She'll Grow Back: Stagger Lee Saturdays - Neil Diamond and Pat Boone

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Stagger Lee Saturdays - Neil Diamond and Pat Boone

Well, it had to happen sometime. There are only so many versions of Stag out there, and some of them are bound to be bad. Today, we're listening to two of the worst.

First, Neil Diamond. I don't have much to say about this one, not even anything bad. This record just lies there, inert, with its "funky" organ licks DOA.

Now, let's discuss Pat Boone. Pat, have you heard Lloyd Price's record? (It's obvious your band has, but how about you?) Did you notice that it's about a cold-blooded killer? Why oh why did you beg Stag "don't be mean!"? I mean, seriously, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?!? Asking Stagger Lee not to be mean is like asking the sun not to be hot, or the wind not to blow, or a river not to drown your sweetheart, when she waded in to commit suicide. And we all know how well that last one worked out for you. The reviewer at All Music Guide seems to think this particular recording is Pat Boone "at his rockin' and rollin' best." For shame. (The buy link today goes to used versions of this record. If you buy a new one, Pat Boone gets a little money, and "great googa mooga", I just can't have that. Not on my watch. )

Point your browser this way next Saturday for June's final Stagger Lee double post, with two GOOD versions.




2 comments:

CD said...

Yipes.

Do i really want to add these to ye old iPod?

i really can't decide if i do.

Mark H. Besotted said...

Maybe not. But, hell, go ahead and listen to em, all the way through, at least once. It'll make you a stronger person. Great googa mooga!