I apologize for not doing my research before asking this. How did you know Michael? I first heard their music many years ago but never looked into this.
Michael brown wrote that beautiful walk away Renee, with two others who were not band mates. He was the keyboard player. His father was very involved in Michael’s life and also the band. Just walk away Renee is such a beautiful timeless piece. Steve Martin caro has such a talented voice. Michael and Steve came from musical families. Finn the last original band mate recently passed away
Great reaction Trey and Shawn. The Left Banke really created the genre Baroque Rock and wrote some beautiful songs. Love the research and commentary you guys provide. I learned a lot of things I didn’t know about the band and these songs from this video. Much appreciated.
@Ian McDonagh I’m with you Ian. I knew Walk Away Renee from being a kid who listened to AM radio back in the day but really didn’t remember Pretty Ballerina until I heard it again a couple of years ago. The Left Banke had such an interesting sound that still holds up today. Great melodies and harmonies with such a unique tempo.
The way they gave the song a classical flair over very basic but very beautiful lyrics set the song to be one that would be hard to top. I remember this song getting into my head so much I would think of it while walking to junior high school many years ago. It is on my RUclips playlist.
@@ReactionsToTheClassics definitely … Bernstein talked about the Beatles’ Good Day Sunshine in the same context … the offbeat key change in the chorus in particular …
I always loved "Walk Away Renee" but my preference is "Pretty Ballerina". Both songs have that melancholy feel but there is something extra in "Pretty Ballerina". For me, the original LP "Walk Away Renee / Pretty Ballerina" is one of the greatest unheralded LPs from the 1960's, full of interesting and wonderful songs.
It's rather interesting how songs like this are now received by later generations than by those who lived their time and remember first hearing them. This particular "baroque-rock" sound was unique and bears some influence by songwriter Mike Brown's father violinist Harry Lookofsky who produced it. I knew Harry and knew Mike when he was 14, a few years before he wrote songs or ever thought he could. He once asked me to teach him to sing which I take some pride in as I look back. This song is his, to its soul, with its inspiration being the real-life Renee, Mike's fantasy amour. Mike died a few years ago, but I'm glad he's remembered by many as the sensitive and supreme talent he truly was. Time flies...oh so fast.
"Pretty Ballerina" is the only song in rock history that employed a lydian dominant mode - on keyboard. This originality gives "Pretty Ballerina" the edge over "Walk Away Renee," which itself is a classic, iconic song. Another song, "She May Call You Up," should have been released as a single. A catchy pop melody that may well have made the Top 10.
There's something so beautiful and haunting about Lydian mode, and Pretty Ballerina is one of its best examples. It was actually banned in medieval composition (the Lydian tritone) and associated with evil influences due to the melancholy and dissonance created.
@@ice_fox I don’t pretend to be a know-it-all but it’s a lydian dominant, which raises not only the fourth but also flats the seventh. Yet in either case you are right about “the devil’s interval” generated by the raised fourth. But I also mention this distinction because I cannot find a case in popular music where the Lydian dominant is employed, yet it is very common in jazz because when improvising on a dominant seventh chord, there is no avoid note with the sharp four and flat seven. Thanks for your comment because it is an important aspect of music, history and the superstition of the medieval period as it relates to music.
Under the name The Left Banke the group recorded two albums on the Smash Record label in my opinion they recorded one of the best debut albums by a garage band. their first album which feature the two hit singles "Walk Away Renée" and "Pretty Ballerina" are stellar tracks I love them both equal as I do the whole album. Their second album The Left Banke Too has great tracks like "Desiree" and "Sing Little Brid Sing" These guys and the Band The Left Banke, left their mark in the music industry with their unique sound and two great songs
One of the things that blows my mind about these is that they were composed by a 16yo (Michael) and sung by an 18yo (Steve). Whatever I was doing at 18, it wasn’t nearly so impressive! 😆
Oh! I used to LOVE this song, and also "Pretty Ballerina". So glad I discovered your channel. I am now subscribed and also set up to receive your notifications.
Both of those two songs are amongst my favorites of all time. Walk Away Renee is about as good as a song can get. Pretty Ballerina is one of those songs that is so good but most people don't remember it. Both of those songs had a lot of great competition at the time.
I really enjoyed your comments and back story on the Left Banke. I hadn't heard 'Pretty Ballerina' in a while and it was better than I remembered. 'Renee' is a big favorite of mine. But, one comment you made about songwriting not having evolved struck me. The reason both these songs were hits was because they WERE seriously evolved. The writing on both of these is brilliant. Not to mention that they were teenagers. Mike Brown was sixteen. The song reaction 'contest' idea is a lot of fun and it was great to hear these old faves. Thanks.
Both songs are great! I've always really enjoyed Walk Away Renee so it wins out, but not by much. I dont think I've heard Pretty Ballerina before, but I really liked the story and the instrumentation.
only just discovered your great channel and really enjoying your take on some classic tracks. For me, the winner here has to be 'Walk Away Renée' but only by a whisper...great tunes. Subscribed
One of the first vinyl records I bought as a kid was "Lenny and the Squigtones". There were a few episodes of Laverne and Shirley that featured Lenny and Squiggy performing as a group. I loved it (remember I was probably 9 years old). I played that record over and over and over. All the songs were funny lyrics with great music. Years later when I saw This Is Spinal Tap and realized Michael McKean was in both it totally made sense. Lenny and the Squigtones was the precursor to Spinal Tap.
I was really taken by the sound of Pretty Ballerina when I was a teen back in the late ‘70s. I ended up buying their first album at a record collectors convention and liked it. Certainly these were the two best tracks, but I’ve Got Something on My Mind, Shadows Breaking Over My Head, Barterers and Their Wives, She May Call You Up Tonight are all good songs-very classic mid-60s reminiscent of The Lovin’ Spoonful and a less intellectual Simon & Garfunkel. While I’ve always liked both of these tracks, I’d say Pretty Ballerina is my favorite.
I saw these guys in the village back in the mid sixties at multiple venues. I recall just how extra-serious-serious they were about their gigs 'making sure everything was in place, the mics, and making sure the lighting worked, & instruments in place. At that particular time there was seven Left Banke musicians on stage. Note: When Renee hit the charts the band disappeared from the village scene. I'm unsure what happened to them but have learned they had internal personal probs.
Shawn and Trey, The facts you research Shawn and you guys share are interesting to hear. They formed way back in 1965. I never heard of the Left Banke. I heard of the Right Banke. Lol Just joking. The first song has a solid Pop Rock sound with a blend of strings and rhythm tempo and cool drums. It does have a mid '60's sound. The flute always enhances the sound of a song. There is storytelling in the lyrics. You guys explained the song really well. The second song has a steady rhythm with a nice instrumental break. I agree on the meloncholy atmosphere. The vocal is cool. A story in the lyrics. Your comments are right on. I agree, both songs are strong. This is a tough choice for the winner. It's a split decision by you guys. I will choose the second song as the winner. I like the singing and fade out ending. Excellent song battle Arnie.
@@ReactionsToTheClassics Thank you Shawn and Trey. You are right, this is fom the 1960's. That's the music Era I gravitate more to. I enjoyed the accurate analyzing of these songs by you guys.. You guys are the best.
LoVe 'Em both ❤️ Pretty Ballerina seems slightly more intricate and sophisticated in construction me ction and lyrics t. I think it's just a matter of taste. They both tug my heart💔 Thanks Y'all ✌️
I love both these songs but I knew nothing about the band itself. Fascinating and bizarre stuff! Michael McKean was in the Left Banke?! Who the hell knew? That adds a whole new layer to his involvement with Spinal Tap. Walk Away, Renee is my pick but both songs are real beauties.
Steve Martin Caro had a great voice and I loved your analogy. I am a child of the 60's and really never knew what happened to Steve Martin Caro It made me sad as he had a great future and the ego of Tom Brown brought everything down. Supposedly Brown's father fired the original drummer as he was gay. Another sad story of this band.
Very good assessment and analogy of what you think those songs were about, I ❤️ love those two songs Mike Brown wrote when he was either 17 or 18 years old, that’s along was amazing two pack all that in 2 or 3 minutes, that piano in Pretty Ballerina that stay’s in my head and your name and mine inside a heart on the wall still finds a way to haunt me tho there so small WOW, I’ve done things like that when I had my innocents
I an in the UK and although Left Banke never had any hits over here, I bought the album that these songs are on, and it is a gem of a record! Check the whole album, especially "She May Call You Up Tonight",
Feel like I've known Walk Away Renee forever and associated it with the Left Banke (tho never knew they had that 'e' at the end of their name) but am wondering if I know another version better, the Four Tops rendition perhaps? I say that as I was hearing it in my head a little differently to how they sang it here! Recognised Pretty Ballerina as well, but have certainly heard it a lot less over the years - liked both but am going to join Trey in giving the win to Pretty Ballerina.
Nice, informative review. These teens were so accomplished. Corrections: "Renee" was a hit in the fall of 1966, not '65, and is available in beautiful true stereo. However, "Desiree" -- a truly amazing song as well -- has never been released in stereo.
Two incredible songs by this short lived (but superbly talented) group. Almost impossible to choose, but if I absolutely had to, Pretty Ballerina takes me places that Walk Away Renee does not.
when the zombies had a hit with time of the season AFTER they had broken up, an american promoter put together a fake version of the zombies to tour which fetaured two future members of zz top.
I personally love both of these songs intensely but I think the lead vocal on pretty Ballerina was sung a bit better, a bit prettier than Renee, but to me Renee show angst of a crush or infatuation which I experienced in my youth too. I'm also a songwriter and have written songs where total infatuation became the energy for creating a new song. And with the purpose of letting the girl hear it. Couple times it sold the girl on me for a couple of years relationship
Always liked "Renee." Didn't remember "Pretty Ballerina" when I heard it in the 2000s, but it immediately became one of my top favorites, well ahead of "Renee".
I was in high school when these were a thing. At the time Renee really affected me. It still does. Ballerina less so, but it’s a very pleasant listen. Thanks.
Love the Left Banke. Walk Away Renee is amore popular classic song. To me Pretty Ballerina melody is definitely more beautiful. I prefer the recording itself to that of WAR. But they are both great records.
Pretty Ballarina! I think what was missing in the story is Mike Brown was a minor when this was recorded at his step-dad's studio and the step-dad didn't approve of some of the members.
I remember Walk Away Renee, but don’t recall Pretty Ballerina. There’s no way I would have remembered who did them. Interesting story about the band. Walk Away Renee is the far better song IMO.
I went to high school with Mike Brown at Poly Prep … he was Mike Lookofsky then … his dad Harry was a violinist and session musician who was instrumental in putting these sessions together for the guys … it’s great stuff …
Stop with …. walk away Renee was better cause..it was a hit…….yes and it was great…however there are a lot of great songs that were not a big hit. …..pretty balletrina was way over the heads of the average tennie bobbers . half the baby boomers were 12 /13 years old when these songs came out..still listening to bubble gum music. EG…1910 fruit gum company…. Now today both songs. Get my vote for a tie…don’t care which climbed to the top… Pretty ballerina lyrics are weird..no doubt…but it was the 60s
Had no idea songs that weren’t hits could be good quality, thanks for the lesson Chris! I’ve listened to over 2000 albums in the past 4 years and this never ever occurred to me.
Just walk away Renee was slightly better l think. It's just heart wrenching. I got in a debate with my friend who thought Pretty Ballerina was better. That was in the ninety's . Good songs don't die!
No disrespect to the Four Tops as a group, they were a great group all together. But their version of Walk Away Renee is cringe worthy. They really had no business covering this song, stick to Motown not pop. As far as the other guy covering, never heard, but I’m sure it doesn’t touch the Left Banke version.
Michael was a genius and classically trained, and a wonderful husband and dad. We miss him every day. T.Y for your channel exploring his work.
Thanks so much Yvonne, he sounds like was a fantastic man!
I apologize for not doing my research before asking this. How did you know Michael? I first heard their music many years ago but never looked into this.
The gorgeous falsetto in Pretty Ballerina gets me every time. It's the winner for me.
It is great for sure. Thanks for watching Jim!
I agree, Jim.
Agreed, thus is absolutely one of my favorite songs because of the arrangement. It's the song I play and sing along with to.my daughter.
I agree as well. I discovered both songs on RUclips only within the last year.
Michael brown wrote that beautiful walk away Renee, with two others who were not band mates.
He was the keyboard player.
His father was very involved in Michael’s life and also the band.
Just walk away Renee is such a beautiful timeless piece.
Steve Martin caro has such a talented voice.
Michael and Steve came from musical families.
Finn the last original band mate recently passed away
Thanks for Watching!
Pretty Ballerina is one of my favorite songs of all time. I love its haunting beauty and unique sound.
High Praise! Thanks for watching!
❤
I completely agree. One of my favorites too.
Great reaction Trey and Shawn. The Left Banke really created the genre Baroque Rock and wrote some beautiful songs. Love the research and commentary you guys provide. I learned a lot of things I didn’t know about the band and these songs from this video. Much appreciated.
Really appreciate you bringing it Arnie! Fantastic stuff that lends to the question with so many artists - What if??
@Ian McDonagh I’m with you Ian. I knew Walk Away Renee from being a kid who listened to AM radio back in the day but really didn’t remember Pretty Ballerina until I heard it again a couple of years ago. The Left Banke had such an interesting sound that still holds up today. Great melodies and harmonies with such a unique tempo.
The unique haunt of Walk Away Renee is stunning
Thanks for checkin it out Kathie!
The way they gave the song a classical flair over very basic but very beautiful lyrics set the song to be one that would be hard to top. I remember this song getting into my head so much I would think of it while walking to junior high school many years ago. It is on my RUclips playlist.
They remind me so much of the Moody Blues---finding the beauty in the melancholy
Great point. Thanks for watching!
I simply can't pick. I love both songs. So beautiful! Thanks for the great review, men!
Thanks Keith!!
Leonard Bernstein featured “Pretty Ballerina” for its unique melodic figure on one of his televised Saturday morning programs from Lincoln Center …
High praise!
@@ReactionsToTheClassics definitely … Bernstein talked about the Beatles’ Good Day Sunshine in the same context … the offbeat key change in the chorus in particular …
Bernstein had arguably the best taste of anyone
I always loved "Walk Away Renee" but my preference is "Pretty Ballerina". Both songs have that melancholy feel but there is something extra in "Pretty Ballerina". For me, the original LP "Walk Away Renee / Pretty Ballerina" is one of the greatest unheralded LPs from the 1960's, full of interesting and wonderful songs.
Thanks for Watching!
It's rather interesting how songs like this are now received by later generations than by those who lived their time and remember first hearing them. This particular "baroque-rock" sound was unique and bears some influence by songwriter Mike Brown's father violinist Harry Lookofsky who produced it. I knew Harry and knew Mike when he was 14, a few years before he wrote songs or ever thought he could. He once asked me to teach him to sing which I take some pride in as I look back. This song is his, to its soul, with its inspiration being the real-life Renee, Mike's fantasy amour. Mike died a few years ago, but I'm glad he's remembered by many as the sensitive and supreme talent he truly was. Time flies...oh so fast.
oh wow Steven appreciate you taking the time to share your insight and experience, really cool story!
Renee wasn't real. Did you just feel a need to keep the myth going?
"Pretty Ballerina" is the only song in rock history that employed a lydian dominant mode - on keyboard. This originality gives "Pretty Ballerina" the edge over "Walk Away Renee," which itself is a classic, iconic song. Another song, "She May Call You Up," should have been released as a single. A catchy pop melody that may well have made the Top 10.
Thanks for the insight and for watching!
There's something so beautiful and haunting about Lydian mode, and Pretty Ballerina is one of its best examples. It was actually banned in medieval composition (the Lydian tritone) and associated with evil influences due to the melancholy and dissonance created.
@@ice_fox I don’t pretend to be a know-it-all but it’s a lydian dominant, which raises not only the fourth but also flats the seventh. Yet in either case you are right about “the devil’s interval” generated by the raised fourth.
But I also mention this distinction because I cannot find a case in popular music where the Lydian dominant is employed, yet it is very common in jazz because when improvising on a dominant seventh chord, there is no avoid note with the sharp four and flat seven.
Thanks for your comment because it is an important aspect of music, history and the superstition of the medieval period as it relates to music.
Under the name The Left Banke the group recorded two albums on the Smash Record label in my opinion they recorded one of the best debut albums by a garage band. their first album which feature the two hit singles "Walk Away Renée" and "Pretty Ballerina" are stellar tracks I love them both equal as I do the whole album. Their second album The Left Banke Too has great tracks like "Desiree" and "Sing Little Brid Sing" These guys and the Band The Left Banke, left their mark in the music industry with their unique sound and two great songs
Great insight, thanks Drew!
One of the things that blows my mind about these is that they were composed by a 16yo (Michael) and sung by an 18yo (Steve). Whatever I was doing at 18, it wasn’t nearly so impressive! 😆
Yes that is crazy! Thanks for the info Michelle!
Oh! I used to LOVE this song, and also "Pretty Ballerina". So glad I discovered your channel. I am now subscribed and also set up to receive your notifications.
Thanks we really appreciate it!
Both of those two songs are amongst my favorites of all time. Walk Away Renee is about as good as a song can get. Pretty Ballerina is one of those songs that is so good but most people don't remember it. Both of those songs had a lot of great competition at the time.
Yes music was insanely deep and high level at that time! Thanks for watching!
Michael McKean (of 2nd line up) was singer/guitarist David St. Hubbins in Spinal Tap--very talented musician as well as actor.
Yes very talented. Well-known for Laverne & Shirley and of course Better Call Saul as well
"Pretty Ballerina" is the more beautiful of the two and one of my favorites. ❤
Thanks for watching Emily, we really appreciate it!
I love both these songs 😁
They are so good! Thanks Stephen!
Great comments and insights guys. I'm a 70's guy but a lot of great tunes from the 60's.
Thanks!!
Pretty Ballerina for me. Thanks, Arnie, for the suggestion.
Thanks for Watching!
Thanks for reviewing two of my all time favorite songs.
Appreciate you watching!
Not even close.. Walk away Renee is a classic
Thanks
I really enjoyed your comments and back story on the Left Banke. I hadn't heard 'Pretty Ballerina' in a while and it was better than I remembered. 'Renee' is a big favorite of mine.
But, one comment you made about songwriting not having evolved struck me. The reason both these songs were hits was because they WERE seriously evolved. The writing on both of these is brilliant.
Not to mention that they were teenagers. Mike Brown was sixteen. The song reaction 'contest' idea is a lot of fun and it was great to hear these old faves. Thanks.
Thanks for watching we really appreciate it!
Thank you! Love this reaction!
Really appreciate the kind words!!!! Thanks for watching @Ken-s7s!
Both songs are great! I've always really enjoyed Walk Away Renee so it wins out, but not by much. I dont think I've heard Pretty Ballerina before, but I really liked the story and the instrumentation.
Thanks Makaela!
only just discovered your great channel and really enjoying your take on some classic tracks. For me, the winner here has to be 'Walk Away Renée' but only by a whisper...great tunes. Subscribed
Thanks Mark and we appreciate the subscribe!
‘I called her yesterday, it should have been tomorrow’ is one of the best lines ever. If you know, you know. Brilliant!
GREAT line! Thanks for watching!
Both songs remain two of my all time favorites. Music was great back then.
Yes it was! Thanks for watching!
No contest…Walk Away Renee
Thanks for Watching!
I also like that little twist that maybe she was just his dream girl.
Yes a nice one!
The best 10 years of music 60s 🔊😂
In contention, 70's were great as well. If we could cheat 66-75 haha. Thanks Daniel!
Lowerquadrant. You know what I like more than the song, PB? The fact that I still have the 45 vinyl I bought in 66!
That is awesome! When I moved out of my house in the 80' my mom threw them all away!!!
One of the first vinyl records I bought as a kid was "Lenny and the Squigtones". There were a few episodes of Laverne and Shirley that featured Lenny and Squiggy performing as a group. I loved it (remember I was probably 9 years old). I played that record over and over and over. All the songs were funny lyrics with great music. Years later when I saw This Is Spinal Tap and realized Michael McKean was in both it totally made sense. Lenny and the Squigtones was the precursor to Spinal Tap.
haha there you go!
I was really taken by the sound of Pretty Ballerina when I was a teen back in the late ‘70s. I ended up buying their first album at a record collectors convention and liked it. Certainly these were the two best tracks, but I’ve Got Something on My Mind, Shadows Breaking Over My Head, Barterers and Their Wives, She May Call You Up Tonight are all good songs-very classic mid-60s reminiscent of The Lovin’ Spoonful and a less intellectual Simon & Garfunkel. While I’ve always liked both of these tracks, I’d say Pretty Ballerina is my favorite.
Great info, thanks Todd!
I saw these guys in the village back in the mid sixties at multiple venues. I recall just how extra-serious-serious they were about their gigs 'making sure everything was in place, the mics, and making sure the lighting worked, & instruments in place. At that particular time there was seven Left Banke musicians on stage. Note: When Renee hit the charts the band disappeared from the village scene. I'm unsure what happened to them but have learned they had internal personal probs.
Great memories and appreciate you sharing!
My daughter named after this song she was born 1986
Oh wow that is awesome Regina!
The 4 Tops recorded Walk Away Renee which gave an older slant on the song! Brings back lots of memories!
Great stuff!
I'm a first cousin to the lead vocalist ( R.I.P.) and these two songs have been a complete 50/50 tie, both so good, one can't decide.
oh wow thanks for weighing in!
I've always enjoyed the subtle drumming in Pretty Ballerina. I'm picking Pretty Ballerina.
Thanks for Watching!
There once was a cafe in my city in Adelaide called the Lefte Bank, now I know where the name probably came from
I would bet so. Thanks for watching!
Pretty Balarina piano cords are very cool. Always thought Warewolves of London kinda borrowed from it.
Thanks for Watching!
Shawn and Trey, The facts you research Shawn and you guys share are interesting to hear. They formed way back in 1965. I never heard of the Left Banke. I heard of the Right Banke. Lol Just joking. The first song has a solid Pop Rock sound with a blend of strings and rhythm tempo and cool drums. It does have a mid '60's sound. The flute always enhances the sound of a song. There is storytelling in the lyrics. You guys explained the song really well. The second song has a steady rhythm with a nice instrumental break. I agree on the meloncholy atmosphere. The vocal is cool. A story in the lyrics. Your comments are right on. I agree, both songs are strong. This is a tough choice for the winner. It's a split decision by you guys. I will choose the second song as the winner. I like the singing and fade out ending. Excellent song battle Arnie.
Figured you would like this one, great breakdown as always. Thanks Poet!
@@ReactionsToTheClassics Thank you Shawn and Trey. You are right, this is fom the 1960's. That's the music Era I gravitate more to. I enjoyed the accurate analyzing of these songs by you guys.. You guys are the best.
The Four Tops did a great cover, of Walk Away Renee.
Will check that out. Thanks!
So glad you guys went deep and picked up on Left Bank, takes me back
Thanks Pamela!
LoVe 'Em both ❤️ Pretty Ballerina seems slightly more intricate and sophisticated in construction me ction and lyrics t. I think it's just a matter of taste. They both tug my heart💔 Thanks Y'all ✌️
Thanks for Watching!
I love both these songs but I knew nothing about the band itself. Fascinating and bizarre stuff! Michael McKean was in the Left Banke?! Who the hell knew? That adds a whole new layer to his involvement with Spinal Tap.
Walk Away, Renee is my pick but both songs are real beauties.
Thanks Ilan and ya I had no idea Michael did anything outside of ST either
It was 1966,, I was learning to drive way back then. Thanks for the post.
Music brings back such great memories! Thanks for sharing and watching!
Steve Martin Caro had a great voice and I loved your analogy. I am a child of the 60's and really never knew what happened to Steve Martin Caro It made me sad as he had a great future and the ego of Tom Brown brought everything down. Supposedly Brown's father fired the original drummer as he was gay. Another sad story of this band.
So many sad stories in music from the 60's and early 70;s. Thanks Bobbie!
Jason Falkner also did a beautiful version of pretty Ballerina
I will check that out!
Very good assessment and analogy of what you think those songs were about, I ❤️ love those two songs Mike Brown wrote when he was either 17 or 18 years old, that’s along was amazing two pack all that in 2 or 3 minutes, that piano in Pretty Ballerina that stay’s in my head and your name and mine inside a heart on the wall still finds a way to haunt me tho there so small WOW, I’ve done things like that when I had my innocents
Thanks Joe appreciate it!
I an in the UK and although Left Banke never had any hits over here, I bought the album that these songs are on, and it is a gem of a record! Check the whole album, especially "She May Call You Up Tonight",
Will check it out. Thanks!
Feel like I've known Walk Away Renee forever and associated it with the Left Banke (tho never knew they had that 'e' at the end of their name) but am wondering if I know another version better, the Four Tops rendition perhaps? I say that as I was hearing it in my head a little differently to how they sang it here! Recognised Pretty Ballerina as well, but have certainly heard it a lot less over the years - liked both but am going to join Trey in giving the win to Pretty Ballerina.
Thanks JSB!
Pretty Ballerina is my favorite of the two. But it's a tough choice.
Thanks for Watching!
Nice, informative review. These teens were so accomplished. Corrections: "Renee" was a hit in the fall of 1966, not '65, and is available in beautiful true stereo. However, "Desiree" -- a truly amazing song as well -- has never been released in stereo.
ok
While both are excellent, Walk Away Renee wins it for me. It hits me emotionally and is incredibly catchy. Great reaction!
Super appreciate it and thanks for watching!
You can tell a great song by the number of covers it has from different artist. This one has at least four covers
Walk away Renee
Great point Vincent. Thanks for watching!
Want another Left Banke classic: definitely check out “Desiree.”
Really appreciate the suggestion and thanks for watching @dr.fritzfassbender4259!
I agree with Shawn's interpretation on Ballerina. He was overzealous. We've all been there. We'll, I have. Lol.
lol you know It Kevin!
Pretty Ballerina!
Thanks for Watching!
Fine songs. I think Walk away Renee is the only song a knew by this band. A very, very British sounding U.S. band.
Great point. Thanks Anna!
Walk away Renee can't be covered. Not even by them. It's strictly a one off ; a great timeless piece of music
Thanks for Watching!
Two incredible songs by this short lived (but superbly talented) group. Almost impossible to choose, but if I absolutely had to, Pretty Ballerina takes me places that Walk Away Renee does not.
Thanks for watching!
when the zombies had a hit with time of the season AFTER they had broken up, an american promoter put together a fake version of the zombies to tour which fetaured two future members of zz top.
Yes we have a review of their album up and we talk about all that craziness! They were greatness though!
There is a great video on youtube about the Left Banke called The LEFT BANKE: Band History
Will check it out, thanks!
I still have the original Walk Away Renee 45rpm. I was 12/13 when it was released. Still one of my favorite songs❤❤❤
That is great! Thanks LeAnn!
☮️❤️🙏🌍🌏🌎🇺🇸❤️☮️
Thanks for watching!
I personally love both of these songs intensely but I think the lead vocal on pretty Ballerina was sung a bit better, a bit prettier than Renee, but to me Renee show angst of a crush or infatuation which I experienced in my youth too. I'm also a songwriter and have written songs where total infatuation became the energy for creating a new song. And with the purpose of letting the girl hear it. Couple times it sold the girl on me for a couple of years relationship
Great comment and insight and hey the perks of being a songwriter right?
Always liked "Renee." Didn't remember "Pretty Ballerina" when I heard it in the 2000s, but it immediately became one of my top favorites, well ahead of "Renee".
Thanks for watching!
Loved Bryant Hotel too!
Thanks for Watching!
I was in high school when these were a thing. At the time Renee really affected me. It still does. Ballerina less so, but it’s a very pleasant listen. Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
OK, so who did in fact write Walk Away Renee? Brown or Sansone ...?
no idea i wasnt there
Love the Left Banke. Walk Away Renee is amore popular classic song. To me Pretty Ballerina melody is definitely more beautiful. I prefer the recording itself to that of WAR. But they are both great records.
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That's my nickname & l used that song to walk away from any problem or people that l couldn't handle.
haha that is great!
ps.Oops! Well, you know what I mean. Love the backstory ✌️ y'all
for sure! Thanks Raquel!
Pretty Ballarina!
I think what was missing in the story is Mike Brown was a minor when this was recorded at his step-dad's studio and the step-dad didn't approve of some of the members.
Yep that info wasnt anywhere that I could find so info will be missing on occasion. Appreciate you sharing and watching
Marshall Crenshaw said WAR is the most powerful song he's ever heard.
High praise!
When the Bee Gees 1st came out, they wrote “Holiday” Equally moody! Nothing like their disco days.
Hae a Bee Gees top 10 coming in the next few weeks! Thanks for watching!
Check out Shadows Breaking Over My Head, and There's Going to be a Storm.
Will check it out. Appreciate it!
Lived Walk away Renee. I was 15. Was one of my favorite songs 🎵 ❤️
Loved Walk away Renee ❤
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Renee also was a hit for the 4 Tops
Have to check that out! Thanks James!
These guys were just babies when they recorded this song. I think Steve Martin Caro was only 18.
oh wow that is crazy!
He was actually 17 when they recorded it. It released July 1966 and he didn't turn 18 til Oct '66.
shame there's no vid for the original
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The drums are specatular in both songs.
Agreed! Thanks for watching!
Pretty Ballirina 😍
Thanks for watching @aliciatemple8952!
I remember Walk Away Renee, but don’t recall Pretty Ballerina. There’s no way I would have remembered who did them. Interesting story about the band. Walk Away Renee is the far better song IMO.
Thanks Kevin!
❤pretty ballerina of coarse
Thanks for watching Joan!
@@ReactionsToTheClassics thankyou
Should have been a monster band but they could not get along. I love both songs.
Thanks for watching Tom!
A talented band that super novad to soon but produced 2 timeless classics.
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I went to high school with Mike Brown at Poly Prep … he was Mike Lookofsky then … his dad Harry was a violinist and session musician who was instrumental in putting these sessions together for the guys … it’s great stuff …
That is cool!
Renee of course!!!
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Pretty Ballerina
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Try she may call you up tonight
lol never know!
Browns father screwed them
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Stop with …. walk away Renee was better cause..it was a hit…….yes and it was great…however there are a lot of great songs that were not a big hit. …..pretty balletrina was way over the heads of the average tennie bobbers . half the baby boomers were 12 /13 years old when these songs came out..still listening to bubble gum music. EG…1910 fruit gum company…. Now today both songs. Get my vote for a tie…don’t care which climbed to the top…
Pretty ballerina lyrics are weird..no doubt…but it was the 60s
Had no idea songs that weren’t hits could be good quality, thanks for the lesson Chris! I’ve listened to over 2000 albums in the past 4 years and this never ever occurred to me.
I always felt she was killed or something...
Just walk away Renee was slightly better l think. It's just heart wrenching. I got in a debate with my friend who thought Pretty Ballerina was better. That was in the ninety's . Good songs don't die!
So true good songs last forever! Thanks Julie!
Pretty Ballerina clearly demonstrates that Walk Away Renee was just luck
lol can't agree with that one
What were you doing as a 16 yr old. These timeless, haunting melodies were written by a 16 yr old. LUCK??? Try talent!!
No disrespect to the Four Tops as a group, they were a great group all together. But their version of Walk Away Renee is cringe worthy. They really had no business covering this song, stick to Motown not pop. As far as the other guy covering, never heard, but I’m sure it doesn’t touch the Left Banke version.
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You’re crazy and have no appreciation to their version. What a pity.