NANCY & LEE (1968)

***Nancy*** · #21 08-03-2007, 09:52 AM

Thank you for the timely bump, Mike. The LP is the best way to hear the brilliance of this album. Lee was clear-headed when we did this one and it shows.

Gerald · #22 08-03-2007, 11:02 PM

I'm proud to have this masterpiece in my record collection. My Mom always ask me to play "Some Velvet Morning", her forever favorite song.

Susan · #23 08-05-2007, 08:19 PM

You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' perfect vocals (you can feel the sadness) and a much better arrangement than the more famous version.

Almost every day in my e-mail I receive a notice of something appearing on the Internet about a young duo somewhere that has been influenced by the music of Nancy and Lee. The legacy lives on.

voice1 · #24 08-05-2007, 08:29 PM

These two were the perfect pairing.

***Nancy*** · #25 08-05-2007, 09:11 PM

Thanks so much Susan, Jerry and Rick. Your words are soothing.

It's funny how Lee, Billy and I used to say we were a good marriage, the three of us. When I wrote Billy yesterday to break the news I said, "There are only two of us now." This is part of what he wrote in return:

"Dear Nasty.

There will always be “The Three Of Us” … no matter what takes place in our lives.

We were, and will remain in the minds and hearts of music fans around the world, one of the most unique trios in the history of the record business."

Susan · #26 08-05-2007, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy

"Dear Nasty.

There will always be “The Three Of Us” … no matter what takes place in our lives.

We were, and will remain in the minds and hearts of music fans around the world, one of the most unique trios in the history of the record business."

Absolutely. I think sometimes people forget that there are three of you, Billy's arrangements are a big part of what makes the music what it is. As in You've Lost that Lovin' Feeling the easy thing would be to mimic the Righteous Brothers version but he took it in a completely different direction and gave it an entirely new feeling. Same with Bang, Bang not only with the arrangement but his guitar sets the melancholy mood.

I've been thinking of Billy a lot today too.

(Ok I'll say it, I am most grateful to Lee Hazlewood for getting Nancy Sinatra unstuck from the bubblegum

)

**Marty** · #27 08-05-2007, 09:35 PM

Some of the 60s finest compositions are included here.

and what an originally brilliant song-smith Lee Hazlewood was, when the history of those times are written names like Dylan, Wilson, Morrison and Lennon & McCartney come quickly to mind as representative, and of course are rightly remembered. Lee Hazlewood's talent deserves a mention in the same breath. That it doesn't in larger circles (even those that purport to "know" music) is bordering on the criminal and is a loss to those that haven't discovered the playful yet intelligently astute and revolutionary way he strung his "poetry" together.

As for the collaboration on this album, a menage a trois made in heaven?

***Nancy*** · #28 08-05-2007, 09:48 PM

Yes, Marty, I too wish he'd been recognized more by those in the music business. The people knew and that counts for almost everything. You used the word intelligently. That's the thing about Barton Lee that most music suits didn't get. I think they treated him like some sort of shit-kicking, country bumpkin who wrote novelty songs. They don't seem to realize that his songs have survived more than 40 years!

That is the litmus test of what is good.

When I'm asked one of the first things I say about Barton is how intelligent he is (was.) An educated, well-traveled, Korean War veteran who had an intuitive instinct for what the public wanted. Add all of that to his brilliance with lyrics, music and production in the studio and you have an influential man whether people realized it at the time or not. The consummate professional with an outrageous sense of humor and sensuality.

Susan - Billy was responsible for a lot of the success of our records. There is no doubt about that. You are absolutey right.

Set Avatar · #29 08-05-2007, 10:05 PM

This is a beautiful tribute. Reading this thread, I'm learning so much... it's also making me wish I had the pleasure of knowing Lee. Thank you, Nancy, and thank you everyone for enlightening me (us) with your memories and anecdotes.

**Marty** · #30 08-05-2007, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy

I too wish he'd been recognized more by those in the music business. The people knew and that counts for almost everything.

I get the sense sometimes (especially in terms of the industry and it's obsession with pigeonholed marketing) that Lee could almost be regarded as a stranger in his own land, he was greatly appreciated in Europe, especially Britain and Scandanavia were he was recognised (through his work with you, Nancy, primarily) as an artiste of singular creativity who threw genre and prevailing style aside to realise his individual musical vision.

Just a brief look around the web reveals a host of sites dedicated to you and Lee and Lee himself with European web suffixes, yet sadly American sites though lovingly presented are in the minority.

Susan · #31 08-05-2007, 10:28 PM

The guests who have been visiting this web site today looking at Nancy's lovely retrospective (and there have been a bunch of them) have been from all over the world.

SinatraFan · #32 08-06-2007, 01:55 AM

Yes, this is my favorite of the three duet albums Nancy and Lee did together. This album does contain some of the best songs from the 60's and these songs actually stand the test of time. This is such a wonderful album!

I agree, Nancy and Marty that Lee isn't fully recognized as the brilliant and talented person he was. He just doesn't get enough credit for all his work.

I also agree with you, Susan. Billy Strange is often forgotten about when discussing Nancy's music. He made such wonderful arrangements for Nancy's recordings.

Nancy, Lee and Billy. They will always be the perfect trio!

Gerald · #33 11-25-2007, 10:51 AM

Bumping up.

mikeg · #34 12-20-2007, 01:25 PM

I was in a cool little local Indie record store today called Plan 9. They had a used copy of this LP so I picked up another copy. (The cover is in better shape than mine) Anyway, it lead to a nice conversation with the young lady who worked at the store. She is around twenty and a big Nancy fan. We talked about how once Nancy sang a song it belonged to her. She said everytime she hears "Bang, Bang" she just stops to appreciate the beauty. It really set my day in a positive motion. I just love running into other Nancy fans.

***Nancy*** · #35 12-20-2007, 07:53 PM

Thanks, Mike

Dan Bohin · #36 12-21-2007, 07:52 PM

It wasn't until I was old enough to appreciate liner notes, and the contributions made by Billy Strange, after seeing his name on Nancy's albums, that I realized the songs, sounds, and what I was fortunate enough to listen to was more than the voices I heard.

DON'T get me wrong, and Nancy knows this, I adore her, and my heart beats a hell of a lot faster when I hear that voice, but it is an effort and "marriage" between all involved, and I am sure she would agree, that makes the magic come to life.

Now that I think of it, it seems the name of the latest Nancy and Lee CD, was most defintely titled correctly....NANCY AND LEE, THREE...
and that could be taken as Nancy, Lee, and Billy...all three of them.

I hope this post isn't out of line.

nigels · #37 12-26-2007, 11:21 AM

I have always thought that one of the most important ingredients in the Nancy and Nancy & Lee songs, is the orchestrations. I presume that Billy was mainly responsible for that.

From the ethereal on Some Velvet Morning, to the mood-setting on Summer Wine, to the haunting on Sand, the varying nuances on Arkansas Coal, the downright sexy on My Baby Cried, the upbeat fun on Jackson, the slightly ridiculous and crazy on Greenwich Village and I've Been Down So Long, the sad and regretful on Down From Dover and I Didn't Wear White, the typical Hazlewood sound on Hutchison Jail and Step Aside....and on Mel & Nancy to the absolute fun and "I'm in charge sexiness" on Play Me Or Trade Me. Fantastic backings.

I think my overall faves are Sundown Sundown and Lady Bird. Listen to them just once and focus on the accompaniment. What artistry. The songs and vocals are totally enhanced by the orchestration.

So thanks for the triple-combo of Nancy, Lee and Billy!!!

Nigel

***Nancy*** · #38 12-26-2007, 01:48 PM

So nice to see you, Nigel. Where have you been?

Yes. Billy Strange, and from Nancy and Lee Again, Larry Muhoberack (sp?) and ... I'll have to look-up the other arranger's name. I have blocked it.

nigels · #39 12-26-2007, 10:02 PM

Hi Nancy

I've been visiting and reading, but not posting for the last little while. It's nice to have time over the holidays to get back in touch.

Thanks for noticing my absence and for the couple of e-mails inviting me to post again - really made me feel like part of the family.

Best wishes to you, and all the forum members, for a peaceful and successful 2008.

Nigel

Set Avatar · #40 02-17-2008, 02:30 PM

Dear Nancy,
The other day my class sang the song: Lady Bird on the fancy dress party at school. It was great success. I was happy as a lark to let so many people know this wonderful song. This young generation in Hungary doesn't know much about these evergreen melodies, unfortunately. OK, These boots are made for walking is known in a more modern disco style, but that is not the real thing. Lady Bird remained the same, as it is - the best of all times. Best wishes. Jeno