So, I'm back to listening to David Cassidy's recordings ;-) This song is "Spooky", an instrumental written by saxophonist Mike Sharpe (Shapiro) in the sixties. Four versions here for your listening pleasure.
The first version with lyrics by the Classics IV - it charted at #3 in the U.S. in 1968:
Atlanta Rhythm Section re-recorded the song in 1979:
REM's live version (with a weird intro by Mr. Stipe):
David Cassidy from his 2003 "Touch of Blue" CD - his version's a bit schmaltzy, I fear, but his voice is still a pleasure to hear:
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It IS Forever, David. Dammit.
Daydreaming David
A fan's musings on David Cassidy. Yes, THAT David Cassidy. His looks, his talent, his career. It's not always a love-fest.
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This is not a fan site.
These are fan sites:
David Cassidy Downunder Fansite - unofficial but most complete with over 6,000 pictures, discography with lyrics, news
The David Cassidy Could it Be Forever fansite - memorabilia galore!
C'mon Get Happy: The unofficial website of The Partridge Family
Fun David-fest blog challenge
For official news: DC's own site.
David Cassidy Downunder Fansite - unofficial but most complete with over 6,000 pictures, discography with lyrics, news
The David Cassidy Could it Be Forever fansite - memorabilia galore!
C'mon Get Happy: The unofficial website of The Partridge Family
Fun David-fest blog challenge
For official news: DC's own site.
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November
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- My Challenge, an Update
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- What becomes a teen idol most?
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- "I'm no Diva" - David Cassidy Apologizes?
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27 comments:
I do like David's voice on his version, and the organ. Mmm!!
But my vote is for the Classics IV version. To me, that is the only version that has a "spooky" sound to it, instead of solely a jazzy sound. I love the sax on that version too. It has those spooky background sounds, and the contrast in the chords seems produce a bit of a chill in this version.
I like the Atlanta Rhythm Section version too, the singing, and the instrumentals.
REM, Noooooo. I thought he did a pretty crappy job of it.
Thanks Daydreaming David. Nice song to listen to this morning. :-)
DD Your music is in tune with mine. You've picked out yet another classic. I grew up with the Atlanta Rhythm Section version and loved it, so this is the defining version for me. I used to love those kind of bands. The others I don't mind, quite good versions I guess. I have a soft spot for REM. David's version is s*xy. The voice is sublime, just a touch too much cabaret style or schmaltz as you put it. Think we could voice coach him? Thanks for posting them all.
I remember that first version from when it was first on the radio...and I was three! Interesting comparing them all. Michael Stipe doesn't seem to be too good at remembering lyrics, either. I guess it's better to read them from notes than to forget them altogether...
SLK, good comment about the notes! Notice how Stipe's voice changes as soon as he bends down to read his notes? Same thing happens when David starts shaking hands, as you've noted in the previous thread, SLK. I find Stipe's voice boring here and I've always liked R.E.M. It's crazy how boring I find other male voices when I hear them next to David's. Is it just me?!
The ARS singer might be the same one as the Classics IV because ARS is comprised of former band members of Classics IV. I agree with you, Singmedavid, the first version is the "spookiest". "Bit of chill": well said!
It's a cool song.
Wow! I'm sorry I don't know anything about those groups, but I really thought the Classics IV version was sung by a black man. At the very least, I didn't think that the two singers between that version and the ARS version were the same. I'm usually pretty good at picking up that kind of stuff. So...I'll guess I'll to go off and investigate further.
I think the Classics IV version was sung by Dennis Yost who did not go on to ARS (I got this from Wikipedia so, perhaps the info is not correct?). But, he is white. I'm amazed. There aren't that many white singers that sound like black singers to me.
Also, DD, I agree that David's vocals are the sexiest of these four. ;-)
Hi all... I like David´s version very much. Such a sexy voice!!And yes,DD...I agree....just for me,it´s boring too to hear other voices next to David´s.That´s not to say that I don´t like other musicians,but David has something special in his voice which makes me....you know;-)
Barbara ...a German fan
Go ahead SLK, be that younger than me! >:( LOL. Because "I" was 14 years old back then, when I think of this song now, the Classics IV is the one I recall with great memories of '68. I am more partial to that version. Dennis sounds "luring", and I like when he sings, "Spoooo-kay!". "Stormy" is another fav of mine they did.
Ooooooo look out it's Spooky and Stormy out there! LOL
Barbara
JD
David's version is the first I ever heard. I think it's a great song, and I like all the versions, but none of the other singers can be compared to David. Yes, he "overdoes" it here and there (is that what "schmaltz" means?), but his voice ... as we all know it's something special, the others sound a bit bland, a bit ordinary (this comes from one of the greatest out of tune singers in the world).
I have to put a word in for the late, great British white soul artist Dusty Springfield.
She does a nice easy, sensual version of this song. I think she was quite well known in the States, (Son of a Preacher Man). I don't follow many female artists but Dusty was one of my favourites, although I was only a little one when she was at her peak.(My linky talents dont always work so I wont attempt one).
If Dusty had not succumbed to breast cancer I would have loved her to do a duet with David. I think their voices would sit well together.
Speaking of duets, I'd like David to do an album singing duets with guest artists, something like Rod Stewart has put out. Tom Jones did one a while back. If David chooses the right artists to record with he could recapture some good habits with his singing technique through working with them. Any ideas of artists male or remale?
female! (sorry I type too fast)
The duet idea is interesting, British Fan. What would you think of Linda Ronstadt with him? She has such a strong voice, like his. Actually, Sue sounds really great with him. And I'd like to hear him do more stuff with his brothers.
I'm with you Barbara about remembering the Classics IV version the best. I was 8 at the time.
Before I caught the David bug this summer, I had been rediscovering a lot of the 60s and 70s music on YouTube. That has really been a blast. I'm sure that if I'd not seen the C'Mon Get Happy Movie, I would have eventually stumbled on to PF and DC songs and that would have been it. LOL!!! Remembering his voice and then seeing all those beautiful images...it was just a matter of time. :-)
60's and 70's music rocks, singme.
The last few days I've been listening to soul/motown.It's great to see your old faviourites on YT like Tavares and Earth, Wind and Fire. I love the 70's. Everything was so camp!
Linda Ronstadt might be good. I quite liked him singing with Sue, what I've heard anyhow. Maybe they should have recorded more together.
British Fan, I used to have a 4 album set of Motown's Greatest Hits. They were among my favorites too. :-)
I posted a while back about the idea of a duet of DC and Suzi Quatro on "Stumblin' In" but it more because they are contemporaries and it's a great song. Her voice isn't the best and her duet with Chris Norman is too good to ruin with another pairing, really.
I'm not a big fan of duets, so I don't have many suggestions. British fan's mention of Tom Jones reminded me of this duet however. Bonus innuendos at beginning ;-)
How lovely. These two were the David Cassidy to my mum's generation. My mum (mom) had a substantial collection of both their albums. I never gave them much thought when I was younger but I quite like Tom Jones' music now. I think he still gets undies thrown doesn't he?
Ha! You're right, British fan, Mr. Jones still gets undies thrown at him. A compliment in that somewhere, I suppose. Interesting that both were the DC of your mom's generation. I get the feeling that these three performers' audience is 90% female, which for whatever reason, seems to lessen their credibility in music circles. Credibility might not the right word here but I know that if women adore (in the proper sense of adoring a god) a singer, men seem to stay away.
I like Tom Jones now too. "Sex Bomb" is a hoot. I have one of his Greatest Hits album and like practically every track on it. Humperdinck has one heck of a sweet voice. I remember cringing whenever "After the Lovin'" was on the radio when I was a kid. Those lyrics were so embarrassing to hear in the company of my parents.
Smilin' Daydreaming David!!! Thanks! I sent that link to my mom!! LOL!!
How about Lulu and David? I think they have well matched voices.
Can you believe I don't know who Lulu is? Checked Wiki and I can't believe I've never heard of this woman. My dog, have I been living under a rock?! On YT, there a dozen clips of her singing with everyone from Maurice Gibb to Ronan Keating and Take That. She's on tour NOW with Chaka Khan and Anastacia: http://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/95617/9/
Thanks for this fabulous suggestion, Singme. Gets a vote from me.
Here's another one, prompted by an email discussion;-): Kim Carnes. She sang backup on "Dreams..." and during his 74 concert tour.
That's what I feel like most of the time, DD. Until now, my music appreciation has been very casual. I usually did not bother to do any critical thinking about it. Either I liked the song or the voice, or I didn't. Kim Carnes is a great suggestion too. I think her voice is well matched to David's.
Lulu gets a bit of ribbing back here for overdoing the plastic surgery. It does look good though! She has a range of face creams she plugs and claims they've done wonders for her face. We know better! That's a good cue for us Brits to take the p*ss. She was married to Maurice Gibb for several years and they remained good friends after the divorce. She's a good singer but a bit of a belter. She' very short so she'd look good next to David.
Plastic surgery? I never would have guessed. Actually, when I saw recent clips of Lulu, I thought she looked a lot like Olivia Newton-John. They're both sporting those high round cheekbones. It's those cosmetic fillers that are all the rage. Saw Johnny Depp on the cover of current issue of People magazine and he's got them too - could be PhotoShop but I wouldn't be surprised if it's simply Botox and fillers.
So, Lulu's a belter? Ugh, I'm not a big belter fan :) I heard her version of Shout from the sixties. Did not like it at all. Too much gravel, not enough honey.
BTW, British fan, I enjoyed Dusty's version as well - just didn't include it here because I wanted to compare male singers.
DD, go rent the movie To Sir With Love as soon as you can. This was my generations movie back in 1967, and we all wanted to dress and look like the actress Judy Geeson who is in the movie. Lulu plays one of the students and sings at the school dance. Such a cool movie, one of my favorites to this day.
I LOVE 60's Motown, I have lps of The Four Tops who were my fav male group and The Supremes who were my fav girl group, as well as the other artists - Temptations, Martha & Vandellas, Miracles, etc. The song "Bernadette" by The Four Tops is my favorite by them. I wish the black groups of today got back to making real music like this instead of hip-hop/rap with violent degrading lyrics. When Motown artists presented themselves with class.
Barbara
JD
Thanks for the tip about "To Sir with Love", Barbara - added it to my list! It's one of those movies I've heard about but have never seen. Sidney Poitier was a dreamboat back then, wasn't he?
I wish everyone today got back to making real music with beautiful lyrics rather than the filth on the charts now. Why do I keep sounding like my father when I talk about music now? Guess it's the great generational divide. Scary to think of what my kid will be listening to in ten years. Repeat requests for DC's "January" and "Daydreamer" give me hope though.
Just wanted to say that my mom is now a YouTube addict thanks to that Humperdink/Jones video link that I sent her from this blog. LOL!!! I never would have predicted that, but like daughter, like mom, I guess.
To Sir With Love brings me back, Barbara. For awhile now I've been trying to remember this one commercial jingle for gum that I used to love and I finally remembered it (sorry to get a bit off topic here DD): Teaberry Gum Commercial. Let's all do the Teaberry Shuffle! LOL!!!!
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