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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 9 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: early Pitney
From: Andrew C Jones
2. Front Porch on musica; Angelo Badalamente
From: Country Paul
3. George McCurn; "Dore" Alpert; Brian's new CD
From: Country Paul
4. Re: "All My Hard Times"
From: Simon White
5. more Sensational Epics to musica
From: Clark Besch
6. Re: Chamberlin / Beach Boys' versions
From: Phil X Milstein
7. Re: early fuzz
From: Gary Myers
8. Re: That Alan and Babs
From: Martin Roberts
9. Re: Aquatones
From: Gary Myers
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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 23 May 2004 23:36:32 -0400
From: Andrew C Jones
Subject: Re: early Pitney
According to "Hits And Misses," Gene's first recordings were four non-
commercial, a cappella demos made in Hartford, CT, with backup by
The Embers (not The Echoes, as I previously stated). These were later
released on Relic CD 7033.
After Jamie & Jane, Gene linked up with Herb Abramson and recorded
one single apiece for both of Abramson's labels, Blaze and Festival. The
Blaze single, released as by Billy Bryan, was "I'm Going Back to My Love"
b/w "Cradle Of My Arms" (wr: Winfield Scott). The Festival single --
Gene's first release under his own name -- was "I'll Find You" (wr: Otis
Blackwell) b/w "Please Come Back Baby" (wr: Pitney). "Hits And Misses"
also includes a demo, "Make Believe Lover," that Gene recorded while
with Abramson.
After parting with Abramson, Gene quit singing for a while to concentrate
on writing; he was hired by Aaron Schroeder, and the rest is history.
ACJ
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 01:11:46 -0400
From: Country Paul
Subject: Front Porch on musica; Angelo Badalamente
To whet your appetite for the forthcoming article, I've played to musica the
A-side of The Front Rorch's first and most original 45, "Shake Rattle And
Roll" (Jubilee 45-5700, 1970). I think it's safe to say this is unlike any version
of this song you've ever heard. This and its opaquely beautiful flip side,
"Song For St. Agnes" (coming soon to musica), are what turned me on to
this remarkable but unknown group. The details are in the interview,
coming soon to Spectropop.
Phil M., re: Julee Cruise:
> Let's not overlook the contributions of Lynch's music director,
> Angelo Badalamenti, who did such a spectacular job of crafting a
> fitting music from Lynch's theme of fetishistic romanticism.
In addition to being David Lynch's musical doppelganger, apparently
Badalamente was quite the all-around arranger/composer/producer before
that association. His distinctive music -- and Cruise's contributions to it --
to my ears enhanced and defined the atmosphere of "Twin Peaks" and its
associated movies, which I thought were thoroughly brilliant even when
spinning out of control.
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Message: 3
Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 01:35:58 -0400
From: Country Paul
Subject: George McCurn; "Dore" Alpert; Brian's new CD
Frank Jastfelder, re: early A&M:
> ... George McCurn's "Country Boy Goes To Town" (one of the rarest
> A&M LPs, I guess). McCurn was one of the greatest bass singers in the
> gospel field. I think both releases were not fast-selling items.
... but McCurn's 45, "I'm Just A Country Boy" (A&M 702 -- or close to
that number, 1962), was a significant if not huge hit - and is a beautiful
record!
> Alpert & Moss probably just brought out the stuff they liked. Does
> anyone know more about their release policy in the beginning of A&M?
Not formally, Frank, but A&M 714, "Dina" by Dore Alpert (actually Herb,
singing on record for the first time I know of) is perhaps my all-time
favorite 45 -- certainly the only one I intentionally own three copies of. It
is a gorgeous obscurity, with myriad modulations, a plaintive vocal from
Herb, classical-tinged orchestration and one sour trombone that just
amplifies the cracked-mirror beauty of the whole enterprise. Commercial?
Maybe not, but definitely an auteur in action.
And thank you for the heads-up on the new Brian Wilson album. (It's nice
to have all that liner information in something larger than what is sure to
be 3-point type!) I'm there on release day! (And I notice the last track is
co-written by Van Dyke Parks!)
Country Paul
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Message: 4
Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 08:41:10 +0100
From: Simon White
Subject: Re: "All My Hard Times"
Bob Rashkow wrote:
> I'd absolutely kill for any earlier 45s by the Sensational Epics. I've got
> "All My Hard Times", which IS sensational.
I really must put my thinking cap on straight. OK then, but first I really must
get a thinking cap.
I'm having trouble following this thread so forgive me if we've already said
this, but The Tams also did a version of "All My Hard Times/ A Little More
Soul" on ABC , written and produced by Joe South and, according to my
sources, released in 1967.
And in response to Snr Nino's request for the release year of The Tams'
version of "I've Been Hurt", my sources say 1965.
Also, Julio, regarding The Tams "Dancing Mood", I have e-mailed a Tams
completist friend of mine regarding this and await his response. I know
Delroy Wilson's version of this but can't remember why.
And if anyone would like to hear The Tam's singing their UK turntable hit
"There Aint Nothing Like Shagging" I will "play it to Musica".
Simon
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Message: 5
Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 14:34:46 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: more Sensational Epics to musica
For a short time, more Ray Whitley, from The Sensational Epics, on
musica: "You Warp My Mind" and its B-side, "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be
Happy". Both sides written and produced by Whitley. I first heard and
recorded "You Warp My Mind" off American Bandstand's "Rate-A-Record"
segment in March, 1968 and eventually found the 45. I think it's The
Sensational Epics' best record. A little strange, but remember the times!
"Be Young" ... has been covered by The Tams and other artists.
I liked the original Ray Whitley "I've Been Hurt" better than The Sensational
Epics' version. Sounds like a demo for Billy Joe Royal to sing. I think I even
like it better than Bill Deal's. Thanks for posting it! I have a Ray Whitley Vee
Jay 45 also somewhere. Did he have more than one?
Anyway, hope you enjoy The Sensational Epics 45.
Clark
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Message: 6
Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 10:26:42 +0000
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Re: Chamberlin / Beach Boys' versions
BB wrote:
> Being a proud Chamberlin owner, I've been looking for the earliest
> songs using mellotrons. It really sounds like there's one on the
> Brian Wilson produced "Sacramento" by Gary Usher from 1964! Does
> anyone know for sure about that one? Thanks.
Rodd Keith played Chamberlin on literally hundreds of song-poem
recordings, starting c.1966 and perhaps earlier. His usage of the instrument
was nearly uniformly excellent, and well worth seeking out recordings of
( http://www.aspma.com/comps.htm ).
Julio Niño wrote:
> I like very much Claudine Longet´s version of "God Only Knows". I find
> it sexy and moving at the same time, which is an interesting mixture of
> feelings.
Anyone know the release history of this version?
Angela Greene wrote:
> Everyone who I've ever played it for has agreed that it's as good as,
> or almost as good as the original. I'll be more than happy to upload
> it somewhere if anyone's interested.
Hell yeah!
--Phil M.
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Message: 7
Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 10:21:24 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: early fuzz
BB wrote:
> Dumb Head is the earliest song that I've heard that has a fuzztone
> guitar sound on it. Anyone know of earlier songs?
The Ventures' "2000 Pound Bee" charted in 12/62. I think the generally
acknowledged precursor to the fuzztone is the solo on Marty Robbins'
"Don't Worry 'Bout Me"; from 1/61.
gem
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Message: 8
Date: Tue, 25 May 2004 06:37:05 +0100
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: Re: That Alan and Babs
That Alan wrote:
> Thank you Martin, the check is in the mail!
I'll keep an eye out for it! While on the subject of female singers recording
your songs, three questions:
1. What was it about your compositions that caused Barbara Streisand to
appear in a T-shirt and hot pants and Michelle Phillips in a bathing suit on
their 1977 LP sleeves?
2. Despite both you and Jack Nitzsche working on the "Superman" LP, how
come Jack didn't arrange your songs?
3. Was the "Superman" LP the first after Don went to find Jesus?
Martin
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Message: 9
Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 10:24:38 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Aquatones
Austin Roberts wrote:
> There was a hit record out somewhere around 1960 I think called "You"
> by The Aquatones. I loved the record but don't know anything about the
> group. Could somebody hep me?
Or maybe, help you or hip you, too. Per Whitburn:
Formed in Valley Stream, Long Island, NY in '57. Lynn Nixon, Larry Vannata,
David Goddard, Eugene McCarthy.
gem
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