PAIR TAKE ON CITY HIT
IT’S one of the most famous songs of all time – and a Welsh classic to boot.
This year (If Paradise Is) Half As Nice marks its 50th anniversary.
Released in 1969 by Cardiff band Amen Corner, it propelled the group to the top of the charts.
Now a new version of this decadesold standard has been released by a female pop duo put together by original Amen Corner member Alan Jones.
The Debutantes, talented sisters from Cardiff Victoria and Lavinia George-Veale, have recorded their own lush, orchestrated version of the song with guest vocals by Amen Corner frontman Andy Fairweather-Low.
The song was originally written by the Italian singer-songwriter Lucio Battisti for La Ragazza 77, alias Ambra Borelli, in 1968 as Il Paradiso della Vita (The Paradise of the Life), and later in 1969 for Patty Pravo as Il Paradiso (The Paradise).
It was translated into English by Jack Fishman and subsequently offered to The Tremeloes as a potential single, but they rejected it. The Dave Clark Five also wanted to record it.
However, it was recorded by Amen Corner as their debut single for their new record label, Immediate Records. Produced by legendary ’60s producer
Shel Talmy, it was the most successful of the band’s six hit singles, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in February 1969.
The Debutantes’ version of the song is taken from the duo’s debut album, Symphonic Pop, due for release next summer.
The group’s guiding hand, Alan Jones, has enjoyed a long career in both music and fashion, having had success as an original member and sax player with Amen Corner, followed by a chain of pioneering rock fashion shops, both in the UK and Los Angeles.
“All of these experiences have led me to creating, writing and recording an album of ’60s-influenced songs which I’ve called Symphonic Pop,” said Alan. “I reckon it’s the perfect vehicle for The Debutantes.”
Born in Cardiff into a musical family, the sisters’ home was filled with the
Motown and Phil Spector sound of the ’60s, by artists such as The Supremes, The Ronettes, The Crystals and Dusty Springfield.
“Since those early days the sisters have always loved singing, dancing and performing together,” said the musician.
“Their love of music has stayed with them into adulthood, with Victoria starring in musical theatre, and Lavinia in her final year at The London School of Music and Drama. When the sisters heard of a new musical project with a strong ’60s influence, they were very interested and excited.
“They were introduced to me in a Cardiff coffee shop, and before long I was hearing them sing a cappella in their own front room,” added Alan.
“The idea of bringing back the ’60s with a fresh twist was appealing, so we immediately began working on an album of 14 tracks.”
And the album certainly has an impressive roll call of people involved in its creation.
All the songs on the album were engineered by Richard Jackson, who has worked with Super Furry Animals, 60ft Dolls and Pretty Vicious, and feature Victoria and Lavinia’s soaring vocals combined with acclaimed composer John Rea’s lavish orchestration.
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