A song so universal, many from different parts of the world have related to it, and thus, covered it. A song also so malleable, a variety of approaches have proven successful. A small handful follows.
Just catching up with the plethora of FR&B posts. Yeah, this one brings back the memories. And although I remember the England Dan John Ford version, the Utopia one does sound familiar too. I had all the Utopia LPs at one time so I'm sure I heard it that way. I can't get with the Rumer version though. I don't feel it brings anything new to it and the backing vocals seem a bit rote. The Keni Burke at least speeds it up a bit and ads some nice soul and percussion. The Gary Valenciano version also has some nice percussion and his vocals are strong and he adds nice flavors that aren't in the other versions. As for Rick Springfield....I love the guy and still need to write my story about going to see Pat Benatar in concert back in 1982 (when I was 15) with Rick's then girlfriend (soon to be wife, and soon after ex-wife) and my buddy Sean. Rick was on General Hospital at the time and was supposed to be home and ride in the limo!!! with us, but he ended up meeting us at the show. Where we sat with Jonathan Cain from Journey. Longer version to come. That said, as hard as it is to listen to his version in the YT clip you shared, I know RS is amazing live and is a really kind person. (or at least was 40 years ago!)
Appreciate your artist reviews, Steve, on the "Love is the Answer" covers. I loved the last 3, because I heard artists I'd never heard before...I'm guessing that's the same with most readers. I dug da funk, too, that Keni and Gary V brought to the song, but my new appreciation for Rumer has less to do with her cover (and you're right about the arranement) than discovering a new artist who's actually more than listenable! Add to it her long line of established artists who are becoming new fans, themselves!
🎄In 12 hours (8am CT Fri), I'm dropping a deep dive into the run-up and execution of the Bowie/Bing "Peace on Earth"/"Little Drummer Boy" TV Christmas Special duo the two legends did in '77! I had a weak rendition of it up for a year, until I took it down last week, and updated, enhanced, and souped it up, big time!
It telescopes out about a year before the two got together...what Bing'n'Bowie, both, were doing, career-wise (mostly David) leading up to the London taping! Context is everything! Plus, I found and added a small handful of related videos that accompany beautifully! Hope you dig!
As for Rick, I'm happy to add my story (it's brief) of meeting him a few weeks before "Jessie's Girl" and its album, "Working Class Dog" came out....maybe the last time, bless him, he was able to venture out in public unmolested! We'll e-mail! Anxious to hear YOUR story...sounds intense!
Yep, theirs was a dynamite cover! Finding a couple other covers exposed me to a couple of interesting other artists (Burke, Gary V), plus a new fave, Rumer!
Just catching up with the plethora of FR&B posts. Yeah, this one brings back the memories. And although I remember the England Dan John Ford version, the Utopia one does sound familiar too. I had all the Utopia LPs at one time so I'm sure I heard it that way. I can't get with the Rumer version though. I don't feel it brings anything new to it and the backing vocals seem a bit rote. The Keni Burke at least speeds it up a bit and ads some nice soul and percussion. The Gary Valenciano version also has some nice percussion and his vocals are strong and he adds nice flavors that aren't in the other versions. As for Rick Springfield....I love the guy and still need to write my story about going to see Pat Benatar in concert back in 1982 (when I was 15) with Rick's then girlfriend (soon to be wife, and soon after ex-wife) and my buddy Sean. Rick was on General Hospital at the time and was supposed to be home and ride in the limo!!! with us, but he ended up meeting us at the show. Where we sat with Jonathan Cain from Journey. Longer version to come. That said, as hard as it is to listen to his version in the YT clip you shared, I know RS is amazing live and is a really kind person. (or at least was 40 years ago!)
Appreciate your artist reviews, Steve, on the "Love is the Answer" covers. I loved the last 3, because I heard artists I'd never heard before...I'm guessing that's the same with most readers. I dug da funk, too, that Keni and Gary V brought to the song, but my new appreciation for Rumer has less to do with her cover (and you're right about the arranement) than discovering a new artist who's actually more than listenable! Add to it her long line of established artists who are becoming new fans, themselves!
🎄In 12 hours (8am CT Fri), I'm dropping a deep dive into the run-up and execution of the Bowie/Bing "Peace on Earth"/"Little Drummer Boy" TV Christmas Special duo the two legends did in '77! I had a weak rendition of it up for a year, until I took it down last week, and updated, enhanced, and souped it up, big time!
It telescopes out about a year before the two got together...what Bing'n'Bowie, both, were doing, career-wise (mostly David) leading up to the London taping! Context is everything! Plus, I found and added a small handful of related videos that accompany beautifully! Hope you dig!
As for Rick, I'm happy to add my story (it's brief) of meeting him a few weeks before "Jessie's Girl" and its album, "Working Class Dog" came out....maybe the last time, bless him, he was able to venture out in public unmolested! We'll e-mail! Anxious to hear YOUR story...sounds intense!
One of my all time favorites! Pretty sure I have the England Dan John Ford Coley record around here somewhere.
Yep, theirs was a dynamite cover! Finding a couple other covers exposed me to a couple of interesting other artists (Burke, Gary V), plus a new fave, Rumer!