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Non Smiley Smile Stuff => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: EgoHanger1966 on March 08, 2013, 09:45:16 PM



Title: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: EgoHanger1966 on March 08, 2013, 09:45:16 PM
Was just marvelling in the glory of the first Left Banke album. I love the sound of the harpsichord/clavichord. Can we get a list going of great pop records featuring the use of this fantastic sounding instrument?


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: Empire Of Love on March 09, 2013, 02:13:12 AM
Astair by Matt Costa.  I fell in love with this song the very first time I heard it.  Can't link YouTube as video not available on mobile.

Make sure you listen to the studio version and not live.



Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: Mendota Heights on March 09, 2013, 02:26:34 AM
I too love the harpsichord.

Elton John's song Valhalla (from his first album) uses an harpsichord: http://grooveshark.com/#!/album/Empty+Sky/373101

Edit: Skyline Pigeon also features an harpsichord.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: Aegir on March 09, 2013, 08:19:12 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWF_PBde-3E

Joanna Newsom's "Peach Plum Pear"


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: rab2591 on March 09, 2013, 09:05:27 AM
I Want Her She Wants Me - The Zombies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNvj8i_EGLM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNvj8i_EGLM)
Golden Brown - The Stranglers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVHVvbnmgjM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVHVvbnmgjM)

I would've loved to've heard the guitar in 'Get Together' (by the Youngbloods) replaced with a harpsichord - would've sounded boss.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: Sheriff John Stone on March 09, 2013, 09:20:38 AM
Since there is a current thread....how about that Lesley Gore and "Judy's Turn To Cry"?

Lesley Gore now she sure looks pretty....


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: Summertime Blooz on March 09, 2013, 11:41:04 AM
Come On Get Happy and I Think I Love- both by The Partridge Family
The Last Balloon- XTC
Cold Morning Light,Cliche- Todd Rundgren
Forget All About It- Nazz
Please Don't Ever Leave Me- The Cyrkle
Lazy English Sun, Chocolate Soldiers- Louis Phillippe
That's all for now


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: SMiLE-addict on March 09, 2013, 05:21:08 PM
My personal favorites:

Leaves That Are Green
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwOgXWOX-iE

For Your Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2LSSgQMc2E

Fixing a Hole - instruments only
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pt4ZE9atfo

Then there's this little-known band called the Beach Boys who did songs like When I Grow Up (To Be a Man) ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgTRU-UVLwA

Then there is what I consider The Masterpiece of All Harpshichord Pop songs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA-9Joq549E

EDIT: Can't forget Sunshine Superman! (though the harpsichord is only in the intro)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTuPbJLqFKI


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: rab2591 on March 09, 2013, 05:35:10 PM
The Soft Parade - The Doors: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XlqCFi6o-E (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XlqCFi6o-E)


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: guitarfool2002 on March 09, 2013, 07:36:42 PM
Surprised no one has mentioned one of the greatest pop singles of the 1960's...

"The Girl I Knew Somewhere" by the Monkees, featuring Peter Tork on harpsichord. And had record biz politics not interfered with their original plans, the other side of that single would have been "All Of Your Toys"...the great single that never was which featured a harpsichord intro that was also a fantastic rhythmic and harmonic hook of the song, again played by Peter Tork.

On the TV show, they once rigged up a harpsichord onto a bicycle for Peter to drive around as he was trying to woo Julie Newmar,  the episode which featured "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" as the musical montage.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: EgoHanger1966 on March 09, 2013, 07:40:04 PM
Surprised no one has mentioned one of the greatest pop singles of the 1960's...

"The Girl I Knew Somewhere" by the Monkees, featuring Peter Tork on harpsichord. And had record biz politics not interfered with their original plans, the other side of that single would have been "All Of Your Toys"...the great single that never was which featured a harpsichord intro that was also a fantastic rhythmic and harmonic hook of the song, again played by Peter Tork.

On the TV show, they once rigged up a harpsichord onto a bicycle for Peter to drive around as he was trying to woo Julie Newmar,  the episode which featured "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" as the musical montage.

Certainly a classic tune. Seeing Nesmith sing it on the Monkees tour last year was quite a trip.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: SMiLE-addict on March 09, 2013, 09:01:19 PM
I knew there was a Monkees song I was forgetting. Agreed, great tune.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: Jay on March 09, 2013, 09:54:04 PM
Burning of The Midnight Lamp by the Jimi Hendrix Experience.  8)


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: rab2591 on March 10, 2013, 08:01:45 AM
Burning of The Midnight Lamp by the Jimi Hendrix Experience.  8)

YES.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: Sheriff John Stone on March 10, 2013, 10:24:35 AM
"Everybody Loves A Clown" by Gary Lewis & The Playboys. They had some good songs.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: EgoHanger1966 on March 10, 2013, 11:57:37 AM
"Everybody Loves A Clown" by Gary Lewis & The Playboys. They had some good songs.

They really did - I think they had something like 7 top ten hits in a row. My first concert was Gary Lewis (along with Billy J Kramer and Mark Lindsay), and I probably had every Gary Lewis LP before I was 10. Wierd kid, i know...but he has some fantastic material, wonderfully arranged, written, and produced.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: SMiLE-addict on March 10, 2013, 04:36:52 PM
Don't forget this. ;)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YFk4b6yeX4


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: Jay on March 10, 2013, 06:36:34 PM
I can't believe that nobody has mentioned Wonderful yet.  :thud


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: rab2591 on March 10, 2013, 06:41:12 PM
I can't believe that nobody has mentioned Wonderful yet.  :thud

I was going to. But I prefer the BWPS version, and I didn't know if that qualified as a real harpsichord ???


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: EgoHanger1966 on March 10, 2013, 07:04:12 PM
I can't believe that nobody has mentioned Wonderful yet.  :thud

I was going to. But I prefer the BWPS version, and I didn't know if that qualified as a real harpsichord ???

For those who haven't seen it - Darian stumbling his way through some of Wonderful on the real thing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLIwOKGYLs0


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: SMiLE-addict on March 19, 2013, 06:19:12 PM
Just realized the Jackson 5 got into the act, too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xg2vMrDzoXM


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: kwan_dk on March 25, 2013, 12:35:47 PM
Like I've written in another thread, I'm on a bit of a PF Sloan trip at the moment. So here are some harpsichord Sloan magic:

The Grass Roots - Here's Where You Belong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13eZPf3n44U

The Grass Roots - Lollipop Train (You Never Had It so Good)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTDIhBPmQQY

Johnny Tillotson - Cling to Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmEFGKZ7OVg

The Grass Roots - Beatin' Round the Bush
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnKmWbADkL0


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: kwan_dk on March 26, 2013, 03:51:31 PM
The Cyrkle - Please Don't Ever Leave Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qaOzrPin4k


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: Dunderhead on March 27, 2013, 03:00:19 AM
Surprised no one has mentioned one of the greatest pop singles of the 1960's...

"The Girl I Knew Somewhere" by the Monkees, featuring Peter Tork on harpsichord. And had record biz politics not interfered with their original plans, the other side of that single would have been "All Of Your Toys"...the great single that never was which featured a harpsichord intro that was also a fantastic rhythmic and harmonic hook of the song, again played by Peter Tork.

On the TV show, they once rigged up a harpsichord onto a bicycle for Peter to drive around as he was trying to woo Julie Newmar,  the episode which featured "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" as the musical montage.

This has been a favorite of mine for years as well.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: Puggal on April 11, 2013, 08:32:20 PM
Some Kinks songs:

Two Sisters
Village Green
Wonder Boy
Village Green 


Probably more


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: Roger Ryan on April 12, 2013, 07:49:51 AM
This is probably the hardest rocking song I know of that uses a harpsichord...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sHwdD2Zq6s

Although, to be fair, the harpsichord part (which comes in at 26 seconds) seems to vanish once the chorus and dueling guitars take over.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: JK on August 18, 2013, 09:49:10 AM
Don't think these have been mentioned yet:

Golden Brown----The Stranglers
Love Me Two Times----The Doors
The Devil's Triangle----King Crimson (I think it's in the section called "Garden Of Worm")


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: SMiLE-addict on August 18, 2013, 08:48:34 PM
Surprised no one has mentioned one of the greatest pop singles of the 1960's...

"The Girl I Knew Somewhere" by the Monkees, featuring Peter Tork on harpsichord. And had record biz politics not interfered with their original plans, the other side of that single would have been "All Of Your Toys"...the great single that never was which featured a harpsichord intro that was also a fantastic rhythmic and harmonic hook of the song, again played by Peter Tork.

On the TV show, they once rigged up a harpsichord onto a bicycle for Peter to drive around as he was trying to woo Julie Newmar,  the episode which featured "The Girl I Knew Somewhere" as the musical montage.
Has anyone ever heard the alternate version of this song? I like it better than the released one - for starters, the harpsichord line is much clearer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Doibz5eVNmc


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: JK on September 08, 2013, 05:31:57 AM
Not pop perhaps, but not that far away (starts at 0:19):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOb8i0BD_ho (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOb8i0BD_ho)


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: Vegetable Man on September 08, 2013, 08:15:34 AM
All 1:18 of "Prelude" by The Millennium from their 1968 album "Begin". Probably the best piece of harpsichord pop out there. Can't post a link, but it's worth the search.



Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: JK on September 08, 2013, 09:40:08 AM
All 1:18 of "Prelude" by The Millennium from their 1968 album "Begin". Probably the best piece of harpsichord pop out there. Can't post a link, but it's worth the search.
Allow me. :=)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdOl2yXNFOg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdOl2yXNFOg)


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: rn57 on September 09, 2013, 11:04:24 PM
"The Girl I Knew Somewhere"....Tork's solo is one of my four or five favorite solos in rock history on any instrument.

Surprised no one has mentioned Brian Jones...."Sittin On A Fence," "Lady Jane,". (unless that's Nicky) sand I've read he played it on "Dandelion."

Tommy James and the Shondells' "Ball of Fire" has very prominent, very memorable harpsichord.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: Alex on September 11, 2013, 11:25:57 AM
Ummm....Lady Lynda, anyone?


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on September 14, 2013, 01:26:18 PM
Surprised no one has mentioned Brian Jones..."Sittin On A Fence," "Lady Jane" (unless that's Nicky) and I've read he played it on "Dandelion".
Sittin' On A Fence is great! One of the Rollings' forgotten gems. Mick sang it so sweetly. Thanks for reminding me of this beauty, rn57! And no, it's all Brian - both on dulcimer & harpsichord - in Lady Jane. No Nicky.

Generally, many good & beautiful songs were mentioned here. I, of course, downloaded them all. Among my faves are Elton John's "Skyline Pidgeon" (one of the best songs I heard this year), Todd Rundgren's "Cold Morning Light" (ditto as E. John), XTC's "The Last Balloon" (sounds a bit like a long dark lullabye) & Johnny Tillotson's "Cling to Me" (amazing voice that singer has, dig those groovy cowbells as well). Thanks to all the contributors, it's very interesting to discover new artists/songs & therefore, expand your musical mind, so to speak.

Btw, I don't hear anything special in The Monkees' "The Girl I Knew Somewhere". It's nice but I'd refuse to rank it on the same scale as the best songs of the band. More so, it could be one of the worst I've heard of The Monkees. Even the funky harpsichord solo didn't save it.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: JK on September 23, 2013, 02:22:51 AM
Love (the band) use harpsichord on Da Capo, courtesy of Alban "Snoopy" Pfisterer. "Stephanie Knows Who" and "The Castle" come to mind. Captain Beefheart uses it on "Call On Me" and the now-topical (and beautiful) "Autumn's Child", both off Safe as Milk. Co-producer Richard Perry is confirmed as the harpsichordist on the second song, so it could arguably be him on the first.   


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: SMiLE-addict on October 23, 2013, 10:56:32 PM
Donovan got into the Baroque/harpsichord act too, especially starting around 2:22
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkU8qXPru94


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: bluesno1fann on October 24, 2013, 12:18:48 AM
Surprised no one has mentioned Brian Jones..."Sittin On A Fence," "Lady Jane" (unless that's Nicky) and I've read he played it on "Dandelion".
Sittin' On A Fence is great! One of the Rollings' forgotten gems. Mick sang it so sweetly. Thanks for reminding me of this beauty, rn57! And no, it's all Brian - both on dulcimer & harpsichord - in Lady Jane. No Nicky.
Agreed! Yet another reason why Brian Jones will always be the Stones!


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: halblaineisgood on October 24, 2013, 02:33:59 AM
.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: sparkydog1725 on November 03, 2013, 10:45:42 AM
Love's Been Good To Me - Frank Sinatra


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on February 19, 2014, 03:35:53 AM
Been searching randomly for some obscure 60s stuff on YT & stumbled across 1 nugget that has vocals by a quite famous actress & singer - listen to this:

Rainbo - John, You Went Too Far This Time (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38YIMgtEMFU)   As you see, Sissy Spacek recorded it under the scenic name "Rainbo", in circa 1968. I already saw her in a movie about Loretta Lynn whom she played, & instantly liked her singing. The above song is not country though, I'd describe it baroque pop with a tiny bit of psychedelia. In my view, if Sissy went along this way, she could've had some moderate success; this genre fits her voice as good as country. Talking further about arranging, the song is notable for its short Penny Lane piccolo trumpet reference (I'm a big fan of that Beatles song, btw) & the harpsichord serving as a bridge between the verses & chorus. Overall, very colorful tune, not lesser than any other 60s "flower power" stuff imo.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: rab2591 on February 19, 2014, 12:18:43 PM
I was going to suggest the instrumental break in In My Life by The Beatles. But apparently it's a piano:

"On 22 October, the solo was recorded with the tape running at half speed, so when played back at normal pace the piano was twice as fast and an octave higher, solving the performance challenge and also giving the solo a unique timbre, reminiscent of a harpsichord."

Quite surprised by this.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on January 30, 2017, 02:50:35 AM
Rosemary Clooney surrounded by harpsichord https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozY6aXZm1po


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: JK on January 30, 2017, 04:47:08 AM
Surprised no one has mentioned Brian Jones..."Sittin On A Fence," "Lady Jane" (unless that's Nicky) and I've read he played it on "Dandelion".
Sittin' On A Fence is great! One of the Rollings' forgotten gems. Mick sang it so sweetly. Thanks for reminding me of this beauty, rn57! And no, it's all Brian - both on dulcimer & harpsichord - in Lady Jane. No Nicky.
Agreed! Yet another reason why Brian Jones will always be the Stones!

This.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on February 04, 2017, 01:42:05 PM
Harpsichord plays rain role in this Peppermint Trolley Company track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IBfzPW3E-Y


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: SteveMC on February 11, 2017, 02:22:25 AM
https://youtu.be/bNXPpbN3BkE (https://youtu.be/bNXPpbN3BkE)


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: Mark A. Moore on February 11, 2017, 07:08:27 AM
"Anaheim, Azusa . . . " — Jan & Dean

Also the background music on J&D's Batman LP.


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on April 19, 2017, 06:51:39 PM
Not sure if it's harpsichord, U.S. band Snow "Where has my old friend Billy Jones gone": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0ABkJFJEFg


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: Malc on April 28, 2017, 11:34:13 PM
Need look no further than the Boss Baroque LP, circa 1966, featuring Larry Knechtel...
Knechtel AND a harpsichord ? Say no more...


Title: Re: Harpsichord Pop
Post by: undercover-m on May 08, 2017, 10:51:26 AM
Note: If you simply typed in "two sisters" into the YouTube search box, this song is definitely not the first thing you see.

Anyway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRzA12_zd8M