John Scott Cree – A Saucy French Love Song (1978)
I’d like to introduce a fellow who contacted me recently. John Scott Cree is a comedy singer-songwriter and story teller who has 40 years experience gigging, recording and broadcasting as a solo comedy act in Britain.
In 1978, John recorded a little number entitled “A Saucy French Love Song” – a comedic dedication to HP Sauce. John also recorded and preserved a live performance on video, and now some 31 years later, he has edited and re-released the video using your images hosted on brownsauce.org (with permission)!
So, without further ado, I present John Scott Cree and “A Saucy French Love Song”:
As a kid in 50’s England, my Dad used to quote, by heart, the French ingredients from the HP sauce label. It was an easyish way to learn a bit of French and I duly put it to music for a school concert in 1964. Later, it became part of my act on the folk club and college circuit and, when Pye Records gave me a contract in 1978, I recorded it in a “Whiter shade of pale” mode, with Cliff Hall (Hammond B3), Ricky Hitchcock (guitar), Alan Jones (bass), and Pete Kircher (drums). Pye wanted it re-done with violins and I took the opportunity to re-do the vocals, with Linda Taylor, as a spoof of the cheesy 70’s song “Je t’aime …” Strings on this version are – Violins: Julian Gaillard, G. Palmer, D. McConnell, D. Moody, L. Rossi, L. Clay. Viola: W. Jones, G. Scott. Cello: Robin Firman, Denis Vigay. String arrangement by Mike Bailey. Produced by Tony Atkins. Pye didn’t release it.
This video uses live 1978 concert footage from Sallis Benney Theatre, Brighton UK, with images to match the song, courtesy of brownsauce.org and HJ Heinz. – John Scott Cree
More on John Scott Cree:
Many thanks to John for introducing us to this video. It has been a pleasure seeing this project come to light!
