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I love “Inside Tracks” for this very reason…

You take a song like “Rock And Roll Love Letters” and it becomes something different in the hands of different artists.

The songwriter, in this case, Tim Moore, gets first shot at establishing his vision. What comes after that depends who cuts the song next and the audience they are trying to appeal to. The Bay City version has a “bubbly” vibe with sweet harmonies.

The Records version looked appeal to very different listenership.

Same song, different vibe. I loved listening to each. I guess my favorite version was Moore’s. I tend to go with the songwriter’s original almost all the time. Except in rare occasions like Hendrix vs Dylan on “All Along The Watch Tower”…Jimi wins that one.

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Thank you, Stephen! I love that you get it...I knew you would! And, it's great to hear your tendency to lean toward the songwriter's reading (if asked, I bet I coulda guessed that, happily)!

What fascinates me (and, it appeared in spades in this one!) is the grinding of the record-making machinery that LEADS to the various end-results we end up hearing! Add to that the various thru-threads of influences that seep (sometimes quietly, sometimes obviously) into the readings that reveal so much....about the producer, the artist, and in this case, one revolutionary exec! These covers don't just happen by accident, and certainly not in a vacuum!

Thankfully, the well is deep for future "Inside Tracks" dissections! Stay tuned, my musical compadre!

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Jan 19Liked by Brad Kyle

have bought moore lps & never kept any of them orchestration wasnt dynamic on lay down a line cto me he had songs recorded by simon may & clifford t ward who are exceptionnal singer*songwriters closest dream to heaven & reckless among others gems https://gloubiboulblog-stephorchestra.blogspot.com/

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Great names, Stephane! I haven't thought about Clifford T. Ward in decades! It's a shame the U.S. record companies declined to sign him. I think Charisma released a couple of his in the States, but the ole "you're not Genesis" tough-nut-to-promote thing seems to have hindered the label pitching Ward to FM radio, and it's possible Ward was just "too British" to break through in the U.S.!

Thinking back, "Home Thoughts" might've been his best opportunity. I seem to recall positive reviews and articles in U.S. mags, as well as the occasional well-placed Charisma ad! Curiously, but kinda understandably, by '75 and his "Escalator," domestic Charisma gave up on him, and that album was issued everywhere worldwide BUT the States! Shades of Kevin Coyne, Kevin Ayers, and so many more artists Americans didn't/won't get the chance to hear!

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I'll be honest — I completely love both the Rollers and Records versions, but was not aware at all of Tim Moore's original recording until this piece. In my head, I somehow thought that some guys from the Records had written it for the Rollers, and then "took it back" by recording their own version.

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What I find really astounding, though (and again, having experienced each in real time....being this old HAS to have some advantages!), is that The Records (along with so many other things they did with their cover) obviously gave their stamp of approval to the Rollers, VASTLY underrated (even.....especially?) in Power Pop circles!

As I mentioned in the article, the arrival of The Records' cover was met with curiosity and wonder "in the biz"! And, most of humanity shares your "newness" to Tim Moore-awareness. If you didn't make it to his other "Inside Tracks" subject, "Second Avenue" (a gorgeous ballad), in it you'll discover he was in a 1970 band with fellow Philly-native, Daryl Hall.....Gulliver. That one's here (with photo included): https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/inside-tracks-1-tim-moore-second

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I love this "Inside Tracks" story! As someone who considers himself a music nerd, I am pleasantly humbled in your presence!:) I had only heard the Bay City Rollers version of this prior to reading/listening to your piece (if I could figure out how to ad a photo to comments I'd post a photo of me proudly displaying that mentioned BCR album), so learning all about Tim Moore and his intriguing history as well as The Records take on the song was an eye and ear opener. On a purely aesthetic level I feel like the song was improved upon each time, though I do appreciate the original. I love my pop songs tight, and Moore's felt a bit long at 4 and a half minutes. That said, I'm hearing them not in chronological order. That does play a role. Regardless, The Records version is so good! It's what cover songs are all about for me.

Regarding "All Along The Watchtower," I will admit my preference for XTC's version off their 1978 White Music album. But I also prefer DEVO's "Satisfaction," and "Working in a Coal Mine," so take my opinion with a grain of sand.

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What a wonderful Brad tribute, Steve! Thanks---talk about being humbled! Care to be my agent?!😁 The thing I really need to lean on is to continue to make it clear that all these covers about which I write are ALL ones I heard in real time when/as they were released. Anybody can do this 5 decades hence using nothing but YouTube as a guide!

Color me motivated and driven by my love for the music as it happened! I'm glad you shared your experience with each cover! That's always interesting. Thank you! Did you vote? My "Inside Tracks #3" I can't wait to get to! Don't forget to check out #1 with Moore's "Second Avenue," if you haven't already! Thanks again for your loyalty, open kindness, and your obvious love for the music.........oh, and making it possible for me to skip my therapy appointment this week!😉💥

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I didn’t see a place to vote- did I miss it somewhere?

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Never mind. I found it! Voted!

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THANK YOU!! Watch for "Dinner with Stephen and Groucho" dropping Monday morning! Cheers, and Happy Monday!

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