The Left Banke
- Soundtrack
The Left Banke was a highly creative and distinctive 1960s pop-rock
group that was formed in New York City in 1965. The original band
members were Michael Brown (keyboards), George F Cameron (drums), Tom Finn (bass), Jeff Winfield (guitar) and Steve Martin (vocals). The
group's unique sound was distinguished by Martin's expressive soaring
vocals and Brown's extremely elegant and melodic orchestral
arrangements (complete with lush strings). The Left Banke's music was
dubbed "baroque pop" by the press. The band had a big hit with the
touching and beautiful ballad "Walk Away Renee," which reached #5 on
the Billboard pop charts in late 1966. The equally gorgeous follow-up
song "Pretty Ballerina" likewise did well; it went all the way to #15
on the Billboard pop charts in 1967. Alas, the sumptuous tune "Desiree"
barely cracked the Hot 100 in late 1967. The Left Banke eventually
broke up in 1969 due to poor management, financial problems and
internal conflicts between the band members. However, the band briefly
reunited in the early 70's to record two songs for the soundtrack of
the movie
Hot Pants Holiday (1971). The
single "Love Songs in the Night / Two by Two" was released by Buddah
Records, but unfortunately flopped. The group once again split up.
Martin, Cameron, and Finn got together one more time in the late 1970s
to record the album "Strangers on a Train." This album wound up being
shelved for eight years before finally being released in 1986. A new
incarnation of The Left Banke surfaced in 2010 and has played several
live shows in New York City with positive responses from critics and
audiences alike.