Rate The Version: Mike Curb - Suzie Darling (with Davie Allan and the Arrows)

[KSCrosby]

what? where's the ukelele licks? Suzie says forget it.

[classie60]

Australian singer Barry Crocker does a great version of this song !!!!!!!!!!!

[Shoknifeman]

This is potentially better than the original, unfortunately, the song suffers from poor lead guitar , so, I have to give the nod to Luke's version, but, if this were remixed with rockabilly guitar and better drums, this would be far superior to the orig,

[Pickinbuddy]

Very nice arrangement!

[dllewiszz]

Never heard this version before today, and I'll agree it's an interesting rendition hearing Mike sing with Davie and the boys. Mike has had the most varied career of anyone I know in the music industry. Since he's been living in Nashville for a number of years now, he has become a major philanthropist supporting numerous local causes with tons of cash.

[waydetheblade]

My father always played the Robin Luke version which I came to deeply enjoy. Like me, he's a musician and always played this when I was growing up. I love the percussion on Luke's version. This version is not bad, but it's too basic of a beat for me to think it surpasses, though I do like the backing harmonies and the guitar work.

[TopshelfTom]

@drrgperrin Of course you meant Mike Curb not Tom Curb, the 45 comes up on ebay fairly frequently.... i also have a duplicate copy I could sell....

[drrgperrin]

Could TopShelfTom please tell me how/where I can purchase a copy of Tom Curb's wonderful version of "Suzie Darling"? Thank you, Robert G. Perrin

[MEC1992]

It's like you can't ruin a song that's so simplistic. Punk, reggae, metal whatever...Suzie Darlin' will always remain an oldies classic regardless of what "genre" it's played in.

[MBFLA45]

This is an ok version but it is sung without any real feeling. When I hear the Robin Luke version, however, it can still invoke some pain...

[MrCuckooclock]

is this the same mie curb who did burning bridges, or am I thinking about some other person and song

[nosoyoso]

Is this the same Mike Curb that was Lt. Governor of California and The Mike Curb Congregation records?

[TopshelfTom]

@nosoyoso Yes he is one and the same.

[MrCuckooclock]

@nosoyoso ok, ty, i was just asking that same ?, then I read more of the comments on here, and it is definitely the same person who did burning bridges ty once again

[robbypjr]

I never heard this song untill 1986 I like this version too !

[thecountofbasie]

I guess I'm alone here...I definitely prefer this version to Robin Luke's...that chirping guitar sound evokes the Crickets nicely, and I do like the tempo and background vocals...I still dig the original, but this is a great find and excellent post...thanks

[thecountofbasie]

@thecountofbasie weird lag yesterday...couldn't see the first comment so redid it

[RVALDEZZEE]

I like this version, and was un-aware of this. I agree with you MJ.... as I am a big fan of the Robin Luke hit, this version has its merits too...Thanks for posting

[MJLatora]

It's good, quite good in fact, but it reminds me of The Byrds covers of Dylan songs...

Robin Luke's original was solo voice, this has background vocals....This tempo is a little faster than the original, and its jingly-jangly beat takes away some of the sadness that's inherent in the lyrics...

The biggest "miss" ( for lack of a better word ) is the absence of the classic electirc guitar chord riff at the end of each stanza. That beautiful woody sound MADE the original.

[drrgperrin]

@MJLatora What you wrote is very, very perceptive. I'm glad I had a chance to read your review because it helps put in words what I "felt" but couldn't express in exact language. I'm guessing you are a professional music critic. I hope to read more of your reviews in the future.

[MJLatora]

@drrgperrin

Mr. Perrin, that's very, very kind of you, but I am by no means professional. I just know what I like. The beauty of music is that we all know what we like, and that every opinion is valid, and every opinion is professional.

Frankly, I couldn't imagine life without music. It's as vital as air or water.

Peace to you, my friend.

[historicbloke]

great cover thanks

[rhh1945]

TOPSHELFTOM, it is difficult to beat the original of 'Susie Darlin'. The Robin Luke version was extremely popular at all of the sock hops. Turn the radio on and you heard it. Mike Curb did an OK version of it, and so did others.

[TopshelfTom]

I like it because i don't compare it to the Robin Luke version, i listen to each song individually, and each is good.

[drrgperrin]

@TopshelfTom  Yours is a very good approach, indeed.

[jmen4ever]

Never heard this before,a decent cover of a great song.

[PJDooWop]

I never heard this one before. It's good but I prefer

Robin Luke's. I have a pretty cool Mike Curb Congregation album on MGM

[TyroneSchmidling]

I prefer Robin Luke. well, this is also not bad. But RL much better.

[tedwinward]

It's a little emotionally cool, but that was probably the intent. Irony existed in 1966. What this version has going for it is that bass drum. Too bad I'm hearing it via 3" speakers. But they understood a bass drum in LA in '66, let's establish THAT as understood. Mics close enough but not too close, just enough of them and not too many, coated Remo ambassador heads and like as not the front still on. Guess I'll have to buy the 45 if I want to hear the wallop of that drum through my Wharfedales.

[RockingchairBill]

No way. Robin Luke only for me !

[PorchDogPondering]

This version really sucks when compared to the original by Robin Luke. I had heard several versions of the song long before YOUTUBE and I always felt the others folks didn't really even listen to the version that was and still is one of the strangest yet beautiful songs ever recorded. My God listen to his version over and over until it hits you. Then think about doing a cover of it.

[steveinbelgium]

Till today, I had never heard anyone but Robin Luke sing this, Now I've heard 4 different artists do this. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. I like this one too.

[jt123egypte]

What a shit cover! Robin Luke... sorry for this insult by a bunch of amateurs without any talent!

[nanajanamike]

This is the first time hearing this version.I still like Robin's best, but this one is now second,then Tommy Roe's I guess although never was crazy about his anyway...Mike

[spacepatrolman]

Does mike curb sing or just produce when he was lt. govenor of california dorsey burnette had a little protest in front of his office to let him out of his contract.

[TopshelfTom]

It should be very clear that it is mike curb singing.... especially since he is the only artist credited on the label. The music and background vocals were performed by Davie Allan and the Arrows, though, but it is mike curb singing the song.

[vanspursman]

great song

[TopshelfTom]

Thanks, i think so too!