You Were On My Mind - Ian & Sylvia (1964)

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Category:

Music

Tags:

• ian
• sylvia
• you
• were
• on
• my
• mind
• northern
• journey

[RichardMariconda]

As one small nuance within the overall excellence of the recording, notice the interaction between the auto-harp and guitar during the instrumental break. Shining, brilliant - simple.

[suze2012]

Here's the difference: dare you NOT to sing along with the We Five version!

[BlazingFerret]

These early recordings come close to showing the incredible raw power of Ian's voice, but unfortunately are just a shadow of the real thing.

You really need to hear him live in a small venue to appreciate his voice. I saw every performance of theirs at DC's old Cellar Door in the 60s/70s since my buddy managed the joint & gave me a front table.

I still get goose bumps remembering his voice from six feet away, especially in the low register. I'd give anything to hear that again.

Thanks, Ian.

[eauhomme]

I see comparing this version with We Five's not unlike comparing Bruce Springsteen and Manfred Mann on "Blinded By the Light". The original is an interesting, highly original piece of songwriting, while the remake completely rearranged the music and in doing so injected energy into the song to take it to the next level.

[countrychess]

Grandiose ! Digne de la Carter family !

[ydoomenaud]

@msaperstein this entire controversy is mocked (rightfully) in "A Mighty Wind," and the movie points out that the version people remember is the one that counts. Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" will forever belong to Johnny Cash, Arlo Guthrie's anthemic cover of "City of New Orleans" makes Steve Goodman's version irrelevant, and if you've ever heard "From a Distance" performed by Julie Gold, you understand why music often benefits from reinterpretation.

[redhairedlad]

The whole Northern Journey album is just spectacular.

[spacepatrolman]

@RichardMariconda when they heard the we 5 version on the car radio they were suprised

[lazur1]

@S:right:You can't argue taste, especially if outvoted million to one. But "Shades of Gray" 's written by Brill Building popsters Mann & Weil, & the original recording's "folk" style was merely a poor commercial decision. "You Were on My Mind" 's written & performed by artist/s dedicated to preserving close-to-extinct American rural music; worthy of some regard. That said, better We Five has a hit than no one: I'm sure Sylvia was THRILLED with the royalties she received from We Five.

[SoloPilot6]

@OlegKostoglatov Compare the original recording of "Shades of Gray" with the Monkees' remake, and you will see what I'm saying -- some songs just cry to be "rethunk." I remember being stuck in traffic on the way to the beach, the We Five version came on KHJ and you could see people half a mile up and down the road pounding roofs, doors and dashboards, singing and dancing in their cars. I can't imagine that happening with this version. When a song has that much power, you have to let it out!

[msaperstein]

What is being overlooked is that this was written as a folksong, with a lovely interplay between acoustic guitar and autoharp. The We Five version is a folkrock arrangement using electrified instruments. This then is like comparing apples to oranges. I personally prefer the original because of the natural tight harmony between Ian & Slyvia as opposed to the studio enhanced vocals of We Five.