"I Know a Place" in "Downtown" Toronto that is a wonderful old theater dating back to 1907. It's in an old district where "Round Every Corner" there are discoveries to be made. At present there is the return of a Canadian penned musical that is currently also running on Broadway. I suppose it's "A Sign of the Times" that this musical is running now, but back in 1985 I had a "Happy Heart" when I found out that my teenage crush Petula Clark was going to be performing...
I Remember That Old Song!
A few years ago on one of my cross country trips while I was passing somewhere through west Texas in the middle of a bright summer day an old familiar song came through the satellite radio. The song sounded familiar, but not quite like I had remembered it. The announcer identified the artist as an old favorite of mine--Petula Clark.
Clark had captured my teenage heart when I first saw her on the Ed Sullivan TV variety show. Already familiar with her hit "Downtown" I wanted to see what she looked like. I thought she was lovely even though she was 20 years older than me. Besides, I always kind of liked women older than me.
As years went by I would sometimes hear Petula Clark's songs, but not often. And I was listening to so much other music. Still I was pleasantly surprised when in April of 1985, our touring show on Easter break in Toronto Canada, I discovered that Petula Clark was headlining a vaudeville style revue at the Royal Alexandra Theater. Since my wife and I took every opportunity to see concerts when we were off, I was excited not only to see my "old flame" (she would have been in her fifties then and I in my thirties), but also an array of variety acts including a juggler.
It was a fine show as I recall, but I don't really recall much. Mostly I remember the theater and the precipitous balcony seats we were seated in. It was a grand place and a fine time was had by all. So much for my memory of that. But at least I can say that I did get to see and hear Petula Clark in person. I guess the juggler was pretty good too...
Battle of the Bands Results
In my recent Battle using the Petula Clark penned song "You're the One" I purposely wanted to use comparable videos taken from pop music shows partly because they both had go-go dancers and they captured a flavor of that era. This decision may have been detrimental to Ms. Clark. If you listen to the version that was released on record (found here) you might see what I'm getting at. One factor in the videos I used is that Petula Clark's version is an actual live version whereas The Vogues are lip syncing to their hit recording which most of us were more likely familiar with in the first place.
Until I heard Petula's version on the radio in recent years I didn't even realize she had co-written the song let alone recorded the original version. I've got to admit that the Vogues vocals and harmonies are mighty enticing--it's a good version and deserves the hit status that it retains in pop music history. That makes for a tough choice for me. My vote doesn't affect much of anything in this rather mismatched contest, but I'm going to go with Pet. After all, she's an old heartthrob of mine. Besides, I think her dancers had more grace and class. Not to say I didn't like the other dancers. They were just fine...
Final Vote Tally
Petula Clark 3
The Vogues 13
Next Battle of the Bands on Sunday December 15
God willing and my internet continue running.
