The Left Banke — 361


ALBUM: The History of the Left Banke (1985)

MVC Rating: 3.5/$$

Rhino Records knows how to make something from not much. This decidedly minor group gets a cover with lots of photos, a plastic cover sleeve with Rhino’s catalog: Best of Troggs, the Nazz, the Standells, the Box Tops, and so on.

Then there is a history on a sheet inside that is everything you would ever want to know about four anonymous guys in a band you’ve hardly ever heard of. That’s Rhino! I love them. Who knows? We document their history and some time in the future there is a Left Banke revival? Nah, but they did one thing that put them on the pop-rock map: ‘Walk Away Renee.’ It’s a pop classic, strings and all. (The version by the Cowsills on their live album is awesome and where I first heard it at about 11 years old.)


‘Pretty Ballerina’ was their other hit and it’s not so much. Two tracks are from the group Stories, which had a cool song about interracial dating/love affairs that was likely bold for its day called Brother Louie. Stories morphed out of the Left Banke in early 1970s.

2 Replies to “The Left Banke — 361”

  1. You’re skipping past the great Left Banke masterpiece. Desiree. Brilliant pop symphony. The master tape went missing, and all that survived was this rough mix, and it’s still genius. Also, a great song that’s been covered by Richard Thomson called “She May Call You Up Tonight.” It was one great album and one great single, but it’s a lot more than just two songs.

    1. I gave Desiree a listen quickly on YouTube — I was struck by the complexity of the arrangement, almost like Good Vibrations or something. Will have to listen more. There are some real hidden gems out there.

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