As most of us here already know, the version of "She's a Lady" that appears on His n' Hers was very different from the early demos and live performances of the song. For those who don't know, the earlier versions sounded more like the tracks from Separations, with Russell's eastern European violin dueling against Jarv's vocals.
I do have a poor recording of the early song, but it's a bit lo-fi, and it fades out abruptly before the song's natural conclusion. I'm not sure where my recording is from as I lost my handwritten "linear notes" years ago, but I think it's from a BBC session.
Based solely on the poor recording, I've never been able to judge which version I prefer. I used to have a strong preference for the disco version on His n' Hers, but, more recently, I've found the album version sounds very dated. (I think the success of Mamma Mia has turned me off to anything even remotely Abba-like) I wonder if there is a better recording of the early version, perhaps the official demo, or a really strong live version that will allow me to better assess the "Russell version"?
There was no 'official demo' as such. The closest you'll get is the 1992 Radio 1 Mark Goodier Evening Session recording, which might be the one you have. I think it's great.
There are some longer versions from concerts that have the same violin part, but a longer build-up that gets quite spine-tingling before the song proper kicks in. Not sure what the best recording of it is - the '92 Black Sessions version is probably the best quality, but is it the best performance? Hmmmm.
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"Yes I saw her in the chip shop / so I said get yer top off"
Could anyone upload the Mark Goodier recording please? I've never heard it. I think the version on Butt Naked is fantastic, but the Glastonbury '94 set had the longer build up which is amazing, despite the mix not being as good/stylophone going out of time a bit.
I reckon it sounds better with the violin to be honest, but it doesn't make that much different, cause it's the keyboards which make it for me.
I'm sure I've had/heard all these versions at one time or another, but the virus that purged my hard-drive, the steady decline in quality of my audio-cassettes, my encroaching senility, and the enormity of my Pulp collection have all conspired against me.
It was probably my youtube upload that you refer to (or at least mine got taken down from there around 6 months ago, along with a load of other Pulp / britpop stuff.) The reason isn't that mysterious to me; it was down to an unfortunate incident involving a TOTP clip and Bryan Adams management company. "Please Forgive Me"? I think not.
Hopefully it might last a bit longer on vimeo. Plus there's a download option on there.
-- Edited by drykid on Thursday 18th of June 2009 07:52:51 AM