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A Fan Writes Questions About Denny's UK Hit Song "Skiing In The Snow" |
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Monday, 08 June 2009 |
Randell & Schippers’
FAN E-MAIL RESPONSE
If you are willing to have your e-mail answered publicly as
Paul Walker has in this case, include your permission with your
e-mail to Randell & Schippers, Denny or Biddy. Although
all of them can not be answered in this way, yours
could be selected. We love getting your e-mails, try to answer
as many as we can and we thank all of you who write. Send A Question Here.
- E-Mail from Paul Walker In England -
Hi Mr. Randell,
I`m a fan of all your work . . There is one song from your Dynovoice catalogue which has some lyrics that have remained a mystery. The track is Skiing In the Snow by the Invitations, the lyrics have been debated here in England for many years, so i thought i would ask the man himself ! I would be extremely grateful if you find the time to help.
Yours in admiration
Paul Walker
_______________________
- Denny’s Response -
(Including Lyric and Music Links In The Article Below)
Hi Paul,
Thanks for writing. I’ve included the lyrics to “Skiing In The Snow” below. I know that some of them, including the line that includes the word “gear” have been conversation pieces for a long time and the story behind the song’s history in England is one that I’ve found very fascinating. Here it is: The song was originally recorded by The Invitations - a group that I as a writer and producer brought to Dynovoice Records through their manager who had been a friend of mine for several years. Their first session included the song “What’s Wrong With Me Baby” which did well in your great country and “Skiing In The Snow”, recorded on their very next studio session, was released here in the U.S. a short time later.
As told in the excerpted paragraphs below, taken from an article that mentions the song and some then famous dance clubs, a copy of “Skiing In The Snow” made its way across the Atlantic from the U.S. and, while it didn’t go big on the British charts at that time, it became an underground classic of sorts, which later led to its recording by Wigan’s Ovation who’s version did become a big hit there.
Today both recordings of “Skiing In The Snow”, by The Invitations and Wigan’s Ovation are part of music history (including in the annals of Northern Soul, which I’m proud to be a part of) and putting in the above link to both of them seemed like a great idea. (and Laura Pallas too) The fact the original Invitations’ single was discovered by a countryman of yours in a Woolworth’s here in the States while waiting to connect with his flight home shows how music amazingly gets around and can’t be kept down if people want to hear it. The owner of this one and only copy would drive it around from club to club where it was in constant demand. While that copy was eventually lost in an accident fatal to its owner, a terribly sad chapter in the story, those that loved the song kept its spirit alive until the eventual Wigan’s Ovation recording. Having first read this story in the late 90’s in several articles on the web, it was retold to me a few years ago by a famous New York DJ who called it one of the “classic music stories”. Again, thanks so much to you for being a fan of mine and of the music and one of those who keep all of the great music alive.
I invite you to Join our ‘Randell and Schippers Music n’ News Letter’ and keep up with current music and activities by my and my collaborator and partner Biddy Schippers, including our recent Randell & Schippers dance and video hit “Alice In Wonderland,”, our upcoming live show and all that’s currently going on. You can join from our home page on the left side.
Below are excerpts regarding “Skiing In The Snow” from an on-line interview with British DJ Ian DeWhirst, © djhistory.com, followed by the song lyrics, for which the lines that you want to know will never again be a mystery. Maybe we’ll have a chance to meet when we’re back in England again – soon I hope!
Very Best Regards,
Denny Randell
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Excerpts From the interview
© djhistory.com
DJ Ian DeWhirst: There are very few records where there are one or two-offs; usually someone, somewhere will dig more up.
A great example was ‘Skiing In The Snow’ by the Invitations. They’d already had a big one with ‘What’s Wrong With Me Baby’ which was a huge Wheel/Torch record and then out of the blue this record called ‘Skiing In The Snow’, which has got something in it about gear. It had all the great ingredients, a stomping beat, lyrics - anything with gear . . . . for example. But there was only one copy. I have a feeling it was Levine who had it, but it used to get played at the Torch, so maybe someone had a copy there. Maybe Tony Jebb. Someone went over to look for rare records and on the last day they were there, they had to go to Woolworth’s to get some razor blades and they had a counter with records for 15¢ and they had a copy of ‘Skiing In The Snow’. Came back to England, arranged to sell it at the Torch, so legend goes, traveling from wherever he was and had a car crash and he got killed and the copy went up in flames, which succeeded in turning the record into a legend. I’ve got an original copy at home, but it took me eight years to get it. I got mine from Soul Bowl in the late seventies or early eighties.
……. Yeah, ‘gotta get my gear out, ready for winter’s near’. When I’d be going to these places with Rod and Sid and Smithy and Scotty, that’s all they’d talk about. . . . . . . Those were the parts of the records they’d sing: ‘Gotta get my gear out!’ It was all part of the journey there. It was the song itself that was getting me off….
* * * * * *
And Here Are The Lyrics: (link to lyrics)
SKIIN’ IN THE SNOW by Denny Randell,
© EMI Music Publishing Co. (BMI) Sandy Linzer
Vs 1 Days are growin’ colder,
Snow’s a-pilin’ up on the hill.
Gotta’ get my gear out,
Ready for a winter of spills.
You know my wood’s lookin’ tired
So I’m waxin’ ‘em down now,
And once I top that
Hill I’m gonna’ run ‘em down ___ .
Ch 1 Run ‘em down ___,
Skiin’ In The Snow ___.
Kids are all around,
Skiin’ In The Snow ___.
And at night we’ll all stay
Warm in the cabins below,
A weekend there with my love,
There’s nothing greater I know ___.
(Grp: Come on baby__,
Ski with me baby ___ .)
Vs 2 And you should see us go man,
We’re the toughest skiers around.
(Grp: All around, pound for pound,
Best in town yeah ___.)
Movin’ down the mountain,
There’s nobody puttin’ us down.
(Grp: All around, pound for pound,
Best in town yeah ___.)
I Feel so
Proud when we climb to the
Top of the hill __,
And make it all the way
Down without a spill____.
Ch 2 Run ‘em down ___,
Skiin’ In The Snow ___.
Kids are all around,
Skiin’ In The Snow ___.
And at night we’ll all stay
Warm in the cabins below,
A weekend there with my love,
There’s nothing greater I know ____.
(Grp: Come on baby__,
Ski with me baby ___ .)
- Instrumental -
Ch Run ‘em down ___,
Skiin’ In The Snow ___.
Baby Run ‘em down ___,
Skiin’ In The Snow ___.
- Repeat For Fade -
***** |
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Tuesday, 03 June 2008 |
UFOs
We're Finally Starting To Take Them Seriously
By Denny Randell
6/2/08
I've never doubted the existence of life forms that are not from this planet and are alien to life as we know it.
I've never doubted the existence of life forms that are from this planet and are alien to life as we know it.
And I have never doubted the existence of life forms that are either from this planet or alien to it that are conscious and aware but would not fit into any definition of life, even as we don't know it.
So I'm glad to see that some humans in influential positions are finally starting to urge or even "preach" the acceptance of UFOs.
It is a basic and obvious concept that in our vast, complex and intense universe "We Are Definitely Not Alone". And for us to think otherwise coming from our limited view and feel of creation makes the word shallow seem infinitely deep.
I promise you there are life forms - no, more broadly, let's call them intelligent forms - right here on our own planet that are alien to anything we know. Some may appear human (or as other Earthly forms) and some are not even visible or don't seem visible to us actual humans and may not appear at all. But whether from other planets, other dimensions, other spiritual levels or are other creations of the universe we can't yet even conceive, these alien forms are present and taking the ride.
So when articles have recently appeared reporting that various sources, from some lower level politicians to the British government (UL National Archives website: ufos/national archives.gov.uk) to, Yes!, – even the Pope's astronomer, have urged us to open our earthly minds to the concept of other worldly neighbors, then I say – (1) good! (2) wise!, and (3) Welcome!!
In fact, the Papal astronomer's words on this are particularly worthy of applause: The existence of alien beings would not create a problem for believers "because one cannot put limits on the creative freedom of God". Note: The biggest surprise is not anything connected with UFOs, but that there is a Papal Astronomer.
Now, let's be careful. This doesn't mean that all alien forms are our friends. The Universe works on the principal that things eat other things to survive. And one thing we also know just from observing the action in our little cosmic neighborhood, life forms seek power over other life forms in order to control the realm.
Bottom line? Certainly some of our alien neighbors (as are some from our own world we don't see) are being helpful and supportive – more than we can imagine. But as one who's always known that UFO's and the aliens that control them are for real - here's my advice: Knowledge is protection. Believe it and be open. But Always Be On Guard.
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© Denny Randell |
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Wednesday, 09 April 2008 |
by Biddy Schippers
Back in the day (don't you love that expression) when the digital revolution was launched, we were all told: "Digital files contain only 0's and 1's, and since a 0 is a 0 and a 1 is a 1 - all digital files sound the same." This was a particularly exciting prospect for us in the music industry where analogue tape transfers and mix -downs wreak havoc on sound quality. Over time, however, it became apparent that "digital" did not mean "identical" sound. This became an issue of contention between those who heard digital audio changes and those who continued to believe digital was synonymous with an exact "clone". Fast forward to a recent recording project we finalized with the "Master" Masterer - Bernie Grundman. During the session we commented to Bernie that, as usual, even the simple transferring of our digital master in and out of an editing program caused changes in the character of the sound. (Most projects involve numerous digital transfers and multiple studios posing no problems for the "all digital is the same" believers, but for the rest of us....) Bernie absolutely agreed that such was always the case and he definitely heard what we heard (not crazy yet), which lead to the 3 of us commiserating. In the process, a discussion ensued traversing the many pitfalls of maintaining a constant digital sound, from CD burners, software, digital filters, converters, computers and CD burning speeds, to manufacturing and the many different CD brands. (Wow! Someone else actually hears the difference between Sonys and TDKs.) In the end, the mastering session was successfully completed. But - the catharsis of the conversation? That was 'Audio Therapy!' |
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Super Bowl XL Commercials |
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Monday, 23 July 2007 |
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Ruling on Super Bowl XL Commercials – They Get The Flag! By Denny Randell Since a big part of our country’s premier sporting contest is aggrandizing its TV commercials, it is both‘ in bounds’ and a DR service to make the call: The over-riding theme for the day in Super Bowl XL’s commercials was VIOLENCE. The very first one shown, the Pizza Hut commercial, was the only clear exception to this and just happened to feature my song "Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby”, which I mention here in the interest of both honest blogism and having a more interesting article although I’m not recusing myself from making the violence call on the others because
that flag (which carries no penalties for the NFL, the sponsers or the network) is warranted. As that Pizza Hut commercial is still on the air, it is becoming at least even odds that it may be around for the next Super Bowl. But whether other commercials used there will manifest on a higher level than the XL offerings is a call that we’ll have to make as the game unfolds, although we’ll certainly be keeping at least one hand on that yellow flag. For those keeping score, this is at least the second time "Can’t Get Enough Of You Baby” was used in a none violent commercial, having been featured several years back in a Buick Open TV promotion. The then new GM Buicks were displayed with no roughneck or otherwise damaging behavior, followed by Smash Mouth singing the title line of the song after which Tiger Woods swung his club with no ill effect, smiled and perfectly described the positive and non-violent mood by pronouncing as the final words of the production: ”It’s All Good”. With the exception of the actual game, I know we all miss those gentler days. |
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Tuesday, 26 June 2007 |
Hi Denny
Just wondered if you could help me. I've always wanted to know if 'Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)' was based on a classical piece of music. And if so, which piece. I LOVE this song, and the Four Seasons' superb recording of it.
Many thanks,
Peter,
Canberra, Australia
________________________________________________
Hi Peter,
Great to hear from you and I appreciate so much your being such a great fan of “Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)”, which is my original melody and not based on a classical piece.
Your question is a really interesting one to feature though because many people ask it - I guess for one of the two following reasons:
- Many who ask know that my song “A Lover’s Concerto” was based on Bach’s “Concerto in G Major”, which I first played and loved as a kid, and “A Lovers Concerto” was recorded in a similar pop setting to “Opus 17”.
- In writing "Opus 17” I purposely gave it several personality traits that created the feeling that it was (similarly) based on a classical piece, such as that the word “Opus” is used to in naming or cataloging classical pieces and that the melody has certain qualities of a classical motif.
The song was written with the Four Seasons in mind following two other of my hits with them (‘Let’s Hang On” and “Working My Way Back To You”) and when I thought about what I wanted to write for them next, I decided it would be great to create an experience similar to “A Lover’s Concerto” but with (in this case) a harder edged song and and recording fitting to the incredibly high energy and exciting sound and personality of Frankie and the Seasons.
So Peter, now you finally know right from the writer’s pen (no, word processor) what you’ve been wondering about. Thanks for asking and keep on enjoying the music.
My Best,
Denny Randell |
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