500 miles

[Fish]

On Monday 20 April 2015 the french singer Richard Anthony passed away. One of his biggest hits was J' entends siffler le train in 1962:



Elvis fans might recognize this particular song as 500 Miles, a song composed in this fashion by Hedy West:



Elvis' version is, sadly, just a private recording:



Peter, Paul and Mary's version is not too shabby either, sung with great care and dedication:



My personal favourite though is this one:



Could this be the one that got Elvis' attention?

[Eap3577]

I like the song but think Bobby Bare did the best version

[drjohncarpenter]

On Monday 20 April 2015 the french singer Richard Anthony passed away. One of his biggest hits was J' entends siffler le train in 1962:

..

Elvis fans might recognize this particular song as 500 Miles, a song composed in this fashion by Hedy West:

..

Elvis' version is, sadly, just a private recording:

..

Peter, Paul and Mary's version is not too shabby either, sung with great care and dedication:

..

My personal favourite though is this one:

..

Could this be the one that got Elvis' attention?

As Elvis and his friends sing "500 Miles" accompanied by the Kingston Trio, I would say their recording is the most influential. An FECC review of In A Private Moment uncovered the folk instrumental singalong album that supplied backup on this number and Bob Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind."

http://www.elvis-collectors.com/ftdreview/ftdprivate.html


Here's the LP:

631130_Sing A Song With Kingston Trio.jpg

Sing A Song With The Kingston Trio (Capitol SKAO-2005, November 30, 1963)

Side 1
1. Darlin' Corey
2. Where Have All the Flowers Gone
3. The Sinking of the Reuben James
4. 500 Miles --> http://www.folkusa.org/sas_500miles.mp3
5. Pullin' Away
6. Tom Dooley

Side 2
1. Greenback Dollar
2. Blowin' In the Wind --> http://www.folkusa.org/sas_blowininthewind.mp3
3. A Worried Man
4. Chilly Winds
5. One More Town
6. When the Saints Go Marchin' In

Billboard Dec 07 1963 p26.JPG

Billboard - December 7, 1963

[mike edwards66]

I like the song but think Bobby Bare did the best version
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One of my all-time faves. Thanks.

We miss you son, we love you, come on home......
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[tupelo_boy]

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I'll take a small bet that Elvis would have tackled it more like Jerry Reed.

Geoff

[The Pirate]

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The first version I ever heard was by The Shadows. Here's a live version (starts at about 2:39) which I've included because of the opening song that just happens to be Cliff's version of 'Angel'. Incidentally the bass player is John Rostill, he of Let Me Be There and If You Love Me Let Me Know fame.

[svallen]

The seekers




Amazing voice

[G.I. Blues]

Wasn't Red West involved in writing this song???

[Harty]

There is a Hit Version by The Hooters

[svallen]

You are mistaking.It was Hedy West.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedy_West


http://lyrics.wikia.com/Hedy_West:500_Miles

[sitdown revamped]

I'd support the Jerry Reed approach. He was another great guy. Writing his own stuff (gem after gem) he'd make any other song his own, similar to Elvis. Had Elvis only concentrated much more on writing ...along with Red West or Charlie Hodge. Oh, this is another thread...wait...

[G.I. Blues]

You are mistaking.It was Hedy West.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedy_West


http://lyrics.wikia.com/Hedy_West:500_Miles

Thanks, my fault!

[TheKingisthething]

You are mistaking.It was Hedy West.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedy_West


http://lyrics.wikia.com/Hedy_West:500_Miles

Actually the song is based on the traditional tune/song "Train 45 " sometimes called "Reuben"

The greatest version was cut by G B Grayson & Whitter in yhe Twenties...

[svallen]

A great Version by Hoyt Axton.
It was Hoyts mother who wrote Heartbreak hotel.

[Fish]

500 Miles also features in the Coen brothers' splendid 2013 movie, Inside Llewyn Davis, which is the tale of a struggling singer-songwriter trying to find work in Greenwich Village during the pre-Dylan folk scene of 1961. Based loosely on Dave Van Ronk's autobiography, this rewarding movie features a splendid folk music soundtrack that includes a hitherto unreleased version of Bob Dylan's Farewell. Here's Stark Sands, Carey Mulligan, and Justin Timberlake performing 500 Miles in the movie.

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I love the movies by the Coen bros but have yet to see this one. Great that it features 500 miles! Thanks for your contribution.

Also thanks to all the others who have contributed.

Don't you just love the loneliness in the lyrics....?

[drjohncarpenter]

Also thanks to all the others who have contributed.

Don't you just love the loneliness in the lyrics....?

I've never been drawn to "500 Miles." Its ubiquitousness with folk music devotees is on a par with "The Riddle Song" as being long past its sell-by date, and ripe for parody.



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[mike edwards66]

..........as being long past its sell-by date, and ripe for parody.

Just remind me, who are we talkin' about, again? You're making it too easy for me.

[Fish]

Also thanks to all the others who have contributed.

Don't you just love the loneliness in the lyrics....?

I've never been drawn to "500 Miles." Its ubiquitousness with folk music devotees is on a par with "The Riddle Song" as being long past its sell-by date, and ripe for parody.



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Great and classic clip!
Does not change my opinion about 500 miles though (don't care for the Riddle Song however).

[drjohncarpenter]

I've never been drawn to "500 Miles." Its ubiquitousness with folk music devotees is on a par with "The Riddle Song" as being long past its sell-by date, and ripe for parody.



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Great and classic clip!
Does not change my opinion about 500 miles though (don't care for the Riddle Song however).

Thanks. Bluto didn't care for "The Riddle Song" either.

You realize the same thing would have happened had that fellow been strumming a chorus of "500 Miles."

[Fish]

Great and classic clip!
Does not change my opinion about 500 miles though (don't care for the Riddle Song however).[/quote]

Thanks. Bluto didn't care for "The Riddle Song" either.

You realize the same thing would have happened had that fellow been strumming a chorus of "500 Miles." [/quote]

Haha, yes indeed! And then it would still have been very funny....don't you just love the look on Bluto's face as he is watching the guitar player?
Obviously, smashing guitars is criminal, as old John Hiatt has already pointed out but we will make an exception in this case.