https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrVT5VFfi5w
Henry Mancini had a nice extended disco 12" pressing with this one which added a kalimba:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuFKI2UfvX4
Printable View
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrVT5VFfi5w
Henry Mancini had a nice extended disco 12" pressing with this one which added a kalimba:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuFKI2UfvX4
Hey there, Boogie! Sorry I didn't see your post sooner, as I discovered it just now.
I wasn't aware that Henry Mancini had recorded a version of Van's "African Symphony". That's quite an honor to have a highly-regarded artist like Mancini cover Van's composition. I'm sure it made Van's day while putting yet another feather in his cap!
Mancini's cover is amazingly good, although I still prefer Van's original. Did you notice that Van's "African Symphony" originally appeared on his "Love Is The Answer" LP [[1974), and then again on his "The Real McCoy) album in 1976? As far as I can tell, both versions are identical and sound the same.
no worries. glad you noticed. I was wondering if you already knew of Mancini's one time dabble in disco with this one.
OK no, didn't know of the two versions on two LPs , Gary.
First time out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAO_fqbbS9E
then longer version with all being the same until made longer with the additional that begins at 2:45 --- you'll hear a different guitar at 2:50 ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrVT5VFfi5w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9pwQIQth70
there is a marching band quality at times to Van's work. Do we know if he was in band in high school??
I'm somewhat embarrassed, Boogie! I never realized that the newer "The Real McCoy" album version of "African Symphony" is longer [[and better) than the earlier "Love Is The Message" version. That's fine with me because I love that song!
Also, I had no idea that there was a Drum & Bugle Corps version of "African Symphony". Actually, it works well as a marching piece.
Nothing to be embarrassed about..... always exciting to learn of new elements I think!
Here's the sheet music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGrtaOL2PRA
now you've got me listening to various incarnations!This one I think captures a certain additional flair, highlights the percussion :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AfKohT0yAk
this one is pretty thorough , including a tambourine!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wecEiQcIFMY
Gee, I had no idea that Van's "African Symphony" had such a far-reaching effect, Boogie. Concert bands, marching bands, drum & bugle corps.... I don't know when the above videos were recorded, but I'm guessing they were long since his untimely death. I really wish Van had lived long enough to enjoy the multiple fruits of his labor. I also never realized until lately how much I love his "African Symphony" and also his "Night Walk":
https://youtu.be/sSz9UkDstwE
What a phenomenal talent he was!
Quote:
https://soulfuldetroit.com/attachmen...0&d=1686423613
ARTIST: Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony
LP TITLE: "Disco Baby"
RECORD LABEL: AVCO - AV-69006
YEAR OF RELEASE : 1975
CREDITS:
PRODUCER: Hugo & Luigi
ARRANGED & CONDUCTED BY: Van McCoy
BACK-UP VOCALS: Van McCoy, Brenda Hilliard, Albert Bailey
1) "Disco Baby"
[[Hugo & Luigi - George David Weiss)
https://youtu.be/GCTfSNn9Agg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCTfSNn9Agg
James Brown dug it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BuezBOGpg8
added: do you think they tried to make that LP back cover look a little "Donna Summer"??
Boogie, now that you mention it, she sure does look like a Donna Summer type; doesn't she!
And, yes, James Brown is diggin' Van McCoy, for sure! Dare I admit that I like James' version as much as I love Van's original vversion? Ha!!!
Yes its got some good spunk.
I left out one little intriguing detail here:
when this record first came out James Brown changed the title and credited the writing of it to himself!!!! Don't know what he was thinking or how he thought he could get away with that ....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySWrscZQD_A
Judging from the record label, he sure did! Talk about out-and-out thievery! I'm sure Van put a halt to THAT in a hurry.
Hey, Boogie, I've been wanting to run something past you. 1,682 forum members viewed "Van's Artists [[A-M)", but only 655 forum members viewed "Van's Artists [[N-Z)". How could that be? Are people allergic to the second half of the alphabet?
There's one artist in particular in the second half [[N-Z) who I was hoping people would pick up on and comment on, and that artist Is Sharon Ridley. Her album is titled "Stay Awhile With Me" and it's beautiful. Did you check it out already? If not, would you please? I'm anxious to hear what you think of it.
Hey Gary, I just stumbled upon another one.... this one from Rinder and Lewis ....I trust you know of them??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da-LdTltR8M
Hi Boogie! I know that Rinder & Lewis produced Saint Tropez [[above), but not really familiar with their other productions. I do have a Best Of CD by Saint Tropez [[subtitled "Fill My Life With Love"), although "African Symphony" isn't on it. The above version is okay, but I still think Van's original version remains the best of them all.
I think your observation is correct Gary . A pretty pedestrian cover. Disappointing.
So one night Rinder and Lewis go to Studio One in Hollywood cause they'd heard that it was causing a raucous and they see all these gays boys packed in there going nuts over this music called disco and they say, "we can do this sh*t" and right away they go about putting out some of the best and also some of the most gawd awful productions on some little hole in the wall Los Angeles label that Liberace was on. ....
#1 [I think]Disco: added: I checked : #6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7C4y8A9Ad8
As I understand it there came a day when the two had a serious falling out and from then on couldn't stand each other and wouldn't talk even if bumping into each other at the Pavilion supermarket.
I hate to disappoint you, Boogie, but I was never a fan of their music. I have "Cocomotion" in my CD collection, but only because it's part of a Various Artists collection. There isn't much to it. It's about as soulful.as a door-knob!
That's OK. It either resonates for you or it doesn't. So it doesn't disappoint me, I don't expect everyone to like everything.
Yes, lots of disco was soulful, but plenty wasn't.
More Rinder and Lewis to consider :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQB56D4OHf4
my favorite:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_R6quwoDKs