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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ4N8GfMPAM


At the 16 second mark, the 'tune' becomes an awful sort of hip-hop version of Apache. Sorry for inflicting this upon your ears. Not too keen on Maisie Williams either. Sorry.

(Although I'm sure she's very nice!)

That's a sample of The Incredible Bongo Band's version of Apache from 1973; a track which pretty much kicked off the entire rap/hip-hop movement a bit later in that decade.

So we've got them to thank have we?

Thanks.

Apache is about as iconic as it gets in that genre. Helped later on in no small way by Will Smith and 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air'.

J

Yeah, saw a documentary about the birth of hip hop and "Apache" and "Mary, Mary" (The Monkees) were two of the first significant songs to be sampled.

Has anyone heard Deke Dickerson's vocal version of "Apache" with Los Straitjackets backing him up? It's great fun. He's done a whole album of vocal versions of instrumentals. I'd Youtube it, but I'm at work and can't.

It seems that 'Apache' isn't a terribly good tune especially when messed about with, unless it's the version by the Shadows! I thought Bert Weedons version was pretty 2nd rate Billy Cotton Band Show, even though it attempted to get into the war dance style of the drums - it just shows how important production values are to making the best of any material.

Apache is one of those tunes that really separates the Cowboys from the Indians.

I remember hearing the Shadows version for the very first time in 1977 and thinking "WOW!" I had never heard anything as exciting. It wasn't just the tune, it was the sound and the way it was being played. No wonder a lot of punks went to see them on their 20 Golden Dates tour in May.

On the other hand, I could imagine some BBC announcer in 1959 introducing Bert Weedon's version with "And here's a pleasant little tune..."

I think what made Apache a hit record was the use of the echo chamber it`s not a strong tune so other versions don`t sound as good. Bert recorded it first but it was not released until The Shadows had made it a hit, and I don`t think it suitable as a vocal record at all.

Clarity said: Yeah, saw a documentary about the birth of hip hop and "Apache" and "Mary, Mary" (The Monkees) were two of the first significant songs to be sampled.

Has anyone heard Deke Dickerson's vocal version of "Apache" with Los Straitjackets backing him up? It's great fun. He's done a whole album of vocal versions of instrumentals. I'd Youtube it, but I'm at work and can't.

I saw Deke with Los Straitjackets in Dallas TX about eighteen months ago. They didn't do Apache though.

I quite like their version of the song, but it probably doesn't stand repeated listening.

https://instaud.io/O5z

I think "Apache" is a strong tune. Maybe it's relatively easy to play, but the simplicity makes it a strong, catchy and memorable instrumental.