Words@brothersgibb.com message digest 04/23/2017 21:01 (#2017-350)
2 messages included in this issue
Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2017 14:10:59 +0100
From: Robin Setty <robin.setty@gmail.com>
Subject: Morning of my life
There are plenty of songs with a simple chord structure. Every 12 bar blues
fire starters. That really shouldn't be a negative. The melody on MOML is
bliss. The song is all about innocence and simplicity.
I think of MOML as the GIbb's "Twinkle, twinkle little star. "Two beautiful
compositions written by brilliant composers.
Kilburn Towers.
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Date: Sat, 22 Apr 2017 14:59:40 -0400
From: Joseph Brennan <brennan@columbia.edu>
Subject: Re: Minimalist Arrangements
julian@theglassfamily.co.uk wrote:
> No. I am saying MOML doesn't get included in compilations because:
>
> A/ it is not well known outside the long-term fan base and
> B/ because the record companies don't regard it as accomplished enough.
I think Barry and the corporate droids rank inclusion on collections solely
on sales of singles and not musical merit.
In my mind ITM is the first song Barry wrote that really stands out as an
accomplished piece of songwriting that goes beyond purely trying to put
something on the pop charts. I'm willing to allow "the top right hand
corner of the ceiling of my room" as eccentricity.
That said, it didn't come from nowhere. The melancholy mood reminds me of
Donovan's first single "Catch the Wind", and the melody is reminiscent of
his second one "Colours" which even has the repeated lines "in the morning
when we rise". Both were from 1965 and both had very sparse arrangements.
Barry's song is at least as good as the latter, and while it is in the
style I would not call it a copy of either one.
I even prefer the 1966 version of ITM, since the piano and orchestration on
the 1970 one strike me as unnecessary.
It works for me.
Joe Brennan
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End Words@brothersgibb.com message digest 04/23/2017 21:01 (#2017-350)