Jet Harris – ‘If You Want’?

[audreyk]

Hi Everyone,

Recently, my good friend Salvo Cerami asked me about a track of Jet’s that is on a compilation album called ‘Ladies Night’. The track is called ‘If You Want’. This came as a bit of a surprise because I’ve never heard of a recording of Jet’s called ‘If You Want’ and, as Salvo pointed out to me, this track is actually a different version of ‘Diamonds’!!

Dave Holbrook has given me a lot more information about this particular version of Diamonds, which apparently was recorded in 1987/88 and which appears on some other budget compilations. I’ll leave Dave to explain the recording details but he is as baffled as I am regarding why it should now appear on this album as a recording renamed ‘If You Want’. (Amazon states that the release date was 2009)

If anyone would like to hear a preview, here’s the link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/If-You-Want/dp/B002T5J5P0

I’d be very grateful if anyone could shed any light on this please? Any thoughts or information would be much appreciated.

Many thanks
Audrey

[Arpeggio]

Well, I can't really add very much information myself. Jet re - recorded "Diamonds" many times down the years. This particular version (about which Dave H will know much more than me) is fine for that particular era of Jet's career. It certainly appeared on several budget CD compilations during the late 1980s / early 1990s. If memory serves - there was a time when it was wondered if Jet had recorded different versions during that particular session. It later transpired that any perceived differences were simply down to the fact that it was the same track slightly re - mixed. As for this conundrum ("If You Want"??????) - I can personally think of absolutely no earthly reason why "Diamonds" should be on this CD correctly attributed to Jet Harris....but with a completely different title. I've checked out the rest of the CD and it's all original artists with the correct titles (I didn't check if they're all re - recordings or not). Very strange indeed. I think this is the same track originally issued as being copyright to Electric Lady Music. Subsequently it has featured on numerous labels (Pegasus, Delta Music, K-Tel) with ownership being ascribed to K-Tel (UK), Music Bank, Marathon Music International, Eagle Rock, etc., etc. Even some of those later reissues were from 15 years or so ago....so heaven knows who owns the copyright nowadays. But....to return to the main point.....why re-title one of the all -time classic instrumental greats????

Rob

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