It was five months ago, when, while writing a post about an Inner-Glo records release, I discovered, to my great surprise, that I'd never featured my favorite two Sammy Marshall recordings, which are on the two sides of the same 45. I'd like to rectify that now. The record, as you might surmise from that introduction, also came out on the Inner-Glo label, and like all Inner-Glo releases, was written (or, in the case of these two songs, co-written) by label creator and head honcho (honcha?) Edith Hopkins, my all time favorite song-poet. I've rhapsodized about her quite enough, including in the post linked above, so I'll get right to the music.
Now, I write that these are my favorite Sammy tunes, and labeled this post "Sammy Marshall's Greatest Hits" knowing full well that many, if not most of you out there - at least those who have a favorite Sammy Marshall record - probably prefer one of his rock and roll rave-ups, or maybe even one of his all-to-few (and excellent) atmospheric numbers such as "Picture in the Fire".
(I also recognize that he's identified here as "Sonny Marcell", but I'll go with his most common song-poem name, here and in the labels.)
But these two teen idol styled numbers are the gold standard for me, with "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained" getting the nod as the better of the two. Both of these songs, but particularly "Nothing Ventured", sound to me like records that could easily have been hits, and which are better than most of the pimply-pop-rock offerings of the various Bobbys and Brians and other teen and post teen warblers of the 1960-63 era (except, I hasten to add, nowhere near what Gene Pitney was doing - he was phenomenal).
As I said, I think this one is the better of the two. They're both really good, but this one has an indelible melody, excellent lyrics, a sparkling arrangements - I love that effect laden guitar at the beginning and end (shades of George Harrison's Leslie'd guitar from several years later!) - fabulous, thick harmonies on the choruses and first rate vocals - did Sammy ever sing more effectively with heart-on-his-sleeve emotion ? I'm very pleased to offer up a record I consider to be among the best song-poems ever released.
Play:
Two other things I'll mention. First, this seems to date from around 1962, which is before the folks at Globe fell into a sort of bland sameness, which is to its advantage. And second, this is among the first song-poems I found, in 1997, less than year after I started looking for song-poems.
The flip side, "I'll Do It For You", is no slouch, either. A loping beat, another wonderful melody, and sweet, love-struck lyrics, complete with a few humorous asides ("my canoe a-leakin'). And then there are even more close harmonies on the chorus - I swoon over those. Just another damn good song by Edith Hopkins and a record that does good by her.
Download: Sonny Marcell - I'll Do It For You
Play:
I rarely ask specifically for comments, but I am interested in this case to hear if other people here what I hear in these two songs, and if you also think these are among (or are) Sammy's Best.
4 comments:
From 1963
Although I'm not familiar with the artist, this is a very nice record. I could imagine Paul and Paula doing this and getting a hit.
Bob, thanks for sharing this. "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained" is super-catchy and I also love the group harmonies.
Interesting how the arrangement uses the super-heavy tremolo effect that would have been familiar to people from the intro of Leroy Van Dyke's "Walk on By," but that this is not at all a country record.
Thank you!
Both sides have always been favorites of mine as well. I probably got them in a song-poem trade with you ages ago, or else from somebody else, but they have always been part of my "Sammy's Greatest Hits" as well, both sides. Both are super catchy.
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