3. The Drifters - Hello Happiness
The story behind this one is simple. I've had a Drifters Best Of CD for a number of years now but never really given it much attention. The other day, I had a hankering to hear Under The Boardwalk again (a song with which I share a complicated history, but you're not ready for that yet). Imagine my horror when it turned out that my Best Of didn't contain (arguably) their biggest hit.
So I bought a proper Drifters compilation and gave it my ears. And though I loved all the great old tunes I recognised, there was one I didn't remember... which floored me. It's a wonderful, summery 70s pop soul nugget led by Johnny Moore (who, it turns out, sang lead on far more Drifters hits than the relatively short-term Ben E. King), but it's the guitar that gets my heart beating faster: just extraordinary.
There's a hilarious clip of this on YouTube from some British TV show where you can see Moore trying desperately to get the audience to clap in time to the beat. Those crazy English.
ReplyDeleteAh, it's made my night to hear from you again, Matthew. I shall go watch that clip now.
DeleteIt's quite instructive. Johnny Moore, a pro of 25 years standing, comes into contact with a crowd of muppets who can't tell the difference between the off and the on beat.
DeleteBut, as a Real Pro, Johnny just smiles and carries on. Though his opinions were probably less than sunny in the dressing room subsequently.
Watch it here
Rol,
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard this one before. As you say, a summery sound and a fine lead from Johnny Moore.
@ m. lawrenson - that story put a smile on my face and I'm off to check out that video.
Thanks, VS, nice to hear from you. (Not sure whether you're a blogger from your profile, but if you are, send me a link.)
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