line up 1  

- Ellie Greenwich (RIP 2009) -- vocals, accordion

  supporting musicians:(1973)

- John Abbott -- guitar

- Vinnie Bell -- guitar

- Charlie Brown -- guitar

- Artie Butler -- keybaords

- Sal Di Troia -- guitar

- Steve Feldman -- keyboards, backing vocals

- Steve Gadd -- drums, percussion

- Russell George -- bass

- Rick Marotta -- drums, percussion

- Al Rogers -- drums, percussion

- Steve Tundancer -- backing vocals

- Eric Weissberg -- guitar

- The Definitive Rick Chorale

- Ellie Gaye

- The Meantime

- The Popsicles

- The Raindrops

Genre: pop

Rating: 4 stars ****

Title:  Let It Be Written, Let it Be Sung

Company: Verve

Catalog:  V6 5091
Year: 1973

Country/State: Brooklyn, New York

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 2

Catalog ID: 2454

Price: $15.00

One of the most talented Brill Building writers, the late Ellie Greenwich never managed to garner the same  level of attention as compatriots such as her former husband Jeff Barry, Carole King, barry mann, Tony Wine, Cynthia Weil, etc.

Released in 1973, "Let It Be Written, Let It Be Sung" was an odd, if engaging collection.  Co-produced with Steve Feldman and Steve Tudancer,  the twelve tracks essentially served as a greatest hits package, with Greenwich covering many of the early to mid-'60s hits she and various partners had written for other acts.  As someone who grew up surrounded by many of these songs, it was an odd experience hearing Greenwich's versions.  To be honest, there wasn't anything wrong with her versions.  In fact, Greenwich had am unexpectedly sweet voice - all the more surprising if you've ever heard her Brooklyn-inflected speaking voice.  That made deciding whether the original hits, or Greenwich's versions were superior, all the harder.  I'd argue the outcomes made for a mixture of winners and losers.  Greenwich's version of 'Maybe I Know' struck me as better than the Leslie Gore hit.   The Crystals own 'And The He Kissed Me', but Greenwich's Latin-tinged cover was charming and equally enjoyable.  At the other end of the spectrum, Greenwich couldn't improve on Darlene Love's versions of 'Wait 'Til My Bobby Gets Home' or 'Today I Met the Boy I'm Gonna Marry'.

You had to wonder what would have happened had Greenwich used this as an opportunity to showcase some of her newer material - imagine her version of a "Tapestry".  Shame it didn't happen.

"Let It be Written, Let It Be Sung" track listing
(side 1)

1.) Maybe I Know   (Ellie Greenwich - Jeff Barry) - 3:28    rating; **** stars
If folks have heard this one, it's probably the Leslie Gore hit.   Musically her version wasn't all that different from Gore's take, but I have to admit I actually like Greenwich's version better.  There was something very appealing in her slightly ominous delivery.

2.) Wait 'Til My Bobby Gets Home   (Ellie Greenwich - Jeff Barry - Phil Spector) -  3:19   rating: *** stars

Greenwich slowed this one down, giving it a Bacharach-David MOR edge.   Actually quite sweet, but the Darlene Love version remained the classic take.

3.) Today I Met the Boy I'm Gonna Marry   (Ellie Greenwich - Tom Powers - S. Spector) - 3:26   rating; **** stars

Another tune most folks will know via Darlene Love, Greenwich's version again slowed down and sweetened the arrangement with some MOR-ish backing vocals.  Unfortunately, it was another track where Love won the head-to-head competition.  I will admit that if you ever heard Greenwich's heavily accented Brooklyn speaking voice, then her sweet singing voice is likely to come as a major surprise.   The difference was seldom as drastic as on this sweet interpretation of one of here biggest hits.   Verve tapped it as a single:

- 1973's 'Today I Met the Boy I'm Gonna Marry' b/w 'Maybe I Know' (Verve catalog number VK 10719)

4.) And The He Kissed Me   (Ellie Greenwich - Jeff Barry - Phil Spector)  - 3:24   rating; ****

The Crystals had the hit and while I love their version, I have to admit that Greenwich's Latin-tinged arrangement was charming.   This is the tune that should have been released as a single.

5.) If You Loved Me Once   (Ellie Greenwich - Toni Wine) - 3:17   rating; **** stars

Anyone who doubted how good Greenwich's voice was only needed to check out 'If You Loved Me Once'.   Another great tune that should have been tapped as a single.

6.) Be My Baby   (Ellie Greenwich - Jeff Barry - Phil Spector)  - 4:41   rating; *** stars

The Ronettes' version is the one most folks know.  Greenwich's version basically trashed the Phil Spector arrangement in favor of 3/4 time, pseudo-waltz flavor.  Strange for anyone who grew up on The Ronettes version, but kind of charming.   Again, Greenwich sounded fantastic, but here was one that simply went to far into MOR territory for Greenwich's own good

(side 2)

1.) What Good Is I Love You   (Ellie Greenwich - Mike Rashkow) - 3:06   rating; *** stars

Even though it isn't well known, Dusty Springfield's cover of 'What Good Is I Love You' was of the best things in her catalog.  Greenwich's version was impressive, but ... c'mon, how could anyone compete with Springfield?

2.) Chapel of Love   (Ellie Greenwich - Jeff Barry) - 2:47   rating; *** stars

The Dixie Cups recorded the definitive version of the song, though Greenwich's stark, multi-tracked version was surprisingly funky.

3.) I Can Hear Music   (Ellie Greenwich - Jeff Barry) - 2:47   rating; **** stars

Written as her marriage to Jeff Barry was collapsing, 'I Can Hear Music' served as The Ronettes final single for Phil Spector's Philles label.  The Beach Boys also recorded the song in 1969 and if you've ever heard their version, you'll see an evident connection with Greenwich's own version.

4.) Goodnight Baby - Baby I Love You   (Ellie Greenwich - Jeff Barry) - 3:26   rating; *** stars

The Dixie Cups recorded the definitive version of the song, though Green

Greenwich recorded the original 'Goodnight Baby' under the name The Butterflys, while 'Baby I Love You' was one of The Ronettes' biggest hits.  About all I can say about this one is how old fashioned; almost naive it sounded.  Her version of 'Baby I Love' simply paled compared to The Ronettes' version.  
5.) Gettin' Together   (Ellie Greenwich - Toni Wine) - 3:06   rating; *** stars

Yeah, this one sounded a bit forced; like something written for an Archies album, or maybe a toothpaste commercial ...   That said, it was also the song that had the most "modern" sound and feel.

6.) River Deep, Mountain High   (Ellie Greenwich - Jeff Barry - Phil Spector) - 3:28   rating; **** stars

For a rock classic, I'm always amazed how many people have never actually heard 'River Deep, Mountain High'.   It's one of those tunes that's beet recorded by dozens of artists (it's almost a rite of passage for bands) and while Greenwich's version might not reach the level of Ike and Tina Turner's cover, her take was pleasant, avoiding the histrionics on the Phil Spector producer Ike and Tina Turner version.

^{Diagnosed with pneumonia, in August 2009 Greenwich was admitted to New York City's St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital.  She subsequently suffered a fatal heart attack.}