(Norman Whitfield - Barrett Strong)
Australia
Dramatic progrock reworking of the Temptations’ psychedelic soul hit, featuring Barry Kelly on keyboards. On 1970 album Joint Effort (one of the finest Australian albums of the early 70s – Ian McFarlane). Also released as a single.
See also Teach Me How To Fly, Jeff St John & Copperwine’s greatest hit, and Big Time Operator by Jeff St John & The Id.
(Norman Whitfield - Barrett Strong)
UK
Retitled version of Cloud Nine, recorded in 1970. It was released in 1970 as the B-side of In A Broken Dream.
It later appeared on the 1972 album In A Broken Dream. The album’s release had been delayed until after a second single of In A Broken Dream had become a #3 hit in the UK (1972, with a different B-side).
Three members of Python Lee Jackson were Australians who had been in a defunct Australian band of the same name formed in 1966. Their London sessions were notable for the participation of Rod Stewart on some tracks, including this one and the hit In A Broken Dream.
See also Python Lee Jackson – Um Um Um Um Um Um.
References: 1. Ian McFarlane, Encyclopedia of Australian Rock & Pop. 2. Research by Tony, St Louis MO, posted to SongFacts forum.
Further reading: Python Lee Jackson biography by Richie Unterberger at All Music.
(Norman Whitfield - Barrett Strong)
USA
On Tamla album That's The Way Love Is.
(Norman Whitfield - Barrett Strong)
USA
On October 1969 album Nitty Gritty on Motown's Soul label.
(Norman Whitfield - Barrett Strong)
USA
Original version
#6 USA
Single on Gordy, October 1968. Also on the album Cloud Nine (1969). Produced by Norman Whitfield.
On some tracks of Cloud Nine the star Motown pop vocal group experimented with more funky, psychedelic sounds and socially aware lyrics, apparently influenced by the innovations of Sly & The Family Stone. Newly recruited lead singer Dennis Edwards, replacing David Ruffin, also appeared for the first time.
Further reading: 1. Review of Cloud Nine at Wilson & Alroy’s Record Reviews. 2. Amy Hanson’s review at All Music.
(Norman Whitfield - Barrett Strong)
USA
Later version
On 1971 album Involved, on the Gordy label.
(Norman Whitfield - Barrett Strong)
USA
Later version
Track on Mongo at Montreaux by Cuban-born percussionist (1922-2003) best known outside jazz circles for his 1963 pop crossover hit with Herbie Hancock’s Watermelon Man (#10 USA).
Further reading: Mongo Sanamaria biography by Richard S. Ginell at All Music.
(Norman Whitfield - Barrett Strong)
USA
Later version
On 1971 album on Stax, Memphis Experience. The Mar-Keys were the house band at Memphis soul label Stax but, as Richie Unterberger points out at All Music, the album was really a grab-bag of tracks recorded by various Stax musicians and was a Mar-Keys album in name only.
Reissues of Cloud Nine by Rod Stewart appear to be of his recording with Python Lee Jackson (see above).
(George Harrison)
UK
Red herring
#4 Perth
SAME TITLE BUT NOT THE SAME SONG AS 'CLOUD NINE' BY JEFF ST JOHN & COPPERWINE.
Track on album Cloud Nine (1987) by former Beatle.
Cloud Nine is a much used song title. The Songview database by BMI and ASCAP lists hundreds of songs called Cloud Nine. The expression cloud nine is a common one, meaning a state of elation or great happiness (Dictionary.com)
Title format: George Harrison's album is Cloud Nine, but the song is shown on the LP sleeve and label as Cloud 9. The song's BMI listing shows Cloud Nine.
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