________________________________________________________________________ SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop! ________________________________________________________________________ There are 25 messages in this issue. Topics in this digest: 1. Re: Spine-shiverers From: Mike Rashkow 2. Re: Styrene vs plastic 45s From: Bob Radil 3. Re: Patricia Ann Michaels - "Tar And Cement" From: Jeff Lemlich 4. Re: I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know From: Bob Radil 5. Re: Feldman, Goldstein, and Gottehrer From: Guy Lawrence 6. Re: Elvis Sun Records master tapes From: Mike Rashkow 7. Ed Rambeau/"My Own Two Feet" From: Ian Chapman 8. To John Clemente From: Phil Hall 9. Re: Stroboscope From: John Sellards 10. Vance and Pockriss From: Alan Warner 11. Indianapolis sixties groups From: Dan Hughes 12. Re: Instrumental vocals From: Bob Radil 13. Re: Elvis Sun Records master tapes From: John Sellards 14. Re: "I Think We're Alone Now" sdrawkcaB :eR From: Billy G. Spradlin 15. Re: Billy Ocean's "Love Really Hurts Without You" From: Billy G. Spradlin 16. Re: Variable tape quality From: Billy G. Spradlin 17. Re: Steve Tudanger & the Four-Evers From: Billy G. Spradlin 18. Re: Biggest record label blunders! From: Bob Radil 19. 4 Evers; Eddie Rambeau From: Mike Edwards 20. Patricia Ann Michaels From: ACJ 21. Pavlovian Shivers / Harry Warren From: ~albabe 22. Top 40 Radio From: Mark Frumento 23. Re: Austin Roberts Live ? From: Mike Rashkow 24. Re: Variable Speed Oscillator/Hastening the track... From: Billy G. Spradlin 25. iPods From: Denis Gagnon ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________ Message: 1 Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 18:45:13 EST From: Mike Rashkow Subject: Re: Spine-shiverers I'd like to hang a left on this thread and move it to, BRAIN SHIVERERS. I'll start it with trying to count the meter and time to Michel Camilo's "Just Kidding". Di la, Rashkovsky -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 00:21:18 -0000 From: Bob Radil Subject: Re: Styrene vs plastic 45s Billy G Spradlin wrote: > The cheapest vinyl I have ever seen is from Cameo/Parkway's > Wyncote budget label. They used the worst crap! As bad as the old ABC Paramount singles or early Dunhill stuff? It seems they used recycled vinyl, without first removing the labels! Bob Radil -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 01:40:45 -0000 From: Jeff Lemlich Subject: Re: Patricia Ann Michaels - "Tar And Cement" Phil Milstein: > 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. Very nice, Phil, but don't forget there's yet another version of the song -- by Mel Carter, on Imperial. And very good it is! Jeff Lemlich http://www.limestonerecords.com -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4 Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 23:26:25 -0000 From: Bob Radil Subject: Re: I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know Al Kooper wrote: > "You'll Ever Know...." was the most blatant attempt I ever > made at trying to construct a hit single. Its subsequent > failure to become one instantly cured me of that particular > affliction and I got back to music for music's sake again. > I do however harbor a fondness for that track... Hi Al, Regardless of your intentions, "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" ended up being one of my favorites. I was a bit dissapointed though last year when filling in on "The 60s Show" on WNHU/New Haven when I played it from CD and it turned out to be from a different take or recording from what I remember on the original vinyl LP. Bob Radil -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5 Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 23:26:53 -0000 From: Guy Lawrence Subject: Re: Feldman, Goldstein, and Gottehrer Bob Celli wrote: > I can recall seeing the names Feldman, Goldstein, and Gottehrer > on the flip sides on a couple of my early Bobby Vee singles and > thinking they were easily good enough to be the "A" sides!... > Many years later while researching unreleased tracks for upcoming > reissue projects, we came across a couple of other gems, the > brilliantly arranged "Willingly" and "Rhythm of Love". "Willingly" > ended up on the double CD out of the UK. "Rhythm of Love" remains > in the can. I was wondering if any of these songs were recorded > and released by anyone else... Hi Bob, The beautiful "Rhythm Of Love" is on the Strangeloves wondrous "I Want Candy" album - one of the best albums of the whole era in my opinion. Despite their many great recordings, F,G & G have, for some reason, never acquired the same kind of cult following as, say, a Spector or a Greenwich. Bob again: > and also, what are these three great talents up to now? Routine searches on the 'net seem to show that all are currently happy, healthy and active as far as I know. It would be great to get a F, a G or a G on Spectropop sometime! Guy http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TweedleeDumsDrive-In/ -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6 Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 18:07:05 EST From: Mike Rashkow Subject: Re: Elvis Sun Records master tapes Mike McKay wrote: > Witness the Official First Cut of the Original Sun Sessions > Master Recording Tape of Elvis Presley I know Jim Czak - a good guy and a damn good mixer. I doubt whether he is out to "make a buck". I also worked with Joey Reynolds years ago at a small station in NJ - if he's involved, I'd suggest you hold on to your wallets. Di la, Rashkovsky -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7 Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 23:16:45 -0000 From: Ian Chapman Subject: Ed Rambeau/"My Own Two Feet" Ed, Included somewhere in my top ten list of perfect 60s feel-good pop records would be Kenny Lynch's "My Own Two Feet," a tune co- written by you, Bob Crewe and Bud Rehak and issued in '64. (I think your original title was "On My Own Two Feet"). Only recently did I get to hear the U.S. version by Hal Miller, after a few years of searching. I'd always imagined it would be even better than the Lynch cover and envisaged a typical Crewe stomper with Rag Dolls-type b-vox. And when I finally got to hear it, well... it was pretty good, but didn't quite live up to what I was expecting. Maybe I was brainwashed by the version I'd known and loved for so long, but I really think Kenny does this great song full justice – and hey, he's helped out by the Breakaways, with Ivor Raymonde behind the orchestra! It's a perfect blend – slick Brill Building songwriting yet also somehow managing to capture the early Brit mod, "Ready Steady Go!" era. Talking of which... U.K. Spectropoppers who were lucky enough to catch (and tape) the 80s re-screening of vintage "RSG!" footage may remember Kenny lip-synching the song, following a brief interview with Cathy McGowan. Not sure if it was on the commercially released video at the time (several of the songs shown on TV didn't make it on to that compilation). However, it *was* included in the video playlist at the first London Spectropop party back in the summer of '02, for those who were there. Ed, were you ever aware of this version? If not, it's currently playing at musica for everybody to check out. Ian -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 02:06:39 -0000 From: Phil Hall Subject: To John Clemente Mr. Clemente, I just received my copy of "Girl Groups: Fabulous Females That Rocked The World" last night and started reading it. I haven't gotten that far yet, but I did thumb through it, and I can tell that this is a book I'm going to thoroughly enjoy. I just wanted to thank for you the time and effort you put into writing it, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the girl group era. In fact, I'd say it's a must-read for girl group fans. One of the groups I found most interesting is Dianne & The Darlettes. Actually, I think the first time I ever heard of them was when Gale Noble passed away a few years ago. Like so many of the girl groups from that era, they seemed to have an innocence and sweetness to them; very unsophisticated and unaffected. I know they had planned to get back together for rehearsals in 1999, but I'm not clear on whether or not they ever actually did. Do you know if they did, and anything else you'd care to add about them will be greatly appreciated by this fan. Thank you, Phil Hall Clay, NY *************** ADMIN. NOTE - John's superlative book is permanently on Spectropop's recommended reading list - check it out via this link: http://www.spectropop.com/gg/girl.html -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 9 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 02:29:11 -0000 From: John Sellards Subject: Re: Stroboscope Wendy Flynn enquired: > 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! If you follow this link: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jlf/erepro2.htm and go down about 3/4 of the page, there's a link to a program called strobo.exe...it lets you print one out at a handful of given speeds. It should be what you need - it worked for me. John Sellards -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 10 Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 19:17:19 -0800 From: Alan Warner Subject: Vance and Pockriss >From time to time, there have been references to songwriters Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss. I pulled out my file on them last weekend and thought this information might be of interest. Remember it's not intended to be comprehensive but it does contain quite an interesting list of accomplishments. In addition to their biggest hit compositions as a songwriting team namely CATCH A FALLING STAR (Perry Como, 1958), ITSY BITSY TEENIE WEENIE YELLOW POLKA DOT BIKINI (Brian Hyland, 1960), LEADER OF THE LAUNDROMAT (The Detergents incl.Ron Dante, 1964) and TRACY (The Cuff Links aka Ron Dante, 1969), Paul & Lee successfully adapted a number of overseas songs including DOMMAGE DOMMAGE (TOO BAD, TOO BAD): a hit for Jerry Vale in '66, IN MY ROOM (EL AMOR) (Verdelle Smith, 1966) and TAR AND CEMENT (IL RAGAZZO DELLA VIA GLUCK)(Verdelle Smith, 1966). Their original compositions together also included JIMMY'S GIRL (a hit for Johnny Tillotson, 1961), PLAYGROUND IN MY MIND (Clint Holmes, 1973), and I DON'T NEED ANYTHING (Maxine Brown, 1966) which was successfully covered in the UK by Sandie Shaw. There was also the novelty song WHILE THE RECORD GOES AROUND by The Playmates which was a big radio hit in the UK when EMI released the original American version on their local Columbia label in 1958. With Lyn Duddy, Lee Pockriss wrote JOHNNY ANGEL (Shelley Fabares, 1962); with Hal David, he authored MY HEART IS AN OPEN BOOK (Carl Dobkins Jr., 1959) plus two big hits with Bob Hilliard, namely MY LITTLE CORNER OF THE WORLD (Anita Bryant, 1960) and SEVEN LITTLE GIRLS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT (Paul Evans, 1959). With Eddie Snyder, Paul wrote WHAT WILL MY MARY SAY (Johnny Mathis, 1963) and again with Eddie, Paul successfully adapted the Italian ballad IO TI DARO DI PIU? as CAN I TRUST YOU? with which The Bachelors charted in '66; then with Gary Illingworth, Paul wrote THERE'S SO MUCH LOVE ALL AROUND ME (The Three Degrees, 1971) and with Leon Carr, he wrote Johnny Mathis's 1962 seller, GINA. Finally, in addition to Paul recording as a solo artist on Scepter, Messrs. Pockriss & Vance released their own novelty instrumental 45 on United Artists in October 1961 on which they were billed as "Lee & Paul". The two tunes were MANDALINO and NATONAL PASTIME. Rock on! Alan Warner -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 11 Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 20:26:37 -0600 From: Dan Hughes Subject: Indianapolis sixties groups Guy sez: > You're right Dan, the Boys [Next Door] were referred to as > the 'Beach Boys of the Midwest' no less!... Guy, I did a web search and found that they were from Indianapolis, where I grew up! They musta' got airplay on our local rock station (WIFE). You might enjoy this page--a list of sixties groups from the Indianapolis area who released records: http://www.danripley.com/Jason/indiana45s/naptownexcel.htm The only two Indianapolis groups I remember are Sir Winston & the Commons, who were a whole lot better than you'd guess from their one Soma single that is floating around ("Someday We're Gonna Love Again"), and the Dawn Five, who had a great folk-rock song called "A Necessary Evil," and who were in a bad traffic accident just as they were becoming very popular. I believe some of the group members were killed. ---Dan -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 03:26:49 -0000 From: Bob Radil Subject: Re: Instrumental vocals ACJ wrote: > 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.). Are these available on MP3? Bob Radil -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 13 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 02:25:53 -0000 From: John Sellards Subject: Re: Elvis Sun Records master tapes Mikey wrote: > The reverb/echo chamber on the Elvis Sun stuff was NOT added > at the time of recording. There was a small amount of "slapback" > echo added during the original recording. The echo you hear on > the Elvis Sun stuff was done in the late 50s, when RCA dubbed > all the Sun tapes to new masters. They added the echo at that > point. Sadly, many of the original "clean" Sun tapes were lost > so that all the now remains are these "dubbed with extra echo" > tapes. The only way to hear what Elvis really sounded like on > Sun is to get some clean Sun 78s or 45s. They do exist. Thank you; I thought so. The Gold Standard series 45s should have the right versions, but even they sound altered to me. John Sellards -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 00:38:50 -0000 From: Billy G. Spradlin Subject: Re: "I Think We're Alone Now" sdrawkcaB :eR Thanks for playing that mp3, Bob. Tommy James has said for years the melody for "Mirage" was based on accidentally playing the tape of "I Think We're Alone Now" backwards. And I think its cool he even put in some backwards percussion for the drum break. One of my all-time favorites from him. ylliB -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 15 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 01:23:41 -0000 From: Billy G. Spradlin Subject: Re: Billy Ocean's "Love Really Hurts Without You" Phil Milstein: > Great record! Wonderful encapsulation of the Motown sound. Is > it on CD, or available for musica-ing? It's on Rhino's "Have a Nice Day - Volume 23" CD -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 01:20:05 -0000 From: Billy G. Spradlin Subject: Re: Variable tape quality Superoldies wrote: > Not exactly sure on the details, but it was during the '80s > that a whale embargo/killing ban forced Scotch and others to > switch from one ingredient in their tapes to using something > different. The oil they used in the tape breaks down & causes > it to disintegrate after a few years, and quite a few '80s era > tapes are in bad shape. I did a project for a group that recorded > for the Blind Pig label in 1986, and their tapes fell apart on > the reel as it was being transferred! >From what I have read tape manufacturers switched from whale oil to synthetic oil in the mid 70s. I have many cassettes and a few (glup!) 8-track cartridges that I recorded in the 70s of radio broadcasts that still play fine after all these years. It seems that the kind of synthetic oil they used for consumer tapes has held up longer than the ones they used for professional reel to reel tape. I have several reels from my DJ days from the mid 80s that I probably need to transfer to CD-R pronto. I just wonder how long CDs and recordable CD-Rs will last. I have had a few of them quit playing after being stored a for couple of years. (Those notorious "bronzed" Polygram CDs and a few from an American CD manufacturer called Discovery Systems that made them for Rhino, Word/Myrrth and many small indie labels in the 80s) Billy http://listen.to/jangleradio -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 17 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 01:52:52 -0000 From: Billy G. Spradlin Subject: Re: Steve Tudanger & the Four-Evers Mick Patrick wrote: > [now at musica]...The 4 Evers "Stormy" (Constellation 151, > 1965) - Written by Irwin Levine, Bob Brass & Al Kooper, > Arranged & Conducted by Charlie Calello, and Produced by Al > Kasha. Given the genius Calello's involvement, the 4 Seasons- > alike sound should come as little surprise... "The first time I ever held her in my arms I knew that she wouldnt be, easy for me She started fighting and kicking and biting" YIKES...! Are there any more great tracks from this group? Billy http://listen.to/jangleradio -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 18 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 00:02:07 -0000 From: Bob Radil Subject: Re: Biggest record label blunders! Denny wrote re. label playing time blunders: > Anyone else have any other blunders to add? Let's hear from ya! Two versions of "Reflections Of My Life" by Marmalade were released on singles, 03 :12 and 4:18. I've seen both mislabeled. I have two copies of "Runaway Child Running Wild" by The Temptations, 04 :30 and 3:17. They're both labeled 3:17. There's the oldies reissue of "Are You Ready" by Pacific Gas And Electric that lists the time as 2:40 but has the full 5:49. The true 2:40 version was only on original promo singles. A very close simulation of this edit was included on a Dick Bartley compilation CD. And then there's the famous 2:74 listing on "Fakin' It" by Simon And Garfunkel, but that was intentional. Bob Radil -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 19 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 02:49:51 -0000 From: Mike Edwards Subject: 4 Evers; Eddie Rambeau Mick Patrick writes (Re; 4 Evers' "Stormy"): > 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. I'm not sure whether or not it turned up in stores but a phenomenal 4 Evers' CD appeared on the Magic Carpet label in the mid-90s. The cover says Steve Tudanger and the 4-Evers produced it. The CD features a 12 page booklet and 33 tracks. As well as the 4-Evers' titles such as "Stormy", "Be My Girl", "(Say I Love You) Doo Bee Dum" and "A Lovely Way To Say Goodnight", we are treated to songs on which the 4-Evers sang back-up: Evan Mitchell – "Pollyanna" Evan Mitchell – "Get Back In De Bed" (wr: Eddie Rambeau-Bud Rehak)) Vic Thomas – "Marianne" Tom Crewe (Bob's brother) – "Come On Dream" The discography in the sleeve notes is very thorough and lists titles on which the group sang back-up but which are not on the CD. Two relevant listings are: Eddie Rambeau – "Concrete And Clay" Eddie Rambeau – "Come Closer"/"She's Smilin' At Me" I wonder if Ed can remember anything about this great vocal group. Some members have resorted to using upper case letters in their messages. I'm not going to, but you need this CD. (4-Evers "Forever More", Magic Carpet 1001) Mike -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 20 Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 22:37:03 -0500 (EST) From: ACJ Subject: Patricia Ann Michaels Whenever the jury comes in on whether Patricia Ann Michaels = Patty Michaels, let me know. I haven't been able to find out much about her since hearing "They're Dancing Now" on "Where The Girls Are 5." -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 21 Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 16:41:48 -0800 From: ~albabe Subject: Pavlovian Shivers / Harry Warren I'm experiencing an interesting Pavolvian situation here. Sometimes, when I read someone's Shiver song title... I get a shiver... before I actually hear the song in my head. How's that for a lasting effect on the soul? ***************** Since a few of you aficionados mentioned Harry Warren in the last few digests, I figured I should post this for all you fans. There's a fantastic Harry Warren special on Terry Gross' Fresh Air program, from a few years back. It's got some great stuff: Interviews with Harry, his daughter, and Terry discussing some minor musical theory thingies with members of the John Pizzarelli Trio. Great story about hearing "Revelry" at an military camp and its inspiration for a great tune. The trio does a sweet version of one of my favorite Warren songs: "You'll Never Know." It starts on December 31 2001 and continues into the very next day/year... and you can listen on line right here: http://freshair.npr.org/day_fa.jhtml?displayValue=day&todayDate=12/31/2001 Uno, dos, one, two, tres, quatro, ~albabe -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 22 Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 23:04:37 -0000 From: Mark Frumento Subject: Top 40 Radio Country Paul wrote: > My 2 cents on the ELO debate: I saw them live early on. Excellent. > The great songs were great, the trite songs were trite, the hits > got burned out quickly to my ears, but stayed around too long, > obscuring some of the really good stuff that didn't make Top 40 > radio. (Actually, that happened to a lot of groups. ....) I've been thinking about the last sentence in Paul's message for a few days now (the sign of a good thought-provoking message!). I don't agree that there was much competition for ELO on Top 40 radio. But, as is stated at the end of Paul's message, aren't there a lot of musical acts who obscured radio over the years? Haven't the Beatles been accused of preventing better quality music from getting into the Top 40 or even on the radio? I've often wondered if there was ever a time when radio was the ulimate gauge of quality (i.e. lasting) music? -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 23 Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 18:16:57 EST From: Mike Rashkow Subject: Re: Austin Roberts Live ? Orion wrote: > Austin, I believe you will be terrific. If you get anywhere near > Omaha, NE please let me know. I wouldn't miss a concert by you. Austin, if you get anywhere near Omaha, NE, send me some steaks. Rashkovsky -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 24 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 02:05:53 -0000 From: Billy G. Spradlin Subject: Re: Variable Speed Oscillator/Hastening the track... One 45 I have always thought was super VSO'd was the New Colony Six "Love You So Much" - the drum fills are impossibly fast, sounding like a machine gun. I had a friend who DJ'd for KJ-103 in Oklahoma City back in the mid 80s - the staff got sick of playing Steve Miller's "Abracadabra" that they sped up the 45 to +8 to get it over quickly. No listener ever called in to complain! I wonder if anyone from Sundazed (Al?) has ever had a original master tape they had to speed up to match the original 45? Billy -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 25 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 03:31:47 -0000 From: Denis Gagnon Subject: iPods Al Kooper: > Hint: There are four generations of Pods. The second & fourth are > the best. They dont have those four way-2-sensitive-buttons in front > that cannot be controlled. Much easier to work without them. The 4th > gen are the brand new "mini" pods which hold a thousand songs and > cost less than most and have no four buttons on them. Come in 5 > colors also. If you can, avoid the third generation common ipods. I > think they suck/// Al I'm curious to know why you think third generation IPODS suck. MY wife has one of those and I think it works very well. Not as well as my CreativeLabs's Zen (20Gb USB 2.0), but just about...:o) Denis -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
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