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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. You Left the water Running
From: Frank Murphy
2. Re: Songs that "quote" others
From: Art Longmire
3. Re: Burt Bacharach's poduction debut
From: Michael Edwards
4. The Bells Of St Mary
From: Phil Chapman
5. Question For Ron Dante
From: Greg Wolf
6. Re: Take Five vocal
From: Dave Heasman
7. Re: The Bells Of St Mary
From: Richard Williams
8. Re: Songs that "quote" others / Bed-In John & Little Paul
From: Phil Milstein
9. Sunrays
From: Country Paul
10. Re: Lord of the Reedy River
From: Paul Bryant
11. skipping records
From: Mike Stachurski
12. Re: Donovan's Reedy River
From: Steven Prazak
13. Re: Japanese Lyrics to "Sukiyaki"
From: John Sellards
14. Re: varispeed listening
From: TD
15. Re: cigarette commercial music
From: Ed Salamon
16. Re: Songwriter credits, Ringo Starr
From: Clark Besch
17. Re: Japanese Lyrics to "Sukiyaki"
From: Paul Levinson
18. Re: Roy Hamilton
From: Art Longmire
19. Re: House In The Country
From: C Ponti
20. Re: Songwriters' Credits / "Theme From A Summer Place"
From: steveo
21. Re: Question for Paul Evans - "Summer Souvenirs"
From: ACJ
22. Italian originals
From: Michael Edwards
23. Al Kooper as songwriter
From: Ian Chapman
24. Re: Italian Drama
From: Paul Bryant
25. Re: Italian Drama
From: Fred Clemens
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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 19:38:36 +0000
From: Frank Murphy
Subject: You Left the water Running
I believe Maurice and Mac did the original version of "You
left the water Running" It was written by Box Tops producer
Dan Penn, Rick Hall and ? Frank and recorded at Fame studios
for Chess.
Both Maurice McAlister and McLauren "Mac" Green were members
of The Radiants.
Dan Penn later recorded his own version on "Do right man".
FrankM
reflections on northern soul Saturdays at 14:30 or listen now
http://www.radiomagnetic.com/archive/rnb.php
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 20:07:48 -0000
From: Art Longmire
Subject: Re: Songs that "quote" others
Billy G Spradlin wrote:
> How about Alex Chilton mentioning the blues classic
> (don't know the original artist) "You Left The Water Running"
> at the end of the Box Tops "Cry Like a Baby"?
He may have been quoting Barbara Lynn's "You Left the Water
Running" that was released on Huey Meax's Tribe records in 1966.
I have a copy of this but don't know if it was a big hit or not.
It's a great tune, by the way. It might be that it was a commonly
used phrase in soul music at the time, kind of like "Sock it to me!"
Speaking of which - who first used that phrase on a recording?
Art Longmire
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Message: 3
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 20:13:17 -0000
From: Michael Edwards
Subject: Re: Burt Bacharach's poduction debut
Phil Milstein wrote:
> Mick, I don't believe you ever did reveal the name of
> Burt Bacharach's first production credit.
Before we close out the voting, I'd like to put up Babs Tino and in
particular "Too Late To Worry" from 1962. It was probably not Burt's
finest effort and it was eclipsed by a UK version of the song from
Richard Anthony (who also recorded it in French and Italian) the
following year. Likewise another Burt and Babs' effort "Keep Away
>From Other Girls" loses out to a great UK version by Helen Shapiro
(both 1962).
Babs' best recording, Bacharach-David's "Forgive Me" was a regional
hit (e.g. Massachusetts, along with Eddie Rambeau's "Summertime Guy")
but I don't think it made the Hot-100.
As with Adam Wade's "Rain From The Skies", Babs Tino's Burt Bacharach
songs don't seem to appear on Bacharach compilation CDs. "Forgive Me"
is on the UK Ace CD, "Early Girls - 02 ", one of an excellent series
but I don't own any because they overlap with other CDs in my
collection.
"Too Late To Worry" appeared on the long-deleted Japanese A-Side
CD, "Burt Bacharach Masterpieces - Vol. 1". A-Side was run by two of
my mentors, Shigeru Ueno and Yoshinori Kaneko. Where are you guys,
now that we need you?
Mike
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Message: 4
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 22:08:15 -0000
From: Phil Chapman
Subject: The Bells Of St Mary
Paul Bryant:
> It's what the remote control on your CD player was made for -
> oops, skip!! Likewise "The Bells of St. Marys."
Wow, that's possibly my favourite track on the Christmas Gift
LP. I still love Bobby's vocal, even though years later I
discovered it was a fair facsimile of Clyde McPhatter's earlier
performance (which I also love). And let's not overlook that
surreal backing track with its waterfall percussion, gospel
responses and thundering drum fills (no rhythm!). Although
forty years later, now that power production is taken for granted,
it might seem a bit kitsch, and it's certainly been done to death
annually, at the time it came out there had been nothing like it.
It's the only Christmas album I can play any time of the year:-)
It's suddenly snowing here in London, I think I'll play it, LOUD.
And as I reach for my anorak, I'm reminded that "The Bells..."
is a rare example of Phil S actually allowing a playing error to
go through. (That should sort out the true S'pop 'raks).
Phil C.
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Message: 5
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 20:29:59 -0000
From: Greg Wolf
Subject: Question For Ron Dante
Ron:
I remember when I was a teenager you recorded a theme song
for a TV show called "Sweepstakes" . I think the song was
called "Without A Dream". Can you give me any info on the
song and your personal recollection of it. I think it was
written by Charlie Fox and Norman Gimbel but I'm not sure..
Thank Ron!
-Greg Wolf
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Message: 6
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 20:45:19 -0000
From: Dave Heasman
Subject: Re: Take Five vocal
previously:
> Wasn't there a vocal version of Dave Brubeck's "Take Five"?
Al Kooper:
> That would probably have been Lambert Hendricks & Ross on
> Columbia.
Carmen MacRae, also on Columbia.
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Message: 7
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 21:15:04 +0000
From: Richard Williams
Subject: Re: The Bells Of St Mary
Paul Bryant wrote:
> It's what the remote control on your CD player was made
> for - oops, skip!! Likewise 'The Bells of St. Marys.'
Good grief, Paul! "The Bells of St Mary" is Bobby Sheen's
finest hour, and Hal Blaine's, too (unless it was Earl Palmer's,
of course). It carves everything else on the Christmas album to
ribbons. Orchestral rock and roll in excelsis!
Richard Williams
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Message: 8
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 16:26:12 +0000
From: Phil Milstein
Subject: Re: Songs that "quote" others / Bed-In John & Little Paul
Billy G Spradlin wrote:
> How about Alex Chilton mentioning the blues classic (dont know the
> original artist) "You Left The Water Running" at the end of the Box
> Tops "Cry Like a Baby"?
Chilton's later group, Big Star, had a song called "Mod Lang," the lyric
to which Chilton claimed was comprised of a sequence of blues cliches
all strung together.
Michael Godin wrote:
> I will never forget having the good fortune when I was 16 I was able to
> have a phone interview with John while he and Yoko were in Montreal in
> 1969 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel for their "Bed-In For Peace".
> Imagine...I was a 16 year old kid interviewing his hero on my high
> school radio station. His first comment, you ask? "Hello high school!"
> I'll never forget.
You wouldn't happen to still have a tape of that int., would you Michael?
Paul Bryant wrote:
> I always struggle with "Long Tall Sally" - it's as good as Little
> Richard. But how can that be? Little Richard was the quasar of rock.
Of course, Sir Paul had a bit of help with that one -- lessons in "how
to do Little Richard" from Little Richard himself! Which is not to say
that you or I could've done half so well had we had the same training ...
--Phil M.
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Message: 9
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 00:52:49 -0500
From: Country Paul
Subject: Sunrays
A friend and former fellow on-air personality at WHCN, Jim Shannon, had a
brief e-mail dialog with Eddy Medora of the Sunrays, and gave me permission
to reprint it here.
"Eddy, came across your site the other day. Brings back plenty of good
memories. I was 15 when I first heard "Live for the Sun" blasting on WABC
radio in NY. Great vocals, hooks, and lyrics. I think it charted to number
5. These days, you really don't hear the song that much on the so called
"oldies radio", which is too bad.
"How far did 'Andrea' chart as your follow up single?"
Eddy responded:
"Thanks for the props. I think we made #21 in Billboard but we were #1 in
Austrialia and Chicago top ten in England. 'Andrea' sold more than 'Sun.'
See my wife's site: http://ann_marshall0.tripod.com . I had a couple more
hits with my wife singing lead, I sang background and played guitar. Tony
Scotti sang with me as well. It was a great album.
"Happy New Year. Order the Freddy & Eddy CD. $8.00. I have been writing with
Freddy Boom Boom Cannon. Also a Sunray CD never released. Eddy & Marty both
CD's for $16.00.
"Regards,
"Eddy Medora"
His wife, Ann Marshall, was in "My Favorite Martian" and "My Three Sons." On
her photo page, about 1/3 down, is a snapshot with Eddy Medora, Carl Wilson
and Billy Hinsche. Elsewhere on the page are shots with Sonny Bono, Paul
Petersen, Freddy Cannon, Tony and Ben Scotti (of the Scotti Brothers),
Johnny Tillotson and Pat Boone (!).
Eddy Medora has a Sunrays website at http://sunrays718.tripod.com ; when the
page opens, you hear a stereo mix of "I Live For The Sun." Follow the
"buttons" on top of the page -- some cool pix here, too, even one with Carol
Connors and one with David Marks (!) on the "Sunrays and Eddy Medora" page.
Two interesting sites, not in the least because of their home-made quality.
And now you know.
Country Paul
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Message: 10
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 00:58:16 -0800 (PST)
From: Paul Bryant
Subject: Re: Lord of the Reedy River
Art Longmire wrote:
> includes a great version of "Reedy River",
> so I wondered if it had ever been released on a studio LP.
HMS Donovan
pb
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Message: 11
Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2004 00:37:56 +1300
From: Mike Stachurski
Subject: skipping records
This might be opening me up to public ridicule, but...
I think the record you mean is "Wombling White Tie and Tails"
That was my turn at Batt - after being initially stumped... ;)
Mike Stachurski,
Librarian-in-training
DUNEDIN, NZ
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Message: 12
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 10:07:27 -0500
From: Steven Prazak
Subject: Re: Donovan's Reedy River
Art Longmire:
> ...the Donovan song "Lord of the Reedy River". Does anybody
> know if Donovan ever recorded a studio version of this, and if so
> which of his albums (or CDs) is it on?"
I'm told this track appears on the HMS Donovan album.
Don't know of its CD availability at present. And yes,
it's a great tune! Be sure not to miss his complete
performance of it in the film "If It's Tuesday, This Must
Be Belgium" during the obligatory counter-culture/hippie den scene.
Steven Prazak
Atlanta, GA
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Message: 13
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 13:15:39 -0000
From: John Sellards
Subject: Re: Japanese Lyrics to "Sukiyaki"
David Coyle wrote:
> Does anyone know where I might find the Japanese
> lyrics to "Sukiyaki" by Ryu Sakamoto, spelled out
> phonetically? I've always thought it would be a hoot
> to do a cover of this song.
A songwriter friend of mine recently played a show at Brown's diner
in Nashville and announced that, after years of playing here and
there down there, he was going to do his first cover song. I guess
they were expecting "Unchained Melody" or something, but they
got..."Sukiyaki"! I also have actually played it with him at a sock
hop we did about two years ago. It's funny that you mention this,
since he was at my house last Saturday and we were talking about it.
John Sellards
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Message: 14
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 10:08:57 -0500
From: TD
Subject: Re: varispeed listening
Al Kooper wrote:
> I gotta say that back in the days of marijuana, I quite enjoyed
> perusing certain 45s at 33+1/3.
Bob Radil:
> That just reminded me of another example. Back in 1978 someone
> noticed that if you take the LP of "Imaginary Lover" by The Atlanta
> Rhythm Section and play it at 45rpm, the lead singer sounds a bit like
> Stevie Nicks! Someone told me that one station actually played it on
> the air that way!
On the label of the 45rpm record of "Fun House" by The Roosters,
there was a printed invitation to play the 45 at 33 -
TD
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Message: 15
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 16:09:17 -0000
From: Ed Salamon
Subject: Re: cigarette commercial music
Art Longmire:
> I've always been a fanatical anti-smoker, but I've
> got to admit there was a lot of great music used on
> TV ads in the days of cigarette commercials.
Another great one is Paul Evans' "Happiness Is", a hit by Ray
Conniff, which became the first of many commercial jingles Paul
wrote when it was used as "To a smoker it's a Kent"
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Message: 16
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 16:54:34 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Re: Songwriter credits, Ringo Starr
Artie Wayne wrote:
> What if John and Paul had encouraged Ringo to develop his writing
> skills? We might have more to talk about on Spectropop.
Artie, Great story. Actually, John and Paul did encourage Ringo to
write--kinda. They did so on BBC radio in 63 (?). Now, whether they
really wanted that, you never know. The radio host (to my memory)
asked Ringo if he ever wrote any songs. Ringo says, "naw". Paul
butts in, "no, you have!! 'Don't pass by, don't make me cry...'".
Ringo says something like, "well, nothing we'd really record". Hmm
took about 6 years, but turned out well!
Clark
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Message: 17
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 19:07:42 -0000
From: Paul Levinson
Subject: Re: Japanese Lyrics to "Sukiyaki"
David Coyle wrote:
> Does anyone know where I might find the Japanese
> lyrics to "Sukiyaki" by Ryu Sakamoto, spelled out
> phonetically? I've always thought it would be a hoot
> to do a cover of this song.
The real, Japanese title of the song is "Ue O Muite Aruko" (lyrics by
Rokusuke Ei, music by Hachidai Nakamura) and translates as "I Look Up
When I Walk". (The poetic first line is, "I look up when I walk so
the tears won't fall...") "Sukiyaki" was just slapped on as the title
for Kyo Sakamoto's world-wide release.
I discuss Sukiyaki/I Look Up When I Walk as an example of the
disconnect between language and reality, in my book, Realspace: The
Fate of Physical Presence in the Digital Age, published last year by
Routledge. I loved the song as a kid, but had no idea it had nothing
to do with noodles and vegetables.
Anyway, you can find the lyrics in various renditions in half a dozen
places on the web. (I don't have the pages in front of me, but they
come right up on a search.)
All best,
Paul
http://www.sff.net/people/paullevinson
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Message: 18
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 20:27:31 -0000
From: Art Longmire
Subject: Re: Roy Hamilton
Hello Howard,
I absolutely agree that Roy's late 60s output was both superb and
neglected. I have the 45 of "100 Years" on AGP Records here in the
U.S., and it has always been a great favorite of mine. This was
recorded at the American Studios in Memphis, and I've always wanted
to hear more of Roy's songs from this era. Were the other songs
mentioned recorded at American Studios?
I never knew that "100 Years" was a Bill Medley cover. The record
label does mention that the song comes from the movie "Riot".
Art Longmire
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Message: 19
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 20:42:54 -0000
From: C Ponti
Subject: Re: House In The Country
Al, I have been listening to CHILD IS..alot recently.
Was the baby who did the cooing and gurgling on "House...",
at the end, anyone in the band's? I imagine that kid, now
an adult marveling at having that audio snapshot of his/her
infancy. I actually got to meet the dogs one hears at the
end of "Pet Sounds". I have forgotten their names, (banana?)
but they are much mentioned on cabinessence.com
C Ponti
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Message: 20
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 13:52:43 -0800 (PST)
From: steveo
Subject: Re: Songwriters' Credits / "Theme From A Summer Place"
Chris:
> Shouldn't that be *Max Steiner*'s "Theme from 'A Summer Place'"?
Chris,
Max and his studio co-horts were caught off guard by
the fact that Mr. Steiner,a film composer in his 70s
would have a number one hit for over 4 weeks in a row!
The actual theme from "A Summer Place" was not the one
that Percy used. He used a theme from the pic called
"Molly and Johnny", a 12/8 thing, but it became forever
known thereafter as the "Theme From A Summer Place".
Part of the success to this wonderful record was the way
Columbia Records was using echo at their studio at that time.
Steveo
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Message: 21
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 14:03:01 -0800 (PST)
From: ACJ
Subject: Re: Question for Paul Evans - "Summer Souvenirs"
Paul Evans - if indeed you're out there: I've seen
your website several times, and it's a nice, professional,
interesting job. (Much like its subject.)
But in your list of songs you'd written, one song you didn't
note - at least not the last time I looked in - was "Summer
Souvenirs", a tune you co-wrote with J. Krondes and a single
by one Karl Hammell, Jr. Any memories of that song or that record?
Thanks, and I hope you're enjoying S'pop! (I am. Massively.)
ACJ
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Message: 22
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 22:57:27 -0000
From: Michael Edwards
Subject: Italian originals
Steve writes (re: Italian originals):
> Grande Grande Grande - Mina
> Never Never Never - Shirley Bassey
Wow! I bet that's terrific. Julio Iglesias did a great version of
this song too. I'm not sure in what language as you never know with
Julio, he's just so talented. A former Real Madrid goalkeeper too.
Can anyone play Mina's version to musica? Her stuff is difficult to
track down – even if you contact Italy.
Sidebar – I tell who would have turned in a good job on Italian songs
if he could have been bothered. Elvis.
Very nice list btw, Steve - great job!
Mike
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Message: 23
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 23:22:18 -0000
From: Ian Chapman
Subject: Al Kooper as songwriter
Al Kooper wrote:
> Just to help out some 'poppers I thought I'd take some info
> from the discograpgy on me website to see if I could get some
> keys clickin' on some of these obscurities.......
A few comments on your list of songs, Al:
"Don't Take Candy from A Stranger" – Gene Pitney. Love it! Could
almost be a girl-group number with the jangling piano and castanets.
And are those bagpipes?
"Last Two People On Earth" – Gene Pitney. I have an obscure Brit
cover of this one by Dave Rich, produced by the mysterious Claire
Francis, an American singer/writer/producer that worked in Britain
and who had a couple of releases of her own, including the
awesome "But I Don't Care." (Any further info on Claire would be
most welcome).
"She's Still There" – Gene Pitney. One of the highlights of
the "Looking Thru The Eyes Of Love" album. This is a classic Gene-
type scenario; a letter from his best friend tells him his ex-
girlfriend is still in the hometown he left and is about to be
married. Gene returns, against his friend's advice, who first warns
him to stay away and leave the happy couple be. But the killer line
comes at the end of the letter (and the song); "But if you still
care....PS – she's still there..." Has such a brief line ever said
so much! It fades with Gene in a turmoil of indecision "...should I
go back?....she might want me, and need me, and love me..." This
should have been a single.
"Rainy Days Were Made For Lonely People" – Pat Boone. I only
discovered this last year; I'd long had a UK version by Lorne Lesley
(wife of the Orange Duke himself, David Dickinson; a name that won't
mean a thing to non-UK TV viewers!) Hers lacks the production values
of Pat's record, which is one of his later outings from '65. A moody
ballad alternating quiet verse (marked by "raindrop" glockenspiel)
and tumultuous Spectorish chorus, with Pat double-tracked and
supported by female b-vox. Produced by Norm Ratner and arr. Tommy
Oliver, it's a perfect partner to Pat's other 'Spectro-cred' record,
the Brian Wilson-produced two-sider of 1964, "Beach Girl"/"Little
Honda." (God, I love his version of "Beach Girl"!)
A few more songs not on your list, Al, but which should be drawn to
the collective Spectropop attention:
"It's Been Nice Loving You" – in a similar vein to the Boone song, I
only know this by UK singer Don Fardon, ex-singer with the Sorrows,
who later hit with "Indian Reservation." I've never tracked down an
American original, but I think it may be by Calvin Grayson on Capitol
(can you confirm, Al?) As far as the Don Fardon version goes, it's
another richly produced ballad that builds to a crescendo with a big
production – and it would have suited the Righteous Bros to a T. Can
anyone play Calvin Grayson (if appropriate) to musica? And I'll
reciprocate with Don Fardon.
"Love Trap" – T.D. Valentine – as played on the UK northern soul
scene back in the 70s.
"You Can't Lose Something You Never Had" – Bruce Scott – a gorgeous
ballad, kinda faux-Bacharach with Bruce singing the opening
line, "You never loved me, really loved me...." almost in Dionne
Warwick fashion. Again, the song follows the soft verse/big chorus
formula to great effect. If this had been done by somebody like say,
Roy Hamilton, it'd be a soul masterpiece. That's no criticism of
Bruce, his voice is especially effective on the softer passages.
And finally, isn't it about time somebody mentioned Wendy Hill
and "Gary, Please Don't Sell My Diamond Ring"? :-)
Ian
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Message: 24
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 15:39:39 -0800 (PST)
From: Paul Bryant
Subject: Re: Italian Drama
Steve wrote:
> I was fascinateed to know as well - and just LOOK
> what I found out!!
Hi Steve - excellent work there - I'd like to throw in
three more, I suspect these have Italian origins also:
All Alone Am I - Brenda Lee
I Will Follow Him - Little Peggy March
Love's Just a Broken Heart - Cilla Black
I could be three times wrong of course! Dusty also did
a couple which sound exactly like great Italian ballads
but which are entirely English, I think - All I See is You,
and Losing You.
Next question, for Italians only - why'd you stop
writing those great ballads?
pb
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Message: 25
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 23:51:39 -0000
From: Fred Clemens
Subject: Re: Italian Drama
Two songs immediately come to mind in this Italian Drama.
First off, Paolo Citorello's "Luna Mezzo Mare" evolved into
two English language versions. First came Rudy Vallee's
"Oh! Ma-Ma! (The Butcher Boy)" in 1938. And then Lou Monte's
mixed up song, "Lazy Mary". The full *Behind The Hits* story
by Bob Shannon can be found here:
http://www.bobshannon.com/stories/lazymaryback.html
Then comes the Grass Roots 1967 Hit, "Let's Live For Today",
which began life a year earlier in Italian by the Rokes, as
"Piangi Con Me". For my story on that, go here:
http://www.bobshannon.com/fred/letslive.html
Fred Clemens
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