David Parton
Encyclopedia
David Parton is a singer-songwriter
and record producer
from Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire
, England
.
He achieved songwriting
success writing song
s for Sweet Sensation
in the mid 1970s, namely "Sad Sweet Dreamer
" which was a #1 single
in the UK
, and "Purely by Coincidence" which also charted
. He arranged
and co-produced both tracks
with Tony Hatch
.
In 1975 Parton released an album
entitled Snaps on the Buk record label
, a short lived imprint of Decca Records
. A year later he re-emerged with a band
called The Cyril Dagworth Players, where Parton masqueraded as Dagworth. They released one album, also co-produced by Parton and Hatch.
Parton then sang a cover version
of Stevie Wonder
's "Isn't She Lovely
" which he again co-produced with Hatch. When the original contracted singer was unable re-create Wonder's vocal
nuances, rather than dispose of the backing track, Parton sang the lead vocal, and it was decided to issue this version. It was released on 15 January 1977 and was in the UK Singles Chart
for nine weeks, reaching number 4. Lack of further chart
action saw him dubbed as a one-hit wonder
.
Parton is known as 'Des', based on the initials of his first three name
s, David Eric Stanley.
He has generally sang and played guitar
with local bands
from North Staffordshire
to this date.
Because of his famous surname, David is sometimes mistaken for the elder brother of the famous Dolly Parton
and her equally creative siblings. However, Dolly's brother David is not involved in showbusiness, unlike most of his 10 surviving brothers and sisters.
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
from Newcastle Under Lyme, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
He achieved songwriting
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
success writing song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
s for Sweet Sensation
Sweet Sensation (band)
Sweet Sensation was an eight piece British soul group who had some success between 1974 and 1977. Cast very much in the then-popular mould of the Philly sound, they broke through in 1974 following an appearance on a UK television talent show, New Faces...
in the mid 1970s, namely "Sad Sweet Dreamer
Sad Sweet Dreamer
"Sad Sweet Dreamer" was a UK number one single for one week in October 1974 for Sweet Sensation.The second single from the British soul group, a soaring soul ballad heavily influenced by the Stylistics, and led by lead vocalist Marcel King's falsetto, "Sad Sweet Dreamer" became their first hit....
" which was a #1 single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and "Purely by Coincidence" which also charted
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
. He arranged
Arrangement
The American Federation of Musicians defines arranging as "the art of preparing and adapting an already written composition for presentation in other than its original form. An arrangement may include reharmonization, paraphrasing, and/or development of a composition, so that it fully represents...
and co-produced both tracks
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
with Tony Hatch
Tony Hatch
Anthony Peter "Tony" Hatch is an English composer, songwriter, pianist, music arranger and producer.-Early life and early career:...
.
In 1975 Parton released an album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
entitled Snaps on the Buk record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, a short lived imprint of Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
. A year later he re-emerged with a band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
called The Cyril Dagworth Players, where Parton masqueraded as Dagworth. They released one album, also co-produced by Parton and Hatch.
Parton then sang a cover version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
's "Isn't She Lovely
Isn't She Lovely
"Isn't She Lovely?" is a song by Stevie Wonder, from his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. In it he celebrates the birth of his daughter, Aisha. There are three verses, each ending with the phrase "isn't she lovely, made from love"...
" which he again co-produced with Hatch. When the original contracted singer was unable re-create Wonder's vocal
Human voice
The human voice consists of sound made by a human being using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming, etc. Its frequency ranges from about 60 to 7000 Hz. The human voice is specifically that part of human sound production in which the vocal folds are the primary...
nuances, rather than dispose of the backing track, Parton sang the lead vocal, and it was decided to issue this version. It was released on 15 January 1977 and was in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
for nine weeks, reaching number 4. Lack of further chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
action saw him dubbed as a one-hit wonder
One-hit wonders in the UK
This is a list of artists who have achieved one #1 hit on the UK Singles Chart and no other entry whatsoever on the chart. The Guinness Book of British Hit Singles uses this definition of "one-hit wonder", which is a controversial term with various other proposed definitions.-Methodology:A hit is...
.
Parton is known as 'Des', based on the initials of his first three name
Name
A name is a word or term used for identification. Names can identify a class or category of things, or a single thing, either uniquely, or within a given context. A personal name identifies a specific unique and identifiable individual person, and may or may not include a middle name...
s, David Eric Stanley.
He has generally sang and played guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
with local bands
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
from North Staffordshire
North Staffordshire
North Staffordshire describes an area of Staffordshire, in the West Midlands region of England. It contains the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands and the City of Stoke-on-Trent. The Stoke and Newcastle areas make up The Potteries Urban Area, whilst the Moorlands are largely...
to this date.
Because of his famous surname, David is sometimes mistaken for the elder brother of the famous Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
and her equally creative siblings. However, Dolly's brother David is not involved in showbusiness, unlike most of his 10 surviving brothers and sisters.
Songwriting credits
- "Sad Sweet Dreamer" - Sweet Sensation
- "Purely by Coincidence" - Sweet Sensation
- "Belinda" - Coup De Cœur
Discography
- "Isn't She LovelyIsn't She Lovely"Isn't She Lovely?" is a song by Stevie Wonder, from his 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. In it he celebrates the birth of his daughter, Aisha. There are three verses, each ending with the phrase "isn't she lovely, made from love"...
" - PyePye RecordsPye Records was a British record label. In its first incarnation, perhaps Pye's best known artists were Lonnie Donegan , Petula Clark , The Searchers , The Kinks , Sandie Shaw and Brotherhood of Man...
7N 45663 - 1977 - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
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