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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 20 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
From: Austin Roberts
2. Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
From: Norm D. Plume
3. Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track / The girls on Hawaii
From: Tom
4. Gene Pitney's Favourites
From: Norm D. Plume
5. Re: Gene Pitney
From: Denis Gagnon
6. Re: Gene Pitney on CD
From: Al Quaglieri
7. Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
From: Peter Lerner
8. Re: Gene Pitney's producers
From: Al Kooper
9. Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
From: Austin Roberts
10. Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
From: ACJ
11. Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
From: S.J. Dibai
12. Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
From: James Holvay
13. Re: Gene Pitney
From: Gary Myers
14. Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
From: Bill Craig
15. Shangri-las footage...
From: Sean
16. Re: The Girls From Bahia (Americanized Bossa Nova)
From: James Botticelli
17. Re: Pat Boone's label
From: Phil X Milstein
18. Stranded In The Jungle
From: Guy Lawrence
19. S'pop London Event Pix
From: S'pop Team
20. The Rev-lons
From: Mick Patrick
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Message: 1
Date: Fri, 04 Jun 2004 18:28:49 EDT
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
Previously:
> Pitney had some 11 top twenty hits there in the sixties: 24 hours from
> Tulsa, That girl belongs to yesterday, I'm gonna be strong, I must be
> seeing things, Lookin' through the eyes of love, Princess in rags,
> Backstage, Nobody needs yoour love, Just one smile, Something's gotten
> hold of my heart, Somewhere in the country.
Johnny Cymbal and George Tobin originally wrote Somewhere In The Country
for Roy Orbison. Great song.
Clark Besch:
> Say, speaking of Gene, anyone (Al?) remember Gene's tour of stars he
> did like the Dick Clark tours in mid-60's??
I saw it in Va. Beach. Terrific!
Austin Roberts
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Message: 2
Date: Fri, 04 Jun 2004 16:56:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: Norm D. Plume
Subject: Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
Does "Last Chance To Turn Around" count as an obscurity? I only ever
heard it once, and I forever wondered why G P was singing about "Last
Exit To Brooklyn", and what the connection was with Hubert Selby
Jnr's great and notorious book. I now know it's to do with (New
York?) traffic signs, but this kinda knowledge is never automatic
when you live in Sarf London. Great song though; anyone know where
it can be sourced?
Norm D. Plume
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Message: 3
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2004 00:57:46 -0000
From: Tom
Subject: Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track / The girls on Hawaii
I've enjoyed the recent spate of posts regarding Gene Pitney,
one of my favourite singers of all time. It would be really hard for
me just to pick one or two obscure Pitney songs as my favourites as
there are just so many great ones. I bought most of the twofer
Sequel Pitney collection, and have played the CDs often. He went
through a lot of different styles, and mastered them all in my
opinion. A lot of my favourites have been mentioned already (eg. The
Boss's Daughter, The Angels Got Together, Rising Tide of Love, 24
Sycamore), but one that I have not seen talked about is "Blue
Angel". The melody and lyrics of this song really move me. It was a
(barely) top 40 hit for Pitney in the UK around 1974, but I don't
think it was even released in the US.
The other thing I wanted to comment on was a post I saw calling
the background girl singers on "Hawaii" lame and white. I've seen
the white girl singer sound take a lot of hits on this group. I
noted another person called them "whiny". That always makes me sad
to hear people say this, because I happen to adore the sound. I've
mentioned before that I can't get enough of the cutesy white sound of
the early '60's, and to me it isn't lame, but angelic to my ears. I
guess I'm in the minority but I had to say something to defend the
music and a sound I truly love. To me, when I hear those girls start
singing on Hawaii, I find it as refreshing as a Hawaiian breeze.
Although I think Pitney is incredible, I fell in love with that track
just because of that sound. Just my cup of tea.
Tom
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Message: 4
Date: Fri, 04 Jun 2004 16:34:52 -0700 (PDT)
From: Norm D. Plume
Subject: Gene Pitney's Favourites
Gene Pitney was a guest on BBC Radio's "Desert Island Discs" a year
or so ago. DID is a long-running national institution: weekly
guests talk about their life and choose 8 records they'd take with
them to a desert island. Check this link for Gene Pitney's choices
(and his book and "luxury"):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/desertislanddiscs_20030302.shtml
Norm D. Plume
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Message: 5
Date: Fri, 04 Jun 2004 22:19:29 -0400
From: Denis Gagnon
Subject: Re: Gene Pitney
Clark Besch:
> Say, speaking of Gene, anyone (Al?) remember Gene's tour of stars he
> did like the Dick Clark tours in mid-60's??
I saw Gene in Montreal in 1966 (Backstage was his big hit of the moment,
at that time) with a bunch of other artists. I'm not certain if it was
the Dick Clark's Caravan of stars but Del Shannon, Chad & Jeremy and
many other acts were part of that show. I remember seeing Herman's
Hermits and the Zombies around that time but I can't swear it was on
that specific show.
Denis
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Message: 6
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2004 00:19:43 -0400
From: Al Quaglieri
Subject: Re: Gene Pitney on CD
I was jazzed when I saw Sequel was going to release the "Ultimate
Collection," but was kinda disappointed when I got it. Uneven sound
quality, mono where stereo exists, etc. Pitney deserves better.
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Message: 7
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2004 15:28:31 +0100
From: Peter Lerner
Subject: Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
Ken Silverwood commented:
> Can't help noticing his US and UK chart successes differed, with
> "She's A Heartbreaker" and "Last Chance To Turn Around" going top
> twenty Stateside but not doing much here, being prime examples."
"Last chance to turn around" is certainly my favourite obscurity of
Gene's from my vantage point in the UK. It was tucked away on the B-
side of the UK hit "Looking thru the eyes of love" but had massive
airplay at the time on Radio Caroline. And that hook line "Last exit
to Brooklyn" - must have been at least a nod towards the major
contemporary novel of that title? Does anyone know?
Peter
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Message: 8
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2004 06:55:08 EDT
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: Gene Pitney's producers
Jens Koch:
> Who were Pitney's producers -- apart from Spector, Pitney and Wylie?
> I know that's a big question that could end with multiple answers, but
> who were the main ones?
Mostly Aaron Schroeder in the first batch of hits. Smart Aaron was also
a) his manager
b) his publisher
c) his record company founder
But I dont recall him ever being referred to as Colonel Aaron Schroeder
although he is probably eligible for Corporal punishment for some of
that contract wording I'm guessing.
Buck Private Al Kooper
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Message: 9
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2004 15:05:41 EDT
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
Country Paul:
> And then there's Austin Robert's pick, "If I Didn't Have A Dime
> (To Play the Jukebox)," Mike Edwards' choices "Dream For Sale"
> and "If I Didn't Have A Dime" - and there are so many more! One
> easily forgets - but shouldn't - the depth of Pitney's catalog.
If I Didn't Have A Dime must be Austin Powers' pick.
I have two favorite Pitney songs (a tie): Love My Life Away and I'm
Gonna Be Strong. I like nearly everything he did though.
Austin Roberts
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Message: 10
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2004 17:22:30 -0400
From: ACJ
Subject: Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
For Nick Archer: I don't think Gene Pitney ever recorded "I Knew You
When," but he played an unwitting role in the success of the man who
did, Billy Joe Royal.
Joe South hired Billy to sing on the demo of a song he (Joe) had written
for Gene, called "Down In the Boondocks." Gene turned the song down, but
Joe used that demo to get Billy a recording contract with Columbia, and
the rest is history.
ACJ
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Message: 11
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2004 20:12:11 -0000
From: S.J. Dibai
Subject: Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
John Love:
> One of his all time greats for me is Randy Newman's "Just One Smile"
> which from memory hit big in the UK but not in the States.
Apparently, it was a top ten hit in Chicago. In fact, I used to know
someone from Chicago who didn't remember a lot of songs from that
era by title, but she sure remembered "Just One Smile."
I never quite got the appeal of that record. It's a dramatic
production, alright, but it has a typically overwrought, showtune-
ish Randy Newman melody, and Gene pours on the pathos a little too
thick for my tastes. That it was apparently released as a single
over a year and a half after coming out as an album track says that
the label must not have thought much of it, either. Not that I would
trust Musicor's tastes too much. Holding "Nobody Needs Your Love" on
an LP while it busted the charts in the UK? Releasing singles
like "Tremblin'" and "Animal Crackers" while letting "Losing
Control" and "Rising Tide Of Love" go to waste? Strange, indeed.
S.J. Dibai
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Message: 12
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2004 08:44:56 -0700
From: James Holvay
Subject: Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
Nick Archer:
> It struck me last night that Gene Pitney would probably do a great
> job of singing "I Knew You When". Did this ever happen?
I agree. Many years ago, my group worked opposite Billy Joe Royal. He
did a great version of "Oh Girl" by The Chi Lites, in his show. The
brotha definitely had some "chops".
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Message: 13
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2004 09:49:24 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Gene Pitney
Dave O'Gara:
> Did anyone think the first time you heard "Black is Black" by Los
> Bravos that it was Gene singing lead?
Yes. I also thought "Down In The Boondocks" might be Pitney when I
first heard it.
gem
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Message: 14
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2004 21:50:38 -0000
From: Bill Craig
Subject: Re: Favorite obscure Pitney track??
I don't know if this has been covered already or not, but is it not
true that the original copies of "Last Chance To Turn Around"' had
the title: "Last Exit To Brooklyn", but had to be changed after the
author of the novel by that name threatened to sue, or something
along those lines? This may be Pitney 101 to Geneophiles but I'm not
sure if I am remembering correctly from back in the day. Also, great
song by any name.
Bill Craig
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Message: 15
Date: Fri, 04 Jun 2004 18:07:22 -0000
From: Sean
Subject: Shangri-las footage...
I really need footage of the Shangs. All I have of them is them
singing Great Big Kiss on Shindig but its not even the whole song. I
am a very big fan and I would appreciate if someone would help me
out. I am looking for...
shindig-oct 23, 1965 right now and not later, great big kiss, thirty
days, and twist and shout
shindig-april 1965 out in the streets and great big kiss
shivaree-??oct 1965?? right now and not later and great big kiss
hullbaloo-feb 9, 1965 great big kiss
jan 10, 1966 long live our love
Also I am interested in seeing any clips of the post-Margie era (1966-
1967).
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Message: 16
Date: Fri, 04 Jun 2004 14:28:55 -0400
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: The Girls From Bahia (Americanized Bossa Nova)
Patrick Rands asked:
> Were there any other Americanized Bossa Nova acts from the mid-60s
> who aren't remembered today?
Paul Levinson:
> Eydie Gorme? No. I guess she's still remembered ... (Sorry, couldn't
> resist. Great record, though.)
And she is from Latin America anyway, quite possibly Brazil...But Trio
Janeiro which was just reissued by Rev-O-La & Bossa Rio. Additionally June
Christy did a 45 for Capitol called "Bossa Nova", one could argue Burt
Bacharach was strongly influenced by bossa and gave back as good as he
got....Also see the rich bossa nova tunes emanating forth from Japan (big
Japanese population in Brazil), and Italy. Some argue against its 'purity'
but bust out with your best iconoclastic techniques for them I say. Don't
forget Les Masques (France), The Gimmicks (Sweden), Wanda de Sah Brazilian
on Capitol, Novi (Poland), and native Brazilian organist Walter Wanderley's
record on Tower (!). More but can't think right now. Or ever for that
matter~...
JB
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Message: 17
Date: Fri, 04 Jun 2004 16:15:37 +0000
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Re: Pat Boone's label
Country Paul wrote:
> Pat Boone? With Little Richard? Great cooga-mooga! What's the
> label called?
His first signings are Little Richard and Fats Domino. The label's
called I Owe My Career To You Records.
Just a joke, Boone fans!
--Phil M.
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Message: 18
Date: Fri, 04 Jun 2004 22:24:33 +0100
From: Guy Lawrence
Subject: Stranded In The Jungle
On purchasing Shout's new Vibrations CD, "Out Of Sight!! The Checker
Years" (www.cherryred.co.uk), it occurred to me that I now own five
versions of "Stranded In The Jungle" - The Cadets, the Jayhawks, Jett
Powers (aka P.J. Proby), the New York Dolls and now the Vibrations.
I'm guessing there must be more.
I know Alan Warner is on the group - his essential book, "Who Sang What
In Rock'n'Roll", is never far from my side but "Stranded..." isn't in
it. Has anybody got any more to add?
Guy
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TweedleeDumsDrive-In/
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Message: 19
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2004 15:28:06 +0100
From: S'pop Team
Subject: S'pop London Event Pix
Pictures from the last S'pop live event, held in London in March,
are now available for viewing on the Actionettes' website:
http://www.actionettes.com/photos/SpectroMarch04/SpectroMarch04.html
The ladies hold regular club nights of their own. The next, featuring
performances by guest vocalists Elisabeth and Emma, is on Saturday
June 19th. For details: http://www.actionettes.com/sophisticated.html
The S'pop Team
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Message: 20
Date: Sun, 06 Jun 2004 15:45:50 +0100
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: The Rev-lons
Some time ago Patrick Rands asked:
> ...if anyone has any information about the Rev-Lons, I'd
> love to know...
The Rev-lons have six tracks included on the very fab looking
new CD "Boy Trouble: Garpax Girls". I don't have a copy yet, so
if you check out the press release you'll know as much as I do:
http://www.acerecords.co.uk/gotrt/may04/cdchd1005.html
In the meantime, a few words on the Rev-lons from CD compiler
Alec Palao:
> The tracks on "Boy Trouble" were all recorded between 1963-1967
> and leased to various labels or issued on Paxton-run imprints
> like Garpax and Star-Burst. However the bulk of this thoroughly
> enjoyable anthology is presented here for the first time, from
> recently excavated master tapes. Highlights include Bakersfield
> trio the Rev-Lons and their well-known title track Boy Trouble,
> plus other single cuts and some splendid unissued material; the
> precocious Beverly Williams, who turns in some fabulous Spector-
> esque sides; au go go swingers like Diana Dawn and Mary Saenz;
> and even Paxton's then-wife Jan, whose smoky tones beg the
> question as to why the producer didn't try to make her a star.
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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