Redneck Chic
The song was different than what was presently being played on AFN in Europe, I was still stationed in Germany at Stuttgart Army Airfield. It to me was the precursor to the music that would become popular in the 1990's. "Black Velvet" is a song written by Canadian songwriters Christopher Ward and David Tyson, recorded by Canadian singer songwriter Alannah Myles. It was released in December 1989 as one of four singles from Myles' 1989 eponymous album from Atlantic Records. It became a number-one hit for two weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1990 and reached number one on the Album Rock Tracks chart, as well as number ten in her native Canada and number two on the UK Singles Chart. The song also reached number one in Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland and was a major success in several other countries. It contains blues verses with a rock chorus.
Myles won the 1991 Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for the song and the 1990 Juno Award for Single of the Year. Since its release, the power ballad has received substantial airplay, receiving a "Millionaire Award" from ASCAP in 2005 for more than four million radio plays.
Atlantic Records, much to the disappointment of Myles, for whom the song had been written, gave the song for country artist Robin Lee to record. In the United States, Myles' version was released in December 1989, while Lee's version was released two months later, in February 1990. This led to Myles being promoted by Atlantic on the pop and rock radio stations, and Lee on the country radio stations. Lee even filmed a videoclip to the song very similar to Myles' video.
Myles released a new version of the song on a digitally released Elvis tribute EP to commemorate the 30 years since his death in August 2007. It was later included on her 2008 Black Velvet CD.
The music video, directed by Doug Freel, was partially shot in Myles' family ranch in Buckhorn, Ontario. Myles is seen singing at a cabin porch with her guitarist, intercut with scenes from Myles in concert with her band.
I actually remember that one! :-)
ReplyDeleteI graduated high school in 1978. In 1989, I was in the process of a divorce. I had been a high school musician, a sax player, and I hate sound too much of an egotist, but I was a member of the United States Hall of Fame Band. I had pretty much given up on music, due to a wife and kids.
ReplyDeleteWell, I got divorced, and needed something to keep my mind off of the situation, so I found a rock and roll band called Tradewinds, looking for a horn player. I joined up,and played for a few years with them, mostly saxophones, but also some guitar and flute.
Black Velvet was one of the songs we did. Our group consisted of two sisters who had voices that stuck out, because they were so good, in a rural area like the one I lived in. We also had a bass player and a drummer, plus a guitar player who, along with drummer, sang as well.
We were all in our early to mid 30's, with families. Most of our band always spoke of wanting to " make it." Meaning to try and sign with a decent promoter and get a big contract. But the thing is, no matter how good you are, and we actually were pretty much head and shoulders above the average bands in our area, you have to play just for the love of the music. Because there are a thousand and one other groups out there who want it just as badly as you. And it really doesn't matter all that much even back then, but especially now, how good you are. They look for a certain style, and a certain look, from you. The singing and the musical instruments, they can hide, with the equipment and by sneaking in a musician here and there. Sad story, but true. So you have to play true to yourself, and the music you like. If you make it, great. If you don't, great. It is all about having fun.