A early cover of Alison

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:45 am

This recent post on wiki is intriguing.

http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/inde ... %22_single

Released 1977
Producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange
Label Mercury

A very early Costello cover, featuring a high profile producer. Has anyone heard this ?

verbal gymnastics · Post by **verbal gymnastics** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 11:37 am

I knew of its existence from Geoff Parkyn's "Elvis Costello The Illustrated Disco/Biography" book (which also cites The Shakin' Pyramids' version of Just A Memory) but I've never heard it (or The Shakin' Pyramids record either).

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 12:43 pm

A reason for the cover may have been Lange's then involvement with MAIT backing band Clover, producing a few albums for them. It may have been as simple as one of Clover mentioning the song when , perhaps, Lange was looking for a song for Barry Christian. That doesn't mean Clover played this session. It would be interesting to see,if they did,if they replicate the backing they gave Elvis.

I've bid a few quid for a copy on ebay (c'mon - don't outbid - please!) and should know tomorrow if it's mine. Hopefully I should, therefore , be able to report back when I give it a spin. Martin may even be persuaded to post one of those sound file things.

http://www.clover-infopage.com/

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Sat Jul 25, 2009 1:03 pm

I wonder if this 1980 single is by the same Barry Christian ?

http://www.discogs.com/viewimages?release=1575080

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 6:33 am

My successful bid for this means it's on its way ( from Brighton ) so I hope to report back on this soon.

EarlManchester · Post by **EarlManchester** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:17 am

johnfoyle wrote:My successful bid for this means it's on its way ( from Brighton ) so I hope to report back on this soon.

Hurray!

Martin may even be persuaded to post one of those sound file things.

Hereinafter referred to as an SFT...

martinfoyle · Post by **martinfoyle** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:40 pm

http://www.mediafire.com/file/1ijminj0zzm/Alison.mp3

johnfoyle · Post by **johnfoyle** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:50 pm

As the sound file shows, this is a very full production. Lots of guitar and strings. The vocal is awful, really thin and bland. Very 1970s. The reprise ending is particularly awful, a poor substitute for the fade on Elvis' original.

I've e-mailed Alex Call of Clover , asking if he has any memory of this , if Clover were involved etc. I'll pass on any reply I may get.

sabreman · Post by **sabreman** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 4:27 pm

LOL! EC should try that ending!

bronxapostle · Post by **bronxapostle** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:17 pm

martinfoyle wrote:http://www.mediafire.com/file/1ijminj0zzm/Alison.mp3

stellar work again KING & PRINCE FOYLE!!!!!!

Azmuda · Post by **Azmuda** » Wed May 21, 2014 5:08 pm

Reviewed in NME, December 17, 1977 (I think).

Images thanks once again to the amazing littletriggers on Flickr.

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A early cover of Alison

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