Search - Nancy Sinatra :: Nancy in London

Nancy's first move towards easy listening pop.

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 07/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Remember, the pop ideological conflict going on in the 1960's, whether it be mods versus rockers or hipsters versus the squares? Well, on her third outing, Nancy Sinatra veers more to the squares corner, as evidenced from the opener, "On Broadway" and "The End." Lots of horns and strings there."Step Aside" is a humorous number about an obnoxious jerk of a boyfriend. Dig the latter part of the chorus: "Step aside and let me through/or I may walk right over you." And this bit here: "You have made it plain to see/what you really think of me/I don't want to hear another word you say/cuz, if I listen anymore/you might be talking from the floor." That's tellin' him, Nancy! Remember, those boots are still made for walkin'!
A cousin of this song might be Blondie's "Just Go Away."Favorite songs are the lush "I Can't Grow Peaches On A Cherry Tree," her duet with Lee Hazlewood on "Summer Wine," "Friday's Child," "100 Years," and the incomparable "You Only Live Twice.""Peaches" has as its message that love is for those who seek it and how impossible it is for someone who's full of love to give to someone who doesn't want it. Sample lyrics: "Love is an illusion that must end in sad confusion/if that's what you feel/that's just how it will be." and "for you can't be loved unless you want to be."She seems to be some kind of siren on "Summer Wine," with Lee Hazlewood the cowboy who's overcome by the title beverage, losing his silver spurs and $1.10. What is summer wine? "Strawberries, cherries, and an angels kissing spring/My summer wine is really made from all these things." She only sings the chorus while Lee sings the verses. Great one, there.The depressing bluesy-soul of "Friday's Child" is one of my favorite Nancy Sinatra tunes. "Friday's child/Hard luck is her brother, Friday's child/her sister's misery, Friday's child/her daddy they call hard times." The second verse has personal parallels with me: "Friday's child/born a little ugly, Friday's child/good looks passed her by, Friday's child/makes something look like nothing." A more refined version is on Movin' With Nancy.On "100 Years," Nancy sings how she'll hold out for her ideal mate. A summary of this song is in the closing lyrics: "For me true love could be 100 years away, and if it is, I'll wait."As for "You Only Live Twice," it's the best James Bond song hands down, with its beautiful strings and the words explaining the title track, "One life for yourself and one life for your dreams." I have major beef with Robbie Williams for sampling such a lovely song like "You Only Live Twice" for his piddling song "Millennium." "Twice" and "Peaches" are the two best reasons for buying this album. Other bits: she does a decent cover of Dusty Springfield's "Wishin' And Hopin'." And there's yet another duet with her "dear old Dad." While I like "Life's A Trippy Thing" better than "Somethin' Stupid," it clearly shows her to be on the non-hip "goodies" side. "Getting stoned on sunshine, getting high on air." is clearly a dig at the hippie scene. She'd be marching along with Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, and Lulu. "Shades" and "Hutchison Jail" play a little on the country side.A change of style for Nancy, but made wonderful by her singing them so well and coming out on her own instead of being eclipsed by her famous father."

Bright and brassy Miss Nancy!

J. Stearns | San Francisco, CA | 12/12/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Nancy In London" (1966) is perhaps Nancy's most overlooked album. The reason may be that the "hit" it was based around was "Friday's Child," which only charted as high as #36 on Billboard. However, it deserves a second look, if not a first, as this album proves Nancy's sensational musical ability and versatility. Each track tackles different genres and Nancy glides through each with tremendous ease. "On Broadway," the lead-off is a bright and brassy '60s gem, which is followed by the soft "The End." Within these first two tracks we hear Nancy's incredible abilities, switching from loud, bright vocals to a more delicate, softer arrangement. The country flavored "Step Aside," is next and is a delight. This is followed by"I Can't Grow Peaches On A Cherry Tree," which may be one of Nancy's most overlooked songs. There aren't enough words to describe the brilliance of the next track, "Summer Wine," a duet with Lee Hazlewood. "Wishin' & Hopin'" (the Bacharach-David tune) and "This Litte Bird" are great. "Shades," the next track is a bit of a downer, but picks right up with the next song "The More I See You." Switching back to country, "Hutchinson Jail" comes next, but falls short of the excitement of the previous country number "Step Aside." "Friday's Child," (noted by Nancy many times as a personal favorite) is a beautiful '60s power-ballad. The version contained on such hits packages as Rhino's "The Hit Years," is a vibrant rendition whereas the album version is more subdued, and screams '60s pop. However, in some aspects the album version is better, but lacks the powerful vocal ability of the single version. "Nancy In London," from the first listen proves to be a delight and the four bonus tracks included on the CD match the excitement of the original album. "100 Years" is an emotional, beautiful power-ballad and "You Only Live Twice" is perhaps the BEST James Bond theme ever. Nancy's relaxed vocals behind the brassy arrangement are mesmerizing. "Tony Rome" (another movie theme from the same-titled film starring dad Frank) is fun, yet corny, but not so much as the last track "Life's A Trippy Thing," a duet with dad Frank. One has to wonder what Nancy and Frank were thinking when they agreed to record a song which exclaims "I'm proud to be a ding-a-ling." Uh, ok. It's goofy, but OH so much fun and "Nancy In London" is pure '60s magic!"

Nancy in balance!

Ward J. Lamb | slate hill, new york United States | 06/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This lp/cd has long been a Nancy Sinatra triumph in my book. It strikes a common chord with it's pop/country tinges,and Sinatra's alto fits most of the tunes perfectly.

The hit "Fridays' child" is a morose almost comical bitter tune about a misbegotten girl,tough as nails and morbid to boot!

Nancy's sweet version of "THe end" has a simplicity that delivers it's sweet paen to endings.."Shades" reminds us that above all Nancy is the queen of cool sixties..She scores again with the poignant "I can't grow cherrys on an apple tree. A song that reminds us of ur emotional desires and their limits.

The cover of this cd/lp is pure carnaby street...but the recordings have little to do with London..but it's fashionable!!

This cd,and Country my way are two of Nancy's best.Buy it if you like simple straight-shooting pop music!!

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