“Four Strong Winds” is a song written by Ian Tyson in the early 1960s. It was first recorded by The Brothers Four in a version that “Bubbled Under” the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1963. Subsequently, it was recorded by Ian and Sylvia on an album of the same name released in April, 1964, reflecting the Canadian chart success of the song in 1963. Continue reading
Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago during the early to mid 20th century, and lays it roots in the West African Kaiso and the migration of Martinican planters and their slaves. Continue reading
55 Days at Peking is a 1963 historical epic film starring Charlton Heston, Ava Gardner, and David Niven, made by Samuel Bronston Productions, and released by Allied Artists. The movie was produced by Samuel Bronston and directed by Nicholas Ray, Andrew Marton (credited as the second unit director), and Guy Green (uncredited). The screenplay was written by Philip Yordan, Bernard Gordon, Ben Barzman, and Robert Hamer, the music score was written by Dimitri Tiomkin, and the cinematographer was Jack Hildyard.
In addition to directing, Nicholas Ray plays the minor role of the head of the American diplomatic mission in China. This film is also the first known appearance of future martial arts film star Yuen Siu Tien. The Japanese film director Juzo Itami, credited in the film as “Ichizo Itami”, appears as Colonel Goro Shiba.
“500 Miles” (also known as “500 Miles Away from Home” or “Railroaders’ Lament”) is a folk song made popular in the United States and Europe during the 1960s folk revival. The simple repetitive lyrics offer a lament by a traveler who is far from home, out of money and too ashamed to return. The song is generally credited as being written by Hedy West, and a 1961 copyright is held by Atzal Music, Inc. Some recordings have also credited Bobby Bare, Curly Williams, and/or John Phillips as co-writers. David Neale writes that “500 Miles” may be related to the older folk song, “900 Miles,” which may itself have origins in the southern American fiddle tunes “Reuben’s Train” and “Train 45”.
“500 Miles” is West’s “most anthologized song.” The song appears on the 1961 self-titled debut album by The Journeymen; this may have been its first release.
The song was heard on the February, 1962 Kingston Trio live album College Concert (a 1962 US#3). It was further popularized by Peter, Paul & Mary (it was the second track on their US#1, May 1962 debut album). Rewritten with new lyrics (by Bobby Bare), it charted as a hit single by American country music singer Bobby Bare in 1963 (#10 US, #47 NOR, #7 NOR, #9 SWE, #16 DEN). Bare’s version features a spoken recitation following the repeat of the Refrain, before he sings one original line of his second verse. Following this, he makes a transition from the key of G to the key of D for the Third Verse, featuring a counterpoint portion by the backup singers, before making a transition back to the key of G for the last refrain, before the song’s fade. The lyrics feature heavily in the Bob Dylan song “I Was Young When I Left Home”. It has also been recorded by the Brothers Four, Sonny & Cher, Johnny Rivers, The Hooters, Reba McEntire, Jackie DeShannon, The Seekers, Elvis Presley, The Highwaymen, The Seldom Scene, Nick Cave, Richard Anthony, Franco Battiato, Rosanne Cash, Bad Astronaut, Peter and Gordon, Eric Bibb, Hootenanny Singers, Joan Baez and many others. In an episode of Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Jim Nabors, in the title role, sang the song to character Lou-Ann Poovie, played by Elizabeth MacRae, resulting in Lou-Ann choosing Gomer as her boyfriend.
By Peter, Paul and Mary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwB2A9HHaCU