Frankie Laine - "Cool Water"

[armyoldsweat]

Memories, memories, of an army old sweat lost in the Nubian Desert, Sudan, 1955.

[krunstefluts]

The composer's name is Nolan, not Noland

[SlayersAnimefangirl]

The Movie Rango brought me here. Even though it was Hank williams' version on the movie

[makjac46]

Powerful voice and the right feeling for this well written tune. 50's and 60's were Frankies best years for record sales and the strength of his voice. Lovit.

[JemMackie]

Three facts about water;

The Romans in Rome had more water available to them in 300 BC than the People of Rome have today.

Only 4% of all the water on planet earth is fresh water. This figure is declining towards 3%

We need 1 litre of water a day so to conserve Water, never drink it undiluted.

[johnharrison59]

I was only a small child when this first came out. I used to sit in front of the 'wireless' and listened all afternoon to all music and this always comes out as one that sticks in the memory, even more so now I've been a fan of Frankie for the last 45 years

[Kay82Schmidt]

I live in an area where this, and Tumblin' Tumbleweeds, are too appropriate.

Love the singing, energy, long phrases, right pitches! None of this "breathy I'm so deep in love" disguise for "I can't really sing."

[markalson1938]

@Kay82Schmidt Yes, he does real well on these songs of the old west for tinder foot from Chicago that grew up on Jazz.

[Bigmac520]

I had the honor of seeing Frankie in his 80's, he sounded wonderful.

[lintym]

tis is my favourite too, but he does so many good ones

[cooligalgirl]

this is the best ,the only singer to do justice to this great song .thanks for sharing

[markalson1938]

@cooligalgirl There are many great versions of this great song, but yes I think this was the best one

[weowe1000]

I remember this song from my childhood. I grew up listening to Frankie Lane, Jimmy Dean, Johnny Horton, Marty Robins and others.

[sadia102]

I always liked this version best. Thanks.

[cairyhunts]

between frankie and marty frankie wins hands down

[markalson1938]

@cairyhunts I agree with you, but it's just a matter of taste. There have been a lot of recordings of this song over the years and I have never heard a bad one. In fact I have put many of them on YT. Marty's is one of the best of the bunch along with Vaughn Monroe's. But I always liked Frankie's 1955 single version best. Frankie re-recorded the song for an album years later where he sung it the traditional way, which was Ok but not great.

[jazzy4me4eva]

@FiestyNekoNekogirl the one in the moive is by hank williams

[LaGrandeBeaute]

@FiestyNekoNekogirl

Hey! I think I found it. Search for Hank Williams - Cool Water. I believe it is this one. I saw the movie twice and it is the closest one I could find.

[andyjkmak]

@FiestyNekoNekogirl

It was Hank Williams

[markalson1938]

@FiestyNekoNekogirl Well I guess I'll just half to go see the movie.

[LaGrandeBeaute]

@markalson1938

Yeah, It is during the scene when everyone in the town grabs glasses and buckets to do a "rain dance" before getting water from a faucet. You will know it when you see it. It's a very specific version with acoustic guitar at the start. No Lap steel from what I remember. Dying to find that version though!

[markalson1938]

@FiestyNekoNekogirl I haven't seen the movie yet but after reading this coment I looked up a couple of web sits that listed all the music that is in the movie and "Cool Water" wasn't one of them.

[furain68]

i can remember my dad and his friend singing this one sunday afternoon .

it' just took me back 30 odd yrs .

great song .

[TheLSK]

Sounds like Thurl Ravenscroft providing background vocals

[markalson1938]

@TheLSK You are right, Frankie was backed up vocally by the Mellow Men who Thuri was the lead singer. I don't think many remember him but they remember his voice as that of Tony The Tiger.

[nibby1957]

love it

[Teddyb1939]

This is a great song, I don`t know that I have heard a bad version. my opinion & I know others will differ, this is the magic version, I & my dad loved also Slim Whitmans version.I am old enough to have queued up at the record shop to try to be the 1st to get Frankies new 78s.I have hundreds 0f old 78s. as many as 4 of some of Frankies hit records. I have him on Columbia as well as Phillips.Strange lady in town was coupled with the Tarrier song on Phillips.

[Angelzofblue]

Love this song..so long since I heard it. Tks for posting it.

[jakethesnake10000]

i hadn't heard this version, i agree, its better!

[nadinesdream]

wonderful visiting Frankie, Id forgotten how many hits he had,

thanks for the memories!

[markalson1938]

@nadinesdream Frankie had over 70 recordings that hit the charts in the U.S. and the UK and even more in other parts of the world. Frankie was popular all over the world.

[london3337]

toda mi familia ha adorado a frankie durante años.sus canciones son maravillosas.desde España un  saludo.mercedes.

[ianmystic]

excellent scenes to go along with one of Frankies' greatest

[HarryBeano]

I still have the record -has "Bubbles" on the other side-

[markalson1938]

@HarryBeano You must have a recording that came from Canada

or the UK as those two songs were together there. The US Cokumbia recording had "Strange Lady IN Town" back with "Bubbles" I have both recordings.

[ZoltanHOD]

@HarryBeano - "I get a hug and I know I should stop. Then comes a kiss and I float to the top, right to the stars in the sky then it's pop - tumblin', tumblin', tumblin' down I go."

My dad had that 78. Cool Water is an absolute belter, and Bubbles ..... well it's a strange record B-side, but still a classic.

[g1h2nedlaw]

@HarryBeano Me too

[NickGirdler]

Stunning mate brought back so many memories of an old radiogram and a 78 rpm record with this on Aaaahh the 1950's a simpler tim !. Thanks.

I interviewed Frankie and his wife in 1988 when he was in the UK on one of his final tours he was recording right up to his death in 2006 at the age of 92 !!

Nick

[Baskerville22]

Cool Water is one of the great American songs,

[99sco]

this is good but prefer eddie arnalds.

[markalson1938]

@99sco AS THEY SAY "TO EACH HIS OWN"

[gritsgirl43]

This is the original recording in 1955 by Frankie Lane

[usfansw]

I always had to have a drink after listening to this song.

Sadly, the stuff in the taps doesn't taste the same anymore. (And some folk wonder why we buy bottled water to avoid chemicals).

[dadoody]

@usfansw - bottle has plastic chemicals leeched into it. Just drink American tap water filtered through osmosis or activated charcoal.

[ChuChu353]

The bass part of this recording sounds like Thurl Ravenscroft (You're a Mean One Mr Grinch)

[OrodesIII]

This is the version I remember and for me it is the standard. No one could sustaing a note as powerfully as Frankie Laine.

[markalson1938]

@OrodesIII

There were many great recordings of this song starting with the Sons of the Pineers

who were the first to Vaughn Monroe who had the highest charted version in the U.S.

But I think Frankie's 1955 recording which was the biggest selling version in England was by far the best.

[g1h2nedlaw]

@markalson1938 Dead right. Reached number two in the UK charts in '55, along with Slim Whitman's Rosemarie.

No one can better this version.

[hartommitch]

@OrodesIII Ever listened to Roy Orbison?

[OrodesIII]

@hartommitch

Yes, certainly. He had a wonderful voice too.

Frankie Laine made it a signature to end his songs with a sustained note which sadly he could not replicate as he grew older.

[hartommitch]

@OrodesIII Is there a song that really stands out? (in sustaining a note) I would like to know that so I can listen to it. I don't know much about Frankie Laines's music.

[OrodesIII]

@hartommitch

There are quite a few but take a look at the old clip from his tv show of a song which he never recorded as a good example, Kiss of Fire.

[VIGILANTI1]

@OrodesIII hi, that is the reason that frankie has sung more than fair portion of title songs for a lot of western movies r.i.p. f/l

[jumpdance24]

Prefer slim whitmans version to this one .

[markalson1938]

@jumpdance24

"To Each His Own" But Slim is just a little High Pitched for my likes.

[4019sands]

Great song by Frankie. Memories oh sweet memories! Linda

[atkissdream]

they don't make them like they used too )

[kallioney]

I started listening to Frankie in the 50's, this is undoubtedly one of his finest recordings along with "Jealousy" and "Jezebel". Thanks for posting it.

[putrefactionchamber]

bowie knife is my favourite frankie laine song,,it's gangster

[markalson1938]

Every one has their fvorites, I would put it on YT but I looked and two people already have it on.

[philinshrops]

absulutly fantastic

[Bobdeyzelpe]

Now this is real cool. Thanks for posting

[hdiylove]

Never heard this recording but it is real nice.

[THEMUSTOES]

what a great voice way to go frankie

thanks for posting it

[Don5049curtis]

I had the recording in 1955 and thought it was the best of any artist that recorded the song. That is one of Frankie Lane's best recordings. Any song that he sung I thought was great.

RIP.

[markalson1938]

I agree with you, I have at least 15 different

recordings of "Cool Water" and Frankie's is the best. That is his 1955 recording he recorded it later in the more western style and it wasn't as good.

[zaaritha]

GREAT!

[zephyrseas]

I actually meant exactly the same as your expressed view, the mentioning of his voice was only meant for those not familiar with him & used to the vocals of some other versions. Frankies rendition of coolwater beats all the others for me as an entirety for the song.

[zephyrseas]

Frankie Laine does this as one of the best deliveries, though others voices can be better

[markalson1938]

I don't think many would claim that Frankie had the best voice in the business, but what he could do with his few if any could beat.

[pfive]

i like this song but i can see im gonna have to keep quiet about it in public in case people think im one of you guys

[gih2nedlaw]

This is the original and best version of this song. Brilliant. Stayed at No 2 in the UK for weeks, topped only by Slim Whitman's Rosemarie.

[chibinski]

my heavens, he's good. it's making me weep. his voice is beautiful.

[WildeNotesMusic]

Nice graphics to back up the song.

FWIW, the songwriter's name was Bob Nolan, not Bob Noland.

[Bowser1948]

Yeh i bet you would preferred boobys vee rydell ,fabian and the others replaced by o the stones animals etc who were playing ...... black u s r&b

Seriously though a good tune is a good tune no matter colour or crede

[Bowser1948]

aye we brits had better taste than you yanks!!

[markalson1938]

I thought so too, untill the so called "British Invasion" hit our shores in the mid sixties.

[gladietita]

unforgetable voice!!great great singer!!!!!

[GoCavs22]

I love this song! Thanks for posting. Frankie Laine has an amazing voice, i love his songs and im only 13.

[y0utubemetube]

This song is very refreshing!!!

[cameltrail]

This isn't his original version,is it? sounds like of those he re-recorded.

[markalson1938]

This is fron 2d Bear Collection where they have all his orginal recordings.And this is the one from 1955 single. I have the single from 55 but it was to scratched to use but it's the same recording.

[gih2nedlaw]

I have the old 78 still in my loft. Yes this the original.

[singingdadpaddy]

thanks again markalson1938, anoth top song sung to perfection,

[rabblue]

class

[kev2596]

I wish i had a drink of cool cool water right now

[duffymfx]

Great song - great voice. Noticed that two other great songs are missing her on youtube - a) Along the Navajo Trail and b) Wanted Man. They are both on his 1956 album - Hell bent for leather.

[markalson1938]

They are not missing anymore, I just added "Wanted Man" and "Navajo Trail" to YT.

[kiwihans]

Hi folks; I used to write to Frankie, what a lovely man. He used to stay in a council house with friends in Hatfield when he appeared at the Paladium! what does that tell you about him. Love you Frankie, your music will always fill my heart. Pete 'Kiwi'Keegan

[grannydyess]

this is good but i like marty robbins version better. just my opinion

[54spiritedwill54]

I love Frankie Laines version of this great western song.

[Dorothee195206]

Great song. Great singer! (And wonderful pictures, Nice. Thank you!)

[brakey87]

im prob the only 21 old frankie laine fan in the world ... hell bent for leather is a ripper album

[markalson1938]

You would be suprised has to how many

people of your generation love this type of music. I get a lot of letters about my stuff on YouTube or my web site wanting to know where this music went. The problem is not many of the young get a chance to hear this kind of music. So how are they to know that there is something besides the crap that they are fed. Like Simon says "It'e Just To Old Fashion"

[davidn87]

I'm 22, been listening to him since I was little and my dad let me hear 'Tell Me A Story' :-)

[coolmamac]

Great! I still Marty Robbins version.

[markalson1938]

I like them all but I think Frankie's is the best, but that's just me.

[tonyorchard]

this is when you could hear the words to popular and good music. Very good.

[rogiet3]

this reminds me of sitting in my aunt's home listening to her 78 rpm records. wonderful memories thank you.

[markalson1938]

yOUR WELCOME, WHEN YOU REACH A CERTAIN AGE THE MOST VALUABLE THING YOU HAVE IS MEMORIES.

[carrvy1]

The video is very outstanding, great imagination and the pictures tell the

story. Thanks for posting it.

[g1h2nedlaw]

I have heard many recordings of Cool Water, but none matches this. We used to sing it around scout camp at the tops of our voices, coupled with Slim Whitman's Tumbling Tumbleweeds. They were the days!

[earlferg]

Nice to see someone else loves Slim Whitman

[pinky59guzzler]

I love Frankie Laines version of this great western song. I was captivated by his interpretation of it for many years but haven't been able to find it until now. Thanks for posting it.

[markalson1938]

His 1955 single I think is the best that this song was ever sung. Frankie recorded it a couple of other times for albums but did them in the traditional way and was just ordinary.

[larrydonguy]

I prefer the Hell Bent for Leather album version without the echoing base. I think this version is a bit "oversung" though it does showcase the incredible power of Laine's voice. Regardless of the version the song rates among the very best that he did.

[DruidB19]

I agree with larrydonguy... hell bent for leather version is better than this one

[estelle715]

Marty's does a great job but the version I heard did not have the echoing WATER like this version. This song HAS to have the echo to be genuine!

[joeasmythe]

Let's face it, Frankie could cover almost any type of song with his unique style.

[markalson1938]

Yes Frankie could put music to a telephone book and make it sound good.

[eldorado62]

This man was made to sing this stuff. He has a conviction in his voice, and he sings like he has lived every line.

[markalson1938]

When Frankie does a song, hardly anyone can top it. I have many many recordings of "Cool Water" and his 1955 single was I think the best.

[clauwood1]

love this song its makes me get goose bumps!!!!

[KSCrosby]

Frankie's style here certainly is unique

[jackocloud]

fantastic 5

[Labaron26]

I have a 78 rpm recording by the "Four Tunes" of "Cool Water", that was made around 1952. It has a little rock and roll flavor, just when rock and roll was beginning to get popular and I wish I had the equipment to upload it. It's a great version.

[markalson1938]

"The Four Tunes were mostly an "R&B" group and I don't think you can make a good "R&B"

recording of "Cool Water" They just don't go together. But then I've never heard a bad version of this song. So Maybe!!!

[Labaron26]

Like I said..I can't upload it, but I would suggest that you listen to it, if you can find it, before making a judgement on something you never have heard...I know for sure you would be surprised...I also said it had a rock and roll flavor, not actual rock and roll....I wish I could see what you had to say after hearing it.

[markalson1938]

I just found a copy of the "Four Tunes" doing "Cool Water" on E-Bay and bought it. I'll let you know what I think when I get it.

[Labaron26]

Fair enough....

[markalson1938]

I thought you might like to know my wife loves the Four Tunes version of "Cool Water"

Her main love is Classical Music, but while growing up she loved the early "Rock N' Roll" music that her Dad hated. For that matter I hated it too. She doesn't care for the slow or dramatic songs that I like. So I guess it's all in what you grew up with.

[Labaron26]

One out of two isn't bad....thanks.

[markalson1938]

OK I got the 45 of the Four Tunes version of "Cool Water". I like it for what it is it's a catchy little tune. But it is not western which the song is. I said before that I had never heard a bad version of the song. But it does not compare to the big ones. But It's good enough that I'll put it on YouTube to see how everyone else likes it.

[Labaron26]

I never said it was the best,...I still think the original Sons of the Pioneers is the best, but I liked it for the change of pace...Thank you for you comments and for putting it on Youtube....

[markalson1938]

OK I just put "The Four Tunes" version on YouTube. I even put the flip side of the record on also. Did you know that the Tunes started out as "The Brown Dots" and was a break a way from the "Ink Spots". I always thought the were better than the "Ink Spots"

[usfansw]

I always felt like having a drink of water after listening to this as a kid. Pity that the quality of water isn't like it used to be. Dentists use fluoride, it's an ingredient in rat poison. Avoid it as much as possible. Calcium fluoride is OK but the stuff they put in drinking water (sodium fluoride) comes from aluminum manufacture as a by product.

[militarychief]

I prefer Marty Robbins' version.

[markalson1938]

to each his own

[DeborahUSA]

Excellent song. I thought you might enjoy Marti Robbins version. Great photos.

[markalson1938]

Yes Marty does a great job on the song, about the best in the country field. I have that song along with about 15 other versions of the song. They are all good but some better than others. I even have a copy of a version by Johnnie Ray. You have a great video to along with the song.

[highnrising]

Nice recording.

The one problem with Frankie's recording--I had the "Hellbent" album as a kid and never knew who "Dan" is supposed to be.

Later I heard some other versions by different artists that included more of Bob Nolan's lyrics. Turns out "Dan" is the singer's mule.

[markalson1938]

I remember reading an interview that Bob Noland gave way back in the fifties and was asked that question. He said it was an old mule that appeared in several early Roy Rogers

films.

[starbank2]

Yes,I think this is the best version too and some great pictures to go with it,five stars &

fave,,cheeers,,Mick...

[rileyjeffs]

I agree with your comment. I have this song on several disc/records ,but none has the "ATMOSPHERE" of the Hell Bent For Leather LP. Cheers from Merseyside, Ernie