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Dobba - Guitar
Norbert - Vocals Yet another cover with a Fingolstones twist. The inspiration this time being the classic Led Zep number "Stairway to Heaven". Never before had Dobbas guitar sounded so beautiful and Norberts vocals so mournful. Production of the number was beset by technical problems. The intro to the song was quite tricky and although Dobba could get it right every time Norbert could never come in a the right moment to begin singing. Therefore the track was laid down in two parts. First the guitar intro and then the main body of the song with the vocals. The two were then mixed together to provide an almost seamless progression throughout the song. This was achieved simply by recording the intro and then stopping the tape. The tape was then restarted as the second element of the song was played. If one listens closely one can hear the quiet click of the tape recorder being switched on as the second part begins. Although there was an option to have this click removed during the remastering process that saw the song converted to CD format it was decided to leave it in as it added to the charm of the track.
The lyrics are adapted from the original in typical Fingolstones style. Although she is never mentioned by name the song is actually about a lass by the name of Claire Hunt. Claire was a hippyish bird that both Dobba and Norbert had had a dabble with. The song is somewhat unfair in labelling her a "whore" but at least it rhymed with "more". So why "Stairway to Intrest" (yes that's how you spell it). Well it was just one of those sayings of the day, someone would say something, anything really and the other person would look very bored and reply "Intrest" in an ironic condescending sort of way. Very juvenile but highly amusing at the time. One of the most controversial bits of the song is Norberts wailing of "oohh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh". Before recording the song Norbert practised trying to mimic the original Robert Plant wail. He soon found that he had neither the talent nor vocal range to do it justice and therefore adapted it to his own unique style. Some say that this ruins the song whilst others agree that it has a certain charm. Whatever your opinion there is no doubt that it makes the hairs on your neck stand up one way or another. Or should that be "puts your teeth on edge". |
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The real Stairway To Heaven. A bit better than the Fingolstones ? You decide.
