It Never Rains in Southern California Cover
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ก.ย. 2024
- Released October 21, 1972, this week’s “Remake of a Classic” comes to us from Albert Hammond’s album, “It Never Rains in Southern California”. Written by Hammond and Mike Hazelwood, the song reached number 5 on Billboard’s Top 100, and was Hammond’s only top 10 hit. He provided the lead vocal, but it was members of L.A.’s famous Wrecking Crew who did everything else. According to Hammond, the tune was written in London, before he and Hazelwood came to Los Angeles.
“We knew we were coming, and I've been telling Mike the story of me in Spain when I started, and how I was asking for money outside of train stations because I had no money to eat and I didn't want to tell my parents. My cousin was on honeymoon then, and he came out of the train station and saw me, and I didn't even know it was him... I just asked him for some money, too. And he said 'you should be ashamed, I'm gonna tell your father,' and I said 'please, don't tell him, he'll go crazy and stop me doing this!' And then he took me back into the hotel, I had a bath, he gave me some clean clothes and some money. I moved on, but he did tell my father, you know. All these things like 'will you tell the folks back home I nearly made it' and all that stuff came from that era of my life when I was struggling, trying to make it, trying to get from Morocco to Spain, from Spain to England, from England to America. That struggle you go through, that's It never rains in Southern California, the story of my life."
He may have started out begging for money at train stations, but since then he has written a string of commercially successful singles for Celine Dion, Joe Dolan, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Leo Sayer, Tina Turner, Glen Campbell, Julio Iglesias, Willie Nelson, Lynn Anderson and Bonnie Tyler, and bands Ace of Base, Air Supply, Blue Mink, Chicago, Heart, Living in a Box, the Carpenters, the Hollies, the Pipkins, Starship, and Westlife. Notable songs co-written by Hammond include "Make Me an Island" and "You're Such a Good Looking Woman" by Joe Dolan, "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" by Starship, "One Moment in Time" sung by Whitney Houston, "The Air That I Breathe", a hit for the Hollies, "To All the Girls I've Loved Before", a Julio Iglesias/Willie Nelson duet, and "When I Need You" by Leo Sayer. In 2015, he received the British Academy's Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection.
Doing this tune was pretty straight forward; there really isn’t any surprises, musically. One annoying thing, though. When I uploaded the videos to my computer I discovered the video of me playing the piano part wasn’t there….I guess I missed hitting the record button. I could have gone back and shot a video of me acting like I was playing the piano, but I shoot each video as I’m actually playing and singing each part, in real time. Pretending to play the piano would be cheating. So that’s why there isn’t a video of me playing the piano part.
Sad thing is there are people out there making 20 million a year singing boring songs and do not have half the talent that Russ has. Russ sings, plays bass, guitar, keyboards, drums and sizzling electric lead if need be Now what does he not do. Also I have no idea on how everything is synchronized so perfectly.
Wow..thanks so much. I really appreciate the kind comments!
That's right.
I could not agree more ! People with the talent that Russ has are very rare ! How he makes his voice fit each and every song is totally amazing,I don’t mean just on key either !
Amen
Outstanding Russ
keep doing what you are doing. we r going to support u
I definitely prefer your cover of this tune!!!
I appreciate it very much!
That’s really good. Well done.
Thanks, Steve!
Soy chilena me encanta tu voz tu música una enamorada suerte y éxito espero me responda 😂❤
this is so GOOD
Thanks!
Me encantas
Wonderful cover sir...🎉
😲Russ! You're Everyone's
Favorite Singer! Guitarist!
Drummer! 🎶🎶🎶🎶🇺🇲
😲I think you're one of the GREATEST! Thanks for Sharing Your Music! 🎶
I really appreciate it, Mike...thanks!
Congratulationks! I 've never heard something like that. Beatiful cover. Congratulations, again and again...
Good job friend
Thank you so much, Ronald!
Yeah this guy is fantastic.Been listening on ytmusic app just as songs.Just now paid attention to video and see its just one BadAss Dude.
One of my all time favorite songs. Another excellent production Russ!
Thanks much, Eric! Best to you!
Good🎉
Thanks a million!
Excellent in every way. Congratulations.
So glad you like it...many thanks!
I wish I knew someone like Russ to be in a band with.Serious!
Thanks so much for listening, and for the kind words!
Wow this is so amazing piece of cover! Really appreciate your talent 👍
Great video,great voice 👍👍
Many thanks; I appreciate it so much!
Russ! I like your version very much!
Thank you very much!
Well done good job!👏👏👏
Thank you! 😃
Great cover, loved it, the drummer looked like he was having a lot of fun 😊.
I was...thanks!
Excellent cover version Mr. Willoughby!👍
Thanks Jeff!
Simply Super. End of the day what's more to Achieve. A real Entertainer.🌈🎶👏✌️👍
A masterclass.
Thanks for listening!
Excelente, soy tu fan desde hoy
hello my friend , felicitations je decouvre votre version de cette belle chanson d albert hammond , je vais le fairre aussi a la guitare c parfait beau travail amities de france Michel
Albert Hammond another one hit wonder classic...Russ as usual... did it justice...
Many thanks, indeed!
great, just great. wow... great.
Thanks so much!
Hi Russ, MAD RESPECT for your multiple talents ! All the best from Las Vegas ! :) Just discovered your channel.
Thanks and welcome; I appreciate it!
My parents decided to move us from California to Kentucky in February 1972 (My junior year in High School). When this song came out, it became my theme song - Great Job! Now, if you'll just do "Chevy Van" by Sammy Johns, my life will be complete... LOL!!!
Thanks so much, Phillip! I actually have "Chevy Van" on the list of possibilities.....cool tune, for sure!
Russ, this song is one of those I never get tired listening to. You are awesome. Love it. I will share this vid with others. Thank you for this gift of music.❤🎉
You have a great voice, my friend. I want to buy you a beer.
Thanks so much!
You are very welcome, Sir!
@@russwilloughby501
One of my all-time favorite songs from the early 70s! Good job Russ!
Yeah, it's a cool one....thanks a lot!
Very nice, Russ!
Thanks for listening...I appreciate it, Rich!
Such a beautiful song. Your version is equally great, as usual.
Thanks...it is a great tune, right? Best to you, Rene!
Awesome. I also much appreciate the info you post.
My pleasure! Thanks!
Just found this great cover! It is such well performed. Brings back the memories when listening to this with my family...
Glad I could bring back some good memories...thanks so much!
Multi talented,always a great choice of music,love the split screens ,fantastic
Glad you enjoyed it...thanks so much!
Damn! This is good! I can't imagine how much work it took to make it.
Every time we have someone over I pull out my laptop and treat them to your music. Doing my best to spread the word! :)
Thanks, Ian....I really appreciate it!
Another outstanding job Russ! I always look forward to your next release and you never disappoint!
Thanks Tony, I appreciate that!
Russ...you're amazing🥰🥰🥰
Thanks Katia...I appreciate it very much!
Timeless Song
Absolutely Nice performed
Thanks so much!
I am listening to this from Japan 🇯🇵 I like your version as well as the original one!
Thank you very much! Glad you like it!
Só good ❤️
The best cover Ive ever seen
Real talented Man
Much Love from Brasil 🙏🔥💓
Thank you! Greetings from Indiana!
So glad to watch your videos!
One of my all time favorite songs.
Glad to hear...thanks for listening!
Excelente ! Muchas gracias por traernos estos hermosos clásicos
Many thanks; glad you like it!
Another great cover. Takes me right back to the ‘70’s. Still a big AH fan. Thank you.
Thanks so much for listening in!
A fellow Albert Hammond fan - great cover 😁👍👏
Thanks very much!
What a talent. Love love.
Wow amazing talent God bless sir
Thanks a ton!
Spot on
You are really an awesome band !!!!! Fantastic vocals and music ...... and outstanding sound quality too !!!
Many thanks!!
Nice👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍☘
This is absolutely excellent!!! I was playing this song today busking in the street solo. It sounds great even just with an acoustic guitar and vocal. A sign of a great song. ;) I wouldn't have a clue how to play the other parts that you're playing. Your voice sounds like that of a 21 year old.
Another outstanding job!! And btw... u are a one man wrecking crew!! Ha! Love reading the background history and that u actually take the time to respond to comments!!!
Thanks Chris! I figure if folks take the time to say nice things the least I can do is thank them.
By far my favorite cover/version of this song (my 10 year old agrees too!). Thanks for sharing!
You and your 10 year old have great taste in music! Thanks so much!
Please leave the singer home next time 😂 super production Russ
He IS at home. Thanks much!
FREAKIN AMAZIN !!!!!!
Thanks!
One of my favorite songs...excellent cover...congrats
Thank so much!
Just simply amazing russ..
Dang I love this!
Glad to hear it...thanks!
Oh.... Great!!!
Thank you!
Great job, Thanks Russ
You are very welcome; thanks so much!
Continue to love the backstories you include, thanks :)
Thanks a lot, Heather...I appreciate it!
I have no musical training. However, it would be interesting if you would list for us, the musical instruments and music equipment you own. I see it stacked all around the wall of your make-do studio. Thanks for another great gig........
Steve
responding from his home outside a very small town in an extremely rural part of the State of Mississippi, USA
Thanks Steve. Someday I might get around to doing an inventory...but in a nutshell there are five amps, four drum sets, 13 guitars and two basses.
Great job on an old gem! Your background vocals are always superb!
Thanks Sy....I appreciate the kind words!
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💯
Just stumbled on this song. At the end, I immediately subscribed to your channel - which I don't do very often, tbh. Thanks, so excited to hear more from you!
Awesome! Thank you!
Wow 🤩
Thanks for listening!
Such a great song and you do it so well!
I appreciate it!
Very nice rendition, thank you
Thank you too!
Terrific cover!
Many thanks!
Outstanding as always Russ!
Many thanks, Rod; much appreciated!
Beautiful! Very well done!
Thank you so much 😀
@@russwilloughby501 Most welcome. Keep up the good work!
Wow!!! A super talent!! Great covers!
Thank you so much!!
Wow! You guys totally rock!
Thanks Peter...WE appreciate it!
Another gem
Thanks, Bill!
Great job Russ! Love it!
Thanks Nick! Hope you are well!
That’s awesome.
Thanjks!
No problem.
Still awesome!
Thanks so much!
Clicked like in 10 secs
Thanks much; I appreciate it!
Nailed it!!!!
Many thanks!
This is still handmade music. Wonderful. You are doing very well Russ.
Thanks a ton!
Awesome as usual, excellent renditions.
As always, many thanks!
Your harmony is spot on. Another wonderful cover. New sub.
Wow, thank you!
super level claps...claps..claps....
Many thanks for listening!
Great song and great cover! I really enjoyed it! So, what’s your process for recording? Which things do you do first, Russ?
hanks much. It depends, really. Sometimes it's a guitar, sometimes it's the bass...just depends on the song. Usually I start with a part that's consistent throughout the song, then build on that.
I often find myself enjoying Russ more than the original.
Awe, thanks so much!
Muito bom. Very good.
Thanks!
Just to be able to sing That well would be good enough for me!
Many thanks!
Very nice
Thanks for watching!
For whatever reasons, your channel popped up in my youtube feed, and I'm very grateful. I have enjoyed your cover songs, and I'm sure you are tired of hearing from everyone saying how amazing you are. You are simply amazing and I appreciate you took the time to do this so the world can enjoy your talent.
I think Baby Come Back from the Player would be a great cover for you. Would you consider it? Either way, keep up the good work!
Wow, thank you! I actually have considered BCB...great tune! You never know!
❤❤❤
Thanks for listening!
Nota 1.000 Russ. brazil
Glad you like it! Thanks!
Super Excelente version, de Albert Hammond, Nunca llueve en el Sur de California, ME ENCANTO!!!!!
That was good! Very entertaining!👏 👍
(Just to keep the record straight everyone, this song is really in the key of Bm.)
Thanks much! Yes, it's Bm, which is what I'm playing it in (capo on the 2nd fret).
@@russwilloughby501
Yes Russ, but with all due respect to you, Albert Hammond doesn't use a capo on this song. It's in the key of Bm (standard tuning)
th-cam.com/video/Gmq4WIjQxp0/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the reply!
Keep up the great work! 👍
@@frankkoller2622 Thank much, Frank. BTW, here's a video with him using a capo..th-cam.com/video/2p2Ew52up3A/w-d-xo.html which is odd because his fingering is the same as if he's not using a capo, and it's still in Bm, which means the guitar is tuned down.
@@russwilloughby501
Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue! 😱 Lol
That is weird, huh?
Well, we'll find out Russ. I sent an inquiry to Mr. Hammond asking which is the correct way. With, or without a capo, or is it both? We'll see.
Thanks 🤔👍
O cara é Bombril!
Thanks so much for listening!
I am not a musician but I love to sing. Is there anyway to start off with basic machines that help you to do what you do (like not expensive studio equipment)? I am so interested in mixing vocals and instruments. I love your covers!
Thanks so much. I think you're asking if there is an inexpensive way for you to record vocals and instruments. If I were you I'd take a look at Sweetwater to see if they offer something that might fit your needs and budget.