70s Cup Round 7 Match 5 *Hatz 14- Modernist 18*

[Rayge]

a - Sorry to disagree with my half-learned acquaintances, but as the board's self-appointed expert on the subject, there's no way this can be classed as doo wop, although it borrows from the style in passages. It's an a capella soul treatment with backing vocals. And it's Buffalo Soldier, not Soldiers. That said, it is a very fine track that I could listen to again and again. Not sure why I never got to hear these guys at the time, but it's all the fresher now 7 / 10
b - I did buy the 12" single of this, although this is the cut-down 7 in version. I loved the Blockheads – especially Davey Payne – and of course knew Drury from my time in Canterbury. I though this was one of his lesser singles, though (which is not to say it is remotely bad), and the sound on the clip is poor, too, which makes a choice possible. 6.5 /10

A, just
Great tie

[echolalia]

A

[Diamond Dog]

I kind of like the Dury track but.... it's a bit of a non event... doesn;t go anywhere and gets into that over extended manic finish.

A was great - impassioned vocal and lovely harmonies.

[Darkness_Fish]

Well, A's a distinctive pick for this cup, you have to say, and I think it's done with a real grace, elegance and power. I like this one, there was a quick attempt to ruin its subtlety with overdone harmonies at the end, but overall, it shows how less can be more.

The sound is horrible and muddy in this particular upload, which is a shame as again it's quite a distinctive sound. Dury shows exactly how important phrasing and rhythm are for a vocalist, that kind of understanding of lyricism really does appeal to m.

It's a close tie indeed, but I think I'll pick A for being a quite unusual pick.

[harvey k-tel]

A ended a lot sooner than I thought it would. B didn't.

A

[mantochanga]

A

[Jumper K]

B.

[kath]

The Blockheads sound like a top notch US funk band who have been given loads of Quaaludes and told to play underwater. Which is a good thing obviously!

mwhaha, this is great.

but i absolutely loved A. it's fucquin fantastic. moving and so beautifully sung. what a stellar pick (and turn-on).

[Count Machuki]

B

[Neige]

Like both, but A for being more surprising.

[Ranking Ted]

I appreciated A but it’s a little earnest. No such worries with B, for my money, definitely one of the Blockheads best, their warped funk chops given room to roam over one of Dury’s best lyrics. Love it.

B

[never/ever]

Love Dury when does this understated funk-thing. The whisper of a vocal is excellent.
But A is sublime. Top a-capella. Really nice find.

A

[The Red Heifer]

B
Another whinge about obviousness, that is the biggest gripe I have about this comp. It's not the Crate Digging Anoraks Shield for fucking fucks sake.

[algroth]

A feels like it's about to break into the actual body of the song at some given point, but never actually gets to it. Don't necessarily feel great about B either but I suppose it takes this one.

[never/ever]

toomanyhatz 14

The Modernist 18