Doug Parkinson In Focus : 'Dear Prudence' - music video

[ThePissypete]

What a GREAT singer!!

[afterhours3000]

stoner rock

[ozcowboy23]

if he were british or american ...this cover would have been huge and he would have been up there with joe cocker etc..... what a great voice

[muthamickey01]

Man, i got nothing, this is just amazing. Thank you Doug

[alexohncoe]

AMAZING cover. The singer really makes the song his own. The Beatles' Dear Prudence always seemed like a nice little ditty that had some small piece missing that could have taken it to another level... John Lennon has a good voice but he sings Dear Prudence too softly. This singer has just the right intensity for the song.

[paddlepop77]

Brilliant!

[Splitskirts]

Great cover / live version ( live sounding ); regards.

[dragonworld2]

Excellent Doug!! and the Focus! Simply brilliant.

[durangoSHADOuk]

Better than the original.....!

[1551952]

I dont know it was 68 who cares

[1551952]

i knew dougs sister once and no dont ask!!!

[paddlepop77]

Onya Dougie!

[Grum51]

to Kathy0851. It sure was had the who hair cut and all, lived in Redfern in those days in Eveleigh St would you beleive and spent a lot of time up at the cross....hanging out

[Kathy0851]

I still think that Doug's version of this famous Beatles song was absolutely the BEST! It was so popular when it was released that Doug Parkinson made it his "signature" song! Brilliant!

[mumbojumbo50]

@Kathy0851 Your spot on Kathy.

[rdk54]

An absolute classic song, sung by a one of the best voices going round. Long may it reign

[Alarindris]

Meh.

[PeterCarolM]

Just got home from Let It Be that Doug stars in along with Jon Stevens, John Waters and Jack Jones/Irwin Thomas - Doug, your version of this song was incredible - I loved it! What a fabulous, fabulous voice you're got ...

[Moontagu]

I knew these guys back then, Jim Kelly played on one of my records "Candy". Yes, this is the greatest version ever done. Doug was never a "superstar" because he was just too bloody good and he came at a time when Aussie music was not well accepted O/S Then the whole pop thing kicked in and anyone could be a hit no matter what they sounded like. But Doug IS a Superstar to many of us.

[71KAZA1]

60's Top Tune. Oz Singer!

[barrylilgooseharvey]

Is the blonde girl in the middle of your clip Miss Kerry Wade ? Barry

[1MGordon]

Great voice.

[Mrsilvaservice]

Johnny Dick / wHERE IS HE NOW eVAN

[MalThorgan]

@Mrsilvaservice -he ran off with my secretary years ago and still owes me $200 ...but hey .. .he's a muso......and like all party animals....you gotta like 'em.

[mumbojumbo50]

Classic.

[DarAnt1957]

doug parkinson has one of the most significant voices of his time and should have been a mega star

[SuperSpacekadet]

This one just replaced the original in my Favourites. Great band!!

[TIGHTLIPPEDNZ]

BARRY SMITH TIGHTLIPPED BAND.I came to sydney 1968 with then my band the thyme blues band and saw this guy in a sydney night club along with Max Merrit, on returning to nz in 1969 i formed wellington band natural gas dear prudence Dougs version the guys magic.

[heymargaretlook]

Dear Prudence I write to you today. I hope you are well, may life shine on you for the light is up and birds may sing but I send you a message, Shine on like a little child in the new dawn for there is always a tomorrow......................­........

[AussieBayb]

yeh yeh

[MrIZZIT]

Much better than the origional

[MrTrueseventh]

One of the great Beatles covers --- right up there with stevie wonder's 'we can work it out' .

[THEELDER1]

Love it!

Doug was very cute with his dimples ;)

[volitans054]

I saw Parko do this live around '72 in a wine bar near Central in Sydney. Few people can beat the 'original', especially when that original is a beatles hit. Doug Parkinson beats the Beatles hands down with this version of Dear Prudence and as petermorriscpa rightly said The Zoot's Eleanor Rigby is another exceptional Australian Hit that exceeds the original.

[Grum51]

Saw them do this at the stadium in Sydney where they supported the Faces and The Who, 68 in think.

[Kathy0851]

@Grum51 WOW that must have been a legendary show to see! 

[petermorriscpa]

This is my favourite version of Dear Prudence. Zoot's version of Eleanor Rigby is another great.

[elviradark6]

thanks for accepting my video response =)

[elviradark6]

wow very nice!

[lonsktube]

Music Trivia

Doug Parkinson played rugby for Narrabeen High in the early 60s.

Larry Parkinson of the 70s Central Coast Band the 'Acid Minstrels' is Doug's cousin.

[chueffer]

Love the Beatles, But this version leaves them for dead.

[boofhead51]

I met Doug many times when dad ran a dance in Yarraville (VIC)..He was then a gentleman, and I still say he has the best voice in Aussie...Oh, the place was St Augustines and was about 38 years ago..Sorry for the scare Doug..

[tonybklyn]

OK, this is officially my FAVORITE cover of my favorite song on earth. Have recently been listening to Doug Parkinson, who I honestly had never heard of before about six months ago (found accidentally here on youtube).

I've become a huge fan of his music, his voice is unbelievable. So sorry I hadn't been familiar with him years ago.

[fjbutch]

Onya Dude,....good to see someone outside of Aussie that appreciates Dougy's music....

[tonybklyn]

Not the only Aussie's music I love...big fan of "the voice" John Farnham! I think it's tine for another trip down under.

Peace!

[Kathy0851]

@tonybklyn with your brilliant taste in music, you will be very welcome down here!

[drbob2004]

Doug Parkinson is one of the best (if not the best) vocalists to come out of Australia and possibly the World. He is also a true gentleman to go with it. Incredible talent and humility.

[kimbosabi5]

Parky does without doubt the best version, no point to argue as those who dont agree are just wrong !!!

The Zoot also the best version of Elinor Rigby, Aussie music Rocks. Listen to Russel Morris you will love it if u love this Vintage, Wings of an Eagle & Real Thing

[fjbutch]

Way to go Dude, hit the nail on the head there mate...... Aussie Rocks

[muirkirk1]

no arguments from me man. i was lucky enough to see them all live and they are true aussie rock legends.

[paddlepop77]

ONYA!

[bandalong1]

It would be wonderful if this song could be released on a Doug Parkinson Anthology. He has such a great voice. By far - an example of a cover that exceeds the original.

[Tasmexicanian]

The reason he wasn't a superstar was that he couldn't write his own stuff and he was an Aussie in a world dominated by Brits and American singers. Pity, because his voice was fantastic.

This is miles away my favourite version of the song. Listen to the Zoot version of Eleanor Rigby for something different again and a great Aussie cover of a Beatles song.

[stoptheshearing]

its his voice, beatles where a pop band....

[Apollogranforte]

were

[wannarotz]

brilliant version. gives me goose bumps more so than the beatles version. he has a brilliant vioce

[fjbutch]

The beatles must have been impressed with this magnificent cover ....just magic.

[Ozeshin]

I THINK this version was one of the first songs I learnt to play on guitar...and it was dammed good lesson on how to sing with passion.

[fjbutch]

Outstanding mate...I only wished I could play the guitar and do the same....keep on rock'n dude...

[spoook40]

Leaves the Beatles for dead

[Apollogranforte]

Does not take much to leave the Beatles for dead. Not one of them could sing.

[spoook40]

Thats right; nor could any of them play any instrument.

[ilyk49]

yeah - and you're a idiot

[Apollogranforte]

Very pleasant little chappie aren't you?

Listen carefully to both McCartney and Lennon and you'll hear that both sing so far off pitch that I find it hurtful.

And that apart from the fact that neither of them had a singing voice worth speaking of and never had any vocal or musical training.

I agree fully with Bandalong1, Tasmexicanian, Wannarotz and Kimbosabi5

[firehose34]

Iv'e seen Doug a few times live and no one in the world can sing dear prudence as good as he can , why a talent like him was'nt a superstar god only knows

[wombataustralia7]

@firehose34 I totally agree Firehose. An Australian talent almost gone to waste on the Cabaret circuit or whatever it is that he does, the pubs and clubs. He could have been a really big name had Australia got behind him in time. Never mind he is still appreciated far and wide.

[retaetna]

Doug had a habit of taking a good song from a top rated artist and turning it into something super special.

[drodenbar]

I saw him live today

[richardhibert260]

i played with him live today hahaha. this was at AIM hey. i was one of the trumpet players

[drodenbar]

i was there it was so awesome

[richardhibert260]

yeah it was really fun. I hadn't really heard of him before then, but during the soundcheck before the performance i was like woah. he has such a great voice. I was really blown away

[BenskyBen]

Hell yeah, and that drummer! Holy crap!

[drodenbar]

Yeah and the guitarist was mad

[monjieman]

Doug Parkinson's stuff was the best part of the show. I really liked the guitar player.

[BenskyBen]

All those effects pedals.. omg.

[oldgangy]

Australia had a ban on playing overseas artists on radio at the time, and Doug did this cover. When i got to hear the Beatles version when the ban was lifted i was disappointed and have always thought Doug's version was better

[YesLorenzo]

I think this better than The Beatles version. Can't say that very often.

[fjbutch]

Great to hear this after a hard day's work with a heineken..sweet !!

[spudbeau]

I reckon this is a better version than the Beatles. Probably DP's voice and the raw lead guitar. Love it. Keep posting these Aussie hits!

[stagpole]

I agree - this version - kicks ass

[changling21]

i miss Prudence

[lynchcrt]

what a voice and song, Doug has the only voice to sing it this way.

[NathLorda]

first time i hear this and best emotions from inside...

[evilorangelava]

this is awesome! i'm actually a parkinson that would be cool if hes a relative somehow....

[stagpole]

Doug's is the best version buy a mile

[TarraRose]

Another awesome Aussie cover.

[roys96]

OMG watched all the bands at the Tum, Catcher, Biting Eye, Sebastians and Le Chateau and still playing them and Degraves St City at Lunch times.

[alrow22]

Haha used to watch dougy and the boys at the Thump & tum and at Chatchers's in Melbourne many moons ago now...still love it.

[fjbutch]

I Remember racing home from work on a Saturday afternoon back in 1969 as a young lad to watch ''Uptight'' on T.V. and seeing Dougy singing this track.

What a dude ...

[ozzieoioi]

I remember seeing them in Melbourne in 1969 and they sounded brilliant then. I din't hear the Beatles version until later and dare I say it, this is the better version

[robpm1]

share your sentiments do you know of any good 60's 70's aussie music sites trying to find a song think its called "julia" come and sit by my window think those were the lyrics and not the beatles one

[ozzieoioi]

There were two songs I know of called "Julia" other than the Beatles. one was from a band called The Valentines Featuring of all people, Bon Scott on vocals. The other was by Ted Mulry prior to him going into rock and roll. He used to write and sing some great ballads RIP Ted. This is the song that you are thinking of I'd say. good luck finding it.

[robpm1]

Thanks ozzieoioi the ted mulry one was it things were a bit hazy back then but always excellent musicians

[gullyguzzler]

song your'e looking for is julia by ted mulry

released 1970

[opticalsound67]

cool version, very raw, sounds like chris farlowe a bit!

[coolitababy]

Never heard this before. Great version. Must check this guy out.

Has a very late 60s Australian Sound. Almost prefer it to the original. Excellent.

[losalamosband]

Wish i was around back then to see Doug Parkinson bring the house down. What happened to music up on the northern Beaches? Peace. Los Alamos - mark

[CharadeGirl]

This has got to be one of the greatest pieces of rock historical achives in Australia.

Doug Parkinson , you are without peer.

There is no other, you are a true superstar.

This video can take my breath away.. sorry to be so gushing , its true though.

I was in the audience at Yarraville in Melbourne this past weekend, it was as though I was watching an international superstar.

What A VOICE, you are THE VOICE.!

[bootzen33]

Is that Johnny (Fingers) Dick on drums in this video?

[parkinsonJNR]

Yes It sure is.

Cheers Dusty Parkinson.

[bootzen33]

Thanks for the reply, I live in the US now and was doing some nostalga listening, loved this song and knew Johnny Dick from other bands as I worked in the industry "back in the day"

Peace Heather J

[tididorroz]

Flashing me back man! ....... to the days at the 'Can'

Great stuff Dougie.

Mick N.(Narrabeen)

[tonybklyn]

I don't know which I like best, his voice or the surreal video that takes you back to a time long past.

[drandydds]

Man. Great version of the song.

[fjbutch]

onya Dougy!!

[pam1257]

love Doug Parkinson, no 1 Australian voice!! I just recently purchased "Timeline" cd from his website and its brilliant, classics like Then I run, Dear Prudence, Sally go round the Roses, Everlasting Love, I'll be around. Magic voice, brilliant man. Thanks for sharing the unique video.

[mervynturnyp07]

I love this version- it is utterly beautiful. How soulful is Doug? I bought a 1969 compilation album in a charity shop for a buck and this was on it- introduced me to Doug, Thank you for putting up this video because it is just so fantastic. I was born in 71 and since a teen have felt I missed out on the 60's. It was so full of promise and innocence and love. Awesome. Rock on.

[robertwirth1959]

more doug!

[fjbutch]

To parkinsonJNR.. mate... I have been humming and sing'n this song since 1969, and never thought I would ever hear it again. Doug has the coolest voice. Also thanks to mddawson1 for posting this classic.

[bjs1958]

Brilliant performer, awesome singer.

[mddawson1]

Check out dougparkinson dot com

[CharadeGirl]

Dont know what 9yatah has been listening to, Dougs voice is bigger and better and more intense now than ever before, need new ears 9yatah.

[thevegemitekid1952]

9yatah, doug has lost nothing with age, his voice is even more superb now than it was if that is possible.......dougie you rock man

[thevegemitekid1952]

nothing wrong with my ears 9yatah, check out dougs website and u can see where he is playing, one of the only musos of that era still working, that says it all......ps what a pretty wife doug has....:-)

[parkinsonJNR]

What can i say,i cant believe thats my dad and mum in the 70s in the music clip,wow would be a better word,shame the music is no where as good today,like it was back then.

[tididorroz]

Hey Dust or Dan ... yes they were the days ... some the greatest times of my night-life were when your dad along with Rory Thomas, Billy Green, Duncan Maguire and Bill Fleming were resident at the Canopus Room at Manly in the 60's

Mick N.(Narrabeen)

[parkinsonJNR]

Thanks for the positive feedback,i wish i was old enough back in yr time to see him live on stage in the 70s,but ive watched many many great shows along the way that he performed in and he will be in the beatles up and coming tour called let it be,which will be doing a international tour.Cheers Dusty Parkinson.

[lskaf]

Saw 'Let It Be' on Tuesday 20th Nov at Hamer Hall Melbourne and your Dad simply stole the show. His renditions of 'Dear Prudence', 'Blackbird','Yesterday' were spine tingling! Along with Joe Cocker he is the best interpreter of Beatles songs ever and should release a cd of their songs.

[parkinsonJNR]

To my dad,I love you so much,im so proud of you.

[drandydds]

Dang!!  What great version of a great song.

[julesjoje]

always loved doug shame he didnt make more music, would have loved to hear more from him over the yrs i'm wondering if some1 is going to post his tribute song for stan Zemanek on here ummm

[livinintheseventies]

We were so lucky to have this music when we were growing up. Thanx Doug.

[THEELDER1]

Excellent Doug!

[Lucius1010011010]

nice one unkle x

[davidjallen]

superior to the Beatles, a world class band.

[mongrel2302]

Now I know why the kid next door was crazy about this band. What an interpretation of a Beatles sleeper.

[thevegemitekid1952]

absolutely stunning, what an incredible voice this man has, ohhhhh the memories this brings...

[CharadeGirl]

What a moment in time , amazing video for that time.

It's beautiful.