Tuesday, August 06, 2024

Pluck That Magic Twanger, Mahatma!!!

From 1968, please enjoy(?) the mysteriously monikered Lord Sitar and the dangdest performance of a Who classic ever.

In case you're wondering -- as opposed to running from your computer screaming in horror -- Lord Sitar was the nom du disque of the late great Big Jim Sullivan, the justly celebrated British session guitarist who played memorable licks on countless (mostly English) hit records including Tom Jones' "It's Not Unusual." A very interesting guy apparently, this and another earlier all-sitar album notwithstanding.

In any case, I bring the whole sordid business up because I stumbled across the above at YouTube the other day, and I just had to share. That's the kind of guy I am. 😎

Music more appropriate to the theme of this here blog resumes on the morrow.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Belongs on a 60s variety show with choreographed dancers in mini skirts while the host walks on in a tux and tells a few jokes.

Gummo said...

Yes!

This really cries out for the June Taylor Dancers!

getawaygoober said...

Oh yeah, I have that album. And it's filed right in front of that other masterpiece Screaming Lord Sutch. Both have never been played a 2nd time.
I should have taken better care of my money.

Anonymous said...

This sounds like something from an Austin Powers movie

getawaygoober said...

... and I have the Big Jim Sullivan "Sitar Beat" LP. Filed between Sugarloaf and Supertramp... getting better.
And, hey S.S., it has a version of Whiter Shade of Pale.

steve simels said...

Okay -- that WSOP I gotta here.

mistah charley, ph.d. said...

speaking of seeing for miles and miles and miles, minnesota is miles from most people, but sometimes it comes to mind

https://discoverthecities.com/famous-musicians-from-minnesota/

getawaygoober said...

Okay, S.S., here it is. But as Jack Reacher said, "You wanted this."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7hHRH3vWI4

steve simels said...

getawaygoober — I love that beyond the power of words to express.

Thank you thank you thank you.

Anonymous said...

I prefer the mono mix. :-) !

Anonymous said...

And the Japanese pressing is far superior. 500 grams.

Captain Al

Rob B Mullen said...

Gummo - June Taylor was the wife of Jackie Gleason and as Jackie would introduce Lord Sitar - he would say -"And away we go"
rob

ChrisE said...

Lord Sitar's cover is fun, but it may NOT be the dangdest cover of a Who classic, at least this particular Who classic. That honor (?) may still go to Frankie Randall's rendition (from his 1968 RCA album "The Mods & The Pops") of ICSFM, which comes complete with strings (!) and flute (!!). Frankie's take also appears - and well it should - on one of Rhino Records' legendary kitsch-celebratory "GOLDEN THROATS" cd comps.

steve simels said...

ChrisE:

That Frankie Randall version has blown my tiny little mind. Thank you.

ChrisE said...

Steve:

For you, no problem :-)