Melody Fair (Lulu album)
Encyclopedia
Melody Fair is an album recorded by Lulu
in 1970 for release on Atco Records
. Lulu had recorded her first album for Atco; New Routes
, in the fall of 1969 under the production auspices of top Atlantic Records
execs Jerry Wexler
, Tom Dowd
and Arif Mardin
. Although New Routes had been a commercial disappointment, Wexler, Dowd and Mardin had Lulu record tracks for a follow-up album in March 1970 with virtually the same session personnel who had played on New Routes, although the latter album had been recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
and the 1970 sessions were recorded at Criteria Studios
in Miami.
The album's advance single "Hum a Song (From Your Heart)" - co-credited to the Dixie Flyers and backed by the New Routes track "Where's Eddie" - was issued in April 1970 to stall at #54 on the Billboard Hot 100
. The track also fell short of the UK Top 50 despite a Top of the Pops
performance broadcast 18 June 1970.
Lulu completed recording for her upcoming album in May 1970 and after a further single release: the overlooked "After the Feeling is Gone", that June the Melody Fair album was issued in July 1970 with no significant commercial impact. A further single release, comprising the tracks "Melody Fair
" and "To the Other Woman (I'm the Other Woman)", had an overlooked release that September.
Lulu began a third album at Criteria Studios in November 1970 but the project was not completed. Although she'd remain contracted to Atco until 1972 Lulu would have no further album releases on the label with only occasional overlooked singles. The tracks from New Routes and Melody Fair augmented by Lulu's singles-only releases and previously unissued material, were released in 2007 as Lulu: the Atco Sessions, 1969 - 1972.
Lulu (singer)
Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day...
in 1970 for release on Atco Records
Atco Records
ATCO Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, currently operating through WMG's Rhino Entertainment.-Beginnings:Atco Records was founded in 1955 as a division of Atlantic Records. It was devised as an outlet for productions by one of Atlantic's founders, Herb Abramson, who...
. Lulu had recorded her first album for Atco; New Routes
New Routes
New Routes is an album by Scottish singer Lulu recorded between 10 September and 2 October 1969 at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio - one of that facility's earliest recordings - for a 16 January 1970 release...
, in the fall of 1969 under the production auspices of top Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
execs Jerry Wexler
Jerry Wexler
Gerald "Jerry" Wexler was a music journalist turned music producer, and was regarded as one of the major record industry players behind music from the 1950s through the 1980s...
, Tom Dowd
Tom Dowd
Tom Dowd was an American recording engineer and producer for Atlantic Records. He was credited with innovating the multi-track recording method. Dowd worked on a virtual "who's who" of recordings that encompassed blues, jazz, pop, rock and soul records.- Early years :Born in Manhattan, Dowd grew...
and Arif Mardin
Arif Mardin
Arif Mardin was a Turkish-American music producer, who worked with hundreds of artists across many different styles of music, including jazz, rock, soul, disco, and country...
. Although New Routes had been a commercial disappointment, Wexler, Dowd and Mardin had Lulu record tracks for a follow-up album in March 1970 with virtually the same session personnel who had played on New Routes, although the latter album had been recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
The Muscle Shoals Sound Studio was formed in Muscle Shoals, Alabama,in 1969 when musicians Barry Beckett , Roger Hawkins , Jimmy Johnson and David Hood left FAME Studios to create their own studio...
and the 1970 sessions were recorded at Criteria Studios
Criteria Studios
Criteria Studios is a music-recording studio in Miami, Florida, started in 1958 by Mack Emerman.In 1999, The Hit Factory purchased Criteria Studios, revamping and reopening the studios under the new name The Hit Factory Criteria Miami.-Notable artists:...
in Miami.
The album's advance single "Hum a Song (From Your Heart)" - co-credited to the Dixie Flyers and backed by the New Routes track "Where's Eddie" - was issued in April 1970 to stall at #54 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. The track also fell short of the UK Top 50 despite a Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
performance broadcast 18 June 1970.
Lulu completed recording for her upcoming album in May 1970 and after a further single release: the overlooked "After the Feeling is Gone", that June the Melody Fair album was issued in July 1970 with no significant commercial impact. A further single release, comprising the tracks "Melody Fair
Melody Fair
Melody Fair is a song by the Bee Gees. Originally written in 1968, it was included on the 1969 double album Odessa. The song was featured in the 1971 movie Melody, was included in the soundtrack album, and was released in May 1971 as a single in Japan...
" and "To the Other Woman (I'm the Other Woman)", had an overlooked release that September.
Lulu began a third album at Criteria Studios in November 1970 but the project was not completed. Although she'd remain contracted to Atco until 1972 Lulu would have no further album releases on the label with only occasional overlooked singles. The tracks from New Routes and Melody Fair augmented by Lulu's singles-only releases and previously unissued material, were released in 2007 as Lulu: the Atco Sessions, 1969 - 1972.
Track listing
- "Good Day SunshineGood Day Sunshine"Good Day Sunshine" is a song by The Beatles on the 1966 album Revolver. It was written mainly by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. Leonard Bernstein praised the song for its construction in a 1967 CBS News documentary...
" (John LennonJohn LennonJohn Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
, Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneySir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
) - "After the Feeling is Gone" (Terry Woodford, George SouléGeorge Soulé (musician)George Soulé He is a descendant of George Soule who was a signatory of the Mayflower Compact and the grandson of George Soulé who founded the Soulé Steam Feed Works in Meridian. Mississippi...
) - "I Don't Care Anymore" (Jerry Williams, Gary U.S. BondsGary U.S. BondsGary U.S. Bonds is an American rhythm and blues and rock and roll singer. He is also a prolific songwriter.-Career:...
, Maurice Gimbel) - "(Don't Go) Please StayPlease Stay (song)"Please Stay" is an early hit of The Drifters featuring the new lead singer Rudy Lewis, who replaced Ben E. King...
" (Burt BacharachBurt BacharachBurt F. Bacharach is an American pianist, composer and music producer. He is known for his popular hit songs and compositions from the mid-1950s through the 1980s, with lyrics written by Hal David. Many of their hits were produced specifically for, and performed by, Dionne Warwick...
, Bob HilliardBob HilliardBob Hilliard was an American lyricist. He wrote the words for the songs; "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning", "Any Day Now", "Dear Hearts and Gentle People", "Our Day Will Come", "My Little Corner of the World", and "Seven Little Girls ".-Career:Born in New York City, New York, and after...
) - "Melody FairMelody FairMelody Fair is a song by the Bee Gees. Originally written in 1968, it was included on the 1969 double album Odessa. The song was featured in the 1971 movie Melody, was included in the soundtrack album, and was released in May 1971 as a single in Japan...
" (Barry GibbBarry GibbBarry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
, Maurice GibbMaurice GibbMaurice Ernest Gibb, CBE was a musician, singer-songwriter and record producer. He was born on the Isle of Man, the twin brother of Robin Gibb, and younger brother to Barry. He is best known as a member of the singing/songwriting trio the Bee Gees, formed with his brothers...
, Robin GibbRobin GibbRobin Hugh Gibb, CBE is a British singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice , and elder brother Barry....
) - "Take Good Care of Yourself" (Jim Doris)
- "Vine Street" (Randy NewmanRandy NewmanRandall Stuart "Randy" Newman is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer, and pianist who is known for his mordant pop songs and for film scores....
) - "Move to My Rhythm" (Fran Robbins)
- "To the Other Woman (I'm the Other Woman)" (Gary U.S. Bonds, Jerry Williams)
- "Hum a Song (From Your Heart)" (Richard Ross)
- "Sweet Memories" (Mickey NewburyMickey NewburyMickey Newbury was an American songwriter, a critically acclaimed recording artist, and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.-Biography:...
) - "Saved" (Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller)
Personnel
- Lulu - vocals
- The Dixie Flyers
- Jim DickinsonJim DickinsonJames Luther "Jim" Dickinson was an American record producer, pianist, and singer who fronted, among others, the Memphis based band, Mudboy & The Neutrons.- Biography :...
- piano, guitar - Charlie Freeman - guitar
- Mike UtleyMike UtleyMichael Utley is a former American football player. He is known for being paralyzed during an NFL game.-NFL career:...
- organ - Tommy McClure - bass
- Sammy CreasonSammy CreasonSammy Creason was an American session drummer who played with Tony Joe White, Kris Kristofferson and Bob Dylan among others....
- drums- The Memphis Horns
- Andrew Love - tenor saxophone
- Ed Logan - tenor saxophone
- Floyd Newman - baritone saxophone
- Jack Dale - trombone
- Felix CavaliereFelix CavaliereFelix Cavaliere is an American songwriter, singer, music producer, and musician.Although he was a member of Joey Dee and His Starlighters best known for their hit "Peppermint Twist", he is best known for his association with The Young Rascals during the 1960s. The other members of The Rascals...
- Latin percussion - The Sweet Inspirations, Eddie BrigatiEddie BrigatiEddie Brigati is an American singer and songwriter.Most memorably, Brigati shared vocals, and played tambourine, in the pop group The Young Rascals from 1965 to 1970...
, David BrigatiDavid BrigatiDavid Brigati is an American singer.-Hi-Fives:David got his musical start as the lead singer of a doo-wop group known as the Hi-Fives. In 1958, the group recorded a number of songs on the Decca label. One of those recordings was entitled "Dorothy" and became a regional hit in the New York...
, Carol Kirkpatrick, Chuck Kirkpatrick - background vocals
- Felix Cavaliere