● Lady Percy moves me - might she move you? CLICK TO FIND OUT ● Plus my novels, stories, verse, vulgar interests, apologies, and singing. ● Most posts are 300 words. I respond to all comments/re-comments. ● See Tone Deaf in New blogger.
Friday, 28 February 2025
Not always hoity-toity
Blogging a musical score is a sure way of discouraging all forms of comment. But thisone's special. My present repertoire of 106 "learned" songs is mostly Schubert, Schumann and all those old fellas. But Roberta Flack just died and I've her to thank for this inclusion. It's harder than it looks.
Written by your countryman Ewan McCall - but I’m sure you knew that. I listened to a few versions including his. Peter Paul and Mary did a wonderful job with it, nudging the original phrasing toward Flack’s cover. I didn’t listen to Flack’s today - but I know it well. Superb. The ultimate. Always wrecks me. Oh - McCall was apparently a Marxist (see Wiki).
MikeM: Given your president's growing affection for Mr Putin, it seems as if Marxism may lose its political stigma in the USA over the next four years. I jest, of course, I'm not sure dear old Karl would recognise his preachings as evidenced in present-day Russia, nor for that matter during the Stalinist era.
I'm pleased we share an enthuisiasm forThe First Time.. Apart from its glorious melody its other attraction (for me) arose some years ago when my dynamic range was more restricted than it is now. To the point where I actually bought the score. The specified speed (crotchet = 60) is pretty slow although most covers are rather faster. I found myself struggling a little with bars 1 and 2 of the lyric with "time" stretched over a dotted crotchet and a minim.
Were you aware that Ewan was father to Kirsty, killed by an over-speeding motor-boat? A pretty good singer, although I doubt you'd be familiar with one of her most famous tracks "There's a guy works down the chip shop...". If no, how about A New England? although it may not be what you might expect.
Oh - a crochet is a quarter note. Chip Shop has good drive and of course an American reference, but A New England is much better - “it’s wrong to wish on space hardware.” Found the Billy Bragg version much to my liking.
Fed: Yup, it's better known but it isn't a song I'd be tempted to sing. The First Time... is sensual. Or is it sensuous? I've looked up both (simultaneously) several times and the difference has never stuck.
Written by your countryman Ewan McCall - but I’m sure you knew that. I listened to a few versions including his. Peter Paul and Mary did a wonderful job with it, nudging the original phrasing toward Flack’s cover. I didn’t listen to Flack’s today - but I know it well. Superb. The ultimate. Always wrecks me. Oh - McCall was apparently a Marxist (see Wiki).
ReplyDeleteOof .. MacColl.
ReplyDeleteMikeM: Given your president's growing affection for Mr Putin, it seems as if Marxism may lose its political stigma in the USA over the next four years. I jest, of course, I'm not sure dear old Karl would recognise his preachings as evidenced in present-day Russia, nor for that matter during the Stalinist era.
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased we share an enthuisiasm forThe First Time.. Apart from its glorious melody its other attraction (for me) arose some years ago when my dynamic range was more restricted than it is now. To the point where I actually bought the score. The specified speed (crotchet = 60) is pretty slow although most covers are rather faster. I found myself struggling a little with bars 1 and 2 of the lyric with "time" stretched over a dotted crotchet and a minim.
Were you aware that Ewan was father to Kirsty, killed by an over-speeding motor-boat? A pretty good singer, although I doubt you'd be familiar with one of her most famous tracks "There's a guy works down the chip shop...". If no, how about A New England? although it may not be what you might expect.
Oh - a crochet is a quarter note. Chip Shop has good drive and of course an American reference, but A New England is much better - “it’s wrong to wish on space hardware.” Found the Billy Bragg version much to my liking.
ReplyDeleteI love that song, and Roberta Flack.
ReplyDeleteColette: If you really love it, then sing it.
DeleteAnd Fairytale of New York of course...
ReplyDeleteFed: Yup, it's better known but it isn't a song I'd be tempted to sing. The First Time... is sensual. Or is it sensuous? I've looked up both (simultaneously) several times and the difference has never stuck.
Delete