I don't much care for the Beach Boys, maybe one or two songs that I really like, ANDNew York City wasn't exactly a surfing safari type city and I don't recall the Beach Boys getting much play at dances or clubs or whatever we did back in those days. On the other hand the Bronx was the birthplace of doo-wop (and me), which will always and forever be a New York thing.
They did a cover of a song I do like and totally wrecked it.
You may have guessed by now that the song in question is "Barbara Ann" released in 1961 by The Regents of The Bronx, NY. It's a little heavy on the instrumental for doo-wop and it's hardly the greatest song in the world, musically or lyrically, but it is fun.
Then the surfer boys got hold of the song, and while the Beach Boys sang some real nice harmony they ain't NY doo-wop and they don't show no respect...
Do not try to defend the Beach Boys to me on this, I won't have it! (and remember, I still got relatives in The Bronx - nuff said.)
You're from the east coast and I'm from the west coast. The beach boys have it going on. I like their rendition much better. I have loved everything the beach boys have done. I do agree though...they are a west coast kind of group.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific day. :)
I ain't from the east coast - I'm from New Yawk! and I ain't tawkin' the state but the City - a place unto itself!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't dream of defending the beach boys :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I thank you for that Ann - they should just stick to their own kind of music and leave mine alone!
ReplyDeleteI won't defend the Beach Boys either! Especially not to a New Yawker! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's not the Beach Boys aren't good at what THEY do - just not good at other stuff...Like Barbara Ann...:)
ReplyDeleteWell, under different circumstances, I probably would defend The Beach Boys, but since you have your bluff in on me, I won't. Besides, The Regents version wasn't bad at all!
ReplyDeleteWow, you really are in a pissy mood. I hope things are better today. :)
ReplyDeleteFirst that was supposed to be funny and second I am a dyed-in-the-wool, bred in the bone New Yawker. We are very provincial - we think the world begins and ends with NYC - even if we wind up somewhere else!
ReplyDeleteThe east coast is a long stretch of land and includes many, many different cultures from taciturn New Englanders to Bostonians to New Yawkers to Southerners to rednecks to Floridians - all different folks with very different ways of life, of thinking, of background - can't lump them into "East Coast" - no way LOL
And yes, we NY'ers were really pissed when the Beach Boys released that particular record.
And you don't even wanna know what we teenage NY'ers called Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell and Fabian, all from Philadelphia...Yeah, we watched American Bandstand but we sure did laugh at them a lot!
Did you try this? Start the BB version, run it out to a ways, stop it. Start the regents, then hit BB again when the times sync.. What fun. They used the same metronome. Defending nor dissing no one. Not a big fan ot either, but I don't hate on them, either.
ReplyDeleteI don't hate the Beach Boys, - I play "Do It Again"j all the time - ust this particular song and the beginning of both sound very much the same but then they are not and they had no business doing this song...Pbbfffttt
ReplyDeleteHey, no one is going to like everything - It's is a stupid song tho we did dance to it - It's a NY thing, honey. A guy named Ernie Maresca was a member of The Regents and he recorded a song called "Shout, Shout, Knock Yourself Out" - - Dumbest thing you ever heard - and yes, I had it on a 45 :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely The Regents!!!! The Bronx is the birthplace of many greats including my birthplace!!! too!! xo Catherine
ReplyDeleteThank you, Catherine! It's a NYC thing...
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