel series to The Flintstones, and just try to tell me that this doesn’t sound like something Brian Wilson might have come up with during his creative peak:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqbsJECAz0E
-
I stand corrected. I had no idea this recording existed!
My understanding has always been that the Mamas and Papas pretty much wrote their first album during their time in the Virgin Islands, moved to Los Angeles, and upon Barry McGuire’s recommendation presented it to Lou Adler, who awarded them a recording contract on the spot.
It never occurred to me that they might have farmed out any of their songs, given how broke they were at the time. I guess they were just paying McGuire back for his suggestion by giving him the pick of the musical litter.
-
John, with lyrical help from Michelle, wrote “California Dreamin'”, Jacki. Maybe you’re thinking of when the Beach Boys covered it in the 80’s? I agree, their version was pretty forgettable. But at least John and Michelle had a cameo in the video!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ-Q_kpOHfc
-
Agreed, Howard. MLT has an unmatched ability to become a “new and improved” version of anyone they want to. My original post was just asking about enjoyable covers of Beatles songs, without regard to whether they were done in the same style.
-
I get where you’re coming from with the Mamas and Papas, Howard. Maybe you’d prefer this earlier live version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp8lEeQMnP0
-
You’re right, Jung. I think of this version of “I Call Your Name” not so much as a cover, but as an upgrade to a more complex and distinctive arrangement. If the Beatles had done it that way, I’d probably prefer their recording of it.
Only MLT can beat the Beatles on their home field, as it were.
-
Works for me, Jung. Brahms is best known to the masses for a lullaby, and frankly lullabies tend to put me to sleep.
-
Oh, good! Someone has finally developed the technology to record people’s dreams.
-
Just curious; how would you (anyone) like to see MLT divide up the vocal work on Unchained Melody? Solo Lisa? Solo Mona? Alternating solos? Intermittent harmony? Harmony all the way through?
-
Yes, almost anything from the Bangles should sound great when done by MLT. Both groups have that same 60’s sensibility.
I name-dropped this one a while back as the one I’d most like to hear them do:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mu_pNeqAQ-U
-
I believe John Phillips of the Mamas & Papas also had a hand in writing “Kokomo”. Quite a memorable last hurrah for some of the great 60’s vocalists!
Phillips also wrote “San Francisco” for McKenzie, who had been in a folk group with him in the early 60’s.
-
Any mention of Keith Richards always makes me think of this scene from the 1987 Frankie and Annette reunion movie “Back to the Beach”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxpVOQKAs4g
-
(Oops, I meant to post under the Beatles vs. Beach Boys topic, not Beatles vs. Stones. Good thing we’re all voracious readers.)
I had heard OF that song, Jung, but I had never heard it. Very interesting! It seems to lean a little toward R&B or Motown.
What happened to Brian was very sad, but I thought he fully rebounded (musically at least) with his 1988 solo album.
