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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 16 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Langley & kids in general; Starsailor; a question
From: Country Paul
2. Re: Susanna Smith
From: Mike Rashkow
3. Re: Kapp & Canterbury
From: Jeff Lemlich
4. The Buoys
From: David Gordon
5. Re: The Paper Dolls
From: Mike Stachurski
6. Re: Shadow Morton
From: David Young
7. Re: Sammy Turner
From: Mike Rashkow
8. Re: Shadow Morton
From: Stephane Rebeschini
9. Re: Lee Hazlewood in print
From: Scott S.
10. Re: Sammy Turner
From: Simon White
11. RIP Warren Zevon
From: Sean Anglum
12. Ed Townsend
From: Artie Wayne
13. Re: Kapp / Canterbury
From: David Gordon
14. Johnny Moffett, Dickie Goodman
From: Bob Rashkow
15. Spector on CNN
From: Diane
16. Buddah stuff/ Joey Levine /the Feathers
From: Artie Wayne
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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 07 Sep 2003 23:35:27 -0400
From: Country Paul
Subject: Langley & kids in general; Starsailor; a question
Art Longmire:
> ...the Langley Schools Music Project CD that was compiled from two
> 1970's LPs of some Canadian schoolchildren doing some popular songs
> (including several written by Brian Wilson). I wondered if anyone
> else had heard this and whether you liked it.
There are some wonderful moments on this gem rediscovered by Irwin
Chusid. The girl singing "Desperado" with break your heart. I believe
Irwin found her still living in the Vancouver area, voice intact, but
she had no desire to resume singing for others.
Kurt Benbenek:
> Contrary to some of the reviews I've read, it's not really funny or
> silly or goofy. It's actually very well done and the kids'
> performances are serious and sometimes so good, it's scary....
> Unfortunately, this type of quirky children's music is thrown into
> the 'outsider music' category. Otherwise well-meaning music lovers
> tend to make fun of or ridicule it.
I agree with you. On the other hand, if Irwin hadn't had the "outsider
music" route by which to publicize it, it might never have been heard
to the extent it has.
Regarding kiddie records - there are records with children being
children, and there are records with kids defying their age. Remember
some of the best doo-wop was done by young teenagers; Frankie Lymon
was 13 when he wrote "Why Do Fool Fall in Love," and Arlene Smith of
the Chantels (the youngest of whom was 12 when they recorded) was 15
when "Maybe" hit. Both were in the full bloom of their style. And
Dodie Stevens, with that BIG voice, was all of 12 on "Pink Shoelaces."
Art again:
> Regarding Canterbury records, another 45 I have on the label is "The
> Children of St.Monica" by Don Grady (of My Three Sons fame).
He had several records on the label counting his involvement with the
Yellow Balloon. My personal favorite is the flip of the one you
mention, "Impressions with Syvonne."
Mick Patrick's link to the Ed Townsend obit:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,3604,1029341,00.html
Thank you, my friend. Interesting notes beyond what I'd already read.
Phil Chapman:
> This Monday sees the release of Phil Spector's first production for
> 23 years, Starsailor's own comeback single, Silence Is Easy. It's a
> lush, enormously orchestrated statement that suggests Starsailor
> have come back better than ever, and that Spector has not lost his
> touch.
My reaction when I heard the song a while ago was not as positive as
yours or the article's. I think re-listening may be in order.
I'm trying to get songs in both Windows Media and Real Player formats
onto one audio CD. Could anyone (off-list, please) help with how to do
this? Is it even possible? It's my first attempt at burning a CD, and
so far, it's a nightmare. Thanks.
More to come - computer problems require attention....
Country Paul
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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 07 Sep 2003 19:41:09 EDT
From: Mike Rashkow
Subject: Re: Susanna Smith
Mick Patrick:
> It's taken me a while to absorb the pile of cool records I
> picked up in New York a few months back. Records *need* to be
> absorbed, I feel. I have one at my side at the moment:
> Susanna Smith "Sara Jane" (Bang 569, 1969)
> Written by John Cymbal
> Produced by John Cymbal & George Tobin
I inquired of Carol Cymbal in this regard. She thinks that Susan
Smith aka Esta Finkelstein also sang "The Cupboard's Bare" which
she co-wrote with Johnny. As far as I know she was Dick Goodman's
wife.
For those of you who don't recognize the name Dickie Goodman, he
was quite succesful with a special genre of records, the phrase to
describe same is unknown to me--they were made up from bits and
pieces of other records (long before sampling, believe me) and
ostensibly were a "news report cum interview" in which the
announcer asked questions and the answers were the snippets from
other records. Goodman had a few hits with this type of record in
the sixties.
Now the tie in and the support for Mrs. Cymbals thinking on this
point is that Johnny and George Tobin produced a record of that
style for Musicor during that time period. I have a copy, it was
entitled "Washinton Uptight" AND Dickie Goodman did the announcer
part--his voice is unmistakeable.
Esta (sic) Finklestein, is more likely Esther but why quibble--
they're both a long way from Susanna Smith.
Anyone who really cares can go to this link
http://www.georgetobin.com/home.html contact George Tobin.
Di da,
Rashkovsky
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Message: 3
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 00:37:23 -0000
From: Jeff Lemlich
Subject: Re: Kapp & Canterbury
Bob Rashkow wrote:
> Absolutely dig Little Black Egg by the Nightcrawlers & I forgot to
> ask Burt Stahl, still living in his hometown of Mansfield, Ohio,
> if Music Explosion's version came first, or, to put it differently,
> "Which came first--which Little Black Egg?"
The Nightcrawlers version definitely came first, having been written
and recorded in Daytona Beach back in 1965. Chuck Conlon, who wrote
and sang lead on "Little Black Egg", also wrote the recently-
discussed "Call Out My Name" by Proctor Amusement Company. (On some
pressings, Conlon does not receive writer's credit. This was record
industry mischief, typical of the times. The song was Conlon's
creation.)
> Absolutely dig Moffett's "I Found Joy" and am looking for a 45 of
> that.
Coincidentally, I happen to have a copy for sale up on my web site:
http://www.limestonerecords.com/recordsales.htm
Jeff Lemlich
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Message: 4
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 13:56:23 -0000
From: David Gordon
Subject: The Buoys
Here's a quote from Rupert Homes himself published in an excellent
article about the Buoys by John Chintala (from "Discoveries", July
1996). The "He" to whom Rupert's referring was Michael Wright - a
staff producer at Scepter / Wand who'd produced their first single
which had flopped.
" 'He told me he only had one more single he could make with them'
remembers Rupert Holmes. 'I told him 'If I were you I'd do a song that
was controversial, something that might even get banned in some places:
anything to get the group some notoriety' "Well it just so happened
that I was working on an arrangement of 'Sixteen Tons' for Andy Kim's
producer, Jeff Barry" Holmes continues. "I was strumming a guitar and
Graham Kent's 'Galloping Gourmet' cooking show was on in the other
room. He was explaining how to make some dish while I'm singing the
lyrics to 'Sixteen Tons' - 'Some say a man's made out of mud, muscle
and blood and skin and bone' and I said 'That sounds like a recipe'
then I thought 'That's it ! - Cannibalism !" And I made the connection
with the group being from Pennsylvania which was known for its coal
mines. So I came up with the story of three miners who are trapped in a
cave-in and two of them have to eat the third in order to survive. It
wasn't something sexual or drug-related, but it was controversial'
So that's that settled - "Timothy" wasn't a mule and was definitely
not a canary.
As for the record itself it was first issued in early '70 got played
in a few markets but didn't take off nationally. In late '70 a Scepter
promo man who believed in the record "pitched it to WKBW in Buffalo in
preference to the new B J Thomas single he was supposed to be plugging".
Scepter re-serviced the record which started being picked up by
stations in major markets including WCFL in Chicago who had it as their
"Pick Hit Of The Week".
Scepter issued two promo-only releases of "Timothy"
1. has the word "hell" bleeped out of the second verse
2. replaces the line "My stomach was full as it could be" with "Both
of us fine as we could be"
John's article also refers to a track called "Pittsburgh Steel" which
was intended for an a second album on the group's next label, Polydor,
which was never released. However - EMI in Holland re-released "Give
Up Your Guns" ( the 1971 follow up to 'Timothy') which managed to make
the Dutch top ten. It looks as if the Dutch label managed to get all
the old Buoys masters from the US in order to compile an album for the
Dutch market. A few years ago I managed to pick up a Dutch CD which
has (I think) all their Scepter tracks and a few unissued in the US
tracks among them is "Pittsbugh Steel" which is about some foundry
workers who decide to get rid of a pig of a boss by dumping him in, you
guessed it, a vat of molten steel. It's much "heavier" than 'Timothy'
but worth a listen for the lyrics alone.
Here's the details of the CD
"The Buoys" ( Citadel 8865)
Give Up Your Guns ; Castles ; Sunny Days ; Memories ; The Prince of
Thieves ; Streams ; These Days ; Timothy ; Tell Me Heaven Is Here ;
Bloodknot ; Tomorrow ; Absent Friend ; Pittsburgh Steel ; Good Lovin'
It's one one of my best finds of the last few years - I didn't really
expect it to be that great but it has become a firm favourite and I'd
never part with it now. Very difficult to pigeonhole as the songs are
so stylistically varied - at times almost but not quite prog-rock with
strong emphasis on good tunes and strong lead vocals with excellent
backup harmonies. The group are far better musicians than their one-
hit wonder status would lead you to expect.
Keep an eye out for it, play it a few times and you'll grow to love
it. Well, apart from "Good Lovin" (the one track I don't like) which
you'd swear was an unissued Kasenetz-Katz Buddah project.
An underrated gem of a group. Now to find their later incarnations
as Jerry Kelly (on Epic) and Dakota (on Columbia then MCA) although I
have my fears that they'll have too much major label A&R interference
to be that interesting.
A few final interesting bits of trivia - anybody remember the Glass
Prism on RCA ? They had two albums including one made up of songs
based on themes from Edgar Allen Poe - their keyboard player/guitarist
Carl Siracuse joined the Buoys in time to record the Scepter album
and his is the gruff voice saying "Get in the cell, nigger" on Stevie
Wonder's "Living In The City". Oh yeah, the guy who introduced the
Buoys to Scepter producer Michael Wright was the keyboard player for
Mel Wynn and the Rhythm Aces - a name which will ring bells with any
northern soulies out there.
Wish I had the the equipment and technical skill to upload a scan of
the article to the files section but maybe somebody out there in
Spectropopland could do it - check your old copies of "Discoveries"
for the July 1996 issue.
Davie Gordon
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Message: 5
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 16:48:09 +1200
From: Mike Stachurski
Subject: Re: The Paper Dolls
Previously:
> Does anyone out there know the story on the UK girl group, The
> Paper Dolls, from the late 60's?
There is a semi-excellent British site which logs British vinyl from
the 60s... It also has brief biographical notes as well:
http://www.45-rpm.org.uk/0girlgroups.htm
This URL gives a link to a basic story of the group... One-hit-
wonders alas, despite the songwriting team behind them...
Mike Stachurski,
Librarian-in-training,
DUNEDIN, NZ
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Message: 6
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 16:13:21 +0000
From: David Young
Subject: Re: Shadow Morton
One more for Mick's discography: "Sweet Anticipation"/"I'm Gonna Try
and Be Better" by Act III on Mala 535. Shadow arranged the A-side,
which he co-produced with Tony Michaels; his co-producers on the flip
are Warren Mills and Elliot Sachs.
David
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Message: 7
Date: Sun, 07 Sep 2003 19:57:21 EDT
From: Mike Rashkow
Subject: Re: Sammy Turner
Stuffed Animal:
> Again, I ask . . . does anybody know what became of Sammy Turner?
> I recall a post claiming that he was dead, but can anyone provide
> an obit?
SAMMY TURNER IS DEAD. I SAY SO.
He sang the demo on my first published song--I would know. That's
the same as family.
For those who care enough: This is where I got my info originally:
http://elvispelvis.com/enter_fuller_up.htm Fuller Up, The Dead
Musician Directory.
Di da,
Rashkovsky
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Message: 8
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 12:35:16 +0200
From: Stephane Rebeschini
Subject: Re: Shadow Morton
Mick Patrick a écrit:
> I've set myself the task of compiling a Shadow Morton discography.
> That should keep me quiet for a while. Of course, I'll need some
> help. And who better to consult than the learned S'pop readership?
> For starters, the list below comprises artists that were produced
> by the great man. Can anyone add to it?
Also :
Group Image (Community A101) 1968
Haystacks Balboa (Polydor 24-4032) 1970
GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCTIONS ((Metromedia KMD 1053) 1972
Stephane Rebeschini
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Message: 9
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 10:33:13 -0400
From: Scott S.
Subject: Re: Lee Hazlewood in print
Phil M:
> Lee Hazlewood fans will want to grab themselves a copy of the latest
> issue (#6) of the NYC-based printzine B.B. Gun (http://www.bbgun.org),
> which includes one of the best recent-vintage (if there even is any
> other kind) L.H. interviews I've seen. It's not long but it is
> illuminating, and of course exudes the Man's typical flintiness.
>
> Hazlewood has also recently published his first novel. It is entitled
> "The Pope's Daughter," the "pope" assumedly a reference to Frank Sr.
> and thus the title character being Nancy Sin. Not having yet read it,
> I don't know how close to the literal truth it may hew, or for that
> matter how easy it is to discern the difference. Self-published, it
> is available from http://www.xlibris.comThanks for the info on BB Gun.
I noticed the sold issue #5 had something on Nancy Sinatra.
I have the book "The Pope's Daughter" and it's an entertaining read with
some funny, oddball stuff. The book took about an hour at most to finish.
Scott S
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Message: 10
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 19:27:41 +0100
From: Simon White
Subject: Re: Sammy Turner
Mike Rashkow wrote:
> SAMMY TURNER IS DEAD. I SAY SO.
> He sang the demo on my first published song--I would know. That's
> the same as family.
> For those who care enough: This is where I got my info originally:
> http://elvispelvis.com/enter_fuller_up.htm Fuller Up, The Dead
> Musician Directory.
> Di da,
> Rashkovsky
What an amazing site !
Quite useful that.
Polly Wolly Doodle,
Simon
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Message: 11
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 13:18:36 -0600
From: Sean Anglum
Subject: RIP Warren Zevon
A quick salute to Warren Zevon who passed away on Sunday, September 7.
For those not familiar with Warren's "pop" side, run to your players
and crank-up "Outside Chance" by the Turtles. Play it nunerous times!
Have a beer...or two. Or a pina colada! Warren, SALUTE!
"If you're lucky, people like something you do early and something you
do just before you drop dead," he said. "That's as many pats on the
back as you should expect." --Warren Zevon
All the best,
Sean
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Message: 12
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 14:13:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Ed Townsend
Mick.........the first time I met Ed Townsend was in 1959 at an Alan
Freed Rock and Roll Show. He was there to perform his hit "For Your
Love" and I was there trying to find a way to sneak backstage and get
"Discovered". I collared Ed at the stage door.....introduced myself
and told him of my lofty ambitions. Although he didn't know me...he
put his hand on my shoulder....walked up to security and said, "He's
with me."
In 1963, we both were produced [individually] by Ed Silvers for
Liberty Records. Although we didn't hang out .....we'd have an
occasional lunch when he was an A&R Man at Mercury records. He was
always able to articulate what kind of song he was looking for.......
and not just say, "I'll know it when I hear it!"
The last time I saw Ed was when I was running A&Ms publishing company
and he was topping the charts with "Let's get it on", which he co-
wrote with Marvin Gaye. He surprised me while I was holding a mass
songwriters meeting on the soundstage of A&M.............and spoke
eloquently on maintaining a positive attitude and never giving up.
While most of the world remembers Ed Townsend......the Talent. I'll
always remember Ed Townsend......the Man.
regards, Artie Wayne
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Message: 13
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 14:14:08 -0000
From: David Gordon
Subject: Re: Kapp / Canterbury
James Botticelli:
> The Younghearts were an enigma sort of. They had a hit on Minit
> with "I've Got Love For My Baby" and split up shortly thereafter
> sort of temporarily.
Has anybody got a track listing for their elusive "Sweet Soul
Shakin'" album ?
> As the New Young Hearts in '70 they had a 45 out called "The Young
> Hearts Get Lonely Too" about how despite their fame and fortune
> they too could feel what mortals also felt a la Moulty. I
> temporarily forget which label, not a major however.
It was on Zea, a short lived label distributed by Roulette and run
by Hosea "Zay" Wilson - he was a former promo man for the old 20th
Century Fox label. Zea also had Jesse James (not the Philadelphia
one) and David T Walker.
> Then apparently they regrouped and recorded for 20th Century
> during '74 and '75, hopping aboard the lushly produced group
> harmony bandwagon. Quite nicely IMHO.
Three nice albums on 20th Century and one final non-lp single. The
second LP "A Taste of The Younghearts" has some killer tracks
including a wonderfully romantic "I'm Gonna Dedicate My Life To You"
which will drive fans of sweet-soul groups crazy.
A real curio that I've never heard is one of the Osmonds final MGM
singles, can't recall the title offhand but it was written by the
Younghearts.
There's an album on ABC which is a bit disco-ey (especially their
version of Bread's "IF" but still worth picking up if you csn find
it. Produced by Piccirillo and Goetzman who'd go on to produce the
Staple Singers' great version of Talking Heads' "Slippery people".
> I even have a 45 recorded in 1984 on an indie. A bit electronic
> sounding but still drivin' them harmonies home to the peeps.
Haven't heard of that one - would you mind posting details ?
Davie Gordon
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Message: 14
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 16:37:32 EDT
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: Johnny Moffett, Dickie Goodman
Thanks, Simon White and Jeff Lemlich! Jeff, if I get a chance this
week (and someone else doesn't buy it first!) I will visit your
website and order the "I Found Joy" single, since I may not get to
hear it on Simon's show! On the subject of Dickie Goodman, the King
of Satirical Break-Ins, has anyone spotted a vinyl recording of
"Harry's Jockstrap" lately? This of course is one of the most
perverse, demented novelties Goodman or anyone else ever made. Since
I've already got "Leader of the Laundromat" and "I Want My Baby Back",
this would be the next one to look for, naturally!
Bobster
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Message: 15
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 22:31:10 -0000
From: Diane
Subject: Spector on CNN
Hi Folks,
Coming out of lurkdom to let ya'll know that Phil Spector will
be the focus of Paula Zahn's hour-long People In the News show
this coming Sunday on CNN. I think it starts at 2 PM EST.
On a sadder note, heart-breaking to hear of the death of Warren
Zevon. I knew he had terminal cancer, but didn't expect he would
leave us so soon. Very talented, but troubled, man. May he rest
in peace now.
Diane, aka Hurdy Girl
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Message: 16
Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2003 14:28:46 -0700 (PDT)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Buddah stuff/ Joey Levine /the Feathers
How ya' Doin'.............I hope everybody had a nice summer
....now back to Spectropoppin'.
First I want to respond to all the inquiries I've received
about various acts on Buddah/Kama Sutra.I'm sorry but I don't
know anything about the acts you mentioned. The only "official"
involvment I had with the label was representing Joey Levine
and Artie Resnick publishing company and producing a couple of
singles on a group called Horizon and one on Hermione Gingould.
The Feathers, by the way, was Joey and Arties Studio band who
played on all of their Buddah hits.
regards,
Artie Wayne
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