How many versions of this tune exist? Obviously Yvonne Baker is timeless to most of us and i like Patti Austin's 70's version.. Ive been into this scene for years but only know of these two versions... surely there must be more recorded attempts to capture the magic of a great song...

Isnt there a versh by Jean Wells?

Jim

How many versions of this tune exist? Obviously Yvonne Baker is timeless to most of us and i like Patti Austin's 70's version.. Ive been into this scene for years but only know of these two versions... surely there must be more recorded attempts to capture the magic of a great song...

Only the two I'm afraid. The Patti Austin 70's version (whilst great in its own way) is still kinda limp compared to the earlier superior Yvonne Baker recording, one of the greatest Northern Soul records of all time. Pretty much unbeatable IMO. Did she ever record again?

Ian D

Edited December 12, 200915 yr by Ian Dewhirst

How many versions of this tune exist? Obviously Yvonne Baker is timeless to most of us and i like Patti Austin's 70's version.. Ive been into this scene for years but only know of these two versions... surely there must be more recorded attempts to capture the magic of a great song...

There's Brenda Holloway's re-recording, but compared to the other two ....

Cheers

Mick Holdsworth

How about the instrumental that never was: 'Times Gone By' by Music Track on International Artists. This got a few plays in the days where instrumentals and fast turnover of records were the order of the day. In fact I remember going through Richard Searling's box trying to get him to sell me stuff at knock down prices when he played this and introduced it as "Don't Say A Word"

It's actually the instrumental to a song of the same name by the Disciples of Shaftesbury. The Music Track version came out on International Artists on the flip of "Sweet Thang" by Frankie & Johnny, which I recall sounds like sort of country punk. The Texas label is mainly of interest to collectors af 60s garage/psch - as you would expect with artists like 13th Floor Elevators and Red Krayola.

Well there's another vocal to the You Didn't Say A Word backing track (The Chesterfields?) if that counts. IT's not very good.

Only the two I'm afraid. The Patti Austin 70's version (whilst great in its own way) is still kinda limp compared to the earlier superior Yvonne Baker recording, one of the greatest Northern Soul records of all time. Pretty much unbeatable IMO. Did she ever record again?

Ian D

Ian , you'll kick yourself .....Yvonne recorded her version of " I Can't change " c/w " Mend The Torn Pieces " on Junior records , sure you know that tho ' .........Best,Eddie

Ian , you'll kick yourself .....Yvonne recorded her version of " I Can't change " c/w " Mend The Torn Pieces " on Junior records , sure you know that tho ' .........Best,Eddie

Not to mention her recordings with the sensations on Atco and Argo..

And her great 'My baby Needs me' on Modern. Also there's Lorraines Chandler's 'You Only Live Twice' and Milton Bennett's 'What's One More Lie' vocal and inst that are very closely related. Particularly Lorraine's when you realise she also did the original of 'Mend The Torn Pieces' and 'I Can't Change', her YOLT was probably the blueprint for YDSAW, there was a big Detroit / Philly / GWP NYC link with the Pied Piper recordings.

What is the story behind these Bond type themes?

How many versions of this tune exist? Obviously Yvonne Baker is timeless to most of us and i like Patti Austin's 70's version.. Ive been into this scene for years but only know of these two versions... surely there must be more recorded attempts to capture the magic of a great song...

am sure rod stewart will have covered it

Neil Rushton certainly referred to the unissued Jean Wells original version on the sleeve notes of the Inferno Out On The Floor Tonight LP

Ian , you'll kick yourself .....Yvonne recorded her version of " I Can't change " c/w " Mend The Torn Pieces " on Junior records , sure you know that tho ' .........Best,Eddie

Ah, maybe I made a continuity error Eddie. I always assumed that "You Didn't Say A Word" was after "I Can't Change". The production on "Didn't Say A Word" sounds much better and more contemporary than "I Can't Change" which always sounded dated and slightly doo-woppy to me. I was really wondering what happened to her after "Didn't Say A Word" 'cos her performance on that is right up there with my all-time faves. I think it's one of the greatest productions, greatest arrangements and greatest vocals ever laid to plastic and it's almost inconceivable to me that she disappeared after that........

......there again what about Jodi Mathis? What happened to her? How can a vocalist of that magnitude just disappear into the ether..........?

Ian D

Edited December 12, 200915 yr by Ian Dewhirst

Ah, maybe I made a continuity error Eddie. I always assumed that "You Didn't Say A Word" was after "I Can't Change". The production on "Didn't Say A Word" sounds much better and more contemporary than "I Can't Change" which always sounded dated and slightly doo-woppy to me. I was really wondering what happened to her after "Didn't Say A Word" 'cos her performance on that is right up there with my all-time faves. I think it's one of the greatest productions, greatest arrangements and greatest vocals ever laid to plastic and it's almost inconceivable to me that she disappeared after that........

......there again what about Jodi Mathis? What happened to her? How can a vocalist of that magnitude just disappear into the ether..........?

Ian D

Off topic again but,Jodi Mathis - first time i heard this at the Mecca thought it was announced as Johnny Mathis .As you say top vocals, a firm fave in the Holmes residence.

Off topic again but,Jodi Mathis - first time i heard this at the Mecca thought it was announced as Johnny Mathis .As you say top vocals, a firm fave in the Holmes residence.

I assumed that she might be related to Johnny and Capitol picked it up because of that but I've never researched her. Maybe someone on here knows more............?

Ian D

Ah, maybe I made a continuity error Eddie. I always assumed that "You Didn't Say A Word" was after "I Can't Change". The production on "Didn't Say A Word" sounds much better and more contemporary than "I Can't Change" which always sounded dated and slightly doo-woppy to me. I was really wondering what happened to her after "Didn't Say A Word" 'cos her performance on that is right up there with my all-time faves. I think it's one of the greatest productions, greatest arrangements and greatest vocals ever laid to plastic and it's almost inconceivable to me that she disappeared after that........

......there again what about Jodi Mathis? What happened to her? How can a vocalist of that magnitude just disappear into the ether..........?

Ian D

With his connections and knowledge , I am sure Kev Roberts may have information on YB .

Malc Burton

What is the story behind these Bond type themes?

I've always assumed it ties in with the reggae/ska tracks with similar themes of the same time.... trying to cash in on a current phenomenon?

I was told that Ernestine Eady who recorded Let's Talk It Over is really Yvonne Baker, is that right?

these two thought it would all end after the wheel shut . as it turns out they have every badge ever sold on the scene. Now on the subject of original clothing....