usedto
Lunatic Member
I have a pretty good memory of how songs were performed originally back in the 50s and 60s, and can usually spot re-makes. Since the same tunes were played over and over, I got to memorize them pretty well. I'm always critical of covers when they change something. Just a quirk of mine, I guess. Lately, I've been streaming an oldies station in my office, getting my "fix" of oldies.
One thing I've noticed about my little phobia is how many parts of the original recordings help "make" the song, yet the performers never received credit. I thought I'd start a thread about some of these people who deserve recognition. Here are two that many of you will recognize, yet not know who they were.
The first is the lady soprano singer in the Tokens' "Lion Sleeps Tonight". Her voice is almost mesmerizing, being an important part of the whole song. It didn't take too much snooping to find out her name is Anita Darian, an opera singer who was hired to do that part.
Another that I just heard - Sonny and Cher's "I Got You, Babe". The oboe player that plays during the chorus is unmistakable, even though it's a small part. Some studio musician played that in the song, and almost anyone my age would recognize the passage by itself, yet they remain anonymous.
So are there any other small parts of songs you know or like that help make the music what it is, yet the performer is unknown?
One thing I've noticed about my little phobia is how many parts of the original recordings help "make" the song, yet the performers never received credit. I thought I'd start a thread about some of these people who deserve recognition. Here are two that many of you will recognize, yet not know who they were.
The first is the lady soprano singer in the Tokens' "Lion Sleeps Tonight". Her voice is almost mesmerizing, being an important part of the whole song. It didn't take too much snooping to find out her name is Anita Darian, an opera singer who was hired to do that part.
Another that I just heard - Sonny and Cher's "I Got You, Babe". The oboe player that plays during the chorus is unmistakable, even though it's a small part. Some studio musician played that in the song, and almost anyone my age would recognize the passage by itself, yet they remain anonymous.
So are there any other small parts of songs you know or like that help make the music what it is, yet the performer is unknown?