Lucky Dip
Download: Is That All There Is? - Cristina (mp3)
(One of the great, long-lost singles of 1980, and in this case I mean literally long-lost. "Is That All There Is?" was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1968 (and was a big hit for Peggy Lee) but when they heard how Cristina had "updated" their lyrics with decadent references to drugs and violence they were so vexed they sued her record label and made them take it off the market, so you couldn't buy a copy of it for nearly twenty five years. It was finally reissued on a Cristina CD a few years ago but that's been deleted too now so it's lost again, only to be found for a very pretty penny. Luckily I bought a copy of the 12" when it came out, it might turn out to be a better investment than my retirement account is these days.)
7 Comments:
Blow - I haven't heard this for years, wasn't it a perm-play on Annie Nightingale
Never heard this before: all I can say is that it's brilliant. Thanks
Things Fall Apart is my favourite Christmas song.
I actually like this better than the Peggy Lee version - Peggy's is too corny comedienne, I think. Have you heard the PJ Harvey version? Much darker, the whole thing is like a frustrated sigh, so good.
After reading your post I was browsing in the local HMV and happened to spot that "Is that all there is?" features on the Kid Creole compilation "Going Places: the August Darnell Years 1974-1983".
I don't have this Cristina track so thanks for that, but there was a time when I bought anything to do with the Ze label. Including of course the Ze Christmas Album (on white vinyl) from which I've ripped "Things fall apart" to play at this time of year as I agree with Michael - it's a great Christmas song - all the better for being so rarely heard!
Phil
never heard this either - it's good. Nor the PJ Harvey one, but listening now & like it.
never found the Peggy Lee version comedic though... well maybe the arrangement, but that kinda throws the vocals/subject into contrast for me.
thank you for posting this. i also love the picture you chose to use for this post -- gorgeous.
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