Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

After reading Roy Clough's latest article, I found myself wondering what Searchers' song would I like to hear as a remake.

After arguing with myself for a bit, I have decided that a remake of "Love Potion Number 9" would suit me just fine. Slow it down, add some three part harmonies in the background and a nice 12 string guitar riff instrumental and I consider it would be worth doing. I think that the gypsy theme and the love potion would still sell today as well as it did in the 1960s.

So what Searchers' recording would you choose for a remake and why?

1. "No dancing" - more drums, more electricity, and faster, faster, fa... sorry.
2. "I'm ready" - more electricity and... see number 1.
3. "I'll be loving you" - ANY kind of studio recording, practically no need in changing the arrangement, but Spencer's voice can make it a real gem!
etc.

"Each Time" Peter, the single that never was in some respects, I firmly believe that had Pye pulled this track from the last Searchers album it could have been a massive hit. The Searchers with Spencer James still do the number, now and then and that opening riff still excites.

I believe that it was considered as a potential single and was mixed down accordingly. The great 'what if' is: What would have happened had "Each Time" been the A-side of a Searchers' 45 instead of "When I Get Home"? It is my second-favourite (and a close one at that!) Searchers' track.

No one that was sung by Mike, Chris or Tony. Spencer can't make anything better because his voice doensn't fit too good with the old songs. He good doing ballads and bombastic songs but I would always prefer the old versions.

Beg to differ, think Spencer could make a really good job of Each Time. I'd also like to here a current version of CC Rider/Jenny, Jenny from Frank. Think he could still do a 'job'on that one. I remember seeing the original live and boy did he have the audience raving. That was on the Aus tour with the Rolling Stones and they hadn't made a big impression with the audience till that number. Reckon a lot of people left that night who still remember the Searchers even though they didn't know them before that night. I'm also non conconventional I like the way they do Four Strong Winds (they did it as a request for me a couple of years ago) Not many people like the song but I really love it.

"Winds", yeah. That's where i totally agree with Pam. To be true, i wasn't much impressed with the 'original' (i mean 'original' in Searchers' terms, which is 'their first rendition') cause i found it too cold. A beautiful song, nicely sung (all the notes are in place, etc) but where's the feeling? After all, it abrupted so awkwardly i had to wonder: is it that the tape ended or they planned it like that? Thanks Roy. You've opened a whole new world for me. A bit kidding, of course, but i do really think the 'modern' version of the song is superior to the 'old' one. More energetic. More powerful. Maybe because of drums although i'm still not sure they were really needed. Rather due to vocals, i think. I'm pretty sure Frank is one of the singers but i'm still not sure about the other one. At the first listen i thought it's Spencer now i don't know. Shame on me. Okay, but does it really matter? Whoever it is, he has that 'something' to his voice that's 'exactly what the doctor ordered'. A kind of that 'masculine charm' (or 'male charm' if you please), usually going together with lower, baritonal voices (Spencer James and Joey Ramone are the only two exceptions i can remember off the top of my head). With all respect due to both Pender and Curtis, they didn't have it. As well as Tony Jackson, i'm afraid. McNally did have it, actually, so maybe that's the answer?
Anyway, the result is really cute. There's warmth, a bit of tenderness, a bit of sadness, everything spiced with this 'masculine charm'. Maybe not a perfection, but 'perfection' seems too boring a word to me...

"Needles and Pins" has always been my favorite song. I know it is the most played but it so 60's with the harmonies and the lyrics.

I can't but think of how Jimmy LaFavre covered the Left Banke's "Walk Away, Renee" and made a whole new generation aware of the greatness of that tune. I think "Needles and Pins" could be the same way...

Do I assume Pat, that you have never heard The Searchers 89 re-make. Especially Club Mix

I guess that would be a correct assumption, Roy...


Where could I hear it?

Uh, and what's wrong with '89 remake, Roy? It's funny. Anyway, i haven't heard club mix...

nothing wrong with 89 re-mix Sheena, though club mix is more the producers indulgence rather than anything to do with The Searchers, in fact the re-mix is to a certain degree. Can you and Patrick accept mp3's, if so I'll send them on

Wish I knew if I could? Probably, Roy... send it on I will see if it opens!

Roy,

Thanks for the file! It was really worth hearing... what a little time and polish can do for a classic!

No problem, doyou want the club mix version