Folks have been "borrowing" melodies for ages, from Bach to John Lennon. But perhaps the most outrageous steal involves today's post subject. The Big Three - an early sixties folk group consisting of Mama Cass, Tim Rose, and Jim Hendricks - took Stephen Foster's Old Susanna and wrote an entirely different melody and harmony, calling it The Banjo Song. So give a listen and be amazed at how not just the melody, but even the guitar lick was reused for a chart-topping hit from 1969. I am not naming names but every person alive over 45 should figure it out quickly.
And I have to say that it is wonderful to discover new music (to me) with Mama Cass's great voice.
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5 comments:
It's shocking! It's blue! It's the summit of beauty & love -- and VENUS was her name!
Terrific find on all counts Mr. P -- and not only had I not heard The Banjo Song before, I hadn't even known of The Big Three ... Cass Eliott can't be beat.
Great find! It's worth noting that James Hendricks was a songwriter of note. Among his works was Johnny Rivers' classic "Summer Rain." Hendricks also did a few albums of his own.
I think my favorite moment here might be at right about 1:16, where I swear Cass is channeling Grace Slick from her Great Society days
Thanks for the comment Whiteray - The great Red Telephone blog had a post on James Hendricks a while back worth checking out - http://www.redtelephone66.com/2011/02/james-hendricks-james-hendricks-1971/
Who Am Us - I had never noticed Cass's vocal at the point - but you are right on the money.
Extraordinary gem you've excavated here -- thanks so much! I miss Mama Cass. I think I'll go put on a caftan in her honor.
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