Find Me A Golden Street - question

[abstamaria]

It's wonderful to be able to know all this. And we had the Telstar story just some weeks back.

Thank you, all.

Andy

[dave robinson]

Thanks for this info, it very interesting and has answered a long burning question for me. I too am a lover of this very simple but beautiful melody.
I listened to both versions listed on Spotify and it only reinforces my belief what good arrangements Norrie and the lads turned out between them. I found that The Fireballs version with guitars only were too busy and cluttered in all departments, which hindered the melody, whilst the version with the lead piano was much better and more melodic, but The Shadows sound really gave it the lift and improved it 100% from that. Great stuff and it now has me wondering if there are any 'gems' hidden away in Petty's archives ?

[Olsson]

I am a little bit confused. The Shadows version is recorded in the end of Jan. 1961, and what I know the Fireballs version is recored after that ?

/Bertil

[Arpeggio]

Hi Bertil,
I don't think that the order of recorded releases is in question. I don't think that anyone has actually said that the Shadows version was a cover of the Fireballs version. You're quite right - The Shads recorded their version on January 27th 1961. The Fireballs track was the flipside of "Carioca", which was issued in early January, 1963. This suggests it was recorded late 1962 - although Norman Petty did sometimes stockpile tracks for future release - but 1962 seems likely. Norman Petty recorded his original instrumental version with his trio on a 1958 LP which saw limited release in the States. The Shadows were all Buddy Holly fanatics & they too (especially in those early days) collected lots of records. Plus they doubtless received lots of 'freebies', promtional items, demos etc., etc. My best guess is (& this is an 'educated' (!!!) hypothetical) that they somehow came across the track during their one and only USA tour in 1960. Petty sometimes put his instrumental versions of Buddy Holly tracks on his albums for example. Either that or it may have been sent to them (or Norrie Paramor) by a music publisher. Most likely we'll never know. I agree 100% with Dave Robinson. The Shads arrangement and performance is just sheer class and beauty. The Fireballs treatment is completely different. Fine playing from George Tomsco - but I'll take the Shadows version every time.

Bests.....Rob

[hansaustria]

Hi Bertil,
I don't think that the order of recorded releases is in question. I don't think that anyone has actually said that the Shadows version was a cover of the Fireballs version. You're quite right - The Shads recorded their version on January 27th 1961. The Fireballs track was the flipside of "Carioca", which was issued in early January, 1963. This suggests it was recorded late 1962 - although Norman Petty did sometimes stockpile tracks for future release - but 1962 seems likely. Norman Petty recorded his original instrumental version with his trio on a 1958 LP which saw limited release in the States. The Shadows were all Buddy Holly fanatics & they too (especially in those early days) collected lots of records. Plus they doubtless received lots of 'freebies', promtional items, demos etc., etc. My best guess is (& this is an 'educated' (!!!) hypothetical) that they somehow came across the track during their one and only USA tour in 1960. Petty sometimes put his instrumental versions of Buddy Holly tracks on his albums for example. Either that or it may have been sent to them (or Norrie Paramor) by a music publisher. Most likely we'll never know. I agree 100% with Dave Robinson. The Shads arrangement and performance is just sheer class and beauty. The Fireballs treatment is completely different. Fine playing from George Tomsco - but I'll take the Shadows version every time.

Bests.....Rob

On my 5th birthday, this number was recorded. Of course, had to be a hit!
That`s is it !!

[Olsson]

Thank You Rob for a good answer. I find this type of question very interesting. I have never heard Norman Petty´s recording, but will try to find it !

/Bertil

[Arpeggio]

Hi Bertil,
Glad to try and help. There are quite a few recordings of the Norman Petty trio on Youtube - but not "Find Me A Golden Street". As Dave Robinson said, it can be found on Spotify - if you sign up for that (free) service.

Best wishes,

Rob

[HAIRY]

A friend tells me there is another link between Norman Petty and The Shadows (!?):
It is stated in Norman's studio diary that following Bobby Vee's replacement of Buddy Holly on that fated winter tour of '59 he and his backing band "The Shadows" went to Clovis and recorded their first US album called "Bobby Vee Sings Your Favourites" in '59 and early '60. However, Bobby's producer, Snuff Garrett, did not use any of these cuts for the released album although they did oddly allow Norman to write its sleeve notes. The rejected tracks are now available on a Ktel CD aptly called "Bobby Vee & The Shadows" with instrumentals and Bobby on rhythm guitar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlpbMj4XR4k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhmD5o54hIY

[roninnes]

Obviously not the same band. Bobby Vee did have a band called The Shadows however they were as described here from Wikipedia:-

" Robert Velline, then aged 15, and a hastily-assembled band of Fargo, North Dakota, schoolboys calling themselves The Shadows volunteered for and were given the unenviable job of filling in for Holly and his band at the Moorhead engagement. Their performance there was a success, setting in motion a chain of events that led to Vee's career as a popular singer."
This was following the untimely death of Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens
Ron

[GoldenStreet]

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The lyrics by one Andrew Gill, somewhat uninspiring and not particularly spiritual or hymn-like ("Find me a golden street, where only lovers meet, Love should be waiting there, red roses everywhere...") are highly unlikely to convey the type of message Norman Petty may have had in mind when he composed the tune!

It was first copyright in the US by Dundee Music, Clovis, New Mexico, in 1960, which could provide a clue as to when the Norman Petty Trio recorded their original version. The UK rights are now controlled by Campbell Connelly & Co. Ltd. There is also a French translation, "Seul Avec Ma Peine"... more potential for research!

Bill