Handbags and Gladrags - Chris Farlowe

[SuperSkitsify]

Correction @StereOasis93 i meant to write

[SuperSkitsify]

yea Mike D'abo wrote it .Have you heard of wiki @MrJayCudmore or know anything bout music ??

[lykranian]

I personally prefer Bill Chase's version of this song.

[StereOasis93]

A beautiful song written by Chris Farlowe, made popular by Rod Stewart and perfected by Kelly Jones

[hawkmoon03111951]

@StereOasis93 It was written by Mike D'Abo.

[KernowFilms]

Sorry, but I couldnt get past that dreadful harmonica sounding thing in the first few seconds. Think I'll stick with Rod the Mod's version.

[lrd9999]

From his version of "Out of Time", I wasn't expecting that much of this, but it's actually better than all but the Rod Stewart version. Farlowe's "blue eyed soul" style really works for this song.

[MrMbrose]

Chris is the greatest - period

[theevilvideo]

its a passionate voice.

[scratchyGrimons]

Bit shit

[rigmarole55]

Mike D'Abo wrote some of those great singles mentioned, and i dig them greatly, but Dylan wrote Mighty Quinn...

[rockon1898]

Mike D'Abo wrote this song. The great Mike D' Abo of "Mighty Quinn", "Ragamuffin Man", "Ha Ha Said the Clown" and his own "Build Me Up Buttercup" as well as this classic.

[soulnights1]

so chris sing this song at twisted wheel  2 weeks ago brill cheers

[MrJayCudmore]

Right let me set this straight, Please like this so people can see this, First of all this is CHRIS FARLOW'S song he wrote it, THEN Rod Stewart covered it THEN The Sterophonics!

[Wilthomer66]

@MrJayCudmore You're half right, Farlowe recorded the first version of it BUT it was written by Mike D'Abo (who also produced it). The next version was released a month later (December 1967) by The Double Feature.

[hawkmoon03111951]

@MrJayCudmore I think you'll find that it was written by Mike D'Abo.

[MrJayCudmore]

@hawkmoon03111951 Oh really? I never knew that is it on youtube, I assumed that Farlow was the origin of the song, I woul love to here D'Abo's Original version!

[hawkmoon03111951]

@MrJayCudmore Just type in handbags and gladrags Mike D'abo. There are several versions on here.

[ninelivecat]

@MrJayCudmore Mike D'Abo was a songwriter he wrote the song in 1967 and Chris Farlowe was the first person to record the song and release it as a single.

[STANASH]

Totally agree!

[OnlyVideoGuyOnEarth]

@fannycraddock99 Sort of original... He didn't write it.

[freedomchild68]

he is AWESOME! and I wouldnt even know about him if it werent for a special Steve Marriott who knew this!

[TheTron75]

what are assrags then

[fannycraddock99]

Original & best. Chris should have been a huge star.

[rubberdildos]

@fannycraddock99 he was mate ! , he had more hits than the stereophonics.

[clarkewi]

What a song....

[paulthepill]

5 people 'aint cool....

[modfest1966]

no one ever came close to how chris Falowe sang this song and i doubt anyone ever will great stuff hawkmoon03111951

[349quinman]

Maybe you had to live the time---we all thought it was great,fantastic voice.

[andyjimbo2006]

TARDIS he heh

[arkayau]

have you ever heard Jon English version

or maybe Lindisfarne do a version?

[catch22jester]

I saw him way back with Long John Baldry at the IL RONDO in Silver St, Leicester. Guess what ? North Norfolk Radio have just started plugging the stereophonics - AND......"an ol rod s. song" ....yes, you guessed. No hope for East Anglia.

[paulthepill]

by far the best version, great arrangement and the haunting gob iron in the background gives it that edge.

[FernandoNINETorres]

I've really liked the song handbag song............until this man, sadly an unknown artist sung it............ i heard it first on the office dvd package..........brillant and i feel stupid I havent heard his verison before.

[slmnka]

awesome!

[jimthebizz]

what a classic much better that the newer versons and i have seen live back in the go old 70s.....

[jimthebizz]

what a classic much better that the newer versons and i have seen live back in the go old 70s

[JemMackie]

There is still a blue police phone box in Scarborough North Yorkshire.

[UandMeKid]

A sad, beautiful and heartbreaking song...I love it...no matter who sings it.

[bluenosepig]

the originals really are the best!!!!!

[kolonelklink1001]

The original and BEST version of this song.

[spilopbob]

..and Rod is absolutely NOT better..

[spilopbob]

One of this worlds most beautyful songs. Thanks Mike.....

[vaughan4082]

its too fast!rod is better!

[TheGylfinir]

Check out Brian McCombe singing this on You Tube.Amazing voice.

You won't be dissapointed

[whitlam75]

Wonderful version from the great Chris Farlowe. I've still got the original vinyl and no-one's going to get their hands on it! This guy deserved so much more!

[tommyrotter]

Stereophonics - NOTHING

[juniper233]

Like this version - an underrated singer. 

[halfanounze]

This is one of the few songs where I like all all off its versions, I guess the song is just that good no matter who sings it

[LeBigMacDaddy]

I'd follow that harmonica anywhere. Love this version

[seanreillyireland]

You know, if this was pre mid '68, did Beatles not pull a good part of Dear Prudence's rhythm from it?

[seanreillyireland]

I understand now what they meant by saying how amazing it was to hear Presley for the first time.

[cocochanelleke]

Thanks for posting!

xxx

[catch22jester]

Sorry drwhoknowitall, this is the original - beyoynd dispute.

[catch22jester]

Written by Mike D'arbo of Manfred Mann fame ?

[dancer69xx]

@catch22jester

yes.. Mike D'abo wrote it...

[catch22jester]

Great sense of humour.......takes all sorts eh? KLFM, a wonderful radio station in Norfolk, plugged the stereophonics for nearly 2 years, always citing Rod's original, there's no hope.

Dated it may be, but he was brilliant live.

[ieatlotsoftoast]

Of course i know the stereophonics didn't do it first but its got everyone typing, having an opinion , i think my best comment that has provoked most comments so far is when i said that Duran Duran copied or covered their song Girls On Film off Girls Aloud i got about 50 responses

[drwhoknowitall]

i love the end

[weemaggie]

Gladrags are clothes you wear when you go out dancing ha ha x

[monicalups]

GOOSEBUMPS

[rkhodges]

I absolutely love this song. I had to look up who wrote it and I've stumbled on this. It is definately the best version that I've heard.

[ieatlotsoftoast]

he has copied this off the stereophonics

[hawkmoon03111951]

@ieatlotsoftoast Did he have the use of a time machine to come into his future and listen to the Stereophonics?

[impatientcat]

@hawkmoon03111951 LOL!

[pebble1955]

News flash Dr Who's. TARDIS is REAL and Chris Farlow was the first time traveller, No wonder he recorded OUT OF TIME then.

[hawkmoon03111951]

@pebble1955 Of course the TARDIS is real. I've seen it on the tele so it's got to be true.

[Dyynamo]

@hawkmoon031119

I was thinking that maybe numpties should be banned off Youtube, but then I figured its better to let them post so we can have something to laugh at.

[StonefieldJim4]

@ieatlotsoftoast My god, I hope you're joking; and, my god, how dire the Stereophonics are.

[jacotango]

@ieatlotsoftoast hehe, good one. 33 years before the phonics did their version. whatda call that? a reverse rip off? or maybe the original version covered by the stereophonics, who do a great version imo. used wonderfully in the Office too as the theme song. i do like Farlowe's version the best though.

[MrPotsmokingmonkey]

@ieatlotsoftoast hahahaha, do you really think the stereophonics were around in the 60's? the stereophonics did the copy, even rod stewart and mary coughlan covered this song before stereophonics.......

[HarryPowell7]

@ieatlotsoftoast lol.... toastwasmadetoday.

[drwhoknowitall]

@ieatlotsoftoast no this is the second version the stereophonics did the forth version

[dancer69xx]

@ieatlotsoftoast

LMAO copied from stereophonics haha.. this is the original track from 1967.. chris Farlowe is one of the great songwriters of his generation....

[degree7]

@dancer69xx

But it was written by Mike D'Abo..... RIGHT????

[patrickcorliss]

@degree7

Yes, he wrote it in 1967 and it was recorded by Chris Farlowe in the same year. Rod Stewart's version was recorded in 1969 with Mike D'Abo as the arranger.

(see Wikipedia)

[twinoak170]

@ieatlotsoftoast Actually it is vice versa. This is the original version of the song.

[thetm102]

@ieatlotsoftoast Your a moron mate. The order is Mike d'Abo, Chris Farlowe, Rod Stewart and then Stereophonics!

[SugarCrisp24]

@ieatlotsoftoast

think about it.....

[mrtunegoon]

@ieatlotsoftoast

that's got to the most bellend post in the history of you tube.

[ieatlotsoftoast]

@mrtunegoon I thought the most bellend post on youtube is my latest that the tavares ripped off the record it only takes a minute off take that

[fujicolt]

@ieatlotsoftoast

I LIKED IT - a lot actually!

[manchestermaiden]

@ieatlotsoftoast I think you will find that in 1967 Kelly wasnt even born lol

[Feurstein]

@ieatlotsoftoast - This made my day :L

[Medication102]

@ieatlotsoftoast

You have GOT to be the stupidest motherfucker I have ever heard on Youtube...

[SquareRo0o0t]

@ieatlotsoftoast

Go back to licking windows.

[clashrogers]

@ieatlotsoftoast This is the original version dumbo

[JJBMusic0]

@ieatlotsoftoast twat

[bornq502]

In my opinion, THE BEST VERSION OF THIS SONG! Just my opinion though, lol.

[mushymanrob1]

agreed.... THE best version, love the raw emotion and 'big' 60's production

[staffsyeoman]

Fully agree - this beats Rod Stewart's version.

[Stevieboy130664]

But I do like all 3 versions - must be the song....

[Stevieboy130664]

favourite version - and the original

[Yeke04]

i love it, i love it, i love it)

[doubleotwentyone]

Wonderful ~ the best version for me by a long way. What a great singer, so much feeling...

[TheNigelc8]

What a voice , what a song, just brilliant

[theodossian]

To bihibo:

You are obviously a foreign person so I will explain to you that glad rags are the clothes you wear to a special night out or when you just feel like dressing up. It is a off-shoot of the common term for the clothes industry as "the rag trade." So now you know.

[andygrahamme]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but Chris was and and still is a great singer!! I love this version and I think it is head and shoulders above Rods version. Pity he wasn't invited to sing this with Rod on the TV special instead of the Stereophonics. By the way, what a shame that Chris turned down the chance to record Yesterday when Paul McCartney offered it to him before the Beatles even recorded it!!

[FernandoNINETorres]

@andygrahamme anywhere buy this verison live?

Your right by the way, and with what you just said here I feel sad that i have never heard such a talent.

[andygrahamme]

@FernandoNINETorres I don't think there is a live version. Check out Farlowes greatest hits CD. You should find a version for sale on EBay or Amazon. Hope you enjoy!!!

[brianconway100]

This might be the original version, that doesn't necessarily mean it's the best version. Mike D'abo who wrote it, produced it for Rod Stewart as well as Chris Farlowe. This is a great version, of a great song, and so is Rod's and Stereo's. Just enjoy!

[paullouismosley]

Yeah...both versions are pretty much on the same quality level, but I have to give the edge on this one to Chris Farlowe. And I do 'just enjoy' ... but it's okay to have an opinion, too.

[bihlbo]

I wish I knew what a gladrag is.

[hawkmoon03111951]

Clothes.

[mynewdogtiger]

fine or dressy clothing.

[jacotango]

@bihlbo a gladrag is like a hand me down piece of clothing i'm pretty sure. it's either that or like your 'sunday best'. one or the other.

[krislanza]

@bihlbo ...... Your " Gladrags " are your best clothes , its a saying from years ago.

[yumyummoany]

@bihlbo 'Gladrags' is yer best schmutter mate! Not sure you can have a 'gladrag' never heard it in the singular - bit like 'luggage'!

[patrickcorliss]

@bihlbo

Stylish clothes, as in Let's put on our glad rags and go out on the town. [Slang; late 1800s] (from Answers.com)

[harrydave69]

@bihlbo gladrags is a term for your fav clothes dude.

[stevies5]

@bihlbo

Gladrags are what you wear when you are going out to have a good time, whether it be to pull, or to just look good and have fun with yer pals. Was normally associated with folks that didn't have too much cash. (Like me) Heheh.

[peegee1641]

@bihlbo in English vernacular, rags (ironically) are clothes. So, the clothing industry used to be called "the rag trade". Glad rags are the clothes you wear for a speical occasion, when you want to look good, like a night out on the town. "Putting on your gladrags" means getting all dressed up.

[yourweebrother]

@bihlbo Gladrags are your best partying clothes, or in my case whatever i'm wearing at the time.

[sawabojo]

fantastic

[needles1987]

It's the Office theme.

[timmyd24601]

Nice try...

[record1207]

Always wondered where n why did 'Vincent Crane' find this voice. Now I know!!! Thanks 4 sharing.

[iamadfunk]

The absolute DEFINITIVE version.

Stereophonics can f**k off and drink some cough syrup.

[DebbieJoy11]

Now, forget Rod Stewart and the Stereophonics, this IS the original version.

[moretvicar2002]

@DebbieJoy11

[prunch72]

Agreed- great recording.... but dont leave out the drum track ! subtle and tight but not too careful- love it

[FrostyA1]

No Farty Pretentions, No Megga-bucks backing, This is pure Guts & Talent from THE Master in his youth. Just a Wailing Harmonica, a Gifted Pianist & THE Soulful Voice of the Sixties.....You Ripped our Pips,Chris !.......................FFer

[eisenhertz]

great voice-great peace of music.

[sullysportsrfc]

Dredfu;

[flickfi]

Best by far, love his voice, as other have said, vastly underated.

Pleased he's still gigging and singing the blues.

[TheChrisOrange]

Love this version, Stereophonics version great, Rod Stewarts good , try not to compare to much, just listen , thanks Mike D'abo

[daven58100]

I never heard of Chris Farlowe till I checked out Atomic Rooster. This is the only version of this tune I've heard other than Rod Stewart's. Farlowe is pretty cool.

[standoffsighs]

I Luv this old soulful tune. What a voice.

[bryanhudsonyork]

Still the best but Paul Weller well worth a listen!

[alexsand093]

its the original version i know... but i feel the stereophonics version is better... listen it a few times and youll see

[onebrownmouse1]

love his voice...

[DrHarrie]

Chris Farlowe is absolutely underrated. This song was written by Mike D´Abo, then singer in Manfred Mann´s band. Farlowe made it his own and no other singer will ever be able to reach this grade of intensity, I guess.

Chris Farlowe is, together with Georgie Fame und Eric Burdon, one of the top voices of his generation. They all are british, whatever that says about the state of that country at their time (I´m german, just to say that).

[kisscycles]

the very best version ....

[neilgodfreyy2k]

not a bad attempt at covering the classic song by the stereophonics.

[BBKatsu1]

this was the original.. -.-

:P

[ScoopScot]

Kelly Jones wasn't even a twinkle in his old mans eye when this was written.

[nonokitty]

is this the version from the office uk? i have been trying to find that version. really love it. thanks for posting this!

[olemuckspreader]

This version has "soul", not bettered by Rod Stewart nor the Stereophonics

[mal334455]

nice

[56richardcory]

Bad singer, bad voice, bad band, great song. Go figure. Thanks for posting.

[BurkeHare1]

First time I have heard this.

No one has bettered it. For sure.

[theodossian]

@BurkeHare1

No worries. Some things are worth waiting for.

[Dippides]

I like the harp

[leehollings]

I've gotten several emails since my posting, asking what I would have done promoting Chris... Hey, like they say in Oregon (in '67 they were the #1 Timber producer in the world), I would have lowered the "heavy lumber" on the american market with Chris's talent.

[leehollings]

I used to break out of the hot dog & macaroni & cheese mode in college (1980's, Portland State in Oregon), by picking up albums and garage sales & selling them to dealers around town. I've thoroughly studied the recorded history of music 1964-1972 - my take is like Hawkmoon says, "deserved better". It's the best by Chris! Wish I had a shot at promoting him circa '67.

[crosscatch]

For me, this is the benchmark. There is more pain that is palpable. Chris had some great stuff but never made it here. One good thing is that I like all three versions. Written by the same guy who wrote Build Me Up Buttercup. Why wasn't there more?

[spudcustardx1]

flipping heck, I can't think of anything that needs a re-issue more than this

spud custard

[dhoggy5]

Does that mean that you like it?

[thebradfordinvasion1]

farlowe at his best - any decade, it not only fits, but still outstands. a true masterpiece.

[AnEclecticMusicFan]

I am a massive Stereos fan and I always thought they nailed this song far better than Rod Stewart but I have to agree with tair45 below - this is THE best version. It conveys the frustration while Kelly Jone's edgy voice has angry undertones. Both great singers

[tair45]

By FAR the best version...

[janmurph]

@tair45 ...2nd best.....

[dogsbreath101]

Flamingo Club.......................

[Bolly558]

Go Chris go because we all love you so....

[JimmyPkelly]

made my ears smile

[Bhavani1982]

Still one of the best songs ever ... at least to me...

[Stevieboy130664]

@Bhavani1982

and for me

[twochaudio]

that is the best him and Eric Burden must know each oyher

[TV175mod]

Farlowe at his very best. The lyrics of this great song needed the skills of such a great (under rated) singer with a powerful voice - full of feeling..... Brilliant

[RitmoNo1]

This song is so well crafted - all the versions are good - but for me this will always be the best. Farlowe has such a soulful voice and puts it all into the vocal! BRILIANT!!!

[Foxyarse2]

Great vocals

[eldorado62]

Chris Farlowe was one of the most under-rated singers to come out of England in the 1960's. Chris Farlowe was soul, before England even knew what it meant. He was also one of the earliest to bring 'Blue Beat' to England (a little earlier than Millie Small) with his 1963 recording of 'The Blue Beat'. His LP from 1965 called 'Chris Farlowe & the Thunderbirds' was one of the best. For some reason he got lost in the shuffle along the way. One of the best male singers to have come out of England.

[Neil219]

Amen to that

[hudois]

This is the original single version, rather than the longer, but not as good album version. Eat your hearts out Stewart, stereophonics, et al. This is the real and only deal!!

Dare I say it...the definitive version!!

[ChanGalang01]

Eat your hearts out indeed! - this man was before his time in England.

[JLizard]

Holy shit, this dude is badder then Elvis!

[standoffsighs]

ha ha...just about on this one!

[geeEffSee1]

Yo, nigra, wassup!

[nedthebed07]

Is that Rod Stewart on the Harmonica? Lovely blowing whoever.

[standoffsighs]

What a voice! Luv this old soulful music.