Thursday, November 11, 2010

The Left Banke Too

This New York group pioneered "baroque & roll" in the '60s with its mix of pop/rock and grand, quasi-classical arrangements and melodies. Featuring teenage prodigy Michael Brown as keyboardist and chief songwriter, the group scored two quick hits with "Walk Away Renee" (number five) and "Pretty Ballerina" (number 15). Chamber-like string arrangements, Steve Martin's soaring, near-falsetto lead vocals, and tight harmonies that borrowed from British Invasion bands like the Beatles and the Zombies were also key elements of the Left Banke sound. Though their two hits are their only well-remembered efforts, their debut album (Walk Away Renee/Pretty Ballerina) was a strong, near-classic work that matched the quality of their hit singles in songwriting and production.

The Left Banke's internal dynamic wasn't nearly as harmonious as their sound, and their history goes some way toward explaining their short career. Initially, the group made some recordings that were produced by Brown's father, Harry Lookofsky. When these recordings failed to interest companies in signing the band, the Left Banke broke up, Brown moving to California with the group's original drummer. A backing track for "Walk Away Renee" had already been completed, and the other members overdubbed vocals in Brown's absence. The song was released on Smash and became a hit, and the musicians reunited to tour and continue recording. Read On +/-

Unfortunately, the group, which showed such tremendous promise, was quickly torn asunder by dissension. Due to the nature of their music (which often employed session musicians), the Left Banke's sound was difficult to reproduce on the road, and one could sympathize with Brown's wishes to become a Brian Wilson-like figure, concentrating on writing and recording while the rest of the musicians took to the road. A variety of guitarists, as both session musicians and ostensible group members, flitted in and out of the lineup; Rick Brand, credited as the guitarist on the first LP, actually plays on only one of the album's songs. Adding fuel to the fire, Brown's bandmates wanted to oust Brown's father as the act's manager. In early 1967, Brown went as far as to record a Left Banke single without them, using vocalist Bert Sommer.

That single ("And Suddenly") flopped, and for a brief time in September 1967 the original members were recording together again. After just one single ("Desiree"), though, Brown left for good. Most of the group's second and final album, The Left Banke Too, was recorded without him. While it still sported baroque arrangements and contained some fine moments, Brown's presence was sorely missed, and the record pales in comparison to their debut. Brown went on to form a Left Banke-styled group, Montage, which released a fine and underappreciated album in the late '60s. He later teamed up to form Stories with vocalist Ian Lloyd.

There were some confusing son-of-Left Banke recordings over the next few years, although the band really came to a halt in 1969, after the second album. Brown, Martin, and unknown musicians made a few recordings in late 1969; then, oddly, the original group re-formed for a fine early-1971 single on Buddah ("Love Songs in the Night" b/w "Two by Two"), although the record itself was credited to Steve Martin.

1967 Walk Away Renée (US Smash SRS-67088)

01. The Left Banke - Barterers And Their Wives
02. The Left Banke - Evening Gown
03. The Left Banke - I Haven't Got The Nerve
04. The Left Banke - I've Got Something On My Mind
05. The Left Banke - Lazy Day
06. The Left Banke - Let Go Of You Girl
07. The Left Banke - Pretty Ballerina
08. The Left Banke - Shadows Breaking Over My Head
09. The Left Banke - She May Call You Up Tonight
10. The Left Banke - Walk Away Renee
11. The Left Banke - What Do You Know

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1968 LP The Left Banke Too (US Smash SRS-67113)

01. The Left Banke - Bryant Hotel
02. The Left Banke - Dark Is The Bark
03. The Left Banke - Desiree
04. The Left Banke - Give The Man A Hand
05. The Left Banke - Goodbye Holly
06. The Left Banke - In The Morning Light
07. The Left Banke - My Friend Today
08. The Left Banke - Nice To See You
09. The Left Banke - Sing Little Bird Sing
10. The Left Banke - There's Gonna Be a Storm

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1 berichten:

Eye-Catching Video said...

I love Walk Away Renée! I included it on my list of the Top Ten Girl Name Songs. Thanks again for posting this.

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