________________________________________________________________________
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
________________________________________________________________________
There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Good Lines
From: Nick Archer
2. The 1958 murder of John Dolphin
From: Bryan
3. Re: Da da-da da
From: Mike Rashkow
4. Re: Bobby Shafto
From: Scott Swanson
5. Re: Aldon Music Staffers 1962
From: Mikey
6. Re: Snuff Garrett & "Strings"
From: Mikey
7. Re: Bad Rhymes
From: duojet
8. Gilbert's Grapes of Wrath
From: Steve Harvey
9. Re: crooners / Casey K. / good bad & evil lyrics
From: Phil Milstein
10. Re: Austin Roberts
From: Austin Roberts
11. Re: Orpheus
From: C Ponti
12. Re: Bad rhymes / lyrics
From: Andrew Jones
13. Re: Bad rhymes/bad grammar
From: Artie Wayne
14. "Without you I'd be a little lost lamb..."
From: C Ponti
15. Re: Wait, it's Frankie Vaughan
From: Ken Silverwood
16. Re: Paul Hampton
From: Artie Wayne
17. Re: Orpheus
From: Tom
18. Bad Rhymes
From: Christopher Lalor
19. Re: Snuff Garrett/Phil Spector
From: Bill Craig
20. Twistin' In A Winter Wonderland - This SAT 20th December
From: Chris King
21. Re: Bad rhymes/bad grammar
From: Mike McKay
22. Holiday greetings from Ron Dante
From: Laura Pinto
23. Re. Crooners
From: Ken Silverwood
24. Re: Orpheus on BMG?
From: C Ponti
25. Re: Aldon Music Staffers 1962
From: Laura Pinto
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 20:02:43 -0600
From: Nick Archer
Subject: Good Lines
I've always thought the opening lines of "Younger Girl" were
some of the best ever. They totally suck you into the story
in about ten seconds.
"She's one of those girls seems to come with the spring,
One look in her eyes you forget everything
You had planned to say
And I saw her today..."
Well, as a kid I wanted to know what happened next!
Nick Archer
Check out Nashville's classic radio station SM95 on the web at http://www.live365.com/stations/nikarcher
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 19:14:14 -0800
From: Bryan
Subject: The 1958 murder of John Dolphin
Phil Milstein asked:
> P.S. Anyone have any details on the 1958 murder of John Dolphin?
Apologies all around if this has already been answered:
John Dolphin owned Dolphin's of Hollywood, a record
store on Central at Vernon Avenue down in the black
section of L.A. He was also the owner of a small label,
Dolphin Records, among others.
In February of 1958, John Dolphin was shot dead by a
songwriter named Percy Ivy, who'd come to collect
royalties from the Dolphin's of Hollywood Office on South
Berendo Avenue. Witnesses to the shooting included two
white kids who'd ventured down to Central Avenue to
play Dolphin one of their songs. Their names were Sandy
Nelson and Bruce Johnston.
More:
Dolphin, who famously once said that "if blacks can't go to
Hollywood, I'll bring Hollywood to the blacks," employed
Hunter Hancock, Dick "Huggy Boy" Hugg, and Charlie
"C.T." Trammell as DJs for his radio show on station
KRKD from midnight to 6AM nightly. He had them
broadcasting live from his shop window to give his store
that extra edge over the competition. The ploy worked so
well that even white teenagers made the trek down to the
Avenue. This really irritated Chief William Parker's LAPD,
who did their best to keep whites away from the area.
Dolphin had responded as early as 1954 by organizing a
group of 150 black businessmen to complain about the
harassment of his customers.
Unfortunately, Dolphin was as much of a cigar-chewing
shyster as the names of some of his various record labels
-- Cash, Money, Lucky -- implied. One of his slogans
was "We'll record you today and have you a hit tonight,"
but he conspicuously failed to deliver on the second half
of the promise, despite recording such venerable figures
as Pee Wee Crayton, Percy Mayfield, Jimmy Witherspoon,
and doo-wop entities fronted by Jesse Belvin and Bobby
Day.
Bryan
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 20:24:12 EST
From: Mike Rashkow
Subject: Re: Da da-da da
Jon Adelson wrote:
> I regret to say that the Great
> Rashkowsky was unable to help me with this
I want to thank my friend Jon Adelson for exposing my ignorance--
for all the honest world to feel.
OK Adelson--what song are the last 7 words from, huh? No cheating,
no going off line to get help. No nothing. C'mon big boy let's see
what you got.
Di la
Rashkovksy (The Ingrate)
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 18:53:28 -0800
From: Scott Swanson
Subject: Re: Bobby Shafto
Larry Lapka:
> On another subject: I don't even know if their
> music fits in here, but does anyone have any
> information on a group called Bobby Shafto?
> I think they had a mild hit in the late 1960s,
> but I can't recall off the top of my head.
There was a solo act named Bobby Shafto who had a minor hit
with "She's My Girl" in June 1964 -- perhaps that's who you're
thinking of? It didn't make Billboard's Top 40 but it was #86
in Cashbox and #26 on WABC/New York.
Bobby Shafto (real name: Robert Farrant) was from the U.K., and
had been the original lead singer of The Moontrekkers before
being replaced by Rod Stewart (who was subsequently fired by
Joe Meek when they recorded 1961's "Night Of The Vampire").
Somehow Shafto ended up getting a record deal with Parlophone,
and he released 7 45s through 1966. Not bad for a guy who didn't
have any U.K. hits.
He was also briefly in a group called The Guv'ners (with Dickie
Pride and Nelson Keane), but they split up after Shafto was
injured in a car wreck in June 1963.
That's all I know about him. I'm sure there are other
Spectropoppers who know plenty more!
BTW, "She's My Girl" was published by Spectorious Music. (!)
Regards,
Scott
(http://swandwn@agora.rdrop.com)
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 21:27:26 -0500
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: Aldon Music Staffers 1962
Monophonius wrote:
> It has been said that Aldon Music had eighteen (18) songwriters
> working for them in 1962, all twenty-six years of age or younger.
> I can name most of them, but not all. You know, Goffin, King,
> Greenfield, Sedaka, Keller, Mann, Weil, Kolber, Miller, et al.
> Maybe Artie Wayne could come up with a complete list?
Don't forget Koppelman and Rubin (3 O'Clock Rock).
Mikey
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 21:35:45 -0500
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: Snuff Garrett & "Strings"
Mikey, originally:
> .......the biggest selling act on Liberty was The Ventures,
> with over 800 million records sold as of 2002.
I of course typed too fast and meant *80* million records.
Mikey
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 00:28:56 -0000
From: duojet
Subject: Re: Bad Rhymes
Ah, you forgot Sonny's classic solo album "Inner Views" and the
magnum opus "I Just Sit There", which contains the fantastic line:
- "Your sister's still a virgin, your mother's cooking sturgeon"
And don't forget Shadows Of Knight with "I'm Going To Make You Mine"
- "I want you bad, so be prepared."
This could go on for eons.
=======================================================
Admin note:
While in no way wishing to curb anyone's enthusiasm for this
thread and others in a similar vein, may we respectfully request
that members keep in mind the era that is the focus of Spectropop
and try to restrict their contributions to 60s songs.
Thanks.
S'pop Team
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 18:12:17 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Gilbert's Grapes of Wrath
I think "Claire" (which I like) was an attempt to
water down Gilbert's lyrics for mass appeal (along
with the makeover). I first came across his stuff via
promo single of "We Will" which reminded me alot of
McCartney's softer material. About six months later a
buddy of mine mention that Gilbert has a single out
which was "Alone Again Naturally". The lyrics in that
tune I thought were pretty astute, a good take on
human nature. Certainly heavier than most lyrics in
the Top 40. Check out his "Cap" material before
Englebert's manager got a hold of him. Still have a
tape of Gilbert at the Academy of Music in Philly on
his only tour of the USA that I know of.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 9
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 21:23:45 -0500
From: Phil Milstein
Subject: Re: crooners / Casey K. / good bad & evil lyrics
Artie Wayne wrote:
> Phil.........How ya' doin'? Wouldn't you consider Elvis a
> sometime crooner ["Can't Help Falling in Love"]? I don't
> believe it was a mike technique that defined a crooner. It
> was a romantic song delivered by a sensual [usually baritone]
> voice....Como, Crosby and Martin for example.
Elvis? Sure. But how 'bout Michael Bolton?
Albabe Gordon wrote:
> And as for "Claire." I love that song. I really do. And I think it
> perfectly reflects a proper relationship with a very little girl.
I remember the "buzz" at the time was that it was about a babysitter,
although in hindsight I'm not sure that that quite "excuses" it. (In
other words, a lyric like that would NEVER fly in today.) Still, even
when the facts belie our fantasy versions, we needn't let them intrude
on our fun. Furthermore there's no way to misinterpret a line like:
"She's too cute to be a minute over 17."
> "Ain't but three things in this world that's worth a solitary dime,
> But old dogs and children and watermelon wine."
Sounds good to me, but where do we git this watermelon wine
stuff I keep hearin' about?
Artie Wayne wrote:
> Whenever I used to hear Sam Cooke's "Cupid" and the lines,
> "I know with your help her heart I could steal....Help me
> if you will".....I would cringe!! Now I find them endearing.
'Course, it helps put a borderline line across when one of
the great singers is singing it.
Clark Besch wrote:
> Not growing up in the California area, I had never heard of Casey
> Kasem until 1970 when the Wichita station began playing American Top
> 40. For me, he was a replacement, kinda. I grew up with all the
> great 60's jocks talking and telling stories on the air and playing
> the survey countdowns.
I heard Casey doing voiceovers on Jerry Lewis's -- make that, Norm
Crosby's Labor Day (early Sept., for you fawrners) telethon (for
Muscular Dystrophy, likewise), and he sounded just awful. I hope he
was just having a bad vocal day or something, but the fact is he
sounded really, really old, so I wasn't too surprised when I heard
recently he's been axed from his countdown show. Then again, how is
it he hadn't finagled ownership of the thing for himself over the years?
Dan Hughes wrote:
> "And no one heard at all,
> Not even the chair."
> Guys think this song is nonsense; girls think it is profound. Weird.
So in other words it's the Reverse Three Stooges of Song Lyrics?
sugarmagnolia wrote:
> As for best lyrics? What about this from Faces:
> "You want a lip, but you get a cheek
> Makes you wonder where you are
> You want some more, but she's fast asleep
> Gets you twinkling with the stars."
Didn't they also do Don't Give Me No Lip Child? Musta had a
thing for lips ...
Watson Macblue wrote:
> The Sunrays, God help them, in their timeless epic
> "A Little Dog and His Boy":
> My name is Spot
> I am a dog
> My master is Billy
> He collects frog.
Another damn dog/toad-frog couplet! I thought I'd warned 'em
that that's a lyric-killer if anything is ...
Shoop shoop,
--Phil M.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 10
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 23:43:24 EST
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: Austin Roberts
Hi Clark,
Thanks for the welcome.
Yes Bobby Hart worked with Danny Janssen and me on all my
Chelsea recordings.He and I also wrote Over You from the
movie Tender Mercies (song was nominated for an Oscar but
lost to Flashdance).
The album you're talking about was Christopher Cloud, who
was actually Tommy Boyce.
I'm glad you liked One Word; it went over great in concert
and was also cut by the Grassroots.
It's great to be part of Spectropop.There are so many real
music lovers in it who have so much info to share.
Best to you,
Austin
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 11
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 05:54:32 -0000
From: C Ponti
Subject: Re: Orpheus
Art wrote:
> I too am leaning towards getting the BMG Best of Orpheus. I actually
> haven't heard much of their material, but I found a copy of "Can't
> Find The Time" back in the early 80's and just couldn't get enough of
> it, as well as the flip "Lesley's World". At the time I bought this,
> I was unaware that it had gotten so much airplay in the 60's. I
> probably wouldn't have heard it-I was living in California at that
> time. I know that Orpheus recorded a version of "Walk Away Renee"-I'm
> curious to hear their version.
As rabid a fan as I am, their version is awful and self-indulgent.
They just do "ba da da" type scat during the verses, (never actually
singing the verses) and the the chorus they do sing. I love those verse
lyrics and miss them! On the other cuts, though, the wonderful "East
Coast" sound of the band is a total joy. I also dig the primitive
production. There are out of tune guitars, clams on the bg vocals, all
stuff that these days would never see final mix. Due to bouncing
tracks and probably pretty basic mixing techniques, it is kind of a
soup of good and
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 22:54:52 -0500 (EST)
From: Andrew Jones
Subject: Re: Bad rhymes / lyrics
Normally, I have a high tolerance for bad rhymes and bad lyrics.
But in all my years of listening, there is only one song that
has ever made me shout, "Stupid!" That song is the country standard
"Long Black Veil", recorded by numerous acts, including Johnny Cash
and The Band (I first heard it on The Band's "Music from Big Pink"
album).
And oddly enough, what made me shout "Stupid!" wasn't the lyrics
themselves - they're quite well-written, as these songs go - but
the situation the lyrics describe. A man allowing himself to be
convicted and executed for a crime he didn't commit, just to keep
secret his affair with his friend's wife? "Stupid!"
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 13
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 23:07:41 -0800 (PST)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Re: Bad rhymes/bad grammar
Mike........Got another one with really bad grammar. From
"One night With you" by Elvis....."I ain't never did no wrong.
"A triple negative.......but does that turn it into a positive?
regards, Artie Wayne
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 06:11:01 -0000
From: C Ponti
Subject: "Without you I'd be a little lost lamb..."
Trying to find out the title of this old soul song I loved
from early 60s.. We in NY often could pick up a soul station
from far away. This song had a chorus lyric of "and I'm never
gonna leave you, never gonna leave you..." It garnered enough
airplay that I got to know it. The lead vocalist was female.
Sounded kinda like Brenda & The Tabulations or "Hey There Lonely
Boy", (which I still think RULES over the redo as "Hey There.
Lonely Girl"). It was really esoteric and I'm sure NO ONE knows this.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 15
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 08:55:00 -0000
From: Ken Silverwood
Subject: Re: Wait, it's Frankie Vaughan
Martin:
> 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.
Frankly fabulous Martin! Do you think it would be possible
to show us the other side, which I thought was the A side.
I have a top hat & cane moment building!!
Ken on the West Coast
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 23:46:07 -0800 (PST)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Re: Paul Hampton
Mike.........How ya' doin'?"Sea of Heartbreak" by Don Gibson
Written by Paul Hampton and Hal David has long been one of my
favorite songs. When I first met Paul I was at professional mgr.
at Warner Bros. Music and although I wanted to sign him we
couldn't come to terms. I didn't know he was an actor and was
surprised at his excellent performance in "Lady sings the blues"
as the man who turned Billie Holiday onto Heroin.
The last time I saw him Was at Genghis Cohen the chinese restaurant
in Hollywood,which I named and hosted for many years,he was flattered
that I remembered all of his acomplishments.
regards, Artie Wayne
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 17
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 09:29:17 -0000
From: Tom
Subject: Re: Orpheus
Art wrote:
> I too am leaning towards getting the BMG Best of Orpheus.
Where would I find this compilation? I can't find anything
on the internet.
> I probably wouldn't have heard it-I was living in California
> at that time.
Apparently both "Can't Find The Time" and "Brown Arms In Houston"
were local top 20 hits in LA, Fresno, Bakersfield and even San
Francisco. "Brown Arms..." stayed on the charts longer but "CFTT"
reappeared on California airwaves in 1971 as a national top 40 hit
by Rose Colored Glass. I remember seeing a KFRC radio survey that
listed their cover version in the top 10. They even performed it
on American Bandstand.
> I know that Orpheus recorded a version of "Walk Away Renee" -
> I'm curious to hear their version.
There is a sound sample at the following website:
http://tinyurl.com/25cxd
Tom
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 18
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 13:33:41 +0100
From: Christopher Lalor
Subject: Bad Rhymes
Watson Macblue:
> The Sunrays, God help them, in their timeless epic
> "A Little Dog and His Boy":
> My name is Spot
> I am a dog
> My master is Billy
> He collects frog.
You guys don't know what tacky/weird lyrics are until you hear
the Dramatics on the Wingate label out of Detroit, circa '66.
Inky dinky wang dang doo
Baby, baby I love you
Icky dicky zig zag zoo
Girl, I've got my eye on you
Slinky slack sling slang slick
I want a kiss from your lips
Icky dacky ding dang dip
Please dont give me the slip
and it gets worse...............
Maybe they should have called themselves "The Grammatics"
instead.
Chris L
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 19
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 13:21:02 -0000
From: Bill Craig
Subject: Re: Snuff Garrett/Phil Spector
> There was a caricature drawing of Snuff on all of the Snuff
> Garrett productions for a time.
This reminds me of the logo Phil used for his productions on
A&M in the late '60s. I assume we all remember this. It was
also a caricature, no?
Bill Craig
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 20
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 13:54:36 -0000
From: Chris King
Subject: Twistin' In A Winter Wonderland - This SAT 20th December
Dear fellow Brit-based Spectroppers -
Here's the final reminder that the 5th Da Doo Ron Ron Xmas shindig
takes place this coming Saturday 20th December @ the Sussex Arts Club
here in Brighton. Mega special live guests are Emma Wilkinson, Stars
In Their Eyes series winner 2001 (as Dusty Springfield) and hip mod
instrumental combo The Gene Drayton Unit. Emma will perform a selection
of 60s soul & pop classics while The GDU will perform a solo set.
The GDU will be on stage from 9.30pm to 10pm. Emma will appear (backed
by The GDU) from 10.15 to 11pm. Regular Da Doo DJs Chris 'n' Si will
spin between sets and then from 11pm through to 2am.
You can purchase tickets in advance online here now.
Tickets are also currently available in person from the Sussex Arts Club.
Find out more at the Sussex Arts Club web-site here . Alternatively, you
can simply reserve places in the normal way & pay £8 on the door on the
night. E-mail the names of all those wishing to attend ASAP to:-
dadooronron.club@ntlworld.com
Many thanks indeed for your indulgence,
Chris Da Doo
Check the DDRR web-site for more info:-
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dadooronron/
Da Doo Ron Ron - "A 'femme-centric' selection of back-combed harmonizing".
The Guardian - Number 1 Clubs 'Pick Of The Week' November 2003
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 21
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 09:32:24 EST
From: Mike McKay
Subject: Re: Bad rhymes/bad grammar
I wrote:
> I been a rambler and a gambler
> And I guess I always will"
> -- "Heard It in a Love Song," Marshall Tucker Band
> ("will" what? There's no antecedent for this verb!)
I realized upon further reflection (and checking a lyric site
to confirm it) that it's actually even worse than this. The
complete couplet is:
"Always something greener on the other side of that hill
I was born a wrangler and a rambler and I guess I always will"
So there isn't even a "been" to play off of!
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 22
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 14:56:12 -0000
From: Laura Pinto
Subject: Holiday greetings from Ron Dante
Hi all,
The handsome and multi-talented Spectropop fave Ron Dante
has put together a special holiday page with several Christmas
songs for everyone's listening enjoyment.
To access the page, go to http://rondantelist.tripod.com/ and
scroll down a little ways for the link, which is just beneath
the photo of Ron on the homepage.
If you get a "bandwidth exceeded" error message on that attempt,
you can check out the identical page on my site. Visit
http://lpintop.tripod.com/laurasrondantefanpages/ and click on
the link on the homepage.
Season's greetings,
Laura
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 23
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 15:00:21 -0000
From: Ken Silverwood
Subject: Re. Crooners
Ken:
> But your description of crooning is definitely not my
> understanding of the term.
Oh !! I don't hate them !! I adore them !! (except for
Humperdinck) I new him when he was Gerry something.
Ken On The West Coast.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 24
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 17:11:56 -0000
From: C Ponti
Subject: Re: Orpheus on BMG?
Me:
> I recently got the BMG Heritage best of Orpheus. I wore it out.
Tom:
> BMG Heritage released an Orpheus "best of" compilation?
> Are you sure you don't mean the Ace/Big Beat 2CD "Best of
> Orpheus" that was released in '95? Or maybe the more recent
> "Very Best of Orpheus" from Varese Sarabande?
My mistake, Tom. It is the Varese Sarabande CD.When Orpheus first hit
the airwaves, they were my favourite band ever. It's too bad they
didn't last much longer. As an adult I begin to understand how hard
it is for a band to stay together, given personal eccentricities and
artistic clashes.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 25
Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 17:06:16 -0000
From: Laura Pinto
Subject: Re: Aldon Music Staffers 1962
Monophonius wrote:
> It has been said that Aldon Music had eighteen (18) songwriters
> working for them in 1962, all twenty-six years of age or younger.
> I can name most of them, but not all. You know, Goffin, King,
> Greenfield, Sedaka, Keller, Mann, Weil, Kolber, Miller, et al.
> Maybe Artie Wayne could come up with a complete list?
Hello,
I know that by 1963 at least, Don Kirshner's roster included Ron
(Ronnie) Dante, Tommy Wynn, Danny Jordan, and Toni Wine, but this
may have been after Aldon was sold to Screen Gems Music.
Laura
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
End
