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I'M GONNA CHANGE: Velours/ 4 Seasons ?


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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!

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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

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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.

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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

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  • 4 years later...

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...............

post-953-1217417153.jpg

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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 biggrin.gif

Edited by Ian Dewhirst
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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 :D

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

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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)

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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

post-4019-1217446878_thumb.jpg

post-4019-1217446878_thumb.jpg

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Guest Bogue
:lol: 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 !
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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.

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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.

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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!

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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 huh.gif:D .

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

Ian.

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Guest Netspeaky

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

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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 by Ian
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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

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Guest bazabod_downunder

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!

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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.

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Guest gordon russell

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 :thumbsup:

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