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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 18 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Starsailor
From: Kurt
2. Andrea Carroll "The Boy I Used to Know"
From: David A Young
3. Re: Lena Zavaroni
From: Andrew Jones
4. Re: Proctor Amusement Company, "Heard You Went Away"
From: Jeff Lemlich
5. The Metropolitan Soul Show this Sunday on Soul 24-7.com
From: Simon White
6. Re: Surf and Hit
From: Matt Berg
7. Re: Bronze Chiffonze
From: Frank
8. Yahoo music group recommendations
From: Kurt
9. Re: Ronnie-related news and Bronze Chiffonze
From: Donny H
10. Drifters moonlighting for Phil Spector?
From: Robert Stewart
11. Re: Surf and Hit
From: Mikey
12. Re: New Vaudeville Band - The Anniversary Song
From: Paul Urbahns
13. Re: Drifters moonlighting for Phil Spector?
From: Simon White
14. Re: Drifters moonlighting for Phil Spector? (not)
From: Mick Patrick
15. Re: Bronze Chiffonze
From: Billy G. Spradlin
16. Re: Surf and Hit
From: Phil Milstein
17. Re: Yahoo music group recommendations
From: Mark Frumento
18. Re: Drifters moonlighting for Phil Spector? / Sammy Turner
From: David A. Young
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Message: 1
Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2003 16:40:16 -0700
From: Kurt
Subject: Starsailor
Guy Lawrence:
> For those keeping tabs on such things, Starsailor's Spector
> produced single "Silence Is Easy", released in the U.K.
> this week, is number eight in the mid-week singles chart.
I've finally heard the 2 Spector-produced Starsailor tracks.
I'm not sure if I hear the classic Wall of Sound that
many reviewers of "Silence is Easy" seem to hear.
The song definitely builds slowly from sparse to strong
instrumentation. And there is a lot of odd percussion action
going on.
I can definitely recognize the Spector touch (specifically)
in the acoustic guitar on "White Dove"
Have there been any "Silence is Easy" remixes released yet?
There must be.
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Message: 2
Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 00:53:37 -0000
From: David A Young
Subject: Andrea Carroll "The Boy I Used to Know"
Don is looking for Andrea's recording of the Goffin-King
song "The Boy I Used to Know."
Keith followed up by revealing the delightful news that B.T.
Puppy will be releasing a CD version of the hard-to-find "split"
LP by Andrea Carroll and Shindig! attendee Beverly Warren.
Allow me to comfort Don with the happy fact that the song he
craves is on that album, so he'll have a chance to hear it as
soon as the CD is released. (C'mon, Rusty, why not expand the
concept and treat us to a comprehensive label-wide girl-group
compilation, not just those ten album tracks? And I know you've
gotta have some prime unreleased girlie tunes in the vaults too.)
David
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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2003 23:55:24 -0400 (EDT)
From: Andrew Jones
Subject: Re: Lena Zavaroni
I just read the post about Lena Zavaroni. I actually heard her
"Ma, He's Making Eyes At Me" on the local radio station during
the early Seventies, and I saw her once on "The Tonight Show"
fielding questions from Johnny Carson.
Years later, not long after The Discovery Channel came on the
air, it aired a British documentary called "It's Not Where You
Start, It's Where You Finish" which also updated several former
Britsh child performers; Lena was discussed, but not interviewed.
But boy, if that story about the anorexia and lobotomy is true
... UGH! And I thought "Alfalfa" from the Our Gang films came
to a bad end!
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Message: 4
Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 03:53:08 -0000
From: Jeff Lemlich
Subject: Re: Proctor Amusement Company, "Heard You Went Away"
Art Longmire wrote:
> ...found quite a bit of info on a Florida group called Proctor
> Amusement Company,....
The Proctors were a very big band here in South Florida,
with "Heard You Went Away" reaching #7 on WFUN and #15 on
WQAM in August 1967. Their Bonner/Gordon demos were pretty
amazing, too.
> Prior to getting the (original) version by Proctor Amusement Co.,
> I had purchased the cover version by Mercy on Warner Bros.
> records (I have it on a 45 and also on Mercy's LP) and liked
> their version so much I put it on a mix tape - it's a beautiful
> harmony pop number as performed by Mercy.
After Mercy signed with Henry Stone's Miami production company,
it was up to producer Steve Alaimo to help find material that
was right for them. Naturally, he came up with songs from the
in-house publishing company, Sherlyn, which had published "Heard
You Went Away".
You can find more on the Proctor Amusement Company (including
photos) on the Limestone Lounge music forum:
http://pub64.ezboard.com/flimestoneloungefrm7.showMessage?topicID=135.topic
Jeff Lemlich
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Message: 5
Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 07:34:16 +0100
From: Simon White
Subject: The Metropolitan Soul Show this Sunday on Soul 24-7.com
This SUNDAY 7th September 2003 on Soul 24-7 AT 2pm-4pm GMT
http://www.soul24-7.com/index.htm
The METROPOLITAN SOUL SHOW.
2 solid hours of 60's,70's but mainly Northern, Soul.
This week - The Utterly Marvellous Simon White.
More MUSIC, less talk.
http://www.soul24-7.com/djs/djmet.htm
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Message: 6
Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 14:03:41 -0000
From: Matt Berg
Subject: Re: Surf and Hit
Mikey wrote:
> ...the "HIT" Records label was based out of Nashville
> and operated continuously from 1962 to 1972. They specialized
> in quickie "Sound Alikes" of the then current hits on the
> charts, and sold two hits on one 45 rpm record for 39 cents.
I'm a bit puzzled. It's stated that HIT started in 1962,
yet I have several HIT records that are 78's dating back
to the 50's. Same 4 tunes on a disc sound alike format.
Often the actor Scatman Crothers is the vocalist for the
featured R&B number.
Also, I believe that the George "Thumper" Jones cover of
Heartbreak Hotel which must date back to the late 50's was
originally recorded on HIT.
Is this the same label?
Matt Berg
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Message: 7
Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 14:34:32 -0000
From: Frank
Subject: Re: Bronze Chiffonze
David A. Young wrote:
> ... a few weeks ago someone mentioned that his copy of The
> Chiffons' Ace CD "Greatest Recordings" had "bronzed" and advised
> others with the disc to burn a CD-R copy while we still could.
Use the following URL to read more about "bronzing" of CDs.
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/bronzed.asp
Frank
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Message: 8
Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2003 17:04:39 -0700
From: Kurt
Subject: Yahoo music group recommendations
The Spectropop Yahoo Group
is obviously one of the best deals in town.
Reading the daily digest is one of my favorite parts
of the day ...and afterwards I feel truly musically educated
I would appreciate any other Yahoo Group recommendations...
music-oriented and on a par with Spectropop
thanks
Kurt
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Message: 9
Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 15:11:51 -0000
From: Donny H
Subject: Re: Ronnie-related news and Bronze Chiffonze
David A. Young wrote:
> ....a few weeks ago someone mentioned that his copy of The
> Chiffons' Ace CD "Greatest Recordings" had "bronzed" and advised
> others with the disc to burn a CD-R copy while we still could.
I also played mine after reading this a few weeks ago, and it
played well until the 33rd track, which now sounds like a record
with pops and crackles. I immediately burned it to CDR, and the
burned copy plays much better.
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Message: 10
Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 18:37:07 -0700
From: Robert Stewart
Subject: Drifters moonlighting for Phil Spector?
I think we will all be familiar with the distinctive
undulating violin orchestral sounds (created by musical
arranger Stanley Applebaum) on "This Magic Moment" recorded
by Ben E King and The Drifters at Bell Sound Studios, New York,
in December 1959. The session was produced by Jerry Leiber and
Mike Stoller.
I have recently been listening again to "Back to Mono", the
Phil Spector four CD set which is now difficult to get a hold
of - at least it is difficult in the UK.
What has surprised me is listening to Phil Spector's production
of "Every Breath I Take", written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King
and recorded by Gene Pitney at Bell Sound Studios, New York, in
July 1961. To my ear, this recording not only has a "Drifters"
feel but it contains the identical distinctive undulating violin
orchestral sound from "This Magic Moment".
I have tried to work out what the link might be.
It would appear that it might have something to do with the
fact that in 1960 Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller signed up the
nineteen year old Phil Spector (fresh out of high school) to an
exclusive song-writer-producer contract with Atlantic records.
Phil was introduced to Stanley Applebaum at Bell Sound Studios,
New York, and they worked together in the historic recording
session of October 1960 which produced "Stand By Me", "Spanish
Harlem", and "First Taste of Love" - all top twenty hits for
Ben E King (who had left The Drifters to go solo).
Shortly after this, Phil Spector renounced his contract with
Atlantic and became a freelance producer and, as such, he
returned to Bell Sound Studios, New York, in July 1961 and
produced "Every Breath I Take" for Gerry Goffin and Carole King.
I am left wondering whether Phil Spector knowingly plagiarized
the distinctive violin orchestral sound from "This Magic Moment".
Did Stanley Applebaum, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller give permission?
Or has someone else got another explanation?
And another thing. Gene Pitney is joined by an unidentified male
vocal group on "Every Breath I Take", one member who sounds
uncannily like Tommy Evans of The Drifters. Gerry Goffin and
Carole King were definitely writing for The Drifters in 1961
("Some Kinda Wonderful", "When My Little Girl Is Smiling", "Up On
The Roof") and The Drifters were definitely recording in Bell Sound
Studios in 1961. Is it possible? Could The Drifters have been
moonlighting for Phil Spector?
Robert Stewart
The Drifters at Yahoo! Groups
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/the-drifters
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Message: 11
Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 16:53:04 -0400
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: Surf and Hit
Matt Berg:
> I'm a bit puzzled. It's stated that HIT started in 1962,
> yet I have several HIT records that are 78's dating back
> to the 50's. Same 4 tunes on a disc sound alike format.
> Often the actor Scatman Crothers is the vocalist for the
> featured R&B number.
> Also, I believe that the George "Thumper" Jones cover of
> Heartbreak Hotel which must date back to the late 50's was
> originally recorded on HIT. Is this the same label?
Hi Matt, no its NOT the same label. They just used
the same name. The HIT label from the 40s and 50s folded
around 1960. Probably, George Bubis, the Nashville HIT
owner, knew this and grabbed the name when the 50s HIT label
folded. No one was gonna sue them then.
Mikey
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Message: 12
Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 17:06:35 EDT
From: Paul Urbahns
Subject: Re: New Vaudeville Band - The Anniversary Song
A record that I have been looking for since it was
originally issued was the New Vaudeville Band recording
of The Anniversary Song. I was working in movie theaters
in the 60s and the Bette Davis movie, The Anniversary played
at one of them. It was a dark murder type thriller issued by
20th century Fox. I have the original pressbook from the film
which mentions promotional items. The newspaper ads and the
press book mentions the New Vaudeville Band recording of the
Anniversary Song. I don't think there was a soundtrack album,
because none is mentioned. Anyone have this recording? You can
email me direct if you wish.
Paul Urbahns
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Message: 13
Date: Sat, 06 Sep 2003 00:09:57 +0100
From: Simon White
Subject: Re: Drifters moonlighting for Phil Spector?
Robert Stewart wrote:
> And another thing. Gene Pitney is joined by an unidentified
> male vocal group on "Every Breath I Take", one member who
> sounds uncannily like Tommy Evans of The Drifters.
The group behind Gene is documented - I can't remember who it
is right now but I will make enquiries.
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Message: 14
Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 22:09:14 +0100
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Re: Drifters moonlighting for Phil Spector? (not)
Robert Stewart:
> ...the distinctive undulating violin orchestral sounds
> (created by musical arranger Stanley Applebaum) on "This Magic
> Moment" recorded by Ben E King and The Drifters at Bell Sound
> Studios, New York, in December 1959. The session was produced
> by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.....
> ....listening to Phil Spector's production of "Every Breath I
> Take"...recorded by Gene Pitney at Bell Sound Studios, New York
> To my ear, this recording not only has a "Drifters" feel but it
> contains the identical distinctive undulating violin orchestral
> sound from "This Magic Moment".....
> I am left wondering whether Phil Spector knowingly plagiarized
> the distinctive violin orchestral sound from "This Magic Moment".
> Did Stanley Applebaum, Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller give
> permission? Or has someone else got another explanation?
Phil Spector might have been the *producer* of "Every Breath I
Take" but the *arranger* was Alpa, an acronymn for ALan Lorber and
PAul Griffin.
> And another thing. Gene Pitney is joined by an unidentified male
> vocal group on "Every Breath I Take", one member who sounds
> uncannily like Tommy Evans of The Drifters....Is it possible?
> Could The Drifters have been moonlighting for Phil Spector?
No, the backing vocalists on "Every Breath I Take" were the Halos,
not the Drifters.
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
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Message: 15
Date: Sat, 06 Sep 2003 00:25:34 -0000
From: Billy G. Spradlin
Subject: Re: Bronze Chiffonze
Frank wrote:
> Use the following URL to read more about "bronzing" of CDs.
> http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/bronzed.asp
Thanks for the information. Has anyone tried contacting the
company via email to see if the Chiffons CD can be replaced?
It looks like the majority of these pressings all have the
same bronzing problem.
Billy
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Message: 16
Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2003 19:32:22 -0400
From: Phil Milstein
Subject: Re: Surf and Hit
Matt Berg wrote:
> I'm a bit puzzled. It's stated that HIT started in 1962,
> yet I have several HIT records that are 78's dating back
> to the 50's. Same 4 tunes on a disc sound alike format.
> Often the actor Scatman Crothers is the vocalist for the
> featured R&B number.
Hi Matt, I don't mean to contradict what you apparently see
with your own eyes, but my understanding is that the soundalikes
label that Scatman Crothers recorded for was Tops, which I believe
was based in L.A. If the ones you have really are on Hit, then I
suggest that that name was used alternately by the same L.A.-based
outfit as also put out Tops, and was thus an entirely different
label than the Nashville-based Hit. For graphical evidence, see
label scan on my Nervous Norvus discography page of Scatman's
Tops-label cover of "Transfusion":
http://www.aspma.com/drake/discog.htm
--Phil Milstein
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Message: 17
Date: Sat, 06 Sep 2003 00:11:06 -0000
From: Mark Frumento
Subject: Re: Yahoo music group recommendations
Kurt wrote:
> I would appreciate any other Yahoo Group recommendations...
> music-oriented and on a par with Spectropop
Kurt - Spectropop is tough to beat because of its sheer size
and reputation. If you look at the some of the names on the
list you'll see artists, compilers, writers, experts and
regular fans (like me).
Having said that, you may like these groups, both of which
were started by Spectropoppers:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pop45group/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/harmonyhigh/
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Message: 18
Date: Sat, 06 Sep 2003 01:32:45 -0000
From: David A. Young
Subject: Re: Drifters moonlighting for Phil Spector? / Sammy Turner
Great post, Robert.
I can tell you that the group backing Gene Pitney on "Every
Breath I Take" is The Halos of "Nag" fame, not The Drifters.
It's also known that Phil played guitar on some Leiber/Stoller-
produced Drifters dates, but I don't recall ever seeing an
attempt at a comprehensive listing of all their sessions with
which he was involved. Can anyone produce one? (It was of great
interest to me when Mick provided this service a year or two
ago with regard to Phil's participation in L/S's sessions with
Lonnie Donegan; perhaps he can help again here.)
As long as we're in 1961 and dropping names like Leiber, Stoller,
Spector, and Applebaum, may I complicate things a bit further by
adding Sammy Turner to the discussion?
Phil receives producer credit on one side ("Raincoat in the
River") of Sammy's Big Top single 3089 from that same year, the
other side of which ("Falling") is produced -- and written -- by
L/S. No arranger credit is given on the 45, but "Falling" is
included on the "Lavender Blue Moods" LP, which, in its entirety,
was produced by Leiber/Stoller and arranged and conducted by
Applebaum. Could Stan have been the arranger on the Spector-
produced side as well?
As a side issue (as I mentioned here a very long time back),
about 25 years ago a friend went to a garage sale at what turned
out to be Stan's New Jersey home and bought an acetate of Sammy
singing "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows." It's been that long since
I heard it, and the friend has since lost the disc, but I always
swore that it had to be an unreleased Spector production. Surely,
after all, he wouldn't book studio time and cut just one track,
right? And it just had THAT sound -- undulating, if you will.
Anyway, that track was never released and now the acetate has
"escaped," but surely it exists somewhere on tape.
Who owns the Big Top catalog now? Someone needs to go in and find
out what other sessions Phil worked on for them besides the known
released ones by Arlene Smith, Karen Lake, and Sammy Turner -- and
then issue the lot! (And a parallel project focusing on Phil's brief
stint at Liberty is likewise simply begging to be undertaken.)
I'm just sayin'.
David
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