An excellent version of an excellent song, made stronger by Gayle’s vocals.
Thanks for the post. It brings back memories.
For some reason, this song never made it to oldies playlists.
1969 = on the radio at the same time:
Smith - “Baby It’s You”
and
Steam - “Kiss Him Good Bye”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsaTElBljOE
I loved them both!
She sure could wail like Janis could, but she had golden pipes when she toned it down.
I graduated high school in June 1969 and started college that fall — I sure don’t remember “Baby, It’s You” from that year. Chicago Transit Authority; Crosby, Stills & Nash; Blood, Sweat and Tears; Credence Clearwater Revival; Quicksilver Messenger Service; the Stones; the Beatles; the Beach Boys. All those great acts, but don’t remember Smith.
Sorry. RIP
But the vocals were simply atrocious.
Here it is done right by two folks who can sing this beautiful song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlHL2gKqI1s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKgkDxnG9Z8
Not kin.
What I know about recording contracts back in that time would fit in a thimble, but let me speculate here. The problem with one hit wonders in the days of old were that the first contract a group got for a record was heavily loaded in favor of the producers and the record label. Later, if they could show some sustained popularity it translated into leverage in subsequent contracts, and much higher per record royalties. The irony in a lot of the 60’s nostalgia for groups that hit it once and then disappeared is that we can all remember the music, but the folks that created it died poor.
If I understand anything about current performance and record compensation it is that the per record compensation means very little - because of the incredible diversity of recordings that are out there and available - there has been an atomization of the market since the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s. So live performances are a much bigger share of the total compensation of a performer than they had been 40 years ago.
Great song and post.
Have their album and enjoyed their music when it first came out
Ah, the good old days of unplugged instruments being played on TV. Haha!
One of the best groups! I used to dance and house clean to their music.