Town Without Pity - The Stray Cats

I just found this clip on YouTube,
I've only ever heard the BSO version (and Gene Pitney), never knew he recorded it with The Stray Cats. Does anyone have any other info on it?

Great Version

Town Without Pity was on the "Let's Go Faster" cd that was only officially released in Austrialia.


Hope that helps.


Have A Gretsch Day !

Ross

And on 7" Vinyl, Town without pity /Lets go faster.

Thanks for posting! I've never heard that version. I still prefer the BSO version though...

Here are the pics of both the 7" and cassette singles:





Enjoy it ;-)

Isn't jazz legend Herbie Hancock on piano for this one?

What an odd pairing: Stray Cats with Nile Rodgers of "Chic" producing.

Le Freak-a-billy

Yes, Rickabilly, you're right.
I've just checked the credits and it's Herbie Hancock!

aaah yes Let's Go Faster.

Worst Album by far but the demo recordings were some of the best! so rockin'

You're completely right!!

However, I don't think it's a bad album, it's just the production, that made the Cats sound way too pop, rather than rocking. The demos, as you've said, are top-notch!

I wonder if thats Brians dad at the 1:35 point? Nice photo if it is!

Oh no, I think it's his late guitar teacher, who died a few years ago.

great cover but I agree- the production makes it sound very "pop"-ish.

Aussie Sam wrote:

I wonder if thats Brians dad at the 1:35 point? Nice photo if it is!

Slim Jon Phantom wrote:

Oh no, I think it's his late guitar teacher, who died a few years ago.

I don't think it's Ray Gogarty. The photo in that video had to be taken around 1985 (note Brian's Farm Aid hair). Here's a photo of Ray in 2006, less than a year before his passing:



I think it's entirely possible that the man in the video's photo is a relative of some sort. I don't know if in 1985 Brian's dad would have looked that old, so I'm wondering if it's a grandfather.

I love Brian's voice on this version of Town Without Pity. From the sneering Cochran growl to the soaring doo-wop falsetto to the blistering yodel, he had such an incredible range in his prime. But this performance just sounds very honest, as if he's right in the room with you. The BSO version is also very strong, but with the massive sound of the big band it becomes a little less intimate. The Big Band version does a better job of portraying the drama of the overwrought Gene Pitney version. In my opinion, both Setzer versions slay the original.

Town Without Pitney-billy

Exact;y Slim John. Worst Production EVA! Struck by Lightning on the Demo is some of their rawest!

The one I love best from the Demos is "Don't Drag Me Down", and I also enjoy "Can't Stand Losing You" (aka "Waitin' For Desiree", or its Spanish version "Esperando A Valerie" - Waitin' For Valerie).

About the man in the 1.35 mark, I still think it's Brian's late guitar teacher. When he passed away a few years ago, I remember that picture being used on bs.com - I might be wrong, but that's what I can recall so far.

Hi,

is there a way to get these demo songs?

Slim Jon Phantom wrote:

About the man in the 1.35 mark, I still think it's Brian's late guitar teacher. When he passed away a few years ago, I remember that picture being used on bs.com - I might be wrong, but that's what I can recall so far.

Something about that kitchen photo seems familiar. You could right, Jon. It might be Ray - put on the glasses, take off the hat, take out the teeth - there could be a resemblance. He did live a long life, so even in 1985 (21 years before the photo I posted) he was pretty advanced in his years.

Here's a CD featuring some of Ray's guitar work, although the main artist is another renowned New York guitar teacher, Joe Monk:

Joe Monk - Live at Club 40 (featuring Ray Gogarty)

It's a recording Ray made of a 1962 club date where Joe Monk was actually preparing to sub for Ray on subsequent nights, but Ray taped this first gig, and sat in on a few of the songs.

Under the influence-billy

Brian was Sting waiting to bail on the police I think.. What a cool transitional archive and further affirms the BSO is so much a better shoe for Setzer's FOOT

The demo recordings are not bad at all.
An early version of my alltime favorite from NBFD "That Someone just ain`t you" is on it.
Very cool, i love this song.