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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: lyrics to instrumentals
From: steveo
2. Re: Biggest record label blunders!
From: Mike McKay
3. Re: The Cake
From: Mike McKay
4. spine-shiverers
From: John Lang
5. Dylan & Wilson
From: Al Kooper
6. Re: Ben Findon / Bubblegum
From: Howard
7. Re: There Is no Greater Sin
From: Al Kooper
8. Re: Clusters
From: Al Kooper
9. Re: spine-shiver songs
From: Austin Roberts
10. Re: Billy Ocean
From: Austin Roberts
11. Re: Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind
From: Eddy
12. Re: Steve Tudanger & the Four-Evers
From: Mick Patrick
13. stroboscope
From: Wendy Flynn
14. Jeff Lynne/Mike McKay
From: Peter Kearns
15. Re: Elvis Sun Records master tapes
From: John Sellards
16. Re: Planet Rock
From: Al Kooper
17. vocals versions of instrumentals
From: Tony Waitekus
18. Re: Gary Lewis / John West
From: Mikey
19. Re: Instrumental vocals
From: ACJ
20. Re: "I Think We're Alone Now" sdrawkcaB :eR
From: Robert R. Radil
21. Re: Biggest record label blunders!
From: Tom Taber
22. Rag Dolls Photo
From: Ian Slater
23. Patricia Ann Michaels - Tar And Cement
From: Phil Milstein
24. Re: Label Blunders
From: steveo
25. Re: Norma Tanega
From: Ed Rambeau
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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2004 21:07:16 -0800 (PST)
From: steveo
Subject: Re: lyrics to instrumentals
Dr. Mark wrote:
> I wonder if there's a vocal version of WIPEOUT!
Fred Clemens:
> I don't know of any "WIPEOUT" vocal, but I was
> surprised to run
> across a few interesting vocal versions in recent
> years.
> "I Love Lucy" sung by Desi Arnaz
> "Sleep Walk" sung by Betsy Brye ...a follow up on Canadian-
> American to the Santo and Johnny original. Surprisingly (or
> not), she used a different instrumental track.
> "Wheels" sung by Robb Storme and the Whispers ...this was cut
> in the UK, with lyrics added by Wylie Grace in 1961. The
> original Storme sheet music also gives Norman Petty credit.
> When Storme performed the song, he added even more lyrics,
> which had been written in on the sheet music as "la-la's".
Fred,
I so love to see the trite lyrics added to TV themes
and instrumentals to make a buck. Star Trek has words,
but of course it didn't go over. I also understand
someone tried to write lyrics to Mission:Impossible
lol lol
Steveo
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Message: 2
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 01:56:40 EST
From: Mike McKay
Subject: Re: Biggest record label blunders!
The time given for Simon and Garfunkel's "Fakin' It" on the
single release is "2:74"!
Not a blunder, I suppose, as it was no doubt intentional, but
on "Mechanical World", the B-side of an early single by Spirit,
the time is simply listed as "(very long)"!
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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 01:49:30 EST
From: Mike McKay
Subject: Re: The Cake
Art Longmire wrote:
> Regarding Cake on the Smothers Brothers, they were from Sacramento,
> California where I live...I didn't realize they'd ever made such a
> high-profile television appearance. I have a three page article on
> them somewhere around the house. Your description of their TV
> performance sounds hilarious.
I know I saw the Cake at least one other time on TV in addition
to their Smothers Brothers performance; perhaps even more than
that. The original poster's description of the blonde member
standing stock still and singing with a glazed-eye expression
as if she were stoned out of her mind is spot-on. This was her
standard shtick, and she performed this way all the times I saw
them.
The Cake's two albums on Decca have some good things on them.
For many tracks, they seem to be backed up by exactly the same
musicians who appeared on Dr. John's "Gris-Gris" album, including
Harold Battiste (Mac wrote a couple of the songs as well).
Most of all, there's a transcendent, a cappela track on the second
album called "Under the Tree of Love and Laughter," complete with
voodoo chanting in the background, that's unlike anything you've
ever heard. Highly recommended!
Mike
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Message: 4
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 11:20:59 -0800
From: John Lang
Subject: spine-shiverers
These are some right off the top:
1. the Ronnie Spector sigh in "You Baby"
2. the glissando effects in the 4 Seasons "Candy Girl"
3. the Ronette's "When I Saw You" .... I knew that I would
lose my mind
4. the drum break in "Be My Baby" ... and everything else
about Be My Baby.... (Ronettes)
5. seeing and hearing Martha Reeves sing "live" ....so
naturally beautiful and a voice like brass!
6. guitar effects in the 4 Season's "Teardrops"
7. Patti LaBelle going over the top singing "O Holy Night"
8. "In My Room" by the Beach Boys
9. "Don't Worry Baby" .... Beach Boys
10. seeing Ike and Tina Turner "live" with the Ikettes ...
shake it baby!
11. "Paradise"....... the Ronettes
12. "Born To Be Together"......the Ronettes
13. "I Only Have Eyes For You".... the Flamingos
14. Bette Midler getting a standing ovation at the Cave in
Vancouver before coming out on the stage. That's 'charisma'!
John Lang
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Message: 5
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 02:30:58 EST
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Dylan & Wilson
> Try as I might, I just couldn't see Dylan as a Beach Boys fan in any
> significant way, nor vice versa, as their perspectives, styles and
> attitudes just seemed so remote from each other's. And yet here is
> evidence that even that pair had some crosstalk, albeit minor.
I actually have a photo of Dylan & Wilson together that
I made into a tee-shirt that says: Separated At Birth????
AK
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Message: 6
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 02:39:42 -0500
From: Howard
Subject: Re: Ben Findon / Bubblegum
Austin Powell wrote:
> Much later Ben ran his own Spirit label, which had its only
> success with two records by British comedian/TV entertainer
> Russ Abbott...
Russ Abbott was drummer and vocalist with The Black Abbotts
who had a release (or 2?) on the 'evolution' label.
...Howard
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Message: 7
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 02:50:56 EST
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: There Is no Greater Sin
Guy sez:
> Another (Kooper/Levine) favourite of mine is the Byrdsy
> "There Is No Greater Sin" a '65 single by the Boys Next Door.
Dan Hughes:
> Guy, I think you've sparked a long-buried memory here. Is the
> full line "And there is no greater sin / Than what you're tryin'
> to do"? Where was the group from and what label were they on?
> I feel sure I know that song, and I was thinking it was a local
> group (from the midwest US).
All I remember about that is that the Boys Next Door were produced
by The Tokens. A few years ago there was a Boys Next Door CD on
Sundazed and I snatched that up to have a digital copy of There is
No Greater Sin. Lyrics??
She's a poor man's daughter she dont do the world no harm
She goes to church on Sunday & no one has to twist her arm
But you sit there and boast of how you'll wreck her when you're through
Ahhh there is no greater sin, than what you're tryin' to do
She's so young & innocent she'd let a captured fly go free
So if ya wanna conquer somethin' climb a mountain or swim a sea
Bein' a man's important from a young boy's point of view
Ahh there is no greater sin than what you're tryin to do
Leave the pretty flower be dont pick her 'fore she's grown
Find yourself a wildflower leave the other kind alone
Temptation's way could maker her old before her time is due
And there is no greater sin than what you're tryin' to do
©1964 - Warner Chappell Music
AK
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Message: 8
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 03:04:29 EST
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: Clusters
> Clusters, "Darling Can't You Tell" (with Arlene Smith on
> duet lead vocal; Tee Gee, 1958) -- simply the best uptempo
> doo-wop I've ever heard. A cha-cha with a flute counter-melody,
> good lyrics, good singin', GREAT bass singer. 45 years later it
> still nails me.
You've got a witness here! A great record but I think your year
listing is off. I'd swear it is was about 1962......
Al Kooper
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Message: 9
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 03:07:24 EST
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: spine-shiver songs
spine-shiverers...
The ending of There's A Moon Out Tonight (Capris)
still gets me good!!
Austin R.
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Message: 10
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 03:18:33 EST
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: Billy Ocean
Mark Frumento:
> In 1975, Ben Findon co-wrote and produced
> "Love Really Hurts Without You," the first U.S. Top 40 hit
> for Billy Ocean ...
My favorite Billy Ocean record by far!
Austin Roberts
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Message: 11
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 09:24:59 +0100
From: Eddy
Subject: Re: Some Things Just Stick In Your Mind
Scott Swanson wrote:
> Jagger and Richards recorded a demo version of the song c. July 1964
> with the Andrew Oldham Orchestra backing them. (This is the version
> which can be found on the Stones' "Metamorphosis" LP). Supposedly,
> the same backing track was later used for Vashti's version, which was
> released in May 1965.
Phil Milstein:
> Thanks, Scott (and Mike McKay), that answers my questions real well.
> However I don't know what version of Metamorphosis you're referring to,
> as it's not on my original-release LP. Perhaps the CD reissue?
It's on the UK version only, Phil.
Eddy
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Message: 12
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 10:25:51 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Re: Steve Tudanger & the Four-Evers
The S'pop Team:
> Readers are recommended to avail themselves of two more Coke ad
> demos freshly installed @ musica. Both were written and performed
> by Ellie Greenwich, Mike Rashkow and Steve Tudanger:
Al Kooper:
> Wasn't Steve Tudanger in the Four-Evers on Smash & Constellation?
> I loved that group! They covered one of my songs called "Stormy."
Yes he was.
Good group, good song, good record. As it's unlikely to turn up in
stores on a CD any day soon, I've posted it to musica for all to hear.
The 4 Evers "Stormy" (Constellation 151, 1965) - Written by Irwin
Levine, Boob Brass & Al Kooper, Arranged & Conducted by Charlie
Calello, and Produced by Al Kasha. Given the genius Calello's
invovement, the 4 Seasons-alike sound should come as little surprise.
Click here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/files/musica/
Any thoughts on Steve Tudanger, Al? Rashkovsky tells us Steve's not
in the best of health these days, alas.
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
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Message: 13
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 10:38:47 +0000
From: Wendy Flynn
Subject: stroboscope
Hey S'Poppers
anyone know where I can buy a stroboscope online? It's a
paper circular device you put on your turntable to make
sure it's playing at the right speed. An English website
was selling them a few years ago but I cant seem to find
it now. Thanks!
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Message: 14
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 10:54:01 -0000
From: Peter Kearns
Subject: Jeff Lynne/Mike McKay
Mike McKay wrote:
> Also for the record, I think the whole subject of Jeff Lynne
> started here when I mentioned that there were some objections
> to his drum sound on "Free as a Bird."
In fact I think it's me that must take the credit/honours/blame
long before that. A little monster I wrought and perhaps it
strayed a little out of the spectropop sphere. But interesting
discussion nevertheless. :-)
Peter.
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Message: 15
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 11:11:14 -0000
From: John Sellards
Subject: Re: Elvis Sun Records master tapes
Steveo:
> John, I would suggest to you that all that echo and was added
> in on the board as it was recorded. The fuzz was probably just
> the distortion of Sam's recording equipment at the time.
I've never heard an original Sun record of the song, but the
RCA dog-on-top 45 from the 50s seems to have less reverb than
all the CDs. I'm not talking about the Sun slapback echo, but
reverb. But maybe you're right; the other songs on that tape
are Harbor Lights and I Love You Because, and they've never
sounded that great either.
John Sellards
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Message: 16
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 06:53:35 EST
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: Planet Rock
Dr.Mark
> Also noted is that the flip side of "Short Shorts" was called
> "Planet Rock". Seems like an awfully forward-thinking title for
> the late '50s. What kind of a song was that? ("Planet Rock" was
> later the title of #48 rap hit for Afrika Bambaata in 1982.)
> And checking my bubblegum notes, I have a question mark if
> Jeff Barry was ever involved with The Royal Teens?
Planet Rock was a typical late 50's sax instrumental in the
mode of Rudy's Rock by Bill Haley & The Comets. It's a great
track and I loved playing it in the band. The Royal Teens
were Jersey-ite Bob Gaudio's baby. He was always involved in
the songwriting, played piano and later, of course, was the
driving founder of the 4 Seasons writing most of their hits,
or finding other writers who did. From my vantage point, Jeff
Barry was "nowhere to be seen in the land of a Royal Teen..."
AK
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Message: 17
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 06:20:33 -0800
From: Tony Waitekus
Subject: vocals versions of instrumentals
The Electric Indian had a hit with the instumental Kemosabe.
I have a vocal version by Len Barry. The music track of that
song is the exact same track that became the Electric Indian
hit.
Tony Waitekus
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Message: 18
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 10:08:53 -0500
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: Gary Lewis / John West
Re: Gary Lewis / John West
Yes, it was the studio cats who played on the records.
Gary sang most of the vocals, altho if you listen VERY
closely to some of the stereo mixes, youll hear Ron Hinclins
voice coming thru as the "guide" track for Gary.
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Message: 19
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 10:19:40 -0500 (EST)
From: ACJ
Subject: Re: Instrumental vocals
Mikey: I not only know about the vocal "Walk, Don't Run",
I have an old promo 45 of it, sung by Tommy Leonetti.
And while we're on the subject, howzabout "Magic Star," the
vocal "Telstar"? I have a version by country singer Margie
Singleton (on Mercury, naturally, since she was Mrs. Shelby S.).
ACJ
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Message: 20
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 15:47:24 -0000
From: Robert R. Radil
Subject: Re: "I Think We're Alone Now" sdrawkcaB :eR
Me:
> This is going a little off your topic but "Mirage" by
> Tommy James & The Shondells is based on "I Think We're
> Alone Now" played backwards.
Glenn:
> Myth. Total myth.
Me:
> Myth?
> Give me a few days to locate the 2 songs. I'll then reverse
> "I Think We're Alone Now", attach it to "Mirage" in an MP3
> for all to hear.
Found. Done. Posted to Musica. Enjoy... :)
Bob Radil
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Message: 21
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 09:17:24 -0800 (PST)
From: Tom Taber
Subject: Re: Biggest record label blunders!
I have a copy, and have seen two others, of "It Was I"
as being by "Skip and Slip", and numerous Thunderbird
45s of "Say You Love Me" by the Rogues are printed on
the label as "The Rouges".
An acquaintance in his youth bought a Beatles solo LP,
but brought it back and exchanged it, because one side
played a different solo Beatle LP, I believe that
hadn't even been released yet! The same kid at my
urging checked his cutout copy of a certain Beatles
LP, and sure enough it had a Butcher cover underneath.
He wouldn't sell it to me, but soon traded it to a
man a few towns over, who went on to write many Beatle
related books, and gave the young man, after promising
the world, the equivalent of a palm full of spit for it!
Tom Taber
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Message: 22
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 20:01:32 -0000
From: Ian Slater
Subject: Rag Dolls Photo
On Wednesday 21 January, Bibi LaRed asked:
> Does ANYONE have a pic(s) on the Rag Dolls?
> I've always been curious ...
Be curious no more, I've uploaded one to
Photos area of this site.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/photos
Ian Slater
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Message: 23
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 19:45:00 -0500
From: Phil Milstein
Subject: Patricia Ann Michaels - Tar And Cement
Joining relatively well-known renditions by Caroline Munro and Verdelle
Smith, now playing at musica is a newly-discovered third version of
Vance & Pockriss's "Tar And Cement," by Patricia Ann Michaels.
Michaels's take was released c.1972 by the Hollywood-based Command
Performance label. Although CP had already released a Donnie Elbert
single and had one by Johnny Otis waiting in the wings, it would not be
long before the label lapsed into the tawdry morass of the song-poem
assembly line. In this latter incarnation CP has become best known for
The Music Magicians' unforgettable "Convertibles And Headbands."
The jury is still out on whether Patricia Ann Michaels is the same
singer as Patty Michaels, who was responsible for:
Mrs. Johnny/They're Dancing Now (Columbia 43270, 1965)
Born A Woman/Something Happens (Deep Inside Me) (Epic 10034, 1966)
I Prayed For A Boy (Like You)/Lavender Girl (Epic 10116, 1967)
The record comes from the collection of Michael Greenberg, who has given
me permission to post it to musica.
Enjoy,
--Phil M.
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Message: 24
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2004 21:17:37 -0800 (PST)
From: steveo
Subject: Re: Label Blunders
Denny wrote:
> Anyone else have any other [label] blunders to
> add? Let's hear from ya!
ACJ:
> I have a single on the Ardent label by its most
> famous act, the early-70s cult band Big Star. The
> label says the songs are "Don't Lie To Me" b/w
> "Watch the Sunrise." Well, on my copy, the B-side
> in the grooves is indeed "Watch the Sunrise," but
> the song in the grooves on the A-side is "Thirteen,"
> a different track from their first album. And from
> what I hear, other "combinations" were put out as
> well!
Andru,
The old now defunct label ABC-Paramount in the late
50's often got the labels on the the 45's reversed. I
suppose this was due to the pressing plant, but maybe
the workers got dizzy looking at that "Sqiggly-Q" on
the label that was supposed to represent the audio
spectrum! lol
Steveo
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Message: 25
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 00:19:45 EST
From: Ed Rambeau
Subject: Re: Norma Tanega
Mac Joseph:
> The last I heard, Norma was living out in Claremont California,
> where she paints. From what I know, after "Walkin my Cat"
> (which is still one of my all-time favs), she went to Europe
> for a while.
Thanks for the info, Mac.
Ed Rambeau
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