Pretty Ballerina performed by The Left Banke w/ Michael Brown at BB Kings Times Square NYC 2012
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- Опубліковано 1 тра 2012
- Michael Brown re-unites with The Left Banke, his first performance with The Left Banke since 1967. 45 years in the making, this compilation of UA-cam audience recordings captures a once in a lifetime event.
Mike Brown joins Tom Finn George Cameron, Charlie Cazalet, Mike Fornatale, Paul Alves, Rick Reil, Mickey Finn, John Spurney, Lynn Bechtold and Ben Larsen
2021 ! All who cherish Left Banke's genius -- heart and art -- share a very special bond.
Credit and kudos to Michael Brown for writing two of the most hauntingly beautiful songs. R.I.P.
He wrote this when he was 16. I did not realize how much this meant to me. I used to hear it alot on the radio when I was 13 now, I am crying my eyes out. This and Renee have unbelievable emotional depth. A fully developed talent at 16
Others you might aknowledge are Frankie Lymon's Why Do Fools Fall in Love, and Shelby Flint's Angel on My Shoulder both songs written at 16!
@@tomlynntigard True! and then I think of Mozart. First symphony at 8 years old. There has been quite a bit of precocious youthful talent in our history
I'm tearing up also in tribute to all the mistakes I made in my own musical path........
Michael Brown had a crush on a girl who was in the studio named Renee, who was already the girl friend of Tom Finn, the guitarist. Two great songs were born from that crush, though they were never to become a couple...only in the imagination of a 16 year-old.
@@tomlynntigard Interesting inspiration! Thanks
I had this old car in 1988 that only had AM and they used to play this song on the radio all the time. I couldn't stand it. I would actually turn it off when it started because I hated it that bad!
Then one day I finally listened to the entire thing and I was hooked. I called the radio station to ask them what the name of this masterpiece was and it's been one of my favorites ever since❤❤❤❤
George Cameron, the drummer, just passed away on June 24 at the age of 70. I had to play Pretty Ballerina again. It was one of my favorites when it came out and now I'm also 72 and still in love with this gentle song. We have all grown old together. But their music will go on.
George was absolutely an amazing human being I was with him until he passed away I was his girlfriend my name is Rebecca if you ever want to get in touch Reach Out Not only was he an amazingly gifted musician he was an amazing human being
And Tom passed yesterday
@@danimatian - he had a rough few last months. Lots of nursing home drama. So sad.
65 & have the original 45. Have always loved this song!
Just a gorgeous song in every way.
This was such a fantastic song written so long ago. Such a shame that egos, power and money ruin so many bands. It's nice to see them playing together after so long. RIP to all that are gone. We appreciate your musical gift.
Absolutely fabulous! From someone who still has the original 45. ❤
I had it too but all my 45s were stolen
One Happy story....and a Sad tale too. I too, was Crazy over Pretty Ballerina moreso than Walk Away Renee for me, it was a bit easier ti sing along with, even with the high falsetto part.
Thanks. Strickly 60's
Michael David Lookofsky, April 25, 1949 - March 19, 2015) was an American keyboardist and songwriter, most notable for his work with the Left Banke. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of violinist and arranger Harry Lookofsky.
Michael Brown was a genius musician and song writer. He wrote great songs like Walk Away Rene, Pretty Ballerina and Desiree. The sound of the Left Banke was like no other rock band around and they were very under rated. While Brown was a talented musician he seemed to have great difficulty with the record companies and in working in a band setting. His ego hindered the bands popularity but they still left us with some great memories. R.I.P. guys you left behind quite a legacy.
Mike was definitely a brilliant, talented guy. I always liked his work with the Left Banke and the Stories. It's great he reunited with these guys before he made his transition three years later. Rest in power Mike, you were one of a kind.
Forget Stories. Little input from Michael. Instead seek out Montage and The Beckies for some equally brilliant tunes he wrote.
@@harvey1954 Micheal did appear on the first two Stories albums, and he wrote all the material with Ian Lloyd.
@harvey1954 I have both records by Montage and The Beckies too. Great stuff...
The Lefte Banke redefined beauty in our music. I remember the first time I heard this most beautiful jewel of a song. It has a melody, a depth that reached a very special place in so many and after many decades still creates this near sacred feeling.
To be able to replicate this, so many decades after.. is amazing.. a very underrated band
I was a drummer & keyboardist in a band for 6 years (in the mid-late 60's) and we performed both Walk Away Rene and Pretty Ballerina. Each time I hear these songs it reminds me of just how great it was to be alive during that time. The bond that developed between all of our band members lasted a life-time. There are only 3 of us left and it is sad that the original Left Bank Members are all gone. I can't hear, play, or sing their music without getting tearful. RIP Guys and Thanks!
I had the good fortune to see the Left Banke in concert, October 15, 1966. Also on the bill, ? and the Mysterians, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, headliners Mamas and the Papas. "Walk Away Renee" was #7 on the charts at the time, as was "96 Tears", at #3. The Mamas and Papas "Look Through My Window" (with wonderful orchestration by Marty Paich) had a similar sort of baroque feel. I also see a similarity in Love's " Forever Changes", to the work of the Left Banke.
Walk Away Renee and Pretty Ballerina are songs that seem so delicate they could break. But they are pure love, so they won't.
I love this comment. So true.
''..somewhere a mountain is moving....''
I have random songs pop up in my head constantly that I sing to myself. I’ve had this in my head all day and I always found it so hauntingly beautiful. The exact kind of song I love having stuck in my head!
I was 6 years old in 1967 but I still listened to the radio. Great beautiful song.
That was just beautiful
Back in the days of vinyl 45s in juke boxes I used to play a lot of "flip sides". I found this lovely song on the back of "Don't Walk Away Renee", and have loved it ever since. ❤ One of the best videos I've seen is one where a young ballet dancer dances to it on the city streets.
Wow , the song lives on it's own . One of my favorites and the comlicated story unfolds itself with logical beautiful lyrics equals poetry at it's best from such a young man.
this song is Brilliant. The vibe is incredible. Song writing at its finest
RIP Michael Brown
How do I love this song💕., It reminds me of heart fluttering young love. Timeless. The kind of song that makes me feel young 🌱. Just lovely!!! Love and peace. Lynnette House
This song sends chills up and down my spine. I'll never forget the first time I heard it. I was singing it for days.
May George Rest In Peace 🙏❤️🙏
I'm 11yrs old again! I have always LOVED this song!
This is one of the most beautiful songs written ever........
What a unique band. Their contributions to Pop History did not go unnoticed !!!###
Why do we have to get old.
Because the alternative REALLY sucks
To make room for the young.
One of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard!
can't believe i didn't discover this '60s wee gem earlier its gorgeous
Those two songs by Mike Brown are like the person who commented earlier are hauntingly Beautiful, it’s the innocent of the words and it’s sincerity that takes you back to a time of my innocence before I lost it
The most gorgeous, plaintive, innocent, moving song ever.
Just stunning! Only the 60's did this stuff!
Jeff Winfield, an original guitarist, was in my gym class at Martin Van Buren HS in Queens back in the day. I still play the bass!
I never get tired of this song. What a great haunting melody and a tremendous intstrumental. Amazing.
His voice sounds great, they played it just like the original version, amazing
Still, would have rather had the original singer doing it. It almost happened but Michael Brown, and Steve Martin Caro died unfortunately. I believe this may have been Michael Browns last public performance. The singer here's does a spot on impersonation of Caros voice though!
so good! this song first came on to my radar a few years ago, when a club in boston did "1967 night", which consisted of 5 bands playing nothing but songs from that year. at the time, i'd only heard this song once, and my friends and i were running around asking everyone (especially the people of the right age group) who did this song. i knew it was the same band that sang "walk away rene", but none of us could think of their name. well, i've become a huge fan since then.
Wow, absolutely fab! ❤👍
Fantastic to see and hear Pretty Ballerina here. Very Pleasurable...I Always Loved This Song...more than their Bigger Hit "Walk Away Renee"....for me, it was because I Couldn't Come Close to singing it. Yes...I Have To Agree...Very Few of my friends at that time, even knew this tune....under the radar for some up here in Toronto Canada.
I would of Really Enjoyed...Seeing The Singer Actually Sing It Though....Esp. If He Was The Original Singer...He Certainly Sounded Like it.
Thank you.
wonderful! Thanks for filming and uploading. RIP Michael Brown, songwriting genius.
Absolutely love this song. Haunting my every fiber of being. That is art.
One of my favorite songs of all time. I love the tiny classical interlude. Ii LOVE THE LYRICS, THE MESSAGE IS SPIRITUAL AND UNIQUELY HUMAN.
Great song...then, now and always
Amazing, beauttiful, wonderful.. The best song ever
That's a very very UNDERRATED song...it's a treasure.
I love this tune so much.
JEEZ I HAD NO IDEA, JUST LAST MONTH?! CANT TELL U WHAT THIS SONG DID TO ME IN '67 WHEN I WAS 21!!!!..............MY MOM WAS A PRO BALLET TEACHER SO IT HAD EVEN MORE MEANING..............
I'm surprised how good this sounds.
TASCAM DR100 on a table behind the main floor crowd
I was so lucky to be there. Had no idea it was one of the last times to see them all alive. 😢
Sounds exactly like the original version, 2020 and this is a great oldie, love this tune,
This tune is amazeing.
I just heard it for the first time and the melody is right on track with their style of their haunting melody Walk away rene. ..
The way the vocal was enunciated and the original quality of his voice captivating. He had kind of a throat,gutteral sound. Very pleasing.....
Wow! I can't imagine what it would be like to reunite the bands I played in after so many years.
Back when love was king.
Man o' man o' MAN! What a performance! VisualNotz, You've got it!
it gets better with time a complete surprise, had no
clue they would play again love it to death thanks left banke
He still sounds great!
One of the most beautiful, unique, and interesting songs in my 64 years of musical memories. Thanks guys.
Incredible video - watching the tormented genius put his demons aside for a few minutes so he could play this song with his former bandmates one more time. So glad we have this to cherish.
What a great song!! I remember loving this song when I was in fourth grade. I told my friends about it and not one person my age had ever even heard of it. Now in my mid-50s I still love it! Great mood music.
When I hear this song I can feel what " Vietnam war era" means.... So Deep!!!
Gorgeous melody, chord changes, strings, so musical. It occurred to me how amazing it is that the lyric reads " something strange within", and yet it sounds as natural and colloquial as if we speak like that everyday. Thank you for the upload!
I'm the same age too! lol Back then you could hear music like this on oldies and easy listening stations.
@@maurotassi4147 Isn't that something?! I know what you mean! Many other bands besides Left Banke had a song or two themselves also with that same mood. There was alot of music that reflected that sound after '65.
Thank you for uploading this. Just found this song again last week. How beautiful it is just came rushing back to me. 1966 16 yo. Remember it well and happy I can read about these men. Back then the songs just kept coming and all we knew is what we read on the album cover.
Fantastic song
RIP Mike Lookofsky
Very nice editing of the different available camera angles of this once-in-a-lifetime performance! God, how I wish I could have been there...
thanks
WEHM-progressive rock, the Hamptons plays the studio version of this every once in a while. Always a treat!
It was nice to play with him again after all these years.
Can't tell you how evocative were and are Renee' and Pretty Ballerina. To have contributed to, to have been a part of that culture defining ensemble must be an especially treasured memory. H/T and kudos.
The LB asked me to join the group in May 1966 and I declined. But we became good friends and I worked with them over the years. The late 1960's was like a 24 hour never ending party.@@davidotness6199
One of my favorite songs ever. The "conducting", however, was unnecessary, if not flat out freaky. Pretty sure they knew how it should sound! They WROTE it!
InvincibleBert Maybe, just maybe they knew how ill he was?
InvincibleBert Maybe, just maybe they knew how ill he was? Maybe they didn't have time to rehearse and he needed cues? Anything is possible, don't let it seem freaky :D
+InvincibleBert right? maybe he should have been doing something, like playing something lol
the venue could've had a sub par stage monitor system. If you perform with a live group , you'll understand. that being said, he did look like a dork.
I watched it over a few times with focus on Tom. He was just trying to get everyone to play bit more legato.
Just got done listening to this on my album...man I love this song...sad that all the original members have passed away..I have always liked The Left Banke!
So wonderful, on so many levels.
Thanks, VisualNoiz, for posting this video!
Great performance. Great sound. Great song.
awesome writing...great song!!!
Saw them open for The Zombies on August 5th. No Michael Brown but still a great show. met Tom and George afterwards. Very cool
This sounds great!! Wonderful job fellas! Thank you!
Thanks for this share.if I knew they were playing bbkings I would have been there. Saw them in 2011.
Awesome! Very groovy!
This is is so good. Good boys. Wow.
Very nice!
As one of my favorite songs from the era.My hats off to the Videographer(s)!As I also contribute video's of concerts taken here in New Mexico......I really appreciate the effort here!!!
such a historic event i had to stick to the one place i was, near Michael. I could see others recording so i figured I would have camera coverage if i kept an eye on youtube, and sure enough 2 angles popped up. I had a TASCAM DR100 audio recorder going on a table in the back of the room which gives it a nice non-camera mic sound
Magnificent just glorious song so evocative
Well done...bravo.
Goose bumps
Loved this song when I was young. So baroque. Hard to believe they were from NY.
why?
everythings from nyc
Love it
wonderful.
Love the song and love you.
Amazing
Tom Finn = Mike Love
hahahahaha ... well put.
Que magnifico por favor! Amor a la música...
Would love to have been there!
Hopefully it'll happen again.
Very nice
Would have been nice if they had Steve Martin Caro on lead vocals.
i soooooo wish that too
Omg, still the same voice. Insanely the best song ever made time
I just came across this video...That isn't the original lead singer, Steve Martin Caro...Although, he does a remarkable job replicating his voice....
Sorry to have learned of the passing of Tom Finn--- RIP
An absolutely exquisite song, one of my favorite records of the 60's. But this vocalist was not Steve Martin Caro? He sounds so much like the original record.
That lydian melody is really unique
He wrote some great songs.
Singers voice hasn’t changed.
That’s Mike Fornatale singing Steve Martin Caro’s part
Lol yes it has. That's not even the same guy.
I heard the original guitarist, Jeff Winfield was in the audience that night. Too bad he wasn't called up!
how could three people give this 3 thumbs down ?
+Eric Reicher They don't understand or know the history of these guys. We are a nation of musical illiterates.
Not everyone is required to like what you like
see how that works?
Michael McKean from Laver& Shirley ( Lenny) and Spinal Tap, And Better Call Saul was in Left Banke!