Tempting as it was to never include a country version of a Beatles song, despite the inspiration for the series, when the cover is better than the original I felt I had to share it with you. Just listen to the different emphases Buck uses here, the twisted pronunciations, mangling words, all in the finest country traditions. Well, the traditions of George Jones (emphasis, twisting pronunciations) and Carl Butler (singing out of one side of the mouth, mangling words). And the song is not about the mother of Jesus, I’m sure of that.
The original is not amongst the Beatles finest, it runs out of steam after a minute and a half (so at least it holds the interest a lot longer than that ridiculous riff-turned-song Start Me Up).
And here’s, well not a Portuguese version, but performed by a Portuguese woman (or possibly Brasilian). I think she plays a kazoo, so that’s definitely a reason for watching the multi-instrumentalist Ms Pessoa. She also plays what I think is a melodian (melodica- see comments below - Ed), which seems to be a recorder with a keyboard instead of holes in the tube. And a matchbox. But not all at the same time, unfortunately. Some of you might feel Ms Pessoa’s cover is a bit twee, a bit too Carol-Bayer-Sager-Moving-Out-Today annoying (yup - Ed), and I can see where you get that.
Another cover next week.
CC writes : it's George's birthday today and he is having a copy of days in Lisbon but still he
takes the trouble to forward this short post. Happy birthday youth.
CC writes : it's George's birthday today and he is having a copy of days in Lisbon but still he
takes the trouble to forward this short post. Happy birthday youth.
It's a melodica not a melodian. Augustus Pablo will be spinning in his grave.
ReplyDeleteI was nearies with melodian.
DeleteWe'll let you off as its your birthday. Many happy returns
DeleteIan Curtis will be spinning as well. Melodian indeed! Anyhow's I went to see cheeky wee James Grant on his Autumn Tour and he did an eyewatering guitar arrangement around his version of "Lady Madonna". It was truly a grooving, moving thing. He said he'd learned it because he'd had to play Liverpool the previous week and felt he'd better include a Liverpool song. With "Lady Madonna" it is all about the arrangement - not the song - it is all ascending and descending bass lines, harmonic lifts and strange staccato chordwork.
DeleteApologies Ernie - not the kind of standards that you have come to expect on these pages.
ReplyDeleteYou just can't get the staff
I wondered if you knew that Buck Owens and the Buckaroos had a Number One hit in 1963 with "Act Naturally" which was later covered by The Beatles on their 1965 "Help" album with Ringo doing the lead vocal.
ReplyDeleteAnd Happy Birthday to George!
ReplyDeleteThanks FBCB, I did not know about The Beatles covering a Buck Owens track
DeleteAhem... Note video and first comment underneath
Deletehttp://27leggies.blogspot.com/2020/01/lets-go-to-hop.html
I didn't see that particular post of yours, Mr Goggins.
DeleteApologies FBCB, that wasn't directed at you but at George, who managed to comment on the very song of which he now claims not to have been aware. Possibly he has been overdoing the birthday celebrations. As young as he is, too many glasses of Madeira can play havoc with the brain.
DeleteErnie, we have just returned to the hotel, after imbibing a few artisanal beers and wines, only to be confronted with a complimentary bottle of champagne courtesy of the hotel. no madeira, though
DeleteHappy birthday, George. I never knew The Beatles did Start Me Up.
ReplyDeleteneither did I, obviously............
DeleteYes, belated happy birthday George OR feliz aniversário George as they might say where you are. I have been largely absent around here of late but will have to check out this new series of yours.
ReplyDeleteI'm going out on a limb here but you know what? That's probably the greatest Portuguese/Brazilian version (in English) of Lady Madonna I've ever heard. Seriously though....it rocked. No, really I mean it. Kudos to Jessica
ReplyDelete