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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 15 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. John Beland on Big Tree
From: Mark
2. Re: Bee Gees' Odessa
From: Art Longmire
3. Re: Dick Clark & the "facts"
From: Art Longmire
4. Re: Groop
From: P. A. Ferra
5. Re: Ron Dante / The Spirit
From: MopTopMike
6. Re: Turntables
From: Kurt
7. Re: Darlene McCrea, the Cookies and the Cinderellas go Zonk!!
From: Art Longmire
8. Re: Horizon
From: Austin Roberts
9. Re: The 2 Of Clubs
From: Karen Andrew
10. FCC cracks down/radio reacts
From: Artie Wayne
11. Verdelle Smith Goes Zonk !!
From: Mick Patrick
12. Re: Four On The Floor
From: Art Longmire
13. Re: What Happened to those "Hits"
From: Artie Wayne
14. Mood Mosaic
From: Mark Wirtz
15. Not Lame releases; 78s
From: Country Paul
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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 17:55:16 -0000
From: Mark
Subject: John Beland on Big Tree
Welcome John Beland. I have a single that you did on the label
that I like and from what I understand there was an unreleased
LP. Why didn't the album come out and is there any way to get
a copy?
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 21:49:31 -0000
From: Art Longmire
Subject: Re: Bee Gees' Odessa
I've never heard Odessa, and always wanted to...I love the Bee Gees'
late 60's stuff. I have the "First of May" 45 on Atco and have always
been crazy about it, it's just a beautiful song. About a year or so
ago I was reading a Bee Gees biography and as I recall it was the
choice of that song as the single release that caused Robin Gibb to
quit the group.
Speaking of Robin Gibb, another tidbit in the biography mentioned
that he had a solo hit during his time away from the group,
called "Saved By the Bell", that was a hit in the U.K. and Europe in
1970. Being an American, I've never heard this song over here and
wondered if it was as good or comparible to the records that the
group was making at the time.
Art Longmire
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Message: 3
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 22:41:07 -0000
From: Art Longmire
Subject: Re: Dick Clark & the "facts"
Phil Milstein on Dick Clark:
> ... butchered clips programmed for the masses, actual facts --
> as opposed to factoids -- are not usually considered to be of
> much importance. Sad, but that's usually the fact.
Hello Phil,
Brenda Holloway's version of "You've Made Me So Very Happy" was
indeed the original-in fact she wrote it. Of course it goes without
saying that I like her version better than the "hit" BS&T version-I
can only take so much David Clayton-Thomas.
Dick Clark has always annoyed me-he had so many great acts who
appeared on his original shows, but when you watch a Dick Clark
special, what do you get? Frankie Avalon, Fabian, and Captain and
Tennille-and everything watered down for Middle America.
Art Longmire
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Message: 4
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 23:11:05 -0000
From: P. A. Ferra
Subject: Re: Groop
Bob Rashkow:
> My error about The Groop in MIDNIGHT COWBOY; they do also perform
> a song entitled Tears and Joys in addition to Comanor's song. Do
> they actually appear in the Hansel and Gretel McAlbertson party
> sequence? Maybe I'd better just see it again!!!! Seems like I
> missed somethin' there!!!!
Hi Bobster - Comanor also wrote "Tears and Joy", so that's two he
contributed towards "Midnight Cowboy", only "Tears and Joy" is listed
on the soundtrack.
Also, am not entirely sure myself whether the Groop was in that party
scene, so I'd have to watch that again, too :) and with pleasure,
that's my all-time favorite J. Schlesinger movies!
p.a. ferra
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Message: 5
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 23:21:11 -0000
From: MopTopMike
Subject: Re: Ron Dante / The Spirit
Bob Rashkow wrote:
> Ron Dante, I was listening to The Spirit on Roulette earlier
> today. You co-wrote a great, great song called "No Time To Rhyme"
> in approximately 1967? I've always loved this record, at least
> as much as I love the group of the same name with Jay Ferguson,
> Mark Andes et al.
Laura Pinto:
> I placed a bid on eBay for this very record a couple of weeks ago
> but was outbid. It sold for $40.00. Sounds like I missed out on
> a great 45!
I have this record, released in late June 1967...I too would like to
know if this was a studio group, a real gigging/professional group or
garage band...anyone with info? No connection to the west coast
group, in case you are wondering.
MopTopMike
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Message: 6
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 16:16:09 -0800
From: Kurt
Subject: Re: Turntables
> Mick Patrick wrote:
> Own up all S'poppers who DON'T own a turntable.
Tom Taber:
> Do I make up for it any by having three "upstairs"
> turntables (one for 78s), a "downstairs" turntable,
> and a few on the front porch that may or may not be
> connected to an amplifier at any given time? If you
> have never placed a Little Richard 10 inch on a
> turntable, and watched the "Specialty" label spin at
> breakneck speed while he and his band do the same,
> you have an area of your life which is sadly lacking!
Tom,
It looks as if you have most of us beat in the turntable
department. Your "few on the front porch" comment is
very intriguing to say the least. I grew up strictly on
BSR turntables......and though I could afford to buy a
more state-of-the-art turntable, I prefer to use a
bruised and battered old 3-speed BSR 2260-AG. I figure
it's from the late 70s and it looks it. I'm not playing
much vinyl these days, but it does the job when I need it
to.
When I play singles, I use a pink 45 adapter that I
bought at Wenzels MusicTown (Downey, CA) right before
they closed a couple of years ago. The Chantays "Pipeline"
was recorded in the back room of Wenzels, and that little
45 adapter evokes quite a few good feelings when I spin my
singles.
- Kurt
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Message: 7
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2004 00:27:10 -0000
From: Art Longmire
Subject: Re: Darlene McCrea, the Cookies and the Cinderellas go Zonk!!
Julio Nino:
> My favourite song right now is "Don't Worry Baby" by Darlene
> McCrea included in the new, and marvelous, compilation by Mick
> Patrick for RPM : "Girls Go Zonk!!". The selection is full of
> good taste and fun.
Mick Patrick:
> ... Formed in Coney Island in 1954 by DARLENE McCREA, Dorothy
> Jones and Beulah Robertson, the Cookies were discovered at a
> talent show at the Apollo in Harlem ... So integral did they
> become to Ray Charles' sound that in 1958 he enticed Darlene
> and new girl Margie Hendrix to join two others as his personal
> back-up group. Thus the Cookies fell apart and the first of many
> Raeletts line-ups was born ... 1964. That year also marked the
> appearance of the second of Darlene's three solo 45s, the Gerry
> Goffin/Russ Titelman-produced DON'T WORRY BABY ... Darlene re-
> joined the (Cookies) for their final pair
> of singles, released on Warner Brothers in 1967...
Hello Mick,
I've got a record by a group called the Cinderellas titled "Baby
Baby, I Still Love You" on the Dimension label, and I've heard that
this group is actually the Cookies. The record is a Russ Titelman
production, and your post got me to thinking...are the Cinderellas
really the Cookies? Can someone please solve this riddle for me?
This is a really outstanding record, by the way, which makes me all
the more curious.
Art Longmire
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Message: 8
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 20:19:50 EST
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: Horizon
Peter McCray:
> I know a little about what Billy Meshel's up to these days, but do
> you have any contact with Gene Belletiere or Chris Welch? Those
> guys had a hand in writing so many great tracks from that time
> (often in tandem with you!) for lots of different projects. Do you
> know are they still writing or performing or anything? And if its
> not giving away too many trade secrets, besides your great lead
> work, who else was on the playing/performing side of Horizon?
Peter,
I haven't seen or heard from Gene in years, but I talk to Chris Welch
every now and then. He Lives in Port St. Louis Mississippi and does
sound for some of the casinos in that area (Biloxi etc). I don't
remember the musicians on the Horizon cuts other than I played
accoustic guitar.
Best, Austin
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Message: 9
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 18:45:33 -0800 (PST)
From: Karen Andrew
Subject: Re: The 2 Of Clubs
Mick Patrick:
> Now, if I may, I'd like to switch my attention to the 2 Of Clubs
> from Cincinnati. Can anyone out there assist me in locating a
> photo? It's for a CD due soon on Big Beat. Did I read somewhere
> that the duo are still active?
I just found this on a web site:
http://www.bluejeansplace.com/KingRecordsStudios.html
"...just contacted by Lee Hazen who handled recording and the
mastering department at King Records in 1966. Lee told me he
recorded such stars as Hank Ballard, James Brown, Freddie King,
Stanley Brothers, The Casinos, 02 of Clubs and many others."
Maybe, this Lee Hazen could help you. Not in the Cincinnati phone
book so you'd have to figure out where he is.
About a year ago, WSAI in Cincinnati, changed its format to Oldies
and I bet if you contact the DJs there you might be able to get a
photo or at least find out where to obtain one:
http://www.wsai.com/main.html
1530 WSAI, 1111 St. Gregory, Cinti, Oh 45202; (513) 333-4242,
(513) 421-WSAI (9724)
Here's a link to an old Cinti Post article:
http://www.cincypost.com/living/1999/bird110499.html
Sorry, I can't figure out how to put in the link - never works for
me. But, go to that link, if you haven't already. In the meantime,
I'll see if I can find a photo.
Another Oldies radio station which sponsors shows, fests, etc in
Cincinnati is WGRR 103.5 FM: 2060 Reading Road, Cincinnati, Ohio
45202, 4th Floor; (513)699-5103. web site: http://www.wgrr.com
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Message: 10
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 18:52:06 -0800 (PST)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: FCC cracks down/radio reacts
In about a week the FCC hearings start on obscenity in the media
that started with Janet Jackson's exposure at the SuperBowl.......
and already American radio is reacting. From "Shock Jocks" being
jerked off the air........to my favorite song, "F*#% it.....I
Don't want you back" by Eamon disappearing from play lists.
I remember in the early sixties when "Sick Songs" like "Tell Laura
I Love Her", "Teen Angel", "Ebony Eyes ", and "Patches" were
banned because it they glorified death. Next I remember a ban on
country songs that were about maritial infidelity, like "Just Walk
on by", "Long Black Veil" and "One has my ring, the Other has my
Heart". Then there were bans on protest songs like "Eve of
Destruction" with hardly a look back......but each of these changes
has made permenant mark on our musical landscape.
Now with the obscenity hearings looming who knows how we'll be
affected. I know this isn't the time to show the last song I wrote
with Ben Raleigh.......A song about a man who leaves his wife
because she's surpressing his religious beliefs....called, "You
can't sit on my Faith anymore".
regards, Artie Wayne
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Message: 11
Date: Fri, 05 Mar 2004 01:40:49 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Verdelle Smith Goes Zonk !!
Julio Niqo:
> ... "Girls Go Zonk" (CD) ... also includes the lovely "Tar
> and Cement" by Verdelle Smith, which in my opinion is clearly
> based on Frangoise Hardy4s version of the Celentano4s original.
Hola,
"Tar And Cement" is a big fave among some of my S'pop chums. I
sort of included that track for them - that's just the kind of
guy I am. Personally, I prefer Verdelle's "Juanito", probably
because she comes across like a part-time Shangri-La, rather
than as a prim folk singer. I'm a sucker for that sound. Whatever,
that track was a Columbia recording, and therefore out of bounds
for "Zonk!!"
Anyway, to get to the point, the version of "Tar And Cement"
contained on the "Girls Go Zonk!!" CD is about 30 seconds longer
than the original 45. Some of you can now have endless fun
spotting the edits on your old Capitol singles.
I'm ashamed to say that I've never heard the Adriano Celentano
version. There again, I've never had a Pot Noodle.
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
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Message: 12
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 22:47:49 -0000
From: Art Longmire
Subject: Re: Four On The Floor
(Red-faced) Al Kooper:
> ... I sold Casablanca on the idea of us doing our own disco album.
> ... and on the other side.......move over, Artie Wayne.......The
> Glimmer Twins Medley - a whole continuous side of Stones tunes at
> 120 BPM! ... The album was called Four On The Floor and I think
> that's how many people bought it. Okay. I know some of YOU have
> it, but this is the only place people would fess up to it.
Hello Al,
I really respect you as a producer, arranger, and musician, but I
have to say...just the thought of a record like this makes me cringe.
Of course, I shouldn't speak without hearing it first...in fact, as
soon as I post this I bet somebody will reply saying that Al Kooper's
disco album is one of the great undiscovered classics in the musical
realm.
Art Longmire
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Message: 13
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 19:03:04 -0800 (PST)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Re: What Happened to those "Hits"
Dave......How ya' doin'? I'd like to hear some stories about
"Can't Miss" hits from our Spectropoppin' pals too!!
If you want to hear some more of mine check out my website
http://artiewayne.com and click on to Artie's stories at the
bottom of the page.
regards, Artie Wayne
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Message: 14
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 20:39:44 -0800 (PST)
From: Mark Wirtz
Subject: Mood Mosaic
Sean Streit wrote:
> Hello Mr. Wirtz, Just wondering if the girl group The
> Ladybirds were in fact The Mood Mosaic?
Hi, Sean,
Yes, they were indeed. On some occasions in the past,
I would combine the Ladybirds and the Breakaways, but,
for most part, it was LB leader Maggie Stredder and
her team who would layer the Mood Mosaic parts.
As it happens, Maggie Stredder, Kay Garner and I
reunited in November to revisit the Mood Mosaic sound
at Phil Chapman's studio for a couple of brand new MM
tracks for inclusion in the "Love Is Eggshaped" CD. I
can therefore report, first hand, that Both Maggie and
Kay are not only kicking ass still, sounding even
BETTER than they did "back then," but both still look
so damn sexy and delicious, I had a hard time
concentrating on the work at hand.
Best,
Mark w :)
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Message: 15
Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 23:46:56 -0500
From: Country Paul
Subject: Not Lame releases; 78s
Just found out about this, via Not Lame (credit where due:
http://www.notlame.com
BRITISH INVASION BOX - Various (2 CDs) - $20.00
This unique 2-CD set features many of the biggest and best
loved hits by the original British Invasion artists. Disc
1 contains 25 original UK hits, while disc 2 contains 20
original American hits that inspired the artists of the
British Invasion. Track Listing:
(Disc One)
Concrete And Clay - Unit Four Plus Two
Tell Her No - Zombies
Yesterday's Gone -Chad & Jeremy
Catch The Wind - Donovan
I Knew It All The Time - The Dave Clark Five
My Love - Petula Clark
I Put A Spell On You - Alan Price Set
Boom Boom - The Animals (Live recording from 1963)
Telstar - The Tornadoes
I'm A Man - The Yardbirds
Love Potion Number Nine - The Searchers
You Turn Me On (Turn On Song) - Ian Whitcomb & Bluesville
It's Good News Week - Hedgehoppers Anonymous
Michelle - David & Jonathan
Carrie-Anne - The Hollies
Pied Piper -Crispian St. Peters
Everyone's Gone To The Moon - Jonathan King
Tossing & Turning - The Ivy League
To Sir With Love - Lulu
Sittin' On A Fence - Twice As Much
I Don't Want Our Loving To Die - The Herd
Let The Heartaches Begin - Long John Baldry
Out Of Time - Chris Farlow
Friday On My Mind - The Easybeats
Itchycoo Park - Small Faces
(Disc Two)
Boys - The Shirelles
Stay - Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs
Hippy Hippy Shake - Chan Romero
Twist And Shout - The Isley Brothers
Devil In His Heart - The Donays
My Boy Lollipop - Barbie Gaye
Leave My Kitten Alone - Little Willie John
Slow Down - Larry Williams
Boom Boom - John Lee Hooker
I Go to Pieces - Del Shannon
Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
Go Now - Bessie Banks
Mr. Moon light - Dr. Feelgood & The Interns/
Honey, Don't! - Carl Perkins
I Understand (Just How How You Feel) - The G- Clefs
Act Naturally - Buck Owens
Universal Soldier - Buffy Sainte-Marie
Over And Over - Bobby Day/I Can't Let Go - Evie Sands
Pretty Flamingo - Gene Pitney
(Varese Sarabande)
One more from Not Lame of probably interest to this
group:
The Buckinghams - Kind Of A Drag - $13.50
In 1967, the Buckinghams laid waste to the Billboard
charts with their mega-hit, "Kind Of A Drag." At last,
this reissue presents the group's first album from '66.
Along with their launchpad hit and the complete U.S.A.-
label stereo album, we've added a single-only side and
the group's lengthy fuzz-fest rave-up version of "I'm A
Man," (which was included on only a mere handful of early
vinyl pressings), a vintage radio spot, original and new
notes, vintage photos/posters/handbill repros and more!
"4 stars.. Definitely one to add right next to the
greatest-hits collection."-AMG.
And of recent stuff in the classic bag, I'm still digging
both Orgone Box CD's; samples and order at
www.minuszerorecords.com/orgonebox.html.
Tom Taber:
> If you have never placed a Little Richard 10 inch on
> a turntable, and watched the "Specialty" label spin at
> breakneck speed while he and his band do the same,
> you have an area of your life which is sadly lacking!
Do Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers 78s on Gee count?
Country Paul
(who also has 3 turntables)
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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