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nimrodfree
Приєднався 21 лис 2010
Reflections Of My Life 50th Anniversary - Story behind the song
Junior Campbell quote ....
This song was written and recorded sometime during the last two weeks of October 1969 and released here in the UK 50 years ago, on Friday 14th November 1969.
This was the very first track we committed to tape with our new record company Decca, in Studio 2 Decca Studios Broadhurst Gardens West Hampstead London, with Bill Price engineering, probably around the week commencing Mon 20th October, as a
1/4” stereo rough mix reel and acetate request shows on the Studio tape reel as at Sunday 26th October.
I came up with the song quite literally the night before the very first session ...
I had the tune and the chorus lyric and so the working title was “Take Me Back” as you will see from the tape box label… Dean worked on the verse lyric whilst we recorded
the track. You will see from the box label we also laid 3 other tracks.
The acetate was probably for Keith Mansfield, so he could score brass and strings to be added to the track. Keith and I met up at the KPM basement studio where he was working during the following week, to discuss our ideas and his expertise as to how we could enhance the track.
The brass and strings were recorded the following Sunday 2nd Nov at the larger Studio 1 Decca Broadhurst Gardens.... 10 violins, 4 celli, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones - 2 tenor, 1 bass.
The track was master mixed for production after the scoring sessions, with Pete Rynston engineering.
I had assumed the mantle as producer, but was pretty nervous as I realised we might have something special, so I asked Mike Smith, our previous CBS producer, and my mentor, if he'd come along and sit in on the session, which he generously did ..
I remember him just smiling and nodding in the background ...... Dick Rowe, who had signed us, came along too, with his son, Richard, that Sunday afternoon ... he thought it was a "smash", but maybe a bit long at over 4 mins, and maybe we should consider dumping the guitar solo!!
We only had 8 track in those days … accordingly, after the bands initial track performance of acoustic guitar, piano, bass, drums, hammond and the guitar solo, all were then bounced down to a committed 2 track stereo mix, freeing up the remaining 6
tracks for main vocal, 2 harmony tracks, brass and stereo strings.
In 1995, I digitally remastered our complete Decca recordings, and also took an adat copy of the 8 track recording session ( amongst others) which is what you can hear.
Basic tracks, mono…no echoes or fx, just threw up the faders, but pretty much what we would have heard back in the day whilst we were working on the track, including the
string players chatting over my count in …
If I can remember how to use my studio gear, I’ll whip the covers off and post a strip down mix soon ….
For me, and I’m sure all of you, a lot has happened these last 50 years ….
great times, and sad, but truly the most notable, is that it has all gone in a flash …..
Reflections Of My Life ...
This song was written and recorded sometime during the last two weeks of October 1969 and released here in the UK 50 years ago, on Friday 14th November 1969.
This was the very first track we committed to tape with our new record company Decca, in Studio 2 Decca Studios Broadhurst Gardens West Hampstead London, with Bill Price engineering, probably around the week commencing Mon 20th October, as a
1/4” stereo rough mix reel and acetate request shows on the Studio tape reel as at Sunday 26th October.
I came up with the song quite literally the night before the very first session ...
I had the tune and the chorus lyric and so the working title was “Take Me Back” as you will see from the tape box label… Dean worked on the verse lyric whilst we recorded
the track. You will see from the box label we also laid 3 other tracks.
The acetate was probably for Keith Mansfield, so he could score brass and strings to be added to the track. Keith and I met up at the KPM basement studio where he was working during the following week, to discuss our ideas and his expertise as to how we could enhance the track.
The brass and strings were recorded the following Sunday 2nd Nov at the larger Studio 1 Decca Broadhurst Gardens.... 10 violins, 4 celli, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones - 2 tenor, 1 bass.
The track was master mixed for production after the scoring sessions, with Pete Rynston engineering.
I had assumed the mantle as producer, but was pretty nervous as I realised we might have something special, so I asked Mike Smith, our previous CBS producer, and my mentor, if he'd come along and sit in on the session, which he generously did ..
I remember him just smiling and nodding in the background ...... Dick Rowe, who had signed us, came along too, with his son, Richard, that Sunday afternoon ... he thought it was a "smash", but maybe a bit long at over 4 mins, and maybe we should consider dumping the guitar solo!!
We only had 8 track in those days … accordingly, after the bands initial track performance of acoustic guitar, piano, bass, drums, hammond and the guitar solo, all were then bounced down to a committed 2 track stereo mix, freeing up the remaining 6
tracks for main vocal, 2 harmony tracks, brass and stereo strings.
In 1995, I digitally remastered our complete Decca recordings, and also took an adat copy of the 8 track recording session ( amongst others) which is what you can hear.
Basic tracks, mono…no echoes or fx, just threw up the faders, but pretty much what we would have heard back in the day whilst we were working on the track, including the
string players chatting over my count in …
If I can remember how to use my studio gear, I’ll whip the covers off and post a strip down mix soon ….
For me, and I’m sure all of you, a lot has happened these last 50 years ….
great times, and sad, but truly the most notable, is that it has all gone in a flash …..
Reflections Of My Life ...
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Відео
Marmalade - live - Julie Felix Show 1970.wmv
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Stumbled upon this little nugget - Marmalade live - with 2 songs - on the UK network Julie Felix Show in 1970. First up, the gentle, folky, "Dear John", from the "Reflections Of The Marmalade" album - then - KARAOKE TIME!!! Very dated - very hammy - but PRICELESS!!!
Marmalade - Interview - Reflections Of Their Lives part 2 - 1970.wmv
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Part 2 of edited sections from Anatomy Of Pop - UK broadcast 1970 - this time featuring Dean Ford interview with Dean's "thoughts" on music styles, "progressive music" and avant garde!! Also Frank Zappa and a very young looking Sir Michael Parkinson ( UK's D Letterman ) . Junior Campbell's recollection of early days and songwriting.
Marmalade - Rainbow - introduced by Lulu & Mamma Cass Elliot - 1970.wmv
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There are a few versions of this already posted - but nice to see the intro with Lulu & Mama Cass - also the apparent "camaraderie" at the end between "wee Marie Lawrie" and her fellow Glaswegians! "Bad hair day" for Pat & Junior ( they look like Hinge & Brackett!) mind you, wee Marie's doesn't look too clever either but hey, it's the 1970's! (only just). Slightly sad though to see this, as Cas...
Marmalade - Interview - Reflections Of The Band.wmv
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A 1970 "Reflective" collage of interviews, thoughts, waffle & mutterings, by 4 of the band - about how the name "Marmalade" arose - fame, fans and early days. Be warned, you may need an interpreter - Graham, Pat & Junior had very broad Glasgow accents at the time!!
Marmalade - Suite Judy Blue Eyes and Cripple Creek - live 1970.wmv
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Marmalade pay tribute to "The Band" & "Crosby Stills & Nash", two big influences of the Marms during the "soft rock" late 60's early 70's period. Again, part of a live UK TV Showcase in 1970. The original group were nearing the end here - they look a bit tired, and, frankly, a bit bored!! Apparently they had to keep sound volume to a minimum as it was a tv studio performance - very early UK col...
Marmalade - Reflections of my Life - live - 1970.wmv
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HD - Part of live UK tv showcase - including intro by Dean Ford - 1970broadcast
Marmalade - Rainbow 1970.wmv
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Here's another little treat! Live version of "Rainbow" Further part of live UK Marmalade television showcase - summer 1970
Marmalade - Life Is - 1970.wmv
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Part of live UK Marmalade television showcase - summer 1970 Final track on the "Reflections of the Marmalade" album released 1970
The Marmalade Marquee Club London 1967.wmv
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"Psychedelic" version of previous upload - just a bit of fun!!!
Marmalade Marquee Club London 1967.wmv
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The Marmalade - Marquee Club 1967 "There Aint No Use In Hanging On" Uncovered 2 minutes of early Marmalade fan footage ( probably shot on Super8 - no sound) supposedly at the Marquee Club London in 1967 - I've added the only audio track of theirs which would fit. Not very good quality but at least gives a "hint" of the times - I might post a "psychedelic version" also.
The Marmalade - Reflections of My Life 1970 b/w video
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The Marmalade - Reflections of My Life 1970 b/w Original band perform Reflections on tv show. Final verse edited, but does include guitar solo, although some irritating visual effects by show tv director somewhat spoil the vid - but great to have, most of the shows from that time were wiped - enjoy!
Wonderful
The dudes playing his guitar upside down..😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Reminds me when I was 13
My wife wanted this played at her funeral. I forfilled her wish last Saturday RIP my darling
I want it played at my funeral also.
I'm so sorry for your loss. 😢
@@70sgirl1961 thank you
I was 10. I was in a monster foster house already for 4 years. I memorized this song the second time I heard it. I felt that it had been written for me. I was being beaten every day, I believed she was going to kill me. I wanted my Gramma. But she had been killed by a drunk driver, that's how I ended up there. Gramma's was my "old home" Its 2024, every lyric is burned in my brain. I was sincerely saddened to learn of Thomas's death. My deepest condolences to his family. This song helped me get through the WORST times of my childhood. I wish I could have thanked him. BTW, Im Scotch also!! 😊
They had to stop playing this song due to the numerous suicides that followed the performance!
Is anyone else ready to party!
i guess THIS is one of the BEST songs EVER written
Time that comes back never more.
had a gf that could only blow me to this song
Fucking hell he can SING! Not bad to look at as well....
They're pretty gosh-darn tight playing *live* on TV for back then. I have to say that I'm impressed!
A fantastic band of my youth, so many great songs from the late Dean Ford...
The bass player lived next door to me when I was a kid. I remember he showed me his guitar and I was disappointed it only had 4 strings! 😂
Thomas mcaleese so underrated he had it all great voice sadly missed
December 2nd of 1970 I would have been 10 years old I'm glad I grew up when I did. And anyone else that's my age or older knows what I'm talking about. Everything was better the music when we grew up back then. Everything was better back then it was not perfect but it was way better than it is now just feel blessed that you grew up back then or before that! I wonder how many people out there really understand what is happening and what is coming upon this planet.
Hermosisima interpretación de la mermelada y luego en vivo me deja sin palabras..,...👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😉😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎
Brilliant live rendering of a fabulous song.
Are my eyes deceiving me or is he playing the that strat strung for a right handed player?
Love this song.❤
Absolutely a GREAT SONG…..there are no longer songs being put out of this caliber
Well , just sheer magical a rendition , full of feeling , emotion , longing , wonderment , thank you everso much
One of the few songs that when sang live, is just as good as the production cut. I grew up during that period so it’s rather poignant to listen to it now. 🙂↕️
This song should hit home for everyone!!
The reason Marmalade affected me so much is in 68 I had lost my brother in 🇻🇳, Woodstock & who could forget the horrible news of the murdered of Sharon Tate. We had great music. It wasn’t about that Marmalade was from Scotland 🏴 we here in America 🇺🇸 felt that music and their song “Reflections of My Life”, and the war in Vietnam 🇻🇳 all that didn’t make it home. The Marmalade’s I felt was just one of those groups in music that bings all those memories back over 50 years later. No music today compares in the music industry. I also felt that they didn’t truly get the recognition they deserved but I wouldn’t trade those memories for any of the memories in the 60’s. The Marmalades deserved more. But they left their mark on my life and I say thank you 🙏 to Marmalades
Upon Criple Creek performed by Marmalade was fun and refreshing my generation had the best music ever had to offer
This could have been a BEE GEES song . 👍🏴
❤❤❤
Vietnam Vet 70-71. This song is timeless. Remember listening. To it a lot at DaNang AB.
Yes! AFVN Army top 40 station for Vietnam. 70-71 RVN Cam Rahn Bay..👍😎
I was tweenty years old, absolubly in Love por my hasband, today he is daied and I empty.
I hadn't heard this song in years, sounds better than I remembered it. The base player is just killing it.
One of my favourite song. 1971 I played this great song on juke box.
All these years later this song still moves me. RIP Dean Ford, your words and haunting melody live on.
A timeless song, music of all times. Rip Dean Ford... 🙏
The Marmelade for ever! Congratulations of Brazil!
While the audio isn't the best, the video is great at capturing the performance of each performer of this song.
Reflections of my life is the sum up of everyone's life stories ! And now, I'm doing it, reflecting everything.
Brings back memories of the 70’s. Life was easier.
What a great song
Dean Ford - Wikipedia Dean Ford (born Thomas McAleese; 5 September 1945 - 31 December 2018) was a Scottish singer and songwriter best known for his tenure as lead vocalist and frontman of the beat pop group Marmalade from 1966 to 1974. Ford (credited as McAleese) co-wrote the group's worldwide hit "Reflections of My Life" with fellow band member Junior Campbell. "Reflections of My Life" has sold more than two million units globally, and in 1998 the writers were awarded a Special Citation of Achievement by BMI for attaining radio broadcast performances in excess of one million in the U.S. alone. Death Ford died in Los Angeles on 31 December 2018, at the age of 73 from complications relating to Parkinson's disease. His death was announced by his daughter, Tracey McAleese-Gorman, who described him as 'a gentle soul and great father'. His daughter died less than two years later in November 2020 in London. RIP Dean Ford. Thank you for all you gave to this world with your beautiful voice.
Orchid Ballroom Purley ...saw them live and danced with my first wife after we got engaged.... nostalgic for me as she died 10 years later 😢
Terrica Williams primary princess
Love 💗
Those harmonies…beautiful
シングルレコードを持っていましたが、牧歌的で美しいメロディが素敵な曲です❗😍👍
Absolutely awesome ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I could play quitar solo of this song 52 years ago but I can't now because of arthritis.
Reading everyone's comments here, a sadden feeling crawling 😢. Most remembered this song in 1970. For me, I didn't hear this song until 1976-77 so forth.... I was newly migrated to the U.S. as a refugee kid (in 1976). New to American music. This song bring back so many memories for me as well. They don't make music like this anymore! By the way, everyone was so fit back then. No overweight.
Like the gentle refined touch the lead guitarist has
Brilliant…..bring back those days