Re: '60s British pop

I watched LAST NIGHT IN SOHO earlier this year, and although I didn't like the film I was very impressed by the soundtrack. It led me to Sandie Shaw, whose best music mixed the influences of American girl groups and French chanson. (In the '80s, she signed to Rough Trade and covered the Smiths.) Does anyone have further recommendations for '60s Britsh pop in this vein?

Dusty of course

Does Lulu fit your criteria? Always dug her vocals…

Scott Walker! Very obvious French influence, mixed with smooth Bacharach-isms. Technically not British, but he moved there and made his career there. Even had his own TV show.

Ah, I see that the soundtrack features Scott w/The Walker Brothers, and Dusty. Well, there ya go. Good place to start as any:
[en.wikipedia.org]
To go beyond that: Lulu is indeed a good bet. I am hardly a fan of Neil Diamond, but Lulu's "Boat That I Row" is a gem. And I never woulda thunk that the Isley Brother's "Shout" would be a suitable choice for her, but she knocks it out of the park.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/2022 09:25PM by MrFab.

I'm familiar with '60s Walker but I've never heard Lulu. I'll give her a shot.

You’ve likely heard Lulu do “to sir with love”. OR read the nice article on her in TP70!!!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/24/2022 06:14AM by Bip.

Lulu also sang the theme to "The Man With the Golden Gun". I just read that the producers wanted Alice Cooper to sing it but since she sounded a bit like Shirley Bassey, she got the nod.

One of the best Bond themes! She also did an interesting cover of "The Man Who Sold the World," which David Bowie and Mick Ronson produced and arranged for her.

Wonder if they realized Alice was a guy ...

Lulu's early stuff when she was a teen in Glasgow is ripsnorting great.

Used to do The Boat That I Row by Lulu in a party band. Top tune.

Sandie Shaw is wonderful. An exciting singer. I first encountered her on B.E.F.'s "Music Of Quality + Distinction Vol. 1" and have stuck with her ever since. She was also on 2013's Vol. 3!

Former TP subscriber [81, 82, 83, 84]

[postpunkmonk.com]
For further rumination on the Fresh New Sound of Yesterday®

I really like singer/actor John Leyton, who released some terrific singles, including "Johnny Remember Me" (produced by Joe Meek), "Son, This Is She," and "Wild Wind." Great stuff!

Oh well if we're talkin Joe Meek, we'll be here for days. "Johnny Remember Me" is so weird and great. The Sharades' "Dumb Head" is so...off. But I love it.

I absolutely love this clip from 1965 from some long forgotten UK TV show.

It stars a very Mod looking Kiki Dee (who 10 years later had a hit singing a duet with Elton John) singing a very Burt Bacharach sounding song called "Small Town". Definitely fits the Dusty, LuLu, Sadie mold.

Then it is followed by a very early, pre-Ian McLagen, Small Faces signing "I've Got Mine".

Just Aces!!!

[youtu.be]

Kiki Dee's song starts at 3:40

Small Faces starts at 6:10

Richard Harris was Irish, not British, but his first two albums serve up very good orchestral pop a la Scott Walker, although "MacArthur Park" remains grating.