'Morning Girl' (#4) changed my orientation towards rock and pop, with it's riveting harpsichord cold start. 'Classical Gas', "MacArthur Park', 'Ruby Tuesday', and "Yesterday' did similar things to me, and have influenced my ears to this day.
Thanks for clarification on this piece...I guess you're a fan?!
@DavidCKendall A fan because of my Dad who introduced me to it. The whole reason for the clarification is that shortly after posting this, I had a couple of commenters who said they like this "version" of the song and no matter what I said, they didn't get that this was a different song rather than just another version of Morning Girl (I think Shaun Cassidy created this confusion because he covered Morning Girl, Later, and called it Morning Girl.)
This is also the version that Shaun Cassidy covered on his 1977 debut album, and that was the version that got me interested in this gorgeous song. I wasn't born UNTIL 1977, but I had the 45 of Morning Girl growing up until many years later when I found The Moth Confesses and the self titled NP album on vinyl!!
no problem. I appreciate all the information. The most interesting thing about this song and the one that precedes it is the number of people who are commenting to the effect that they remember hearing the song once or twice as a kid, and wondered if they had just imagined it...and surely enough, they find that it's a real song and a great song, and appreciate my posting it.
In Nashville Don worked at Acuff-Rose Music as a songwriter and as an executive. He wrote a number of songs himself and co-wrote with Joe Melson. Songwriter Mickey Newbury said of Gant there are: "A lot of songwriters you'd never have heard of if it wasn't for Don Gant." Gant also produced records for singers Jimmy Buffett, Lefty Frizzell and others and eventually joined ABC Records.
Don Gant died unexpectedly of a stroke at the age of 44 in Nashville in 1987.
Don Gant was a great guy and a very talented producer. He went to our church when I was a teenager. The Neon Philharmonic was made up of Don, Tupper and the chamber orchestra of the Nashville Symphony. The rest were session musicians.
Don had a later release that never charted well, and basically returned to producing.
There is really no confusion, once you understand that "The Moth Confesses" is a "rock opera". The "second" MORNING GIRL is a reprisal in the storyline of the opera.
Local DJ's used to mix the two versions for airplay back in those days.
Don Gant was a great guy and a very talented producer. He went to our church when I was a teenager. The Neon Philharmonic was made up of Don, Tupper and the chamber orchestra of the Nashville Symphony. The rest were session musicians.
I agree, there was no real confusion, but one rabid commenter on here kept referring to this song as being an album version or a live version, and that there was "another version" which was the "original version." Even using very small words, I couldn't make that commenter understand that it was a different song, not a different version, which was something of a sequel to Morning Girl. So I posted up the whole album's cut list to try and clarify.
I was just glad to see Morning Girl remembered. It was a great song and a top ten hit in Nashville. I've still got the old "record surveys" from the day. Great memories. I was 15 when "The Moth Confesses" was released.
That's really interesting. My Dad (a Nashville native who was lightly in radio and who had many contacts in the Nashville radio business) was 15 that year too.
You sound a lot like my dad. He's got tons of old vinyl and 8-tracks. Still has a working 8-track player hooked up to his home stereo...and a turntable of course. He graduated Maplewood HS in either 71 or 72, can't remember which...I am pretty sure it was 72. My mom graduated Stratford HS in 75.
As they say, small world. Sounds like we're from the same neighborhood and era.(Your folks, that is.) Makes me wonder if I knew or at least knew of, your mom. My sister would've been SHS 75, but dad sent her to Goodpasture instead.
very interesting indeed. I graduated Goodpasture '97. My mom grew up in Inglewood very near Dalewood Elementary School; thanks to integration she spent some time at Litton and ended up at Stratford. My dad grew up in the gra-mar area. If you send me a PM I will be glad to give you names.
clearly, you have a good handle on the issue of the name of the guy who plays first base. As for Adam Sandler, no one can explain his popularity. And, the universe is only big enough to fit on the head of a really bit pin.
A great album start to finish. Heard a piece about Saussy last year on NPR and bought both Neon P albums-a great writer, Gant was perfect for these songs.
I like this song very much but for years I thought it was The Dion Philharmonic - something that Dion morphed into when he left the Belmonts. This was a lucky strike for me yesterday.
Tupper Saussy wrote this as part of a "phonograph opera" for the Neon Philharmonic, which was composed of him and Don Gant, the singer. The Lettermen's and Shaun Cassidy's subsequent recordings pale in comparison.
courtesy of a bit of googling, Neon Philharmonic released Morning Girl in 1969 and its peak position on the billboard charts was #17. Lettermen released Morning Girl in 1971 and reached #34 on the Hot AC charts.
If you're referring to the one posted by nelsonwalrus, that's "Morning Girl". This is "Morning Girl, Later". The band release two separate songs which had only 1 word difference in their titles, that word being "Later." It's intended that we hear them in order - "Morning Girl" followed by "Morning Girl, Later." Two separate songs with many similariteis, not the same song but with different lyrics.
Yes I was referring to song posted by Nelsonwalrus. I didn't realize the other song was a follow-up to the other one. No wonder the other song has different lyrics. Same melody though. Thanks for clearing that up for me.
Mr. Saussy was a friend of a folk artist I worked with in NC in the early 90s. We never met, but I once had the privelidge of speaking with him briefly by phone and expressing my appreciation and awe of his works in numerous genres. His credits and accomplishments extend so much more extensively beyond such as this.
Is this the album version? I have the album but haven't heard it in years, I'll have to dig it out. This version is interesting, sounds more "avant garde" than the 45 mix. The Neon Philharmonic may have made more than one LP.
I think they made 2 LPs - look them up on wikipedia. I am not sure that "later" was ever released on 45 - may have been just the LP version. look at the first item under related videos to the right to hear the original Morning Girl.
IMHO,I like the shorter version more,,the one that got most if not all of the radio play. As for the song, I've loved it since 1969. The shorter version was more tightly arranged and had received superior mixing too. Was the their only hit, the Neon Philharmonic ?
To the best of my knowledge, Morning Girl was their one and only hit. Tupper Saussy had quite a career in poetry, composing music, etc., but this was the only song that top 40 radio took seriously. And in the early 80's he went on the run from the law because he thought he didn't have to pay his taxes. Toward the end of his life he really nutted up and wrote a book on how the government is controlled by the Catholic Church. You can find this stuff easily by googling his name.
I had previously posted a response to this question from my work computer and my work YouTube account, so I am copying in my original response here under my home YouTube account:
Far as I know, this was never a single - it was cut 8 on the album. Some time ago I downloaded an MP3 called Morning Girl (full version) - which was both songs connected together. Not sure if someone created that on their home computer or if it was a valid version that was ever released.
Thanks for finding this song Brings back good memories of my first love
steppenwolf713 3 weeks ago
'Morning Girl' (#4) changed my orientation towards rock and pop, with it's riveting harpsichord cold start. 'Classical Gas', "MacArthur Park', 'Ruby Tuesday', and "Yesterday' did similar things to me, and have influenced my ears to this day.
Thanks for clarification on this piece...I guess you're a fan?!
DavidCKendall 9 months ago in playlist 60's and Related
@DavidCKendall A fan because of my Dad who introduced me to it. The whole reason for the clarification is that shortly after posting this, I had a couple of commenters who said they like this "version" of the song and no matter what I said, they didn't get that this was a different song rather than just another version of Morning Girl (I think Shaun Cassidy created this confusion because he covered Morning Girl, Later, and called it Morning Girl.)
cllewis1 9 months ago
This is also the version that Shaun Cassidy covered on his 1977 debut album, and that was the version that got me interested in this gorgeous song. I wasn't born UNTIL 1977, but I had the 45 of Morning Girl growing up until many years later when I found The Moth Confesses and the self titled NP album on vinyl!!
VirginSuicide77 3 years ago
i love this song i still am dragging the original record around the b side ,brilliant colors is an excellent song also
jzoren64 3 years ago
Sorry for any repetition. Hard getting all the facts in with a limited character count.
MusicCityLarry 3 years ago
no problem. I appreciate all the information. The most interesting thing about this song and the one that precedes it is the number of people who are commenting to the effect that they remember hearing the song once or twice as a kid, and wondered if they had just imagined it...and surely enough, they find that it's a real song and a great song, and appreciate my posting it.
cllewis1 3 years ago
In Nashville Don worked at Acuff-Rose Music as a songwriter and as an executive. He wrote a number of songs himself and co-wrote with Joe Melson. Songwriter Mickey Newbury said of Gant there are: "A lot of songwriters you'd never have heard of if it wasn't for Don Gant." Gant also produced records for singers Jimmy Buffett, Lefty Frizzell and others and eventually joined ABC Records.
Don Gant died unexpectedly of a stroke at the age of 44 in Nashville in 1987.
MusicCityLarry 3 years ago
I see that Don's brother was the recording engineer on 'Moth' and other albums. I suppose you know him too, Larry. Is he still in the industry?
dllewiszz 3 years ago
His brother was quiet and stayed in the background mostly. I'm not sure if he's still living.
MusicCityLarry 3 years ago
Don Gant was a great guy and a very talented producer. He went to our church when I was a teenager. The Neon Philharmonic was made up of Don, Tupper and the chamber orchestra of the Nashville Symphony. The rest were session musicians.
Don had a later release that never charted well, and basically returned to producing.
MusicCityLarry 3 years ago
There is really no confusion, once you understand that "The Moth Confesses" is a "rock opera". The "second" MORNING GIRL is a reprisal in the storyline of the opera.
Local DJ's used to mix the two versions for airplay back in those days.
Don Gant was a great guy and a very talented producer. He went to our church when I was a teenager. The Neon Philharmonic was made up of Don, Tupper and the chamber orchestra of the Nashville Symphony. The rest were session musicians.
MusicCityLarry 3 years ago
I agree, there was no real confusion, but one rabid commenter on here kept referring to this song as being an album version or a live version, and that there was "another version" which was the "original version." Even using very small words, I couldn't make that commenter understand that it was a different song, not a different version, which was something of a sequel to Morning Girl. So I posted up the whole album's cut list to try and clarify.
cllewis1 3 years ago
I was just glad to see Morning Girl remembered. It was a great song and a top ten hit in Nashville. I've still got the old "record surveys" from the day. Great memories. I was 15 when "The Moth Confesses" was released.
MusicCityLarry 3 years ago
That's really interesting. My Dad (a Nashville native who was lightly in radio and who had many contacts in the Nashville radio business) was 15 that year too.
cllewis1 3 years ago
Really. Did he go to high school in Nashville?
I graduated Stratford High Class of '72.
The music between 1967 and 1972 was just incredible. I was lucky to be a teen during that period. Still have most of my old vinyl and 8-tracks.
MusicCityLarry 3 years ago
You sound a lot like my dad. He's got tons of old vinyl and 8-tracks. Still has a working 8-track player hooked up to his home stereo...and a turntable of course. He graduated Maplewood HS in either 71 or 72, can't remember which...I am pretty sure it was 72. My mom graduated Stratford HS in 75.
cllewis1 3 years ago
As they say, small world. Sounds like we're from the same neighborhood and era.(Your folks, that is.) Makes me wonder if I knew or at least knew of, your mom. My sister would've been SHS 75, but dad sent her to Goodpasture instead.
MusicCityLarry 3 years ago
very interesting indeed. I graduated Goodpasture '97. My mom grew up in Inglewood very near Dalewood Elementary School; thanks to integration she spent some time at Litton and ended up at Stratford. My dad grew up in the gra-mar area. If you send me a PM I will be glad to give you names.
cllewis1 3 years ago
Don Gant, the singer, died in the eighties. I don't know about the others.
scottandrewhutchins 3 years ago
thanks for clarifying cllewis. now, can you explain who's on first?? or why Adam Sandler is so popular?? or how big is the universe??
gwddd 3 years ago
clearly, you have a good handle on the issue of the name of the guy who plays first base. As for Adam Sandler, no one can explain his popularity. And, the universe is only big enough to fit on the head of a really bit pin.
cllewis1 3 years ago
cllewis,
Do you have any idea where are the Members of this Group? Are they still alive?
Japanese1970 4 years ago
tupper saussy has died within the past year, but I don't know about any of the rest. several of them were with the Nashville Symphony...
I'd say, Happy Googling!
cllewis1 4 years ago
forgive me folks, i was commenting on the original remarks on morning girl the first video on you tube.
zahmacunn 4 years ago
No problem, I just removed your comment so we don't get another fight started on this one...
cllewis1 4 years ago
thanks cl, i really am an awful typist
zahmacunn 4 years ago
XM Radio, 60's channel plays this song about once a week right after playing the Morning Girl. Their both great!
FraudCopPI 4 years ago
well, that's pretty neat. I've never heard this one on broadcast radio of any kind before...
cllewis1 4 years ago
Yeah! If you have XM Radio, you will hear it. I actually heard it this morning back to back!
FraudCopPI 4 years ago
YEAH! Me too, I have never heard this "extended" version either. WOW! Thanks!
jsbach15 4 years ago
A great album start to finish. Heard a piece about Saussy last year on NPR and bought both Neon P albums-a great writer, Gant was perfect for these songs.
dlanodrelda 4 years ago
I never understood why this song didn't become a big popular hit!
davisracquet 4 years ago
Where can I get the charted "Mornin' girl?"
bary43 4 years ago
Appears that it is no longer posted by 60otaku any more. I will try and get it up sometime this afternoon/evening.
cllewis1 4 years ago
Thanks
bary43 4 years ago
I like this song very much but for years I thought it was The Dion Philharmonic - something that Dion morphed into when he left the Belmonts. This was a lucky strike for me yesterday.
bary43 4 years ago
Tupper Saussy wrote this as part of a "phonograph opera" for the Neon Philharmonic, which was composed of him and Don Gant, the singer. The Lettermen's and Shaun Cassidy's subsequent recordings pale in comparison.
accomplice55 4 years ago
This is the better of the 2 , The cello solo and off time makes it so
Where is the talent on this level in todays music?
It doesn't exist
Leigh4053 4 years ago
agreed. Saussy had real talent.
cllewis1 4 years ago
The music of the 60s and 70s will never be repeated in the history of the world, The talent levels of those years are way beyond normal,
Leigh4053 4 years ago
Thanks Clewis
Japanese1970 4 years ago
I like the strings part.
You need fast fingers!
Japanese1970 4 years ago
So which one group is original?
Lettermen or Neon? I am very sure
there was only one Composer but
whom he had asked first to perform
his composition?
Japanese1970 4 years ago
courtesy of a bit of googling, Neon Philharmonic released Morning Girl in 1969 and its peak position on the billboard charts was #17. Lettermen released Morning Girl in 1971 and reached #34 on the Hot AC charts.
cllewis1 4 years ago
This is the last song of the "phonographic opera" called "The Moth Confesses." Listen to the whole thing...it's amazing.
Tupper Saussy is a genius. Even the judge who put him away for income tax evasion said so. (Saussy was on the lam for many years.)
accomplice55 4 years ago
There's another one on Youtube and it just shows it playing on a record by the same group, like I said before the lyrics are different.
Stacela 4 years ago
If you're referring to the one posted by nelsonwalrus, that's "Morning Girl". This is "Morning Girl, Later". The band release two separate songs which had only 1 word difference in their titles, that word being "Later." It's intended that we hear them in order - "Morning Girl" followed by "Morning Girl, Later." Two separate songs with many similariteis, not the same song but with different lyrics.
cllewis1 4 years ago
Yes I was referring to song posted by Nelsonwalrus. I didn't realize the other song was a follow-up to the other one. No wonder the other song has different lyrics. Same melody though. Thanks for clearing that up for me.
Stacela 4 years ago
This versi0n has different lyrics than the 45.
Stacela 4 years ago
would love to hear actor Mark Shera's version of this song,which was only a hit overseas in Europe.
newwavepopman 4 years ago
Me too, I am being collecting with Mark Shera for many months and can not find that album or the cd yet.
Joanne.
Joannec950 4 years ago
Mr. Saussy was a friend of a folk artist I worked with in NC in the early 90s. We never met, but I once had the privelidge of speaking with him briefly by phone and expressing my appreciation and awe of his works in numerous genres. His credits and accomplishments extend so much more extensively beyond such as this.
I appreciate your posting.
audiomez 4 years ago
Is this the album version? I have the album but haven't heard it in years, I'll have to dig it out. This version is interesting, sounds more "avant garde" than the 45 mix. The Neon Philharmonic may have made more than one LP.
artlongjr 4 years ago
I think they made 2 LPs - look them up on wikipedia. I am not sure that "later" was ever released on 45 - may have been just the LP version. look at the first item under related videos to the right to hear the original Morning Girl.
cllewis1 4 years ago
IMHO,I like the shorter version more,,the one that got most if not all of the radio play. As for the song, I've loved it since 1969. The shorter version was more tightly arranged and had received superior mixing too. Was the their only hit, the Neon Philharmonic ?
slightofffist 4 years ago
To the best of my knowledge, Morning Girl was their one and only hit. Tupper Saussy had quite a career in poetry, composing music, etc., but this was the only song that top 40 radio took seriously. And in the early 80's he went on the run from the law because he thought he didn't have to pay his taxes. Toward the end of his life he really nutted up and wrote a book on how the government is controlled by the Catholic Church. You can find this stuff easily by googling his name.
cllewis1 4 years ago
Thanks for your video response!
Is this an album version?
Otaku^^
60otaku 4 years ago
I had previously posted a response to this question from my work computer and my work YouTube account, so I am copying in my original response here under my home YouTube account:
Far as I know, this was never a single - it was cut 8 on the album. Some time ago I downloaded an MP3 called Morning Girl (full version) - which was both songs connected together. Not sure if someone created that on their home computer or if it was a valid version that was ever released.
cllewis1 4 years ago