Normie Rowe - It's Not Easy (1968)

[waneh37ilk]

P>S> Great song, but.

[waneh37ilk]

Didn't they used to look so awkward trying to pretend to be singing in those days. Appropriately in was called "Uptight". LOL

[DoingTime4PatsyCline]

Just listened to the Eric Burdon version; sorry but Normie's is the better version. I think this version and the quality of song stands today.

[SuperJohnnykay]

Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil were Brill building songwriters churning out hits in the late 50s and 60s ,sitting in an office down the hall from Gerry Goffin and carol King.The first recording og this number was by New York group, the Will o bees.(they do a real nice counterpoint harmony at the end, if you can find it heere on YT).As was Normies style and most aussie artists of the time.A song never played on 2uw or 3 uz was fair game.Ray Brown,Allison durban from NZ others same deal.

[heymargaretlook]

Hi fans from another fan I love this song I have it on my 1960 Jukebox let me know if you want to see it on a classic Jukebox cheers

[blueycarlton]

The song was written for the Righteous Brothers but they didn't record it,

Normie was the first to record it, so it IS his song.

[kub73158]

@blueycarlton

Wrong, Eric Burdon with the Animals did this song in 1967. Plus, that version blows away this here done by a typical pop singer. 

[blueycarlton]

@kub73158 Rowe's IS the original, he recorded this song in 1966. He was on leave from fighting in Vietnam when he performed this in 1968, hence his short Army haircut.

Eric's version is ok

[rslitman]

This song was written by the famous U.S. songwriting team of Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil.

[nzoz1968]

@rslitman Not surprised... most people in Aus think Normie owns the song.... and Normie probably does too.

[possessivetoast]

beautiful

[Solarshoji]

When I was 15 years old, my best friend confided that that this was his favourite song. I always remembered the song but who sung it? Now, I live in the Philippines and a great Ozzie answered my question of 40 years and here I am!

[StevenWilliamsAust]

terriersrule, I heard that interview and agree .... what a talent we have in Normie.

When he sang in Les Miserable, someone told his agent that Normie "sings like he was in a war or lost a son" and his agent said " Normie has done both of those things" What a compliment form that man to pick Normie's lefe in a song

[ematisions]

i have heard jimmy page and john paul jones played on this track??

[terriersrule]

@ematisions Normie was interviewed on ABC Radio 612 this morning and he did say two guys from Led Zeppilin played on this track. You could probably download the interview from the radio website. Great interview - Normie is well spoken and articulate. Cheers.

[ematisions]

@terriersrule thanks i did hear he was on conversations ,will download the interview!

[eppeywonder]

@ematisions I have heard same and there is one other track - . I believe that he was the only Oz 60's artist to have that privillege. Of course nobody knew Zeppelin would evolve. I recall UK Rec Collector slagging off his albu, Saw him pre Vietnam days when I was about8!!at Phillip Island:) and a duet - Pat and Olivia amongst others!!

[lgendarychickenfairy]

What a lad you were back then Normie! Not sure if you'd already done your National Service stint before this (what a career killer that was). This is my fav. NR song, with it's fantastic arranging & great heavy piano solo.

Thanks for this offering nzoz.

[doozydoozy]

Beautiful song...great version. I like his voice. This man is unknown in the USA. Check out Joey Heatherton's version...superb!

[GottaGetHear]

All these Aussie 60's singers, was great back then, they all came over to Sth Australia in those days. All shows were live and I saw 95% of all the singers. Used to drink with John O'Keefe in the old Hotel Australia after the Saturday night shows. Saw Johnny Farnham sing Sadie for the first time ever here in Adelaide. Just a note people John Farnaham was an ex Sth Aussie boy .. LOL ..

Anyway I'm trying to downoad as much as possible of these old vids for my grandkids, and myself .. lol

[cookiemnsta]

just cannot beat the oz rock of the 60's. why oh why can't we go back there...............

just fantastic

steve

[heymargaretlook]

Thanks eppeywonder  for your input yes Normie is a Aus legend I have never seen him except for long way to the top (twice) he had the audience in the palm of his hand and this blonde chic at his feet and yes Normie I know what you were thinking the same as me. Do a tour and me and eppeywonder will be there cheers

[flynnyboy100]

@heymargaretlook Dont think Normie will tour again, but he does come to Perth a fair bit and does a show at a well known local spot(as do Russell Morris, Brian Cadd,Jim Keays,Darryl Cotton and others! Normie is a good mate of Johnny Young, always on his breakfast show, maybe contact Johnny or listen to 6ix or 105.7fm, you might get more info!

[caljees]

Can someone post the WIll-O-Bees' version of this great song? Here on the West Coast (U.S.), that was the version we grew up with. I have it only on a muddy KRLA aircheck from January 1968.

[SuperJohnnykay]

@caljees :oh good choice!This is a weil and Mann song. The Will o bees was the First version and had a really nice chorus at the end.In the 60s & 70s, songs released in the US or the UK that were not big hits would get picked up by the Normie Rowes, Yvonne Barretts and Alison Durbins of Oz.Anyway, sorry for the blah blah. Would also like to hear The will o bees version,jk

[SuperJohnnykay]

@caljees :Just typed in Will-o-bees Its not easy!Someone has just recently posted it. How is that for ask and you shall receive!!!!!

[Solarshoji]

Sitting in a little bar here in the Philippines and an Ozzie sitting next to me told me who sang this so first listen since 1968! Thanks mate!

[lianjie1963]

What a sad, beautiful song.

[hensondoug]

Normie went into the army in Feb. '68 and I left Australia in May the same year, so I'd forgotten all his hits. I was lucky to see him in concert once, and also in the same room with him for about 30 seconds. Was what they used for a press room at the old Ansett quonset hut terminal building at Brissy airport. One of the secretaries and a DJ from radio station 4BC who knew me let me follow them in, but then I had to leave. It was pchaotic with all the press people.

[koutsoumbos]

I love this song

[1vasbac]

Great song, shame you had to perform it wearing your mothers shoes.

[fjbutch]

Terrific song from a top bloke. Certainly a proud Returnrd serviceman.....

[ipstpar10]

Yes I'm back what a song and the knocks Normi has took over the years against Nam he lived it only he knows no one else walked in his shoes here's to Normi a Australian Rock Legend.

[TheKath56]

Normie Rowe was at the Brisbane Exhibition when i was a young girl, not too young to remember him though.. before he went to Vietnam.. thanks to my aunty and uncle who took me to the ekka, as otherwise i would not have seen him.xoxox

[heymargaretlook]

Its Not Easy was picked from a series of demos from Screen Gems-Columbia music in London in 1966. I couldnt believe my ears when I heard the song originally. ...The orchestra on the recording was 36 piece which included John-Paul Jones and Jimmy Page, both of whom went on to form Led Zeppelin. Phil Dennys wrote the score. John Carter and Terry Kennedy were more than up to the task of producing a really fine recording. Normie Rowe extract

Thank you to David Walker.

[eppeywonder]

@heymargaretlook THANK YOU. I knew he recorded two songs with them (maybe Shakin All Over was the other. ?) He is a very underrated musician and he was great as a performer. Met hima few yrs ago now and he was most polite. he was ROBBED of a great career.

[heymargaretlook]

What a classic Normie Love this song.

[zachness34]

the most underated Australian Singer ever , his voice is amazing . He deserves so much more than he got from the industry

[mary88stella]

I absolutely adored Normie (still do) and I loved this song more than any other when he sang it. Those were the days and that was the best in music