Walk Away Renee -- The Left Banke -vs- The Four Tops (Which version is your favorite?)

[NurseJackie]

"Walk Away Renée" is a song written by Michael Brown, Bob Calilli, and Tony Sansone for the band the Left Banke, released as a single in July 1966. Steve Martin Caro is featured on lead vocals. It spent 13 weeks on the US charts, with a top spot of number 5.[2]

The song features a flute solo played during the instrumental bridge of the middle portion of the song. Brown got the idea for the flute solo from the Mamas & the Papas song "California Dreamin'" which had been recorded in November 1965 but wasn't a hit and in heavy rotation until early 1966.[3] The arrangement also includes a lush string orchestration, a jangling harpsichord part, and a descending chromatic bass melody. Its production was credited to World United Productions, Inc., but the session was produced by Brown's father, jazz and classical violinist Harry Lookofsky, who also led the string players.[4]

Rolling Stone placed "Walk Away Renée" at number 220 in the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[5] The song returned to nationwide charts with cover versions by The Four Tops (1967) and Rick Price (1993).

3 votes, 2 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	The Left Banke
	3 (100%)
	The Four Tops
	0 (0%)
	I can't decide, I like both versions.
	0 (0%)
	2 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[bmbmd]

1. I vote

For the late Jimmy Lafave.

[flying_wahini]

4. Couldn't agree more.

He was EPIC live, too.

[nocoincidences]

2. There's something charming

and nostalgic about The Left Banke version.

I was just a teenager when both of these versions came out.

Such a different time and vibe in the world then!

[flying_wahini]

3. What? You left out the BEST one.... the late, great Jimmy Lafave

Rest In Peace, Jimmy. Loved you, miss you.

[link:

|

[tymorial]

5. I tend to be partial to originals as opposed to covers

There are of course some obvious exceptions: Aretha Franklin Respect.