NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED - (Challenge 59253-B) Out of Los Angeles, this tune written by Jimmy Seals, Keith McKendrick & Dash Crofts was featured as the flip side to 'Stranger In Paradise', the second of three singles issued by The GALENS on the Challenge label.
Recorded at Hollywood's Gold Star Studios in May 1964, the atmospheric, echo drenched Bill Justis arranged backing track of 'Chinese Lanterns' begins with a dramatic reverberating sound of a gong. Charlene Knight's dreamy lead vocals riding effortlessly above it all with background vocals by fellow group members in effective gong-like interjections .
Managed by Faye Paris, mother of the Paris Sisters, and led by pianist Norman 'Galen' Harris, only the first Galens single from 1963, 'Baby, I Do Love You' / 'Love Bells' charted. This second wonderful disc as well as their final single with the label, 'I Love You More Than You Know' / 'Young Dreams' both unfortunately came and went without a trace.
Miss Knight had a previous solo release on the tiny L.A. Pamala label in 1962 entitled, 'If You Pass Me By'. It's a deliciously intoxicating platter of first class L.A. Girl Pop than now commands a handful of cash for an original styrene disc.
* An alternate, faster tempo version of 'Chinese Lanterns' was also recorded by the group. Galen Harris thought that the first version was a bit too slow but it eventually was the selected take chosen for the single.
Listen to the alternate version of 'Chinese Lanterns': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBFKN7ytE8Y
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