Always difficult choosing between instrumentals, I accept but let's see how we go.
BOTV
BOTV-TELSTAR
Re: BOTV-TELSTAR
2.
1.
4.
3.
Order of preference here, it has always amazed me the results Joe Meek obtained bearing in mind his working conditions, equipment, and personal problems.
1.
4.
3.
Order of preference here, it has always amazed me the results Joe Meek obtained bearing in mind his working conditions, equipment, and personal problems.
"TOO OLD TO ROCK TOO YOUNG TO DIE"
Re: BOTV-TELSTAR
2-this version part of my dna
1
4
3-strange take...
1
4
3-strange take...
Re: BOTV-TELSTAR
I'm too young for this kind of music (and I'm not that many years Roy's junior!).
1. 3 (quite by far)
2. 2
3. 4
4. 1
1. 3 (quite by far)
2. 2
3. 4
4. 1
Re: BOTV-TELSTAR
PS Hasn´t this been around before too?
Re: BOTV-TELSTAR
Not easy, but i'll try anyway. 3, 4, 2, 1.
Nothing will get you dead quicker than being deadly serious about yourself.
Re: BOTV-TELSTAR
Thanks goes out to the Yorkshire man for another cornucopia of cuts for us to consume.
It really seems just like yesterday that the spacey sputnik sound of Telstar launched us lazily into orbit. After listening to these versions, in some ways I feel as if I have been rocketed back to earth after a hiatus of 45 years. The recording was, at least, a timely one that capitalized on the use of a satellite to broadcast television.
Version 1 sounds so close to the Ventures that it must be so. The keyboard and bass and the arrangement provide support for this. A pleasant enough version that focuses on the melody without heavy emphasis on the sound effects. It is reminiscent of a background music for Sunday afternoon arena skating in the early 1960s, however. The vocal overlay, not in tune either, in the last verse is dissonant, annoying and detracts from the track.
Version 2 must be the original. The sound effects are over the top and not out of this world. Frankly it must involve a toilet at some point. The keyboard makes the song and I recall from my teen years that this was the hit. I always found the harp to be a bit too angelic for my liking. This was the song that rocketed skyward on the charts, however, so I give it credit and for the success outside of the UK as well. The voice, I trust Joe Meeks is at least in the same key as the track. A bit of a carnival atmosphere with a reverse flush ending.
Version 3, is a bit of White Rabbit meets Purple Haze. Instead of the intro sound effects this lot used them throughout the entire song. Without a doubt a psychedelic version reminiscent of Strawberry Alarm Clock has far too much phaser for even Captain Kirk. The fuzz guitar played in an East Indian mode adds to chaos. I also hear the guitar riff from Western Union thrown in for good measure. This one is destined for last place with one track to go.
I spoke too soon about last place. Version 4, has the keyboard set on autopilot. This is the disco version with Duane Eddy vibrato borrowed for the main theme. I found myself wanting to shout Stayin' Alive but resisted the urge until the very end. I did experience flashbacks of a giant light ball reflecting lights off the ceiling as it rotated until dizziness set in. This definitely meets the standard for elevator music or waiting on line to check on why I did not receive my power bill. The ending is narcotic.
My ordering is 2, 1, 3, 4. Credit goes to Meek as, in spite of all my comments, I still love the theme and much like that of Andy of Mayberry continue to whistle it from time to time.
Roy: As a follow up, do I recall correctly, that some composer tried to sue Meek for plagiarism in reference to this track?
I would also be interested in the reasons why people put some tracks ahead of others. What forms the basis of your decision? Familiarity, a preference for certain styles and so on. Very often what one person places first, another will place last. I find the differences fascinating.
It really seems just like yesterday that the spacey sputnik sound of Telstar launched us lazily into orbit. After listening to these versions, in some ways I feel as if I have been rocketed back to earth after a hiatus of 45 years. The recording was, at least, a timely one that capitalized on the use of a satellite to broadcast television.
Version 1 sounds so close to the Ventures that it must be so. The keyboard and bass and the arrangement provide support for this. A pleasant enough version that focuses on the melody without heavy emphasis on the sound effects. It is reminiscent of a background music for Sunday afternoon arena skating in the early 1960s, however. The vocal overlay, not in tune either, in the last verse is dissonant, annoying and detracts from the track.
Version 2 must be the original. The sound effects are over the top and not out of this world. Frankly it must involve a toilet at some point. The keyboard makes the song and I recall from my teen years that this was the hit. I always found the harp to be a bit too angelic for my liking. This was the song that rocketed skyward on the charts, however, so I give it credit and for the success outside of the UK as well. The voice, I trust Joe Meeks is at least in the same key as the track. A bit of a carnival atmosphere with a reverse flush ending.
Version 3, is a bit of White Rabbit meets Purple Haze. Instead of the intro sound effects this lot used them throughout the entire song. Without a doubt a psychedelic version reminiscent of Strawberry Alarm Clock has far too much phaser for even Captain Kirk. The fuzz guitar played in an East Indian mode adds to chaos. I also hear the guitar riff from Western Union thrown in for good measure. This one is destined for last place with one track to go.
I spoke too soon about last place. Version 4, has the keyboard set on autopilot. This is the disco version with Duane Eddy vibrato borrowed for the main theme. I found myself wanting to shout Stayin' Alive but resisted the urge until the very end. I did experience flashbacks of a giant light ball reflecting lights off the ceiling as it rotated until dizziness set in. This definitely meets the standard for elevator music or waiting on line to check on why I did not receive my power bill. The ending is narcotic.
My ordering is 2, 1, 3, 4. Credit goes to Meek as, in spite of all my comments, I still love the theme and much like that of Andy of Mayberry continue to whistle it from time to time.
Roy: As a follow up, do I recall correctly, that some composer tried to sue Meek for plagiarism in reference to this track?
I would also be interested in the reasons why people put some tracks ahead of others. What forms the basis of your decision? Familiarity, a preference for certain styles and so on. Very often what one person places first, another will place last. I find the differences fascinating.
Life, as with music, often requires one to let go of the melody and listen to the rhythm
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Re: BOTV-TELSTAR
Brilliant analysis and thanks for taking the time to do so.
As I suspected though this one did not catch the imagination of the members who receive it either on the forum or externally.
Inevitably instrumentals don't seem to appeal to a majority and as on a previous topic is probably a reason why instrumental hits are so few.
Thanks to those who did vote, appreciate it
Versions were
Version 1 The Ventures (As Peter thought)
Version 2 The Tornados (original version)
Version 3 Velvett Fogg (released in 69)
Version 4 The Spotnicks ( From Sweden)
71% Chose Tornados as their best version, but 29% went for Velvett Fogg
Based on the points system though
result was 1 Tornados 2 Ventures 3 Velvett Fogg 4 Spotnicks
Velvett Fogg were somewhat of a psychedelic band who released one album in 1969 and one single Telstar 69, the well respected UK DJ John Peel wrote some of the sleeve notes for their album stating "Remember Velvett Fogg - you will hear the name again..."
Well he got that one wrong.
As I suspected though this one did not catch the imagination of the members who receive it either on the forum or externally.
Inevitably instrumentals don't seem to appeal to a majority and as on a previous topic is probably a reason why instrumental hits are so few.
Thanks to those who did vote, appreciate it
Versions were
Version 1 The Ventures (As Peter thought)
Version 2 The Tornados (original version)
Version 3 Velvett Fogg (released in 69)
Version 4 The Spotnicks ( From Sweden)
71% Chose Tornados as their best version, but 29% went for Velvett Fogg
Based on the points system though
result was 1 Tornados 2 Ventures 3 Velvett Fogg 4 Spotnicks
Velvett Fogg were somewhat of a psychedelic band who released one album in 1969 and one single Telstar 69, the well respected UK DJ John Peel wrote some of the sleeve notes for their album stating "Remember Velvett Fogg - you will hear the name again..."
Well he got that one wrong.