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.
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.
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.