Lyr Req/Add: Stranger on the Shore (Mellin/Bilk)

Subject: RE: req/ADDPOP: Stranger on the Shore
From: Jack Campin
Date: 18 Jun 09 - 09:08 PM

Exactly how do you scorch a clarinet reed? All over or at some selected point? Where is this trick described?

Subject: RE: req/ADDPOP: Stranger on the Shore
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 18 Jun 09 - 08:57 PM

Loved it, loved it, loved it!

Subject: RE: req/ADDPOP: Stranger on the Shore
From: Bernard
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 07:38 AM

One of those rare instances where a tune has a very wide and enduring appeal. I must admit, thought, the slushy strings in the original arrangement tend to get on my nerves!!

Subject: RE: req/ADDPOP: Stranger on the Shore
From: Effsee
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 10:59 PM

I seem to remember that "Stranger on the shore" holds the record for being in the Pop charts for the longest time of any record.
Something like about 15 months in the top 20?
Memory hold the door!

Subject: RE: req/ADDPOP: Stranger on the Shore
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 08:56 PM

The things that one can learn by reading random Mudcat threads.

Thanks, I guess.

Charles Noble

Subject: RE: req/ADDPOP: Stranger on the Shore
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 02:56 PM

'Acker' is a West Country term for 'mate' or friend.

Thanks, Terry. That's interesting to know.

Subject: RE: req/ADDPOP: Stranger on the Shore
From: Bernard
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 01:46 PM

A little aside... it seems Acker uses No.1 clarinet reeds (the softest, normally only used by beginners), but scorches them before use. A jazz clarinettists trick, it seems, for obtaining mellow low notes and piercing high notes. Anyone else heard this one?

Subject: RE: req/ADDPOP: Stranger on the Shore
From: Terry McDonald
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 01:39 PM

His real name is Bernard Bilk and he appears on an early Ken Colyer record with that name. 'Acker' is a West Country term for 'mate' or friend. The tune, according to Acker, is based on 'Trouble in Mind' and I think it came to him during a taxi ride.

Subject: RE: req/ADDPOP: Stranger on the Shore
From: Cool Beans
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 01:33 PM

I never knew there were lyrics. Having given a just cursory read I can easily expunge them from my mind, leaving memories of only a sweet-sounding clarinet. Somebody's name was really Acker Bilk? Any relation to Bent Fabric?

Subject: RE: req/ADDPOP: Stranger on the Shore
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 08:54 AM

I remember liking that recording when it came out. What a refreshing change from the usual garbage by Elvis, Annette Funicello, etc, which was dumped upon me. In contrast, 'Stranger on the Shore' was warm, complex and mysterious.

However, I shall be making every effort to expunge those lyrics from my mind. Talk about sappy! Brrrr!

Subject: RE: req/ADDPOP: Stranger on the Shore
From: Rowan
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 09:45 PM

A news item broadcast on the ABC (Oz) in 1962 concerned the Indonesian invasion of West Papua (described by the Indonesians as Irian Jaya), ousting the last vestiges of Dutch colonisation in SE Asia. The first music played after the news item was an instrumental version of Stranger on the Shore; the announcer who played it was reprimanded publicly.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: req/ADDPOP: Stranger on the Shore
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 09:25 PM

I do indeed remember it and your summary (homesick French girl) is all I can really remember --- but my dad and I both LOVED Aker Bilk's playing of the Title tune. I remember saving my pennies up so I could have 6/- 8d to buy the single or my dad and then he turned around and bought it for me.....

Subject: RE: req/ADDPOP: Stranger on the Shore
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 15 Jun 09 - 10:44 AM

"Stranger on the Shore" was a BBC TV childrens' serial in the early 60's which I can remember - something about a French girl who was homesick, I think - it would be good to see it again! The tune was the theme for it.

Anyone else remember it (the serial)?

Subject: RE: req/ADDPOP: Stranger on the Shore
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Jun 09 - 06:55 AM

Along with a LOT of other Jazz Fans , I was NOT enamoured 0f Acker's move to Muzak , though he DID , fortunately carry on playing Good Jazz .

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Stranger on the Shore
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Jun 09 - 01:25 AM

Somebody sent me a MIDI of this tune, saying they couldn't identify it. I guess since I am "of an age," I recognized it right away. It's a song I've always liked, and I think Mr. Acker Bilk did a wonderful job of it. I suppose the arrangement of it is a bit like elevator music, but Acker Bilk's clarinet is wonderful.
You can see a YouTube video here (click) and a Wikipedia biograpy of Acker Bilk here (click). He looks pretty young in most pictures you'll find on the Internet, but you'll find more recent photos on his Website (click).

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Stranger On The Shore,------words please
From: Reta to Joe
Date: 20 Dec 98 - 10:15 AM

Andy Williams?????? All I can say is he knows how to ruin a great song. Never did care for his singing. Thanks again for all your info Joe.

Blessings Reta

Subject: RE: Stranger On The Shore,------words please
From: Reta to Joe
Date: 14 Dec 98 - 09:00 AM

Thank you so much! I have wanted those words for years. I do have the CD by Acker Bilk, which I am nutty about, but there is only a face plate and no words for any of the music. You are very kind to take so much time. I will attempt to find the others you mention also.

Thank you again! And again!

Reta

Subject: ADDPOP: STRANGER ON THE SHORE
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Dec 98 - 02:01 AM

The Folk Police may get me, but could it be this one, by Mr. Acker Bilk??

STRANGER ON THE SHORE
The Drifters
Music by Mr. Acker Bilk
Words by Robert Mellin
Peaked at # 73 in 1962

This is a vocal cover of the instrumental by Mr. Acker Bilk's #1 two months earlier. Andy Williams also covered it at the same time to # 38. It was used as the title tune of a British TV show.

Here I stand, watching the tide go out
So all alone and blue
Just dreaming dreams of you
I watched your ship as it sailed out to sea
Taking all my dreams
And taking all of me

The sighing of the waves
The wailing of the wind
The tears in my eyes burn
Pleading, "My love, return"

Why, oh, why must I go on like this?
Shall I just be a lonely stranger on the shore?

The sighing of the waves
The wailing of the wind
The tears in my eyes burn
Pleading, "My love, return"

Why, oh, why must I go on like this?
Shall I just be a lonely stranger on the shore?

Subject: Stranger On The Shore,------words please
From: Reta in Virginia
Date: 13 Dec 98 - 09:40 PM

I would greatly appreciate any information that will help me find these words. It's old, ww2, but a great one.

Thanks in advance. U are all super nice.

Regards Reta