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Song ID: Bobby Fuller – “A New Shade of Blue” (1964)

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Here on Bobby Fuller’s birthday, it’s important to remember that it’s his records, not his mysterious death, that give him his true American rock and roll superhero status. Four decades after we lost him, those records have lost none of their power to exhiliarate. Musically, his heart was always in the right place and he never waivered. One of my all-time BF favorites is an early version of “A New Shade of Blue,” which I first heard on the now out-of-print Shakedown compilation, a 1996 roundup of early singles and demos from 1961 through 1964. This version, as opposed to the Four’s later version on Del-Fi, is a real wonder and perfect in every way. It’s an echo-drenched heartbreaker featuring some of Bobby’s most convincing vocals (which is saying a lot where he’s concerned), delicate guitars and lyrics (written by his neighbor’s mom), and a bullseye bridge. The more familiar and readily-available Del-Fi version loses too much of that atmospheric echo, screws up the middle-eight’s flawless symmetry by knocking out a key minor chord and adding a measure at the end, and finds Bobby overdoing the lead vocal. Enjoy version one, then.

Bobby Fuller – “New Shade of Blue” (1964)

2 Responses to “Song ID: Bobby Fuller – “A New Shade of Blue” (1964)”

  1. Rick Stone Says:

    Very nice write up. I was Mary Stone’s son, she passed away 5 years ago. I talked Mom into writing music for Bobby in September 1961….their 1st single went to #2 on KELP RADIO and stayed airborn for almost 6 months. ” A New Shade of Blue” has been in two movies…. “BOY’S DON’T CRY” and “DEADBEATS” and is played by at least 4 local bands still to this day at dances. Many other groups have recorded the song but none have captured the BF4 feeling of the song. Rod Crosby does it on You Tube, and I think Bill Welsh may have his version on You Tube as well by now. I was Bobby Fuller’s Roadie and was there when his body was found. You may want to check out my Face Book page this week for some rivoting information regarding who murdered Bobby Fuller July 18, 1966. Rick Stone , Bobby Fuller’s Friend & Roadie.

  2. Marilyn Says:

    Yes Rick…..one of my faves by my angel

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