Does success at work = happiness?

[Cleoriff Level 94: Supreme]

What a lovely story @MusicIan. I can understand how emotional that must have been.

Way back when, one of our Care Of the Elderly wards turned the day room into a 'old dance hall/tea room'. It was decorated to the theme, with pictures of singers and film stars of the era.

Although we didn't have live music, they did play old time music and encouraged everyone who was able, to dance or just clap along in time.

It doesn't sound like much now, but this was in the 80/90's and was quite innovative at the time. It certainly had a positive effect on our elderly patients.

[MusicIan]

Cheers @Cleoriff - when I started with the group I got a list of "songs that they like" and plodded through it but got a bit bored so I said

"My Dad was in the navy during the war. He didn't like Vera Lynn" and one the gents said "Nah, I didn't like her either."

There was a chorus of people who all agreed that they didn't reckon much to poor old Vera, and I asked why "We'll Meet Again" was on the list of songs that they liked."Nobody asked us" was the sad reply.

"Well I'm asking you. What do you want to hear?"

"Do you know 'The House of the Rising Sun'?"

"Know it? I've been playing it for fifty years, of course I know it!"

So he got up and started to sing, and he was going for it till he got to the third verse.

"Sorry, I've forgotten the next line."

"It's 'Mother tell your children'."

"Oh aye. Mother, tell your children, not to do what I have done.." When he finished he went all pink when they cheered and clapped.

Afterwards one of the carers came up and said how I had made a breakthrough with the Vicar.

"The VICAR?"

All his life he'd been singing hymns and now at last he could sing about brothels in New Orleans.

[Cleoriff Level 94: Supreme]

@MusicIan

One of my all time favourite songs by a great, but very underrated group...I loved Eric Burdon's vocals.

Such a pity that Alan Price refused to travel on planes. Had he overcome that fear, I'm sure they would have had much more success. (though his differences with Burdon caused the final split)

I understand Eric Burdon and The Animals are touring in Germany next year..... No sign of a UK tour though...

PS.. loved the story about the vicar

[pgn Level 49: Rootin' Tootin']

Even vicars should be able to let their hair down now and then, @MusicIan@. Good story

[MusicIan]

@Cleoriff oh don’t start me off on musicians.

Alan Price is incredibly talented as a musician and ruthless as a businessman. Guess who gets all the publishing royalties from ”House of the Rising Sun”. It was the guitar riff that grabbed the attention, Eric Burdens voice that sold the song, but it was Alan who wrote “traditional, arr. A.Price” on the publishing notes. Or so I have been told by many musicians. But then I’ve played with three different sax players who all played on “Baker St” so large pinches of salt all round. 

[Cleoriff Level 94: Supreme]

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@MusicIan wrote:

@Cleoriff oh don’t start me off on musicians.

Alan Price is incredibly talented as a musician and ruthless as a businessman. Guess who gets all the publishing royalties from ”House of the Rising Sun”. It was the guitar riff that grabbed the attention, Eric Burdens voice that sold the song, but it was Alan who wrote “traditional, arr. A.Price” on the publishing notes. Or so I have been told by many musicians. But then I’ve played with three different sax players who all played on “Baker St” so large pinches of salt all round. 

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Yes, it was something like that which caused the eventual rift. Add to that Eric Burdon cleared off to San Franscisco and came up with a group call WAR. Got fed up and tried to set up another Animals.

Alan Price blocked it and said the 'rights' to that name were his. (Even though he was perfoming as The Alan Price Set!

I think Eric won the battle eventually (after 5 years) and is now allowed to perform as 'Eric Burdon and the Animals'

We have the same sort of battle with the Searchers....Got two groups running with that name....though one is called Mike Penders Searchers...

Sorry for meandering way off topic...though it is interesting to look at 'musical history'...

[Cleoriff Level 94: Supreme]

PS, I loved Baker Street. Very Haunting tune....