Cilla Black - Abyssinian Secret

[1maktrab]

i had this one in a compilation (i think it was from the re-issue record company Edsel) with an LP title that said something about Mersybeat - was Cilla Black born in Liverpool ? -- It is so many years now, i had bought that record back in the '80s and now i have no idea in who's hands it might be---other songs from that lp were a version of Cat Steven's "the first cut is the deepest" by the Koobas,"everything's alright" by The Mojos and that's all i can recall !

[gav002]

@1maktrab Hi Maktab, yes Cilla is from Liverpool. She worked in the cloakroom at the Cavern Club in Liverpool where The Beatles played their early gigs and they wrote several songs for her at the start of her career

[geoffdoor]

@gav002 oh fucking hell who hasn't heard this story you fucking dick head

[jackamo23]

This is a truly astonishing Cilla track, so tripped out, reminds me of the same feeling I got when I first heard the Sandy Shaw cover of Led Zep's Your Time Is Gonna Come on her 1968/69 Reviewing The Situation album, tracks like this make you completely re-assess an artist. The way the film and the music totally synchronizes is a joy to behold reminds me of the skiers/tubular bells composition! 

[genesisisok]

This was on an EP called "Time"

[rjslade]

I was just surfin' for Cilla Black and came across this intriguing video. Thanks for posting! Rather enchanting song. Gets inside you.

[rjslade]

I was just surfin' for Cilla Black and came across this intriguing video. Thanks for posting!

[MILLSTREETMED]

very nice job here. Wish these girls had a little more belly as where belly dancing comes from proper. These tight tv type stomachs are ok but not the same as a little tummy doing that dance. the way woman is meant to be.

[MrRuss1967]

This and "Trees and Lonliness" are sublime Cilla Black interpetations of songs they DON'T write anymore! Great in mono OR stereo! Inspired video! Has Cilla seen this?

[gav002]

No idea if Cilla's seen it, would love to know what she thought of it though!!

[staghorny]

I am not even remotely a fan of Cilla, but based on your "info", I took a chance. This is a gem. The tune has a great combo of 1960s and MidEast vibe. Got it off of iTunes tonight. Thanks!

[loganlark]

Yeah you are right...these images PERFECTLY MATCH THIS SONG....it is a LOT of people's favorite by 'cilla! Of course she had a ton of chart toppers, so you did her "odd song" some real justice here. LOVE IT!

[Spats47]

Hi Syameese!

I'm glad that you like the recording. I was happy with the arrangements at the time, too.

I have the EP somewhere, too, but it sold very few copies at the time. So, though I was delighted at first to have two of my songs issued like this, I didn't make any money from the record.

Earl Okin.

[Spats47]

Hi!

This is a song that I wrote to the lyrics of Simone Avadis and has nothing to do with Psychedelia at all.

I've always liked this arrangement, however! It was issued on an EP called 'Time For Cilla' together with another of our songs 'Trees & Loneliness', just as EPs were being phased out.

I wonder who made this video? More importantly, why wasn't I invited!!!?

I think that I'd rather like to meet these two ladies! ;-)

Earl Okin.

[syameese]

Cool "Time" is one of my fvt Cilla vinyls, just great to see one of the tracks on youtube.

[sleepypie]

I love exotica music and this song is great. I don't know why so many people hate Cilla Black. Must be a British thing. If all she had recorded was "It's For You" that would have been enough to make me a fan.

[MissLisaJane]

ABSOLUTELY agree. 'It's For You' easily is my favourite and has that something 'special'.

[sleepypie]

I love that song. It was, after all, written by Lennon-McCartney, so it has a high pedigree. I even like Three Dog Night's mostly a cappella version, but Cilla's is still overwhelmingly my favorite version.

[richpat]

this is great,,, Never heard this one..

thanks

[richardc0077]

I approve of this video! Thanks for posting it gav002.

[fannycraddock99]

One of my guilty pleasures too. Thanks.

[ninyae]

Cool digs. I'd like to live in a tent like that.

[walrus1a]

My Mum, Simone Avadis co-wrote this track with Earl Okin. They were only teenagers at the time!

[gav002]

Wow, what a thrill to hear from you. Hope your Mum would approve of the video. Thanks, Gav

[expoonation]

Haha, very nicely done!

George Martin.. amazing guy, helped to define course of music in the 60's. With his work/help(just letting them do whatever they wanted) with the Beatles and countless others. :)

[PAULLONDEN]

Nice cheography girls./

[Ohm51]

Man thats totally cool ... although I am a tad dissappointed that these dancers weren't actually as campy and trip hop cool as you made them look.

[IDLERACER]

I wouldn't call this "psychedelia." I believe a more accurate adjective would be "exotica."

[Xanubi]

you can belly dance to all sorts of music, not just Arabic

[GoddsRosemary]

Love it !! Plays it again!!

[Widmerpool99]

It could be worse. Could be Cilla herself wiggling her pelvis in an enticing manner.

[yaaqshid]

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk even they accent is sexy wicked

[Psychedelicus74]

Abyssinians are not Arabs.

[peterthorpe]

Neither are most South Americans. I think it is a nice mix of cultures anyway. Nice!

[1337905]

uhh south americans have nothing to do with arabs aside from being of spanish descent which have descent from north africans which are pretty close to the semitics.

[bohab1969]

Very well done

[Noonooooo]

OK PEOPLE

as an Arabic i think that the dancing wase not bad .. but the music has nothing to do with the dancing its not even ARABIC.

[gav002]

Thanks for your comments, but I don't think anyone has ever claimed this clip was remotely "Arabic". I lived in Egypt for 2 years and have a great respect for Arab culture. There is an "Arabesque" quality to the song, but no, I agree, it's not Arabic at all and was never intended to be.

[TudorGDavies]

I think the point is that Abyssinia is the old name for Ethiopia and therefore East African. So your line about 'appropriate footage' is well, adrift really. I don't think it matters that much, but I think Ethiopians might have a word or two to say about the link with Arab culture. Thanks for posting it though I've enjoyed the rarity value.

[TheFreshPeddler]

@Noonooooo -no kidding , what gave it away the english lyrics? lol the video fits well. it doesnt need to be true arabic music, it is inspired by arabic music and has a semblance of it. i wouldnt be able to think of a better video to use for it, could you?

[TheFreshPeddler]

id like to add them to my harem. especially the one on the left, she looks (o)(o) smart. interesting song too, fits the video well 

[seelaurendance07]

This is my all time fav! They look like they are really enjoying themselves!

[bregman1155]

Way cool!

[rickelmonoggin]

Sorry, but that's terrible.

[peppermintpeggy]

Totally Agree! Yuk!

[seelaurendance07]

You're totally crazy! Come on! Beautiful dance and great music? It doesn't get any better. Sorry, but you just have poor tastes

[hantsman13]

Great video. Fantastic Cilla .

[AsitAppens]

I do love this track. Neat bit of editing and a great way to hear this obscure gem again!

[fatuesque]

*belly dances to cilla*

[fatuesque]

wow the video and the music really are perfectly in time.They even kick there legs in the right places.

[gav002]

When I made the video I guess I was focused on the arm and hip moves, but you're so right - I watched it back again tonight and their feet move perfectly in time with the music. Even better than I'd thought!!!

[jobeeeee12]

AMAZING THANKS FOR SHARING!

[librastars]

Thanks for this! Yes...amazing the way it's in sinc. Cilla is soooo cool! I just discovered her a few months ago and I'm mesmerized by her.

[Pinupip]

Beautiful dancing. Stunning performance - by the dancers and by the gorgeous Cilla Black.

[varietylover]

Fabulous song by Cilla Black. This classic appeared on one of Cilla's E.P's. Other greats include 'There I Go'...what a belter...