THE CRYING GAME – 60 YEARS ON
21/08/24 09:03
THE CRYING GAME – 60 YEARS ON
John Firminger marks the 60th. anniversary of a classic hit and its local connection .
On the 6th. August, 1964, Dave Berry’s recording of “The Crying Game” reached the number 5 position in Britain’s pop charts, marking six decades.
Having previously enjoyed a couple of lower chart hits, this would give Dave his ‘career song’ and one that he’d always be mostly associated with.
However when Dave and his band, The Cruisers first heard the demo of the song, they thought it unsuitable, compared to their previous discs, the R&B styled “Memphis, Tennessee” and “My Baby Left Me”.
What they did like though about the demo was the guitar playing of session great Big Jim Sullivan who was using a foot-volume control to create that special sound, reminiscent of Santo & Johnny’s classic instrumental “Sleep Walk”. Original Cruisers’ guitarist Frank White was a little baffled at the time regarding Sullivan’s playing technique, but managed to fathom it out and re-create it onstage on his newly purchased Gibson twin neck" guitar, the first one imported into the UK.
Albeit a little reluctantly, Dave eventually went ahead and recorded the song written by Air-line traffic controller and part-time songwriter Geoff. Stephens and under the guidance of Decca Record’s producer Mike Smith.
Typical of the chemistry that so often goes towards creating a hit record, the combination of Sullivan’s guitar playing and Dave’s ‘vunerable’ vocal style resulted in a wistful and instantly identifiable bona fide Britpop classic. Its slightly ‘mystique’ arrangement would give the record its own atmosphere which would also serve as a perfect compliment for Dave’s individual stage-act.
While subsequent versions of the song by artists like Boy George and used as a film score, have enjoyed their own successes, Dave’s recording remains the definitive version that everybody knows and will continue to be so and gives him the recognition of one of Sheffield’s great musical ambassadors.
