Beverly Noble - BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU (Gold Star Studios) (1965)

[@AnthonyReichardt]

I've played this record hundreds of times and never tire of it. I am in awe in the brilliance in it's construction. The tension and drama and release in the backing track and the amazing emotive vocals of a young, fourteen year old girl singing with such passion. So glad to have been able to share it with another who has had had it struck a nerve with them as well.

[@brianwaterhouse1781]

It just brilliant so thanks for sharing with us…

[@EugeneL1956]

The songs that came out of the Brill building in the late 50s and 60s will never be bettered.

[@stevestanley2900]

This record is stunning.

[@dpohunter]

Drives home the cruel reality that not every good record is a hit, and vice versa. An excellent production

[@robbk1]

That's because the music was written by Van McCoy.

[@RjBenjamin353]

The wall of sound!!!!

[@gary9426]

Wall of Sound perfection!

[@UNOwen1]

There's something 'Bacharachian' in the chorus - Bacharach (as I'm sure most everyone knows) did some 'unusual' (innovative) things w/ his chords & time signatures. Off the top of my head, I can't tell u which, but the chorus is definitely reminiscent of one of the Bacharach/Warwick tracks.

[@AnthonyReichardt]

Chuck, My thoughts completely. When I saw the interior of Gold Star Studio 'A' for the first time in 1979, I thought how could a room of this size be the place were such big sounding records were born. The answer was the acoustics of the room itself, microphone leakage and the magical echo chambers built by the studios co-owner, David Gold. In the late 50's he and Stan Ross set out to simulate the sound created at Columbia's New York City, 30th Street Studio, a converted 1800's church.

[@dougsmith7083]

Stunning

[@robbalboni4179]

absolutely fantastic and its a mystery to me why this record wasn't an enormous hit, thanks for sharing this gem!

[@jkeyes1000]

Really beautiful tune. Love the way it lilts and builds repeatedly. Another enviable 45! I wish I had the time to hunt for vinyl like this. Time and money that is.

[@fromthesidelines]

Rebecca and Ricky also recorded as "Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm" for H-B's 1965 recording of "Open Up Your Heart (and Let the Sunshine In)".

[@recordguy4321]

Gorgeous song, I'm amazed at your top 5, if I did that i'd be changing it every week especially after hearing a song like this.

[@davidhutch8880]

Pure joy 👏👏👏👏

[@AnthonyReichardt]

As far as I know, this is the one and only. If there is another version of this beauty I'd sure like to hear it.

[@UNOwen1]

I LOVE dramatics, & th@ silence, followed by the timpani a d then those SWEET strings - HEAVENLY! It gives me chills. I've not listened 2 'current' music since the 80/90's - w/ (extremely) rare cases, it's musical 'wonder bread. But, I'm always amazed @ the emotion, the talent of ths marvelous era. Thank u, Anthony!

[@jamesbarclay8805]

I agree anothay when music actually ment something to you and old school aswell top drawer my pal

[@johnhubbard3705]

Fabulous. Thank you Anthony and Beverly.

[@clarencewilliams4815]

Beautiful track Anthony. Thanks for sharing.

[@Lee-cz6ss]

Another great hidden gem from you Anthony , what a lovely record this is , Thanks again for posting, 200 Kid .

[@58pajo]

love blue eyed ballades..........fantastic tune.

[@brianwaterhouse1781]

I wrote a long reply that disappeared. But the gist was I have 3 of your top 5 in my collection now, so thanks for introducing me to chi chi a Bev. Nobles.. I already appreciated Clydie King..but all sublime Anthony 😊

[@alain59200]

very nice anthony thank enjoy weekend

[@davidyoung2639]

Top five? That's elite company! (Not arguing, just pointing out what an honor this is coming from a gentleman of such refined and rarefied taste as yourself, Anthony.)

[@TheZeevik]

WONDERFUL SOUL

[@lesgore54]

The Hohner Melodica instrumental break….one of the few outside of the Hollyridge Strings “Girls on the Beach” on their first Beach Boys lp.

[@AnthonyReichardt]

When I was kid in the late 60's, my accordion teacher had one of those which I wanted very badly. I seem to never hear or see those instruments anymore. By the way, lesgore54, I haven't seen your name pop up for quite a while.

[@AnthonyReichardt]

David, The words 'gentleman' and 'rarefied taste' used to describe me in one sentence, is a compliment that I'll gladly take! Let it be known. My 'Top 5 Favorite Records of All Time' - Righteous Brothers - YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN; FEELIN', Beverly Noble - BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU, Clydie King - THE THRILL IS GONE, Chi Chi - IF YOU'RE GONNA LOVE ME, Walker Brothers - LOVE HER

[@brianwaterhouse1781]

Ha just seen you’re top five and as a Northern soul lad, counts righteous bros out. I have the other three. All I can say is you have great taste….BN is still relatively unknown and cheap The other two can be expensive, but I have managed to get them in my collection, thanks to you ….

[@rogbrown1965]

Really should have charted .fab. Rog brown Pacific sunset records

[@carol41731]

mmm how true ha

[@SouthSideRalph1]

Record labels play the percentage game, only one or two has to hit big, that leaves a lot of records shelved or under promoted etc

[@oscaerstef]

tuneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[@theboyfromxtown]

I'd have to ask Spectropop's Mick - he would have been the one to turn me on to it in the first place! Keep on with the uploads Anthony!

[@theboyfromxtown]

Anthony. I know this song - has it been done by anyone else. I might be getting old!

[@primetimeoldies73ylastres26]

🍦🍦🎶🎵🎵

[@fargeeks]

this song is decent