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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Ambrose by Linda Laurie
From: Dave O'Gara
2. Re: Obscure Girl Group Records
From: John Fox
3. Re: Tex and The Chex
From: (That) Alan Gordon
4. "Mr. Lonely"
From: Mike Edwards
5. Girl Groups TOTALLY
From: Jimmy Crescitelli
6. Tandyn Almer & Curt Boettcher
From: Phil
7. Re: Kirby Stone (Four)
From: Billy G. Spradlin
8. Re: Del-Satins
From: Fred Clemens
9. Re: Tex and The Chex
From: Ed Salamon
10. found 'em at Goodwill!
From: Billy G Spradlin
11. Re: Linda Laurie
From: Gary Myers
12. Re: obscure girl group records
From: Pekka Johansson
13. Re: Shangri-Las help
From: Tony
14. Re: obscure girl group records
From: Jan Kristensen
15. Re: Kelly Garrett
From: Al Kooper
16. Re: obscure girl group records
From: 13 Eagle
17. demos by Little Eva
From: Simon White
18. Re: obscure girl group records
From: Simon White
19. Beatle-ettes, Bon Bons and Shangri-Las
From: Lex Cody
20. Re: "Mr. Lonely"
From: Ken Silverwood
21. glaring mistakes
From: Ken Silverwood
22. Re: Tex and The Chex
From: Hal Muskat
23. Re: Tex and The Chex
From: (That) Alan Gordon
24. Re: Ambrose, Pt. 5
From: Phil X. Milstein
25. Re: Obscure girl group records
From: Frank
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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 22:16:48 -0000
From: Dave O'Gara
Subject: Ambrose by Linda Laurie
Were there really five versions of Ambrose? The version of Ambrose
that got airplay in my neck of the woods featured mostly the girl's
voice in a running commentary to "Ambrose" who usually answered
anything she said with a line like, "keep walkin!". In the late
sixties a fairly well-known Massachusetts DJ named Jeff Starr played
a taped version (always late at night) with "his" commentary edited
in after Linda's lines. It was a highlight of his show, but he never
let on that it was a Linda Laurie record, and as such, the audience
was led to believe it was something he dreamed up. Many, many years
later, some of us DJ's tried updating the song with a "call and
response" format using local names and landmark's in between but, to
be honest, it was a pretty lame attempt at "entertainment". Again,
still wondering if there was really 5 versions released. Thanks,
Dave 0'
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 18:20:16 EDT
From: John Fox
Subject: Re: Obscure Girl Group Records
The Carolines: "Can't Stop Lovin' The Boy".
It was originally on the Roulette label and is on the British-released
anthology CD, "Run Mascara". Great song/sound, and I'm still trying to
find out who was in this group.
John Fox
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Message: 3
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 15:30:03 -0700
From: (That) Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: Tex and The Chex
Hal M.... I was in "Tex and the Chex" from about 1964 to late 65. I do
not beleive I was the drummer you met. The band at that time consisted
of Rod Bristow, Mike Appel, Everett Jacobs. We had a fun time, the
group was playing at the Cinderella Club in the village when two
producers saw us, Art Polhemus and Bob Wyld. In the summer of 65, we
recorded a song I co-wrote with Jimmy Woods called "An Invitation To
Cry". During that session the band split up and Bob and Artie brought
in Garry Bonner to sing the lead. Another friend sent Allen Jake Jacobs,
who I loved without ever hearing him play, and Jake brought in John
Townley. That is the group who turned into the Magicians. Alan, Jake,
Garry and John.
I never had the pleasure of working with Gary Chester, who I always
admired as one of the great session drummers. I have not heard from any
of "Tex and The Cex" for many many years, but I will always have fond
memories of the time we spent together Hope that clears things up Hal.
Best That Alan
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Message: 4
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 23:32:06 -0000
From: Mike Edwards
Subject: "Mr. Lonely"
Frank writes of the two versions of "Mr. Lonely", one by Bobby
Vinton, the other by Buddy Greco. Is the Buddy Greco version out
on CD? If not, I wonder if anyone would be so kind as to sneak it
into musica; I've never heard it.
Thanks, Mike
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Message: 5
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 20:03:47 EDT
From: Jimmy Crescitelli
Subject: Girl Groups TOTALLY
Does anyone have the definitive, all-inclusive, super-comprehensive,
ultra Girl-Group list? Just when I thought I'd heard them all (or at
least heard of them all)... along come The Termites. THE TERMITES
indeed! God help us all.
Jimmy Crescitelli
PS
WCAR Top 3, Week of April 19th.:
1. April Young (and ghost lead)... Gonna Make Him My Baby
2. Sharon Marie... Run-Around Lover
3. Patty Michaels... They're Dancing Now
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Message: 6
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 00:41:33 -0000
From: Phil
Subject: Tandyn Almer & Curt Boettcher
I spent a lot of time with Tandyn & Curt in 1964, when for a few
months I shared my Hollywood apartment with Curt, and was turned on
to music and other joys there for the first time by Tandyn and Curt.
I know that Curt died in 1987, but I wonder if anyone knows where
Tandyn is, and how to reach him.
I was standing backstage with him at the Troubador the night the
Association first played his song 'Along Comes Mary' there. It was a
great night!
Phil
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Message: 7
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 01:21:39 -0000
From: Billy G. Spradlin
Subject: Re: Kirby Stone (Four)
A great record. I have it. Is it out on CD? If not, if you want
I could post it to musica. Wonder why Revola didnt put it on their
recent "Night Time Music - The B.T. Puppy" anthology??
Billy
http://listen.to/jangleradio
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Message: 8
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 01:43:50 -0000
From: Fred Clemens
Subject: Re: Del-Satins
ACJ wrote:
> First, about the Del-Satins' "Feeling No Pain": Is this the same
> early Burt Bacharach song that our ol' pal Paul Evans once recorded?
Before I found and heard Paul's version, I used to think they were
the same song. They're not, though he probably could have done a nice
rendition of the Del Satins song. Heck, he STILL could do a nice
version of the song if he wanted to. And the Del Satins (Les, Fred,
and Tom) could back him up on it! Now THAT would be something to
hear!!
Fred Clemens
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Message: 9
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 14:17:45 -0000
From: Ed Salamon
Subject: Re: Tex and The Chex
That Alan Gordon wrote:
> I was in "Tex and the Chex" from about 1964 to late 65. I do not
> believe I was the drummer you met. The band at that time consisted
> of Rod Bristow, Mike Appel, Everett Jacobs.
Alan,
We all played Tex & The Chex's "I Do Love You" on Atlantic at the
hops in Pittsburgh in the 60s. It was huge, and appears on the CD
"Pittsburgh's Favorite Oldies: For Lovers Only" (Itzy 5001). Were you
on that record, or was that before your time?
Was the Mike Appel yo mention the one of Springsteen fame? I met
him when he shared an office with my friend Ted Levan, but I never
knew he was in a group that recorded one of my favorite "Pittsburgh
oldies".
Ed Salamon
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Message: 10
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 03:43:04 -0000
From: Billy G Spradlin
Subject: found 'em at Goodwill!
Found these gems at my local Goodwill last week, along with a few I
found last year. Any info would be nice:
Sugar Cakes -- When I'm With You b/w Chains (a nice update of the
Goffin-King classic)
Warner Bros/Seven Arts 7293
Teenettes -- Bye Bye Baby b/w Let Me Be The One (both originals)
Sandy 250
Gerri Diamond -- Give Up On Love b/w Mama You Told Me
Hanna-Barbera HBR 458
And I got a nice kick last week finding a promo copy of Anita Humes'
Don't Fight It Baby b/w When Something's Hard To Get, on Roulette.
A fine record, with Spectropop involvement. A-side by Van McCoy,
B-side by Al Kooper-Levine (Joey). Produced by S. Venent and arranged
by A. Butler. Shoulda been a hit. I like it better than her sides with the
Essex.
Billy
http://listen.to/jangleradio
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Message: 11
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 21:16:18 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Linda Laurie
Mac Joseph wrote:
> ... what is Ambrose, Part 5?
Ah, a classic novelty! Charted up to #52 in early 1959 during a nine-wk.
run in BB. Linda and her boyfriend Ambrose are walking in the subway; she keeps asking questions and he (male voice reportedly also done by Linda) responds occasionally with "just keep walkin' ", over soft piano backing (maybe Lou Stein?).
gem
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Message: 12
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 06:49:58 GMT
From: Pekka Johansson
Subject: Re: obscure girl group records
The "Girls in the Garage" bootleg series on Romulan Records can't
be recommended highly enough. Both vol. 1 and 2 are packed with
obscure girl music with punch and attitude, much more so than
you'll find on your average Reparata or Shirelles compilation. Both
sides of my all-time favorite girl group record are on vol. 1: "He's
Not There Anymore" b/w "Quite A Reputation" by The Chymes
(Chattahootchee, 1966 or 1967 depending on source). If there's
anyone on the list who owns this record and is willing to sell ...
Best regards,
Pekka Johansson
Stockholm, Sweden
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Message: 13
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 05:37:40 -0000
From: Tony
Subject: Re: Shangri-Las help
Lex Cody wrote:
> I've had some fantastic emails, and it's all helping me to construct
> a great Shangri-Las website. If anyone has any odd pic sleeves or can
> find unusual/rare images from magazines that can be scanned that'd be
> awesome. If you do scan any images please include in the email the
> magazine it's from and the date, and most importantly if it's available,
> the photographer for credit.!!
Hi, I remember that Rolling Stone interview with Mary Weiss Stokes,
from '85 I believe. Several former singers were interviewed in that
issue (I also remember Dee Dee from the Crystals, the dentist from
Every Mother's Son, etc.).
Anyhow, Kurt Loder did the brief interview with Mary. It wasn't much --
just about her loving to sing since she was little, her "tough" upbringing,
how the Shangri-Las got abysmal royalty rates, how she was an S.F. hippie
after the demise of the group -- that's about all I can remember. Oh, the
end of the article had something to do (I think) about some of the
business problems the group had, and I believe she ended the article
by saying something like "... I always walked away..." Sounds like the
end of one of her records!
I have always heard that Mary really did not like to talk to journalists
that have contacted her. But, I recently bumped into Kurt Loder and
asked him how he got so lucky -- he said that back then, Ellie Greenwich
hooked him up with Mary. But Mary is great with fans that recognize her
(like I do) at functions. She is amazed that there is still an interest in the
group -- and that people know who she is!!
Tony Leong
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Message: 14
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 07:55:24 +0200
From: Jan Kristensen
Subject: Re: obscure girl group records
Jeffery Kennedy wrote:
> Maybe a girl group is no longer obscure if it has appeared on a "Girls
> in the Garage" bootleg compilation? The Beas track is on one of the
> "Girls..." CDs. The Bittersweets track, however, hasn't shown up on
> any compilation, as far as I know. I have it on tape, and it's one of
> the best Shangri-las ripoffs ever: oodles of eerie atmosphere and bad
> attitude.
The Bittersweets' "What A Lonely Way To Start The Summertime" can be
found on Campark Vocal Groups, vol. 1 boot comp.
Jan K
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Message: 15
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 21:56:07 EDT
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: Kelly Garrett
Phil M wrote:
> ...and then this Kelly Garrett, who's got it all goin' on.
> She have any success to speak of? Still working, by any chance?
I think I played on a Kelly Garrett single, produced by Ray Ellis, called
"Tryin' To Win Your Love". Mighta been on Reprise, circa early '60s.
Al Kooper
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Message: 16
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 03:06:33 -0000
From: 13 Eagle
Subject: Re: obscure girl group records
A few I like:
The Sisters, "Gee Baby Gee"
Jeannie & the Big Guys, "I Want You"
The Bluebelles, "I've Just Gotta Let Him Know"
And not technically groups, but:
Dora Hall, "Secret of My Success"
Annette, "I'll Never Change Him" (would somebody PLEASE release this
on CD -- why was it cut out of the Beach Blanket Bingo DVD?)
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Message: 17
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 07:00:40 +0100
From: Simon White
Subject: demos by Little Eva
An enquiry for a friend regarding Little Eva. He asks me to ask the group:
"I think she did the demo of "One Fine Day" and it was given to The Chiffons,
but on the "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" programme on BBC radio, she
said that she did the demo for "He's So Fine". Was she confusing the two or
did she do the demo for both ?
Thanks,
Simon
Gobble and / or diddle it.
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Message: 18
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 07:05:10 +0100
From: Simon White
Subject: Re: obscure girl group records
Unfortuanately my message was edited in a strange way. This part was
left out:
Bob Rashkow wrote:
> Tears Come Tumbling b/w You Won't Be There (both terrific)
> Cincinnati's Teardrops on Musicor, 1964/5
I refer to "both tracks" in my posting, but the editing only allows one.
I should have put The Teardrops in the title line, I suppose.
Simon
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Message: 19
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 01:45:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: Lex Cody
Subject: Beatle-ettes, Bon Bons and Shangri-Las
Can someone explain to me the link between The Beatle-ettes, Bon Bons
and Shangri-Las? I believe they are all the same, as in pre-Shangri-Las.
but that's all I know. Has anyone heard the songs they did, were they
much like a Shangri-Las song? Are they available anywhere?
I'm mystified. Please, some clarity here would be appreciated. Does
anyone have any of the singles that were released? If so is it possible
to get a pic of the centrepiece on the vinyls?
Cheers,
Lex
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Message: 20
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 11:19:20 +0100
From: Ken Silverwood
Subject: Re: "Mr. Lonely"
Although not madly keen on Bobby Vinton (excepting "Blue On Blue" and
"Blue Velvet"), I often wonder where the song "What Color Is A Man?" came
from -- composers, etc.?
Own up time! I actually bought my mother "Roses Are Red", but by UK singer
Ronnie Carroll in 1962, who at the time was married to Millicent Martin. What
a good boy!
Ken On The West Coast.
(trying to remember how much it cost, was it 6s 8d?)
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Message: 21
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 12:57:37 +0100
From: Ken Silverwood
Subject: glaring mistakes
In the last couple of days I have spotted some mistakes which made me
look twice. Firstly, in the Jan Berry obit in Record Collector mag of May
2004, everything is fine until after the crash, then we find he went on to
design album covers for the Beach Boys, Nilsson and Nitty Gritty Dirt
Band. I always thought Dean Torrence (of Kittyhawk Productions) did those.
Then, after watching The Beatles First US Visit DVD, as the credits were
rolling I learned that it was The Isley Brothers who'd written "Twist And
Shout", not Medley/Russell as I had always believed. WWHHAATT!! Doesn't
anyone proofread this stuff?
I was then sorting through a box of Beatle 45s, and stopped when I saw
that the composer credits for "From Me To You" on the Parlophone release
were for McCartney/Lennon. I saw a Carribean island beckoning me, until
I searched and found that it was not a mistake this time. Ah well, back to
work!
Ken On The West Coast.
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Message: 22
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 08:48:14 -0700
From: Hal Muskat
Subject: Re: Tex and The Chex
Thanks Alan, Thanks for the get back. Hi Ed, Clears up some, but then
it doesn't. . .
When I saw the band last, Tex was still there. What happened to him and
the other guys? I'd guess you joined the band after "I Do Love You." I
think I remembered that my birthday party the band attended was in '65,
which may have put you in my living room, but could easily have been
'63. Esp if Tex was out of the band by '64-65. I was there. I don't
remember.-
And, I don't remember names, was Rod, Mike and Everett in the original
Tex & The Chex and what became of Tex?
& Ed, I believe Alan would say "yes" to Mike Appel and Springsteen. I
read somewhere he was an early mgr. . .so this is what you do eh? hang
out on esoteric lists. . .
Re Gary Chester: Many certainly believe he is one sideman who belongs
in the Rock Hall of Fame. (16,000+ sessions & a credit list that is
incredible!) Anyone wishing to assist in efforts in achieving this
recognition is welcomed.
cheers, Hal "Phoenix" Muskat
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Message: 23
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 08:51:58 -0700
From: (That) Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: Tex and The Chex
Ed..I was not in the group that made the record you mentioned. Yes that
is the same Mike Appel who worked with Springsteen. I think Rod Bristow
was in the original Tex and the Chex, but to be honest with you I can't
say for sure. He had to be though to be able to use the name, and he was
the front man and lead vocalist.
Best, That Alan
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Message: 24
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 12:47:58 +0000
From: Phil X. Milstein
Subject: Re: Ambrose, Pt. 5
Dave O'Gara wrote:
> Were there really five versions of Ambrose?
No, just the one, unless you want to count Linda's follow-up release,
"Forever Ambrose."
Gary Myers wrote:
> Ah, a classic novelty! Charted up to #52 in early 1959 during a nine-wk.
> run in BB. Linda and her boyfriend Ambrose are walking in the subway; she
> keeps asking questions and he (male voice reportedly also done by Linda)
> responds occasionally with "just keep walkin'," over soft piano backing
> (maybe Lou Stein?).
The Game Show Network not long ago reran an episode of one of the What's
My Line/To Tell The Truth/I've Got A Secret cycle of shows (can never
keep those three sorted out), in which Linda Laurie appeared alongside a
pair of Linda Laurie imposters. During the "reveal" segment after the
game itself was finished, she leaned into her mic and demonstrated how,
with no studio gimmickry, she did the Ambrose voice herself. Pretty
impressive grit & depth to the delivery, especially for a high school
chick. I tried it myself as I watched, and was just about coughing up
blood from the larynx strain.
--Phil M.
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Message: 25
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 10:12:09 -0700 (PDT)
From: Frank
Subject: Re: Obscure girl group records
If you allow obscure B-sides and album tracks by more prominent
artists, here's five of my favorites off the top of my head:
The Chantels - I'm The Girl (with that "Junior Prom Of The Dead"
groove that I love so much)
Julie & The Desires - Kiss And Tell (early Sloan/Barri effort,
with one of my all-time favorite bad arrangements. That bass
clarinet is SO not right for the tune & genre!)
Darlettes - Here She Comes (knockout Ellie Greenwich gem -
shoulda-been-a-hit!)
Best, Frank
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