Who has done the best cover of "Telstar"?

WaimeaBay

Joined: Jul 05, 2006
Posts: 969
United States

Posted on Nov 12 2006 08:08 PM

One of the all time great instros. Who does it the best justice?

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HBkahuna

Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 1778
Star, Idaho. Formerly lived in Surf City USA.
United States

Posted on Nov 12 2006 08:44 PM

Tornados version is awesome. The Lively Ones also did a respectable version.

Last edited: Nov 12, 2006 20:51:15

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Surfabilly

Joined: Apr 21, 2006
Posts: 852
Connersville, Indiana, USA
7 Contributor Pins

Posted on Nov 12 2006 08:47 PM

I had to vote "nothing comares to the Tornados version," but I'm more likely prejudiced because I'm a sucker for the sound of a clavioline in a song...like "Jungle Fever" (the B-side to "Telstar"), and quite a few Del Shannon songs, like "Runaway" and "Hats Off to Larry" to name a couple.

Matt

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Fast Cars & Loud Guitars!

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wooza

Joined: Apr 24, 2006
Posts: 1618
Ithaca, NY
1 Download Pin

Posted on Nov 12 2006 09:11 PM

I've never been too taken by the melody, and I've found almost all versions kinda annoying (ba-humbug, I know) except for the Lively Ones' version, for whatever reason.

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Klas

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 2309
Stockholm, Sweden
Sweden

Posted on Nov 13 2006 07:15 AM

How about Joe Meek's demo version which he recorded while writing the song?

image

Joe Meek : Telstar (demo)

Seriously, I don't think any cover I've heard tops the original Tornados version.

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T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S

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WaimeaBay

Joined: Jul 05, 2006
Posts: 969
United States

Posted on Nov 13 2006 07:49 AM

lol, joe was pretty nuts, I guess all that time he spent trying to capture those who crossed over to the other side on record really caught up with his brain. I wonder how he set up his recoring gear in the grave yard?

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krupanut

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 492
Austin Texas
2 News Pins

Posted on Nov 13 2006 08:53 AM

The Lively Ones

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The Thunderchiefs

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Jon

Joined: Mar 15, 2006
Posts: 1076
Columbus, OH
United States

Posted on Nov 13 2006 09:15 AM

I say The Lively Ones as well, just because they're The Lively Ones.

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WaimeaBay

Joined: Jul 05, 2006
Posts: 969
United States

Posted on Nov 13 2006 10:35 AM

I voted for the Tornados, but I have to say the Eagles do an amazing cover of this tune.

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BillAqua

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1054
Chicago IL.
3 POTD Pins

Posted on Nov 13 2006 10:36 AM

I go with the Lively Ones. But I also like the Ventures Live in Japan '65 version.

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Tikitena

Joined: Mar 21, 2006
Posts: 1540
United States

Posted on Nov 13 2006 04:45 PM

I love the Tornados version, although I totally dig the Lively Ones.

Kristena

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"Turn the knob to 10 and break it off!" -Baja Marty

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IvanP

Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
United States

Posted on Nov 13 2006 04:50 PM

I voted for the Challengers. I really love that version. I heard it for the first time in '86, and I love the tremolo picking on it. It just sounds like a surf version of Telstar should. Oh, and let's not forget Hal Blaine's drumming on it, which is brilliant - played as only Blaine could!

Ivan

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Ivan
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Klas

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 2309
Stockholm, Sweden
Sweden

Posted on Dec 27 2006 05:03 PM

image

I just came across a website which has a few Telstar related demos posted, all sung by Joe Meek. Although he's not able to sing in key for most of the time, it's still a great listen. The Telstar related tracks are number 5, 6, 10 and 14. While you're there, be sure to also check out the Meeksville Sound Ltd answering machine message (track 1). Almost made me a little dizzy since it was like I made a telephone call back in time to London, 1965 image

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T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S

Last edited: Dec 28, 2006 03:11:28

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IronMaiden

Joined: Nov 02, 2006
Posts: 564
Virginia Beach

Posted on Dec 27 2006 09:02 PM

The Hula Hounds

I also like the Lively Ones version

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guitarrockingrobin

Joined: Dec 30, 2006
Posts: 4

Posted on Dec 30 2006 10:10 AM

I've voted for The Tornados, nothing can beat that sound.
Other versions I like very much are those from The Rapiers (UK)and the Dutch band Rene and The Alligators. The second best version to me however, is on the cd In Heat from The Bitch Boys. Worth listening to is a version from The Spotnicks on their Rarities album. When asked for a version especially for the Scandinavian market Bo Winberg couldn't reach the other members of the band so he made the whole recording by himself playing lead, rhythm and bass guitars, organ and instead of drums he shaked matchboxes!

Robin

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ElMonstroPorFavor

Joined: Sep 01, 2006
Posts: 2741
New Orleans, LA
4 Contributor Pins

Posted on Dec 30 2006 09:30 PM

I was going to come in and say the Joe Meek version but it seems like others had the same terrible idea

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Storm Surge of Reverb: Surf & Instro Radio

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surfraptor

Joined: Dec 27, 2006
Posts: 336
near Amsterdam

Posted on Dec 31 2006 03:06 PM

That Joe Meek demo is awesome, never heard that, bits of White Christmas, no?
I voted Tornados...

Good someone remembers Rene & The Alligators...

image

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Klas

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 2309
Stockholm, Sweden
Sweden

Posted on Jan 08 2007 05:46 PM

Just stumbled on this awesome video of the Eddie Vartan Orchestra doing Telstar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nGw71MvqIs

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T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S

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Stormtiger

Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2686
Ventura, CA
United States

Posted on Jan 08 2007 06:19 PM

I love the The Lively Ones but they just don't make Telstar happen for me. They give the beautiful middle guitar part to the sax. The organ IS that song. After the Tornados my vote goes to Laika and the Cosmonauts live version.

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SurfCat

Joined: Oct 04, 2006
Posts: 64

Posted on Jan 10 2007 01:06 AM

I really like the bass part on the Ventures version from the "Beached in Hawaii" album. To my ears, it has a globe-hopping sound.

The song itself also has a very happy feel to it.

SurfCat

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WaimeaBay Joined: Jul 05, 2006 Posts: 969	Posted on Nov 12 2006 08:08 PM One of the all time great instros. Who does it the best justice? Top
HBkahuna Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 1778 Star, Idaho. Formerly lived in Surf City USA.	Posted on Nov 12 2006 08:44 PM Tornados version is awesome. The Lively Ones also did a respectable version. Last edited: Nov 12, 2006 20:51:15 Top
Surfabilly Joined: Apr 21, 2006 Posts: 852 Connersville, Indiana, USA	Posted on Nov 12 2006 08:47 PM I had to vote "nothing comares to the Tornados version," but I'm more likely prejudiced because I'm a sucker for the sound of a clavioline in a song...like "Jungle Fever" (the B-side to "Telstar"), and quite a few Del Shannon songs, like "Runaway" and "Hats Off to Larry" to name a couple. Matt — Fast Cars & Loud Guitars! Top
wooza Joined: Apr 24, 2006 Posts: 1618 Ithaca, NY	Posted on Nov 12 2006 09:11 PM I've never been too taken by the melody, and I've found almost all versions kinda annoying (ba-humbug, I know) except for the Lively Ones' version, for whatever reason. Top
Klas Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 2309 Stockholm, Sweden	Posted on Nov 13 2006 07:15 AM How about Joe Meek's demo version which he recorded while writing the song? image Joe Meek : Telstar (demo) Seriously, I don't think any cover I've heard tops the original Tornados version. — T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S Top
WaimeaBay Joined: Jul 05, 2006 Posts: 969	Posted on Nov 13 2006 07:49 AM lol, joe was pretty nuts, I guess all that time he spent trying to capture those who crossed over to the other side on record really caught up with his brain. I wonder how he set up his recoring gear in the grave yard? Top
krupanut Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 492 Austin Texas	Posted on Nov 13 2006 08:53 AM The Lively Ones — The Thunderchiefs Top
Jon Joined: Mar 15, 2006 Posts: 1076 Columbus, OH	Posted on Nov 13 2006 09:15 AM I say The Lively Ones as well, just because they're The Lively Ones. Top
WaimeaBay Joined: Jul 05, 2006 Posts: 969	Posted on Nov 13 2006 10:35 AM I voted for the Tornados, but I have to say the Eagles do an amazing cover of this tune. Top
BillAqua Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 1054 Chicago IL.	Posted on Nov 13 2006 10:36 AM I go with the Lively Ones. But I also like the Ventures Live in Japan '65 version. — "as he stepped into the stealthy night air... little did he know the fire escape was not there" https://www.facebook.com/reluctantaquanauts/ https://www.facebook.com/TheDragstripVipers/ Top
Tikitena Joined: Mar 21, 2006 Posts: 1540	Posted on Nov 13 2006 04:45 PM I love the Tornados version, although I totally dig the Lively Ones. Kristena — "Turn the knob to 10 and break it off!" -Baja Marty Top
IvanP Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 10331 southern Michigan	Posted on Nov 13 2006 04:50 PM I voted for the Challengers. I really love that version. I heard it for the first time in '86, and I love the tremolo picking on it. It just sounds like a surf version of Telstar should. Oh, and let's not forget Hal Blaine's drumming on it, which is brilliant - played as only Blaine could! Ivan — Ivan Lords of Atlantis on Facebook The Madeira Official Website The Madeira on Facebook The Blair-Pongracic Band on Facebook The Space Cossacks on Facebook The Madeira Channel on YouTube Top
Klas Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 2309 Stockholm, Sweden	Posted on Dec 27 2006 05:03 PM image I just came across a website which has a few Telstar related demos posted, all sung by Joe Meek. Although he's not able to sing in key for most of the time, it's still a great listen. The Telstar related tracks are number 5, 6, 10 and 14. While you're there, be sure to also check out the Meeksville Sound Ltd answering machine message (track 1). Almost made me a little dizzy since it was like I made a telephone call back in time to London, 1965 image — T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S Last edited: Dec 28, 2006 03:11:28 Top
IronMaiden Joined: Nov 02, 2006 Posts: 564 Virginia Beach	Posted on Dec 27 2006 09:02 PM The Hula Hounds I also like the Lively Ones version Top
guitarrockingrobin Joined: Dec 30, 2006 Posts: 4	Posted on Dec 30 2006 10:10 AM I've voted for The Tornados, nothing can beat that sound. Other versions I like very much are those from The Rapiers (UK)and the Dutch band Rene and The Alligators. The second best version to me however, is on the cd In Heat from The Bitch Boys. Worth listening to is a version from The Spotnicks on their Rarities album. When asked for a version especially for the Scandinavian market Bo Winberg couldn't reach the other members of the band so he made the whole recording by himself playing lead, rhythm and bass guitars, organ and instead of drums he shaked matchboxes! Robin Top
ElMonstroPorFavor Joined: Sep 01, 2006 Posts: 2741 New Orleans, LA	Posted on Dec 30 2006 09:30 PM I was going to come in and say the Joe Meek version but it seems like others had the same terrible idea — Storm Surge of Reverb: Surf & Instro Radio Top
surfraptor Joined: Dec 27, 2006 Posts: 336 near Amsterdam	Posted on Dec 31 2006 03:06 PM That Joe Meek demo is awesome, never heard that, bits of White Christmas, no? I voted Tornados... Good someone remembers Rene & The Alligators... image Top
Klas Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 2309 Stockholm, Sweden	Posted on Jan 08 2007 05:46 PM Just stumbled on this awesome video of the Eddie Vartan Orchestra doing Telstar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nGw71MvqIs — T H E ✠ S U R F I T E S Top
Stormtiger Joined: Dec 12, 2006 Posts: 2686 Ventura, CA	Posted on Jan 08 2007 06:19 PM I love the The Lively Ones but they just don't make Telstar happen for me. They give the beautiful middle guitar part to the sax. The organ IS that song. After the Tornados my vote goes to Laika and the Cosmonauts live version. Top
SurfCat Joined: Oct 04, 2006 Posts: 64	Posted on Jan 10 2007 01:06 AM I really like the bass part on the Ventures version from the "Beached in Hawaii" album. To my ears, it has a globe-hopping sound. The song itself also has a very happy feel to it. SurfCat Top

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Who has done the best cover of "Telstar"?