Theme from Black Beauty (1971). Rare 45 rpm Single

[darrenburnfan]

This week, I received, from a specialist eBay seller in Japan, the rare 45 rpm single of Lionel Bart's melodic theme from the 1971 film Black Beauty...a single that was, as far as I know, only released in Japan, due to the fact that the film starred Mark Lester, who was at the time a big success in that country. The picture cover (seen below) has a beautiful image of Mark as he appeared in the film and is something that I've been trying to track down for many years. Side one has the main theme played by Kenny Wilson and his Orchestra and side two has Mark Lester singing Goodnight Baby, Goodnight backed by Kenny Wilson and his Orchestra. In fact, Mark speaks some of the lyrics in Japanese and sings the rest in English. So, could Mark sing? Well...no, I'm afraid not, although he had a brave try at it. In fact, the producers of the record had him backed by a girl chorus in order to try and cover up his inadequate singing voice. This seems to be more evidence that his singing in Oliver! was dubbed by someone else. Nevertheless, this record and picture cover are real collector's items and I'm very pleased that I've been able to add them to my collection at long last.

[darrenburnfan]

FOOTNOTE: To be fair to Mark, he does sing all the right notes on Goodnight Baby, Goodnight, but not necessarily in the right order.

[Sgt Sunshine]

I seem to remember Eric Morecombe saying something very similar in his show with Ernie Wise.....
I reckon there's quite a few record collectors on here.......

[vincenzo]

I reckon there's quite a few record collectors on here.......

Sure are.

[darrenburnfan]

Yes, it is a line from a Morecambe and Wise show...1971, I think...where the guest they sent up was Andre Previn, or, as Eric called him, Andrew Preview.

[Sgt Sunshine]

Sure are.

Hello Vince.......I've trawled all those pubs in Newquay, but can never find you......
Cheers
Sgt S

[Sgt Sunshine]

Yes, it is a line from a Morecambe and Wise show...1971, I think...where the guest they sent up was Andre Previn, or, as Eric called him, Andrew Preview.

Yes I remember it well........
Have you ever had your record collection valued darrenburnfan.....?

[darrenburnfan]

Yes I remember it well........
Have you ever had your record collection valued darrenburnfan.....?

Not yet, Sgt. But it must be pretty valuable as I've got quite a lot of obscure, hard to find rareities. Over a thousand singles and EP's and around three hundred LP's, all ranging from the 1950s to the 1970s, with a touch of 1980s and with much film music stuff among them. Another rare single, this time from 1970, is the title song from the soundtrack of Mark Lester's film Eyewitness, sung by a British group called Fairfield Parlour. The B side of the single is a dialogue scene recorded directly from the soundtrack featuring Mark Lester and Lionel Jeffries. Never issued in the UK, only in Japan, where apparently, they thought Mark Lester was the absolute tops.

BELOW: The cover of the Eyewitness single.

[vincenzo]

Hello Vince.......I've trawled all those pubs in Newquay, but can never find you......

I last went into a pub in 2008. That may explain it.

[Mustard Pies]

I love the Black Beauty theme tune. :)

[darrenburnfan]

Yes, one of Lionel Bart's quieter and most haunting themes, played very well by the orchestra on the single. Why it wasn't released in the UK in 1971 to promote the film is a mystery, as it was common practice at the time to release film themes on singles in order to promote a film during its initial release.

[Edward G]

One of the all time great theme tunes.
Instantly nostalgic and uplifting at the same time.
Even repeated listenings do not seem to be able to dim it's brilliance.
Must saddle up and head to lunch.

Yes, one of Lionel Bart's quieter and most haunting themes, played very well by the orchestra on the single. Why it wasn't released in the UK in 1971 to promote the film is a mystery, as it was common practice at the time to release film themes on singles in order to promote a film during its initial release.