________________________________________________________________________
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
________________________________________________________________________
There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Ambrose by Linda Laurie
From: Gary Myers
2. Re: Obscure girl group records
From: James Botticelli
3. Re: Tandyn Almer
From: Gary Myers
4. Re: Tex and The Chex
From: Hal Muskat
5. Re: Tex & The Chex / Linda Laurie-Glory
From: Phil X. Milstein
6. Accuracy of Top 40 Playlists
From: Jim Shannon
7. Happy days and doing a CP
From: Martin
8. hank williams, elvis presley, nick venet
From: Phil X. Milstein
9. Phyllis Dillon R.I.P.
From: Julio Niño
10. Moonoogian
From: Phil X. Milstein
11. Re: Zappa's old country
From: Andrew Hickey
12. Re: the price of rex
From: Norm D. Plume
13. Re: Clifford Rhodes / Pastel 6 / Billy Abbott's Jewels
From: Max Weiner
14. Kelly Garrett / Long Island rocknroll
From: Larry Lapka
15. Re: Tex & The Chex
From: Ed Salamon
16. Re: Linda Laurie-Glory
From: Rat Pfink
17. Re: do-be-do-be-doo
From: Karen Andrew
18. Re: Tex & The Chex
From: Alan Gordon
19. Getting maniacal
From: Al Kooper
20. Re: Kenny Dino
From: Gary Myers
21. Re: record prices in the UK / obscure girl groups
From: Howard
22. Re: Irwin, not Joey
From: Al Kooper
23. Re: obscure girl groups
From: Hugo Montoya
24. Re: Linda Laurie-Glory
From: Gary Myers
25. THE METROPOLITAN SOUL SHOW
From: Simon White
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 10:19:30 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Ambrose by Linda Laurie
Dave O'Gara:
> Were there really five versions of Ambrose?
I think the "Part 5" was just part of the joke. At the time there
had been "Topsy, Part 2" and a few other "part 2" records.
gem
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 14:33:17 -0400
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: Obscure girl group records
Phil M:
> I suddenly got curious to hear some of your opinions on favorite
> records by obscure girl groups...List as many as you like.
Jimmy Botticelli:
> Penn Station - Henrietta & The Hairdooz
Al Kooper:
> HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!
> I wrote that song. It's not bad. Ed Silvers (Timi Yuro) produced it
> in LA. They had another single that wasn't bad, also on Liberty,
> called "Slow Motion".
The guy who put out "Child Is Father To The Man" wrote "Penn Station",
eh? Didja get your meds altered in '67?~ Jes' funnin' ya.
JB
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 11:52:26 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Tandyn Almer
Phil:
> I spent a lot of time with Tandyn & Curt in ... I wonder if anyone knows
> where Tandyn is, and how to reach him.
I found his name listed in Mensa membership around the early '80s (I think), and just for the heck of it, I called him. I think he was somewhere in the South Bay area. You might just try looking up some of his songs in bmi.com and finding a publishing company address/phone.
gem
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 12:09:21 -0700
From: Hal Muskat
Subject: Re: Tex and The Chex
(That) Alan:
> 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.
Thanks Alan, Was Rod Tex? In the earlier rendition of The Chex, Tex
sang lead and I don't remember him playing anything.
Any guess where Rod is now? Obviously, not on this list. Thanks again.
Ed, Alan, anyone ... The B side of "I Do Love You": was it "Be On the
Lookout For My Girl"?
Cheers, Hal
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 16:17:39 +0000
From: Phil X. Milstein
Subject: Re: Tex & The Chex / Linda Laurie-Glory
Hal Muskat wrote:
> 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.
This seems like a good opportunity to remind people of the very nice
Gary Chester website, at http://www.gary-chester.com Included are
photos, bio, sessionography, etc.
Re: Linda Laurie and her Ambrose record, I meant to ask previously if
anyone has any insight to offer about the Glory label, which released
it. I know they were based in New York, active in the mid- to late '50s,
and seemed to have The Tarriers and Vince Martin as their bread and
butter artists, but am curious who ran the thing, how they might've
wound up with Linda Laurie, and also whether anyone might have a copy of
one of their 1958 releases, a real cheesy thing entitled "Be My Next"
b/w "Rockin' Teens" by a duo named Mac & Mike. I'm also interested in a
contemporary cover of the A-side by Joel Grey, on Capitol.
--Phil M.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 20:53:30 -0000
From: Jim Shannon
Subject: Accuracy of Top 40 Playlists
I often doubted how accurate some of the Top 40 music surveys
were in the days when music directors had unlimited influence
on any given new release, not to mention the leverage that
record companies had with them through promotion and
trade advertising. One has to wonder with what precision
these music surveys were taken. Back in Top 40's heyday, most
record sales were telephoned in by retailers to radio stations on
a weekly basis. I'm sure these playlists could have been
manipulated by zealous music directors with one eye on
Cashbox and the other on Arbitron.
Jim Shannon
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 10:20:26 +0100
From: Martin
Subject: Happy days and doing a CP
PC repaired by a splendid West London operation, speedy, reliable, courteous
and VERY reasonably priced. So noting Country Paul's on holiday I'll attempt
to catch up on some of the interesting threads:
I'm fairly sure Alan Gordon told me he wasn't on this 45, Tex and the Chex
"Beach Party"/"(Love Me) Now" (20th Fox 411) but associate S'poper Bob
Feldman was. The B-Side written (yes, it is the Angels song) and both sides
produced Feldman-Goldstein-Gottehrer. A lot of fun; when there's room I'll
play to musica. The marvellous Kenny Dino, who besides having a couple of
hits including the wonderful "Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last
Night", and who has a very impressive CV, wrote the A-Side. He had other 45s
written and produced by the Schlacks-Farber production team (they were
responsible for Alice Wonder Land "He's Mine" & Marie Antoinette "He's My
Dream Boy" amongst others), wrote the Candy Stripes "I've Learned My Lesson
In Love" (VIM 520), formed a production partnership with Leroy Glover, and had
his own Columbia 45, "Betty Jean"/"Show Me", written and produced by FGG.
Phil M asked for favourite, obscure Girl Group tracks. Due in the main to
Mick Patrick's compilations, this is not easy, but some that I hope are not
well known:
(The previously mentioned) Candy Stripes "ILMLIL"/"My Boyfriend" Vim 520
Bonnie/Denims "Time Will Tell"/"Class Reunion" LLP 101
The Two Faces "Who'd Have Thought It"/"Go On And Let Him" LMI 1002
Phil 'Questions Questions' M also asked about Kelly Garrett. Until Ken
kindly played "Love Is The Only Answer" to musica all I knew by her were her
45s on Ava (2) and Palomar (1). All six sides are superb, classy, girl group
soul/pop arranged and written by Gene and Billy Page, who I assume were also
the producers as "Overture Productions".
Martin
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 16:42:28 +0000
From: Phil X. Milstein
Subject: hank williams, elvis presley, nick venet
I realize there is a lot of interest here in Nick Venet as a producer,
but not sure how much there may be in his performing career. Allow me to
toss out some bait.
I have a real nice set of books of clippings from Shreveport papers re:
The Louisiana Hayride, covering its entire history. A tour of these
books takes us through the entire career of Hank Williams, the early
days of Elvis's ... and what is most likely the length and breadth of
Venet's, as well. Not having heard him sing (did he leave behind any
recordings from this phase?), I can only venture a guess, based on his
promo shots and ad texts, that he was marketed as a George Hamilton
IV-style country-pop crooner (if that's even tagging Hamilton
correctly). Going from memory, I believe these clips were from around
1958 or so, and that one of them offered something of a personal bio,
which revealed that he (like another son of Greece, Frank Zappa),
originally hailed from the streets of Baltimore.
I'll be happy to share more, either here at S'pop Central or offlist,
with anyone expressing interest.
--Phil M.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 9
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 22:19:41 -0000
From: Julio Niño
Subject: Phyllis Dillon R.I.P.
Hola Everybody.
The Trojan Records Web Page announced yesterday the death
of Phyllis Dillon. Phyllis was my favorite Jamaican singer; she
always sounded distant and vulnerable at the same time (which
is characteristic of many Jamaican artists), and I find her singing
very cool and sexy.
She was only active for a brief time during the second half of the
sixties and the early seventies, recording always for the mythical
Treasure Isle label. Her songs can be considered the paradigm
of the sophisticated Rock Steady made in Jamaica during that
period.
Her versions of "A Thing Of The Past", " Make Me Yours" or "One
Life To Live, One Love To Give" ("Living In Love") can in my
opinion easily be compared with the originals.
Julio Niño.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 10
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 17:15:51 +0000
From: Phil X. Milstein
Subject: Moonoogian
Some of the Spectropop membership may know the name -- or,
indeed, the person -- George Moonoogian, an R&B collector/DJ/
researcher of long standing and top-notch repute. About a year
ago "Hook" suffered a severe brain aneurysm, which, as you might
expect, was a major setback in his activities, and in fact his
very life hung in balance for some time. I am happy to report
that he's not only survived, but has recovered far more of his
faculties than his doctors ever imagined for him by this stage
(if even at all). He still has many struggles, but can at least
enjoy many of the things he once did.
On May 18 Hook and his family will be undertaking a walk in
support of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. Those like me, who've
been positively influenced by his knowledge, enthusiasm, and
generosity of spirit, may wish to contribute to the walk.
Contact me offlist if interested.
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
--Phil M.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 11
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 08:53:54 GMT
From: Andrew Hickey
Subject: Re: Zappa's old country
Phil M. wrote:
> ... he (like another son of Greece, Frank Zappa) ...
Actually, Zappa's family was Sicilian.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 03:32:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: Norm D. Plume
Subject: Re: the price of rex
Ken Silverwood wrote:
> 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!
Yes, exactly three singles to the Pound was the purchase rate. And most
LPs cost around 33s...
Norm D. Plume
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 13
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 05:18:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: Max Weiner
Subject: Re: Clifford Rhodes / Pastel 6 / Billy Abbott's Jewels
Gary Myers wrote:
> I think the "Part 5" was just part of the joke. At the time there
> had been "Topsy, Part 2" and a few other "part 2" records.
Hello Gary,
In response to your question the the other day about Johnny Tillotson's
song, "Why Do I Love You So?", the writer on that song was an individual
by the name of Clifford Rhodes. I haven't been able to find anything on
him yet.
Now, I have a new question. Does anyone know what happened to the
Pastel 6? Those were the guys that did "Cinammon Cinder", the song
named after Bob Eubanks' old club in North Hollywood in the early '60s.
I heard that song the other day and was just wondering, as I never see them
on any oldies concerts or get-togethers.
And, also, I'm still waiting to hear if anyone has any info on Billy Abbott &
The Jewels, who did "Groovy Baby" back in 1963.
Mac Joseph
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 12:29:50 -0000
From: Larry Lapka
Subject: Kelly Garrett / Long Island rocknroll
To All:
I am a few days behind on my reading, so pardon me if this has been
talked about previously.
I definitely remember Kelly Garrett. She was an attractive "jack of all
trades" type of singer, who bounced around for years. She then got a
regular gig on the 1970s revival of "Name That Tune" (or perhaps it
was "Your Hit Parade") as the house singer. Every once in a while they
would let her warble a tiny bit of a song in question. I think this revival
was on for a few years, and then she vanished off of the face of the
earth in my TV-driven world.
One of the recent posts talked about a nearly forgotten Long Island
band. I read that there may be a movement afoot to set up a Long Island
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This area gets either unfairly overlooked. since
it is so close to New York City, or lumped together with the city, but
having lived extensively both in NYC and on the Island, there is a different
musical dynamic that exists in each area.
New York City is truly the melting pot, and its music takes in all elements
(ethnic, racial; Broadway, the streets, etc.) of that environment. Long Island
is a bedroom community to NYC, and its music is much less original,
although quite vibrant -- sort of a lesser version of its more original neighbor.
You won't find much soul here, but you will find a lot of heart in the music,
if you know what I mean.
I have seen very little about Long Island musically in the press, except when
talking about Billy Joel. But, obviously, he is not the only performer from
Long Island to come to prominence. The Vagrants, The Rascals (via New
Jersey), Mountain, Vanilla Fudge, Stray Cats, Twisted Sister, Taylor Dane
(I realize those three aren't in Spectropop's spectrum), etc.
Any thoughts on this?
Larry Lapka
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 15
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 15:25:18 -0000
From: Ed Salamon
Subject: Re: Tex & The Chex
Hal wrote:
> Ed, Alan, anyone ... The B side of "I Do Love You": was it "Be On the
> Lookout For My Girl"?
Hal,
Flip of Atlantic 2116, Tex & The Chex "I Do Love You", is "My Love". Mine
is beat from playing at the hops, and I'm looking for a clean copy.
Ed
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 21:21:49 -0400
From: Rat Pfink
Subject: Re: Linda Laurie-Glory
Phil X. Milstein wrote:
> Re: Linda Laurie and her Ambrose record, I meant to ask previously if
> anyone has any insight to offer about the Glory label, which released it.
Glory Records was owned by Phil Rose, who had previously been with the
Derby and Coral labels.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 17
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 18:27:53 -0700 (PDT)
From: Karen Andrew
Subject: Re: do-be-do-be-doo
Rodney Rawlings wrote:
> Frank is known to have indicated on vinyl his disdain
> for one of his less-favorite songs. On STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT, his
> much-noted "do-be-do-be-do" (also puzzled over by Dean Martin while
> lip-synching on his hilarious TV show) was according to Frank a way
> of poking fun at the song. I guess he found it repetitive or
> montonous? He was surprised by its popularity.
It's funny that Frank Sinatra did not like "Strangers in the Night". That was
one of his most famous songs, at least in his later years. But, I just think it
was a sexy, sort of magical song, especially if you let your thoughts wonder
while listening to it. Well, we all have our likes and dislikes, heh?
KA
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 18
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 18:54:22 -0700
From: Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: Tex & The Chex
Hal ... Rod was Tex. I last saw him in 1972. He was involved with a
magazine, and was also a photographer. He played a funky little electric
keyboard, which he always kept at a very low decibel, but he was a very
good showman, and a real nice guy. We used to meet at the Long Island
railroad station in brooklyn, go to the gigs and come home together.
Happy memories indeed.
Well, speaking of the big apple, I'm off to there for a few days God
willing, see you all next week.
Best,
That Alan
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 19
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 23:45:18 EDT
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Getting maniacal
Sooo, I had a few days off and, inspired by Spectropop, I burned a CD of
some of my favorite obscure 45s. Now, these just live in piles -- are not well
taken care (not anal retentive enough), so they are pretty clicky & scratchy.
Took 'em down to the recording studio and, using WAVES technology (Mac),
virtually remastered all of 'em, and now hardly a click or pop!
Here's a list of five, and I'll try and put some on musica. If anyone knows
these, please tell your tales of them. I love that other sickies love these
records!
1. The Scott Bros. (Ribbon 6905): Stolen Angel/Keep Laughin'
A side: 2:07 wr. by W. Scott / Jerry Field Orch. / arr. by Art Harris /
Dara Music/Starling Music BMI
B side: 1:57 wr. by Horace & Gladys Scott (all other credits same)
2. Dottie & Ray (Le Sage 701): I Love You Baby/La La Lover
A side: 2:36 wr. by Cecil Bowen / pr. by C. Bowen, A. Cleveland, & A.
Cryer / Cerac Music BMI / "A Trincarr Prod., Dist. by Old Town Records"
B side: credits are the same
3. Baby Jane & The Rockabyes (United Artists 560): How Much Is That Doggie
In The Window/My Boy John
A side: 2:32 wr. by Bob Merrill / pr. by Leiber-Stoller / directed by
Bert Berns / arr. by Teacho Wiltshire / Joy Music ASCAP
B side: wr. by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller / Trio Music BMI (all other credits
same)
4. Moonlighters (Josie 843): Broken Heart/Glow Of Love
A side: 2:15 wr. by Wren-Snider / Ready Rhythym BMI
B side: 2:34 all credits the same
5. The New Hope (Jamie 1381): Won't Find Better (Than Me)/They Call It Love
A side: 2:32 wr. by Hausman-Stewart / production & sound by Mike /
Dandelion BMI
B side: 2:30 wr. by Lamp-Apsey/ Rendezvous-Tobac-Dandelion BMI (all
other credits the same)
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 20
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 20:52:09 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Kenny Dino
Martin:
> The marvellous Kenny Dino, who besides having a couple of hits
> including the wonderful "Your Ma Said You Cried In Your Sleep Last
> Night" ...
He sat in with us a couple of times in summer '67. I believe he was out
here (L.A. area) to see about an acting gig.
gem
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 21
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 14:58:18 EDT
From: Howard
Subject: Re: record prices in the UK / obscure girl groups
>Ken Silverwood wrote:
> ... trying to remember how much it cost, was it 6s 8d?
Yes, that's correct Ken, do you also remember Woolworth's sold records
on their own label 'Embassy', which were cover versions of all the current
hits of the time? What was the incentive to purchase these imitations? They
were only 5 shillings (25p in new money!) to begin with.
Which leads me onto a rather obscure girl group on the Embassy label --
The Starlings, who recorded a cover of the Supremes song 'Where Did Our
Love Go'. I've absolutely no idea who these girls were! Anybody out there
have more info??
And would anybody be interested in hearing more on Woolies' Embassy
label?
Howard
(collector of obscure British cover versions!!)
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 22
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 23:22:29 EDT
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: Irwin, not Joey
Billy G Spradlin wrote:
> 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.
Uhhhhhh, that would be Irwin Levine. We have to be accurate -- he's
watching from heaven
Al "In Bush Purgatory" Kooper
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 23
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 01:46:35 -0000
From: Hugo Montoya
Subject: Re: obscure girl groups
A resounding YES to James Botticelli, I second that emotion! Didn't
EVERYBODY get their meds altered in 1967?
My top-fave obscure G G record of all time, "Kiss And Tell", by Julie
And The Desires. Zig Zag 101, LA label. Written by Sloan & Barri,
arrangements by H.B. Barnum. Has been comped on "Kiss And Tell",
Ace label CD #330. Does anybody know anything else about this
record?
It's one of those 'in love with a bad boy' records, where the lead
sings about what she personally wants, and the back-up girls remind
her of social expectations and the restrictions she has to put on her
behavior to continue being a good girl."A boy like that is gonna ruin
your reputation" etc, very id/superego. What I love most about the
record is the way both sides continue presenting their point of view,
gradually getting more worked up and incoherent ... till, by the end,
the lead is singing nothing but "yes yes yes yes yes yes yes" and the
chorus is answering her with "no no no no no no no no no."
Some other girl-group gems that no-one has mentioned, taking a quick
scan of my for-sale catalogue:
Girlfriends -- Four Shy Girls (KILLER romantic-ballad on flip!)
Lori & Lee -- Little Things
Rouzan Sisters -- several nice 45s on Frisco records. Rouzans are
special faves, they have that sassy, black-girl (a la Martha/Vandellas)
sound down COLD.
Adorables -- several nice 45s on Golden World. Also sassy black girls.
Liliput don't count as a girl group, but if they did I definitely would
include "Split" in my G G top ten. Maybe in an alternate universe,
where Jad Fair is Frankie Avalon.
Bang-bang, shoot-shoot ...
Hugo M.
proud purveyor of stuff.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 24
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 2004 20:54:56 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Linda Laurie-Glory
Phil Milstein wrote:
> 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.
What year was the show from? I would like to have seen that.
> I meant to ask previously if anyone has any insight to offer about the
> Glory label.
Beside those you mentioned, they had lots of releases by the Four Fellows,
and one by Tony Randall.
gem
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 25
Date: Wed, 21 Apr 2004 08:24:00 +0100
From: Simon White
Subject: THE METROPOLITAN SOUL SHOW
THE METROPOLITAN SOUL SHOW this SUNDAY 25th April
on
http://www.soul24-7.com
at our NEW time of 3.pm-5pm GMT
This week:
The Utterly Marvellous Simon White
AND now REPEATED on TUESDAYS
at 7.00-9.00 am GMT
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
End
