I remember seeing the word "Sparrow" on the flip of a Mary 45, but never bothered to play it, and look what I missed out on!
I've heard this song before though, probably by another artist. Someone on this page mentions McGuinness-Flint, and if it was on their album "Happy Birthday Ruthy Baby", then that's where I must of heard it.
@MrSpottydog2 , Yes it's a great song, Gallagher and Lyle wrote beautiful songs for her and I much preferred them to most of her A sides, But Sparrow was actually the b side to the Paul McCartney penned song "Goodbye" the b side to those were the days was Turn Turn Turn.
@richpat - Yes, this song was written, if my memory serves, by Richard Hewson. I was 12 or 13 at the time and did the backing vocals on the recording with 5 of my school chums, who Linda McCartney thought were tooooo cute! Mary was very sweet and Paul very kind. I've been a singer/songwriter ever since. :-))
@rihojo007 You may very well have sung on this, but this song was written by Gallagher and Lyle and was the b side to her second single Goodbye. Richard Hewson was the arranger on "Those were the days". I think it was probably those were the days, there are photos of schoolchildren with Mary and paul wearing shool uniform outside the studio available on the net taken from the monthly magazine the Beatles Book.
To Richpat: There is a live clip of 'Jefferson' (1971) posted by PapillonJunkie on YouTube a few days ago. The picture quality is so good, pls see this clip.
does anyone know the chords to this song? or know where I can find them? it's so beautiful I want to learn it but I can't find the music anywhere. I'm currently trying to work it out myself but it's slow going and I know I'm getting it wrong.
Thanks for Posting this..never saw it...mnot too much footage from the 60s and 890's on mary..the BBC erased a lot.....they erased The Stones and The Who..they wereny goign to KEEP mary Hopkins...
@ronrobred Mary is alive and very well and has started releasing music through her own label "Mary Hopkin Music" we have been treated to some wonderful new CD's go to maryhopkinDOTcom
I first heard this in the late 70's sung by Jennifer Warnes, still the best version, although I don't know if she ever recorded it. She appeared on Los Angeles radio station KPFK, the program was Folkscene, hosted by Howard and Roz Larman. Mary's voice is great.
@winemerchantpetrus This was on the b side of Goodbye, released in 1969. It was written 'specifically' for Mary by Gallagher and Lyle. No one sings it like Mary.
It would have been nice to have heard Jennifer Warnes version though.
I played the single a thousand times. It is so nice to hear it without the production of that recording. (I also loved the production of the single and it is one of my favorites!)
This is my very favorite Mary Hopkin recording of all time..Loved that smoky saxophone at the end of the original recording..an emotionally cathartic piece...thanks so much!
such a beautiful song, not promoted, and ignored. when will someone make a video to do it justice? this one is very bad in volume--too quiet--also not great to view. let's have some thought put into a new video--views of wales, perhaps? i am Welsh myself and a proud Celt!
I have been mucking out horses all day, and I am very tired, perhaps not a good time to reply to this comment. recorded from the TV to vhs in 1983 (see more info on the right) then transferred to computer many, many years later then uploaded to youtube - what do you expect. As a fan of Mary's I am just grateful that recordings like this exist at all,
I was lucky to view a few days ago Opp Knocks all winner show from July 1968, mary sang turn turn turn. CONTD>>>
The person had filmed the show by using a cine camera of sorts probably 8mm in front of his TV set and hoped for the best... absolutely wonderful, the quality was not fantastic but the sound wasn't bad at all...
Just be grateful these wonderful recordings exist at all...if you want purity then go play a CD of her original recordings and flick through a few pictures of her while listening....
What makes you think Sparrow was ignored, it was a b side (unfortunatly) but she sang it many times and had it translated into Welsh so she could record it on the Welsh Cambrian label ... And still liked it enough to sing it on Max's show almost 20 years later...
Mary would most certainly have wanted it as the A side, but I guess the fact that Paul McCartney wrote Goodbye and that he produced it and it was on the Beatles Apple label might have somethig to do with the fact it ended up on the b side ... lol
Mary really loved it and all the gallagher and lyle songs she sang
yes they did record it on "happy Birthday Ruthie baby" it has recently been uploaded to youtube if you type in Mcguiness Flint and Sparrow
Here's another comment for you 'richpat'. One commentator said many years ago "Her voice is so brilliant it would make the enamel on your teeth curl!"
If you love this song ... treat yourself to Mary's latest album 'Now and Then'. Excellent music from a wonderful lady.
'Life Song' 'Tell Me Now' 'What A Friend You Are' and 'One Less Set of Footsteps' are my absolute favourites. You will treasure this CD for years to come. Order direct from Mary Hopkin Music.
What a beautiful lady with the voice of an angel. This song brings back so many happy memories. This was the 'B' side of 'Goodbye' and I never stopped playing this great record. Mary was and still is one of the most loved singers in the World. Mary you have brought so much joy and happiness to your many fans worldwide and it is fantastic that you have finally released some recordings from your past. Welcome back ... we love you
I remember too, when this 45 rpm came out I was 16. I thought it was the most meaningful, by far, of the songs to hit the chart that year. It was a great year for love and sadness. Wow.
I haven't sang on any David Bowie Albums...and i was not being sarcastic! I was only correcting a factual error...which is Mary didn't sing on "many Bowie Albums in the 70's" only the one track "Sound and Vision" from the 1977 bowie album "Low"...I'm sorry if pointing that out offends you or anyone else....and thats my point....sorry!
I was 15 (in '68) when the Apple single "Those Were The Days" came out-- when I heard Mary's voice for the first time I was absolutely blown away. I think it's fair to say she always sounded and looked like a literal angel. I believe Twiggy first brought her to Paul's attn. when The Fab's fledgling label was looking for new talent. Hopkin, Jackie Lomax and Badfinger--all Beatle-mentored. Fantastic!
Yes it was the b side of Goodbye.Ive just bought her c.d. THE EARLY RECORDINGS which has Sparrow sung in Welsh over the original backing track.This left me puzzled as Gllagher&Lyle wrote this song for her AFTER she signed for Apple!The c.d claims these were her recordings for the Cambrian label so how Sparrow gets on there I'll never know.Also the c.d has 2 tracks both numbered 6.
It is absolutely beautiful anyway. The studio version is also on Youtube, produced I think by Tony Visconti. It's quite good but over produced. Too many backing vocals. The version of this page is minimalist and beautiful. She's a geogous looking lady as well.
I read that Tony Visconty produced the Welsh recording in Sparrow in 1969 and then Cambrian sold all their recordings to Decca so The welsh world of Mary Hopkin was released in 1979 and that's why Sparrow was included I guess...
B side, Hmmmm, I searched Mary primarily for this song, a B side of a 45 rpm single I have & remember better than the A side. A saxophone is moaning still
Nice to hear (text?) that you agree, will I be a criminal if I record the 45 to mp3 & make it a Torrent? Have never tried that until now, but I figure the Publicity should compensate for lost sales. ????
Yes I suspect Mary wanted to record a song with a "message". As she was on Mickie Most's "books"at the time along with TAYC songwriters from Hot Chocolate that song was recorded.TAYC was a dissapointment to me ,although I believe it charted at about 19 (uk).She should have just switched to Folk or carried on with quality pop which I think McCartney wanted (but she didnt).If she wanted to return to her folk roots why later on did she do the Sundance thing?Or Oasis? A mystery to me!
because in an interview in Record Collector from 1988 celebrating it was twenty years ago Apple Records started,
Mary stated she was happily far away from the recordings of the Apple Days but just how far away is the Oasis album from Post Card? Not very. I agree TAYC was a disappointment a real concoction of a song, the earlier were indeed more pure "schlager" which was better anyway
Yes PertlyDaft,while Oasis is a nice enough album I understood with the making of Ocean Song/Earth Song ,Mary was returning to her folk roots (which appears to have been the case with Valentine & Reccolections recorded not long after OS/ES).Why then do Oasis and Sundance ?I would still welcome a c.d of good old pop songs which I could whistle to on my way to work!
Thanks Pat again for sharing this video.Such an atmospheric song conjuring up summer Sunday evenings ,dusty churches, and descending peace of evening.Back to reality now!Ido remember one of the well known petrol companies of the day using the saxophone solo on the recording in their ad.By the way was it "BLUE RIBBON"margarine Mary did an ad for?Iwonder if a video of that still exists?(unlike the marge company!)
Yes, it was"Blue band" not ribbon,near tho'.Of the Gallagher &Lyle songs the only one which I didn't really like was "Heritage" .As regards Apple "A"sides "Think about your children" didn't grab me either.Did you notice on Think.."Mary did 2 versions of the vocals.The original single and then on "twtd"album" just a change of voice inflection when singing "a predjudiced mind" at the beginning of the song?.
Yes the voice inflection I noticed immediately when buying TWTD CD in 1995,
I agree I liked yhe previous singles better than "Think about..." because that song never really "lifts" and also is such a concoction TOO commercial and banal!
Not until the 70's 2 of her own compositions appeared on the b sides of "If you love me" and "wrap me in your arms" which were released on the Good Earth label in 1976/7 But she has recently released a CD called "Valentine" which is available via maryhopkindotcom and it includes 3 of her own songs.
Recently found this track after so many years looking and downloaded it. Tonight, just playing really, I put it into a search in You Tube. Unbelievable! Someone likes it as much as I do! Thank you so much.
I understand and it's okay. I'm grateful to have a video of this beautiful lady singing this song. Also meant to add I'm also grateful for the updates you provided as the impression I got from a magazine article a year or two back said she was no longer in the music business. Nice to know that isn't true. And a big THUMBS UP! for the "Sparrow" video. I was expecting to find a home made video for the song and not a fairly recent performance. You made my day, friend!
I initially bought Mary's 1969 single for the A-side, "Goodbye." But, I've always had the habit of flipping the 45 over to play the B-side. One never knows what treasures one will discover. Such was the case with "Sparrow." I've probably played that song more times than I've played "Goodbye." Ironically, the side for "Sparrow" was also the green Apple label, indicating it was meant as an A-side as well. Pity it wasn't a hit as well; its beauty has lost none of its luster over the years.
Of course, Mary sounds wonderful and lovely. I hope I can see her live singing of 'Turn Turn Turn'with acoustic guitar. But I' m not sure whether she had ever played this song on stage or not.
She sang it several times on "opportunity knocks" and at "Pop at St Pauls" I have also seen a fabulous early sadly un-released film of her singing it.
sorry I accidentally deleted your comment on my vid... trying to hit reply I hit remove... Hmm I haven't heard that one yet, but the sparrow video you responded with is beautiful... I also like the paul mccartney song goodbye that he wrote for her to sing. Its on youtube. I have actually just heard of her recently so i am not familiar with too many songs... I am going to check out Ocean Song... thanks!
They are all great versions too... Sparrow was written specifically for Mary, Benny tells a great story that when they were writing for Apple paul mccartney asked for a song to be written just for her, and they came up with sparrow,their song was chosen and they were given a "Chocolate Cake" by paul...LOL
Esta canción de la cara B era -y es- más bonita que la de la cara A.
IrudienLantegia 2 weeks ago
@lilsaprano123 Look at Aderyn Llwyd
derekstuartclark 6 months ago
@lilsaprano123 you'll find Mary singing this at ADERYN LLWYD
derekstuartclark 6 months ago
@lilsaprano123, It's been uploaded here: watch?v=X9eUzjcDyro
williamhammons 7 months ago
I have the welsh language version of this song called Aderyn llwyd (the sparrow)...check it out !!!
3tangle3 10 months ago
Sut mae cantwr.Paul dwin byw yngastell nedd yn y dde.Bendigedig,hwyl.
welshcourtland 11 months ago
There is a welsh version of this song,its called 'Aderyn Llwyd'.Its a beautiful song and even better in welsh.Hwyl fawr.
welshcourtland 1 year ago
@welshcourtland
Rydw i hefyd wedi clywed "Aderyn Llwyd -- ydy, mae'n hyfryd iawn!
CantwrCymreig 11 months ago
I remember seeing the word "Sparrow" on the flip of a Mary 45, but never bothered to play it, and look what I missed out on!
I've heard this song before though, probably by another artist. Someone on this page mentions McGuinness-Flint, and if it was on their album "Happy Birthday Ruthy Baby", then that's where I must of heard it.
Classic
Strawberry7Lynn 1 year ago
@lilsaprano123 I don't think there is, but you can still buy it via SAIN records
richpat 1 year ago
this song was the B side to THOSE WERE THE DAYS the very first 45 i bought and i much prefered it
MrSpottydog2 1 year ago
@MrSpottydog2 , Yes it's a great song, Gallagher and Lyle wrote beautiful songs for her and I much preferred them to most of her A sides, But Sparrow was actually the b side to the Paul McCartney penned song "Goodbye" the b side to those were the days was Turn Turn Turn.
richpat 1 year ago
@richpat - Yes, this song was written, if my memory serves, by Richard Hewson. I was 12 or 13 at the time and did the backing vocals on the recording with 5 of my school chums, who Linda McCartney thought were tooooo cute! Mary was very sweet and Paul very kind. I've been a singer/songwriter ever since. :-))
rihojo007 1 year ago
@rihojo007 You may very well have sung on this, but this song was written by Gallagher and Lyle and was the b side to her second single Goodbye. Richard Hewson was the arranger on "Those were the days". I think it was probably those were the days, there are photos of schoolchildren with Mary and paul wearing shool uniform outside the studio available on the net taken from the monthly magazine the Beatles Book.
richpat 1 year ago
@richpat You're right that Richard Hewson was the arranger on Sparrow, too. This, however was the song I sang on. I should know.
rihojo007 1 year ago
@rihojo007 THe Aida foster Girls choir... I
richpat 1 year ago
To Richpat: There is a live clip of 'Jefferson' (1971) posted by PapillonJunkie on YouTube a few days ago. The picture quality is so good, pls see this clip.
nyjefferson68 1 year ago
does anyone know the chords to this song? or know where I can find them? it's so beautiful I want to learn it but I can't find the music anywhere. I'm currently trying to work it out myself but it's slow going and I know I'm getting it wrong.
funkichooki 1 year ago
@funkichooki HI if you message me your email address I will send them too you.
richpat 1 year ago
I remember this as a 45 back in the day. What I remember the most about it was a sax solo at the end. Shame she didn't use it when she taped this.
barakeful 1 year ago
@barakeful Well remembered as it was a b side to Goodbye in 1969.
richpat 1 year ago
Thanks for Posting this..never saw it...mnot too much footage from the 60s and 890's on mary..the BBC erased a lot.....they erased The Stones and The Who..they wereny goign to KEEP mary Hopkins...
DavelovesRealMusic 1 year ago
@DavelovesRealMusic What the BBC have done over decades borders on criminal.
richpat 1 year ago
Can angyles ydy'r hon, can y nefoedd...pan ddaw fy marwolaeth i, dw i'n gobeithio clywed y llais Mari Hopcyn...
CantwrCymreig 1 year ago
I have this single and in an MP3 world, I still play it regularly.
e1oise1 1 year ago
Great.
limitedwhole 1 year ago
I heard Mary Hopkin sang this in Welsh also -- anyone know where that recording can be found? I believe the title is "Y Deryn Llwyd ar Adain Las."
CantwrCymreig 1 year ago
@CantwrCymreig
Caneuon Cynnar/The Early Songs
SAIN SCD2151
5016886215129
Available Via the record label SAIN
sainwalesDOTcom
richpat 1 year ago
@richpat
Wrth gwrs -- y cwmni Dafydd Iwan! Diolch yn fawr!
Evan
CantwrCymreig 1 year ago
A true classic song a song that paints pictures where are you now Mary we miss you.
ronrobred 1 year ago
@ronrobred Mary is alive and very well and has started releasing music through her own label "Mary Hopkin Music" we have been treated to some wonderful new CD's go to maryhopkinDOTcom
richpat 1 year ago
Gorgeous voice. I love her with the darker hair. So lovely.
EmpressOfWyoming58 1 year ago
@EmpressOfWyoming58 thank you for your lovely comments on some of my videos, all the best to you from Wales
richpat 1 year ago
I first heard this in the late 70's sung by Jennifer Warnes, still the best version, although I don't know if she ever recorded it. She appeared on Los Angeles radio station KPFK, the program was Folkscene, hosted by Howard and Roz Larman. Mary's voice is great.
winemerchantpetrus 1 year ago
@winemerchantpetrus This was on the b side of Goodbye, released in 1969. It was written 'specifically' for Mary by Gallagher and Lyle. No one sings it like Mary.
It would have been nice to have heard Jennifer Warnes version though.
richpat 1 year ago
I LOVE THIS SONG SO BEAUTIFUL
gerardenmaria 1 year ago
my mother used to play this all the time, I can't hear it without thinking of my childhood. Some things are just too beautiful ...
Thank you Mary.
And thank you richpar for the upload
sunshineuk1965 1 year ago
briliant
LilicaLi69 1 year ago
what a voice
ocossa 1 year ago
I wish mary would record this again now, a 2010 version of Sparrow
crdr69 1 year ago
I played the single a thousand times. It is so nice to hear it without the production of that recording. (I also loved the production of the single and it is one of my favorites!)
CaptainPrivate 2 years ago 7
Yes I agree
richpat 2 years ago
This is my very favorite Mary Hopkin recording of all time..Loved that smoky saxophone at the end of the original recording..an emotionally cathartic piece...thanks so much!
DavidCKendall 2 years ago 6
such a beautiful song, not promoted, and ignored. when will someone make a video to do it justice? this one is very bad in volume--too quiet--also not great to view. let's have some thought put into a new video--views of wales, perhaps? i am Welsh myself and a proud Celt!
forest4613 2 years ago
I have been mucking out horses all day, and I am very tired, perhaps not a good time to reply to this comment. recorded from the TV to vhs in 1983 (see more info on the right) then transferred to computer many, many years later then uploaded to youtube - what do you expect. As a fan of Mary's I am just grateful that recordings like this exist at all,
I was lucky to view a few days ago Opp Knocks all winner show from July 1968, mary sang turn turn turn. CONTD>>>
richpat 2 years ago
The person had filmed the show by using a cine camera of sorts probably 8mm in front of his TV set and hoped for the best... absolutely wonderful, the quality was not fantastic but the sound wasn't bad at all...
Just be grateful these wonderful recordings exist at all...if you want purity then go play a CD of her original recordings and flick through a few pictures of her while listening....
CONTD
richpat 2 years ago
What makes you think Sparrow was ignored, it was a b side (unfortunatly) but she sang it many times and had it translated into Welsh so she could record it on the Welsh Cambrian label ... And still liked it enough to sing it on Max's show almost 20 years later...
Phew finished....
richpat 2 years ago
to Pat, LOL i have only just read this now...so funny!!
bridlesbitsnsaddles 2 years ago
che voce !!!!!!
simaritalia 2 years ago 4
@simaritalia d piu
simaritalia 1 year ago
love this song and it fits her perfectly, thanks.
Chastalard 2 years ago 3
Thanks very much for posting this richpat.
Its a beautiful song and i was unaware of it.
Im curious that Gallagher and Lyle rated this song yet it ended up on a " B " side.
Have they or anyone else recorded this song ?
pho2 2 years ago
Mary would most certainly have wanted it as the A side, but I guess the fact that Paul McCartney wrote Goodbye and that he produced it and it was on the Beatles Apple label might have somethig to do with the fact it ended up on the b side ... lol
Mary really loved it and all the gallagher and lyle songs she sang
yes they did record it on "happy Birthday Ruthie baby" it has recently been uploaded to youtube if you type in Mcguiness Flint and Sparrow
All the best to you
Pat
richpat 2 years ago
Noel Harrison recorded this as an A side in 1969
markdelaney 2 years ago 2
This was on the flip side of GOODBYE and was one of my very favorites. Thanks for posting - have looked for it for ages! Wish the volume was up more.
Sehoy1 2 years ago 3
Mary has always been my favorite female singer since 1968 !! Thx to Twiggy for discovering her and Paul McCartney for putting her on Apple records..
GUIDOBRAT 2 years ago 4
her voice is that of a peaceful eve of nesting hawks
acdeucee 2 years ago 3
Interesting description?
richpat 2 years ago
I find all things in patterns of geometric sacredness, Especially embracing the left brain of musical genius
acdeucee 2 years ago 3
There's lovely
richpat 2 years ago
Here's another comment for you 'richpat'. One commentator said many years ago "Her voice is so brilliant it would make the enamel on your teeth curl!"
HarrySchneider 2 years ago
LOL! thanks
richpat 2 years ago
If you love this song ... treat yourself to Mary's latest album 'Now and Then'. Excellent music from a wonderful lady.
'Life Song' 'Tell Me Now' 'What A Friend You Are' and 'One Less Set of Footsteps' are my absolute favourites. You will treasure this CD for years to come. Order direct from Mary Hopkin Music.
johnsbhai 2 years ago 5
For me at the moment (it will probably change by tomorrow) my fave is 'Bitter harvest'
Pat
richpat 2 years ago
what a women,,,,
kerjan1 2 years ago 6
What a beautiful lady with the voice of an angel. This song brings back so many happy memories. This was the 'B' side of 'Goodbye' and I never stopped playing this great record. Mary was and still is one of the most loved singers in the World. Mary you have brought so much joy and happiness to your many fans worldwide and it is fantastic that you have finally released some recordings from your past. Welcome back ... we love you
johnsbhai 2 years ago 8
What a lovely comment.
Yes it is wonderful that we are having the chance to hear Mary's music from her archives...
And another CD due soon in May,
all the best
Pat
richpat 2 years ago
I remember too, when this 45 rpm came out I was 16. I thought it was the most meaningful, by far, of the songs to hit the chart that year. It was a great year for love and sadness. Wow.
sprygeoffreya17 2 years ago 2
Have have that same 45rpm. It's severely worn out! Hope for a CD reissue soon.
636117 2 years ago 3
richpat, Mary sang so many songs with
beauty & grace, just like she was.
Such a pretty 'singing bird'! - Penny
pennymusicMAma 2 years ago 2
hi Pat, thanks. Well it's true.
G
gstuart01 2 years ago 4
...yes...utterly.
oh Wales, greatest gift thou hast birthed and given unto the world.. Mary Hopkin.
gstuart01 2 years ago 3
HI,
What a lovely comment
P
richpat 2 years ago
utterly gorgeous
zuider77 2 years ago 4
I'll have to have a look - but l'm pretty sure that this is the B-side to 'Goodbye' that she recorded in 1969.
phillper0906 2 years ago 2
Yes it is
Thanks for commenting
Pat
richpat 2 years ago
Excellent song. Mary Hopkin is one of my favorite singers. I sure hope she doesn't die at age 33.
VealParmigiana 3 years ago 5
beautiful, just beautiful
gstuart01 3 years ago 7
They say in heaven everyone will be 33, like Jesus when He died. Mary is 32 here. So pure a performance. Nice to think we could be forever 33.
gstuart01 3 years ago 9
"like a lark in summer" thanks! I couldnt quite get that line..
gstuart01 3 years ago 5
words cannot describe the beauty of this creature sent from God
gstuart01 3 years ago 6
"like a lark in summer" Does anyone realize she sang on the "Blade Runner" soundtrack?
ob2kanob 3 years ago 2
Yes, versatile isn't she?
richpat 3 years ago
I was replying to a comment made by MannMachine69....I am chilled....Im not the one that began the sarcastic comments.....Happy Christmas!
rayhypno 3 years ago
I haven't sang on any David Bowie Albums...and i was not being sarcastic! I was only correcting a factual error...which is Mary didn't sing on "many Bowie Albums in the 70's" only the one track "Sound and Vision" from the 1977 bowie album "Low"...I'm sorry if pointing that out offends you or anyone else....and thats my point....sorry!
rayhypno 3 years ago
ooo'er not my fault it was a rather random comment can you tell me where I printed that and Iwill correct it?
Or were you replying to someone but forgot to write their user ID..
hey its Xmas chill! get a sense of humour...
richpat 3 years ago
I was 15 (in '68) when the Apple single "Those Were The Days" came out-- when I heard Mary's voice for the first time I was absolutely blown away. I think it's fair to say she always sounded and looked like a literal angel. I believe Twiggy first brought her to Paul's attn. when The Fab's fledgling label was looking for new talent. Hopkin, Jackie Lomax and Badfinger--all Beatle-mentored. Fantastic!
GUIDOBRAT 3 years ago 2
Mary, you have such a great voice...why aren't you signed to a major label & have twenty great albums to your name? love always, Gary in Milwaukee.
nudeone34 3 years ago 6
This is so beautiful - I think it was on the B side of one of her 45's....?
proinsiaspad 3 years ago 8
Yes it was the b side of Goodbye.Ive just bought her c.d. THE EARLY RECORDINGS which has Sparrow sung in Welsh over the original backing track.This left me puzzled as Gllagher&Lyle wrote this song for her AFTER she signed for Apple!The c.d claims these were her recordings for the Cambrian label so how Sparrow gets on there I'll never know.Also the c.d has 2 tracks both numbered 6.
maningreen7 3 years ago 6
It is absolutely beautiful anyway. The studio version is also on Youtube, produced I think by Tony Visconti. It's quite good but over produced. Too many backing vocals. The version of this page is minimalist and beautiful. She's a geogous looking lady as well.
proinsiaspad 3 years ago 6
I read that Tony Visconty produced the Welsh recording in Sparrow in 1969 and then Cambrian sold all their recordings to Decca so The welsh world of Mary Hopkin was released in 1979 and that's why Sparrow was included I guess...
PertlyDaft 3 years ago
B side, Hmmmm, I searched Mary primarily for this song, a B side of a 45 rpm single I have & remember better than the A side. A saxophone is moaning still
flamencoprof 3 years ago
Yes the more I think about "my vinyl days" I agree. I played the b side far more than I played "Goodbye"...
richpat 3 years ago
Nice to hear (text?) that you agree, will I be a criminal if I record the 45 to mp3 & make it a Torrent? Have never tried that until now, but I figure the Publicity should compensate for lost sales. ????
flamencoprof 3 years ago
I did too, I loved to listen the b-side far more than its a-side.
Tommy
Kuramochi0214 3 years ago 2
Mary had an amazing voice back in the day. She sang on a lot of Bowie's 70s albums.
MannaMachine69 3 years ago 4
Mary only sang on one Bowie track, it was "Sound And Vision" from Bowie's 1977 album "Low"
rayhypno 3 years ago
And how many Bowie tracks have you sung on?
Sorry if that sounds sarcastic, but just wondering what your point is
All the best and Merry Christmas
pat
richpat 3 years ago
Yes I suspect Mary wanted to record a song with a "message". As she was on Mickie Most's "books"at the time along with TAYC songwriters from Hot Chocolate that song was recorded.TAYC was a dissapointment to me ,although I believe it charted at about 19 (uk).She should have just switched to Folk or carried on with quality pop which I think McCartney wanted (but she didnt).If she wanted to return to her folk roots why later on did she do the Sundance thing?Or Oasis? A mystery to me!
maningreen7 3 years ago 3
To me too,
because in an interview in Record Collector from 1988 celebrating it was twenty years ago Apple Records started,
Mary stated she was happily far away from the recordings of the Apple Days but just how far away is the Oasis album from Post Card? Not very. I agree TAYC was a disappointment a real concoction of a song, the earlier were indeed more pure "schlager" which was better anyway
PertlyDaft 3 years ago
Yes PertlyDaft,while Oasis is a nice enough album I understood with the making of Ocean Song/Earth Song ,Mary was returning to her folk roots (which appears to have been the case with Valentine & Reccolections recorded not long after OS/ES).Why then do Oasis and Sundance ?I would still welcome a c.d of good old pop songs which I could whistle to on my way to work!
maningreen7 3 years ago
Thanks Pat again for sharing this video.Such an atmospheric song conjuring up summer Sunday evenings ,dusty churches, and descending peace of evening.Back to reality now!Ido remember one of the well known petrol companies of the day using the saxophone solo on the recording in their ad.By the way was it "BLUE RIBBON"margarine Mary did an ad for?Iwonder if a video of that still exists?(unlike the marge company!)
maningreen7 3 years ago 6
It was "Blue band" margarine.... Many have tried and failed to get the video of the advert, I have the soundtrack but no pictures!
But who knows what may turn up!
richpat 3 years ago
Yes, it was"Blue band" not ribbon,near tho'.Of the Gallagher &Lyle songs the only one which I didn't really like was "Heritage" .As regards Apple "A"sides "Think about your children" didn't grab me either.Did you notice on Think.."Mary did 2 versions of the vocals.The original single and then on "twtd"album" just a change of voice inflection when singing "a predjudiced mind" at the beginning of the song?.
maningreen7 3 years ago 2
Yes the voice inflection I noticed immediately when buying TWTD CD in 1995,
I agree I liked yhe previous singles better than "Think about..." because that song never really "lifts" and also is such a concoction TOO commercial and banal!
PertlyDaft 3 years ago
A wonderful clip, and I don't care about the sound quality.
I suspect this is closer to what Mary wanted to perform, rather than Knock Knock Who's There and Temma Harbour, which I gather she never liked.
cbak12sg 3 years ago 13
Yes I think that is absolutely right...
richpat 3 years ago
Did she write any songs of her own?
bunchie1966 3 years ago 8
Not until the 70's 2 of her own compositions appeared on the b sides of "If you love me" and "wrap me in your arms" which were released on the Good Earth label in 1976/7 But she has recently released a CD called "Valentine" which is available via maryhopkindotcom and it includes 3 of her own songs.
richpat 3 years ago
Recently found this track after so many years looking and downloaded it. Tonight, just playing really, I put it into a search in You Tube. Unbelievable! Someone likes it as much as I do! Thank you so much.
suzie106 3 years ago 6
Just wonderful
dovecott 3 years ago 4
Wish the sound was louder. This song was one of the loveliest Mary did. It was the B-side to "Goodbye" and preferred this to the A-side
Madrocker1954 3 years ago 4
The recording is 25 years old... I am not sure what I can do to make it sound any better, sorry!
richpat 3 years ago
I understand and it's okay. I'm grateful to have a video of this beautiful lady singing this song. Also meant to add I'm also grateful for the updates you provided as the impression I got from a magazine article a year or two back said she was no longer in the music business. Nice to know that isn't true. And a big THUMBS UP! for the "Sparrow" video. I was expecting to find a home made video for the song and not a fairly recent performance. You made my day, friend!
Madrocker1954 3 years ago 5
You are more than welcome... I wish we had the technology back then that we have these days... Never mind!
I too love "The Sparrow" all the "Gallagher and Lyle" songs she sang were great and so 'her'
richpat 3 years ago
I initially bought Mary's 1969 single for the A-side, "Goodbye." But, I've always had the habit of flipping the 45 over to play the B-side. One never knows what treasures one will discover. Such was the case with "Sparrow." I've probably played that song more times than I've played "Goodbye." Ironically, the side for "Sparrow" was also the green Apple label, indicating it was meant as an A-side as well. Pity it wasn't a hit as well; its beauty has lost none of its luster over the years.
Madrocker1954 3 years ago 4
Lovely lady, and great voice! never misses a beat! Still love you Mary, take care,
ferraridinoman 3 years ago 3
I would the Celtic songs from this one...
millennians 3 years ago 2
Particularly by M.N., the violininst?
They sang last December here in Kyoto...
I really hope Mary to revisit Kyoto.
Kuramochi0214 3 years ago
Of course, Mary sounds wonderful and lovely. I hope I can see her live singing of 'Turn Turn Turn'with acoustic guitar. But I' m not sure whether she had ever played this song on stage or not.
whchanhk 3 years ago 3
She sang it several times on "opportunity knocks" and at "Pop at St Pauls" I have also seen a fabulous early sadly un-released film of her singing it.
crdr69 3 years ago 2
This is the most beautiful live performance of Mary Hopkin ever posted on Youtube. Thanks for posting.
whchanhk 3 years ago 3
Thanks, she sounds wonderful does'nt she?
richpat 3 years ago
I have always loved this song since discovering it as a flipside in about 1971. It is far better than any of her commercial hits.
MusicMadMaurice 3 years ago 3
Flip side of 'Goodbye' which was a very good song too.
I wanted to fancy her - but that spark was missing (no doubt she thought that about me too).
ppaulmorris 3 years ago 2
Perhaps the "spark" was missing because you hadn't been born yet (unless of course your profile age is wrong) LOL
richpat 3 years ago
sorry I accidentally deleted your comment on my vid... trying to hit reply I hit remove... Hmm I haven't heard that one yet, but the sparrow video you responded with is beautiful... I also like the paul mccartney song goodbye that he wrote for her to sing. Its on youtube. I have actually just heard of her recently so i am not familiar with too many songs... I am going to check out Ocean Song... thanks!
suparni 3 years ago 2
You'd better to hear Kew Garden and International.
These two are my recommended and also my favourate, that are available here.
Mary sang very nice. She is a sincere Christian.
Kuramochi0214 3 years ago
I have this song EP bought from the university co-op, Sendai, Japan.
This is particular my favourate.
We used to raise a glass or two almost every day hearing this Sparrow.....
in my younger days memorials.
Thank you Pat
Kuramochi0214 3 years ago 2
God, she's pretty. And she sings very well too.
WH61193 3 years ago 2
very nice, poignant
lilythepink123 3 years ago 6
beautiful!
jthommusic 3 years ago 4
Nice song, wonderfully sung.
davidmayne 4 years ago 5
This was the B-side to Goodbye from 1969
This was one of five Gallagher-Lyle songs that Mary recorded. The others are:
Fields of St. Etienne B-side to Que sera, sera
Heritage to Think about your children 1970
Jefferson B-side to Water, paper and clay 1971
and International on the album Earth song/Ocean song from 1971
PertlyDaft 4 years ago 4
Three of those songs were also recorded by McGuinness Flint, the group that Benny Gallagher and Graham Lyle were in at the time.
IDLERACER 4 years ago 5
They are all great versions too... Sparrow was written specifically for Mary, Benny tells a great story that when they were writing for Apple paul mccartney asked for a song to be written just for her, and they came up with sparrow,their song was chosen and they were given a "Chocolate Cake" by paul...LOL
richpat 4 years ago
Yes please post some more ...
crdr69 4 years ago 3
Beautiful sad song, great performance. Thanks for posting, pls post more.
whchanhk 4 years ago 5