Music from A Taste of Honey

[Tiercel]

I'm trying to track down the title/artiste of a song that's played in "A Taste of Honey" (Tony Richardson, 1961). The lyrics include the words "Let's slip away" and the song is played when the characters are at Blackpool (in the hall of mirrors, I think).



Any help greatly appreciated. I've tried Googling etc. but got nowhere



Paul

(aka Tiercel)

[Hackett]

John Addison did the original music for "A TASTE OF HONEY". He also did the theme for the TV series "MURDER SHE WROTE". I can't find any reference to a lyricist on ATOH so maybe he did?. It should be on the titles of the film which I don't have, But you can still get it on VHS for £12.99 or DVD at £19.99. The DVD is a bit steep but it has a few extra's on that might help your quest.

[Tiercel]

Thanks. I got the DVD almost as soon as it was released by BFI but couldn't find any reference in the credits. I knew John Addison had done the original music but wondered if the song was one that was in the charts at the time the film was made. I'll take another look at the extras and maybe see if the commentary gives any clues.

[Gibbie]

Haven't seen that movie in years. A bit depressing if I recall, but Richardson was part of that Angry Young Man crowd.



Pretty much remember Rita Tushingham playing her part very well, running around the docks of Liverpool and a few other bits.



What was the song the children sang at the beginning? "The old ship sails..."



Was the aforementioned song "A Taste of Honey"? I remeber trying to hear the song that I know the Beatles had recorded at about that time, but never recall hearing it...It has been a while.

[MrDrakesDuck]

Gibbie:

Haven't seen that movie in years. A bit depressing if I recall, but Richardson was part of that Angry Young Man crowd.

A classic for me.



I find it really compelling, Rita Tushingham & Murray Melvin are superb.



(the only flaw is that Paul Danquah who played the sailor had his voice dubbed as his accent wasn't right for a scouser)

[deckard]

Gibbie:



Was the aforementioned song "A Taste of Honey"? I remeber trying to hear the song that I know the Beatles had recorded at about that time, but never recall hearing it...It has been a while.

It's been a while since you were on the site...welcome back mate.. scarf Regards, Decks.

[Gibbie]

Ta, Decks!

[Tiercel]

Originally posted by Gibbie:
Haven't seen that movie in years. A bit depressing if I recall, but Richardson was part of that Angry Young Man crowd.


Pretty much remember Rita Tushingham playing her part very well, running around the docks of Liverpool and a few other bits.

I think it was Manchester/Salford rather than Liverpool.



Anyone spot the continuity hiccup where Jo says goodbye to her boyfriend? :-)



T

[Gibbie]

Do you mean an edit blip or missing part?

[DAVID RAYNER]

As far as I know, the Mr Acker Bilk intrumental and The Beatles vocal entitled "A Taste of Honey" and both released in 1963, had nothing to do with the 1961 film except the title.

[ollie]

I've done a few searches for the song in the blackpool section of the film "lets slip away.....somewhere quiet" can't find a thing about it,anybody got any idea's about the female singer?



cheers Ollie.

[Henna]

Hiya, I have the film A Taste Of Honey, but I checked after reading this thread, and there are no credits to the singer of 'Lets Slip Away', I've spent hours seaching on the net to no avail. I'm intreagued now!

[Freddy]

A Taste Of Honey is on the radio Sunday 7th November, Radio 3, 8.00pm. If you miss it the BBC have a listen again option in their website.



Looking at the search engines Morrisey of the Smiths got some inspiration from the book.



regards

Freddy

[Stephen Pickard]

The song is called "Let's Slip Away" and it was sung by Cleo Laine. It was released 29th December 1960 on the Fontana label (#H269, probably on a 45rpm single) It reached #1 in the charts, and remained in the charts for 42 weeks, not all at #1 ofcourse!

You might find a compilation LP or CD of it somewhere, or even the original in a second-hand record store.

[David Brent]

Great work Stephen. I know who to contact now for future music info.

Although i havn't seen the film i would have thought that Cleo Laine's distinctive deep vocals would have been a give away.

When you say the song reached #1 do you meen in the States or the UK - or both?



Dave.

[DAVID RAYNER]

Actually, Stephen, you've got that information back to front. The record reached number 42 in the charts and was there for only one week. Being the age I am (nearly 58), I well remember the hit parade of those days and this record was definitely never a number one hit.



The UK number one hit singles between December, 1960 and December, 1961, were:



IT’S NOW OR NEVER - Elvis Presley

I LOVE YOU - Cliff Richard and The Shadows

POETRY IN MOTION – Johnny Tillotson

ARE YOU LONESOME TONIGHT? – Elvis Presley

SAILOR – Petula Clark

WALK RIGHT BACK / EBONY EYES – The Everly Brothers

WOODEN HEART – Elvis Presley

BLUE MOON – The Marcels

ON THE REBOUND – Floyd Cramer

YOU’RE DRIVING ME CRAZY – The Temperance Seven

SURRENDER – Elvis Presley

RUNAWAY – Del Shannon

TEMPTATION – The Everly Brothers

WELL I ASK YOU – Eden Kane

YOU DON’T KNOW – Helen Shapiro

JOHNNY REMEMBER ME – John Leyton

REACH FOR THE STARS – Shirley Bassey

KON-TIKI – The Shadows

MICHAEL – The Highwaymen

WALKIN’ BACK TO HAPPINESS – Helen Shapiro

WILD IN THE COUNTRY - Elvis Presley

HIS LATEST FLAME – Elvis Presley

TOWER OF STRENGTH – Frankie Vaughan

MOON RIVER – Danny Williams



[ 08. November 2004, 13:17: Message edited by: DAVID RAYNER ]

[Stephen Pickard]

David, thankyou for correcting me on that error. I got the information from the 'Guinness British Hit Singles - 11th Edition' and misread it.

Tiercel, I tracked down somebody on the internet who has access to the EP it was released on and can transfer it to a cd for you. Let me know.

[Tiercel]

Stephen Pickard:

The song is called "Let's Slip Away" and it was sung by Cleo Laine. It was released 29th December 1960 on the Fontana label (#H269, probably on a 45rpm single) It reached #1 in the charts, and remained in the charts for 42 weeks, not all at #1 ofcourse!

You might find a compilation LP or CD of it somewhere, or even the original in a second-hand record store.

Fabulous! Thanks for finding that out

[plasticjock]

Gibbie

Haven't seen that movie in years. A bit depressing if I recall, but Richardson was part of that Angry Young Man crowd.



Pretty much remember Rita Tushingham playing her part very well, running around the docks of Liverpool and a few other bits.

What was the song the children sang at the beginning? "The old ship sails..."



http://www.downingm.freeserve.co.uk/rhyme197.htm



There are different variations on the words around.

[Gibbie]

Thanks, Plasticjock!



"...On the last day of December."