US V UK 8

[royclough]

Cilla Black took this to number 9 in UK in March 66, whilst many consider this a Dionne Warwick song it was Cher who actually released it first in US taking it to number 32 in Aug 66, Dionne Warwick's version went to numer 15 in US in May 67.

Cilla, mainly because in my view she was part of the Epstein stable was a major female star in UK in 60s, but only made top 40 once in US.

[its-sylviab]

Roy, in the words of Brucie.... good game, good game!

It's Cilla's version for me as I think she sings it with much more feeling than Dionne Warwick. Even though I wasn't a huge fan of her voice, I have to admit to having bought You're My World and I often enjoyed some of her early TV shows!

Here are a few facts about Alfie and one of them I remember was that Burt Bacharach played piano for Cilla's version!

"Burt Bacharach says of this song in Q Magazine October 2007: "With a song like Alfie, I had it all in the initial week. But I had 3 weeks before I had to turn it in and I kept fussing with it. A note here, a push there. You've got 3 and a half, 4 minutes, so there is no room for waste. Once it's there, you just try to make sure it's there.

'Alfie' could be as close to the best song Hal and I ever wrote. It was a hard one to write because most of it had to be said lyrically at first. I had to set it musically and it was challenging but it turned out great. We went in and recorded it quickly with Dionne because the original record was with Cher. Sonny (Bono) made the record with Cher and that was different than how I had envisioned it.

In the UK, Cilla Black's version, on which Bacharach himself played the piano, reached #9. Black's cover was produced by George Martin who was flexible enough to allow for the American songwriter's perfectionist ways. Bacharach explained to The Guardian October 18, 2008: "The first time I met George Martin he was in the booth at Abbey Road when we were making 'Alfie' with Cilla Black. He was such a gentleman and let me do my crazy thing. I don't know if you've seen or heard about that session with Cilla Black; we got to 28, 30 takes, 32 takes and you know what? We'd had it on about take three or four, but I believed in that thing of give me one more take, maybe we can make it better."

[nick_allen]

Those videos tend to distract me from the song!! Burt Bacharach running totally amok playing with Cilla , and Cher looking extremely pregnant in that dress (maybe she was...).
Anyway, I'd never heard Cher's version before, and I rather like it - so I'll vote for her. With Cilla's version it's a matter of (over-)familiarity breeding, not contempt, exactly, just... it's TOO familiar.

[JeffZ]

I should preface this by saying I'm not a fan of big production ballads. I thought both Cher and Cilla did a good job with their singing. I'll give Cher the nod on this one mainly because I thought the arrangement on Cilla's version was a bit over the top.

[royclough]

Close your eyes Nick

[admin]

This is an interesting "singoff", Roy. Nothwithstanding the success of both Cher and Cilla on their own turf, they are very close to a tie for me. The shrieking of Cilla and the "I'm lost in the middle" Cher almost cancel one another out. Our task is to choose and as such I give the nod to Cilla whose performance is slightly more enthusiastic.

The tone of both singers probalbly falls short of what the composer imagined I am sure. The orchestral arrangement for Cher is a bit of a mess in my view and her voice lack lustre on this one. Cilla's voice is too harsh and distorted in places.

I have taken the liberty, apology to Roy, of providing a link to a youtube version of Alfie which I consider is an excellent arrangement which sets up a nice balance with the vocal with tasteful instrumental passages that accentuate rather than detract. At the end of the day, the versions of Cilla and Cher fall on the shoulders of their producers who I consider should have stepped in and made a difference before these recordings were made.

The version below is sung with passion and an interpretation that makes me want to hear Alfie again and again. I respect that your mileage may differ. But do tell me if you get the same shivers that I do as I listen to this number. I hope you enjoy this version.

[royclough]

Never realised BS had recorded it and surprised to learn a 1969 recording. There is no doubt this is a superior version but Alfie has been recorded by at least 50 artists.

The purpose of my contest for want of a better phrase is merely to compare a version that was a stateside hit with a comparative version that was the UK hit.

I perfectly accept that some will not like either version that I post or will not like the concept, so will refrain from taking part I accept.

[its-sylviab]

Here's a 2002 version of Alfie by Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles... but she sings it to Austin Powers in one of his films,
hence the title "What's it all about Austin?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAFO4faMtz4

[admin]

Roy: You are spot on, as there are many versions. I believe you achieve you goal each week and thus far I have come down on the side of the UK artists even though I heard many first by US performers. As I have said before, there is a certain uniqueness in the UK sound that took many songs to a new level. It is always fascinating to consider the aspects of a song that made it a hit at any given time. Thanks for US v UK8. I look forward to next week.

[admin]

Very nice Sylvia. Thanks for sending along this link. A different spin on the tune that is for sure and well sung by the Rickenbacker weilding Susanna.

[longhouse]

Cilla all the way! Much better vibe.

[chriscurtisfan]

Cher's version, which I never heard, is annoyingly boring. Cilla, on the other hand, pours her heart and soul into it. I would rather the singer interpret a song as if he/she/they trying to touch the listener's heart. Cilla succeeds.

[kiramdear]

Cilla's rendering is much more dynamic and the music is much better. Cher seems bored with it and the music is mush.

[royclough]

thanks to all who are voting appreciate you supporting this bit of fun.

[einar]

Cher here. Cilla's is too theatrical. Don't think the words defend that much ups/downs emotions.