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[PP]

[PP]

[PP]

[jzombie]

Thanks PP for all the great information.  Chiming in a bit late on this thread but I'm also a big fan of Pet's - of the big hits, I've always been partial to "Happy Heart" and "Don't Sleep In the Subway" (anyone remember Michael Palin as Cardinal Richeleu's version?).

The Chips Moman-produced "Memphis" album that PP mentioned way back in the thread is also definitely worth checking out.

On a side note, the CD I have of Petula's greatest hits is easily the quietest one I own!

[i dig music]

hey peter,

thanks for those links.

i stumbled upon a this while looking:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSNm9RqJm4k&feature=relat ed

and.

what could you tell us about Fran

[Earth Terminal Studios]

I ran a session with Petula a few years ago. She was singing a guest spot on Melanie Stace's (Jim Davison Generation Game 'dolly'!?) album . The song was a cover of 'I Know Him So Well'...the Elaine Paige / Barbara Dickson duet from Chess.
I'll admit to being quite unaware of Petula's credentials before the session - something I've glad of because othewise i'd have been a lot more nervous, and unfazed than I probably was.
What I remember clearly was that the moment she opened her mouth the basic signal chain I had set up before she arrived instantly sounded like it was worth x 10 it's value. I couldn't get over how she made notes work that in anyone else's delivery would have been re-takes and how classy her vibe was. One meets musicians 'on the way up' and they often have attitudes and treat every one around them so badly. It's those that have had true success and posess natural talent that are, in my experience, the easiest to work with and the least demanding.
We did need to get the candles out though:)

Lewis
Earth Terminal
www.earthterminal.co.uk

[ssltech]

Wow...

I read this thread a few times when it was less than a page long, and haven't checked back on it since...



Gawrsh!!!

I don't really have much to contribute directly to the subject of Petula, (My wife and I did see her in Blood Brothers however) though I notice that Peter has invoked my name a few times since last I looked...

Yes, I'd likely be most interested in something like a visit, if anything does get arranged... -The company of others with like interests would be a most pleasant further diversion, I've no doubt!

-Assuming that I'm the Keith you were saying was Scottish PP, I should point out that the family line is of a "malt, kilt and Haggis" persuasion, but I was actually born in England (while my father was working at Rolls-Royce Aero division in fact...)

Speaking of 'Blood Brothers', the original run of that musical was at the Liverpool Playhouse, in 1981 or so... At that time, I was working at the nearest place with a 24-track (a few miles outside of Liverpool) and Barbara Dickson (who was the original actress) had some work to do, so I did get to work with her. -I thought she was an absolute gem, and she too has a lovely voice... -in fact even her speaking voice is rather dreamy... a lovely soft rolling East-Scottish brogue, which just melts me without fail!

At the same studio several years later, I also got to engineer a session for Dusty Springfield. This was when she was working with a rather different "British Wrecking crew": -specifically the Pet shop boys. -The movie "Scandal" was out, and she was enjoying a chart hit with "Nothing has been Proved". -At the time, there were several bands with whom I worked who were doing fairly well, and there was a rather odd Musician's Union requirement for "Top Of The Pops" and similar shows:

Basically, the MU had the agreement with the BBC (and presumably other broadcasting companies) which was designed to prevent bands from miming/lip-syncing to tunes which had used session players, thereby avoiding the session players from being 'cheated' out of an appearance/performance fee. -Bands didn't really WANT to have to play live; and in some cases COULDN'T play live, so a deal was reached where the bands could pay the players a SECOND time to record the same tune YET AGAIN, then use THAT tape for lip-syncing/miming to.

In fact, the "MU sessions" -while usually attended by an MU delegate, who usually wasn't keen to forgo the fee which he would earn for attending/supervising these events- were often shams. -The MU really only really cared that the musicians were paid, therefore not being cheated out of their due. -Oftentimes, the session musicians wouldn't even assemble, -everyone would just be paid, the MU guy would sign-off, and then they'd just substitute a copy of the ORIGINAL master in the box. -The MU didn't care, since all the musicians were getting paid, and the band got to sound like the record, which by the late 1970s was something that you couldn't always guarantee they could ever replicate anyway.

This "Top-Of-The-Pops tape-swapping" had become such standard practice that it was quite a surprise when the Hall

[Jim Williams]

Petula Clark gets a sticky????

She was British corn when I first heard her stuff in '65. As a pop singer, well....    I just keep refering to Stevie Wonder at the same era. He had it going on even back then.

My fav Petula story is when she was hosting a British pops show on BBC. Jimi Hendrix was the week's "performer". She had asked him to play "Hey Joe" when you know he had other material in mind.

So Jimi just does Jimi. He played that 3 minute explosive opening you may have caught on some of his live shows, feedback and all. It took so long that they cut off the song to commercial as he was just about to begin the lyrics.

Petula was real pissed about it. She didn't want that guy back on "her show".

Gotta love Hendrix!

[PP]

[Barkley McKay]

Jim Williams wrote on Sat, 01 December 2007 17:56

My fav Petula story is when she was hosting a British pops show on BBC. Jimi Hendrix was the week's "performer". She had asked him to play "Hey Joe" when you know he had other material in mind. So Jimi just does Jimi. He played that 3 minute explosive opening you may have caught on some of his live shows, feedback and all. It took so long that they cut off the song to commercial as he was just about to begin the lyrics. Petula was real pissed about it. She didn't want that guy back on "her show". Gotta love Hendrix!

Hi Jim,

I think you are referring to The Lulu Show. He played Voodoo  Chile then started Hey Joe before stopping and playing Sunshine Of Your Love as a dedication to Cream. It supposedly got him a ban from the BBC. Heres the clip via The Old Grey Whistle Test:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj-9gkl7n9g&feature=relat ed

best

barks

[i dig music]

PP wrote on Sun, 02 December 2007 09:52

Hi Keith. I didn’t ever think you were Scottish, there’s also a Keith from Glasgow on PSW, and if I referred to ‘Scotland’ and ‘Keith’ anywhere, it would have probably been for him. I’m very glad you responded, because after I had confirmed that Dave Collin’s had seen the thread, I did intend to remove all the BMW details completely, post editing to leave the thread purely all about Petula Clark. It was purely a convenient place to catch Dave Collin’s eye and to try and help him if I could. Basically, Dave Collins has brought up the matter of a BMW 355i Model several times in various threads, and I got the impression that he’s definitely thinking of getting one. If I could supply him with a free sample, of the new vehicle I would, but unfortunately I cannot. That got me wondering about what I might be able to do for him, and I thought that it might be good if he could hear the actual vehicles designer talking and watch some videos that reveal the evolution of the 3 Series product line from its origins up to the present day. However... There is a BMW American plant in North Carolina, much of which, was originally designed by friend’s of mine (some now retired) whom I admire very much indeed.  Some of my pals have been over there, over the years, and the last one that went, had made ‘a movie’ made about it. I wondered if Dave might like to go for a visit? But it’s a long way to go isn’t it? America is a big Country. And I’m not sure if Dave is interested in going quite that far? However, because the Plant host’s some significant events at certain times of the year, I thought it might be a great way for Dave and anyone else that might be interested, (presuming someone was) to have a get together, with like minded Professional Audio folks that combined a very interesting Factory Tour, attendance of the nearby BMW Museum (The Zentrum) and something like The Euro Auto Festival linked below. If that were possible..... http://www.euroautofestival.com/pastevents.aspx As I looked into the matter more deeply, it occurred to me that something like this would be also right up your street Keith... I think you would love it! I can't promise as to what events will be put on at Spartenburg in the future, but I think its the sort of thing that's worth highlighting to you, making you aware of, and suggesting that you watch out for in the future. “BMW Manufacturing is more than an automotive factory, it's a destination for visitors and a venue for events and meetings. BMW Manufacturing and the Zentrum, the factory's museum and visitors center, is the location for a roadster homecoming for owners and enthusiasts of the sporty automobile. Homecoming is a celebration of the roadster and the people who drive them. BMW Manufacturing and the Zentrum are ideal for hosting community meetings, receptions, and other events. One weekend every year, the plant hosts the Red Cross Rally where motorcyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts gather to take part in entertaining activities. The facility also hosts a celebration of European automotive history with the EURO Auto Festival, featuring a collection of vintage, classic and antique vehicles.” They certainly seem to welcome visitors there, and it occurred to me that if some people wanted to go from PSW it might make a really enjoyable get together. They will have P.R. specialists whose job it is to make sure you have a great visit at the BMW Plant. If you explore the links you will see a great atmosphere and community of enthusiast’s. This is THE point! Over the years I have got to meet executives and workers from most of the great Automotive Manufacturers. You get a feel from all of them about their Company. This particular Company is full of development engineers who are what I would call ‘Petrol Heads’, real ‘Auto Enthusiast’s’ with a Capital ‘E’.   You don’t actually need me to organise this for you, (it would be hard to do anyway from the other side of the Atlantic), as if you want to go, it is perfectly possible for you to arrange the details for this yourselves, singly or as a group at a time in the future to suit your convenience. But you have to plan it well in advance. http://www.bmwusfactory.com/build/ If and when you and others do it, you need to thoroughly check and make sure that your visit coincides with a time that enables you to do as much as possible i.e. visit the Factory, Museum, and the Euro Festival ‘IF’ that is possible, it may not be as large numbers will attend.  And Factory Visit numbers are usually much more limited. But maybe you could plan it so that you attended the Factory one day and the Festival the next, or something like that, I don’t know, but that to me would make a great weekend for you all, if something like that were possible. The thing is... Because the Plant is currently benefiting from substantial new inward investment, the addition of a widened model range manufactured there, and extended employment opportunities at every level, as you can imagine, it is very much in the throw of major change. Therefore just at this current moment in time, Factory Visits are temporarily suspended. However, this being a short term necessity, they will certainly resume the Factory Visits when things have settled down, and happily, because the extended model range will feature highly innovative products incorporating exciting new technologies, the Visits will be rather more interesting as a result. So to me this is something to keep in mind and plan for the future. It’s just an idea sparked off by Dave Collins interest, but I think it could have the makings of a very interesting and great fun time for anyone who wants to go. BMW have a wonderful Public Relations Department and I think they would work hard to make sure you all have a very enjoyable time. Basically I have placed before Dave, yourself and anyone else that would like to go, (you don’t need be thinking of buying a BMW or anything like that at all) a possibility and a forthcoming opportunity for the future. All the links are there, copy and paste them, and wait till the Visits resume. Best Wishes P

             

[PP]

[Rader Ranch]

It's reasonable to expect this thread to focus on Petula and closely related info (in particular I enjoy the session musician sidelines). Plenty of other opportunites for car talk etc.

[i dig music]

PP wrote on Mon, 03 December 2007 03:32

I have lots more to share about Petula, and her musicians. But only, if and when, I feel I want to do so. Irregardless. My intial response to the thread included the following.... "I hope this helps a bit. if not please just delete it. It really doesn't matter at all." As you R. Steel have presumed to express an uncharacteristically clear opinion here. Do you think the post should be removed...? P

pp.....the info you have shared has been very nice,

but don't threaten to "not" share any further information when somebody asks to keep it on topic. that begins to border on puerile.

this may help:

have you ever heard of the "private messaging" feature this forum has?

when you feel the need, that is an easy way to communicate with members outside of forum threads.

you could have contacted DC this way to inform him about the bmw 355i. which sounds wonderful by the way, it's just that this may not be the appropriate place to talk about it.

[compasspnt]

Thank you all for your excellent contributions to the Forum.

If I as Moderator had thought that anything in this thread, or any other, needed deleting or editing, I would have done so.

Rather, I made it (albeit temporarily) a Sticky.


Why would that have been?


Not because there was BMW information, but also not "in spite of" that fact.

Not because it was about Pet Clark, but also not "in spite of" that fact.


There are things imbedded within the data that I consider very, very important...musically and otherwise.


Soon this thread will have its Sticky status removed, move down to Normal, and take its place in the Pantheon of Classic Music Information.

Until then, if there is something you don't want to read, just skip past it.


Again, many thanks to you ALL.