Thanks - I’m a novelty record fan, and this version of “Shanghai Noodle Factory” is quite a find.
As a preadolescent boy, I loved JATA, especially “Only In America.” Did you know that Jay Black was a paddleball champ in Brooklyn/Queens back in the 70s?
A little late to the conversation here as I just stumbled across this thread but I have to disagree with you all. As much as enjoyed Jay and the Americans as a youngster, he totally lacked the emotional punch Winwood gives it. And if you’re looking for funk rhythm, I’d have liked to hear Earth Wind and Fire cover it. It would have certainly had more energy than this version.
Winwood, having written it, obviously had more emotional investment in the song than Jay did. But I stand by my characterization of the original as "lugubrious" — and that the JATA version was far and away the funkiest track they ever cut, even if EW&F did have more funk in one fingernail than Jay and the Americans did in their entire manicures.
I’m not sure I’d characterize Winwoods version as lugubrious (I had to look it up) but rather soulful. Which was definitely lacking in Jay’s version although his cover was definitely a departure from his typical repertoire and I was surprised to hear he did a version.
Thanks - I’m a novelty record fan, and this version of “Shanghai Noodle Factory” is quite a find.
As a preadolescent boy, I loved JATA, especially “Only In America.” Did you know that Jay Black was a paddleball champ in Brooklyn/Queens back in the 70s?
Wow - I had no idea. The man was multi-talented!
Loved this one, Dan....I really dig Jay and the Americans too.
A little late to the conversation here as I just stumbled across this thread but I have to disagree with you all. As much as enjoyed Jay and the Americans as a youngster, he totally lacked the emotional punch Winwood gives it. And if you’re looking for funk rhythm, I’d have liked to hear Earth Wind and Fire cover it. It would have certainly had more energy than this version.
Winwood, having written it, obviously had more emotional investment in the song than Jay did. But I stand by my characterization of the original as "lugubrious" — and that the JATA version was far and away the funkiest track they ever cut, even if EW&F did have more funk in one fingernail than Jay and the Americans did in their entire manicures.
I’m not sure I’d characterize Winwoods version as lugubrious (I had to look it up) but rather soulful. Which was definitely lacking in Jay’s version although his cover was definitely a departure from his typical repertoire and I was surprised to hear he did a version.