Wuthering Heights

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by mezzoforte

Why is this in the Stevie forum?

Shouldn't this be in the Stevie forum?

[David]

Originally Posted by iamnotafraid

Yes, there is a definitive version. And it's
sung by Pat Benatar.

Pat Benatar isn't a pimple on Kate's tushy!!

[iamnotafraid]

Originally Posted by David

Pat Benatar isn't a pimple on Kate's tushy!!

Them's fighting words brother!

[Pyewacket]

Pat's operatic voice is awesome! And on full display for this song!

But...

For Pat it was a vocal showpiece and even she says she never quite got the song right. Kate's versions, as all her songs do, place you into the story she's telling. "Cathy" is a child-ghost, after all, so the vocal should sound keening and weird. I like it...it was a daring choice and her vocal whips right through you like an arctic chill. And that piano is hypnotic and amazing.

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by Pyewacket

Pat's operatic voice is awesome! And on full display for this song!

But...

For Pat it was a vocal showpiece and even she says she never quite got the song right. Kate's versions, as all her songs do, place you into the story she's telling. "Cathy" is a child-ghost, after all, so the vocal should sound keening and weird. I like it...it was a daring choice and her vocal whips right through you like an arctic chill. And that piano is hypnotic and amazing.

I sorta of agree with you. I like all the versions, but none seem perfect to me. The one that captures the spirit of the song the best is the original. Seems to me however, that none are quite perfect.

[Pyewacket]

I hope this isn't bad form, but I will paste a link to a discussion about it in another forum because I think Wuthering Heights is the perfect song (literally, I was thinking that the original is one of the most perfectly written and executed songs of all time...and I was thinking this days ago, before I ever entered this thread).

I am not versed in music theory, but clearly some of these participants are and their discussion will give any of us who are laymen some insight into how wildly unique and incredibly constructed this one song is.

Here 'tis: http://thehomegroundandkatebushnewsa...y#reply-342706

[Fireflies]

Originally Posted by Pyewacket

Here 'tis: http://thehomegroundandkatebushnewsa...y#reply-342706

very interesting, thank you!

[PolishStevieFan]

No matter how I admire Pat Benatar and that "voice" I think that "Wuthering Heights" has always been and will be Kate Bush's landmark. No one, I mean no one can come close to the perfection that is original version of this song. I know that Bush's voice is something of acquired taste but it's her voice that makes this song so special. On the other hand I can't imagine Kate Bush perfecting Benatar's "Hell Is For Children" or "Promises In The Dark".

[Pyewacket]

Originally Posted by PolishStevieFan

No matter how I admire Pat Benatar and that "voice" I think that "Wuthering Heights" has always been and will be Kate Bush's landmark. No one, I mean no one can come close to the perfection that is original version of this song. I know that Bush's voice is something of acquired taste but it's her voice that makes this song so special. On the other hand I can't imagine Kate Bush perfecting Benatar's "Hell Is For Children" or "Promises In The Dark".

If this were facebook, I'd click "like."

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by Pyewacket

I hope this isn't bad form, but I will paste a link to a discussion about it in another forum because I think Wuthering Heights is the perfect song (literally, I was thinking that the original is one of the most perfectly written and executed songs of all time...and I was thinking this days ago, before I ever entered this thread).

I am not versed in music theory, but clearly some of these participants are and their discussion will give any of us who are laymen some insight into how wildly unique and incredibly constructed this one song is.

Here 'tis: http://thehomegroundandkatebushnewsa...y#reply-342706

Thanks for the interesting read! I wouldn't go as far as to say that it's the perfect song, but the anatomical dissection of the song on that KB forum was definitely an eye-opener. I have to agree that it's a song that truly doesn't have a key, let alone a consistent time signature, yet it's oddly melodic and catchy. It's certainly one of the most unusual pop hit singles in recording history, but I think it's still open to debate whether Kate really was some kind of mad musical prodigy or whether the array of (seemingly conflicting) musical motifs on display in WH was just a happy accident borne of naivety. I am tempted to think it's the latter moreso than the former based on some of the simply dreadful demos she recorded before debut album. Perhaps it was the genius of Andrew Powell (or David Gilmour?), who was able to articulate musically what she was attempting to achieve in those early demos?

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by PolishStevieFan

No matter how I admire Pat Benatar and that "voice" I think that "Wuthering Heights" has always been and will be Kate Bush's landmark. No one, I mean no one can come close to the perfection that is original version of this song. I know that Bush's voice is something of acquired taste but it's her voice that makes this song so special. On the other hand I can't imagine Kate Bush perfecting Benatar's "Hell Is For Children" or "Promises In The Dark".

Actually I think Kate back in the day would have done an incredible version of "Promises in the Dark." I really, really like the thought of her singing it. Granted, it would be a totally re-worked version using a Fairlight synthesizer!

[Pyewacket]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Perhaps it was the genius of Andrew Powell (or David Gilmour?), who was able to articulate musically what she was attempting to achieve in those early demos?

Hmmm...I think some of the demos are pretty ingenious (and keep in mind that some of them had been written when she was a pre-teen, and that "The Man With The Child in His Eyes" in particular was penned when she was only 14). Many Kate fans think that some of the demos are more ingenious than what ended up on her debut album, which would lead one to believe that Andrew Powell was more an albatross round her neck than a musical prodigy himself. And David Gilmour had no hand in the creation of "Wuthering Heights," which was written after his involvement/financing of her demos altogether.

Powell himself has said (recently) that he and Kate would disagree on a particular section and that they'd have to figure out a compromise that worked for both of them (which suggests she was no passive participant in the recording). And though there is no demo of "Wuthering Heights" by which to judge, the demos of "Oh To Be in Love," "Kite," "The Kick Inside," "Moving," "Babooshka" and more are already note-for-note the same songs that they became on vinyl (just not recorded as well). I know that she was particularly proud of "Wuthering" and fought with Bob Mercer to ensure it became the first single (instead of "James and the Cold Gun," which the record company preferred). I see no reason to believe that Powell changed a note of "Wuthering" from the original she'd created. And if that's true, then the brilliant idea of the bizarre, delayed home key arriving on the word "home" was surely hers.

[Pyewacket]

Strange that this question should appear and then have a response within a few days from Kate herself!

In her most recent interview, she briefly addresses her involvement with the first two albums. Turns out, she actually had a hand in the arranging too.

The Daily Swarm: What was the first album you made where you really took the reins and became an auteur of the whole production process?

Kate Bush: I think I’ve always been lucky. Even with my first two albums, while I wasn’t involved in the production really, I had a lot of ideas for arrangements. I’ve always been in the position where I wrote the songs and presented them to the record company.


The complete interview is here: http://www.thedailyswarm.com/swarm/firsts-kate-bush/

[Pyewacket]

Hey, got a minute?

Cool.

Now've you got 36 minutes?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsXhtJ9BTJA

[Macfanforever]

Originally Posted by Pyewacket

Hey, got a minute?

Cool.

Now've you got 36 minutes?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsXhtJ9BTJA

What a great edit.She's is a beuatiful woman.I wish I got into her ages ago.