Monday 1 December 2008

Carnaby Street

A lesser known tune by Booker T & The MGs here today.

Carnaby Street was a tribute to and inspired by the British groups as they moved from beat pop to psychedelia. It appeared on their Hip Hug-Her album in 1967. It's quite unusual for Booker and the boys; it's less of dance track and more jangly 6ts pop, that autumnal sound that I associate with 1966-67: it's very very Small Faces in it's style, with some lovely riffs and changes and an absolutely soaring Hammond chorus. Enjoy!

(Some research made today found an interview here with Ian McLagan of the Small Faces that suggests they were 'inspired' by this instrumental in their creation of their own classic Tin Soldier.)

Booker T & The MGs - Carnaby Street

5 comments:

Mondo said...

Crikey - see what he means about Tin Soldier, which I always thought the template tune behind Weller's career - great version of the SF's doing it here BTW

Simon said...

And talking of Weller and Tin Soldier:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=CD141zd54Ps

From the Paul Weller Movement concert video from about 1991. Which is one of my favourite Paul Weller live things, above The Jam & The Style Council and the rest of his solo career. Probably because it was the first indication that the man had lots more to offer...

Simon said...

I just remembered actually - that PW Movement performance was actually filmed the day after Steve Marriot died. Blimey...nearly 18 years ago....

Mondo said...

Great clip - mate of mine went to see Weller in Nott's last week - said it was an absolute belter - We were only playing Ronnie Lane's Passing Show DVD last night (get it on your Christmas list if you haven't seen it)and talking about the irony that the Small Faces only really got the recognition they were overdue for when Britpop came in by which time Steve Marriot was gone and Plonk on his way

Went to this last year and met Ronnie's brother Stan, you can just catch me in the clip at 1:20 as the scooters roll by (I'm in the blue polo leaning against the stage)

Tall J said...

Great old tune. Thanks.