| Author | Message | ||
  No Place Like Motown (no_place_like_motown) 6-Zenith Username: no_place_like_motown Post Number: 803 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 66.65.70.195 |
Thanks to Heikki's great article on the Spinners story, which I'm still reading, I discovered that Connie Stevens did the original version of "Betcha By Golly Wow" which Thom Bell produced in 1970. Thom knew he had a hit on his hands but Connie's record label at the time, Bell, didn't believe the song had any potential and pressed only 500 copies of the single with no promotion. I guess Thom Bell had the last laugh when the song became a monster hit for the Stylistics a couple of years later. The song was originally titled "Keep Growing Strong" when Connie recorded it. Take a listen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =ytksbAHzP38 | ||
boba (boba) 6-Zenith Username: boba Post Number: 868 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 99.140.227.94 |
I never knew this. The funniest part is that, given the arrangement, it doesn't sound that far off the stylistics. | ||
douglasm (douglasm) 6-Zenith Username: douglasm Post Number: 2734 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 75.139.166.139 |
Fasinating. It's got an overproduced sound to it, the Stylistics' cut has a more subtle arrangement. With a less bombastic backing, Connie's cut would have been real good. I wonder if Thom remembered that when he arranged the song the second time. | ||
Moe (moe) 6-Zenith Username: moe Post Number: 3145 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 71.207.10.114 |
WOW......who would have thought Connie Stevens?? | ||
tom_moulton (tom_moulton) 6-Zenith Username: tom_moulton Post Number: 1042 Registered: 6-2005 Posted From: 173.52.150.72 |
La La Means I Love You is also great. Tommy did a great job on all 6 songs and they were recorded in Philadelphia. | ||
Mark Speck (mark_speck) 6-Zenith Username: mark_speck Post Number: 5589 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 75.185.188.241 |
Thanks for posting the link to Connie's version of this song. I always enjoyed her music, as well as the Stylistics music, so it was cool to finally hear this original take on a soul classic. Best, Mark | ||
Superdupersupremes (superdupersupremes) 3-Pundit Username: superdupersupremes Post Number: 42 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 76.211.141.162 |
She sounds real good. Who knew? | ||
jillfoster (jillfoster) 6-Zenith Username: jillfoster Post Number: 1322 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 65.54.98.104 |
I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT!!!!! Overproduction is my FRIEND!! I love lush, complicated arrangements, this is WAY better than the Stylistics' version. (Mainly because I don't care for falsetto) | ||
No Place Like Motown (no_place_like_motown) 6-Zenith Username: no_place_like_motown Post Number: 804 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 205.188.116.18 |
Tom: I found and ordered a copy of Connie's 'Ultimate Collection' last night which also includes "La La Means I Love You." I'm looking forward to hearing her version. I really like Connie's version of "Betcha By Golly Wow". Having discovered this, it reminds me of how excited I was when I got Dusty Springfield's "A Brand New Me" LP which was also recorded in Philly. Tom, would you know the song titles of the other 4 tracks Connie cut at Philly with Thom Bell? Thanks. | ||
JAI NANCE (rhythm66) 6-Zenith Username: rhythm66 Post Number: 5837 Registered: 2-2005 Posted From: 138.238.41.128 |
THIS IS THE SAME[CUTE]LITTLE CONNIE STEVENS OF[HAWIIAN EYE]FAME? | ||
No Place Like Motown (no_place_like_motown) 6-Zenith Username: no_place_like_motown Post Number: 809 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 66.65.70.195 |
Sure is, Jai. | ||
tom_moulton (tom_moulton) 6-Zenith Username: tom_moulton Post Number: 1046 Registered: 6-2005 Posted From: 173.52.150.72 |
The other 2 on the CD are Tick Tock and I don't Know. The other 2 are unreleased | ||
No Place Like Motown (no_place_like_motown) 6-Zenith Username: no_place_like_motown Post Number: 810 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 66.65.70.195 |
Thanks, Tom. Both of those songs are also included on her "Ultimate Collection." | ||
Kevin Goins - KevGo (kevgo) 6-Zenith Username: kevgo Post Number: 4577 Registered: 4-2004 Posted From: 205.213.240.8 |
Just got through listening to Connie's version. Sounds like Thom was going for the big-Broadway-meets-Hollywood-b y-way-of-Philadelphia with his arrangement & production. Reminds me of some of the Delfonics' tunes (You Can't Be Loving Him, Trying To Make A Fool Of Me) and Little Anthony's Help Me Find A Way (To Say I Love You). Kevin Goins - KevGo | ||
splanky (splanky) 6-Zenith Username: splanky Post Number: 2514 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 96.246.118.89 |
You could have knocked me over with a feather with this revelation. Still, as far as SOUL is concerned Russell buries the original just as a certain Miss Franklin did Lulu's Oh Me Oh My.JMHO...  ... |
