"The Purple Dancer"

jeremy spencer · #1 05-07-2009, 08:40 PM

Hmmm. I hope I'm doing more than that!

Yes, I was present on some of the brainstorming of ideas for Purple Dancer, but the lyrics were from Jenny Boyd, Mick's wife at the time.
As a whole, we were hard pressed for lyrics with much of a meaning but 'la-la-la'. A major frustration for me. I had so much to say, but didn't know how to say it, and ... well, history.
I had nothing to do with 'Dragonfly', performance or lyrically. Words by W. H. Auden, I believe? Maybe not. Some British poet, anyway.
Just FYI!
Oops, someone beat me to the punch! W. H. Davies. That's it!

wetcamelfood · #2 05-07-2009, 09:08 PM

Thanks Jeremy, yes, I had only put you as appearing on Dragonfly by default since you were in the band at the time (since many records unfortunately don't specifially state who does what on each track) so we're left to do a lot of assuming and "defaults". Anyways, it's good to know now I can remove you from the performance notes for that then.

Please do point out any other inaccuracies you see there so we can fix those as well, we strive to be as accurate and thorough as we can!

Through research I had done when working on the Dragonfly song page I came up with W(illiam) H(enry) Davies as the poet (full name listed) in case that helps to clarify who it was.

Wow! Had no idea Jenny Boyd did the lyrics for PD, I guess I should add that in as well then!

John

Wouter Vuijk · #3 05-08-2009, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremy spencer

Yes, I was present on some of the brainstorming of ideas for Purple Dancer, but the lyrics were from Jenny Boyd, Mick's wife at the time.

Did / does she get any royalties for this??????

Almost Simon · #4 05-08-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wouter Vuijk

Did / does she get any royalties for this??????

I doubt there'd be huge songwriting royalties for this tune seeing as it wasn't a hit nor was it on an album. Plus the publishing was split between several band members.

It wouldn't be the first time someone who's contributed hasn't received a credit. But i'm sure Mick would've given her something for her efforts.

chriskisn · #5 05-08-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almost Simon

But i'm sure Mick would've given her something for her efforts.

just not in the financial sense

sharksfan2000 · #6 05-08-2009, 09:15 AM

Is "The Purple Dancer" the only pre-Rumours track where two band members traded off singing lead vocals, as Danny and Jeremy did? Off hand, I can't think of another one.

bretonbanquet · #7 10-27-2009, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wouter Vuijk

Did / does she get any royalties for this??????

Sorry for dredging up an old thread - just found it

Wasn't the song credited to Spencer / Kirwan / Fleetwood? If so, that's where she got the credit, via Mick - that's my guess.

GJK · #8 10-29-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bretonbanquet

Sorry for dredging up an old thread - just found it

Wasn't the song credited to Spencer / Kirwan / Fleetwood? If so, that's where she got the credit, via Mick - that's my guess.

No, it was credited to 'M.J.K. Fleetwood, J.G. McVie & D.D. Kirwan'.

'The purple dancer' has been my favourite (official) FM song since the early eighties. I'm still hoping for a cd release...
To my knowledge, 3 versions are available: the two on the "Madison Blues" CD and the 'official' version, released as the B-side of 'Dragonfly' and on a German (?) lp: "The Best of Fleetwood Mac".
I have the single and 4 or 5 copies of the album.

GJK

(Going to see Peter Green on Saturday October 31st!)

Wouter Vuijk · #9 10-29-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJK

No, it was credited to 'M.J.K. Fleetwood, J.G. McVie & D.D. Kirwan'.

(Going to see Peter Green on Saturday October 31st!)

Veel plezier!!

bretonbanquet · #10 10-29-2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJK

No, it was credited to 'M.J.K. Fleetwood, J.G. McVie & D.D. Kirwan'.

'The purple dancer' has been my favourite (official) FM song since the early eighties. I'm still hoping for a cd release...
To my knowledge, 3 versions are available: the two on the "Madison Blues" CD and the 'official' version, released as the B-side of 'Dragonfly' and on a German (?) lp: "The Best of Fleetwood Mac".
I have the single and 4 or 5 copies of the album.

GJK

(Going to see Peter Green on Saturday October 31st!)

So I was close! It still might explain how Jenny Boyd could have received a credit for it.

Those are the three versions that I know of, and I guess they stopped playing it live when (or before) Jeremy left. The 'best of' LP is German for sure. Was it never released on CD?

The Dragonfly / Purple Dancer single came out in the UK with no picture sleeve, and in Germany and Holland with a couple of cool sleeves. Does anyone know if it was released anywhere else?

Enjoy the gig

chiliD · #11 10-30-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bretonbanquet

The 'best of' LP is German for sure. Was it never released on CD?

I believe it was, but was taken out of print in fairly short order. I have the LP and have been looking for a CD copy for a number of years.

Another "rarity" on that LP is the original 45 mix of "World In Harmony". I don't think that has seen the light of day on CD (those Vaudeville Years and ShowBiz Blues set versions are outtakes or alternate mixes)

bretonbanquet · #12 10-30-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiliD

I believe it was, but was taken out of print in fairly short order. I have the LP and have been looking for a CD copy for a number of years.

Another "rarity" on that LP is the original 45 mix of "World In Harmony". I don't think that has seen the light of day on CD (those Vaudeville Years and ShowBiz Blues set versions are outtakes or alternate mixes)

So basically, that CD, however rare it is, is the only CD with those two tracks in their original forms. Definitely one to keep an eye out for. If anybody ever finds it, it may well be reasonably priced because most sellers would not necessarily know about its unique properties

GJK · #13 10-30-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiliD

I believe it was, but was taken out of print in fairly short order. I have the LP and have been looking for a CD copy for a number of years.

Another "rarity" on that LP is the original 45 mix of "World In Harmony". I don't think that has seen the light of day on CD (those Vaudeville Years and ShowBiz Blues set versions are outtakes or alternate mixes)

While we're on the subject: there are 11 tracks from the pre B/N period that are not (easily) avilable on CD.

From the 'Jeremy Spencer' album:

Linda
Mean blues
Here comes Charlie (with his dancing shoes on)
Teenage love affair
Jenny Lee
Take a look around Mrs. Brown
Surfin' girl
If I could swim the mountain
Teenage darling # (B-side form the 'Linda' single)

Fleetwood Mac:

World in harmony
The purple dancer

Also, 6 tracks from the B/N period (all B-sides).

GJK

chiliD · #14 02-16-2011, 12:03 PM

Well, since we're digging up old threads, might as well add some more, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bretonbanquet

.. and I guess they stopped playing it live when (or before) Jeremy left.

"Purple Dancer", yeah, probably, but they kept "Dragonfly" in the set well after Bob Welch joined. There's a video clip (BBC? Top Of The Pops?) of the Future Games/Bare Trees lineup playing "Dragonfly".

bretonbanquet · #15 02-16-2011, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiliD

"Purple Dancer", yeah, probably, but they kept "Dragonfly" in the set well after Bob Welch joined. There's a video clip (BBC? Top Of The Pops?) of the Future Games/Bare Trees lineup playing "Dragonfly".

That's the awesome Beat Club programme from Germany. Bit like the British TOTP but probably better, plus they didn't wipe all their tapes during the 1980s

There's footage of "Lay It All Down" from the same show.