Anyone know whether the 4 Seasons version appeared on a 45 single in ANY country or was it only ever on that LP of theirs, New Gold Hits?

Anyone agree with me that the 4 Seasons just shades it over the Velours!

Both are brilliant of course but I tend think Frankie Valli and the boys just get the honours for the turbo charged musical arrangement and those harmonies!

Can anyone tell whether the 4 Seasons version got big plays at any of the major northern venues of the 60s and 70s?

cheers!

The Four Seasons version of "I'm Gonna Change" was, as far as known, only available on their US only LP, "New Gold Hits". The only 45 release of it was on the B-side of the late-70s bootleg of "You're Ready Now" by Frankie Valli, on Smash, pressed up in a choice of red, blue or clear vinyl.

As I wasn't around on the scene until 1982, I'm sorry that I can't give any further info on when or where it was played - maybe the next post or two will reveal all?

Sorry to disagree on only one point mate (just a matter of taste, you understand!), but the Velours version of "I'm Gonna Change" is one of my all-time faves, however Frankie V's boys do carry it off well!!! In fact, theirs was the first version I heard of "I'm Gonna Change" 22 years ago!

PS - Hard to believe that the Velours became the Fantastics, best known for their UK 1971 Top 10 hit "Something Old, Something New"!! They sound completely different, and there were only 4 years between the two singles!!

Gene

From what I remember, the 4 Seasons was the first version played around 1974 at Wigan, with the Velours following up about a year later. For the record? I love both versions but prefer the 4 Seasons.

KTF

4 seasons definately best version, got spare LP if you want!!

If my memory is correct, the 4 Seasons was the only "big" version. It was certainly a monster around 1973 and I'm almost certain I first heard it at Va Va.

The Velours when it arrived on a pressing was a bit of a mystery. If it had been played, then it escaped my radar.

Incidentally, the 4 Seasons stereo mix is one of those really odd ones with the vocals panned all the way left. The fab harmonies that were so famous sound a little ragged to my ears when exposed without the track.

The Four Seasons was a LP only release. It was also being played before the Casino had even opened, and I recall hearing in 1973. I have my Blues and Souls in the loft which can probably confirm, but I will need to check

Sorry for putting up this old thread again:

I found a I'm Gonna Change copy on 45 under the name WONDER WHO?

Is it a reissue? You can find it at JM shop where it's listed as "Four Seasons aka Wonder Who" ...

thanks

Claudio

Sorry for putting up this old thread again:

I found a I'm Gonna Change copy on 45 under the name WONDER WHO?

Is it a reissue? You can find it at JM shop where it's listed as "Four Seasons aka Wonder Who" ...

thanks

Claudio

It's a...............

If my memory is correct, the 4 Seasons was the only "big" version. It was certainly a monster around 1973 and I'm almost certain I first heard it at Va Va.

The Velours when it arrived on a pressing was a bit of a mystery. If it had been played, then it escaped my radar.

Incidentally, the 4 Seasons stereo mix is one of those really odd ones with the vocals panned all the way left. The fab harmonies that were so famous sound a little ragged to my ears when exposed without the track.

Your memory's correct Dayo! The Four Seasons was the one which caught fire across the scene and was much more popular than the Velours which came too late for most people.

I seem to remember The Velours version cropping up after the Four Seasons. Also I think The Velours was first played in the Birmingham/Wolverhampton area - I think Pep had the first copy didn't he?

But the Four Seasons version does it for me everytime - what a magnificent production.

Incidentally I actually know Don from the Velours! He eventually moved to the UK and then to Leeds and had success with the Fantastics "Something Old, Something New". I went out with his daughter, Emma Haywood, for a while and the other daughter, Sid, had some success as Haywoode with "Roses".

Oh what a tangled path we lead...........

Ian D

Edited July 30, 200816 yr by Ian Dewhirst

Your memory's correct Dayo! The Four Seasons was the one which caught fire across the scene and was much more popular than the Velours which came too late for most people.

I seem to remember The Velours version cropping up after the Four Seasons. Also I think The Velours was first played in the Birmingham/Wolverhampton area - I think Pep had the first copy didn't he?

But the Four Seasons version does it for me everytime - what a magnificent production.

Incidentally I actually know Don from the Velours! He eventually moved to the UK and then to Leeds and had success with the Fantastics "Something Old, Something New". I went out with his daughter, Emma Haywood, for a while and the other daughter, Sid, had some success as Haywoode with "Roses".

Oh what a tangled path we lead...........

Ian D

Cool story though!! Ive got a copy of velours but not heard the four seasons - is there a clip on here?

Blues and Soul number 113, July 1973, in Frank Elsons 'Check Out The North' columnn, Pep tips 'I'm Gonna Change' by the Velours.

Oddly I remember dancing the 4 Seasons verions ealrier trhan that, but with age and memory fadin, who knows!

I have a load of Blues & Souls and I love reading them to remind me of the some of the records that are not played anymore (and no, they are not for sale, I have had them since new)

Ok thanks, I'm addicted to the 4 Seasons version, so I'll have to look for the Smash copy...

cheers

love em both always wondered how much the guy on triangle got for 6 rings though

kev

I love both versions, though the Four Seasons is a bit too fast and The Velours murders it really. I've got a brilliant recording of the Four Seasons being played at Wigan with MASSIVE clapping, must try and find it.

Sorry for putting up this old thread again:

I found a I'm Gonna Change copy on 45 under the name WONDER WHO?

Is it a reissue? You can find it at JM shop where it's listed as "Four Seasons aka Wonder Who" ...

thanks

Claudio

boot

the 4 seasons for me everytime,click the link,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlmBdG3mW2s

the confusion thing's the MGM in the brackets... that's why I thought it might have been released on 45 before the Smash release...

Have to say neither do it for me, just one of those tunes i never gelled to. It always seemed a bit disjointed & almost out of tune to me. And an awkward dance rhythm too !

hi

i have a copy of im gonna change by the montaners on accatate got it from wigan

same as velours and four seasons but better i think my opinion

does any body know anything about it

sorry cant put sound file up dont have accsses to records

sid

hi

i have a copy of im gonna change by the montaners on accatate got it from wigan

same as velours and four seasons but better i think my opinion

does any body know anything about it

sorry cant put sound file up dont have accsses to records

sid

that's probably the version done by the Montanas on Independance.

boot

Prsumably booted under the alternative name because they were worried about being found out I guess and sued by Frankie Valli Ltd?

Thanks for the clarification on the Fantastics / Velours Ian - I knew there was a connection wasn't sure what it was - someone told me the Velours became the Fantastics, buit I knew that was not right.

Prsumably booted under the alternative name because they were worried about being found out I guess and sued by Frankie Valli Ltd?

the Four Seasons had a few records released under that name including a version of Dylan's Don't Think Twice It's Alright - the vocals were speeded up, can you believe that? Frankie's voice is already high, on the Wonder Who records he sounds like he's inhaled helium!

I was talking to Ritchie Pitts a while back and he told me both bands managers were friends and spoke a lot.

One of the conversations was about "I,m gonna change", the 4 seasons had recorded it but their manager didn't think it suitable for a 45 release so asked his oppo if the Velours wanted to try there luck with it, they recorded it and it got a 45 release.

Still not convinced with it the 4 seasons manager decided to just stick it the "New gold hits" LP as a filler .

As an old Wigan boy it has to be the 4 seasons every time for me

Ian.

4 Seasons played first prior to Casino, but the Velours was massive at the Casino, I have it on enough tapes to know.

cheers ken for the sound file

but have you got the instrumental version as well done by the montanas

only i have that as well on acate but no sound file

thanks

sid

Edited August 1, 200816 yr by sid jones

Think the inst is John Schroeder came out on UK Alaska around 75/76 not heard it in years think it was ok

I remember buying a Black MGM issue of JM years ago, think thats pretty rare never seen another.

Cheers Ian

Edited August 2, 200816 yr by Ian

I'd would have laid a £50 bet with anyone that the Velours was played by someone BEFORE the 4 seasons...I'm sure I heard this at the Cats in 73 before The Casino had even opend and remember commenting how too dissjointed The Four Seasons version sounded to The Velours when I heard it for the first time

I like both versions but the 4 Seasons just nudges ahead, I've got their version on an emi-disc I've had since I don't know when...still a classic tune imo

KTF

Baz

Anyone know whether the 4 Seasons version appeared on a 45 single in ANY country or was it only ever on that LP of theirs, New Gold Hits?

Anyone agree with me that the 4 Seasons just shades it over the Velours!

Both are brilliant of course but I tend think Frankie Valli and the boys just get the honours for the turbo charged musical arrangement and those harmonies!

Can anyone tell whether the 4 Seasons version got big plays at any of the major northern venues of the 60s and 70s?

cheers!

I'd would have laid a £50 bet with anyone that the Velours was played by someone BEFORE the 4 seasons...I'm sure I heard this at the Cats in 73 before The Casino had even opend and remember commenting how too dissjointed The Four Seasons version sounded to The Velours when I heard it for the first time

See my ealrier post

Blues and Soul number 113, July 1973, in Frank Elsons 'Check Out The North' columnn, Pep tips 'I'm Gonna Change' by the Velours. Pep[ was at the Cats when he said this.

I'd would have laid a £50 bet with anyone that the Velours was played by someone BEFORE the 4 seasons...I'm sure I heard this at the Cats in 73 before The Casino had even opend and remember commenting how too dissjointed The Four Seasons version sounded to The Velours when I heard it for the first time

have a sneeky feeling it was played at Va Va's.......can't be sure

I can remember Russ citing the 4 seasons as one of his favourite groups Hence I don't think he did a set without playing it 73 through 74. Massive Wigan sound one of the all timer's