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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 10 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Ruby & the Romantics
From: Tony Leong
2. Jerry Lordan
From: Steve Harvey
3. Re: Gilbert O' Sullivan
From: Glenn
4. Re: Beatles Covers
From: Glenn
5. Re: Orpheus / Bosstown Sound
From: Tom
6. Re: Left Banke
From: Dave Heasman
7. Re: Burt Bacharach's first Production
From: Mick Patrick
8. The Grass Roots Sing Artie Wayne
From: Glenn
9. Re: Beatles Covers - Shirley Horn
From: Chris
10. Re: Beatles Covers / Across The Universe
From: Peter Kearns
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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 19:21:59 -0000
From: Tony Leong
Subject: Re: Ruby & the Romantics
Me:
> I have always wondered--Do the Blossoms back Clydie King on
> "The Thrill Is Gone" from 1965??
Mick Patrick:
> I've just listened to "The Thrill Is Gone" on headphones. To my
> ears, it doesn't sound like the Blossoms on back-ups.
Gee Mick, it sure sounded like Darlene's alto on "The Thrill Is Gone"
to me!!! Oh well.
Mikey:
> Speaking of Ruby, a lot of people don't know that Ruby and her
> group did the very first version of "Hurting Each Other". The
> Carpenters heard it and covered it.
Mick:
> Not correct, I'm afraid. Ruby & the Romantics' version of "Hurting
> Each Other" (A & M 1042, 1969) was preceded by Jimmy Clanton's
> rendition (Mala 500, 1965). Can anyone tell me if Ruby and her
> boys' recording is available on CD?
You were right--Jimmy Clanton sang a DULL version of "Hurting Each
OTher" on Shindig in June 1965--long before Ruby or the Carpenters.
Speaking of which, I think the Carpenters MAY have also done a
rendition of "Your Baby Doesnt Love You Anymore" on one of their
later LP's.
Anyhow, I was disappointed that Ruby's "Hurting Each Other" was not
on that recent CD collection--nor is it on ANY CD that I know of--
YET!!
Lastly, speaking of CD's--is the BLossoms "Stoney End" available on a
CD??????????????????????? Tony
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 11:38:46 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Jerry Lordan
No, Jorgan Ingmann merely covered "Apache" when Atlantic Records
was bungling their promotion for the Shadows' version (just saw
the American lp for $125).
It was written by Jerry Lordan. He supposedly played it for the
Shadows on a ukelele on a bus. Bert Weadon actually did the first
version. Lordan actually wrote a number of hits for the Shadows
and their offshoot, Jet Diamond/Tony Meehan. He had a great knack
for a melody, but a lousy lyricist.
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Message: 3
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 22:22:48 -0000
From: Glenn
Subject: Re: Gilbert O' Sullivan
Steve Harvey wrote:
> I actually taped his show at the Academy of Music in Philly back in
> 1974. What stands out was him being upset with either a reviewer or
> somebody at the show having questioned his masculinity. I remember
> him challenging the offender to come up and duke it out onstage.
Kind of surprising - I mean, wasn't Gilbert the guy who proclaimed
"I'm A Writer Not A Fighter"?
Well, at least that was the title of one of his '70s albums. At the
time, the sentiment impressed me. Now I'm not so impressed.
Glenn
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Message: 4
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 22:38:59 -0000
From: Glenn
Subject: Re: Beatles Covers
> Possible topic for a new thread: non-copycat cover versions of
> Beatles tunes which work on their *own* terms.
My all-time favorite Beatles cover is Robert Palmer's version of "Not
A Second Time". He brought a new energy to this often-overlooked
Beatles classic, and it was perfect for his voice. I believe Palmer's
version was released as a single, but surprisingly didn't chart.
Glenn
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Message: 5
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 23:09:46 -0000
From: Tom
Subject: Re: Orpheus / Bosstown Sound
Mark Frumento wrote:
> Another interesting little LP from Bosstown is Chamaeleon Church.
> The band's main distinction was that Chevy Chase ranked among it's
> members (don't laugh, he's actually quite good and even contributes
> a credible pop vocal on one song).
I found this interesting quote from Chevy Chase regarding his band,
Chamaeleon Church and Orpheus.
"Our band once went on a small tour of Southern universities and
pretended we were Orpheus; we all looked alike with those Nehru
jackets, right? At one school in Kentucky, the audience started
yelling out, 'You aren't Orpheus!' And I was playing keyboards and
yelling back, 'Yes, we are!' We did all their songs--'Can't Find the
Time To Tell You' and all those--and they bought it." - Chevy Chase
>From the following website:
http://www.geocities.com/uridfm/b/bosstown.htm
Tom
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Message: 6
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 23:10:47 -0000
From: Dave Heasman
Subject: Re: Left Banke
Austin Roberts:
> I think Mike Brown's combination, classical, rock pop arrangements
> (his father was a violinist with the New York Phiharmonic, I
> believe), were so unique and the perfect marriage to the songs that
> they developed their own niche.
Mike Brown's father was Harry Lookofsky, a fine classical violinist
who also played some genuine swinging stuff & some innovative "in-
between" music.
The first Left Banke LP with "Barterers & Their Wives" and "She May
Call You Up Tonight" was brilliant. Mike Brown is a lost talent, I
fear. His later group, Stories, was average at best, and since then
next to nothing. He's still in New York, and a little bitter if a
radio interview last year is any indication.
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Message: 7
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 23:33:22 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Re: Burt Bacharach's first Production
Me:
> Here's a poser for all you Bacharach experts. What was the
> first record on which Burt was credited as producer? No prizes
> for the correct answer, except my admiration.
>
> Still waiting for a correct answer. What? no Bacharach experts
> out there? :-)
Albabe Gordon:
> Could it be "The Blob" by The Five Blobs (9/58)?
Nope. Bacharach didn't produce this.
> Or the earliest record I have with his credit is "Baby It's
> You" by The Shirelles (12/61)
Nope. Bacharach's first credited production was earlier than
this.
Richard Havers:
> I know that BB worked with Vic Damone, as his piano player,
> around '53/54. They had met in the army and on returning to
> civilian life BB played piano for Damone on cabaret dates. Did
> it extend to production?
Blimey! Not *that* early! :-)
Albabe continues guessing:
> And one of my faves: "Make It Easy On Yourself" by Jerry Butler?
Nope. Actually, Burt was credited as "arranger" on this classic,
not "producer". There is a difference.
> Or maybe it's an early Dionne Warwick song, like something from
> the album with "Don't Make Me Over" (11/62)?
Nope. Too late. Burt's first credited production was released in
January 1961. There, a clue.
Any more takers before I spill the beans?
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
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Message: 8
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 23:34:55 -0000
From: Glenn
Subject: The Grass Roots Sing Artie Wayne
Artie Wayne wrote:
> Glenn.......How ya' doin'? Yes, I'm the co-writer of "I Wanna
> Slow Dance Again". The Grass Roots did a great job on it!!
> When I wrote the first verse and chorus, I was so excited I
> cornered my friend Richard Perry in an elevator and sang it
> to him accapella. He loved it and asked me to finish it up
> with Artie Garfunkel in mind. I ran home and got my friends
> Norma Helms and Kenny Hirsch to help me finish it up. Artie
> never cut it......but fortunately the Grass Roots did. I haven't
> heard it in years.......could you play it to musica?
Yes, Artie, there IS a Santa Claus, and he brought me a brand new
CD recorder! Or maybe I bought it for myself. I can't remember.
In any case, I am happy to (finally) be able to respond to your
request, and I have uploaded your song "I Wanna Slow Dance Again"
by the Grass Roots to musica.
Thanks for the interesting story on the song's creation. It's neat
to know that this one was basically your baby. It's definitely one
of the better songs on the Grass Roots' last album of the '70's!
Garfunkel, huh? I guess I could hear that - it would have suited
him - but after hearing Rob Grill & Co.'s fine, and very sincere-
sounding, version, it's difficult to imagine it by anyone else.
Have a great holiday,
Glenn
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Message: 9
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 15:33:32 -0800 (PST)
From: Chris
Subject: Re: Beatles Covers - Shirley Horn
> Possible topic for a new thread: non-copycat cover versions of
> Beatles tunes which work on their *own* terms.
One that I, myself, am fond of is Shirley Horn's sensual, Latin-y
version of "And I Love Him" on her 1965 album "Travelin' Light."
Chris
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Message: 10
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 12:04:23 -0000
From: Peter Kearns
Subject: Re: Beatles Covers / Across The Universe
Chris wrote:
> Possible topic for a new thread: non-copycat cover versions of
> Beatles tunes which work on their *own* terms.
In that case, since we're on the topic of Beatle covers, here's one
I did of Across The Universe recently. See what you think:
http://www.peterkearns.net/listen.htm
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
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