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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Shortest track of all time
From: RK
2. Wild Man Fischer
From: Mark
3. 45s on CD Mercury series
From: Mark
4. Was Tommy James a "Big Time Operator"?
From: Mark
5. Re: Shortest track of all time
From: Kevin Martin
6. Dusty & Lesley Christmas songs?
From: JD Doyle
7. Re: Canadian Re-issues
From: Superoldies
8. Del Vetts?
From: JD Doyle
9. Re: Gaudio / Gazette
From: Billy G. Spradlin
10. Re: Ronny and the Daytonas
From: Billy G. Spradlin
11. Genuine Imitation Life Gazette
From: Richard Hattersley
12. Re: Gaudio / Gazette
From: Paul Bryant
13. 4 Seasons Gazette / Saturday's Father
From: Andrew Jones
14. Re: Gaudio / Gazette
From: Mark Frumento
15. Terry Black - Canadian re-issues
From: Tony Baylis
16. Re: Canadian Re-issues
From: Mark
17. 60sgaragebands.com December Updates
From: Mike Dugo
18. Re: Bee Gees/White Soul
From: David Coyle
19. Re: Del Vetts?
From: Rich
20. Re: Tunesmith - Jimmy Webb CD
From: Steveo
21. Re: Let It Be and other Beatles rarities
From: David Coyle
22. Dusty y Raphael Christmas songs.
From: Julio Niño
23. Re: Lola
From: David Coyle
24. First Disco Record
From: Fred
25. Hollies In The Hollies Style
From: David Coyle
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Message: 1
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 03:23:39 -0000
From: RK
Subject: Re: Shortest track of all time
Dan Hughes wrote:
> Even a silent track lasts a particular amount of time, so one silent
> track could be shorter than another.
Beserkley Records put out a 45 by Son of Pete - Silent Knight / Disco
Party (Part 2) in 1976. One side is 2:59 of silence, the other 3:01.
They writing credit is "Arranged by R. Bimler" and the record is
"Remixed" by G. Klotkin. Somehow I think a record buyer who picked this
up after buying Earth Quake, The Rubinoos and Jonathan Richman would
have been a little disappointed. If anyone is interested in "hearing"
this I'd be happy to play it to musica.
RK
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Message: 2
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 03:52:02 GMT
From: Mark
Subject: Wild Man Fischer
Hey Guys! I was typing a message to a friend in another group about
Valiant Records and he mentioned Billy Sherman. I then mentioned to
him that Wild Man Fischer drops Sherman's name at one point on the
LP "An Evening With Wild Man Fischer" (Wild Man mentions taking his
earliest songs to Sherman with no success). Anyhow, that got me to
thinking, as I'd LOVE to see this classic LP released on CD: who
exactly owns the rights to this record? Warner/Reprise? The Frank
Zappa estate? Rykodisc? Enquiring minds wanna know! Thanks in advance.
Best, Mark
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Message: 3
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 03:54:49 GMT
From: Mark
Subject: 45s on CD Mercury series
Hello again! I have both Volume 1 and Volume 3 of the "45s on CD"
series that Mercury put out some time ago. Can anyone tell me what
is on Volume 2 (which I assume covers 1960 to 1966) and if it is
still available? Again, thanks in advance!
Best, Mark
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Message: 4
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 04:00:40 GMT
From: Mark
Subject: Was Tommy James a "Big Time Operator"?
I was listening to an import Charlie Rich CD containing all the
material he did (both issued and unissued) for the Hi label, and
I was stunned to discover that he did a version of "Big Time
Operator" in the late '60s that went unissued until 1994. Prior to
this, I was only familiar with the version I remembered as a kid
by the underrated Canadian singer Keith Hampshire (circa '72-'73).
I asked on another list and found out that Zoot Money's Big Roll
Band recorded the song before Rich (it's featured on a recent CD of
Money material on Repertoire) and that Tommy James may have done a
version as well. Can anyone confirm whether Tommy did this song or
not? Once again, thanks in advance for any help! :)
Best, Mark
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Message: 5
Date: Thu, 27 Nov 2003 20:48:41 -0800 (PST)
From: Kevin Martin
Subject: Re: Shortest track of all time
Bryan wrote:
> I don't know if anyone's mentioned it (don't think so), but Andy
> Partridge of XTC once contributed a :20 second track to a
> collection called 'Ambition, Vols. 1-2: The History of Cherry Red
> Records.'
As I recall, this Andy Partridge track was originally released on a
UK-release compilation LP titled MINIATURES. If I recall accurately,
it was compiled by Morgan Fisher (of Mott the Hoople fame) and there
may have been a volume 2. The criterion for inclusion was that no
track could be longer than 60 seconds, and the Andy Partridge track
was indeed a hilarious standout.
Kevin Martin
Los Angeles
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Message: 6
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 05:24:09 -0000
From: JD Doyle
Subject: Dusty & Lesley Christmas songs?
Can anyone please tell me if Dusty Springfield and Lesley Gore
recorded any Christmas songs, and if so, where I might find them.
I'm putting together a radio show, my annual Queer Christmas Special
...actually, two one-hour shows...and it would be nice to include
them.
JD Doyle
www.queermusicheritage.com
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Message: 7
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 05:57:21 -0000
From: Superoldies
Subject: Re: Canadian Re-issues
I have been working with lead singer Allan Nicholls to release a
J.B. & The Playboys/Jaybees/Carnival Connection CD compilation in
2004. Updates & details on my site: http://www.superoldies.com
Hopefully a "Canada To Clovis" recording compilation too once I get
the Norman Petty Studios DVD documentary done, which will feature
some info on Canadian artists who recorded there.
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Message: 8
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 05:33:04 -0000
From: JD Doyle
Subject: Del Vetts?
Does anyone have (and can email me) any photos of the Del Vetts...
the group that gave us the terrific (though obscure) "I Want A Boy
For Christmas"
Thanks,
JD Doyle
http://www.queermusicheritage.com
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Message: 9
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 06:46:42 -0000
From: Billy G. Spradlin
Subject: Re: Gaudio / Gazette
Rob Stride wrote:
> This is a BRILLIANT album IMPO and should be listened to without
> prejudice.
It's proably the original 4 Seasons all-time best LP (along with
1964's "Rag Doll" and 1966's "Workin' My Way Back To You") but I
think what killed it commerically was that there just wasnt a great
Top 40 hit on it that would have grabbed the attention of old fans.
The tracks Philips pulled from it "Saturdays Father" (which drags on
with its middle interlude but I love the ending) and "Idaho" (great
song but those annoying sound effects at the beginning proably killed
any Top 40 station from playing it) bombed and so did the LP. The
closest to a commercial song here is "Something's On Her Mind" but
Philips tossed it out as a B-side instead, then flipped it but then
it was too late.
Like "Pet Sounds" it went over the heads of thier longtime followers
who wanted love/dance songs, and the "hip" people that the Seasons
wanted to impress just laughed and ignored it. I saw this LP in
cutout bins for years in the seventies (Philips proably overpressed
it) and I finally picked it up in the early 80's for 50 cents. You
really need the original USA LP with its full cover art and parody
newspaper to appreciate how much they put into making this LP. The
A&P ad and obituary of deceased groups still cracks me up.
Billy
http://listen.to/jangleradio
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Message: 10
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 07:14:58 -0000
From: Billy G. Spradlin
Subject: Re: Ronny and the Daytonas
Paul Bryant:
> I have an old tape of a single by Ronny and the Daytonas -
> Winter Weather and the flipside is Young - both great little
> songs. Any chance this material has ever been rereleased?
Stefan:
> Both are from RCA 47-9022 (Nov. 1966). It's on one R&D CD, but
> not on the one from Sundazed that only had Mala material. I can
> look it up if anybody needs this info.
I picked up that single this year and while "Winter Weather" was OK
and typical of the bands non-car song output, "Young" really knocked
me out. While I loved "Sandy" I didnt think Bucky Wilkin was capable
of something this intense. A hyper-upbeat piano shuffle with falsetto
harmonies all over the place, and a nice "freak-out" ending with the
drummer ratcheting away at the fade. What R&D CD is this on?
Billy
http://listen.to/jangleradio
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Message: 11
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 14:26:59 +0000
From: Richard Hattersley
Subject: Genuine Imitation Life Gazette
> And finally, the whole album is straining mightily to be "relevant"
> like Bob Gaudio said to himself - uh oh, the Seasons are beginning
> to sound old hat, better get hip with this protest stuff.
Why is it beyond belief that Bob Gaudio was just making music that he
liked. Just remember that despite the older ages of Frankie And Tommy,
Bob was no older than Lennon or Mccartney or Wilson. I don't think
Bob gave a toot about getting "hip". The seasons may have actually
done beter sales wise to do an album of their normal Funky Motownesque
stuff ala "Beggin" and "Cmon Marrianne" but Gaudio went with what he
wanted to do. Branch Out. I think if you had heard the album not
knowing that it was by the Four Seasons that you would have a different
view.
Richard
http://www.wiz.to/richardsnow
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Message: 12
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 00:17:26 -0800 (PST
From: Paul Bryant
Subject: Re: Gaudio / Gazette
Rob Stride:
> This is a BRILLIANT album IMPO and should be listend to without
> prejudice.
Well, I must disagree. The Seasons were one of the three or four
greatest 60s pop bands. The problem with the Gazette is not that
conservative fans couldn't accept them progressing into challenging
territory. The problem is that the subject matter of their social
satire/comment (via Jake Holmes) is so very very feeble and had
already been done to death by the time the album was released; and
also, about half of the songs are really quite duff. Mrs Stately's
Garden? Noooooo thank you. Things like that are just recycling Mrs
Robinson, Pleasant Valley Sunday & many other equally dubious social
comment songs of the previous couple of years. So the great stuff on
the album (Something on her mind, Idaho) got overwhelmed. In my
humble opinion of course!
pb
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Message: 13
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 09:54:51 -0500 (EST)
From: Andrew Jones
Subject: 4 Seasons Gazette / Saturday's Father
A side note to the 4 Seasons "Gazette" discussion: I have the single
"Saturday's Father," which (if I'm not mistaken) was the only single
released from the album. The B-side was a tune called "Good-Bye Girl,"
which sounds like a leftover track from their "golden era" (and which,
as far as I can tell, hasn't been released before or since).
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Message: 14
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 20:22:18 -0000
From: Mark Frumento
Subject: Re: Gaudio / Gazette
Rob Stride wrote:
> I must agree with Stuart, if that album had been recorded by
> anyone else it would have had a totally different reception.
> Bob brought in Jake Holmes for the simple reason that they
> were like many other pop bands of the 60s, they knew how to
> have hits.....but unlike others, they knew their limitations.
Rob, I agree with you. In fact "Saturday's Father," one of the best
tracks on the LP (IMO), is really well delivered and effective. In
fact perhaps a bit too much so. I find it hard to listen to because
Valli's delivery is so clear and real. But I guess in it's day
listeners just did not associate the voice with such a personal and
emotional topic.
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Message: 15
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 15:33:59 -0000
From: Tony Baylis
Subject: Terry Black - Canadian re-issues
Mikey wrote:
> Mark, I know of one reissue label that is looking for the
> Terry Black tapes to put out a comp. Please email me
> offlist
The Terry Black material was owned by Arc Sound, out of Toronto.
When they went bankrupt, the Arc catalogue was purchased, I believe,
by Amhurst Records of Buffalo NY. Now this was many years ago, but
they may still own it as Black wasn't an artist for which there was
a wide demand, even though he was pretty good. The Ugly Ducklings
recordings and the Yorkville label were also part of the deal.
Tony Baylis
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Message: 16
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 22:13:07 -0000
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Canadian Re-issues
Superoldies wrote:
> I have been working with lead singer Allan Nicholls to release a
> J.B. & The Playboys/Jaybees/Carnival Connection CD compilation in
> 2004. Updates & details on my site: http://www.superoldies.com>
Hopefully a "Canada To Clovis" recording compilation too once I get
> the Norman Petty Studios DVD documentary done, which will feature
> some info on Canadian artists who recorded there.
How about The Big Town Boys? Or a nice comprehensive Staccatos? Or
Original Caste, 3s a Crowd, Octavian, Craig Ruhnke, Susan Jacks solo,
Major Hooples Boarding House, Patricia Dahlquist, Diane Leigh, Gary
and Dave, Terry Black. There is a lot of great pop stuff that has
gotten buried. As is usually the case, only the garage and
psychedelic crap gets reissued and the pop gets forgotten. Anyone hear
of a group called Wishbone (not the one on Fontana) with 3 great Grass
Roots soundalike singles? Larry Evoy solo after leaving Edward Bear
had some nice stuff. Nothing coming out though.
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Message: 17
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 10:15:07 -0600
From: Mike Dugo
Subject: 60sgaragebands.com December Updates
Just a quick message to announce that the December updates to
60sgaragebands.com are now online. Included are interviews/
recollections with Joe Tarantino of California's The Vandals
(perhaps best known for their "Wet & Wild" and "Mustang Georgie"
promotional songs); Kenneth Stephens and Hans Stucki of Ohio's
Silvertones / Rebels / Angry; and Jack Bandoni, Jr. of Maryland's
Piece Kor ("All I Want Is My Baby Back" and "Words Of The Raven").
We've also updated the Cameos section with some new information on
recently discovered band appearances on TV shows and feature films.
If you'd like to receive more frequent updates - inclouding news on
our new CDs Series - in addition to the postings on our favorite
email groups, please email us at mike@60sgaragebands.com and let us
know.
Thanks.
Mike Dugo
http://60sgaragebands.com
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Message: 18
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 11:41:36 -0800 (PST)
From: David Coyle
Subject: Re: Bee Gees/White Soul
>From what I've heard, "To Love Somebody" was written
by the Gibbs for consideration by Otis Redding, as had
been "It Is No Secret" by Marty Balin, which was
recorded for the first Jefferson Airplane album. Otis,
of course, died, presumably before he was able to hear
the demos.
Oddly enough, "Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay" wasn't
released until after Otis's death, but "To Love
Somebody" would have been an appropriate followup
given the Redding treatment. It's very much in the
direction Otis was going at the time of his death.
I think the Bee Gees had a very soulful vocal quality.
They could write a good R&B ballad as good as anybody.
It was after the disco era swallowed them up that it
started to sound ridiculous.
David
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Message: 19
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 15:51:12 EST
From: Rich
Subject: Re: Del Vetts?
J.D. asked about:
> "I Want A Boy For Christmas"
The band who had the above song must be a different band to
the Del-Vetts of Chicago who later changed their name to
Pride & Joy?
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Message: 20
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 11:48:40 -0800 (PST)
From: Steveo
Subject: Re: Tunesmith - Jimmy Webb CD
Richard Havers wrote:
> I received from Amazon UK this morning my copy of
> the new Raven (Australian label) double CD, Tunesmith -
> The Songs of Jimmy Webb. It is a treat.
Richard,
Glad you dig this material as I do... Jim Webb is one of our
national treasures. I also remember him as one of the politest
young men I ever met back when he was in his very early 20s
(haven't seen him in years)
Steveo
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Message: 21
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 12:32:59 -0800 (PST)
From: David Coyle
Subject: Re: Let It Be and other Beatles rarities
Well, hopefully the "legit" rerelease of the film is
in the imminent future.
As for the "acoustic White Album," there have been
numerous bootlegs of these "Esher Demos," and quite a
few, but not all, were finally issued on "Anthology
3," along with some previously unbooted demos from the
same session, which were later reworked into parts of
the "Abbey Road" side 2 medley. The most interesting
thing about these demos is the background noise. Lots
of talking and TV droning. Of course, Beatles fanatics
have been itching to hear the fabled 27-minute version
of "Helter Skelter," but I don't think this would be
considered for a bonus disc.
I've heard numerous live Beatles bootlegs. To simply
issue one Beatles concert, for instance, one of the
two Hollywood Bowl shows, it would be a waste of disc
space, considering it's only 30 minutes for each show
they performed between 1964-66. Rhino Handmade put out
a 4-CD boxed set of the Monkees live in 1967. Four
discs, four concerts, pretty much one set list. That
would be overkill for the Beatles as well.
I say release the 2 Hollywood Bowl concerts on one
disc, or just go all out and put out a compendium of
live highlights from all the shows in the archives.
The complete Shea Stadium concert, plus a straight
reissue of the TV special, all on one DVD, would be a
bonus. That looks like an interesting show. I know
it's been bootlegged, but think how an official
release would look based on the "Anthology." I could
never buy another one of those "grey market" transfers
of the Washington Coliseum concert, after seeing the
restored version on "Anthology."
There's just so much material out there that's been
bootlegged to death that's just screaming for an
official release with all the trimmings. And it's
getting closer to too late with every day...
David
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Message: 22
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 22:28:40 -0000
From: Julio Niño
Subject: Dusty y Raphael Christmas songs.
J.D. Doyle said:
> Can anyone please tell me if Dusty Springfield and Lesley
> Gore recorded any Christmas songs, and if so, where I might
> find them. I'm putting together a radio show, my annual Queer
> Christmas Special...
Hi,
Dusty Springfield released a single with Christmas songs in
1964. O Holy Child / Jingle Bells (Philips BF 1381). I haven't
heard it.
Continuing with the Christmas subject, a very famous villancico
(Christmas song) here in Spain is "El Tamborilero" ("The Little
Drummer Boy") by Raphael (Hispavox 1965), a Spanish singer
so extremely melodramatic, that everybody has always taken for
granted that he has to be gay, although he has semi-denied it on
several occasions. (In his case if he weren't gay he would simply
be a paranormal phenomenon).
Julio Niño.
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Message: 23
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 11:30:50 -0800 (PST)
From: David Coyle
Subject: Re: Lola
In "Lola" by the Kinks, it's Lola who is a man. The
clues are there, like "in a dark brown voice," "she
walked like a woman and talked like a man" and "when
she picked me up she almost broke my spine."
The most interesting thing about the lyrics is that it
turns out that not only does the singer realize Lola
is actually a man, _he doesn't care_!
David
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Message: 24
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 21:13:36 -0000
From: Fred
Subject: First Disco Record
A number of posts have appeared on this subject. My number one
contender has been "Too Young" by Tommy Vann and the Echoes from
1966. I've played a RealMedia file of it to musica.
If anyone is interested, I can also post their "Pretty Flamingo", as
there was a similar interest in the tune earlier on. Let me know.
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Message: 25
Date: Fri, 28 Nov 2003 12:09:55 -0800 (PST)
From: David Coyle
Subject: Hollies In The Hollies Style
It's odd that you mention "Put Yourself In My Place,"
which is also included on the "Not The Hits Again"
compilation, and is also described in the same
sentence as "workmanlike." I think they're both great
melodies with a very "beaty" rhythm.
The British equivalent (for the most part) of the
"Hear! Here!" album, simply titled "Hollies," is also
an underrated LP, with some great mid-period beat
gems. This (or the US album) is definitely one the
Buckinghams listened to around the time of their debut
album, because their versions of "Lawdy Miss Clawdy"
and "I've Been Wrong" are exact copies of the Hollies'
versions from "Hollies," except with horns.
As much as I love the Hollies, I have to say the new
Hollies boxed set looks a bit disappointing. Among the
recordings left off of "Long Road Home" are "Stop Stop
Stop" and "Just One Look." There are live versions of
these songs included, but they're obviously from the
'70s, as both appear on the "Live Hits" album that was
recorded in '76, where "Just One Look," while
retaining the ending they'd used since at least 1964,
is marred by cheesy synthesizer effects.
I was hoping to trade in my old "30th Anniversary
Collection" for a definitive Hollies boxed set, along
the lines of "Zombies Heaven," but I'd be missing out
on a lot of good songs in return for some substandard
rehashes...
David
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