PL What an odd
album, Bill. Put out by EMI in the
WG Peter, after living with this CD
for a while, what I come away with is a collection of recordings that feature
Jackie the Interpreter. Most of these songs are covers, and in most cases,
drastically different from the original or familiar versions. We generally
think of Jackie as a singer-songwriter, and we often forget that she was also a
verstatile song stylist. Like her peers Dusty
Springfield, Bettye LaVette
and Emmylou Harris, Jackie has a way of turning every song she sings into Hers. This
collection really brings that side of Jackie to the forefront. So while the
song selection is eclectic (some might say schitzophrenic)
it does prove how versatile a singer Jackie is. Pop, rock, R&B, soul, folk,
gospel - Jackie can do it all!
Don’t let the sun catch you crying
PL Interesting track to start the album
with! Jackie in her Ray Charles mode, moody and smouldering, with lots of power in her voice. Us UK-dwellers associate this song title with Gerry and the
Pacemakers, but that was a different song entirely. This song was written by
Joe Greene. It’s bluesy, needs to be heard in a little bar at
WG That's funny,
I always thought they were the same
song. I guess I'll have to go listen to the Pacemakers' version! Anyway, Jackie
gives this song her all. Maybe too much. I hear
Brother Ray, and also Dinah Washington in Jackie's delivery. Not one of my
favorite tracks, but it's hard to argue with Jackie's passionate vocals.
It’s all in the game
PL Tommy Edwards’ hit done by Jackie in a
very signature-60s style, sort of Petula Clark. Love
the way she picks up words like “kiss”, “caress” and “fingertips”. Sweet and magical. Could there be a greater contrast between
this and the previous track?
WG This has always been one of my
favorite "overlooked" recordings. There have been so many versions of
this song, and Jackie's is my favorite. The arrangement is very "up"
and she really nails the vocal. I especially like the subtle double-tracked
parts. This should have been a hit.
Love will find a way
PL The Top 40 follow up to “Put a little love...” City soul, lovely relaxed
bass line, Jackie completely in control of her craft. Again a
completely different style of singing; that’s what we like about Jackie, never
predictable. Superb arrangement too.
WG If you're feeling down, just put this song on the stereo and your spirits will
lift instantly. Great vocals, horn charts, production - its
got everything.
Lay baby lay
PL Jackie has sung Dylan at various times
during her career, never better than this. Shimmering husky
vocals. “Lay across my big brass bed”. Yes please. Entirely
convincing. And great to find this rare Capitol track on CD.
WG I think my favorite of Jackie's
Dylan covers is "Don't Think Twice" but this one is nice too. Sultry, intimate vocal and laid-back groove. Jackie dips
into her lower range, which we don't get to hear very often. Now if only the
entire Capitol album would find its way onto CD!
Sunshine of your love
PL When I first saw this on an album sleeve
I listened with trepidation. A girl singing The Cream?
Well it’s OK, completely wild in fact, unrestrained and exciting. Jackie could
have been Janis Joplin, glad she wasn’t though. This sounds like a jam recorded
on a single take. But it’s crafty, it builds beautifully. Wow.
WG I have to admit, when I first
heard this track, I'd never heard the original, so I didn't have anything to
compare it to. Ragged and immediate, the band tears this apart. Jackie
re-invents the song as an R&B anthem.
I can make it with you
PL I love Chip Taylor’s songs and this is a
great one. Power ballad, think contemporary Gene Pitney or the Walker Brothers.
Jackie sounds like she’s really enjoying tackling this one, loads of emotion. Classic, really.
WG One of Jackie's best vocals.
Again, Jackie re-invents this folk-rock gem into an angst-ridden pop
powerhouse. Why this isn't still being played on the radio I have no idea.
Summertime
PL Big production here. Jackie takes this
song by the scruff of the neck, helped by the full works of a big accompaniment
and backing singers. Strong but
vulnerable. How does she do it? More please!
WG This is Jackie in her blues belter mode. There's some pretty groovy piano playing
underneath, and inventive string arrangements. But has anyone else ever noticed
her lisp on this track?
When you walk in the room
PL Still gives me a thrill. Hairs standing up on the back of neck, etc.
WG A classic.
Possibly the best rock song of all time. Still love
the maracas. 'Nuff said.
You don’t have to say you love me
PL Originally an Italian song
I think, and Jackie’s version is much more conscious of the Italian beginnings
than Dusty Springfield may have been. Who recorded it first? Dunno. Is Jackie’s version good? Yes, in a Eurovision sort
of way (US readers please email me for an explanation!)
WG I've always loved this song (has
there ever been a bad version?) Jackie sings it like she's pulling it from her
gut. And yes, it is an Italian song, by film composer Pino
Donaggio.
Needles and pins
PL What quality! Jack Nitzsche
deserves a gold medal for the arrangement, Jackie’s vocals so so wonderful, hurt, revengeful, brave, once
again vulnerable. Mystery to me why this didn’t top the
charts. Ahead of its time? Certainly.
Still listenable 40 years on? Definitely!
WG Another
classic. If Jackie had never recorded anything but this and "When
You Walk" her place in rock history would be
secure. And was she actually the co-writer with Jack Nitzsche?
More on that in the near future...
Hold your head high
PL Co-written with Randy Newman, Jackie in
Gene Pitney mode again. Sounds very
WG Dramatic, but this song has never
quite done it for me. Jackie is a little bit swallowed up by the arrangement,
which should be better.
He’s got the whole world in his hands
PL Bobby Darin used to do stuff like this
too. Sorry Bill I don’t like it. Probably because I have bad memories of the
original version by some child star here in the
WG I agree. I used to love this song
when was a kid I think, but I'm not a kid anymore. Jackie's worst recording, in
my opinion. And the fake "live" conceit is annoying. I usually hit
the skip button on this one.
Will you love me tomorrow
PL Nothing like Carole King or the Shirelles versions. Jackie here is a sweet young girl
hoping not to be wronged. Innocence and unwordliness.
Lovely.
WG Did The Supremes ever record a
Carole King song? If not, this is what it might have sounded like. Bright Motown-style arrangment with a
go-go beat. She sounds pretty sure he'll still love her tomorrow. I hope
she wasn't disappointed.
Call me
PL Sophisticated 60s finger-snapping style. Nothing like Chris Montez or indeed Petula Clark,
Jackie’s own take is sort of Las Vegas via
WG This song has always sounded a
little Muzaky to me. Kind of like album filler. Nothing outstanding to my ears.
Are you ready for this
PL Jackie sings Diana Ross; Jackie is Diana
Ross! Well, Bill, it’s a DeShannon composition and I
was thinking
WG Fab is
an appropriate word. Another Supremes homage, with
great tempo changes and muscular backing vocals. And there's that go-go beat
again...
Music man
PL A bit more of the Motown but more chunky.
Nice song too. Jackie really lives the lyric. Tight
arrangement. One for the dancefloors of
WG Here's another one I've always
found treacly. I'm not sure what it reminds me of,
but its not Motown. Silly lyrics
too.
A proper girl
PL Quelle contrast! Sad,
reflective and thoroughly haunting ditty. Beautifully
arranged. Minor key. More vulnerability, what
has a proper girl to do? Answers on a postcard……… This is a real experience.
WG Rather dated lyrics and
arrangement, but Jackie's performance is the attraction here. She delivers the
text like an actress. She even gets a little operatic on the high notes. Like watching a great old black and white movie.
You’ve really got a hold on me
PL Same band, same sound as “Sunshine”
above. A bit of a mess actually, but enjoyable listening. Is that Barry White
there in the background? And that piano riff, Dr John? May be
a mess but a lovable one.
WG The backup singers overpower
Jackie on this one, and it sounds like it was recorded in one take. Very communal. But I love it anyway; it has charm to spare.
Lonely girl
PL Back to the early 60s with a thump. Jackie’s own composition. Trying earnestly
with the vocal. The song is all over the place but it has that
commercial
WG Not one of Jackie's best songs or
vocal performances. Bit of a mess. Is it rock, R&B, pop? Bits of Buddy
Holly, Ray Charles and doo-wop all meshed together. And are those chihuahuas singing backup?
Music and memories
PL One of Jackie’s lesser known
performances. Sounds as if it comes from a movie soundtrack.
It doesn’t. Good commercial mid 60s pop. Somehow the whole thing is a bit more
subdued than it ought to be. Needs a bit more zip.
WG I often skip over this
lightweight pop ditty. That early 60s liberty sound updated to meet the
Bacharach era. Not much to grab onto.
PL No it isn’t. It’s “Put a little love in
your heart”. Says “Crystal clear” on the liner. Says “Crystal clear” on Windows Media Player as I listen here at my
computer. Oh well. I could write much about PALLIYH and already have.
Yes, nice, but I would have liked “Crystal clear”. For a
change.
WG Must have been last-minute
switch. Some suit said they needed to include Jackie's biggest hit. Well, its a great song, but its been on nearly every one of
Jackie's CD compilations. Would have been nice to hear
Crystal Clear. Very soon...
Down by the riverside
PL From the Capitol album “Songs”. Randy Edelman on piano. I think. Rockin’ arrangement, almost Jerry
Lee Lewis. Totally wild. Entertaining.
Love the key change. Loadsa fun.
WG I dare anyone to listen to this
by themselves and not sing and dance around the room with abandon! Loads of energy and a more prominent electric guitar than we
normally got from Jackie during this period. Like hippies at a Southern
Baptist Revival. Now excuse me while I take a dance break...
Keep me warm
PL Precursor of the Atlantic “Jackie” album.
Soulful in that early 70s reflective way. Lovely, loving, lovable. Jackie by that
fireside in the snow, happy and contented.
WG Soulful, gentle
and romantic. Lovely. You said it all Peter.
It's a quiet gem.
What the world needs now is love
PL I bought this back in 65 when it came
out, still love it now. Jackie sings Bacharach like no-one else. An A+ performance.
WG A classic pop
performance, well-known by all. Nice ending to an eclectic collection.
The
Ultimate Jackie DeShannon can be found on
Amazon