Vogues - MAGIC TOWN (strings version) (1966)

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED - (Reprise 6371) Out of Pittsburgh, this glorious Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil composition was originaly recorded in 1965 by Jody Miller on Capitol, but it would be The Vogues and their Phil Spector-styled version that would bring the song into hit status the next year. Following the group's stint at Co & Ce records they were absent from the charts until their career was revived after signing with Reprise records in 1968. Recording in Los Angeles under the production of Dick Glasser with arrangements by Ernie Freeman, the group scored a few more hits with lushly orchestrated, big productions of old songs such as, 'My Special Angel', Turn Around, Look At Me', 'No Not Much', 'Till' and 'Earth Angel'. When the time came for a Greatest Hits LP in 1969, their three Co & Ce hits, 'You're The One', 'Five O'Clock World' and 'Magic Town' were included in the album with an added overdubbed string and horn arrangement by Ernie Freeman. The 1970 reissue 45 on the Reprise 'Back To Back Hits' label that included 'Magic Town' and 'Five O'Clock World' also contained the newly recorded 'strings' version but in monophonic.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Barry Mann
• Cynthia Weil
• Jody Miller
• Ernie Freeman
• Dick Glasser
• Phil Spector
• Wrecking Crew
• L.A.
• 60's
• Spectropop
• Wall Of Sound
• Brill Buiding
• 1650 Broadway

[Uhura4ever]

A wonderful song reminiscent of The Leola Jiles (Apollas) torch song "Keep it coming". A lot of the same stops, chord changes and resolution. I like this, but Jiles song is seared into my mind and sounds so much more convincing! Glasser, Freeman and Gene Page were brilliant producers,arrangers. I wish there was an attention to detail and production like that today! Do people even want singing and production in new material today? These craftsmen are not forgotten! Please keep posting these gems!

[reichardtaj]

@Uhura4ever A great comparison. The Leola Jiles track is a top notch performance. I don't think I'll see singing and backing tracks like this anymore in the top 40, at least for the 30-40 more years while I'm still above ground.

[raiderdanCA]

OK, OK .... since I'm already a SOFT TOUCH when ANY strings are involved, I LOVE THIS .... Just wish I could see them playing along with the performance ... THANX !

[reichardtaj]

@raiderdanCA I'd like to know what the Vogues group members thought of the added instrumentation on their three Co & Ce hits. I think it is sheer perfection. They sound complete and finished compared to the original recordings. Just my opinion...........

[videoarchiveman]

one of my favoriltes of all time. first time I'm hearing it in stereo. excellent. A great song. strings or no strings.

[raiderdanCA]

Mr. Reichardtaj, just saw your comment ... yep, I'm curious to know the same. When they appeared (Fayetteville, NC) with the CIV, there was the usual 4-piece band, certainly nothing to produce the beauty of this rendering. I think these guys were seriously underrated -- of their several solid hits, MAGIC TOWN is my fav... painfully sad at first, yet very hopeful in the end. And the voices of Hugh and Bill B. were just so pitch perfect and distinct -- YES, I remember it well (even at 63!)

[lesgore54]

Thank you - Like the dubbed and the undubbed versions...

[dundee520]

brilllll track thanks 4 post ktf