The ever-lovely leather-clad...
SUZI QUATRO
A-side: Tear Me Apart
B-Side: Same As I So
(RAK 1976)
We all love Suzi Quatro, don't we? The correct answer to that is of course "Yes, we do". Even if you're not that taken by her music she always seems fun, open, and welcoming individual. Her records do that too. You know how some records (TV programs, films and other creative endeavours too) you can tell that the people making them had fun doing so, don't it doesn't include the audience in it - and so it's like going to a party at which you are only allowed to watch and not participate. Suzi Quatro's records are the exact opposite - she has a cheeky grin, and a twinkle in her eye that says, "Come on in and join the fun".
Tear Me Apart certainly has that infectious fun element to it. It's a rocking head-down boogie that drives the beat along at a pace, you don't realise 'til it's over that your tapping you feet, and nodding your head along with it as it sweeps you in the moment. There's a smile and warmth to her voice which, in too many other female singers would be replaced by a harsher rasp. It's exactly what you expect from a Suzi Quatro single, however I was struck by something as I was listening - "you've got to tear me apart, if you want to win my heart" - what!? Surely that's not saying that some for of abuse (physical or emotional) is the best way to win over the narrator. It's certainly not the intention - the verses make it clear that it's about a strong, independent-minded woman, who doesn't fit traditional feminist stereotypes, but the chorus is slightly dodgy. I'm positive Suzi would never have sung it if it did have that interpretation, but my over-thinking of the lyrics has made me feel slightly uncomfortable with a song that I actual really rather liked - stupid brain!
Most of the Suzi Quatro a-sides at this time written by hitmakers Chinn & Chapman, they knew exactly what would get into the charts. The b-sides however were written by Quatro herself in partnership with Len Tuckey (her husband and guitarist). Often, like Same As I Do, these show a different side to Suzi Quatro. This song is much slower with hints of calypso in the melody. It doesn't have the driving bass sound that we associate with her. It's a very mellow gently swaying slow bop. Definitely more complex and musically accomplished than Tear Me Apart - but with less hooks certainly not hit material.
So there a record that I previously thought was fine, that I just may have ruined for myself. Sometimes I'm idiot.
Next time some more later 80's guitar pop...
Something slightly beautiful:
BEN E. KING
A-side: Spanish Harlem
B-Side: First Taste Of Love
(Atlantic 1960)
I'm sure that I've mentioned previously on this blog that I'm not really into soul music. Cue gasps of astonishment and disbelief that anyone couldn't like soul music. Sorry - but that's the way it is. However there are some exceptions, mostly on labels like Atlantic and Stax - maybe it's the cookie-cutter, formulaic soul of Motown that doesn't get to me, but that's a matter to pontificate over when I reach one of my two Motown records. Back to business with Ben E. King - he was with the Drifters for a bit, and then drifted off (that's a little bit of comedy gold for you there), into a solo career. His biggest hit was, as I'm sure you're all aware, Stand By Me - which became an even bigger hit in the 80's when it was re-released as the theme tune to a film (you can guess the title of the film). It was such a smash hit that the record company, in their infinite wisdom decided to release another one of his old hits again, which is where this records comes in.
Spanish Harlem, was that next Ben E. King re-release. Stand By Me is a good catchy tune, that for me has lost any charm it once had due to over familiarly. Spanish Harlem, however, is a record so full of charm, that I can never grow tired of hearing it. Normally a Phil Spector Wall-Of-Sound production gives song an epic feel, a biggness that can a fill a room. On this song the same production techniques are used to make a record that sounds so intimate, you almost feel like you're intruding. King's voice is perfect for this - it is sweet and crystal clear. The whole mood is of romantic wistfulness, that never once slides into the schmaltzy or saccharine.The instrumentation is interesting and unusual, which keeps the sound fresh and new even after all the passing decades. Definitely a case of the right song, by the right singer with the right production. An almost perfect 2 and a half minutes of music.
Obviously the b-side was never going to live up the a-side, but First Taste of Love makes a decent job of it nonetheless. It immediately comes out as different to Spanish Harlem in the upbeat and uptempo mood of the song. It feels much more like a old Drifters number - it's a bit of solid stylish soul, that simply doesn't move me like the a-side. I can't criticize King's voice, and I do really rather like the do-wop backing vocals and the string accompaniment, however First Taste Of Love, cannot rise above being little more than ordinary.
There we go then a record to love and to be loved.
Next time something in leather from the 70's...
