Richard Harris MacArthur Park

What about Donna Summers version?
Nanah; Thanks for that ref. She's obviously a fine singer, but somehow I couldn't come at her jazzy/disco treatment. Richard has the right voice that suits my mood whenever I listen; just the right "gravitas" for me and I hesitate to say this in these enlightened times, but the female voice doesn't capture the essence of the lyrics. Feel free to disagree, as I'm sure you will, but there you go! More of a livewire than me at the moment!
Thanks again!

Richard Harris for me too - for the raw emotion in his voice. But I like the Donna Summer version - she sings it well but, because it's a bouncy disco version, the poignancy of the lyrics are, I think, lost.

Talking of tissues, the Bodach and I saw Richard Harris in concert in the old Kelvin Hall in Glasgow around 1971. He was outstanding. Unfortunately I fell up the stairs on the way in, resulting in two skint knees and holes in tights! We had front row seats, and in the second half he sang his new album, ‘My Boy’, the story of his courtship, marriage, baby’s birth, and marriage break up. I must have been a pretty sight, bloody knees and red swollen eyes!

What about Donna Summers version?

it has to be the Richard Harries version!
Glammy57; Agree absolutely! Andy was hopeless IMO; then I wondered whether Frankie had a version, but haven't found one so far.
I must be getting sentimental in my old age, but somehow these types of tunes/songs always remind me of that tear-jerker phrase "you don't know what you've got until it's gone." Puts away tissues; sorry about that!

Rufus2. Such a beautiful song but, for me, it has to be the Richard Harries version! ??

, I've Andy Williams version as bonus
Forget I said that.! It's a shocker IMO. He hasn't got the voice for it and appears to struggle.
I'm now into downloading Boogie Woogie and to avoid those Monday morning "blues" have a look at YouTube clips of the Michael Alf Trio.
They're full of energy and I defy anyone to spot any problems with his key board; he's so quick! Awesome!

Abracadabra; Problem solved using the well-established comp. trick. Uninstall prog. then re-install! Now I'm down loading like mad! As well as Richard Harris, I've Andy Williams version as bonus! Thanks for your interest!

Does anyone use an App.called "Shazam" to identify music on their appliances, including PCs? Sometime ago I downloaded a free CD off U-Tube by Frank Chacksfield called "Over 3 hours of beautiful music" It's a beautiful medley (which I prefer over a single CD), but no playlist came with it. Anyway, to cut a long story short, one track had fascinated me, nobody here recognised it until yesterday when my home carer, Alison, instantly recognised "MacArthur Park". Her mobile phone had "Shazam" and she said that would have done the job for us: but her brain proved to be the best App.!
I was amazed!

Sorry I can't help with your endeavors Rufus, you sound much more Tech Savvy than me
Buffy; Thanks for that Queen's Birthday Honours Award even if modesty prevents me from bragging, but I'd like to acknowledge you being more tech, savvy than me when it comes to Tequila Surprises! (We Mancunians must stick together. ) Cheers.

why not pay royalties?
Humptydumpty: Thank you for that link, but I was just about to relax my self-imposed standards and cough up when I spotted a message in the link saying that the CD could not, or would not be exported to Australia. Why not?, I've yet to clarify. There must be other vendors in the market. We'll see! OoRoo
Btw; I think I will be able to afford the CD after I've flogged a few dozen unused three and a half inch floppies at our next car-boot sale.

Eleothan; Very nicely put! Thank you!

I'll pledge 100 pounds NOT to hear Macarthur Park!
Nannarose; You're making this up aren't you!? Or did you mean to print "NOW" instead of "NOT"?
If you're not kidding, I suggest the caller was Andy Williams trying to protect his own copy!

I recently heard an interview, or possibly I read a piece in the newspaper, which explained the background to the song. It was based on the songwriter's actual experience of a day in the park - the old men playing checkers, a celebratory cake, etc, etc. I always think the line "someone left the cake out in the rain, I don't think that I can take it 'cos it took so long to bake it and I'll never have that recipe again" symbolises the fleeting nature of a joyful moment, the ingredients for which can never be replicated.

Every time I hear that song I can picture that park.

Yes?

Is that the one about someone leaving the cake out in the rain?

Marvellous song with many memories. Agree 100% Eleothan

I don't think it's a dirge at all. I think it's a wonderfully moving song that speaks of special moments which can never be recaptured but which are ingrained in the memory.

Many years ago, we were finishing a craft project, with our local radio as background music. They were doing s charity fundraiser, you had to pledge an amount for the track you wanted to hear and when it reached 50 pounds, it was played. Then someone rang in saying I'll pledge 100 pounds NOT to hear Macarthur Park!

A blessing in disguise. Awful dirge. Even upside down.

Suzie; Because I don't want to pay for it!
I'm a skint OAP; downloaded heaps of free music files over 25 years, burnt to CD (, for purely personal use of course ) and hate to change now. I've now deleted YouTube downloader as being possibly corrupted and will re-install tomorrow. It's now past the witching hour, again, and I'm tired and I want to go to bed so will resume later. Night-night!

If it's not too expensive for you Rufus try www.ebay.co.uk/p/Richard-Harris-MacArthur-Park-1997/4041060 (£4.49 including postage!) If you like it (I lve it!), why not pay royalties?

suzie he's just told us the reason he wants it for free.
He's as skinflint...?
Sorry I can't help with your endeavors Rufus, you sound much more Tech Savvy than me.

I don’t want to sound stupid but why do you want to download it for free?