ImberBoy Posted March 3, 2009 Posted March 3, 2009 A touch of velvet A sting of brass Ask any "Soulie" for their favorite record ever ever ever and they will tell you how impossible it is to answer that question as there are so many wonderful tunes. Ask me and I will tell you "A touch of velvet a sting of brass" is my all time record ever ever ever ever! There are loads of records that blow my socks off, some make me want to do the funky chicken and some make me curl into a ball and sob like a child. This great instrumental from Mark Wirtz and the Ladybirds, credited as Mood Mosaic, back in 1966. Used by Dave Lee Travis as his theme tune on pirate Radio Caroline. Britannia ruled the airwaves! For me it was the defining moment that made me choose the path towards every thing Northernsoul, I love the silky smooth purity and crystal clear production. The harpsichord is a complete joy, the brass and the perfect backing from the ladybirds; you can't help but mimic that silly yet completely right "wahhh wahhh oooh oooh ohhh ohhh ohhhhhh". The hook that took me into the clouds to see the angles was and still is the strings, I can feel my whole body literally lifting into the air as if tempted into a different, better, plain, and that's no mean feet as I am a big fat pie eater now! I wish with all my might that this exceptional tune could shake off its "Divvy" mantle and be played on the Nighter circuit once again, I love I love it love it!! Below I am adding two versions of the tune, one is Mark Wirtz and the Ladybirds, credited as Mood Mosaic and the other I do not know? It may well be "RON GRAINER ORCHESTRA", but I have a feeling it isn't??? What do you think.........
Guest Scarborosoul Posted March 3, 2009 Posted March 3, 2009 (edited) Mammas & the papas??? otherwise fook knows deffo blue eyed tho. Also wasnt Ron Grainer version released on Casino Classics? Rick Edited March 3, 2009 by Scarborosoul
Godzilla Posted March 3, 2009 Posted March 3, 2009 This thread makes no sense. What's all this stuff about not knowing who the other version is by? You posted about holding a copy of Second City Sound in your hand in 2007, Imber Boy. Looks like your all time favourite sound has been your all time favourite for all of two years Marketts still the one to have I reckon
Pete S Posted March 3, 2009 Posted March 3, 2009 Godzilla said: This thread makes no sense. What's all this stuff about not knowing who the other version is by? You posted about holding a copy of Second City Sound in your hand in 2007, Imber Boy. Looks like your all time favourite sound has been your all time favourite for all of two years Marketts still the one to have I reckon Oh yes...and doesn't that have The Avengers theme on the other side?
Godzilla Posted March 3, 2009 Posted March 3, 2009 Oh yes...and doesn't that have The Avengers theme on the other side? Yeah -great version of that too. Arrgh! We're having the same conversation as two years ago!
Guest Bicks Posted March 3, 2009 Posted March 3, 2009 I'm with you on this one, although I should say that my penchant is for the (probably naffer) Ron Grainer version after being introduced to it in 1980 (ish) on the first Casino Classics LP. Pow wow........
ImberBoy Posted March 3, 2009 Author Posted March 3, 2009 Sorry Godzilla, I'll type slower. The clip I have taken from Youtube does not say who it is, take a sneaky peaky I have re read the original thread and there are possibly four versions with a tentative version "Gino - Its Only A Paper Moon", the jury is still out on that one but I can hear similarities. I would still very much like to hear the four version and definitely id them. Thanks though for pointing out that I am a bit of a knob, but most know that already, keep on truckin.
ImberBoy Posted March 3, 2009 Author Posted March 3, 2009 Bicks said: I'm with you on this one, although I should say that my penchant is for the (probably naffer) Ron Grainer version after being introduced to it in 1980 (ish) on the first Casino Classics LP. Pow wow........ Can any one put this version up?
Pete S Posted March 3, 2009 Posted March 3, 2009 ImberBoy said: Can any one put this version up? I'll do it - this is my little boy's favourite record, he was actually playing it this morning...give me 5 mins
ImberBoy Posted March 3, 2009 Author Posted March 3, 2009 Godzilla said: This thread makes no sense. What's all this stuff about not knowing who the other version is by? You posted about holding a copy of Second City Sound in your hand in 2007, Imber Boy. Looks like your all time favourite sound has been your all time favourite for all of two years Marketts still the one to have I reckon still not heard this fooker either Paul???? have you got a file ??<
Godzilla Posted March 3, 2009 Posted March 3, 2009 ImberBoy said: still not heard this fooker either Paul???? have you got a file ?? No mate, not had it for years - actually bought it for The Avengers in my TV and film theme 45 collecting days. Low quality clip on JM's site here though:
ImberBoy Posted March 3, 2009 Author Posted March 3, 2009 Godzilla said: No mate, not had it for years - actually bought it for The Avengers in my TV and film theme 45 collecting days. Low quality clip on JM's site here though Thats a first for me!!!! where did you find that??
Guest Scarborosoul Posted March 4, 2009 Posted March 4, 2009 (edited) Just listened to Marketts First time for me and I gotta say that is the BEST version Ive heard. Has everything you require with a minced head at a nighter circa 6. 30am rick Edited March 4, 2009 by Scarborosoul
Benji Posted March 4, 2009 Posted March 4, 2009 I always associate the Mood-Mosaic version with black/white german TV as it was the theme tune to a legendary 1960's show called "beat club" (bit like "top of the pops"). Though I'm too young to have actually watched the show when it was screened the first time I watched plenty of reruns in the 70s. I recently picked up the first german release of "touch of velvet" and was surprised to find another good instrumental on the flip "bond street PM". did this get any plays at any time?
Godzilla Posted March 4, 2009 Posted March 4, 2009 I always associate the Mood-Mosaic version with black/white german TV as it was the theme tune to a legendary 1960's show called "beat club" (bit like "top of the pops"). Though I'm too young to have actually watched the show when it was screened the first time I watched plenty of reruns in the 70s. I recently picked up the first german release of "touch of velvet" and was surprised to find another good instrumental on the flip "bond street PM". did this get any plays at any time? Don't think so Benji. Don't suppose you have the German art sleeve issue of the Marketts do you? Godz
Benji Posted March 4, 2009 Posted March 4, 2009 Don't think so Benji. Don't suppose you have the German art sleeve issue of the Marketts do you? Godz No, it's the Mood-Mosaic one I picked up. I don't think I've ever saw a german release of the Marketts take so I don't know if it came out in Germany at all. I used to have french (?) EP with it on which also featured the Avengers theme and I think Batman as well but not too sure about that. Here's a pic of the picture sleeve for the first german release of Mood-Mosaic, after it became the theme tune to "Beat club" it was reissued with a different sleeve.
Godzilla Posted March 4, 2009 Posted March 4, 2009 No, it's the Mood-Mosaic one I picked up. I don't think I've ever saw a german release of the Marketts take so I don't know if it came out in Germany at all. I used to have french (?) EP with it on which also featured the Avengers theme and I think Batman as well but not too sure about that. Here's a pic of the picture sleeve for the first german release of Mood-Mosaic, after it became the theme tune to "Beat club" it was reissued with a different sleeve. Nice sleeve I think I saw a German Marketts 45 with Avengers / Touch of Velvet in a sleeve with a bowler hat on the front. Could be wrong about country of origin though...
Guest Posted March 4, 2009 Posted March 4, 2009 go to post #16 and click the link to play the track - Imberboy's avatar changes with the beat of the music Good grief, I hope i find a job soon ron grainer is the better version imo
Godzilla Posted March 4, 2009 Posted March 4, 2009 Got the German release I think: Marketts Mit Schirm, Charme und Melone / A Touch Of Velvet - A Sting Of Brass Warner Brothers 5814 The Avengers - "With charm, an umbrella and a melon???" Damn my lousy German
Benji Posted March 4, 2009 Posted March 4, 2009 Got the German release I think: Marketts Mit Schirm, Charme und Melone / A Touch Of Velvet - A Sting Of Brass Warner Brothers 5814 The Avengers - "With charm, an umbrella and a melon???" Damn my lousy German It translates to "With Umbrella, Charme and Bowler Hat" and was the german title for the Avengers. I actually think the german title suits the show much better than the original title. I mean, they're not really out and about to seek avenge are they? But they are damn smart and so good looking (What was the title again of the episode with Emma Peel wearing a pike nut necklace and corsage? "sin queen" or so?) But thanks for the release details, will have a look out for it.
Godzilla Posted March 4, 2009 Posted March 4, 2009 Benji said: It translates to "With Umbrella, Charme and Bowler Hat" and was the german title for the Avengers. I actually think the german title suits the show much better than the original title. I mean, they're not really out and about to seek avenge are they? But they are damn smart and so good looking (What was the title again of the episode with Emma Peel wearing a pike nut necklace and corsage? "sin queen" or so?) But thanks for the release details, will have a look out for it. Cheers for the proper translation, Benji. The episode that sticks in the minds of all boys of a certain age is "A Touch of Brimstone" where Emma becomes the Queen of Sin. The Avengers was a spin off from Police Surgeon and one of the characters begins by investigating the death of his fiance with the help of Steed. The doc wants vengeance on the killer - hence avengers. Meanwhile - just found this
Gene-r Posted March 4, 2009 Posted March 4, 2009 I always associate the Mood-Mosaic version with black/white german TV as it was the theme tune to a legendary 1960's show called "beat club" (bit like "top of the pops"). Though I'm too young to have actually watched the show when it was screened the first time I watched plenty of reruns in the 70s. I recently picked up the first german release of "touch of velvet" and was surprised to find another good instrumental on the flip "bond street PM". did this get any plays at any time? I believe that Bond Street PM has found its way on to loungecore and easy listening compilations over the last 15 years, so it's probably just getting its bearings as a lounge instrumental.
Recommended Posts
Get involved with Soul Source
Add your comments now
Join Soul Source
A free & easy soul music affair!
Join Soul Source now!Log in to Soul Source
Jump right back in!
Log in now!