________________________________________________________________________
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
________________________________________________________________________
There are 21 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Snuff Garrett
From: Mark T
2. Re: Rhymes
From: Tim Viney
3. Re: Orpheus
From: C Pontidue
4. Re: Worst Rhymes
From: Aidan Clark
5. Mike Smith Update
From: David Walker
6. Re: Spoonful
From: John Fox
7. RE: Snuff Garrett/Allan Klein
From: pres
8. Re: Jimmie Cross
From: John Fox
9. Re: Thanks and other stuff
From: Art Longmire
10. Re: Best line in a song
From: Bill George
11. Re: worst rhymes
From: Guy Lawrence
12. Wait, it's Frankie Vaughan
From: Martin Roberts
13. Lovin Spoonful
From: Steve Harvey
14. Re: At The Drive-In
From: S.J. Dibai
15. Re: Good Lyrics
From: Jon Adelson
16. Another Bad Rhyme
From: S.J. Dibai
17. Sgt. Pepper's Pow-Wow
From: Steve Harvey
18. Re: more Worst Lyrics
From: Steve Harvey
19. Jerry Yesterday
From: Steve Harvey
20. Re: Casey Kasem and Folk Rock on PBS
From: S.J. Dibai
21. Re: Worst Rhyme/Roller Coaster
From: S.J. Dibai
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 20:12:18 -0000
From: Mark T
Subject: Re: Snuff Garrett
> Gee, whenever I see his name, I think of great rock and roll
> records nearly ruined with string orchestras. True, he made
> some classics, but many of the records he produced would have
> been much better left alone.
>
> Have I just started a new topic for discussion? :)
I love records with string orchestras and I think the productions
sound cheap without them. All a matter of taste and obviously his
stuff sold in great numbers so you my friend are in the minority.
I always laugh when people look for the crappy b-sides and
throwaway songs with no commercial appeal and they consider those
to be the "good songs". Well there's a reason well-produced records
are called "commercial". That's because the majority of people want
to hear that.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 18:38:47 +0000
From: Tim Viney
Subject: Re: Rhymes
How about this for an inventive rhyme from Jackie
De Shannon's "When You Walk In The Room"
"I close my eyes for a second and pretend it's me you want
meanwhile I try to act so nonchalant"
Tim
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 20:19:35 -0000
From: C Pontidue
Subject: Re: Orpheus
Tom wrote:
> Yeah, I guess the song in the Infiniti commercial,
> "As They All Fall" never charted. It was from their
> third album for MGM called "Joyful", which was released
> in 1969. According to "Fuzz, Acid & Flowers" by Vernon
> Joynson, the album had two singles "Brown Arms In Houston
> / I Can Make The Sunrise" and "By The Size Of My Shoes /
> Joyful". Interesting note, "Brown Arms In Houston" was
> written for the group by none other than Joe Henry!!
> I've already ordered my copy of "The Very Best of Orpheus"
> from Amazon. It doesn't contain "As They All Fall" so I
> also need to find the 1995 UK release, "The Best of Orpheus"
> or the Italian compilation, "The Complete Orpheus".
I recently got the BMG Heritage best of Orpheus. I wore it out.
"Can't Find The Time" is their best known. AT least on the East
coast it was on the radio a lot and certainly captured my ears.
It, along with Van Dyke Parks' SONG CYCLE and the Left Banke's
music promised a future in which music would evolve into the
equivalent of classical music.Little did we know that melody and
lyric would give way to rhythm and gimmick over time. Thus we
have "Urban" and Britney. I wonder how far up the charts "Can't
Find..." made it??
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 19:25:26 -0000
From: Aidan Clark
Subject: Re: Worst Rhymes
Jules Normington:
> Speaking of rhymes and imagination, as we appear to be, I always
> thought that for going the extra yard the prize would have to go
> to those way-off-list laureates of early Brit metal, Black Sabbath,
> for their opening couplet to "War Pigs":
I seem to recall the lines
"Heavy boots of lead
Fill his victims full of dread."
and
"He was turned to steel
In a great magnetic field."
Also by the mighty Sabs (Iron Man).
Wouldn't an Iron Man have iron boots, or be turned to iron?
AC
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 07:32:23 +1030
From: David Walker
Subject: Mike Smith Update
Hi Spectropoppers,
Here is Lynn Brigg's update on Mike Smith.
Cheers
Norman
" Just got back from a LONG weekend away with far too
much travelling involved, but it was worth it to see
Mike and Charlie. Mike is still in very good spirits
and seems to be progressing.His bed is surrounded by
cards and photographs sent in by his many fans and
friends around the world. A quick count came up with
122 cards! Charlie read every single card out to Mike
along with every letter that they also had received. I
know they want to thank you all and I'm sure Charlie
will be doing that herself in the next few days. Along
with John and I were Roz Foster from the RTF and her
husband Norm, Lenny Davidson, John Mackswith and Mike's
friends Peter and Lavinia with their baby son Lucas.
Mike received lots of gifts, many of which will be
really useful to him while he is still in hospital.
Charlie got him a nice birthday cake which unfortunately
he couldn't eat himself, but his guests made short work
of it! We all stayed for a number of hours and Lenny was
standing on a chair helping me hang the cards up.Once
again Mike,Lenny and John had some laughs about the
"good times" and Mike really seemed to enjoy the day.
We visited him again for a few hours this morning
before we had to leave for the long journey home.
The staff are excellent although they were a bit
bemused to see so many cards being displayed around
his bed.We hope to visit him again over the Christmas
period so any late birthday cards and /or Christmas
cards will still get to him.
Lynn
=====
Support the "Royal Theatrical Fund" Charity which is helping
Mike after his accident.Email me for info or visit:
http://www.trtf.com/
Mike Smith/Lenny Davidson Official Website and Magazine: http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Theater/9169/index2.html
Official Messageboard: http://www.voy.com/14321/
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 16:04:33 EST
From: John Fox
Subject: Re: Spoonful
Previously:
But if you remember the Spoonful reunion for the Rock
and Roll Hall Of Fame induction, it may be better that
Sebastian isn't singing with them. I just hope it was
a bad night for his voice...
I saw John Sebastian at least 10-15 years ago, and his
voice was shot then. He has some type of nodules or
other deterioration of his vocal cords. Still, he put
on a great show. He told story after story, played the
harmonica as only he can do, and even whistled several
tunes. But any time he tried to sing, it was awful -
painful to be in the audience. I would have felt
embarrassed for him, but you have to figure he wouldn't
be up there if he himself had a problem with it.
John Fox
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 16:11:03 -0500
From: pres
Subject: RE: Snuff Garrett/Allan Klein
Artie Wayne wrote:
> P.S. Is it true that Allan Klein hasn't released the
> Cameo/Parkway catalog because he was never able to do
> the Twist,The Mashed potatoes or the Bristol Stomp?
It's my understanding that it's all because he was
never able to get his feet around the NEW continental.
Now the old continental, that he can do just dandy...
pres
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 16:06:57 EST
From: John Fox
Subject: Re: Jimmie Cross
Previously
> Jimmy Cross "I Want My Baby Back" - great Shangri-Las
> answer record
> Funny as hell, too. Didn't he record under another name
> as well, or was this his nom de plume? Or am I way off
> base on this?
You may be getting him mixed up with Jimmy Drake,
who recorded as Nervous Norvous ("Transfusion").
John Fox
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 9
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 21:30:44 -0000
From: Art Longmire
Subject: Re: Thanks and other stuff
Mark wrote:
> Art Longmire: you mentioned that Jim Pepper was a
> member of Everything is Everything. I'm not so sure
> about that - my understanding is that there were two
> versions of "Witchi-Tai-To" that competed for audience
> attention. One was by Everything is Everything (on the
> Vanguard Apostolic label), the other by Jim Pepper's
> Pow-Wow (on the Atlantic subsid Embryo).
Hello Mark,
With regard to Jim Pepper-he was an American Indian musician
who got the basic idea for "Witchi-Tai-To" from a chant that
he heard his grandfather perform. Jim was a member of the group
Everything is Everything and played saxophone with the band-his
"Witchi-Tai-To" was a hit single off of the band's album in 1969.
This was the first recording of the song. I have the album and
it is a worthy early jazz-rock effort - the group's leader was
Chris Hills. The group does a number of original compositions
and also does a cover of a song by John Coltrane on this LP.
What I really like about this album is the organ playing - the
organist has a beautiful, delicate sound that I've never heard
anywhere else.
"Jim Pepper's Pow-Wow" also features Jim Pepper, of course-it
came out, as you mentioned, on a subsidiary of Atlantic in 1971.
I've never heard or seen this record. My understanding is that
it is more of a straight-ahead jazz effort, with Jim as the
group leader.
Jim Pepper died a few years back-he was recognized for his
pioneering work in blending jazz with Native American music.
Art
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 10
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 16:20:43 EST
From: Bill George
Subject: Re: Best line in a song
Sorry if I'm jumping in late on this topic - I'm still
days behind.
Here are three lines I like:
All the kids from school will be naked in the pool,
While our parents are on Fire Island
- "Fire Island" by Fountains of Wayne
Now me and my monkey
We don't want to kill no Mexican
- "Me and My Monkey" by Robbie Williams
(it's hilarious in context)
and of course...
I close my eyes for a moment and pretend it's me you want
Meanwhile I try and act so nonchalant
- "When You Walk in the Room" by Jackie DeShannon
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 11
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 21:51:57 -0000
From: Guy Lawrence
Subject: Re: worst rhymes
I've tried to resist adding to this list of shame but
I can't hold out any longer. I'm afraid the culprit
is Spectropop favourite Jackie DeShannon:
"Close my eyes for a second and pretend it's me you want
Meanwhile I try to act so nonchalant"
Sorry but it's just always bugged me.
Regards
Guy
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 21:52:45 -0000
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: Wait, it's Frankie Vaughan
Like Ken I used to watch Frankie Vaughan on a Saturday
evening and think how much better it would be if he was
just on the radio. Never did I dream that I'd be owning
one of his records but "Wait" is very good, as is his
take on "There Goes The Forgotten Man", I'd assume the
Ivor Raymonde accompaniment helps.
Now playing at musica.
Martin
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 13
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 14:50:03 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Lovin Spoonful
David Coyle:
> But if you remember the Spoonful reunion for the
> Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame induction, it may be
> better that Sebastian isn't singing with them. I
> just hope it was a bad night for his voice...
John's voice has been a problem for some time. It may
be psychological. He was having trouble singing when I
saw him two years ago at the Keswick in Glenside, PA.
He isn't interested in rejoining the Spoonful. They
asked.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 00:44:34 -0000
From: S.J. Dibai
Subject: Re: At The Drive-In
Country Paul,
> "AT THE DRIVE-IN is a once-in-a-lifetime concert featuring
> "Surf City" legends of the 1950s and '60s. Fabian, one of
> the original teenage heartthrobs, will host an unprecedented
> lineup including Jan and Dean in their farewell concert tour,
> Bobby Vee, The Surfaris, Dodie Stevens, Gunnar & Matt Nelson,
> The Rip Chords and Chris Montez. AT THE DRIVE-IN will air on
> PBS stations nationwide starting on November 28 and a DVD will
> follow shortly after. Please check your local PBS listings for
> air times in your markets as it will differ from town to town.
> It will air nationwide throughout December. The folks at PBS
> are very excited about it. For any New York fans, Bobby Vee
> will be live in the studio at the New York City PBS affiliate
> for the broadcast on December 1."
> Did anyone in this group see this? How was it?
Disappointing to say the least, but not a total waste. Let me
give you a rundown:
Fabian: he never could sing anyway, but he still looked good and
was fun and enjoyable. He kept making fun of the young dancers
they had on the set!
Jan and Dean: you know, it's both depressing and inspiring to see
Jan Berry in his semi-paralyzed state, still suffering from aphasia,
but still performing nonetheless. Dean looked great, but sounded
horrible when he tried singing "Little Deuce Coupe". What was
really erie was seeing Jan singing "Dean Man's Curve," because
his accident happened near that very location.
Bobby Vee: not so much singing as wimpering, I'm afraid.....
Surfaris: well, their original drummer is dead, but whoever they
had playing on "Wipe Out" was good. They also did a cool version
of "Hawaii Five-O" (a lot of the acts performed other peoples'
hits as well as their own).
The Nelsons: paid tribute to their dad, singing some of his hits.
Technically great, but it reminded me of how good Rick's records
were.
Chris Montez: tried too hard to sound like he was still 19
Dodie Stevens: she dressed like a cheap whore, but did well by
"Pink Shoelaces"
Merilee Rush: after forcing out "Angel of the Morning" in a voice
that sounded like the result of smoking six packs a day for 20
years, she proceeded to crucify "Be My Baby".
The Orlons: good!
The Rip Chords: The surprise of the show! Really fun, exciting,
and very good, too. The current lineup is led by Arnie Marcus
and Richie Rotkin, who were not on the records but were members
of the original touring group.
That's my two cents.
S.J. Dibai
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 15
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 00:01:44 -0000
From: Jon Adelson
Subject: Re: Good Lyrics
One of my favorite lyrics: "Come on baby do a slow float,
you're a good looking riverboat"
(Laura Nyro - "Sweet Blindness")
Dum duh dee dum dum, oh boy
Jon Adelson
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 00:51:39 -0000
From: S.J. Dibai
Subject: Another Bad Rhyme
Uh-oh, I've found another one! As I was perusing
Spectropop, listening to the Collector's Choice reissue
of The Association's "Renaissance" album (thanks again
for spreading the word about those CDs!), I noticed a
bizarre coupling in Ted Bluechel Jr.'s "Songs In The Wind":
"I am you and you are me, but each knows there's a difference/
We're existing in a place where there are no more fences"
Huh?
S.J. Dibai
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 17
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 19:06:57 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Sgt. Pepper's Pow-Wow
The original version was by Everything is Everything.
Jim Pepper was in the group, but Chris Hills seemed to
get top billing. The only decent tune on it was
"Witchi-Tai-To" which should have been a hit.
Jim Pepper's Pow-Wow (on the Atlantic subsid Embryo)
came afterwards (got one for Ebay) once he'd left the
band.
He later recorded it again for his Ryko CD. The
Everything version is the best. There were other
covers by Brewer & Shipley and Harper's Bizarre.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 18
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 19:09:26 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Re: more Worst Lyrics
America deserves the award for consistently lousy
lyrics. Schoolboy schlock. Even McCartney was known
to wince at 'em.
"The heat was hot", wow, what an astute observation.
"I was hit by purple rain", stay away from the brown
acid!
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 19
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 19:23:59 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Jerry Yesterday
Jerry Yester was actually playing piano on the
demo of Do You Believe In Magic. Jerry is the only
person I know with a live tape of the Spoonful. I
think it was the same show that Varase Saraban
(whatever?) was suppose to release a few years back
before it was canceled.
At one point his daughter was in the revived
Spoonful along with brother, Jim. The line up changes,
but the core is Steve, Joe and Jerry. I think I even
heard that Boone may have even been engaged to Jerry's
daughter (shades of Mike Love and Dennis Wilson!).
Yancey Butler is Joe's daughter and has taken a
turn for the worse since her show Witchblade was
dropped. Attacked her uncle last year
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 20
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 00:54:25 -0000
From: S.J. Dibai
Subject: Re: Casey Kasem and Folk Rock on PBS
Mark wrote:
> S.J.--According to an article some time ago in Disc-Coveries,
> both Steve Boone and Joe Butler are still members of the Spoonful.
> I don't remember any info about the other three people currently
> serving in the group, but they did release a live CD a while back
> on Varese Vintage.
Mark,
Thanks for the info. I was wondering specifically if Butler was
there, considering that he had taken over leadership of the band
after Sebastian's departure.
S.J.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 21
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 00:47:19 -0000
From: S.J. Dibai
Subject: Re: Worst Rhyme/Roller Coaster
Jeff Lemlich wrote:
> A roller coaster may be kicks to kids of four or five or six!
> The unintelligible lyrics add so much to the record,
> which can best be appreciated on an original 1966 Parrot 45.
> If anyone has figured out the "right" lyrics to this song,
> I'd sure like to hear them!
Oh, don't get me wrong, I love that record. The quirky,
off-the-cuff lyrics just add to its charm. Jim Peterik
says he finally finished the lyrics in 1995 for the
"Age Before Beauty" album - can anyone here fill us in?
S.J. Dibai
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
End
