Comments on: Montage (self-titled)

By: Kenny Bloggins

Kenny Bloggins — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:49:01 +0000

A-ha… I’ve been tryin’ to get an additional Left Banke fix. I’ll have to order this album a.s.a.p. “Men are Building Sand” is actually my favorite LB song, and I had no idea it wasn’t an LB song!

By: mr egalli

mr egalli — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:17:01 +0000

i think the Left Banke version of Desiree is better musically. the arrangement sounds more wistful and emotive than the Montage version (which admittedly has some interesting touches of it’s own). but what drags the LB version down is the vocals which sound fairly weak. that’s my take on it.

By: ib

ib — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:35:45 +0000

Just great! The overall sound is much warmer than the LB version and has a “River Deep, Mountain High” vibe to it, though obviously not so over the top or ham-fisted in terms of production. The lead vocal has a fragility to it, too, that works in its favour. Love it. I found myself almost wishing Mike Brown had introduced an element of glockenspiel to it, but then again what do i know ? i can picture his face turning sour at the impertinence of the mere suggestion… Thanks, Brendan, for putting up both versions.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 23:26:32 +0000

Yeah I think I prefer the Montage version better. It’s a little Fudgier but it just works better. It has that Montage darkness (haunting) to it. The singing isn’t quite as pretty, but it’s warm. And they don’t go so quite up close to the top on the Desireeee… part. Plus they still have the “la la la la la las” faintly in the back. And lots of little inter-rhythmic things happening. Interesting comparison, thanks for suggesting it.

By: ib

ib — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:42:10 +0000

Looking forward to it.

I get the picture now. It makes sense that Mike Brown would have carried “Desiree” into his own post LB project and opted for a completely revised interpretation. LB Too was released in 68, and Montage in 69 (though equally this may apply to recording dates, i’m not certain). Keep the karaoke version on ice for a later date, Brendan ! Saki or Jack Daniels, the choice is yours…

By: Brendan

Brendan — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 15:04:40 +0000

You make me want to chop the collection disc I have in to the proper original albums! I will perhaps.

As for Desiree, above I stated that the Montage version is better. Maybe this is true only in the context of this album. The Left Banke version is led with a gorgeous string arrangement; the Montage version is ‘groovier’ led by the rhythm section. Frankly, neither are as good as the karaoke version I sing with the instrumental Desiree included as a bonus track on this CD!

Tell you what, I’ll temporarily put them up here by tomorrow (sans my take).

By: ib

ib — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 21:52:18 +0000

Bliss… Thanks for putting this up, Brendan, and for supplying the link in your AD comment. I’ve been curious to hear something from “Montage” for some time.

I’ve got to ask, how does the version of “Desiree” (track 5 on the Laurie original ?) compare to the version which previously appeared on 1968′s “Left Banke Too” on Smash Records, or is it the SAME version. As far as i can gather, this is the only song on “Left Banke Too” with a Mike Brown credit for piano and organ. Brown doesn’t feature on the cover, but a shadowy figure in the background is purportedly a reference to his departure.

Great anecdote concerning your friend, Tommy, incidentally.

By: fairest

fairest — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 01:59:05 +0000

it is awesome. its also pretty funny. i found your site looking for P.F. Sloan. thanks for introducing me to all this stuff.