1989 The Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden and Stock, Aitken & Waterman: Ferry Cross The Mersey

'Ferry Cross The Mersey' was a 1964 hit for Gerry And The Pacemakers. This re-recording was done in aid of those caught up in the Hillsborough football disaster where 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives. Though the song remains the same tune wise (though it's now twice as long), George Martin's original earthy production is jettisoned in favour of a robotic Stock, Aitken and Waterman produced electronic backing that's more murky beat than Mersey beat. But come on - what else did you expect from them?

My views on this sort of carry on have been well rehearsed elsewhere on this site and repeating them again would bore both you and me. So I'll just say that if you want a copy of the original 'Ferry Cross The Mersey' (and you should, because it's a good song), then by all means go and buy one. It's hardly a rarity. Similarly, if you wanted to donate some money to this cause then I am sure there are/were myriad ways to go about it, none of which involve having to exchange it for a rather boring recording of some professional scouser's (and Stock, Aitken & Waterman's) karaoke party.