| Author |
Message |
 
Bob F (notsocool66)
1-Arriviste
Username: notsocool66
Post Number: 1
Registered: 5-2004
Posted From: 4.239.9.131
| | Posted on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 2:19 pm: �� |     ���  |
Hello!
I'm a new member, and I'm not certain that this subject belongs in a forum on soul music, but the version of Unchained Melody by Al Hibbler touched my soul! Many years after I heard it in the mid-50s, people started talking about the version done by the Righteous Brothers and implying that was the definitive version.
As you can see by my notsocool66 user name, I'm not so young and not so cool, but other than the soul music I heard on a local Philly station (back in the day!) and some trips to the famous Uptown Theatre, I can't remember any music in general play that had such a feel to it.
My wife, a former church organist, whose musical tastes are somewhat different from mine, claims that the "phrasing" is better in the Righteous Brothers' version.
What's the consensus? I've mentioned Hibler to many people, and most haven't even heard of him.
Thanks for letting me partcipate, Bob F.
(Message edited by notsocool66 on May 24, 2004) |
Robb_K (robb_k)
5-Doyen
Username: robb_k
Post Number: 277
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 204.108.65.10
| | Posted on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 2:28 pm: �� | ��� |
What about Vito and The Salutations' version? Roy Hamilton's? The Diplomats did a great one, too!
I haven't heard Al Hibbler's version, but I have a few records by him, and know he was a good singer. Was it on Decca Records?
(Message edited by Robb_K on May 24, 2004) |
Bob F (notsocool66)
1-Arriviste
Username: notsocool66
Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2004
Posted From: 4.239.144.80
| | Posted on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 2:43 pm: �� | ��� |
The best information I can find is that it was Decca in 1955--but the credit on the "50s pop tunes" disk mentions MCA. You're right about the spelling; I should have typed Hibbler with two b's. Thanks, Bob F. |
Reese (reese)
3-Pundit
Username: reese
Post Number: 59
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 12.15.168.229
| | Posted on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 2:43 pm: �� | ��� |
I must admit I've never heard Al Hibbler's version. To me, the definitive version is Dionne Warwick's. |
SDF (handsome)
4-Laureate
Username: handsome
Post Number: 124
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 170.118.158.14
| | Posted on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 2:46 pm: �� | ��� |
I like the Supremes from the lp, "I Hear A Symphony". The Sweet Inspirations also did a version.
Handsome |
Robb_K (robb_k)
5-Doyen
Username: robb_k
Post Number: 280
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 204.108.65.10
| | Posted on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 3:01 pm: �� | ��� |
MCA is correct, as they bought Decca years ago. |
Nikki (45rpmgal)
3-Pundit
Username: 45rpmgal
Post Number: 37
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 65.206.46.218
| | Posted on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 7:58 pm: �� | ��� |
Unchained Melody:
Blackwells (Jamie) 1960
Patti Labelle & Bluebelles (Atlantic) 1966
Catalinas (20th Fox) 1961
Coralites (Carib)
Diplomats (Arock) 1964
Five Discs (Crystal Ball) 1978
Honey Boys (Boogie Music) 1974
Imaginations (Collectibles) 1991
Leroy Lovett & the Players (Atlantic) 1955
Vito & the Salutations (Herald) 1963
Bobby Day & the Satellites (Class) 1959
Five Jades (acapella - Relic) 1975
Fleetwoods (acapella - Dolton) - 1959
Al Hibbler's version is a legend.
My favorite is by the Coralites, which has a great ska background, recorded in the Islands. Date is unknown, but from the sound, I would guestimate it to be early 60s.
 Nikki |
zebop (zebop)
3-Pundit
Username: zebop
Post Number: 40
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 64.12.116.138
| | Posted on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 8:00 pm: �� | ��� |
Al Green did a nice version on "Livin' For You." |
Robb_K (robb_k)
5-Doyen
Username: robb_k
Post Number: 284
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 66.81.192.161
| | Posted on Monday, May 24, 2004 - 8:54 pm: �� | ��� |
I checked my Decca Records, and Lo and Behold, I DO have "Unchained Melody" by Al Hibbler (Decca 9-29441! It is interesting, to say the least. He sang it a bit on the operatic side, and very dramatically. His version could easily fit into a Broadway Show (like "Showboat" or "Porgy And Bess"). That's probably why I didn't remember having it. I go more for his bluesier sides, such as: "After The Lights Go Down Low" (Decca 9-29982), which could have been done by Cab Calloway. |
dvdmike (dvdmike)
4-Laureate
Username: dvdmike
Post Number: 112
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 65.208.234.61
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 6:00 am: �� | ��� |
My favorite is Roy Hamilton's 1955 version. It was competing with Hibbler's. I believe Roy had more success with it. |
Soul Sister (soul_sister)
6-Zenith
Username: soul_sister
Post Number: 582
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 68.21.244.254
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 5:02 pm: �� | ��� |
Hey RobbK, Nikki, & Everyone;
I remember Roy Hamilton's version back in the 50's, it was touching.
Of course Bobby Hatfield did a killer job in the early 60's.
How about Jimmy Scott's Atlantic version from 1969?
S.S. |
Bob F (notsocool66)
1-Arriviste
Username: notsocool66
Post Number: 5
Registered: 5-2004
Posted From: 4.239.138.194
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 10:54 am: �� | ��� |
Thanks to all for letting me know about so many other versions, and I guess that Robb K is right about the somewhat operatic sound of the Hibbler version. I notice several mentions of Roy Hamilton, so I'll have to check that one out. And thanks Soul Sister for mentioning "touching" as a criterion! Ultimately that's how I judge a piece ... and a couple of beers never hurts ;-)
|
dvdmike (dvdmike)
4-Laureate
Username: dvdmike
Post Number: 114
Registered: 4-2004
Posted From: 65.208.234.61
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 11:48 am: �� | ��� |
The song written by Alex North and Hy Zaret came from the 1955 film, "Unchained" starring former NFL star Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, Barbara Hale and Chester Morris. It was a story of a prison inmate battling the forces of evil. Saxman Dexter Gordon had an uncredited role in the film as what else? A sax player. |
SF3000 (slyfan_3000)
4-Laureate
Username: slyfan_3000
Post Number: 71
Registered: 5-2004
Posted From: 67.119.52.41
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 3:12 pm: �� | ��� |
Al Hibbler hands down..
The Al Green version is flawless! I prefer his version over them all. |