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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Cherie anyone?
From: AH
2. Re: varispeed listening
From: Al Kooper
3. Re: Lead Vocal on This Diamond Ring
From: James Botticelli
4. Re: Four Evers CD
From: Mike Rashkow
5. Re: Ron Hicklin
From: Doc
6. Re: Ed Rambeau
From: James Botticelli
7. Re: Porpoise Song
From: Chuck Limmer
8. Re: Brand New Day
From: Phil Chapman
9. Re: Johnny Tillotson answers
From: Austin Roberts
10. Re: Vocal Treatments of Instrumentals
From: John Fox
11. Peggy Lee "Bewitched"
From: Mick Patrick
12. Re: Spine Shiverers
From: Austin Roberts
13. Re: "Porpoise Song" in stereo
From: Doug Richard
14. Re: Len Barry "Keem-O-Sabe" / Kenny Lynch
From: Richard Havers
15. Re: Concrete and Clay/My Own Two Feet
From: Ed Rambeau
16. Re: Len Barry/Kenny Lynch
From: Alan Warner
17. Re: Concrete and Clay / My photos
From: Ed Rambeau
18. "Porpoise Song" in stereo
From: Sean Streit
19. Re: budget vinyl / Elvis' Sun master tapes
From: Steveo
20. Re: Variable Speed Oscilator/Hastening the track...
From: danhughes@juno.com
21. Forthcoming 'Smile'
From: Phil Chapman
22. Re: Label Blunders
From: beegleaw23185
23. Sandy & the Sophomores ?
From: Tony Baylis
24. Beatle Myth
From: Doc Rock
25. Re: Sings The New Sound From England
From: Al Kopper
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Message: 1
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 14:59:54 -0000
From: AH
Subject: Cherie anyone?
Hi all,
I've been digging James Darren's "Cherie" lately, written by
Mike Leander and 2 others, recorded by Darren in 1967 and,
reading between the lines at the ASCAP site, I take it he was
the first to do so. I have heard another version by the Dutch
band the Honest Men from 68. Anyone know of any other versions,
or whether Darren's version is the original?
Thanks!
AH
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Message: 2
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 10:47:44 EST
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: varispeed listening
> In the case of The Beatles, they also went the other way,
> slowing down tracks recorded at normal speed. The most
> notable example is "Rain," and this definitely had an effect
> on the sound of the instruments.
> Then of course, there's "Strawberry Fields Forever", with one
> section speeded up and another slowed down in such a way that
> two disparate takes recorded in different keys magically "matched".
I gotta say that back in the days of marijuana, I quite enjoyed
perusing certain 45s at 33+1/3. My two favorites were "I Cant
Stand The Rain" by Ann Peebles, where the tempo and the cymbal
crashes were magnificent. I used to play it for people and say
it was Dan Peebles! I even covered the song myself at that 33
tempo 'cause I think that is the correct tempo for that song.
The other one was "Bernadette" by The Four Tops. The greatest
moment in that is at the end of the last chorus where the
background girls hold a chord over the band stopping and their
mutual vibrato is shivering at 33; only to be interrupted by
Levi Stubbs screaming out that girls name with a fervid slowed
down fever. Okay? See? I'm as crazy as the rest of you.
I belong here
Al Kooper
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Message: 3
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 05:11:47 -0500
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: Lead Vocal on This Diamond Ring
Mikey wrote:
> 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.
Al Kopper [Al Kooper]:
> BTW thats Ron Hicklin - a famous LA vocal contractor who helped me
> tremendously when I lived in LA He got all the backup singers for
> all my LA solo albums and The Tubes first album that I produced.
> I'm VERY impressed that you know that it's him singing lead on This
> Diamond Ring as well as others
Identity theft! Who is Al Kooper? Is it Al Kopper? Is it All Koper?
Is it Al Koooper? Is it AllKper? C'mon Allll. Be all you can be.
Find your past.
DJJB
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Message: 4
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 10:53:25 EST
From: Mike Rashkow
Subject: Re: Four Evers CD
Mark T:
> This CD is a complete hack job. Good music, abominable
> sound quality. There are many things that can be done to
> make lousy vinyl sound better even if it's just a DAT
> transfer through a sound enhancer. Absolutely nothing
> was done with these recordings other than a straight
> copy onto a CD.
Thank you for saving me from this. I wonder if Stevie
actually produced it? If you talk to him, ask him OK?
Mike
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Message: 5
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 10:25:08 -0500
From: Doc
Subject: Re: Ron Hicklin
Al Kooper:
> BTW thats Ron Hicklin - a famous LA vocal contractor who helped me
> tremendously when I lived in LA He got all the backup singers for
> all my LA solo albums and The Tubes first album that I produced.
> I'm VERY impressed that you know that it's him singing lead on
> This Diamond Ring as well as others
When I interview Gary in 1989 for my 1993 book "Liberty Records",
I was wondering how I could approach the issue of lead singers, if
he'd be offended if I mentioned Ron. But Gary saved me by bringing
it up himself!
Doc
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Message: 6
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 10:59:07 -0500
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: Ed Rambeau
Ed Rambeau:
> my recording of "Summertime Guy".
response:
> Great record, Eddie; in a righteous world, it would have
> been the smash it deserved to be. I can't believe I never
> heard it when new, but at least now I know why!
Piping in for that Swan Baby ~ It was a HUGE hit in Lexington
Massachusetts on WCOP-AM (now defunk) in 1962. Me and my home
boys did pre-karaoke to it the entire summer. so Eddie, as you
were known then, you got the job done.
JB
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Message: 7
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 10:52:25 -0700
From: Chuck Limmer
Subject: Re: Porpoise Song
Country Paul asked:
>My favorite Monkees 45 was "Porpoise Song," the full-length
> version. I've only found this long version on the original 45,
> and only in mono. I know there's a stereo mix of the "short
> version" - up to the pause at the II minor 7 chord dominated
> by the organ, but I've never found that long Beatle-ish fade
> riff (for the not-yet-informed, think "She's So Heavy" is a
> major key). Question: does it exist? If so, anyone know where?
Paul,
Currently, the 4:10 single version of "Porpoise Song" can be found
in stereo on the compilation MUSIC BOX (Rhino R2 76706, 2001).
According to the liner notes from MUSIC BOX, that track was first
included on a couple of older collections, MONKEEMANIA (Arista/EMI
MONK-1/2, 1979) and MONKEE BUSINESS (Rhino RNLP-701, 1982).
Hope this helps!
Chuck Limmer
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Message: 8
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 20:09:15 -0000
From: Phil Chapman
Subject: Re: Brand New Day
Al Kooper wrote:
> 1970 - "Brand New Day"
> STAPLE SINGERS
> Stax 0074
> From Pat Boone to The Staple Singers is as yin-yang as I can manage
Hey Al, your mention of "Brand New Day" triggered one of my earliest
recollections of a studio 'scene'. I'd not long been working as a
tape-op at Olympic Studios, London, which is legendary for the rock
acts that recorded there. Being a bit of a U.S. soul freak I jumped
at the rare opportunity to assist on a Patti LaBelle vocal session.
We had three songs to work on, "See Me, Feel Me", "Miss Otis Regrets"
and "Brand New Day". The first two only needed a couple of lines
replacing here and there, but "Brand New Day" was to be a fresh vocal.
The session kicked off OK, I seem to remember Vicki Wickham being present
to start with, and the producer issuing directives was the flamboyant Kit
Lambert, who preferred wine to tea or coffee. Patti was in good voice, and,
even though my hand was welded to the record-button, it was a real thrill
to see and hear her perform on a good song. All went well through the first
verse and chorus, Patti was really giving her all, and although I thought
Kit was being a little picky, overall it was turning out great.
However during the playback, Kit's mother arrived at the studio, I think it
was his birthday or something. Kit suddenly sprang into Hollywood mode,
ordered another vat of red, and proceeded to "produce" the second verse
syllable by syllable, effusing in-depth analysis of every line of the lyric,
presumably to give Patti a deeper understanding of what she was singing. I
lost count of how many times Patti sang that verse, it seemed to take an
eternity. My wrist had locked-up through continually dropping in and out
during phrases, and the engineer (Alan O'Duffy) had fallen asleep more than
once.
The torture eventually receded when Patti began to lose her voice, and
Kit began to lose consciousness:-) I certainly learnt a lot on that session!
To this day I cannot listen to BND without feeling a twinge in my bones.
The vocal was eventually completed when we were all back to normal and I
remember liking the end result, in full admiration of Patti's talent and
perseverance.
Did you get to hear this version?
Phil
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Message: 9
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 13:29:39 EST
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: Johnny Tillotson answers
Dan Hughes:
> I'm a big fan of your recordings and my favourite one of all
> is "I Rise, I Fall". What is the story behind this beautiful
> song? How did it come about? I find it really touching and,
> as always, your vocal performance on it is very sensitive and
> perfect to bring out the beauty of the lyrics and melody.
Rick Nelson did a great version of this song too. My favorite
Tillotson records were Dreamy Eyes and Without You.
Best,
Austin Roberts
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Message: 10
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 14:06:28 EST
From: John Fox
Subject: Re: Vocal Treatments of Instrumentals
Not sure if anyone's mentioned the vocal version of "Telstar"
by Bobby Rydell. Someone (Kal Mann or Bernie Lowe?) force-fit
some awful lyrics to the tune, made even worse by adding several
extra syllables of music to make the words fit. The first line,
to match 9 notes of the tune, went "Telstar above, send a message
to my love..." (11 syllables). This must have been in during
Bobby's British cover period (love his Cockney pronunciation of
the word "lock" on World Without Love).
John Fox
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Message: 11
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 18:21:32 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Peggy Lee "Bewitched"
Steveo:
> Peggy Lee did a good rendition of the Bewitched theme song
> years ago. I have it, and it is worth looking for.
Ken:
> Yes, I've heard Peggy's version of Bewitched and it's
> tremendous. It's available on a CD in the EMI '2 on 1'
> series - 'Pass Me By'/'Big Spender'.
Excellent two-fer, that. Plus, it's in the sale at HMV for
about #6. To my ears, these are the legendary Peggy's two
most S'pop albums. She cut some cool stuff in the latter half
of the '60s, several examples of which are on this CD:
"Sneakin' Up On You" - written by Chip Taylor & Ted Daryll.
"Bewitched" - they get the writers wrong on this CD. Idiots.
"A Hard Days Night" - Peggy rocks.
"That's What It Takes" - in a Nancy Sinatra mode.
"You Don't Know" - R'n'B-style with possible "Northern" potential.
"Gotta Travel On" - Tony Hatch-alike production.
Oh well, back to my bag of marshmallows and "Is That All There Is".
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
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Message: 12
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 14:41:32 EST
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: Spine Shiverers
Joe Nelson:
> That whole record fits the bill in my book. Something about
> poor sound quality has always made records stand out for me.
Hey Joe,
I agree. It makes them original, I guess. Very hard to capture twice.
Austin r.
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Message: 13
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 20:39:01 -0000
From: Doug Richard
Subject: Re: "Porpoise Song" in stereo
Bryan:
>That long version -- 4:00 (Colgems single #66-1031, 1968) -- is
> soon-to-be available again on an upcoming Rhino Handmade release,
> 'Hallucinations: Psychedelic Pop Nuggets From The WEA Vaults (RHM2
> 7821). It's a fantastic collection, with great packaging, liner
> notes, photos, etc.
Just curious, but where did you get that information? Ever since
ICE had a story about that CD and another called "Come To The
Sunshine: Soft Pop Nuggets From The WEA Vaults" in their October
2003 issue, I've been looking for them. They were supposed to be
released October 7th. I've been checking the Rhino Handmade website
and they never have been listed there, that I'm aware of.
Doug
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Message: 14
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 20:51:05 +0000
From: Richard Havers
Subject: Re: Len Barry "Keem-O-Sabe" / Kenny Lynch
Tony Waitekus wrote:
> 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.
Austin Powell:
> Len's vocal version of "Keem-O-Sabe" was issued in the UK on
> an album called "More From The 1-2-3 Man" on Bulldog Records
> (BDL 1013)....The eleven tracks were his Amy and Scepter
> recordings...The labels credited all the tracks as John Madara
> productions whereas the sleeve listed the tracks as variously
> being produced by Madara (including "Keem-O-Sabe"), Tom Cogbill
> (Bob, Carol, Ted And Alice)and Leon Huff/Len Barry....The album
> was also issued on Bulldog in Canada....copies are available on
> the net for next to nothing....
I happen to have the Electric Indian album. It credits Len Barry
as the producer for Marmaduke Inc. 'Keem-O-Sabe' is credited as
arranged Tom Sellers, recorded at Sigma sound Phil. John Tarsia,
engineer. Anyone any more info off the album?
Richard
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Message: 15
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 16:00:53 EST
From: Ed Rambeau
Subject: Re: Concrete and Clay/My Own Two Feet
Mac Joseph writes:
> Got a quick question for you. Until I joined Spectropop,
> I did not even know that there was an original version of
> "Concrete and Clay", as Unit 4+2 was the only version I was
> familiar with. I remember that song very well. Tell me, Ed,
> did you record that as a solo venture, or were you in a group
> at the time? I would be very interested in hearing your version
> of this song.
Yes, Mac, it was recorded as a solo venture. Wasn't in any group
ever. I started in the recording business when I was 17. My first
record "Skin Divin'" (written by the writers of Poetry in Motion)
was released on Graduation Day. For a complete list of my work
(DISCOGRAPHY and SONGOGRAPHY) go to http://www.edrambeau.com and
click on the link on the left that says MUSIC. At the top of the
music page it will be clearly marked. If you'd like me to email
you my version of "Concrete and Clay" just send me your email address
and I'd be more than happy to send it to you. That goes for the rest
of the Spectropoppers as well. Just be sure that your email provider
has enough storage space for large mp3 files. Hotmail and Yahoo
don't provide enough.
Also, I'd like to reply to an earlier post. I just heard the
Kenny Lynch version of "MY OWN TWO FEET" and it far surpasses
the Hal Miller version in my opinion.
Ed Rambeau
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Message: 16
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 14:00:50 -0800
From: Alan Warner
Subject: Re: Len Barry/Kenny Lynch
And, further to Austin's facts about Kenny Lynch,
Kenny was one of the guys on the front cover art
of the Wings album "Band On The Run"; he's the
second one from the left standing directly behind
Paul McCartney! Rock on!
Alan Warner
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Message: 17
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 16:15:56 EST
From: Ed Rambeau
Subject: Re: Concrete and Clay / My photos
Ed Rambeau:
> my recording of "Summertime Guy".
Country Paul wrote:
> Great record, Eddie; in a righteous world, it would have
> been the smash it deserved to be. I can't believe I never
> heard it when new, but at least now I know why!
Ed responds:
> Yeah, it was the Chuck Barris thing. If it hadn't been for
> that, I think it would have been a biggie. It was getting
> a great deal of play until they discovered he wrote it.
Ed again:
> As far as "Concrete and Clay" being used in a national TV
> commercial....it came as quite a surprise. But boy did I
> get the calls from friends the minute it hit the air waves.
Coungry Paul wrote:
> Hope you're getting good royalties!
Ed responds:
Not a penny. I didn't write it. Only the writers get royalties.
By the way, a lot of folks have been emailing me asking why there
are no recent photos of me on my website. So I'd like to make a
general post about that.
All the photos on the PHOTO page at http://www.edrambeau.com were
taken within the last 5 years (when I got my first digital camera).
The most recent shot of me (taken Christmas 2003) is the uppermost
left photo with the pink draped background. I just turned 60, but
I've always looked younger than my age. In my 20s it was a
pain-in-the-butt because I always got asked for my ID in bars.
Boy, would I love to have those days back now.
LOL.
Ed Rambeau
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Message: 18
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 17:06:42 -0500
From: Sean Streit
Subject: "Porpoise Song" in stereo
I'm pretty sure the Canadian single ["Porpoise Song"]
is 4 minutes also.
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Message: 19
Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2004 16:58:02 -0800 (PST)
From: Steveo
Subject: Re: budget vinyl / Elvis' Sun master tapes
Mikey wrote:
> Wyncote DID use really bad vinyl. It was C/Ps budget label
> and I guess they wanted to maximize their profit.
> John, one would really have to find original Sun discs and
> clean them up a bit to really hear what Elvis sounded like.
> RCA had a "thing" about Elvis -- they added echo to his
> records like it was going out of style.
Mikey,
Perhaps they were worried that he couldn't sing conventionally,
like Perry Como or Vaugh Monroe? and were worried. Dunno
Steveo
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Message: 20
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 08:20:13 -0600
From: danhughes@juno.com
Subject: Re: Variable Speed Oscilator/Hastening the track...
LP vs Singles:
> "Baker Street" 3:45 promo edit - Gerry Rafferty, runs much faster.
> "Baby Come Back" - Player, LP version runs slow to my ears.
> "When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman" 12" single -
> Dr. Hook, runs much faster.
How's about Wadworth Mansion's Sweet Mary? Single version is
excellent, album version completely different and totally
unlistenable. And the album's title is Sweet Mary!
Dan
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Message: 21
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 22:30:12 -0000
From: Phil Chapman
Subject: Forthcoming 'Smile'
from Friday's Guardian:
> Grin and bear it
> When Brian Wilson had his nervous breakdown in the
> 1960s, he was working on a concept album called Smile.
> His fellow Beach Boys dismissed it as 'a whole album of
> Brian's madness', and for years Wilson would not even
> talk about it. Yet now he is taking the album on the road.
> Sylvie Simmons visits him in his Beverly Hills home....
http://tinyurl.com/2o4ce
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Message: 22
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 15:14:50 -0000
From: beegleaw23185
Subject: Re: Label Blunders
London American HLU 9632 - I'm Gonna Go Walkin' / Born To Be With
You by Chimmy Gilmer. No mention of The Fireballs and I do believe
that this was Jimmy Gilmer's first vocal release, at least in the
U.K.
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Message: 23
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 15:33:05 -0000
From: Tony Baylis
Subject: Sandy & the Sophomores ?
Anybody familiar with this group? Columbia 43129. A side is a pretty
decent uptempo song 'There Was A Night On the Water' with the B side
being a cover of Smokey Robinson's 'You Got A Hold On Me' ('Really'
left out of the title although included in the song itself).
Both sides produced by Don Law and Frank Jones.
Circa 1965, 'There Was A Night' has an intro reminiscent of the mid
50s, leading into what is basically a single female lead with
the 'Sophomores' sounding more like a Liz Damon's Orient Express or
Mike Curb's Congregation type backing.
Tony Baylis
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Message: 24
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 10:19:48 -0500
From: Doc Rock
Subject: Beatle Myth
Paul writes:
> Although I love (some of) the American pop of 1963 it was filled
> with the likes of Bobby Vinton and Bobby Vee and all those other
> Bobbys and Frankies. Rubber Ball, bouncy bouncy. The Beatles
> practically killed that style off.
You are just wrong. Go to the library and read my 1991 book, "The Beatle
Myth."
Out of 10,000 records (that I just sold), my very first was Bobby Vee's
"Please Don't Ask About Barbara." And I kept it when I sold the rest.
Taste is one thing. If you don't like Bobby Vee, fine. I don't like Bobby
Vinton!
BTW, how many "Frankies" were there? I know of just the one.
But the claim that the Beatles killed of American music is just plain
wrong.
And that's no tjust MHO. I checked the carts!
Long Live 1963 and Bobby Vee!
Doc
PS The Beatles LOVED American early '60s music!
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Message: 25
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2004 11:05:57 EST
From: Al Kopper
Subject: Re: Sings The New Sound From England
Previously:
> and the ill fated "Sings The New Sound From England"
I actually like that album.
It was obviously an attempt by Bobby Vee to "steal" the
Beatlesound before it acrtually got over here, but those
Merseylads moved just a little too fast for the Bobmeister.
To me it's like having an extra dose of Lennon-McCartney
early tunes on hand. Imitation? Why yes....but quite well
done and the sincerest form of flattery.
Al Kooper
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