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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 24 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Hollies discography
From: Billy G Spradlin
2. Re: David Gates
From: Shawn
3. Re: Klaus Voorman
From: Frank Jastfelder
4. Re: which Rhonda?
From: Charles Ulrich
5. Re: buying reissue CDs
From: Michael Godin
6. Re: swinging Gates
From: Bob Celli
7. Re: EMI stereo "She Loves You"
From: Billy G Spradlin
8. Re: Bruce on Rhonda
From: Richard Havers
9. Re: Carson & Gaile
From: Frank Jastfelder
10. Re: Projections location
From: Al Kooper
11. Re: Shadows in stereo
From: Billy G Spradlin
12. Re: Hollies discography
From: Mark A. Johnston
13. Re: Nick Drake
From: Susan
14. Re: Demensions' "Over The Rainbow"
From: Gary Myers
15. Re: Rubber Soul S/M
From: Joe Nelson
16. Re: Maurice White (Nashville)
From: Gary Myers
17. Re: The Fiends
From: Gary Myers
18. Re: Ambient's sound
From: Mike McKay
19. Happy Together
From: Bill George
20. PF Sloan live at Scram release party
From: Kim Cooper
21. Re: Mamas & Papas musicians
From: Mike McKay
22. Re: New York Rock Ensemble
From: Clark Besch
23. Jim Peterik
From: Phil X. Milstein
24. Barbara Ruskin
From: S'pop Team
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Message: 1
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 22:41:20 -0000
From: Billy G Spradlin
Subject: Re: Hollies discography
I'm no Hollies expert, but their CD disography is a huge mess, with
at least 40 diffferent hits collections from all over the world.
EMI in the UK did a great job of reissuing their original albums in digipack
form, keeping the original track lineups and both the mono and stereo
mixes. I suggest buying these and leaving the others on the rack.
The Sundazed CDs are nicely remastered, but I prefer the original UK
track lineups instead of the mess Epic made out of these albums.
(64-65: the early beat group years)
Stay With The Hollies
In The Hollies Style
Hollies
Would You Believe?
(66-68: the classic Nash-led psychedelic period)
For Certain Because
Evolution
Butterfly
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Message: 2
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 20:17:37 -0000
From: Shawn
Subject: Re: David Gates
The early '70s series "Flintstones Comedy Hour" featured a '60s
sounding pop track "Summertime Girl", credited to David Gates via
BMI/Screen Gems. Has anyone heard of this song besides being on
the show? It wasn't too bad at all!
Shawn
www.superoldies.com
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Message: 3
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 22:19:06 +0200
From: Frank Jastfelder
Subject: Re: Klaus Voorman
Phil X. Milstein wrote:
> Has Voorman's story ever been properly told?
Voorman brought out his biography in Germany in October of last year. It's
called "Why Don't You Play 'Imagine' On The White Piano, John?" (sic). I have
no clue if there's a translated version for the English market yet. It has 327 pages,
and was well-received over here.
Frank
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Message: 4
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 13:34:23 -0700
From: Charles Ulrich
Subject: Re: which Rhonda?
Eddy Smit wrote:
> Help Me Rhonda originally appeared on the Beach Boys Today album in
> its full version. The single version is shorter, faster and does not have the
> fade. The 45 version subsequently appeared on the Summer Days album.
They also changed the spelling. The Beach Boys Today version (with the
harmonica and the weird fading in and out) was "Help Me, Ronda", while
the single (with the bow-bow-bow-bows) was "Help Me, Rhonda". Both
featured a lead vocal by Al Jardine.
And then there was the theme from It's Gary Shandling's Show, which was
apparently based on the guitar lick from "Help Me, Rhonda".
--Charles
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Message: 5
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 13:45:06 -0700
From: Michael Godin
Subject: Re: buying reissue CDs
Will Stos wrote:
> I noticed that a couple of new girl group CDs have been released by
> Ace and RPM, but it took me a while to find them. Can anyone suggest
> a good site that lists new compilations and reissues as they become
> available?
I find Collectors Choice Music to be very helpful myself. I have been buying
from them for over five years, and have always been found their service,
delivery and prices to my satisfaction.
Cheers,
Michael Godin
www.TreasureIslandOldies.com
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Message: 6
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 21:28:33 -0000
From: Bob Celli
Subject: Re: swinging Gates
Martin Roberts wrote:
> Playing on musica, The Manchesters "I Don't Come From England" (VJ),
> written, arranged and, as I've always understood, sung by David Gates.
> Quite a fun record, sorta doo-wop Merseybeat produced by David Mook
> for Past Present and Future Productions.
I've got a demo of "Diary" here in bad need of noise removal, especially one
nasty repetetive click!. After I work on it a bit more I'll post it to musica.
Bob Celli
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Message: 7
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 22:10:01 -0000
From: Billy G Spradlin
Subject: Re: EMI stereo "She Loves You"
Don't forget the mandatory wearing of lab coats at Abbey Road. Did any
other UK studios make engineers do this?
I heard so many rumours about the "She Loves You" session master.
According to one it stolen from Abbey Road's vaults in the '60s, and another
"floating around" said that some fanatical Beatles collector now has it and
wants EMI to cough up a ridiculous amount of cash for it.
Nice website about the song at http://www.shelovesyou.info/
Billy
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Message: 8
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 20:33:32 +0100
From: Richard Havers
Subject: Re: Bruce on Rhonda
Eddy Smit wrote:
> Help Me Rhonda originally appeared on the Beach Boys Today album in
> its full version. The single version is shorter, faster and does not have the
> fade. The 45 version subsequently appeared on the Summer Days album.
The story behind 'Rhonda' is interesting. For a project I was involved in a
few years ago Bruce Johnston gave me this interview:
"Growing up in LA, white kids weren’t listening to white radio, we were
listening to KGFJ, which was the radio station for the black community. It
was 1000 watts, but as it got dark it went down to 250 watts, kind of like the
way you’d have to kind of strain to listen to Radio Luxembourg in England.
We were listening to rhythm and blues. You had Etta James singing [sings:]
"You gotta roll with me, Henry", and that was really cool. We, the Beach Boys,
listened to rhythm and blues. We listened to "Fannie Mae" by Buster Brown,
on Fire Records* -- fantastic. So down the road here comes The Stones. the
backside of "Satisfaction" is called "The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion
Man", but it was really the track for "Fannie Mae" and, for Brian and the band,
the inspiration for "Help Me Rhonda". You hear the harmonicas going [sings:]
"da, da, da, da, da, da". You’d be surprised at the kind of influences we had
from rhythm and blues growing up in Los Angeles."
*R&B No.1 R&B in 1959.
Richard
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Message: 9
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 22:14:06 +0200
From: Frank Jastfelder
Subject: Re: Carson & Gaile
Charles wrote:
> Can anyone play the Carson & Gaile version of "Somethin' Stupid" to
> musica? I'd love to hear it!
I purchased the single recently but have to burn it on cd yet. I'll let you know
when I found the time (but this could take a few weeks). A friend told me that
Carson is the brother of Van Dyke Parks. Isn't that ironic, you bring out some
critically acclaimed albums, work with a genius (Brian), and your brother writes
one little ditty and gets rich. Does anyone have a clue if Carson composed more
noteworthy songs? And who's Gaile BTW?
Frank
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Message: 10
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 22:00:36 EDT
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: Projections location
Phil Hall wrote:
> I've always loved the cover photo on The Blues Project's album
> "Projections". It was obviously shot somewhere in New York, but
> do you recall the exact location (street and/or interesection)?
Please tell me where in New York they have architecture like that. It was
shot outside photographer Jim Marshall's apartment at 1831 Union Street
in SAN FRANCISCO -- truly where all the hippies met.
Al "West Street" Kooper
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Message: 11
Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 01:09:58 -0000
From: Billy G Spradlin
Subject: Re: Shadows in stereo
I feel ashamed for having been a Ventures fan since childhood yet not
having any Shadows albums or CDs in my collection until a few years
ago. A great group, and they do sound great in true stereo.
On what CD does "Wonderful Land" appear in TRUE stereo? On the
two compilations I have its in fake stereo (along with "FBI"). On "At
Abbey Road" it's in remixed true stereo, without the overdubs.
Billy
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Message: 12
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 20:38:54 -0400
From: Mark A. Johnston
Subject: Re: Hollies discography
Albabe Gordon wrote:
> Is there a Hollies expert in here? I'm a big fan of the very early stuff ...
> What I'm curious about is which other CDs do I need to have to have
> a fairly complete collection of their early output, and without too much
> duplication?
The new UK box set is good, but lacks some of the great HIT singles that
show up on every other greatest hits compilation.
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Message: 13
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 20:51:47 EDT
From: Susan
Subject: Re: Nick Drake
previously:
> Drake's record company has just released a single in the U.K. called "Made
> To Believe In Magic", a lost gem from his recorded archives.
The "lost gem," if it's the one that appears on the posthumous release "Time
Of No Reply", is actually titled "I Was Made To Love Magic."
If anybody knows anything about any other posthumous releases, I would be
most interested in hearing of them. I haven't kept up with what the family has
released, though I am aware that there were some things a few years ago. For
instance, can anyone offer a review of the Italian release of a young Reginald
Dwight covering some of Nick's songs for Island Records?
I'm just listening to the album now -- what a musician, and a lyricist, but more
to the point what a tortured soul he was. Patrick Humphries' "Biography of
Nick Drake" is highly recommended, although he wasn't able to interview
anyone close to the family, for what seem to be BB-esque reasons.
"Man In A Shed" is simply one of the best songs ever written. It's available on
"Five Leaves Left", which is a gorgeous album in its own right; the TONR version
pre-dates FLL's version.
While you're visiting TONR, be sure to check out Richard Thompson's starkly
beautiful guitar on "Thoughts Of Mary Jane" -- without fear of hyperbole, I say
that it elevates the song to the mystical. And, really, there is something of the
mystical in all of Nick's music. I wish I could have sung with him.
Nick Drake was a special, special talent and person. There is a lot we can learn
from his music about the dark side of the human condition. He was, perhaps,
truly made to love magic, but we all lost our magic many, many years ago.
Susan
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Message: 14
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 21:10:13 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Demensions' "Over The Rainbow"
Austin Roberts wrote:
> ... my favorite remake of a "standard" is The Demensions' 1960 version
> of Over The Rainbow. Just wondering if others like the record.
Yes, I like it a lot, and our band (The Portraits) incorporated a couple of their
touches into our (Four Seasons-style) version, mainly the I-bIII-II-bII turnaround
and the alteration of the melody (which we used only on the last verse). The only
thing I didn't care for on The Demensions' version is the fact that chords they
used on the bridge do not accomodate the actual melody.
Anyway, regarding remakes of that type of standards, I have to also vote for both
Deep Purple and Stardust by Billy Ward & The Dominos.
gem
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Message: 15
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 23:04:27 -0400
From: Joe Nelson
Subject: Re: Rubber Soul S/M
Richard Hattersley wrote:
> What I can not understand is When George Martin remixed RS for
> CD in 1987, why did did he mimick the original wide stereo
> version in stead of mixing it the way they did on the Yellow
> Submarine songtrack many years later. Nowhere man and Think for
> Yourself both sound better on that album.
Martin's goal in packaging the Beatles for CD involved as little tampering
as possible with the listener's memories. The mixes, in hindsight, could
have been better the first time around, but that wasn't the point.
As for YS ST, much of the material (excluding the two tracks you
mentioned, which were straight four-track recordings) were
reconstructed track-by-track onto single 24-track tapes from the myriad
of four-track tapes availible on any given song. This allowed a fuller
stereo picture than was availible in the sixties. The mixes are far better,
but they don't sound authentic IMO.
Joe Nelson
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Message: 16
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 21:14:21 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Maurice White (Nashville)
Austin Roberts wrote:
> ... many others who were here in the '50s all attest to the fact that
> The Casuals were the first authentic rock and roll band in Nashville.
No argument there; I'm just hoping to find someone who actually knew this
Maurice White I mentioned. A few years ago I spoke with Pig Robbins, who
remembered White, but had no other clues to offer. I have several other bits
of related info -- releases, titles, co-writer, etc.
gem
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Message: 17
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 21:16:26 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: The Fiends
Phil Milstein asked about:
> The Fiends: Theme From The Addams Family / Quetzal Quake
> (GNP Cresc. 335)
I know a guy who (I think) sang on that -- Billy Joe Burnette, with whom I
worked in '65.
gem
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Message: 18
Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 00:40:44 EDT
From: Mike McKay
Subject: Re: Ambient's sound
Mikey wrote:
> But the Ambient sound LPs were mixed live to regular stereo. There was
> nothing "ambient" about them.
> They were different because they were recorded live, and not to multitrack,
> so there could be no mixing later. The records sounded great because of the
> first generation sound.
Here's what the liner notes to the Ambient Sound sampler LP, "Everything Old
Is New," say about the recording process:
"There are no rehearsals between the recording group and the musicians until
the time of the session. After a few run-throughs, the vocalists are evicted
from the studio to take their places at microphones set up in the studio
storage room. This large room is not soundproofed in any way, but it has great
natural acoustics. A giant speaker is set up in the storage room so that the group
can hear the band without headphones. (Because of the lack of soundproofing,
and because there is a dance studio next door, we must schedule our sessions
around dance classes,)
"We start running the tape recorder (at 30 IPS for super fidelity) as soon as
both the group and the band are close to an arrangement, and we stop only
after" magic" happens. In every case we opt for "feel" over technical perfection.
And because there is so much leakage, if anyone makes a serious error, the
whole take must be done over. We do not have the luxury of just stripping-in
one part. We also do not have the antiseptic sound of most "modern"
recordings. This is organic music... nurtured along until it's perfectly ripe,
and then picked at the peak of perfection. (Never mind the minor blemish
or two.)"
The statements about "lack of soundproofing," "great natural acoustics" and
"leakage" lead me to believe that this wasn't the usual set-up of instruments
isolated behind baffles and miked individually. It does seem to be the case
that the musicians and the vocalists were in different rooms. Do we know if
the vocalists were miked individually? They certainly don't seem to have been
isolated from one another.
If you have additional insight as to how these sessions were actually set up,
I'd be interested. While they don't seem to be founded upon the "pure"
ambient sound of the musicians and vocalists all in one room with two mics,
they sure are closer to this than anything else I can think of.
Mike
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Message: 19
Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 00:52:34 EDT
From: Bill George
Subject: Happy Together
In case nobody has mentioned it yet, Happy Together was used in last
Sunday's episode of The Simpsons. Ca-ching again, Alan! :)
Bill
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Message: 20
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 17:32:02 -0700
From: Kim Cooper
Subject: PF Sloan live at Scram release party
On June 6, swinging Chinatown jazz bar Quon Brothers Grand Star will
host a rare live appearance by the legendary P.F. Sloan. The two-hour,
free piano concert marks the release of Scram Magazine #19, with a long
P.F. Sloan interview, part two of a talk that began in Garage & Beat
Magazine. P.F. Sloan will be playing his hits and debuting new material
from an upcoming CD.
WHAT: P.F. Sloan concert followed by Scram Magazine release party
WHO: Meet the editrix, contributors and featured artists from Scram #19
WHERE: Quon Brothers Grand Star, 943 Sun Mun Way off Broadway in
Chinatown, LA
WHEN: June 6, 2004. Doors open 7:00pm, concert begins promptly at
7:30pm, with socializing from 9:30pm
COST: No cover
I hope to see some of you there!
Kim
--
Scram
PO Box 461626
Hollywood, CA 90046-1626
http://www.scrammagazine.com
Scram 19, the all-star issue with Lee Hazlewood, P.F. Sloan, Colin
Blunstone, Wild Man Fischer, John Trubee and Linda Perhacs out now!
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Message: 21
Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 00:53:47 EDT
From: Mike McKay
Subject: Re: Mamas & Papas musicians
previously:
> The Mamas & Papas producer Lou Adler always trusted the usual
> suspects in the studio: Hal Blaine on drums, Larry Knechtel on
> keys, Joe Osborn on bass and labelmate P.F. Sloan on guitar. On
> their third album Jim Horn is credited with flute and sax playing.
Al Kooper:
> I thought at some point they recorded with their road band, of which
> I know "fast" Eddie Hoh was the excellent drummer. Maybe Elliott
> Ingber on guitar?
Eric Hord (aka "the Doctor") was the Mamas and Papas' road guitarist.
That's him filling in on guitar for the flute solo of "California
Dreamin'" in the "Monterey Pop" movie. I'm pretty sure he recorded with
them also.
Mike
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Message: 22
Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 05:05:48 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Re: New York Rock Ensemble
Jim Shannon wrote:
> Does anyone know if New York Rock Ensemble ever released a single
> called "Beside you" . I came across the song on a special CD set
> and its georgeous soft ballad with vocals by Mike Kamen. I know
> they were originally signed by Columbia in the late sixties. This
> song comes off an LP called "Roll Over".
Jim, You came across one of my totally all time fave 45s! YES,
"Beside You" was a 45 hitting (where else?) the Wichita, Kansas
charts in January, 1971. I agree, it is one of the greatest ballads
I've ever heard. The 45 is an edit of the longer Lp version. The
followup, "Fields of Joy" is in the same vein and very good, but
cannot touch "Beside You". If I remember correctly, "Fields Of Joy"
was a 45 edit also. It showed up in a "super-edited" version on the
CBS cheapy various artists Lp "Different Strokes" also. "Fields.."
was a 45 in April, 71. I believe the Lp also had another 45 from it
which I have, but can't remember the title right now. I always
wondered if that Lp was out on Cd. Can you fill me in on the Cd you
have it on and what elese is on it? Thanks, Clark
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Message: 23
Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 10:20:29 +0000
From: Phil X. Milstein
Subject: Jim Peterik
Clark Besch wrote:
> Gary, This is what I'm talkin about! It is cool when we hear these
> things that make us think about other songs with similar things in
> them. You may very well be correct. It's just that I heard these in
> songs I really like and you heard things in songs YOU really liked.
> It's very possible the Shames and Ides both got it from the songs you
> mentioned!! Clark
The new issue of Chicago's own Roctober magazine has an interview with
Jim Peterik. Start hunting it down at http://www.roctober.com
Dig,
--Phil M.
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Message: 24
Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 19:18:48 +0100
From: S'pop Team
Subject: Barbara Ruskin
Previously:
> Few British female singer-songwriters made a mark on the mid-
> '60s. Piccadilly/Parlophone/President recording artist Barbara
> Ruskin was one. One of her daughters treated her to a surprise
> website for Christmas. Take a look:
> http://www.barbararuskin.com
astro4004:
> A Barbara Ruskin website - that's lovely. I've been enjoying her
> sides on the "Here Come The Girls" CDs for years now, it's nice
> to get more info on her. The song list is especially helpful,
> and I love those pictures. Things like this remind me why love
> the internet!
It turns out that Barbara lives not far from Mick Patrick - close
enough, in fact, for him to pop 'round for tea the other weekend.
Rarely one to miss an opportunity, he borrowed a few items from
Barbara's huge collection of memorabilia, some of which can now be
found illustrating Spop's latest feature article "Barbara Ruskin:
An Illustrated UK Discography". Among her collection of photographs
were some terrific shots taken in 1965 by legendary snapper Dezo
Hoffman.
View discography here: http://www.spectropop.com/BarbaraRuskin/index.htm
and one of the Hoffman prints here: http://www.spectropop.com
Enjoy!
The S'pop Team
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Coming very soon:
Peter Antell, John Linde and the Percells
by John Clemente
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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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