Padre

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MikeFromHolland
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Padre

Post by MikeFromHolland »

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Elvis' version of the song Padre seems to be one you either love or hate. As written earlier, I personally like the Spanish flavored songs, so I like this one as well. I like the melody, the pathos, the "duende" Elvis puts in the song. It's not a favorite of mine, but I won't skip it when I hear it. The song has quite a history.


Parts of the melody are based on a traditional Mexican song called "La Paloma Azul" ("The Blue Dove") the origins of which are difficult to ascertain.

The song became known generally when it was used in a program of Mexican music, arranged by Carlos Chávez, in May 1940 at the New York Museum of Modern Art. Chávez included an eight-minute arrangement of the number, which was referred to as being "typical of the genre of peasant sentimental song" in the museum's press release prior to the event.

Here's a version of "La Paloma Azul" as performed by Dave Brubeck live in Mexico, 1967:

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Padre
Written by: Alain Romans and Jacques Larue in French in 1951. Paul Frances Webster wrote the English lyrics in the mid 50's.
Recorded by Elvis on Saturday, 15 May 1971.


The song was originally recorded in French by Rina Ketty in 1951 or 1952 as "Padre Don José". You might know her well known classic "J'attendrai" from 1937 as well.

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The original lyrics
Padre Don José

Padre Don José
Padre Don José
Quand tu nous as marié
Tu m'as dit que l'amour
Devait durer toujours

Tu m'as dit aussi
Qu'en priant le ciel
La joie remplit notre vie
Et qu'en étant fidèle
On garde son mari

Padre, padre
J'ai cru tout ce que tu m'as dit
Padre, padre
Pourquoi m'as tu menti ?

La fille aux yeux d'or qui me l'a volé
N'a pour Dieu que le péché
Et sans pudeur son corps
S'offre aux désirs cachés

Elle a m'a t-on dit
Dans ses lourds cheveux
Des perles et des rubis
Et donne à qui le veut
Tous ses baisers maudits

Padre, padre
Puisqu'elle garde mon mari
Padre, padre
Où est ton paradis ?

Some (like me) prefer the French version as recorded by Gloria Lasso in 1958:

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English lyrics to "Padre" were provided in the mid 1950s by Paul Francis Webster. The title changed from Padre Don José to just Padre.
Padre

The day that we wed you blessed us and said
"May heaven bestow you grace"
There in that holy place
We shared our first embrace

Our cottage was small but richer than all
The palaces of a king
All day the birds would sing
Our hearts were full of Spring

Padre, padre, what happened to our love so true?
Padre, padre, in my grief I turn to you

Then she came along and sang him her song
And won him with honeyed lies
She of the golden eyes
Now it's my heart that cries

So I kneel and pray the hours away
And weary my heart has grown
Wondering where love has flown
Counting my tears alone

Padre, padre, what happened to our love so true?
Padre, padre, Pray for my love and me


Toni Arden had a million-seller with the number in 1958, reaching number 13 in the Billboard Hot 100. During an interview in 1958, Elvis stated that this was his favourite song.

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Teresa Brewer from her 1967 album "Texas Leather and Mexican Lace":

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Marty Robbins had a number 5 hit in 1970 with this song:

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We all know Elvis' master version. So let's listen to takes 1 and 2 for a change:

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Here's one that's remixed with a nice fitting video:

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In a Top 5, where would you put Elvis' version compared to those of the other artists?




*Some info presented was found on: http://davidneale.eu/elvis/originals/list7.html#S1411
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Last edited by MikeFromHolland on Sun May 29, 2016 2:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.


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bajo
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Re: Padre

Post by bajo »

I'd go for the Flamenco Mix! Other than that, Padre is a tough call! I've had a hard time trying to like it in it's original form. For a change I don't think that Elvis really nailed it with his strained vocal on this! 8)


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Re: Padre

Post by MikeFromHolland »

bajo wrote:I'd go for the Flamenco Mix! Other than that, Padre is a tough call! I've had a hard time trying to like it in it's original form. For a change I don't think that Elvis really nailed it with his strained vocal on this! 8)
Thanks!

I like Gloria Lasso's version best!

::rocks

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Re: Padre

Post by Chris Roberts »

Elvis really loved this song, he even asks a reporter if he's heard of it at the time of his embarkation to Germany in 1958.

As you say Mike people either love it or hate it, I fall somewhere in the middle, I don't love it but I do like it a lot. Elvis puts so much emotion into it, almost crying out the story in his anguish to the padre. IMO a very good performance.



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Re: Padre

Post by LSP-4445 »

Never liked the song and the original mix on Elvis 1973 album is simply awful.
The outtake is much better ....at least I dont skip it.


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Re: Padre

Post by Scarre »

I like it very much. Sadly, he wasn´t vocally at his best that day...




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Re: Padre

Post by Davelee »

Are you asking for trouble MikeFromHolland? :lol:



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Re: Padre

Post by MikeFromHolland »

Davelee wrote:Are you asking for trouble MikeFromHolland? :lol:
For liking Gloria Lasso's version best? Excuse me, Davelee :wink:

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Re: Padre

Post by Rob »

It's my all-time favorite Elvis song.


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Re: Padre

Post by colonel snow »

Other versions:

00-03-58 - Valerie Carr (Roulette R 4066);
29-03-58 - Sarah Vaughan (Mercury 71303).


colonel snow




r&b

Re: Padre

Post by r&b »

70's bombast at its absolute worst. One of my least favorite Elvis songs of all time.



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Re: Padre

Post by jurasic1968 »

Unfortunately, you're right 100% percent.




Juan Luis

Re: Padre

Post by Juan Luis »

Good performance! ::rocks
Last edited by Juan Luis on Tue May 17, 2016 5:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.



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Re: Padre

Post by Steve Morse »

I love it and have done from first hearing in 1973.

To me, there is no vocal strain - it's Elvis living the song. He liked the dramatic and this is a potent example.

Thanks, Mike, for the various links which I shall listen to later.


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Re: Padre

Post by MikeFromHolland »

colonel snow wrote:Other versions:

00-03-58 - Valerie Carr (Roulette R 4066);
29-03-58 - Sarah Vaughan (Mercury 71303).


colonel snow
Thank you colonel snow!

Valerie:
..

Sarah:
https://www.muziekweb.nl/Link/JFX0057/Complete-Sarah-Vaughan-on-Mercury-vol-3?TrackID=JFX0057-0045

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Re: Padre

Post by MORERO »

r&b wrote:70's bombast at its absolute worst. One of my least favorite Elvis songs of all time.
totally agree....and the ending is very bad....not exactly It's Now Or Never or Surrender....
he should have done it in a different key



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Re: Padre

Post by drjohncarpenter »

Rob wrote:It's my all-time favorite Elvis song.
Mine too!

Why RCA shelved "Padre" for two long years, and never issued it as a single A-side (it would have for sure hit #1), is a mystery. Charlie McCoy is devastating on the marimba, and Fel-Tone Jarvis' overdubs are icing on the cake.


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Re: Padre

Post by shiatsujake »

Sarcasm of the highest order.Must be done well or not at all.A bit like the song really.




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Re: Padre

Post by Juan Luis »

shiatsujake wrote:Sarcasm of the highest order.Must be done well or not at all.A bit like the song really.
Agree. Some are simply not as intelligent nor as funny, as they think they are.



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Re: Padre

Post by MikeFromHolland »

shiatsujake wrote:Sarcasm of the highest order.
Nothing new :wink:

MikeFromHolland wrote:Elvis' version of the song Padre seems to be one you either love or hate.

I had a lot of pleasure searching for the history of the song and listening to the different versions. So I'm totally happy :D

::rocks

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Re: Padre

Post by ICanHelp »

Thanks for the information, but I unfortunately fall in the "hate" column. Elvis' choice of songs continues to confound me.




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Re: Padre

Post by minkahed »

I'm sry, regardless if Elvis liked the song or not, not Elvis Presley material. Terrible.


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Re: Padre

Post by Fabbe »

Thinking this was one of Elvis' favorite songs shows the variety of his tastes outside rock - the performance unfortunately is not on: it needed more takes , probably too high key and not a good voice day and the arrangement needed more work. Just my opinion of course.


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Re: Padre

Post by drjohncarpenter »

Fabbe wrote:Thinking this was one of Elvis' favorite songs shows the variety of his tastes outside rock - the performance unfortunately is not on: it needed more takes , probably too high key and not a good voice day and the arrangement needed more work. Just my opinion of course.
Hey, twelve takes was all it took to nail "Padre."


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Re: Padre

Post by MikeFromHolland »

Fabbe wrote:Thinking this was one of Elvis' favorite songs shows the variety of his tastes outside rock - the performance unfortunately is not on: it needed more takes , probably too high key and not a good voice day and the arrangement needed more work. Just my opinion of course.


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Agreed. It's possible Elvis thought he nailed it though. Like he said about the '68 TV-show: you can't win them all. :wink:

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