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| Name that tune! | |
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fnord (johnnyfnord@yahoo.com) 08:11 pm UTC 02/05/12 |
| This may have been discussed before. I cannot find a reference in the archives. It is something that has been nibbling at me for some time. Other research into it has led me nowhere. In 1987, Jim produced the song "This Corrosion" for the Sisters Of Mercy. It begins with a choral introduction, which is also used later in the song as a bridge between the verse and the chorus. In 1981, Karla DeVito released her first album, which contained Jim's song "Heaven Can Wait." Aside from this songwriter's credit, Jim was not involved in the production of the album, as far as I know, though many of the same musicians Jim worked with (including background vocalists Rory Dodd and Eric Troyer) worked on Karla's album. Karla's album also contained a cover of the song "Midnight Confessions," originally by the Grass Roots (1968). Karla's version adds a choral introduction that the Grass Roots did not have, which is almost identical to the introduction on "This Corrosion" six years later. Obviously the two recordings are different. Karla's is in a higher key (I think), with a smaller choir, and more female voices. Also Karla's has a more pop feel with bluesier phrasing. The choir for the Sisters' song is larger, with more male voices and a deeper resonance, which makes me think it's in a lower key. The phrasing of the Sisters' recording is in a slower tempo and more baroque (I confirmed this with a friend who has studied classical vocal music extensively, though she was not able to tell me if this was an authentic, early piece). The singing is credited to the New York Choral Society, about half of whom I recognize as being Jim's regular musicians from that period. I don't know if this is significant, but Eric Troyer is on both. Eric was apparently also integral to assisting with background vocal arrangements on many of Jim's projects (q.v. Secret Dreams And Forbidden Fire). My suspicion is that it may be a baroque piece that someone suggested using on "Midnight Confessions." Maybe Karla came up with it herself, maybe Jim suggested it and she used it. When Jim was producing "This Corrosion" six years later, he maybe thought something similar would be a good way to lead into that song, either recycling his earlier idea or borrowing from his friend. Maybe it was Eric's suggestion on one, the other, or both. So anyway, does anyone know what the origin of this piece is? Is it a classical piece or is it 80s rock? | |
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