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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Wendy Hill's answer to Gary Lewis
From: Charles G Hill
2. Re: Shangri-las footage...
From: Tony
3. Re: Stranded In The Jungle versions
From: Charles Ulrich
4. Re: Americanized Bossa Nova
From: Frank Jastfelder
5. Re: Nancy & Lee 3
From: Phil X Milstein
6. Barry Mandilow & telerevisionism
From: Phil X Milstein
7. Re: Lee Hazlewood's whereabouts
From: Robert
8. Re: Strandeds In The Jungle
From: Phil X Milstein
9. The Outsiders, The Animals & Help Me Girl
From: Jim Shannon
10. Re: payola, promotion and "happy feet"
From: Phil X Milstein
11. Re: Coney Island Who?!
From: That Alan Gordon
12. Re: California Nights
From: Gary Myers
13. Al Kooper/The Water Is Over My Head
From: JJ
14. Re: California Nights / A Brand New Me / Oh Me, Oh My
From: Austin Roberts
15. O'Kaysions watcher
From: markt439
16. need help ID-ing lyrics
From: Scott Swanson
17. Re: R'n'R Hall Of Fame
From: superoldies
18. American Bandstand Fan Club
From: Phil Hall
19. Garpax Girls
From: Kingsley Abbott
20. Re: Robin McNamara; Gold label; Ann-Mar(re)gret(s)
From: Country Paul
21. Cheap CDs source
From: Howard Earnshaw
22. Re: Best Part Of Breaking Up
From: Mac Joseph
23. Re: Early mistakes
From: (That) Alan Gordon
24. Re: Robin McNamara
From: Laura Pinto
25. Ronnie Dove
From: Dave O'Gara
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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 06 Jun 2004 08:33:28 -0500
From: Charles G Hill
Subject: Wendy Hill's answer to Gary Lewis
This was, of course, "(Gary, Please Don't Sell) My Diamond Ring", released
on the heels of Gary Lewis' monster hit (which, of course, was a remake of
the Sammy Ambrose record of a few weeks earlier, though obviously it didn't
occur to anyone to direct Wendy's plea to Sammy).
The 45 (Liberty 55771) seems to have the same credits as did the Lewis:
composers (Al Kooper, Bob Brass, Irwin Levine), producer (Snuff Garrett),
arranger (Leon Russell). Now obviously this isn't a case of reusing the backing
track, as with Linda Laurie's "Stay At Home Sue", but who actually played on
this record? I played it for Dawn Eden, who commented: "Those are the
loudest, scariest tympani I've ever heard. And out of tune, yet. It's as if
they've been lifted from a 1971 German prog album." And, while we're
at it whatever happened to Wendy?
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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 06 Jun 2004 17:02:43 -0000
From: Tony
Subject: Re: Shangri-las footage...
Sean wrote:
> 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.
The "Give Him A Great Big Kiss" from Shindig (Oct. '65, as a quartet)
that we have ALL seen IS the entire clip (no spoken intro or monologue
at the end)! Interestingly, there's other websites that list the girls'
appearances on Top Of The Pops and Ready Steady Go in England,
including one from April '66. That late appearance must be Margie-less!
Tony
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Message: 3
Date: Sun, 06 Jun 2004 10:15:09 -0700
From: Charles Ulrich
Subject: Re: Stranded In The Jungle versions
Guy Lawrence wrote:
> 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. Has anybody got any more to add?
Frank Zappa performed "Stranded In The Jungle" on his fall 1976 tour,
with Ray White and Bianca. Audience recordings of nine performances
are in circulation among traders, but it has never been officially
released.
--Charles
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Message: 4
Date: Sun, 06 Jun 2004 21:20:34 +0200
From: Frank Jastfelder
Subject: Re: Americanized Bossa Nova
Jimmy Botticelli wrote:
> And she is from Latin America anyway, quite possibly Brazil. But
> Trio Janeiro, which was just reissued by Rev-ola & Bossa Rio.
I think you mean Triste Janeiro.
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Message: 5
Date: Sun, 06 Jun 2004 15:37:38 -0400
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Re: Nancy & Lee 3
Peter McCray wrote:
> Just in case any Lee fans don't know, just by chance I heard a radio
> interview earlier in the week with Nancy Sinatra where she was talking
> about her newly-released album with Lee. It is called Nancy & Lee 3,
> and has been released in Australia only at this stage.
Great news, Peter! I don't suppose you wanna put in a big order for us
northern hemispheroids?
Just kidding, but if you have any suggestions for online ordering from
afar, I'm sure many of us would welcome it. Even a label name would
help.
--Phil M.
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Message: 6
Date: Sun, 06 Jun 2004 16:22:54 -0400
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Barry Mandilow & telerevisionism
Barry Manilow appeared on the Jimmy Kimmell (late-night talk show,
aired live) the other night. As usual, he was an engaging interviewee and
eager performer. He talked briefly about the various commercial jingles
he wrote ("LIke a good neighbor, State Farm [insurance] is there"; "I'm
stuck on Band-Aids, 'cause Band-Aid's stuck on me"; etc.), and even
demonstrated one in an impromptu run to the piano.
He also played "Brandy," in what he claimed was his first-ever solo
performance of it in nearly three decades. More to the Spectro-point,
he also talked briefly about the history of the song. In response to
something or other, Kimmell had stated that "Brandy" was one of
Manilow's own compositions; Manilow, of course, corrected him, and
told of the demo version he'd been presented, which he claimed had
been in a rocknroll tempo. In demonstrating (not at the piano) that
tempo, he sang it as "Mandy," rather than "Brandy," which we have
learned here had been the original title. He then told how at Clive
Davis's suggestion he first tried recording it in that tempo, but quickly
realized it just wasn't suitable to his style, and slowed it down to the
tempo that we know from the hit.
I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt by supposing that
he revised his recall of the song's original title for the sake of simplicity,
as there'd be no public-image reason for him to have suppressed that
information.
--Phil M.
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Message: 7
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 03:24:57 -0000
From: Robert
Subject: Re: Lee Hazlewood's whereabouts
For Austin, who asked, Lee lives in Texas. You can post a message to his
wife Jeane on leehazlewood.net. She leaves occasional messages there,
updates on Lee, etc. He's presently on Gotland recording his final CD ever.
Awwww, I hate how fast time goes.
Rob
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Message: 8
Date: Sun, 06 Jun 2004 16:29:57 -0400
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Re: Strandeds In The Jungle
Guy Lawrence wrote:
> 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?
Arnold Rypens' indispensable "The Originals" website
( http://www.originals.be/eng/main.cfm?c=titel_lis gets you to the
English-language database starting point) lists the following:
STRANDED IN THE JUNGLE
(wr. James Johnson-Ernestine Smith)
original: Jayhawks (1956, Flash)
Band from L.A. with co-author James Johnson. Label-hopping
name-changers: at Chess they became The Vibrations, at Arvee The
Marathons. Not to be confused with the nineties' Jayhawks.
covers: Cadets (1956) with Prentice Moreland instead of Ted Taylor as
high tenor; his yell: "Great googa mooga, let me outta here" earns Tutti
Frutti status, Gadabouts (1956), Vibrations (1961) same band as the
originals (see note), New York Dolls (1974), David Johansen (1982),
Mighty Flyers (1984), Nylons (1996).
Rypens' lists of covers aren't always complete, but apart from that I've
found his information to be extremely accurate. Apparently the website
is a supplement to his book, which is in Dutch.
But Guy, please tell us about this Warner book. I've never heard of it
before.
--Phil M.
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Message: 9
Date: Sun, 06 Jun 2004 21:54:41 -0000
From: Jim Shannon
Subject: The Outsiders, The Animals & Help Me Girl
This one is directed to members of the promotion/record industry. Can
someone explain the reasoning behind a double release of the same
song at almost the same time? "Help Me Girl" was released in late '66
by both The Outsiders and The Animals, each on a different label. I
always thought the Animals' version was better.
Jim Shannon
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Message: 10
Date: Sun, 06 Jun 2004 16:40:22 -0400
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Re: payola, promotion and "happy feet"
Country Paul wrote:
> And when I was a Music Director in radio (at several stations), I never ever
> took anything specifically for anything, nor did our staff. We did let it be
> known to the promo folks that as a bunch of starving music-freak DJs we
> welcomed dinners, copies of albums we loved (but couldn't afford), concert
> tix (which we also couldn't afford) and swag (especially T-shirts and
> jackets), but we welcomed everything from everybody - equal opportunity
> takers! - with no strings attached.
No offense, Paul, but these stories remind me of the "foot powder" episode
of WKRP In Cincinatti. Mr. Carlson had caught a record promoter delivering
cocaine to the staff (who, of course, were about to turn it down), but was
placated by the P.D. (Andy) informing him it was merely foot powder.
Coincidentally in need of just that product at the time, Mr. Carlson
proceeded to apply it to his feet -- rather liberally, at that -- then spent the
rest of the day buzzing about his "happy feet"!
I suppose the line between promotion and payola occurs when the promoter
expects -- and receives -- a significant amount of additional airplay in exchange
for his donations, whatever their form.
--Phil M.
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Message: 11
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 09:14:28 -0700
From: That Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: Coney Island Who?!
Bobster, in a recent post I mentioned "Coney Island Sally" as one of the
clinkers in my cataloque. Now I have to reconsider, seeing that you like
it so much. I forgot that I co-wrote it with Bob Brass. I also forgot the lyrics.
I do have a demo of the song, and I will dig it up and see if I can jot down
the lyrics for you, but if you have the record you can do the same.
If you like "Coney Island Sally" than you'll love "I'm In Love With A Big-Bellied
Woman From Carnarsie"!
S'pop RULES!!
Best,
That Alan
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Message: 12
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 10:36:01 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: California Nights
Jim Shannon:
> "California Nights" was a beautiful song and one of my favorite Lesley
Gore compositions.
I'm showing it as written by Marvin Hamlisch & Howard Liebling -- one of
Hamlisch's first hits, I believe.
gem
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Message: 13
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 05:56:15 -0000
From: JJ
Subject: Al Kooper/The Water Is Over My Head
Just picked up the FABtastic Eddie Hodges 45 "Love Minus Zero" b/w
"The Water Is Over My Head"(UK Stateside, '65). Is this the original version
of "The Water ..."? The Rockin' Berries did a great version, the same year,
but since it's a US written track, I assume Hodges recorded it first. True?
JJ/Sweden
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Message: 14
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 13:33:58 EDT
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: California Nights / A Brand New Me / Oh Me, Oh My
Dave O'Gara inquired about:
> A Brand New Me by Dusty Springfield
> Oh Me, Oh My by Lulu
> California Nights by Lesley Gore
Dusty's always great, but of the three records I thought Lulu's performance,
the song and the record were terrific!
Austin Roberts
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Message: 15
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 19:33:46 -0000
From: markt439
Subject: O'Kaysions watcher
The O'Kaysions, the group that did the soul pop classic "I'm A Girl Watcher,"
recorded an LP for Cotillion (the Atlantic subsidiary). Does anyone know if
it was ever released? It was given a label number, but I've never seen it or
heard of anyone having it.
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Message: 16
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 11:20:43 -0700
From: Scott Swanson
Subject: need help ID-ing lyrics
I need some help identifying a couple of songs for which I only have
lyrical fragments. I figure that if anyone can solve these mysteries, it's
the fine people at Spectropop!
FIRST SONG: all I have is a brief lyric, but I can tell you that it sounds
like a late '50s/early '60s doo-wop song:
Oh baby, don't make me a prisoner of love
Please, don't make me a prisoner, not a prisoner of your love
Oh baby, talk to me
SECOND SONG: an upbeat jazzy/R&B number:
Still know a lot about nothing
This time I'm happy inside
Outside the race is still running
I'd rather hide
Don't say I know much about it
This time I'm happy ?indoors?
Outside the race is still running
???? (might be "I'm certain you are")
Oh, pay no attention to the other guys
I love you baby but I don't know why
I love you baby but I don't know why
???? (maybe something about the "sun in your eye"?)
If anyone out there recognizes either song, please let me know!
Thanks,
Scott
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Message: 17
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 12:13:00 -0000
From: superoldies
Subject: Re: R'n'R Hall Of Fame
Not exactly had the honor taken away, but close. The CCR book "Bad Moon
Rising" details how the group was invited to the induction ceremony, but
when it came time to have their songs performed, it was by John Fogerty
and an "all-star band." The original members, with their families, got up
and left.
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Message: 18
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 17:27:15 -0000
From: Phil Hall
Subject: American Bandstand Fan Club
Does anyone know the status of Davey Frees, who has been president
of the American Bandstand Fan Club since 1960? I sent him a CD about
a month ago, and, when I didn't hear from him, I e-mailed him last week.
He is normally very quick to respond; sometimes within hours, but I've
heard nothing so far. I know he's been in poor health for the past few
years. Does anyone have any info about him?
Phil H.
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Message: 19
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 22:58:59 +0100
From: Kingsley Abbott
Subject: Garpax Girls
"Boy Trouble," a compilation CD of Gary Paxton's girlie productions, is
just out here in the UK. Though there are times when Paxton's productions
fail to excite me, there are some nice moments here, too, with Beverly
Williams, The Fashionettes and Beatrice Kay. The latter lady has one called
'Boy You'd Better Watch It Girl' which features a echo-laden kazoo doing
the horns part -- absolutely bizarre, but it sorta works! A classic of inventive
cheap production. So far the Revlons tracks on it haven't grabbed me.
Kingsley (who hasn't got a fave Pitney obscure track -- will I get drummed
out of the Brownies? Ref. odd English expression now only used by folk of
a certain age.)
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Message: 20
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 17:25:10 -0400
From: Country Paul
Subject: Re: Robin McNamara; Gold label; Ann-Mar(re)gret(s)
Phil M.:
> Thanks to Laura Pinto for her efforts on layin' a little Robin
> McNamara on us.
I completely agree with you, Phil, and with Robin (some of the drug
conclusions he draws are subject to discussion, but in general he hits it
on the head IMO). I personally thought "Hair" was a bit "plastic" (to use
the '60s term), but Robin himself appears to be the real deal. Thanks for
giving him a forum and for spreading the word.
Fred Clemens:
> Pat Boone's label is called GOLD. One Artist I know that presently
> has a CD out on it is Stephen Collins (Reverend Eric Camden on the
> WB's 7TH HEAVEN). Other artists include Jack Jones, the Lettermen,
> Cleo Laine, and Glen Campbell.
The roster reads like a who's who of a '60s-'70s middle-of-the-road radio
station playlist. (No Little Richard to be found.)
> Stephen's (http://www.stephencollins.com) first actual recording
> was in 1968.
I tried to take him up on his offer to download some of his new material,
but it wouldn't work for me. Doggone that technology ...
Re: "Love Of The Common People," not sure if I mentioned this earlier, but
Waylon Jennings had (I believe) the original. Co-written by Buck Wilkin, it
was released on an album of the same title (RCA) in 1967, and on a hit
country 45 before that.
Me, earlier:
> LHI-1, from 1969: "You Turn My Head Around"/"It's A Nice
> World to Visit (But Not To Live In)." Never heard of this one.
Bill George:
> It's added as a bonus track (along with another single) to the
> CD version of their duet LP The Cowboy and the Lady. Very cool
> psychedelia, unlike anything A-M ever did, except for perhaps
> Tommy.
I've had a chance to hear both sides since that post; "Turn" is strange, but
despite the engineer having too much fun with the volume controls, it's
worth a listen. However, I confess to having no idea what anyone was
thinking about "Visit"; for me it was not a very nice place to visit. But it
sure was in an interesting view into ... something! :-)
Country Paul
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Message: 21
Date: Sat, 05 Jun 2004 06:36:41 EDT
From: Howard Earnshaw
Subject: Cheap CDs source
Don't know if anyone has heard of this great source of CD's at
bargain prices, so I'd like to recommend you give them a try. On
the latest list there are such things as, Teen Town USA vol 2
(1958-1963) featuring such artists as, Jimmy Beaumont, Cathy
Jean & the Roomates, David Gates, Johnny Cymbol, Garry Mills +
loads more!! 30 track CD at three pounds & 99 Pence ($8) Teen
Town USA vol 3 - another 30 tracks at same price as above. Loads
of other really good stuff for spectroppers in his catalogue I'd
say. Send SAE (or International reply coupons) for his catalogue,
there are lots of great CD's at good prices on it: FINBARR
INTERNATIONAL (CD DEPT), Folkestone, Kent CT20 2QQ, UK. (Yes, the
address is complete). It would be nice if you mentioned you heard
of Finbarr through Howard Earnshaw at SOUL UP NORTH - thanks...
Howard
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Message: 22
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 05:53:03 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mac Joseph
Subject: Re: Best Part Of Breaking Up
Charles Ulrich wrote:
> I greatly enjoy Flo & Eddie's version, though I have to confess that I
> haven't heard The Ronettes' original.
Once you hear The Ronettes version of that song, you'll forget all about
Flo & Eddie's version. I especially like the false ending.
Mac Joseph
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Message: 23
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 09:36:07 -0700
From: (That) Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: Early mistakes
Previously:
> It is a shame how many artists (probably all?) have lost so much money
> out of their pockets in the attempt to get a foot in the music business.
> Then, with success, had to realize someone else got all the money from
> their early mistakes!
Al Kooper:
> I'm raisin' MY hand. Alan Gordon...Paul Evans......Eddie Rambeau....
> Eddie Floyd - raise your hands!
It took me a while to realize when I would get royalties statements they
were sending me the crossword puzzle from the Shanghai Daily Express,
from the Peoples Republic Of China. I told this before, I got the one of
a kind Cadillac as part of a publishing deal - it was a "RECOUP DEVILLE".
I was still paying for it for 37 years!!! When I would sign a contract,
instead of ink they dipped the pen in K Y Jelly. I'd better stop, I can
feel my blood pressure starting to rise. Things however have a way of
working out, after all they got me a lot great covers, and because of
commercials and BMI, I'm doing o.k. now, but there were times I had to
live with eviction notices, and wondering how I was going to provide for
my family. I thank God everyday for all my blessings.
Best, That Alan
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Message: 24
Date: Mon, 07 Jun 2004 21:32:29 -0000
From: Laura Pinto
Subject: Re: Robin McNamara
Phil X Milstein wrote:
> Thanks to Laura Pinto for her efforts on layin' a little Robin
> McNamara on us: http://lpintop.tripod.com/oldiesconnection/id55.html
Thanks for your comments. Robin's a cool guy and very well spoken,
and he was and is a pleasure to work with. Hopefully we will
continue to expand on the site.
Laura
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Message: 25
Date: Tue, 08 Jun 2004 00:32:04 -0000
From: Dave O'Gara
Subject: Ronnie Dove
Since I've been a member of S-pop, I haven't seen any mention of
Ronnie Dove. Judging by the 11 top forty hits and some 20 songs in
the Hot 100, he had (has) a pretty good base of fans. I always
thought he had very catchy tunes and a wonderful voice, especially
the way he hit the high notes in songs like "Right or Wrong". I have
his "Sings the Hits for You" Lp and for me, the highlight of that
album is his rendition of Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You).
Possibly a favorite obscure track? Just wondering if any of our
contributing artists have ever worked with him and possibly know if
he's still performing after all these years. Seems like he was able
to compete and hold his own on the charts, especially in that
aforementioned record-breaking year of 1965. Looking forward to your
comments.
Dave 0'
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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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