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Topic: Jerry Byrd, China Night |
Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 13 May 2013 12:08 pm |
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One of the stranger tracks in Jerry's Byrd's long recording career. By today's standards, it's all politically incorrect kitsch yet Byrd's exceptional touch makes it worthwhile as he tosses off those perfectly executed, cool pseudo-Asian pentatonic runs. Even after all these years, his technical control on the instrument is virtually unmatched.
https://soundcloud.com/aev/china-night-jerry-byrd |
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Ray Montee
From:
Portland, Oregon (deceased)
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Posted 13 May 2013 2:45 pm Thanks for sharing this excellent example of Jerry's versati
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Great example of Jerry Byrds' versatility.
He is also featured prominently on Dick Curless' record of the same title "China Night".
It's interesting to compare his work product. |
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Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
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Posted 13 May 2013 4:19 pm
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I was in Japan in 1953 and this song, in the Japanese version was very popular both with the Japanese and the American Forces.
By today's standards, you may call it kitsch.
However, I don't understand your reference to politically incorrect.
It is a beautiful song, I still have a 78 rpm Japanese Recording of the popular version.
The story describes a lonely Japanese soldier during their war with China longing for his girlfriend.
There were some GI parody lyrics which appealed to the sense of humor of our guys stationed there.
As far as I know, they were never recorded.
I wouldn't consider them politically incorrect but they are best consigned to the memories of those of us who were stationed there. |
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Daniel McKee
From:
Corinth Mississippi
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Posted 13 May 2013 5:49 pm
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| Never have heard that one before but I enjoyed listening to it. |
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David Matzenik
From:
Cairns, on the Coral Sea
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Posted 13 May 2013 7:26 pm
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Anyone who took exception to Jerry Byrd's China Night would probably be dragging around an awful lot of psych-baggage. Its really a matter of taste. I love it, but then one of my favourite songs is Happy Talk from South Pacific. 
_________________
Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother. |
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Frank James Pracher
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 13 May 2013 8:00 pm
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Beautiful
_________________
"Don't be mad honey, but I bought another one" |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 14 May 2013 3:05 am
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| By "politically incorrect" I was referring to the way this tune (and many other kinds of music and art of earlier eras) appropriated superficial aspects of another culture's arts to use them in a cliched or characterized manner. I can appreciate that critical perspective while at the same time, appreciate how cool it can sound. From the sitar on '60's pop like Norwegian Wood or Hooked on a Feeling to Pseudo-Asian tunes like Sukiyaki, it can be fun to hear and Byrd just nails those licks here with such control and conviction. Thats my take for what it's worth. |
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Roger Shackelton
From:
MINNESOTA (deceased)
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Posted 14 May 2013 11:34 am
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Looks Like The Connection Has Been Cut. 
Sorry! Something went wrong
Is your network connection unstable or browser outdated?
I need help Try our mobile site Switch back to Classic SoundCloud |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 14 May 2013 12:59 pm
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| Beats me. I hardly use sound cloud. Maybe the server was overloaded? |
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Roger Shackelton
From:
MINNESOTA (deceased)
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Posted 14 May 2013 10:34 pm
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| I Just Needed To Download "SOUNDCLOUD" |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 14 May 2013 11:19 pm
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The tune is "Shina No Yoru".
Blake, were the parody lyrics "She ain't got no yoyo...."?  |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 14 May 2013 11:28 pm
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| By the way, this recording is an excellent showcase of "P-tah"! |
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Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
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Posted 15 May 2013 6:09 am
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Jeff, You are correct. 
Blake |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Posted 15 May 2013 7:26 am
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| Quote: |
| By "politically incorrect" I was referring to the way this tune (and many other kinds of music and art of earlier eras) appropriated superficial aspects of another culture's arts to use them in a cliched or characterized manner. |
Andy, I know exactly what you're saying. There are a lot of older songs that could be considered politically incorrect or "insensitive" today. For example, the drum intro for "Apache" might be offensive to some American Indians. Or the intro hook for "Turning Japanese", a hit for the Vapors back in the 80s. That song itself is considered racist by many people. Then there was Gene Pitney's hit "Mecca" with it's Mideast hook. The Bangles "Walk Like and Egyptian". "Ahab the Arab" by Ray Stevens. "Brown Sugar" by the Stones. "America" from West Side Story is considered somewhat offensive to Latinos today. I'm not making a judgment or saying what's right or wrong, I'm just saying that's how things are today.
_________________
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 15 May 2013 1:08 pm
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I did an animated logo for one of my video clients that used a short piece of stock, library music. The client decide to substitute a different piece of music he already had. He had absolutely no clue that it was the classic, parallel fifths Hollywood music cue used in practically every '50's Western whenever the Indians were on screen.
Like so .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ac5erpd9H8&feature=player_embedded#! |
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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