| Subject: Re: British Singers |
Author:
Mike C
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Date Posted: Thu February 07, 2008 01:14:15
In reply to:
Mark R. Deaver
's message, "Re: British Singers" on Wed February 06, 2008 19:36:00
Good point from Dave H about focusing on singers not records and a good name check for Terry Dene - a performer brought down by our tabloid newspapers. He was a fragile soul who couldn't handle the pressures of life. Last I heard he was still performing at R&R festivals.
Mark - Marty Wilde's Bad Boy was a hit here in 1959, the same year that he covered Sea Of Love, one of the few British covers that I prefer. Helen Shapiro was a fantastic singer - our answer to Brenda Lee although her material was weaker. In later life she successfully turned to jazz, ballads and standards.
It's a shame if Lonnie Donegan is mainly known in the USA for Chewing Gum because his influence in the time line to the Beatles and beyond is undisputed.
If we are on singers, then it has to be Billy Fury every time. Even when he turned to pop his voice and delivery still transformed an ordinary song into a great record.
Mark, Matt Monro had a hugely successful international career and was highly regarded by everyone in the music industry. It's true he was known as the British Sinatra although for me his voice never had anything like the range or delivery of the master. He was still a very fine singer.
Someone mentioned Nancy Whisky who made Freight Train with the Chas McDevitt skiffle group - for me this was one of the defining British records of the 50s. Worth a look (I think it's on YouTube) for anyone who hasn't seen it.
Perhaps an underrated singer, although a bit late for our era, was John Leyton. He was manufactured by a TV series but lucky enough to be produced by Joe Meek which gave him groundbreaking arrangements to support his strong vocals. With more consistent material and a decent falsetto he could have been our Del Shannon.
Jess Conrad anyone?
Mike
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