The lead singer of "The Browns" was Jim Ed Brown who went on to a country music career. The rest of the trio consisted of his two sisters, Bonnie and Maxine.
Posted on 11/06/2009 9:20:44 AM PST by Maceman
I recently came across this YouTube video performance of the 1959 hit Three Bells by a family folk vocal trio called The Browns.
I can remember listening to tune on my radio before falling asleep when I was 9-years old (I was addicted to my brand-new clock radio as a bedtime tradition). It was the #1 Billboard single between August and September in 1959.
The video performance is from 1965.
As a young boy, hearing this song used to make me feel very peaceful, and -- as corny as it may appear now in the context of this way too cynical and chaotic world -- I was glad to see that it left me feeling the same way when I listened to it this week after finding the video.
An exquisite little musical artifact from a clearer time, this performance delivers a simple but moving arrangement beautifully rendered with a great deal of innocence and feeling. The song is a rearranged and loosely translated version of the original Edith Piaf song Les Trois Cloches.
Hope it brings back fond memories for those old enough to remember it. For everyone else, hope you are not yet too cynical to appreciate it.
I loved that song. Thanks for the post.
My Mom always burst into tears every time she played “The Three Bells” or “Chausson D’Amour”. I was afraid to ask why.
Love it, thanks!
ahh. America of yesteryear..
The Fleetwoods - Mr Blue - 1959
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpcDhO1s9lQ
The lead singer of "The Browns" was Jim Ed Brown who went on to a country music career. The rest of the trio consisted of his two sisters, Bonnie and Maxine.
He’s dressed nicely &, gee, he didn’t even have to grab his crotch! How refreshing!
I’ve always loved that song and Jim Ed Brown (one of the 3) had a great solo and duet career in the 70’s with Helen Cornelius. Yes, I was raised on country music :)
The Browns Celebrate 50th Anniversary of "The Three Bells" Release 6/26/2009
My Father was in Vietnam in 1963 and fell in love with the "Little Sparrow" (Piaf) and has stayed in love to this day. The last movie that he probably will ever see (age 92) give his distaste for modern cinema was when I took him to see "La Vie en rose", the Piaf bio-film.
Do yourselves a favor and watch/listen to this "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PGu_9BmigU&feature=related" as well, it is wonderful. One wistfully wonders how much better it might have been with modern sound engineering ...
Thanks! I absolutely adore that song!
And the eye candy! DAng, but Jim Ed was good looking!
Ra-ta-da-ta-da.
It's Chanson d'Amour, by the way ("Song of Love.)"
Music you can actually sing along with.
Thanks for the memories. I may have to see if I can find a copy of the Essential Jim Ed Brown.
They did “ The Old Lamplighter “ also . I remember thinking how strange it was to have someone going around lighting lamps at night when we had electric lights in our day. I guess I was around 10-12 when that song was popular .
Thanks for posting. I love that song, too.
The Big Show: Jimmy Durante, Bert Lahr, Margaret O'Brien, Edith Piaf, Ed Wynn (NBC, 12 December 1950). Hostess: Tallulah Bankhead. Music: Meredith Willson. Announcer: Ed Herlihy. Writers: Goodman Ace, Selma Diamond, George Foster, Frank Wilson.
I have ALWAYS loved this song and love your post about it! All I listen to are “oldies”! Today’s so-called “music” has nothing on this genre of what real music is!
I don’t even listen to today’s radio. It’s all noise to me!
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