The Left Banke - Mach Two?
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Artist:
The Left Banke, famous for their two hits "Walk Away Renee" and "Pretty Ballerina", split in 1967 after making just one album together. The band lost the architect of their sound but still went on to make one more inferior record before calling it quits. That architect was Michael Brown, their main writer and keyboardist responsible for their Baroque Pop sound. He went on to be part of the short-lived bands The Beckies and Stories, but never really recaptured that Left Banke magic.Except once.In 1969, one album was released by a group called Montage. Although Michael was never listed officially as a member of the group, they were obviously his brainchild. What did he do on the record? Just:1) Produced it2) Co-wrote 9 of the 10 songs3) Did their vocal arrangements and4) Played keyboardsFrom the sleeve of the original LP (since reissued in 2001 by Sundazed Music) is the picture of the band below, with a small picture of Michael Brown at the piano in the lower right corner. 
No group before or since has sounded so much like the Left Banke. The song below is from that album, and was co-written by Michael Brown and Tom Feher. Tom also co-wrote "Barterers And Their Wives" (as well as others) on the first Left Banke album, and joined Left Banke for their sophomore and ultimate LP, Left Banke Too.So, listen to Montage doing "Tinsel And Ivy" and see if it reminds you of anyone.Michael Brown's quote from "The Bob" magazine in 1986 is that Montage "were my friends more than they were people who could really do an album. Some people like the Montage album, and I love a couple of cuts on it, but one swallow does not a summer make, right?"Finally, below is the cover of the Montage LP / CD. Left Banke fans(in Ivyland and elsewhere): enjoy!
No group before or since has sounded so much like the Left Banke. The song below is from that album, and was co-written by Michael Brown and Tom Feher. Tom also co-wrote "Barterers And Their Wives" (as well as others) on the first Left Banke album, and joined Left Banke for their sophomore and ultimate LP, Left Banke Too.So, listen to Montage doing "Tinsel And Ivy" and see if it reminds you of anyone.Michael Brown's quote from "The Bob" magazine in 1986 is that Montage "were my friends more than they were people who could really do an album. Some people like the Montage album, and I love a couple of cuts on it, but one swallow does not a summer make, right?"Finally, below is the cover of the Montage LP / CD. Left Banke fans(in Ivyland and elsewhere): enjoy!
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Comments (7)
Thanks for posting this up. I wanted to get this Montage CD when it was re-released by Sundazed and must have forgotten about it. Thanks for unintentional reminder. What a wonderful song.
Michael Brown deserves his due! So many great songs. I absorbed those songs from The Left Banke as a kid and that's why hearing Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet covering "She May Call You Up Tonight" on their album last year puts a smile on my face.
: = )