Error report
Shilo by Neil Diamond
Submitted by
On March 25, 2020
Performance
Error description
History
Don't need more info...just thoughts.
I'm not comfortable writing notes showing that songs are on other
albums in the comment section. If we start that procedure, your opening the door
for thousands of error reports.
On the other hand, you may find a song shown with different releases on some pages. I don't have a sample at the moment.
But I believe the reasoning for that is if an editor found an earlier release of a song, we're not suppose to delete older data, so the solution is to add the earlier release of the song, thus you see it released on two different alums.
You might want to start a thread about showing other albums, but you know how that ends around here. It doesn't!!!!
I'm in afib, right now, so my thought process is more scrambled than normal. So hopefully I made some sense up top.
First, I understand your position and concerns.
Second, I have expressed my position that we should multi-index the same recording to different releases in two specific instances:
a) When the original release is earlier than the "primary release" (my term). For instance a lead single and the later album; and
b) When the later release is on site for other reasons. For instance a "greatest hits" with new songs that are covered.
I have also recommended that some icon/marker indicate which tracks are original release and which are re-released tracks. I did receive some positive responses to that idea, but then into the ether as usual.
Third, the case at hand is a special case to me. The most well known (I believe) recording of "Shilo" is the 1970 version, so I think a comment is advisable (similar to "Dance With Me" by Orleans). Since a comment is advisable, might as well refer to the 1983 recording as well. (Dates of release per my notes not necessarily recording dates).
So I'm definitely not recommending multi-indexing in this case, as they are different recordings. I am recommending a comment.
My freaking head is pounding me from this Afib episode.
Write the comment and I will copy and paste it in there, if I get back online later.
I'm guessing you guys aren't allowed to do that?
Thanx.
Regarding CC powers to add comments. Sheesh, perhaps if you would offer your thoughts on these matters, something might get done:
https://secondhandsongs.com/topic/75668
Proposed comment:
There are at least three different released recordings. The original released in 1967. The most familiar is likely the re-recording released in 1970 on a reissue of "Velvet Gloves And Spit". The third was released in 1983 on "Classics: The Early Years".
It has been years since I researched the history of the different versions. Wiki indicates that Bang tweaked the original and that was the charting single, but that doesn't ring a bell:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shilo_(song)
Per my memory, the 1983 release is a rare, exclusive to that compilation version.
I make (what I think) are suggestions with foresight all the time with no response. So frustrating. Why Management doesn't crave feedback from those who actually use the information is a mystery to me.
Here's a brief (I hope) history of Neil Diamond's recordings of "Shilo":
Fall 1967 - First released on his second album for Bang Records, "Just for You". He wanted it to be his next single release, but label owner Bert Berns did not feel it was commercial enough. This began a feud between Diamond and Berns that lasted until Berns' sudden death late that year.
Some time in 1968 - Eventually, Bang released this version of "Shilo" on a single (B-side was Neil's version of "La Bamba", which had been on his first Bang album, "The Feel of Neil Diamond"), but it was not a hit. Neil had left Bang for UNI records by then.
January 1970 - Neil had gone on to have several hits for UNI, including "Sweet Caroline". Bang then re-released "Shilo" (still with "La Bamba" on the B side but with a different catalog number), but this "Shilo" was different from the other one. This one can be distinguished from the other one by a verse that starts, "Counting the years." This time, the song became a hit. The earlier "Shilo" has a verse that starts, "Young girl with fire." But the sentiments are the same. This was likely an alternate take from 1967 recording sessions.
Early 1970s - UNI decided to reissue Neil's first album for the label, "Velvet Gloves and Spit", with a new cover and the addition of yet another version of "Shilo". This one was recorded more like his UNI songs (probably produced by Tom Catalano in a Hollywood/L.A. studio or by Chips Moman and Tommy Cogbill in American in Memphis) than his Bang ones (produced by the no-longer-together Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich in a New York studio).
The years since then - "Shilo" has turned up on numerous Neil Diamond compilation and live albums. If it's a UNI/MCA-only compilation album, the included version is the one from "Velvet Gloves and Spit". If it's a Bang-only or label-spanning compilation, the included version is one of the Bang recordings, although it varies as to whether it's the "Counting the years" version or the "Young girl with fire" version. In live performances over the years, he sang both the "Counting the years" and "Young girl with fire" versions at different times.
I've heard about the 1983 version, and I think I even have a copy now, but I don't know how it differs from the others.
As someone who has long had an interest in other people's recordings of Neil Diamond songs, I have not come across too many renditions of this song by others, with the likely exception of Neil Diamond tribute/imitation singers and bands.
RS... Very nice recap. Your history reads far more accurate (and certainly more fresh) than what I knew or remembered. If revisions are needed to the current comment under this performance, please suggest.