Hello... Well, its been a good 7 months since we released Black Apple, and I must confess... it feels more like years. That might come off as "detached" just a wee bit. But really its not. Its true that I have been quite busy with other projects unrelated to FG, but that doesn't mean that I have stopped rummaging through Patrick's vast collection of reel tapes and cassette recordings. I have not, I assure you. In fact, I compiled a rather large collection of familiar songs - many of which we recorded for Black Apple. But these particular songs that I would like to share were recorded many years ago by various known and unknown artists. And it is incredibly fascinating stuff! As I had mentioned in previous posts going back a few years, I made clear that Patrick McKenzie was a ghost writer for Decca Records - during the 1960s. I don't know for exact sure as to how long he worked for Decca, but it was a good long stretch. Still, I have since found out that he was also a freelance agent and traveled extensively to America, Australia and throughout the UK. All the while working with up coming artists of various genres. Most of these artists had development deals with many different record labels big and small. Over the next few weeks I'd like to share some of the songs I have uncovered and digitally repaired. Lets start with the song 'The Tourist'. This song can also be found on the Black Apple record, although this version has an entirely different melody - of the folk genre. Had I found this recording before finding the sheet music for the version we recorded for the album, I think I would have selected this version over ours. Its such a lovely version, I really like it. Here is what my research found on the tune: (Most of it is speculation, naturally) Song#1. The Tourist - as sung by Debbie Sings or Debbie Green, circa 1967/68. Is it unclear as to which Debbie the tape notes are referring to with this song. It's a tossup based on the loose information at hand, but we feel that the unsung folk singer Debbie Green may be the singer of this version of The Tourist. Debbie was a friend to Joni Mitchell in the 1960s and up until her death. While at Berkeley, Debbie taught Joan Baez how to sing and play guitar. Apparently Baez was ambitious and Debbie was not. However, it is also said that Debbie never recorded an album. But it is also more than likely that some recordings of her do exist somewhere, and this song just might be one of them. Patrick's lyrics are true to the original with the exception of one word (happy/sappy), but the music was clearly written for and catered to this lovely folk singers style and voice. Patrick would work with many unknown artists who had procured record label development deals. For the record, we must also discuss the possibility that the artist known only as Debbie Sings could also be the singer on this version. When compared, the voices are strikingly similar, although perhaps a bit more youthful sounding -which could also date the recording as early as 1967. Debbie Sings was a little known folk album recorded in 1969 at Kay Bank Recording Company in Minneapolis for Universal Audio Recording (label). This record can be found on YouTube, so I invite you to seek it out, take a listen and compare it to The Tourist. This particular recording has such a vibe, a warmly charming and soft tone throughout. And I quite liked it when she would move closer to the microphone at times and her vocal would get louder or softer at strategic moments. Absolutely charming. Thanks to the miracle of digital technology I was able to filter out all the pops and clicks quite effectively. God, I love software. Enjoy! Debbie Green (top) and (bottom)
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