________________________________________________________________________
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
________________________________________________________________________
There are 21 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: "Here Comes The Judge"
From: Phil X. Milstein
2. Everpresent Fullness
From: Rich
3. Re: Jeanette
From: Frank J.
4. Alzo Fronte Radio Spotlight Show
From: Patrick Rands
5. Re: Larry & The Legends
From: Harry Jay
6. Al Kooper, Alan Gordon, Ed Rambeau and Paul Evans records
From: Clark Besch
7. Brian Wilson in Mojo
From: Kurt
8. Re: The Movies / Mad Lads
From: Art Longmire
9. Re: Ron Dante; Archies
From: Laura Pinto
10. Re: Happy (Songwriters) Together
From: That Alan Gordon
11. Andy Kim Audio Interview
From: Laura Pinto
12. Re: Sugar & the Spices
From: Dan N.
13. Re: Sugar & the Spices
From: Jan Kristensen
14. Jeanette & Twinkle
From: Mick Patrick
15. Bob Miranda; "Rumores" and promises; Mary Wells; Tokens; early Newton; Mike Nesmith
From: Country Paul
16. P.F. Sloan and Herman's Hermits
From: Dan Hughes
17. Re: BlueBeats / Movies
From: Bill Craig
18. Re: Happy Together
From: Javed Jafri
19. Skyla label; Tim Buckley; Barry & Tamerlanes; tape; Du-Tones; Del Vikings
From: Country Paul
20. Cinnamon Square, Doris Troy, SGC, Buckley & DeVorzon
From: Bob Rashkow
21. The Diplomats, Van McCoy and a psychiatrist
From: Mick Patrick
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2004 18:32:02 +0000
From: Phil X. Milstein
Subject: Re: "Here Comes The Judge"
Art Longmire wrote:
> Regarding the origin of "Here Comes the Judge", it was Pigmeat
> Markham who originated the routine, although he may not have
> recorded it first (Shorty Long may have gotten it on vinyl first).
> I used to love the Judge routine by all the performers! Speaking
> of early rap, another "performer" who rarely gets mentioned is
> radio preacher Reverend Ike-anyone else remember him? I have an
> EP of his from the late 60's and it's (unintentionally) hilarious,
> with phrases like: "God will...SOOTHE your nerves!"
The thread on the origin of Here Comes The Judge caused me to pull out
my copy of a book by the same name (with ! added), by Pigmeat Markham
with Bill Levinson. Although on the surface nothing more than a thin,
quickie paperback issued in 1969 to cash in on Markham's "overnight"
success via Laugh-In, it is in fact a lively and articulate -- and very
funny -- recounting of Markham's 50-year-long career in show business.
As such, it is the best and most thorough first-hand account I've ever
read of the history of black entertainment in America ranging from the
late minstrel era, through the chitlin circuit era, and on into
household-name status. Markham's stories glint with such now-legendary
names as Peg Leg Bates, Dusty Fletcher, John Mason (who, according to
Markham, originated the Open The Door, Richard routine that Fletcher
made famous, and which Markham himself also recorded), Ma Rainey,
Butterbeans & Suzy, Mantan Moreland, TOBA (the chitlin circuit booking
agency whose actual name was Theater Owners Booking Assoc., but which
its clients often preferred to call Tough On Black Asses), Club 81 in
Atlanta (which I suspect was the source of the mysterious The 81 dance),
Sweet Mama Stringbean (aka Ethel Waters), Crack Shot Hackley, etc., etc.
Anyhoo, getting 'round to the point, Markham states that the HCTJ
routine achieved national notoriety in 1968, 40 years after he first
created it, starting when Sammy Davis, Jr. performed a version of it on
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, the #1-rated show in the country at the time.
Rather than it being a swipe of another performer's signature, however,
Sammy intended it as a tribute to Markham, and once it caught on it
invigorated Markham's career, incited him to write and record his
Chess 45 of the same title, and finally, with Sammy's help, he was
invited to start doing it himself on Laugh-In. Sammy, of course, was
"born in a trunk," and was nothing if not the ultimate fan of other
performers. Given that, according to Markham's memoir, "I carried him
around in my arms backstage when he was only two months old and his
Mommy was out there dancing as a chorus girl," Sammy and Pigmeat had
long had an especially close bond.
Markham very clearly and convincingly claims the Judge routine
as of his own invention, born at the Alhambra Theatre in New York in
1928. He adds to that the story of how, in 1935, he also invented the
Truckin' dance, an immensely popular dance (based, if I'm not mistaken,
on the old Cakewalk, of turn-of-the-century fame) that didn't fully
break across to a white audience until R. Crumb's Keep On Truckin'
poster of the late 1960s (and, of course, only in remnant form even
then). Finally, Markham also makes a case that Sock It To Me was already
a common expression among blacks when he was a kid.
I'll wrap up this dusty history lesson with a brief sampling of
Markham's Judge routine. Keep in mind that most of his gags benefit
greatly from his brilliant delivery!
Judge: Do you know what the penalty is for bigamy?
Defendant: I sure do, judge -- two mothers-in-law!
Order in the court,
--Phil M.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 04:58:25 EST
From: Rich
Subject: Everpresent Fullness
I found this on eBay and thought it might make an interesting read
for list members:
Everpresent Fullness -- Fine And Dandy: The Complete Recordings
Never mind a "lost album"....a whole lost band! Formed by once-and-
future members of The Belairs, Thorinshield and The Turtles,
Everpresent Fullness were HOT on the Sunset Strip scene, and toured/
played live with the Turtles, Jefferson Airplane, Sir Douglas
Quintet, Love and Buffalo Springfield -- the whole jingle-jangle-
morning sketch as advertised. Signing to White Whale in 1966, the
obligatory middle range hit single (Wild About My Lovin") and
friendships/collaborations with the hot young songwriters on the lot,
Warren Zevon and Paul Williams, boded well for their forthcoming
album, produced by the legendary Bones Howe. Indeed there was some
great material being put down, but somehow Everpresent Fullness fell
out with the owners of White Whale in a spectacular way, their album
was cancelled, everything was dropped, the band disintegrated under
the strain, and became an all but forgotten footnote. Curiouser was
the eventual release in 1970 of *an* album, the third to last release
on the label actually, pressed in the low hundreds to satisfy a
contractual/legal requirement.
By this time, very few people indeed cared -- an appalling fate for a
key Sunset Strip artifact, even in its mutilated form much sought-
after in later years, but now we have reconstructed the album as it
would have been. A Sunset Strip classic, pitched between The Poor, The
Turtles and Buffalo Springfield, with the poppy edge that should have
brought a dozen hits and never-before-heard early pop gems from Zevon
and Williams. A must-have for all fans of west coast pop ... beautiful!
AMG bio:
Los Angeles canyon-rock quintet the Everpresent Fullness comprised
singer/guitarist Tom Carvey, lead guitarist Paul Johnson, bassist Steve
Pugh, drummer Terry Hand and multi-instrumentalist Jack Ryan. Formed in
1965, the group fused elements of pop, country-rock and even ragtime,
often sharing the stage with kindred spirits like the Buffalo
Springfield and the Sir Douglas Quintet. Opening slots for the Turtles
earned the Everpresent Fullness the attention of White Whale Records,
and their Warren Zevon-penned debut single, "Wild About My Lovin',"
followed in 1966. The group reached the apex of their career that
summer, beginning work on a full-length LP and opening for Love at San
Francisco's legendary Fillmore in August. However, White Whale
mysteriously cut off funding prior to the album's completion, and after
issuing one more single, "Darlin' You Can Count on Me," the Everpresent
Fullness dissolved.
tracks:
Fine and Dandy / Wild About My Lovin / Leavin' California / You're So
Fine / Rider / The Way She Is / My Girl Back Home / Darlin' You Can
Count On Me / Yeah! / Sometimes I Don't Know Where I'm Bound / Lonesome
Tears / The Rovin' Kind / La Do Da Da / Suzie Q / It's All Over Now,
Baby Blue / Doin' A Number
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 17:26:35 +0100
From: Frank J.
Subject: Re: Jeanette
Julio Niño:
> Frank, "Me olvidarás" was the A-side of Picnic´s third and last
> single. The song was also included in their only LP. It´s a rather
> forgotten song but I like it. I think that in Picnic´s records
> Jeanette sounded authentically innocent, in later recordings
> (including the Andre Popp´s productions you cited) she sounded
> like she might be innocent. I like both: ingenuity and faux-
> ingenuity.
Julio,
I totally agree with you. I also like both ways. It´s the same with
Claudine, by the time of her fifth album I´m afraid she was not that
naive anymore but I still liked her singing style then (and yes for
me she does sing). Given that Jeanette was 10 years older when she
hit with "Por que te vas" I think the record guys wanted her to sound
like she was still 18. What a good idea.
Frank J.
p.s.: is the Picnic album out on CD?
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 17:37:00 -0000
From: Patrick Rands
Subject: Alzo Fronte Radio Spotlight Show
I wanted to remind everyone to tune into the Alzo Fronte radio
spotlight show this Friday night, 06 -7 PM (Eastern) on 90.3 WZBC FM in
the Boston area.
I think but I'm not sure that our online streaming audio might be
down, but you could check to see if it's working:
http://www.zbconline.com
Later, the shows usually get archived here:
http://www.zbconline.com/tp-archive.php
I'll send a message when the show gets archived.
I think those of you who dig the jazzier side of things (like the Bob
Dorough productions) would really like Alzo's music. It was a sad day
earler this month when Alzo passed away, so it's all the more
important now to get his music heard in his honor. I'm really hoping
a domestic release of his music could happen, maybe even a tribute cd
with modern day artists recording his music (I think his song So Glad
would be perfect for a band like Saint Etienne) could happen. His
music and talent was that good I think.
Well, tune in to hear Alzo's music and keep an eye out for his
reissued cds.
:Patrick
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 10:34:05 -0700 (Mountain Standard Time)
From: Harry Jay
Subject: Re: Larry & The Legends
Hi Ken,
Regarding the CD in question, "Tony & the Holidays", it's
definitely on Doowop Shoobop, click on "Vocal groups" &
scroll down, we are 4th from the top.
http://www.doowopshoobop.com/vocal.html#holstand
As far as the 4 Seasons, yes Larry & the Legends were just
4 regular guys & we were asked to record 9 songs of which
8 of them are still in the vault, as far as I know, unless
they were released on some compilation CD. The one song,
"Don't pick on my baby", sounded somewhat like a 4 Seasons
tune, but it wasn't them. Good luck.
Harry
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 18:09:36 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Al Kooper, Alan Gordon, Ed Rambeau and Paul Evans records
Hi, was just going thru 45s looking for one I couldn't find (as
usual) and came across several relating to our SPop stars. If any
non-Cd ones listed are needed by any of you, I can put on Musica
(complete with vinyl pops!!). Sorry if any of the following has been
addressed earlier.
For Al Kooper, do you know why the B side of "This Diamond Ring" was
replaced? Originally, it was "Hard to Find" written by Leroy
Vinnegar, but was quickly replaced by "Tijuana Wedding", thus
making "Hard to Find".....hard to find! Seeing that the 2nd B side
was written by Gary Lewis (hmm??) and arranger Leon Russell, could it
be because Jerry Lewis or someone smarter about the money situation,
said, "Hey, we can get writing royalties if we replace the B side our
our hit with one we wrote"?? Also, it must have been a little
disappointing that both versions of the "Ring" 45 have Kooper listed
as "Kooder". Then, when the cool little pic sleeve 45 of Gary's
"Doin the Flake" became available, "This Diamond Ring" was on the B
side. This time they got "Kooper" right, but it was listed as "I.
Kooper-B. Brass-I. Levine". Apparently, spelling was not a big thing
at Liberty, as the original "Ring" 45 had "Bras" as co-writer, also.
Next, I ran across an Alan Gordon related 45 by the Lovin' Spoonful.
"(Til I) Run With You" was the Gordon/Bonner penned A side, with
"Revelation: Revolution, 69" as the B side. That was Kama Sutra 251.
Then, I have "Revelation..." as a pic sleeve A side by the Spoonful's
Joe Butler on KS 264! They must be different recordings, because one
is 30 seconds longer than the other. Kinda odd.
3 other 45's I found that I am offering to Musica if needed:
When You Wore a Tulip/Those Golden Oldies - Marcy Jo & Eddie Rambeau
(Swan 4136)
Children - Robert John (Columbia 44639) Produced by Al Kooper! Like
the cool phasing (?) at end.
Thunderbolt - Sammy Turner & the Twisters (Big Top 3007) doowopper
written by Paul Evans and Paul Parnes, prod by Leiber & Stoller.
Just seems like every time I leaf thru some 45's, I see SPoppers
names! Clark
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 12:06:17 -0800
From: Kurt
Subject: Brian Wilson in Mojo
For those who only occasionally visit their local magazine stand,
this would be a good time to head down there.
The March issue of Mojo Magazine has a good interview with Brian
Wilson regarding "Smile" and the current "Smile" mini-tour of the
UK. Further proof that miracles (musical or otherwise) do happen.
look, listen, vibrate...smile
Kurt
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 21:23:54 -0000
From: Art Longmire
Subject: Re: The Movies / Mad Lads
Jim Shannon wrote:
> While we're onto obscure bands, anyone remember The Mad
> Lads "I Wanna Girl"?
Hello Jim,
I love the Mad Lads, I just wish I had more records and CDs by them.
I have the "I Want A Girl" 45 on Volt, but I like the flip side "What
Will Love Tend To Make You Do" even more-especially the last guitar
note that the group's guitarist plays on the fade-out. Unfortunately
I haven't seen this song on any of the group's CDs. Other songs I can
think of offhand are beautiful tunes like "Come Closer To Me" and of
course their big hit (at least I think it was big) "Don't Have To
Shop Around Anymore". This Memphis group had a really great doo-wop
influence, I really like their lead singer's high tenor voice.
Speaking of Memphis vocal groups on Stax, another one I like is the
Astors who did the terrific "Candy" back around 1965 or '66. I have
this 45, but have never heard any of the group's other songs.
Art Longmire
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 9
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 21:38:20 -0000
From: Laura Pinto
Subject: Re: Ron Dante; Archies
Billy G. Spradlin wrote, of "Strangers In The Morning":
> A great record, but the subject matter is a little um..."mature"
> for a bubblegum record. Visions of Archie and Betty (or another
> girl?) waking up together after a wild night? I think it would
> have fared well on Top 40 as a Ron Dante record.
Clark Besch responded:
> Billy, maybe it's an answer record!! "Who's your baby in the
> morning, who's your baby at night...." :)
Hi Clark,
Don't know about that ... if you listen to the words of "Who's Your
Baby," they're still going at it in the morning, not turning away
from one another! (IMHO, "Who's Your Baby" is one of the sexiest
songs ever written by either Jeff Barry OR Andy Kim, much less
recorded by The Archies ... and hopefully a big THANK-YOU to Ron
Dante and Donna Marie will do them fine!)
Laura :)
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 10
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 16:38:29 -0700 (MST)
From: That Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: Happy (Songwriters) Together
Al Kooper, I know you are jesting when refering to BMI performances
etc. I`am not jesting when I tell you that if my old group the
Magicians were lucky enough to have you as a producer we would not
have disappeared. You have been a real guidpost to all of us in the
rough and tumble world of rock n roll, and someone who I really
respect.
Best, That Alan [composer of "My Heart Belongs To Me", the publishing
belongs to them]
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 11
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 23:38:58 -0000
From: Laura Pinto
Subject: Andy Kim Audio Interview
Hi S'poppers,
For all the Andy Kim fans out there, check out his new online audio
interview with my friend Bette from Track One Audio.com:
http://www.trackoneaudio.com/akim.htm
Enjoy!
Laura
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 00:52:53 EST
From: Dan N.
Subject: Re: Sugar & the Spices
Mick Patrick on Suger & the Spices:
> Where were they from? What were their names? Does anyone have a
> picture of the group?
Sugar & the Spices were Corky Casey (producer-guitarist Al Casey's
wife) and Carol Roberts (the first Mrs. Duane Eddy). The same bunch,
including Al, also recorded an LP for Time as the Raintree County
Singers. The Stacy record was cut at Audio Recorders of Arizona in
Phoenix. The great "Boys Can Be Mean" on Vee-Jay probably was, too.
(I can't remember for sure off of the top of my head.) Al grew up
and was based in Phoenix, but went back and forth to L.A. to play
sessions until the mid-1960s, when he relocated there. He's now back
in Phoenix, teaching guitar at a music store.
Dan N.
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 13
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 07:43:15 +0100
From: Jan Kristensen
Subject: Re: Sugar & the Spices
Mick Patrick on Suger & the Spices:
> Where were they from? What were their names? Does anyone have a
> picture of the group?
I got two names but I don't know from which source. According to
my database Sugar and the Spices are: Corky Casey and Carol Eddy.
JanK
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 00:40:37 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Jeanette & Twinkle
Hola,
Any Twinkle fans out there? If so, I'd recommend visiting musica
and taking a listen to "Me Olvidaras" by Picnic featuring Jeanette,
Spain's 'queen of whispers'. Gorgeous strings and very Twinkle-ish
vocals, yet not at all flat :-) Paris Sisters fans might also enjoy:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/files/musica/
Talking of Twinkle, her long lost "Michael Hannah" LP, recorded as
a tribute to her real life dead boyfriend but never released, is
out now on Acrobat: "Michael Hannah: The Lost Years" (ACFCD 001).
Was it worth the 30 year wait? Yes. Is it cheap? Not in some stores,
so shop around. One of these days I'll find time to read the booklet,
all 36 pages of it.
And once you've heard "Me Olvidaras", don't forget to check out:
http://www.chachacharming.com/article.php?id=17
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 15
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 19:18:31 -0500
From: Country Paul
Subject: Bob Miranda; "Rumores" and promises; Mary Wells; Tokens; early Newton; Mike Nesmith
Bill Craig Re: "Girl On A Swing"
> it was originally done by NJ's The Happenings and written by
> members of that group...(Bobby Miranda, Bernie La Porta?,
> I can't remember)
Bob Miranda, Bill; it's a highlight of the B. T. Puppy CD that
just came out (which I reviewed for S'pop).
Julio Niño re: "Son Rumores"
> Paul, "Son Rumores" is a song composed by Joaquin Prieto
> (Antonio's brother). The song was a big hit in Spain at the
> beginning of the sixties in the version by David Soto, I
> haven't heard Antonio Prieto's version. I think I have
> David Soto's record somewhere, if you are interested I can
> play for you.
Julio, it would be wonderful if you could post it to musica,
or else send me a tape or CD copy. In return, I can send you
a tape of Antonio Prieto's version. I don't have the facility
to post to musica or burn vinyl to CD yet. But you'll be
joining a bit of a line of promised tapes (to all I made
promises, I'm working on it!) And thank you for the background
on the song; it's very cool to know after 43 years what it is
I've been liking! :-)
Simon White (the following three quotes):
> Isn't the story somewhere along the lines of this - there were
> 15 takes of this song and they used the last one where Mary's
> voice was hoarse. She never sounded quite as rough as this again!
Indeed she didn't; the rawness and tension are incredible.
Ironically sad that she died of throat cancer.
> ...[O]ne track, "Bye Bye Baby", is credited to The Channels
> but is the Mary Wells track, miscredited. I didn't realise this
> for many years.
The Channels' own song of the same name is one of their best
uptempo tracks, IMO.
> Is that Neil Sedaka singing lead with the Tokens? And if so,
who were The Tokens?
It is Sedaka; I don't know the entire makeup of The Tokens, but I
believe the Margo brothers were there by that time and Jay Siegal
was not.
Dan N. [of Phoenix]:
> For anybody who's interested in Wayne Newton's "very early and
> very credible rockabilly work with his brother Jerry," Bear
> Family Records of Germany is set to release...the definitive CD
> collection of his Phoenix-based Newton Rascals era...."Wayne Newton
> featuring the Newton Brothers: The Real Thing 1954 to 1963." It
> stops short of the Capitol single that has been talked about here...
"The Real Thing" is a super doo-wop track, which could well be worth
hearing if you're into group harmony - it sounds like Wayne, all right,
but the context is pretty amazing. I could be on board for this....
Art Longmire to me, Re: Progressive Monkees:
> Your assessment of the Monkees and Michael Nesmith was very well
> put....[O]n those few occasions when I watched the TV show, I
> remember always thinking Mike Nesmith was very cool. In 1970 when
> I started buying records, his song "Joanne" was a huge favorite of
> mine (I love the pastoral romanticism of the song)....
He had that romanticism even in the group. Thanks to a friend, I
have a compilation of songs he either wrote (2/3 of it) or sang
(the other 1/3) which I was listening to again today. Some of the
arrangements are a bit dated, to be sure, but the songs sure do
stand up well, a few even begging for remakes. (Lots could be
re-done as "new country" and give his songwriting - heck, even
his own bad self - a whole new career boost!)
Jeff Lemlich, thanks for digging around re: the Kleen-Kuts. Another
phantom....
Country Paul
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 19:03:35 -0600
From: Dan Hughes
Subject: P.F. Sloan and Herman's Hermits
Found this story on a web site about South African music; hadn't heard
it before and thought the group would find it interesting:
The popularity of PF Sloan compositions in South Africa were now
almost a given and he subsequently impressed another man with strong
South African ties, Mickey Most, who requested him to write a song for
Herman's Hermits. "I wrote the song downstairs in the dressing room of
a sunset strip rock club. Donovan was performing that night and his
manager Mickey asked me if I would write a song called "A Must To Avoid"
for the Hermits movie...problem was he was leaving the following day and
needed it right away... I went downstairs and borrowed one of Donovan's
guitars and sketched out the song...The next day I told Barri about it
and he helped with some of the lyrics...I cut a rough demo on it and gave
it to Mickey...."
---Dan
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 17
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 01:54:59 -0000
From: Bill Craig
Subject: Re: BlueBeats / Movies
Jim Shannon wrote:
> ...Not ready to give up his beloved band, Griffen once again
> changed the name of the group in early '69 to The Movies and
> released another single but it failed to chart in major markets.
> The Movies disbanded by mid '69 and faded into obscurity.
I'm assuming these Movies were not the band from the '70s who had a
tune called "Dancing On Ice"? I think they were an east coast band.
Bill Craig
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 18
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 23:14:03 -0500
From: Javed Jafri
Subject: Re: Happy Together
That Alan Gordon on Happy Together:
> production of the record by Joe Wissert and Chip Douglas's
> input and of course the Turtles make that record a masterpiece,
> the song is good but the record production is special. As far
> as how many times it has been played according to BMI it has
> now passed the 6 million performance plateau in the USA. And
> everytime I hear it I say AMEN!!!
The one thing I have to say about Happy Together is that it truly
does have universal appeal. Even the classic rock station here in
Toronto Q107 spins it now and then. I have to add that it is one
of the very few beaten to death oldies that I don't turn the knob
on or fast forward when it takes it's turn on CD. That is more than
I can say for Satisfaction, Yesterday, Good Vibrations, Hey Jude,
Sherry, Be My Baby, Proud Mary, Light My Fire etc. etc. etc........
Javed
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 19
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 00:58:55 -0500
From: Country Paul
Subject: Skyla label; Tim Buckley; Barry & Tamerlanes; tape; Du-Tones; Del Vikings
Mike Edwards:
> Raul Abeyta? Great songwriter. My favorite by him is "Stop Your
> Crying" (US Skyla, 1961) by one time post-Buddy Holly Cricket,
> Jerry Naylor. Not a hit anywhere but a top quality teen 45.
Suddenly this label comes to the fore; I have Bob Lee, "You
Mostest Girl" and "Uh Oh" on Skyla, #1117, and have been playing
it again since Bobby Lee Trammell (Bob Lee) has been discussed
here recently. Anyone have a lead to a label discography? Who
owned it? What's its story?
Bill Craig:
> Having always thought their voices were somewhat alike I was amazed
> when at the end of one Monkees episode Mickey's off camera voice out
> of nowhere says: "Ladies and gentlemen, Tim Buckley" and T. appears
> and performs one of his songs. Does anyone remember this? I can't
> remember which song he did.
Bill, thanks for your reflections on Mike Nesmith and the Monkees
- and on Tim Buckley. Never saw that show, but I had the pleasure
of meeting Tim and Linda Ronstadt and the original Stone Poneys
(just before their recording of Nesmith's "Different Drum" hit)
backstage at a club in New York. All were really nice people - and
Linda was gorgeous. (It wasn't politically incorrect to notice at
that time.)
Rashkovsky:
> I recently had the chance to speak with Barry DeVorzon on the
> phone. Very nice guy. I never heard anything by Barry and The
> Tamerlanes, but I understand that was him as a youngster.
You never heard "I Wonder What She's Doing Tonight" or "Roberta"
or "Pretty Things"? Get thee to a listening booth, my friend!
Great creative early 60's pop music. They, The Cascades and
Shelby Flint were Valiant Records' major raisons d'etre. (For a
Canadian compilation of Barry & The Tamerlanes and The Cascades,
check out http://www.gocontinental.com/cdlist/val6026_barryand.htm.)
Nick Archer, thank you for the textbook on baking tape at
http://www.wendycarlos.com/bake%20a%20tape/baketape.html. It will
help me with the many boxes of old 7-inch reels in the basement
that are crying for rescue.
Art Longmire:
> Another great Judge recording, the funniest of all in my
> opinion, is "Divorce Court" by the Five Du-Tones (the flip
> side of their hit "Shake a Tail Feather").
Two top-shelf tracks there, Art. Whatever became of the Five
Du-Tones? Anyone know?
Mark Hi,, re: Cool Shakes:
> Well, this has the almost the right title and is east coast
> and the right time period. Though the Top Pop book usually
> denotes if there is a commercial jingle tie-in. This entry
> doesn't. Any connection??? Any help???
No connection, unless they named the drink after the record.
The Del Vikings' "Cool Shake" on Mercury, which is not the
commercial, is a subtly rockin' track, with some nice
instrumental support, good lead work by Kripp Johnson, and
some neat bass singing ("Ali Baba-nooski, Ali Baba-noo....").
This was one of two Del Vikings groups formed when the original
5-some split up after "Come Go With Me"; the other group did
the great "Whispering Bells" on Dot.
Ali Babanooski, y'all,
Country Paul
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 20
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 01:14:17 EST
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: Cinnamon Square, Doris Troy, SGC, Buckley & DeVorzon
My DJ copy of Cinnamon Square on Roulette is shown as by "The
Moovees" penned by group member Christopher Covell. Suspect the
'69 band "The Movies" unless they changed the spelling after they
were The Blue Beats is a different group altogether. Cinnamon
Square, going by the serial #, looks to be from about the summer
of 1968. BTW, it's a terrific record, as is the flip, "Little Boy
Blue (Little Girl's Green)".
Sad to say farewell to Doris Troy. I'm curious to get into her
mid-to-late sixties recordings including her Calla entry.
SGC Records lasted but a short while, and must have been a label
exclusively for artists whose songs were published by Screen Gems-
Columbia. Aside from The Nazz, none other than Neil Sedaka made a
brief appearance on the label in around '68, as did The Will-O-
Bees, who only charted on Date with their wonderful "It's Not
Easy."
Tim Buckley was the Man.
Barry DeVorzon and Bodie Chandler's glorious "I Wonder What She's
Doing Tonight"--a spine-tingler of a tune. A true 1963 relic which
climbed the charts at the time of JFK's assassination......& not to
dredge up an ancient fossil, but I'm still "wondering" if anyone
knows of Boyce & Hart trying to obliterate Barry's triumph by
writing and performing another successful song with the same name,
or can we pretty much say that it was just another strange 6Ts pop
coincidence!!!
Bobster
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 21
Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 01:13:21 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: The Diplomats, Van McCoy and a psychiatrist
Julio Niqo:
> ... mention of The Diplomats and Van McCoy in some messages these
> days have brought to my mind "Can't Get You Off My Mind" a great
> song by The Diplomats included in an old Ace Records compilation,
> the song is uncredited in the compilation but when I listen to it
> I always think of Van McCoy ... I have to ask my psychiatrist
> about this.
Hola,
Oh dear, that sounds like an Ace compilation I don't own. Rats!
What's the title please?
Van McCoy was from Washington, DC, as were the Diplomats. Van did
write some songs for the group, and produced them too. He also
composed a song entitled "Can't Get HER Off My Mind", but I'm not
aware of a recorded version. Could that be what the Diplomats are
singing? Maybe Ace got the title incorrect.
The Diplomats will be performing in the UK in a few months time. By
then they'll have their own CD out on Kent/Ace, I hear.
But to be on the safe side, Julio, I'll send you the number of my
analyst.
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
End
