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Title: The Left Banke Post by: leggo of my ego on August 03, 2013, 06:42:00 AM Michael Brown was a genius too!
Just sitting in my ride digging on the There's Gonna Be A Storm CD that covers both their early LPs. And except for "Walk Away Renee" I knew nothing of this group until around 1996 when I found a used copy of the first record album in a thrift store. Better late than never! Check out the Montage Lp too...if you can find one. Brilliant Title: Re: The Left Banke Post by: JK on August 30, 2013, 08:12:45 AM Michael Brown was a genius too! I've always loved "Pretty Ballerina". i also remember hearing a rather extraordinary 45 called "Desiree". But those and "Renee" (actually the Four Tops version!) are all i know of the Banke's music. Just sitting in my ride digging on the There's Gonna Be A Storm CD that covers both their early LPs. And except for "Walk Away Renee" I knew nothing of this group until around 1996 when I found a used copy of the first record album in a thrift store. Better late than never! Check out the Montage Lp too...if you can find one. Brilliant Title: Re: The Left Banke Post by: rn57 on August 30, 2013, 07:33:23 PM At the most recent Left Banke gig in NYC Michael Brown not only showed up, but spent quite a while at the keyboard. He's got a ton of unheard songs written and I think I read someplace that the band's getting ready to record some of them.
Superlative group. I have to admit that, heretically for an LB fan, I'm very fond of "Ivy, Ivy", the 45 that Brown did with Tom Feher, Michael McKean (yes, that Michael McKean) and Bert Sommer singing, which was released under the LB name when Michael had fallen out with the rest of the group. "Myrah" is another masterwork, featuring Michael playing the Mellotron like no one before or since. Title: Re: The Left Banke Post by: SMiLE-addict on September 01, 2013, 06:23:56 PM Another nice one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VihSZuHQvDY Title: Re: The Left Banke Post by: EgoHanger1966 on September 01, 2013, 07:15:24 PM That first album has so many killer tracks on it. The two singles, I've Got Something On My Mind, She May Call You Up Tonight, Shadows Breaking Over My Head....
Unfortunately, some of the tunes on the second side bring it down a bit. Still a classic, iconic album. Great use of the harpsichord and an LP that pretty much defines the height of baroque pop. Heard "Pretty Ballerina" at the supermarket today! Title: Re: The Left Banke Post by: leggo of my ego on September 02, 2013, 06:37:44 AM At the most recent Left Banke gig in NYC Michael Brown not only showed up, but spent quite a while at the keyboard. He's got a ton of unheard songs written and I think I read someplace that the band's getting ready to record some of them. Superlative group. I have to admit that, heretically for an LB fan, I'm very fond of "Ivy, Ivy", the 45 that Brown did with Tom Feher, Michael McKean (yes, that Michael McKean) and Bert Sommer singing, which was released under the LB name when Michael had fallen out with the rest of the group. "Myrah" is another masterwork, featuring Michael playing the Mellotron like no one before or since. Most welcome news indeed! I was not aware of any of this looks like I have some catching up to do on their recent history. Title: Re: The Left Banke Post by: RangeRoverA1 on June 18, 2014, 11:50:44 PM Awhile ago, I downloaded their comp "There's Gonna Be a Storm: The Complete Recordings 1966-9". Gotta say, very nice gift for all the beginners, lots of stuff to dig in. I know, Steve Martin's voice is the most recognizable among fans & the most beloved, but I really like Bert Sommer's. He went on to sing my favorite Left Banke song ever - "Men Are Building Sand"*. Incredible backing track & melody. His voice sounds kinda feminine, but I think it's beautiful nonetheless. "Ivy, Ivy" is stunning, love the key/mood contrast between the verses & chorus. Very hopeful tune. The intro reminds me of good ole Soviet cartoons about winter/Father Frost.
Steve sang many goodies too, 1st thing I ever heard by this band was - no wonder - "Walk away Renee". I was quite impressed by the lead vocal, however, the next song, "Pretty Ballerina", wasn't to my liking, so I forgot about this band until <see above>. "Sing Little Bird Sing" is another fave, drastically unlike any of their "weird, key shift-driven music". I like its simplicity & benign nature. Btw, they did country too, might be my 2nd fave: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU0IA3mw1rU (What Do You Know) Listen how Steve's tender baroque singing fitted this genre like a glove. *I heard the Montage LP on youtube & most of the songs compared to the previously released versions I found insipid. "Men Are Building Sand" sounds dry & missing all the elements I liked about the song initially. Wrong orchestration. The Конец. Title: Re: The Left Banke Post by: feelsflow on June 19, 2014, 07:09:00 AM Good morning Marianne, What a nice thread to float back to the top! Along with Nazz, a favorite American band of mine from the late 60's (like Nazz, they only sounded British). The track you linked was the one and only lead vocal by Mike Brown (w/ Tom Finn's help).
On the first album Steve got all the other leads, except "I Haven't Got the Nerve," which is George and Steve. I loved the first album, but the second one (Too) is even better. The three vocalists, Steve, Tom Finn and George Cameron, aided by one of Mike's writing partners Tom Feher (Brown and Feher wrote the "Ivy Ivy" single and "What Do You Know" "Barterers and Their Wives" and "Evening Gown" on the First album), created one of the most beautiful Pop albums of the time. Tom Feher was also added as a player - guitar and piano (on the later 1968 sessions). Should've been a hit, as they say.
Title: Re: The Left Banke Post by: Lowbacca on June 19, 2014, 07:22:20 AM Awhile ago, I downloaded their comp "There's Gonna Be a Storm: The Complete Recordings 1966-9". Gotta say, very nice gift for all the beginners, lots of stuff to dig in. I got that one as well. :-D Really got me into them.(http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/30636299/Theres+Gonna+Be+a+Storm+The+Complete+Recordings+19+Theres+Gonna+Be+A+Storm.jpg) Title: Re: The Left Banke Post by: RangeRoverA1 on June 22, 2014, 10:51:46 PM Good morning Marianne, What a nice thread to float back to the top! Along with Nazz, a favorite American band of mine from the late 60's (like Nazz, they only sounded British). The track you linked was the one and only lead vocal by Mike Brown (w/ Tom Finn's help). Good evening, Will! As always, your post is most welcome. Thanks for correction re "What Do You Know" leads vocals. Mike sounds just like Steve. That comp has got almost every track off the 2nd album, will check the remnants. An interview would be interesting to find, to see the band speaking up. Wow, I didn't know that Steve Tyler crossed path with The Left Banke. Insane but cool connection nonetheless. I like half of your list, very nice choice. Can't believe I forgot to mention "Give The Man A Hand". The intro is so beautiful (in fact, one of the best), followed by the driving chorus. Really like the tone of guitar & overall guitar playing on this one.On the first album Steve got all the other leads, except "I Haven't Got the Nerve," which is George and Steve. I loved the first album, but the second one (Too) is even better. The three vocalists, Steve, Tom Finn and George Cameron, aided by one of Mike's writing partners Tom Feher (Brown and Feher wrote the "Ivy Ivy" single and "What Do You Know" "Barterers and Their Wives" and "Evening Gown" on the First album), created one of the most beautiful Pop albums of the time. Tom Feher was also added as a player - guitar and piano (on the later 1968 sessions). Should've been a hit, as they say.
Title: Re: The Left Banke Post by: leggo of my ego on June 25, 2014, 07:06:18 AM Awhile ago, I downloaded their comp "There's Gonna Be a Storm: The Complete Recordings 1966-9". Gotta say, very nice gift for all the beginners, lots of stuff to dig in. I know, Steve Martin's voice is the most recognizable among fans & the most beloved, but I really like Bert Sommer's. He went on to sing my favorite Left Banke song ever - "Men Are Building Sand"*. Incredible backing track & melody. His voice sounds kinda feminine, but I think it's beautiful nonetheless. "Ivy, Ivy" is stunning, love the key/mood contrast between the verses & chorus. Very hopeful tune. The intro reminds me of good ole Soviet cartoons about winter/Father Frost. Steve sang many goodies too, 1st thing I ever heard by this band was - no wonder - "Walk away Renee". I was quite impressed by the lead vocal, however, the next song, "Pretty Ballerina", wasn't to my liking, so I forgot about this band until <see above>. "Sing Little Bird Sing" is another fave, drastically unlike any of their "weird, key shift-driven music". I like its simplicity & benign nature. Btw, they did country too, might be my 2nd fave: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU0IA3mw1rU (What Do You Know) Listen how Steve's tender baroque singing fitted this genre like a glove. *I heard the Montage LP on youtube & most of the songs compared to the previously released versions I found insipid. "Men Are Building Sand" sounds dry & missing all the elements I liked about the song initially. Wrong orchestration. The Конец. Montage can grow on you if you give it a chance...I acquired a mint vinyl LP which sounds amazing. There is a Brown track on there (cant recall the name) that is so gloomy - it makes Eleanor Rigby sound like "Happy Birthday" Thats a great track. ;D |