A Swingin' Safari - Bert Kaempfert or Billy Vaughn

Simple as that. Which version do you prefer? Both were around and popular in the '60s.

Billy Vaughn:

 

Bert Kaempfert:


Harry

 

I personally prefer Bert Kaempfert's version. It was the first I'd ever heard as the theme to THE MATCH GAME on NBC. I really wanted the record and begged my parents to find it, but the best they could come up with was the Billy Vaughn version, so I became rather fond of that one too.

Harry

 

Gotta go with the Billy Vaughn version. My parents had an album with that track and I listened to it a lot. One of the first 'Swingin' songs I ever got into.

 

Billy Vaughn, for sentimental reasons. I had and loved the 45 as a kid. I also had and loved several Bert Kaempfert singles, but not that one.

 

I love both versions but the first one I've heard was the Kaempfert version on 45 RPM with "The Happy Trumpeter" on Side B.

 

One of the greatest album covers of all time. Bert rools

 

Billy Vaughn!

 

Billy Vaughn is the one I always know, but Bert Kaempfert's has that signature bass thump.

 

Go with the Beatle dude.

 

"This is Johnny Olson speaking."

 

Why is this version illustrated with the picture of Bert Kämpfert ?

 

Actually, my favorite version of this is the Bill Justis version on Smash from the early sixties. In fact,
it's a crime that all of those sensational 60's Smash releases by have him have nearly been forgotten
today. State of the art stereo recordings, using some of the best musicians in the business at that time,
with spot on arrangements that in many cases surpassed the originals. I have all of them, and have done needledrops of them over the last several years. Here's a link to my needledrop of "Swingin' Safari".
http://mfi.re/listen/u51cjjv0cix2z6..._restoration_by_sixtiesstereo)_((Stereo)).mp3

 

Different link to my Bill Justis version if the above doesn't work:
http://www.mediafire.com/listen/u51..._restoration_by_sixtiesstereo)_((Stereo)).mp3

 

I like both! And Bill Justis' Smash Recording is outstanding too.

 

I believe that the YouTube poster wanted to make the statement that Bert Kaempfert must be dismayed at the "better" version by Billy Vaughn. At least that's the impression I got at reading the notes and comments on the YouTube site.

Confusing, I know, but the audio on that Vaughn version video was pretty decent.

Harry

 

Bert's. Tighter bass, nicer trumpet solo, nicer girls in the clip!

 

Charity shop favourite. I have three copies

 

All use the same arrangement, not a lot of difference between them.

 

I think it was the Billy Vaughn record I remember. Once in awhile my sister and I would play songs together as kids and this song was one of our "go to" songs .
My sister on piano, me on drums at that time. I'm glad there aren't any recordings of us playing it.