Harlequin Melodies
Encyclopedia
Harlequin Melodies is the 1968 debut album by singer-songwriter Mickey Newbury
. At the time, Newbury was a making an impact as an incredible and successful songwriter in Nashville, signed by Acuff-Rose Publishing, at one point he had four #1 hits on different charts for Eddy Arnold
, Solomon Burke
, Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, and Andy Williams
, and he had written hits for several others. Produced by Elvis Presley
producer Felton Jarvis
, Harlequin Melodies concentrates on Newbury's versions of his hit songs, nearly every song on the album has been covered by other artists.
Sonically, the album is drastically different than anything else Newbury would record. The artist largely disowned the album, considering its successor Looks Like Rain
his true debut. In contrast to the subtle expressiveness of Newbury's prime work, Harlequin Melodies is overproduced and packed with often distracting instrumental touches, shifting tempos, and strange production effects. As a result of his dissatisfaction with the album and recording sessions, Newbury ended his RCA contract. Some of the songs on Harlequin Melodies would be re-recorded by Newbury for later albums, with very marked differences. "How Many Times (Must The Piper Be Paid For His Song)" was a highlight of Frisco Mabel Joy
, "Good Morning, Dear" and "Sweet Memories" were on Heaven Help The Child
, "Here Comes The Rain Baby" on A Long Road Home
, the last album Newbury released during his lifetime.
Seven of the songs on Harlequin Melodies were repackaged for Sings His Own
where they would be joined by another oft-covered Newbury song "Sunshine" and two of his RCA singles "The Queen" and "Got Down On Saturday." Most CD versions add these songs as bonus tracks to the complete Harlequin Melodies album.
and Mercury
recordings selected from the 1985 compilation Sweet Memories.
, Vicki Carr, The New Christy Minstrels, and Dottie West
among others.
"Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)
" was originally cut by Jerry Lee Lewis
but his version initially remained unreleased, it then became a huge psychedelic hit for Kenny Rogers & The First Edition. While the version on Harlequin Melodies is very much psychedelia colored, Newbury's later versions are slower and far more menacing, especially notable is his 1991 medley of "Just Dropped In" and his 1978 song "Wish I Was." Other cover versions include recordings by Nick Cave
, Children of Bodom
, and Supergrass
.
"Mister Can't You See
" became Buffy Sainte-Marie
's only top 75 hit in 1972.
The original album notes refer to "Sweet Memories" as a signature song. It has been recorded by over 70 different artists including Andy Williams
who had the original hit, Brenda Lee
, Ray Charles
, The Everly Brothers
, Brook Benton
, recently by Willie Nelson
, Merle Haggard
, and Ray Price on the 2007 album Last of the Breed
and by The Time Jumpers
for which they received a Grammy nomination
in 2008. Newbury recorded a new version of the song on his 1973 album Heaven Help The Child
.
"Weeping Annaleah" was included on The Box Tops
' album Cry Like a Baby, it was recorded as "Sleeping Annaleah" by Nick Cave on his 1986 album Kicking Against The Pricks
.
"Here Comes The Rain, Baby" was a country
hit for Eddy Arnold prior to the album's release. It has also recorded by Roy Orbison
, Sammi Smith
, and Don Gibson.
"Time Is A Thief" was recorded by Solomon Burke and B.B. King.
"Good Morning Dear" has been recorded by Roy Orbison, Don Gibson, The Box Tops, Ray Charles, as well as Pat Boone
, Tennessee Ernie Ford
, and Frank Ifield
. Like "Sweet Memories" it was rerecorded in a superior version on 1973's Heaven Help The Child.
"Are My Thoughts With You" was recorded by Linda Ronstadt
on her second solo album Silk Purse
as well as Earl Scruggs
and Etta James
.
Mickey Newbury
Mickey Newbury was an American songwriter, a critically acclaimed recording artist, and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.-Biography:...
. At the time, Newbury was a making an impact as an incredible and successful songwriter in Nashville, signed by Acuff-Rose Publishing, at one point he had four #1 hits on different charts for Eddy Arnold
Eddy Arnold
Richard Edward Arnold , known professionally as Eddy Arnold, was an American country music singer who performed for six decades. He was a so-called Nashville sound innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the Billboard country music charts, second only to George Jones. He sold more...
, Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke
Solomon Burke was an American singer-songwriter, entrepreneur, mortician, and an archbishop of the United House of Prayer For All People. Burke was known as "King Solomon", the "King of Rock 'n' Soul", and as the "Bishop of Soul", and described as "the Muhammad Ali of soul", and as "the most...
, Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, and Andy Williams
Andy Williams
Howard Andrew "Andy" Williams is an American singer who has recorded 18 Gold- and three Platinum-certified albums. He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a TV variety show, from 1962 to 1971, as well as numerous television specials, and owns his own theater, the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri,...
, and he had written hits for several others. Produced by Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
producer Felton Jarvis
Felton Jarvis
Felton Jarvis, , produced most of Elvis Presley's recordings from 1966-1977.He also released several singles in the late 1950s and early 1960s...
, Harlequin Melodies concentrates on Newbury's versions of his hit songs, nearly every song on the album has been covered by other artists.
Sonically, the album is drastically different than anything else Newbury would record. The artist largely disowned the album, considering its successor Looks Like Rain
Looks Like Rain
Looks Like Rain is the 1969 concept album by singer-songwriter Mickey Newbury. After recording his debut album with RCA, Newbury was dissatisfied with the resulting album and left RCA to pursue a style closer to his tastes...
his true debut. In contrast to the subtle expressiveness of Newbury's prime work, Harlequin Melodies is overproduced and packed with often distracting instrumental touches, shifting tempos, and strange production effects. As a result of his dissatisfaction with the album and recording sessions, Newbury ended his RCA contract. Some of the songs on Harlequin Melodies would be re-recorded by Newbury for later albums, with very marked differences. "How Many Times (Must The Piper Be Paid For His Song)" was a highlight of Frisco Mabel Joy
Frisco Mabel Joy
Frisco Mabel Joy is the 1971 concept album by Country singer-songwriter Mickey Newbury. This was the second of three albums Newbury recorded at Cinderella Sound. The album includes the original version of "An American Trilogy", which Elvis Presley later performed in his Las Vegas shows with much...
, "Good Morning, Dear" and "Sweet Memories" were on Heaven Help The Child
Heaven Help the Child
Heaven Help The Child is the 1973 album by Country singer-songwriter Mickey Newbury. The album was Newbury's third consecutive release recorded at Cinderella Studios...
, "Here Comes The Rain Baby" on A Long Road Home
A Long Road Home
A Long Road Home is the 2002 concept album by singer-songwriter Mickey Newbury, released on his Mountain Retreat label. The album was recorded while Newbury was receiving full-time oxygen treatments for emphysema...
, the last album Newbury released during his lifetime.
Seven of the songs on Harlequin Melodies were repackaged for Sings His Own
Sings His Own
Sings His Own is the 1972 compilation album by singer-songwriter Mickey Newbury, a revised edition of his debut Harlequin Melodies, released by RCA Records in 1972, after the critical notice of Newbury's highly acclaimed Looks Like Rain and Frisco Mabel Joy...
where they would be joined by another oft-covered Newbury song "Sunshine" and two of his RCA singles "The Queen" and "Got Down On Saturday." Most CD versions add these songs as bonus tracks to the complete Harlequin Melodies album.
Track listing
- "Sweet MemoriesSweet Memories (song)"Sweet Memories" is a single by American country music artist Willie Nelson. Released in January 1979, it was the second single from his album Sweet Memories. The song peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. It also reached number 1 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in...
" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:19 - "Here Comes The Rain, Baby" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:27
- "Mister Can't You SeeMister Can't You See"Mister Can't You See" is a song written by Mickey Newbury and Townes Van Zandt that first appeared on Newbury's 1968 debut album Harlequin Melodies. Newbury's original version was slow and dominated by strings and a very simple drumbeat, with his voice telling a tale of nature's power and beauty...
" (Mickey Newbury/Townes Van Zandt) - 5:45 - "How Many Times (Must The Piper Be Paid For His Song)" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:13
- "Are My Thoughts With You" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:06
- "Harlequin Melodies" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:53
- "Funny, Familiar, Forgotten Feelings" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:58
- "Time Is A Thief" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:02
- "Good Morning, Dear" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:52
- "Weeping Annaleah" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:34
- "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)"Just Dropped In " is a song written by Mickey Newbury. Said to reflect the LSD experience, the song was intended to be a warning against the danger of using LSD. First recorded in 1967 by Jerry Lee Lewis, who rejected it, it was a hit for The First Edition in 1968...
" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:52
Sings His Own Bonus Tracks
Most CD issues of Harlequin Melodies combine the intact album running order with the three tracks substituted on 1968's Sings His Own.- "The Queen" (Mickey Newbury/Townes Van Zandt) - 3:08
- "Sunshine" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:43
- "Got Down On Saturday" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:48
Raven Records Edition Bonus Tracks
A 2003 Raven Records edition combined Harlequin Melodies, the three tracks from Sings His Own with a b-side and seven tracks from his ElektraElektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
and Mercury
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
recordings selected from the 1985 compilation Sweet Memories.
- "Organised Noise" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:05
- "Remember The Good" (Mickey Newbury) - 2:58
- "The Future's Not What It Used To Be" (Mickey Newbury) - 4:10
- "How I Love Them Old Songs" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:44
- "If You Ever Get To Houston" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:41
- "She Even Woke Me Up to Say GoodbyeShe Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye"She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye" is the title of a song written by Doug Gilmore and Mickey Newbury, and recorded by American country music artist Jerry Lee Lewis. Released in September 1969, it was the first single from his album She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye. The song peaked at number 2...
" (Mickey Newbury/Doug Gilmore) - 3:57 - "Dizzy Lizzy" (Mickey Newbury) - 3:58
- "An American TrilogyAn American Trilogy"An American Trilogy" is a song arranged by country songwriter Mickey Newbury and made popular by Elvis Presley, who began including the song as part of his regular concert routine in the 1970s, thereby making the song a showstopper...
" (Mickey Newbury/Traditional) - 4:48
Selected Cover Recordings
"Funny Familiar Forgotten Feelings" was Newbury's first songwriting hit, released by Don Gibson in 1966. The song was also a hit for Tom Jones in 1967. The song has also been recorded by Floyd CramerFloyd Cramer
Floyd Cramer was an American Hall of Fame pianist who was one of the architects of the "Nashville sound." He popularized the "slip note" piano style where an out-of-tune note slides effortlessly into the correct note...
, Vicki Carr, The New Christy Minstrels, and Dottie West
Dottie West
Dottie West was an American country music singer and songwriter. Along with her friends and co-recording artists Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, she is considered one of the genre's most influential and groundbreaking female artists...
among others.
"Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)
Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)
"Just Dropped In " is a song written by Mickey Newbury. Said to reflect the LSD experience, the song was intended to be a warning against the danger of using LSD. First recorded in 1967 by Jerry Lee Lewis, who rejected it, it was a hit for The First Edition in 1968...
" was originally cut by Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
but his version initially remained unreleased, it then became a huge psychedelic hit for Kenny Rogers & The First Edition. While the version on Harlequin Melodies is very much psychedelia colored, Newbury's later versions are slower and far more menacing, especially notable is his 1991 medley of "Just Dropped In" and his 1978 song "Wish I Was." Other cover versions include recordings by Nick Cave
Nick Cave
Nicholas Edward "Nick" Cave is an Australian musician, songwriter, author, screenwriter, and occasional film actor.He is best known for his work as a frontman of the critically acclaimed rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, established in 1984, a group known for its eclectic influences and...
, Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom
Children of Bodom is a Finnish heavy metal band from Espoo. Formed in 1993, the group currently consists of Alexi Laiho , Roope Latvala , Janne Wirman , Henkka Seppälä , and Jaska Raatikainen...
, and Supergrass
Supergrass
Supergrass was an English alternative rock band from Oxford. The band consisted of brothers Gaz and Rob Coombes , Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey ....
.
"Mister Can't You See
Mister Can't You See
"Mister Can't You See" is a song written by Mickey Newbury and Townes Van Zandt that first appeared on Newbury's 1968 debut album Harlequin Melodies. Newbury's original version was slow and dominated by strings and a very simple drumbeat, with his voice telling a tale of nature's power and beauty...
" became Buffy Sainte-Marie
Buffy Sainte-Marie
Buffy Sainte-Marie, OC is a Canadian Cree singer-songwriter, musician, composer, visual artist, educator, pacifist, and social activist. Throughout her career in all of these areas, her work has focused on issues of Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Her singing and writing repertoire includes...
's only top 75 hit in 1972.
The original album notes refer to "Sweet Memories" as a signature song. It has been recorded by over 70 different artists including Andy Williams
Andy Williams
Howard Andrew "Andy" Williams is an American singer who has recorded 18 Gold- and three Platinum-certified albums. He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a TV variety show, from 1962 to 1971, as well as numerous television specials, and owns his own theater, the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri,...
who had the original hit, Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee
Brenda Mae Tarpley , known as Brenda Lee, is an American performer who sang rockabilly, pop and country music, and had 37 US chart hits during the 1960s, a number surpassed only by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Ray Charles and Connie Francis...
, Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
, The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers are country-influenced rock and roll performers, known for steel-string guitar playing and close harmony singing...
, Brook Benton
Brook Benton
Brook Benton was an American singer and songwriter who was popular with rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and pop music audiences during the late 1950s and early 1960s, when he scored hits such as "It's Just A Matter Of Time" and "Endlessly", many of which he co-wrote.He made a comeback in 1970...
, recently by Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
, Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
, and Ray Price on the 2007 album Last of the Breed
Last Of The Breed
Last of the Breed, a book by Louis L'Amour, tells the fictional story of Native American United States Air Force pilot Major Joseph Makatozi , shot down by the Soviets over the ocean between Russia and Alaska and then captured...
and by The Time Jumpers
The Time Jumpers
The Time Jumpers are a Western swing ensemble formed in 1998 in Nashville, Tennessee.The Time Jumpers began as a garage practice session; the group started playing occasional gigs in the Nashville area until they were offered a regular slot playing at the Station Inn. In 2007, the group recorded a...
for which they received a Grammy nomination
Nomination
Nomination is part of the process of selecting a candidate for either election to an office, or the bestowing of an honor or award.In the context of elections for public office, a candidate who has been selected by a political party is normally said to be the nominee of that party...
in 2008. Newbury recorded a new version of the song on his 1973 album Heaven Help The Child
Heaven Help the Child
Heaven Help The Child is the 1973 album by Country singer-songwriter Mickey Newbury. The album was Newbury's third consecutive release recorded at Cinderella Studios...
.
"Weeping Annaleah" was included on The Box Tops
The Box Tops
The Box Tops were a Memphis rock group of the second half of the 1960s. They are best known for the hits "The Letter," "Neon Rainbow," "Soul Deep," "I Met Her in Church," and "Cry Like A Baby," and are considered a major blue-eyed soul group of the period...
' album Cry Like a Baby, it was recorded as "Sleeping Annaleah" by Nick Cave on his 1986 album Kicking Against The Pricks
Kicking Against the Pricks
Kicking Against the Pricks is the third album released by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. First released in 1986, the album is a collection of cover versions...
.
"Here Comes The Rain, Baby" was a country
Country
A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously...
hit for Eddy Arnold prior to the album's release. It has also recorded by Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
, Sammi Smith
Sammi Smith
Sammi Smith was an American country music singer and songwriter. Born Jewel Faye Smith, she is best known for her 1971 country/pop crossover hit, "Help Me Make It Through the Night", which was written by Kris Kristofferson...
, and Don Gibson.
"Time Is A Thief" was recorded by Solomon Burke and B.B. King.
"Good Morning Dear" has been recorded by Roy Orbison, Don Gibson, The Box Tops, Ray Charles, as well as Pat Boone
Pat Boone
Charles Eugene "Pat" Boone is an American singer, actor and writer who has been a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He covered black artists' songs and sold more copies than his black counterparts...
, Tennessee Ernie Ford
Tennessee Ernie Ford
Ernest Jennings Ford , better known as Tennessee Ernie Ford, was an American recording artist and television host who enjoyed success in the country and Western, pop, and gospel musical genres...
, and Frank Ifield
Frank Ifield
Francis Edward Ifield is an early Australian-English easy listening and country music singer. He achieved considerable success in the early 1960s, especially in the UK Singles Chart, where he had four Number 1 hits between 1962 and 1963....
. Like "Sweet Memories" it was rerecorded in a superior version on 1973's Heaven Help The Child.
"Are My Thoughts With You" was recorded by Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
on her second solo album Silk Purse
Silk Purse
Silk Purse is the second solo album by Linda Ronstadt, released in March 1970, a year after the release of her first solo set, Hand Sown ... Home Grown...
as well as Earl Scruggs
Earl Scruggs
Earl Eugene Scruggs is an American musician noted for perfecting and popularizing a 3-finger banjo-picking style that is a defining characteristic of bluegrass music...
and Etta James
Etta James
Etta James is an American blues, soul, rhythm and blues , rock and roll, gospel and jazz singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer...
.