joncheskin's channel

Hope he stays down to earth amidst the Linsanity.

Terrific movie--the three-dimensional human Nazis are even more scary than the inhuman monsters that we have created in our mythologies. It was like meeting them in person--an experience I would never like to repeat.

Is he actually playing an amplified harpsichord? Eat your heart out, JS Bach.

This is a great song--melody exploding all over the place.

She sings this very complicated song with real precision and artistry. She is a terrific musician.

Combination of Mozart and Dallas Cowboy cheerleader. Unique!

Combination of Mozart and Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Unique!

Say what you want about the "purity" of Dionne Warwick's version, Mina is unquestionably the blood and guts version of this song. She leaves it ALL on the stage. Love it.

A really interesting performance--I can't think of another case of a duet done by two huge artists with competing solo versions of the same song. Burt Bacharach said in an interview that he thought Aretha's version was the best, but I disagree with him--I think the song is more of a pop song than...

One night I stumbled upon the country song "Walk on by" sung by Leroy Van Dyke in 1961, and I can't help wondering if Bacharach and David got their idea from it. It's like Van Dyke sings the scene from the guy's point of view, while Dionne sings it from the woman's. The relationship between the s...

Of all the versions of this song, this one really gets at the BITTERNESS of the lyrics--Cilla really lets it fly. I love her cold "What am I to do?" that changes into a shrill fortissimo "Anyone who had a heart would love me too!" Nothing in this version is as sweet as Dionne Warwick, but the son...

I think the staging of this version--Petula Clark weaving her way through the audience--is very effective. It somehow makes the desperate appeal in the song even more powerful and direct. Petula Clark sings the song with a beautiful wistfulness, as opposed to Cilla Black who lets fly with some re...

This is a great song with a bunch of great versions on the web--Dionne, Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark (in French). Can't decide which I like best, although the sweetness in Dionne's voice makes the ending even more bitter. The chords at the end--tonic alternating with flat subme...

Amusing that Petula Clark completely beguiled all of her famous American duet partners--Dean Martin, Andy Williams and Bobby Darin (see the other you tube videos). I guess if she had not been taken, should could have had her pick!

I listened again, and I have to admit I did not realize how ambitious this song actually was. Here is the whole meaning of life in the modern world: In spite of the fact that your life feels meaningless, the world is full of strife, and your dreams are shattered, you can still find contentment an...

@micheldvorsky I listened to the post again and I completely agree with you--his "analysis" is not as disgruntled and cynical as I thought, but rather just playful, perhaps even a compliment of sorts to Petula and Tony Hatch. In the end I think he pays them a strange homage for their "suburban ap...

A really nice song--sort of latin doo-wop. Petula Clark is like Mozart--absolute genius.

Wild decision to take the Rodrigo guitar concerto and turn it into a pop song. Rodrigo is better, but Petula Clark is a genius who can do anything and make it appealing.

The normally gritty alto goes gorgeous soprano. She can apparently sing anything in any range.

Interesting also, to me, that she decided to record the song with Peggy March's English lyrics. The English lyrics are not a translation--rather a complete reworking. I guess she wanted to record the song in the version that English speakers were most familiar with. Still, the French version conj...

I made a mistake in my last post--her love is warmer than the sunshine AND brighter than the stars, so I guess the slower version is not necessarily more faithful to the text. I still like the second version better, which seems to capture the depth of her voice better. Her tempos in various live ...

Incidentally, is there a term for a French Western film analogous to the Italian "Spaghetti Western."? Would love to see Clint Eastwood as "L'Homme Sans Nom". Petula Clark seems a worthy co-star!

Sweet straightforward lyrics+very catchy tune+brilliant vocal performance = #1 hit. Petula Clark initially dislikes the song (perhaps thinks it is simplistic?) but probably realizes that it is too likeable to be clouded by any cynicism. Probably also realizes that its straightforward joyous style...

In response to HuetRichard, does anyone know for sure if it is Petula Clark singing? I would not be surprised if it is, given that she has sung effectively in French, Italian, German and probably some other languages as well. Petula Clark is supremely talented and not afraid to try anything.

The lament of the broken heart is an old theme in music, but rarely has it been done better than this. Petula Clark has a huge talent and a huge heart. This is a devastating song. If not her best, I think her most emotional.

To me, there are two striking things. One is the incredible chemistry between the performers (did they really mean it? Petula was happily married). The second is that Petula's voice is much higher pitch than is customary for her (think Downtown and My Love). She is usually a bit of an edgy alto. ...