DONNA (Oh, Donna)

[Beebs]

Request from Gary to put this one up, based on Cliff's 1983 cover of the Ritchie Valens 1958 song. I've left in some of John Clark's background guitar at the beginning and end and re-arranged it all somewhat. Hope it has some nostalgia for some.

https://app.box.com/s/2s6hc7b8ff4mig3p16ejvi0vgq2c48lm


Rgds

Bob Brown

[shadowriter]

I really enjoyed this one. pure nostalgic reasons. It reminds me of 'Oh Boy' days.
It was also I'm pretty sure, a hit for Marty Wilde who we saw at the Grand Theatre
a couple of weeks ago. His voice was still strong at 83 and his band The Wildcats were brilliant.
also had two more old codgers, Craig Douglas and Eden Kane on the bill, a bit like the old package show days. As I said
pure nostalgia. Thanks and well done.
Norman

[Garystrat]

Hi Bob,

I really appreciate that and pleased to be asociated with you posting this beautiful instrumental, I felt that it’s relevent as one Cliff Richard covered this back in the late 50s with The Drifters (pre Shadows days).

As you rightly pointed out it was originally a Ricky Valance number, because it’s usually so prominent in the Marty Wilde “Born to Rock n’ Roll"concerts I tended to associate it with him. They televised the concert of Marty with Hank, Bruce and Jet and the other night on Sky, his lovely daughters Kim and Roxanne were also on the bill with the late great Roger Newell. It’s a really good watch and there is something about the simplicity of the stage set, these talented performers didn’t need all the lasers and lighting effects to put on a brilliant show!

Once again, thanks Bob, I hope that members will take the opportunity to engage in constaructive comments regarding the instrumental arraangement and encourage you to post more of the enjoyable numbers I’m sure you still have tucked away (some originals). This is a great website for discography, techincal information and support, but if we want the legacy to survive it’s all about the music and those out there playing who are still bringing pleasure to appreciative audiences!

Best regards

Gary

[Beebs]

Thanks Norman, glad you enjoyed. Don't know a great deal of Marty Wilde other than knowing he was around in the beginning. I'm sure he probably did a great job of Donna.

Thks,



Regards Bob

[Beebs]

Hi Gary, as always thanks for the support. I wonder if your "Ricky Valance" and " Ritchie Valens" ever met up with each other? LOL

Best wishes,

Bob

[Garystrat]

C'mon, you know I'm going to pull the age card again!

Gary

[shadowriter]

Marty Wilde not Cliff Richard had a massive hit with Donna in 1959. In those days it was
common for British artistes to have hits by covering American hits and this was Marty Wilde's
cover of the Ricky Valens hit. Being 82, I remember it well but I think I prefer your instrumental version.

Norman

[Beebs]

Hi Norman,
As I remember it Donna was Cliff's cover of Ritchie Valens hit done about a year after Ritchie's and featured in "Cliff Sings" album(?).
Wasn't a 'hit' for Cliff that I remember, just part of his album but I think that track was well received at the time.
Cliff said in an interview "He made such a 'hash' of it in 1959 and always wanted to re-record it, which he did in 1983-ish, which was the version I based my instrumental on here.

Cheers,

Bob