"... even though it owes nothing to the music that was actually performed in actual music halls. But what it does owe a great deal to is the work of Anthony Newley. One can draw a direct line from him through Davy Jones of the Monkees, Bowie, Syd Barrett, Ray Davies, Ian Dury, Blur… even a performer like John Lydon, someone who would seem worlds away from Newley’s showbiz sheen, has far more of his influence in his vocal inflections than most would acknowledge. Every time you hear a singer referred to as 'quintessentially British,' you’re probably hearing someone who is either imitating Newley, or imitating someone who was imitating Newley."
This was a surprisingly interesting episode. It just came up in the order of things, and I was in no mood to get interested in Anthony Newley, but I let it run. Here's an old video I dug up on my own in which he and Joan Rivers are discussing whether it's good to be a rock star:
Never heard of Newly before, but recall a long review/analysis of the Kink’s Village Green Preservation Society in which the author talked about English music hall, and how the Davies grew up singing and playing it with their family in their living room. Then the reviewer made some snide comments about “All of My Friends Were There," and how Davies was letting his music hall routes run wild to the detriment of that song. I enjoy that song and more broadly can’t look critically at anything about that gem of a record, because you don[t mess with perfect. Maybe I’ll like learning about Newly too, bu t I’m 100s of episodes behind and feeling like I need to go in order.
I loved Tony Newley when he did the talk shows. He sang so badly, or at least so strangely, that it was funny and fun to imitate.
"Music hall" is also a genre on the continent. It also probably doesn't have much to do with what was played in 19th century music halls either. It's an evolving genre, like everything else.
If I ruled the world Every man would say the world was his friend There'd be happiness that no man could end No my friend, not if I ruled the world Every head would be held up high There'd be sunshine in everyone's sky If the day ever dawned when I ruled the world
Tony's big song. He didn't write it, though he did collaborate on other projects with Leslie Bricusse who wrote the lyrics.
A web search brings up as the top results the lyrics for another "If I Ruled the World" song by the rapper Nas (not to be confused with Lil Nas X), a performance which gives a rather different view of what would happen if the world were under other management.
According to Wiki, he was writing a musical comedy version of Shakespeare's Richard III at the time of his death. Why not? "The Roar of the Greasepaint..."was kind of the musical comedy version of Waiting for Godot...He had a successful stage career but, based on the evidence of that clip, I wouldn't think his stage persona will be the most enduring part of his legacy. He wrote any number of great songs that became the signature songs of performers of far more enduring fame....I would have thought him more West End than Music Hall, but whatever heading you want to put his songs under, they were worth listening to. He co-wrote Goldfinger so he has the distinction of writing the best Bond theme.
I was in no mood to get interested in Anthony Newley, but I let it run.
Can't contribute much to this interesting topic, but have to note how much this line tickled me. You wanted to get interested in something, but NOT Anthony Newley and, darn, you're interested.
This type of music pops up in interesting ways. Queen, in one of their earlier albums, did "Seaside Rendezvous," which was a charming ditty. I can imagine the Rolling Stone reviewer listening to that and thinking "what tha ...?"
(Funny note: I looked up the RS review. It's short, slams the group's "lyrical abstraction," doesn't mention "Bohemian Rhapsody," and praises "The Prophet's Song" as the best track.)
Anthony Newly was one of those guys, like Burt Bacharate or Paul Anka, that everytime I'd see them as a teenageer I'd sneer "boring Old man" and change the channel. I though of Sinatra and Elvis that way too. Old fat guys my mother liked. It isn't till I got older and saw Elvis and Sinatra from TV shows or films from the 40s or 50s that I realized they were pretty great.
Thanks for the recommendation of A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs!
It gives good insights into the actual, technical construction of the songs, something I rarely find. It is surprising how little you learn about music from reading about music.
Ian and the Blockheads were an exceptional band. I would’ve loved to hear Newley sing “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick” or “Sex and Drugs and Rock n’ Roll”.
As for Bowie, I can think of a few songs of his that were nearly ruined by his affection for Newley’s style.
They're costumed for a sketch, aren't they? That's the Tonight Show set, Joan guest-hosting. They've done a "Mighty Carson Art Players" (without Carson). Just my surmise, but hmph I think so.
What the clip reminds me is how good Joan Rivers was at that odd talk-show blend of half-interview half-conversation. The producer can't find anywhere to cue in an audience reaction because the flow of talk is so alert and changeable: they're making it up as they go along, and more than just performing for out front, they're interested in what they find to say.
It's not that Rivers and Newly don't keep a show-bizzy eye on how they're going over, but their audience-awareness is the least visible element on that stage. This is art that conceals art.
A great piece of pop music and I think the first 45 record I ever owned. Grammy Song of the Year in 1963, and so many other singers recorded it -- although, as many Althouse commenters know, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was to be released in the U.S. in December 1963 and help change the scene drastically. Compare this video clip with the civilized Newley and his great singing to the endless Kurt Cobain material or the vapid Arlo Guthrie song in Althouse's other post. Sorry, Arlo fans, but the truth is, there really is no comparison, is there?
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23 comments:
Never heard of Newly before, but recall a long review/analysis of the Kink’s Village Green Preservation Society in which the author talked about English music hall, and how the Davies grew up singing and playing it with their family in their living room. Then the reviewer made some snide comments about “All of My Friends Were There," and how Davies was letting his music hall routes run wild to the detriment of that song. I enjoy that song and more broadly can’t look critically at anything about that gem of a record, because you don[t mess with perfect. Maybe I’ll like learning about Newly too, bu t I’m 100s of episodes behind and feeling like I need to go in order.
I loved Tony Newley when he did the talk shows. He sang so badly, or at least so strangely, that it was funny and fun to imitate.
"Music hall" is also a genre on the continent. It also probably doesn't have much to do with what was played in 19th century music halls either. It's an evolving genre, like everything else.
I want to wear what he's got on and stroll down main street of my city.
Fascinating. I can totally hear the influence on David Bowie. It reminded me of this one in particular:
Wild Is The Wind
If I ruled the world
Every man would say the world was his friend
There'd be happiness that no man could end
No my friend, not if I ruled the world
Every head would be held up high
There'd be sunshine in everyone's sky
If the day ever dawned when I ruled the world
Tony's big song. He didn't write it, though he did collaborate on other projects with Leslie Bricusse who wrote the lyrics.
A web search brings up as the top results the lyrics for another "If I Ruled the World" song by the rapper Nas (not to be confused with Lil Nas X), a performance which gives a rather different view of what would happen if the world were under other management.
Anthony Newley sucked. The guy held notes with consonants instead of vowels. Even as a little kid I picked that up when he was on Carson.
Anthony Newley was a co-writer on all the songs from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. That alone makes him a world treasure.
According to Wiki, he was writing a musical comedy version of Shakespeare's Richard III at the time of his death. Why not? "The Roar of the Greasepaint..."was kind of the musical comedy version of Waiting for Godot...He had a successful stage career but, based on the evidence of that clip, I wouldn't think his stage persona will be the most enduring part of his legacy. He wrote any number of great songs that became the signature songs of performers of far more enduring fame....I would have thought him more West End than Music Hall, but whatever heading you want to put his songs under, they were worth listening to. He co-wrote Goldfinger so he has the distinction of writing the best Bond theme.
I was in no mood to get interested in Anthony Newley, but I let it run.
Can't contribute much to this interesting topic, but have to note how much this line tickled me. You wanted to get interested in something, but NOT Anthony Newley and, darn, you're interested.
I do like Tony's getup... Elizabethan Mod mashup.
If you can put up with that clip long enough, you’ll hear him sing “What Kind of Fool Am I.”
He and Joan are wearing costumes for some reason… maybe it’s Halloween.
This type of music pops up in interesting ways. Queen, in one of their earlier albums, did "Seaside Rendezvous," which was a charming ditty. I can imagine the Rolling Stone reviewer listening to that and thinking "what tha ...?"
(Funny note: I looked up the RS review. It's short, slams the group's "lyrical abstraction," doesn't mention "Bohemian Rhapsody," and praises "The Prophet's Song" as the best track.)
I wish I could find a recording of Ronny Graham singing his song:
"What on earth's that horrible noise?
(imitates Newley)
It's Anthony Newley!"
Some of McCartney's output has been characterized as "music hall," and I don't think he would object to that description. "When I'm 64" comes to mind.
For a good primer on what the music hall tradition is all about, check out Chaplin's autobiography.
Anthony Newly was one of those guys, like Burt Bacharate or Paul Anka, that everytime I'd see them as a teenageer I'd sneer "boring Old man" and change the channel. I though of Sinatra and Elvis that way too. Old fat guys my mother liked. It isn't till I got older and saw Elvis and Sinatra from TV shows or films from the 40s or 50s that I realized they were pretty great.
Thanks for the recommendation of A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs!
It gives good insights into the actual, technical construction of the songs, something I rarely find. It is surprising how little you learn about music from reading about music.
Ian and the Blockheads were an exceptional band. I would’ve loved to hear Newley sing “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick” or “Sex and Drugs and Rock n’ Roll”.
As for Bowie, I can think of a few songs of his that were nearly ruined by his affection for Newley’s style.
maybe it's Halloween
They're costumed for a sketch, aren't they? That's the Tonight Show set, Joan guest-hosting. They've done a "Mighty Carson Art Players" (without Carson). Just my surmise, but hmph I think so.
What the clip reminds me is how good Joan Rivers was at that odd talk-show blend of half-interview half-conversation. The producer can't find anywhere to cue in an audience reaction because the flow of talk is so alert and changeable: they're making it up as they go along, and more than just performing for out front, they're interested in what they find to say.
It's not that Rivers and Newly don't keep a show-bizzy eye on how they're going over, but their audience-awareness is the least visible element on that stage. This is art that conceals art.
Agree w/Will Cate on his choice. Another one that comes to mind is Sweet Thing off of Diamond Dogs.
Whenever I hear the name Anthony Newly all I can think of is Dr. Dolittle with Rex Harrison.
When I'm 64" comes to mind.
Lennon called it granny music. Pretty much.
A great piece of pop music and I think the first 45 record I ever owned. Grammy Song of the Year in 1963, and so many other singers recorded it -- although, as many Althouse commenters know, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was to be released in the U.S. in December 1963 and help change the scene drastically. Compare this video clip with the civilized Newley and his great singing to the endless Kurt Cobain material or the vapid Arlo Guthrie song in Althouse's other post. Sorry, Arlo fans, but the truth is, there really is no comparison, is there?
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