Great song, great undersung band, easy to lose in the mists of time (and the pile of flashy music videos in MTV's '80s discard pile)! While I haven't spent any ink writing about LRB, I've sung a couple of their songs in karaoke a decade ago, and they are fun songs to sing, as you mentioned! I don't think I ever sang this one, but I know I did "Reminiscing" and "Lonesome Loser" (speaking of unrequited love as a life theme)!!!
Glenn Shorrock's tenor range was right in my wheelhouse, which made him fun to sing with no mechanical pitch altering and no straining! I got "introduced" to his LRB replacement, John Farnham, when my fave American Idol runner-up, David Archuleta, did Farnham's "You're the Voice" in 2008."
No one on the panel knew the song, of course, and when Randy Jackson mentioned that he thought it was "John Farnham from Australia," I think Simon managed a grunt. Here's David on that "AI" show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBLDSH4YPfA
I had seen David's turn on "Star Search" about 5 years before, and loved him even then. Thanks for the shout-out, yo!
You're welcome! You're The Voice was my introduction to John Farnham and I bought the album based on the strength of that song. I've heard David Archuleta's name for ages but had never heard him until that clip. He really gravitated to 80s songs, didn't he? I do prefer Farnham's version, of course. Bagpipes!
That's what impressed me about David's song choices, especially this one that all but stumped the AI panel! David knew what he liked, knew his voice, and not only was attracted to this song or that, but certain voices he knew fit his range and timbre. He absolutely trumped the panel on that one, despite Simon's trite "amusement park with animated characters" crack. About a dozen years ago, David was offering (to early purchasers...of course, I was one!) an autographed version of his latest CD! He's got such range, control, and a fascinating soft edge to his tone that I find so easy to listen to!
The Christmas song is lovely and I probably would have more to say if it was during the Christmas season. Hard for me to get into it much right now. The soft edge is really interesting. Has his sound stayed like this?
Plus, David's always been noted and praised for having soul, and singing songs that come from his heart, and that's what I've always picked up on, even when he was 12 on "Star Search." I always just heard his voice, not as a sharp, piercing tenor, but with a sort of fuzzy edge around it, not unlike, say, Mel Torme.
During his Idol years, his performances usually left me with tears in my eyes....I guess I was feeling that soul and passion, and having been following him for several years from one talent show to another. As you know, singers/performers can be just like friends.
However much someone may sound like another, you may like the one and not the other, because you and your favorite just "click" (like why I love Genesis and just shrug at Rush, or adore Bonnie Raitt, but barely tolerate Linda Ronstadt)!
I'm willing to bet, too, I somehow picked up some of his early personal questioning angst and yearning he later came to terms with (now that I look back on his past performances, and what I liked about them). I look at him now, and I can imagine the pain, pressure, and ridicule he must've endured, especially growing up in the Mormon church.
Such an amazing song, especially that bolded lyric! Gosh I love so many of their songs, despite never listening to any of their albums. I don’t know anything about the loss of the bassist or lead singer, will have to do some research on that.
Great song, great undersung band, easy to lose in the mists of time (and the pile of flashy music videos in MTV's '80s discard pile)! While I haven't spent any ink writing about LRB, I've sung a couple of their songs in karaoke a decade ago, and they are fun songs to sing, as you mentioned! I don't think I ever sang this one, but I know I did "Reminiscing" and "Lonesome Loser" (speaking of unrequited love as a life theme)!!!
Glenn Shorrock's tenor range was right in my wheelhouse, which made him fun to sing with no mechanical pitch altering and no straining! I got "introduced" to his LRB replacement, John Farnham, when my fave American Idol runner-up, David Archuleta, did Farnham's "You're the Voice" in 2008."
No one on the panel knew the song, of course, and when Randy Jackson mentioned that he thought it was "John Farnham from Australia," I think Simon managed a grunt. Here's David on that "AI" show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBLDSH4YPfA
I had seen David's turn on "Star Search" about 5 years before, and loved him even then. Thanks for the shout-out, yo!
You're welcome! You're The Voice was my introduction to John Farnham and I bought the album based on the strength of that song. I've heard David Archuleta's name for ages but had never heard him until that clip. He really gravitated to 80s songs, didn't he? I do prefer Farnham's version, of course. Bagpipes!
That's what impressed me about David's song choices, especially this one that all but stumped the AI panel! David knew what he liked, knew his voice, and not only was attracted to this song or that, but certain voices he knew fit his range and timbre. He absolutely trumped the panel on that one, despite Simon's trite "amusement park with animated characters" crack. About a dozen years ago, David was offering (to early purchasers...of course, I was one!) an autographed version of his latest CD! He's got such range, control, and a fascinating soft edge to his tone that I find so easy to listen to!
He made it onto my recent Christmas playlist a coupla times. See whatcha think: https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/deck-the-malls-playlist-christmas
The Christmas song is lovely and I probably would have more to say if it was during the Christmas season. Hard for me to get into it much right now. The soft edge is really interesting. Has his sound stayed like this?
Plus, David's always been noted and praised for having soul, and singing songs that come from his heart, and that's what I've always picked up on, even when he was 12 on "Star Search." I always just heard his voice, not as a sharp, piercing tenor, but with a sort of fuzzy edge around it, not unlike, say, Mel Torme.
During his Idol years, his performances usually left me with tears in my eyes....I guess I was feeling that soul and passion, and having been following him for several years from one talent show to another. As you know, singers/performers can be just like friends.
However much someone may sound like another, you may like the one and not the other, because you and your favorite just "click" (like why I love Genesis and just shrug at Rush, or adore Bonnie Raitt, but barely tolerate Linda Ronstadt)!
I'm willing to bet, too, I somehow picked up some of his early personal questioning angst and yearning he later came to terms with (now that I look back on his past performances, and what I liked about them). I look at him now, and I can imagine the pain, pressure, and ridicule he must've endured, especially growing up in the Mormon church.
You can hear his growth here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjcZkhQj-08
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFAAzxAlhHc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaO7KFAMNv4&list=OLAK5uy_n_kRJFzZz5V0ggai9_IVG1XWRihtjRKDQ&index=2
Such an amazing song, especially that bolded lyric! Gosh I love so many of their songs, despite never listening to any of their albums. I don’t know anything about the loss of the bassist or lead singer, will have to do some research on that.
I'm in the same boat. I've never listened to the albums but love the singles.