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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Ersel Hickey R. I. P.
From: Mike McKay
2. Danny Williams -- Whose Little Girl Are You
From: Don H.
3. Roosevelt Grier help wanted
From: Martin Roberts
4. Re: Mercy Mercy Mercy
From: Mike McKay
5. Re: Top Rank?
From: Brent Cash
6. Re: Nervous Norvous
From: Austin Powell
7. Re: 45rpm: the book
From: Joe Nelson
8. Re: We Gotta Get Out Of This Place
From: Tina Vozick
9. Re: what's a 45?
From: Mark Wirtz
10. Re: Frank Gari
From: Al Kooper
11. Re: Arkade and "Sentimental Lisa"
From: Peter McCray
12. Re: Top Rank
From: Mark Wirtz
13. Re: Top Rank, Hikky-Burr and welcomes
From: Brent Cash
14. Re: Hit Records 45s
From: Mikey
15. Re: Frank Gari
From: Mikey
16. Re: Ersel Hickey
From: Steve Harvey
17. Re: what's a 45?
From: Michael Fishberg
18. Re: Roosevelt Grier
From: Gary Myers
19. Demos, Coachmen, Paris Sisters, Varese, Eric Records, etc.
From: Clark Besch
20. Re: Judy Dyble
From: Austin Roberts
21. Pitney & Sedaka
From: Matt Spero
22. Re: Arkade and "Sentimental Lisa"
From: Joe Nelson
23. Re: Nervous Norvous
From: Joe Nelson
24. Re: Pitney & Sedaka
From: Joe Nelson
25. Re: Frank Gari
From: Gary Myers
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Message: 1
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 01:05:19 EDT
From: Mike McKay
Subject: Re: Ersel Hickey R. I. P.
Many may already know this, but just in case, there's a chapter devoted
to Ersel Hickey in "Tattooed On Their Tongues: A Journey Through The
Backrooms Of American Music" by Colin Escott (ISBN 0-02-870679-X).
An interesting fact it reveals: Hickey co-wrote "Don't Let the Rain Come
Down," the 1964 hit by The Serendipity Singers.
Mike
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Message: 2
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 06:40:10 -0000
From: Don H.
Subject: Danny Williams -- Whose Little Girl Are You
allmusic.com shows the above song as being written by Carole King and
Danny Williams, and included on a comp called "Northern Soul Scene".
I've never heard of it. Does anyone know if it is really co-written by Carole
King?
btw, allmusic is all new. I'm not sure I like it better, though.
Don H.
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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 22:30:17 +0100
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: Roosevelt Grier help wanted
I'm seeking scans of Roosevelt Grier's two RIC 45s, for use on
http://www.spectropop.com/JackNitzsche/index.htm . If used, the
scans will be credited.
Thanks in advance.
Martin
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Message: 4
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 00:54:36 EDT
From: Mike McKay
Subject: Re: Mercy Mercy Mercy
Phil M. wrote:
> Now playing at Photos, a full-page ad, from the close-of-the-Sixties
> (i.e., 12-69) issue of Guitar Player magazine, jointly promoting both
> Kustom amps (of Chanute, Kansas) and the group Mercy, of "Love
> Can Make You Happy" fame.
Interestingly, Mercy rate an entire display case of their own at the Vocal
Group Hall of Fame, located just across the state line from me in Sharon,
Pennsylvania. I reckon there's more information about them and their
career gathered there than you'd find anywhere else.
Mike
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Message: 5
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 06:35:55 -0000
From: Brent Cash
Subject: Re: Top Rank?
I may be confused on Top Rank. I thought this was a US label (sprung
from UK's Rank label) run by Norman Weinstroer, the one that had the
early Fireballs releases (Torquay, etc.).
Hopefully someone can straighten this out for me. I will keep an "oops"
on hand in case it's needed.
Best to all,
Brent Cash
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Message: 6
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 08:39:56 +0100
From: Austin Powell
Subject: Re: Nervous Norvous
Country Paul wrote:
> Side note from Phil's research: the car crash used on 1958's
> "Transfusion", actually recorded in 1937, was used again in
> Paul Hampton's oddly-haunting 1960 "Two-Hour Honeymoon"
> (Dot) and in Jimmie Cross's 1964 death-novelty "I Want My
> Baby Back." (Other records, too.)
I seem to remember reading somewhere that the sound of the crash was
lifted from a sound effects tape and the company that created/owned it
sued and copped lots of royalties.
Austin P.
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Message: 7
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 10:47:13 -0400
From: Joe Nelson
Subject: Re: 45rpm: the book
Kingsley Abbot wrote, re: new Dawson & Propes book*:
> Very good it is, too -- knowledgeable, well-written and very nicely
> presented.
Norm Katuna (moderator of the '50s, '60s and '70s newsgroups on Usenet)
used to post a lengthy two-part article each March 30 on the introduction
of the medium. If you wondered why 45s have that big hole, didn't have the
pulsating concentric groove common to 78s and LPs, etc, it had the answers.
I'm sure it's all in this book.
Joe
*45 RPM -- The History, Heroes And Villains Of A Pop Music Revolution
Jim Dawson & Steve Propes
Backbeat
ISBN 0-87930-757-9
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Message: 8
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 17:54:39 -0400
From: Tina Vozick
Subject: Re: We Gotta Get Out Of This Place
Karl Baker:
> The US version of "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place" has been in the
> EMI vaults all along. It's been remastered and is scheduled to appear
> on Abkco's upcoming Animals Anthology.
I don't know about this, but I do recommend the original Mann-Weil version
of the song -- somewhat different lyrics, and different feel -- really much
better than the Animals. Barry sings it on his solo CD "Soul And Inspiration".
Tina
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Message: 9
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 20:07:23 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mark Wirtz
Subject: Re: what's a 45?
Margaret G Still wrote:
> 45s feel good in the hand. And what you're holding is a song,
> which is pretty magical. Then there's the label art and credits
> and the whole way that looks -- layers and layers of info there.
> It is always a kick to see the names of the great ones, and also
> the names of the great unknowns who funneled everything
> into that record.
Mickie Most, when once asked what a single [record] was to him,
threw a 45 up in the air and said, "Nothing but a piece of plastic with
a hole in the middle." Of course, Mr. Most was jesting -- the wealth
of unforgettable singles that he produced leave no doubt that he cared
very deeply about not only their success, but also their substance.
Be that as it may, M.G. Still hits the target when suggesting that singles
were magical. Alas, it is today's absence of magic, from a "tune"'s
inception, to passing the maze of spec'ed and graph'ed A&R jury
verdicts, to the measured, sized and computed recording process,
to demographics -- and prejudice-bound marketing determinations,
to corporate radio programming. Virtually gone are instinct, impulse,
vision, creative risk and autosyncratic decision making. Records are
no longer composed and recorded, nor are their artists signed, from
the heart, but from the head. How sad. Because, at least so I believe,
records -- be they 45's or mp3s -- are canned emotions. That's all.
Canned emotions. Of course, you have to be able to feel them to
recognize them ...
Here is hoping for change and -- thanks to iTunes -- the return to
"singles," and the motto, "one record, one vision."
Cheers,
mark wirtz
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Message: 10
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 08:47:19 EDT
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: Frank Gari
I always thought Frank Gari's "Utopia" was the classic cutesy-wootsie teen
idol record -- saccharine beyond belief. If played today, it would cause a few
guffaws, I believe. However, I still own it.
Al " Or I Coulda Been The Next Little Billy Mason" Kooper
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Message: 11
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 23:07:54 +1000
From: Peter McCray
Subject: Re: Arkade and "Sentimental Lisa"
Austin Roberts wrote:
> The Arkade had two chart records, Sing Out The Love (only
> fingernails on the bottom of the charts) and Morning Of Our
> Lives, which actually went top 15 on the AC charts and I think
> top 50 on the pop chart.
Austin -- thanks for all the information. Great days, and such a lot of
talent in and behind that band, yours included! I'll definitely keep
chasing Arkade's recording of Sentimental Lisa, and I think the Price &
Walsh re-recording as well.
Do you recall recording a song called Fool's Way Of Lovin' with The
Arkade? According to one database I came across, this track was paired
with Morning Of Our Lives on a Dunhill release. Judging by the Dunhill release
number, it would have been the last release by The Arkade, and it almost
seems like Morning Of Our Lives was the B-side, which seems a bit weird.
However, the same database lists an ealier release of Morning Of Our Lives
on Dunhill, with Rhythm Of The People on the B-side. I reckon this must
have been the hit version.
But I do wonder about this Fool's Way Of Lovin' recording. I'd certainly be
interested if you recall anything of that one.
Best wishes,
Peter
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Message: 12
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 15:53:35 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mark Wirtz
Subject: Re: Top Rank
Wasn't Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon on Top Rank?
mark w
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Message: 13
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 21:41:13 -0000
From: Brent Cash
Subject: Re: Top Rank, Hikky-Burr and welcomes
Richard wrote:
> ... majority of Top Rank's releases were US originals that
> included Glen Campbell "Turn Around Look At Me" & David
> Gates "The Happiest Man Alive"
I have the Gates song on Mala, # 418. Was this leased from TR, or
vice versa?
Phil M. wrote about Bill Cosby's "Hikky-Burr":
This is probably old news, but you can also find it on Quincy's
Smackwater Jack LP on A&M, in addition to the single. (Bill was not
only singing in your message, but the Q also sings the aforementioned
LP's title track. I don't think that happened too many times, no?)
Also, with the recent belated hellos, I'd like to belatedly thank the
Spectropop Admin Team for welcoming me here earlier this year, and
welcome Clark back and belatedly thank him for welcoming me here a
couple of months ago. And now, "paying it forward", welcome to
Margaret G. Still and Mantan Hattana.
Best to all,
Brent Cash
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Message: 14
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 17:22:56 -0400
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: Hit Records 45s
Matt Spero asked:
> Are these the 45s that came out with cover versions of hit
> songs done by a soundalike?
Yes, Matt -- all covers. Got any?
Mikey
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Message: 15
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 12:58:12 -0400
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: Frank Gari
Al "I Coulda Been The Next Little Billy Mason" Kooper:
> I always thought Frank Gari's "Utopia" was the classic cutesy-wootsie
> teen idol record -- saccharine beyond belief. If played today, it
> would cause a few guffaws, I believe. However, I still own it.
Hey, "Utopia" is a great record. It's a product of another time, but
BOY does that record make you smile...you know what I mean. By the way,
"Utopia" is on Cd, and from the Master tape, too!! My pal Bill Buster
put it on one of his ERIC comps.
Mikey
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Message: 16
Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2004 16:06:43 -0700 (PDT)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Re: Ersel Hickey
Andrew C Jones wrote:
> One further track that could be included here is
> the 1968 Beach Boys recording "Bluebirds Over the
> Mountain," which was written (supposedly) by one
> Ersel Hickey and published by Northern Songs.
Yes Virginia, there was a real Ersel Hickey. Oddly
enough I just got another email from his estate today
thanking me for writing him about a month or so back.
Hickey just died.
Colin Escott did a whole chapter on the guy and
rightfully credits Ersel with inventing reggae (listen
to the guitar on his version of "Bluebirds". There is
a Rolling Stone history of rock book (big, red thing
as I recall) that has Mr. Hickey in the front with
quiff and cool guitar. The picture was actually turned
into a logo for some record or guitar dealer
There was compilation album in the 80s (same series
that did the Zombies with bonus cuts) of Ersel. I
think it was some CBS offshoot label done just for
reissues.
The Northen Song thing sounds fishy. Somebody not
doing their homework. It's not Paul. He was the walrus
as I recall.
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Message: 17
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 07:58:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: Michael Fishberg
Subject: Re: what's a 45?
Margaret G Still wrote:
> 45s feel good in the hand. And what you're holding is a song, which
> is pretty magical. Then there's the label art and credits and the
> whole way that looks -- layers and layers of info there...
Today, thats' "lawyers and lawyers of info"....sadly.
Michael Fishberg
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Message: 18
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 10:06:09 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Roosevelt Grier
Martin Roberts:
> ... seeking scans of Roosevelt Grier's two RIC 45s ...
When I interviewed Ruth Christy (Stratchborneo) for my Tide Records
story around the late 80's, she claimed that Grier recorded one of
her songs (of course, she also claimed many other far out things).
If you're looking for things by him, and you come across anything
like that, I'm interested (but don't go to any trouble looking. It
might be shown as written by "Triune".
gem
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Message: 19
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 17:59:29 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Demos, Coachmen, Paris Sisters, Varese, Eric Records, etc.
Time to catch up more on the messages I missed while on vacation.
First, I want to say how cool all those Carole King acetates were!!
Special thanks to Bob Celli and Mick Patrick who sent me the ones I
missed while I was gone. "Go Away Little Girl" was cool the way she
harmonizes with herself, and strange about it being sang by a female
in the first place. Even more fascinating was the incredible 4
minute plus "Just Once in my Life"! It is my fave R Brothers 45 and
when I listen to the demo, it is somewhat reminiscent of her early
career songs she later did on "Tapestry". Again, she does the
harmonizing vocals sooooo coooool!
Then, on to Al Kooper's great demos! "This Diamond Ring" was a
revelation to me! Had no idea it was originally planned for the
Platters. Certainly, Jimmy Radcliffe did a great job giving it the
Platters sound. How ironic that they would eventually have a
comeback of sorts with "With This Ring"!! And on Musicor! "My Way"
was cool and has the Pitney feel, but also has music parts that sound
like a Platters sound too like the beginning. There's a little
"Under the Boardwalk" and "On Broadway" in there, no? Were you
influenced by the Platters in your early writing career? I'm sure
Musica is tired, cause it's gotten the best workout I image it's ever
gotten!! Thanks so much to all for sharing these!!!
Orion wrote:
> Re: "Witchy Tai To" I think maybe Cryan Shames did also but am not
> sure.
Orion, I am almost positive the Cryan Shames never recorded this song.
Joe Nelson wrote:
> Without today's internet to mount proper "due diligence" before
> choosing a band name, it was pretty easy for lots of bands to opt
> for similar or exact same names. Gotta keep the lawyers busy, right?
Our local Coachmen used a name that was very popular at the time in
hindsight. Even Dan Fogelberg's Illinois band was called the Coachmen!
Lincoln's Coachmen are finally represented on a national Cd with "Mr.
Moon" appearing on Varese' new "Garage Rock Greats".
http://www.varesesarabande.com/details.asp?pid=302-066-565-2
When the group changed their name to Professor Morrison's Lollipop, I
think they finally had a name all to themselves!! :)
Margaret G. Still wrote:
> Where can I find some details on the seamier side of the Paris
> Sisters?
Not sure if you'll find more "seamier" info, but the new Eric Records
Cd, "Paris Sisters Sing Everything Under the Sun" Cd has a 16 page
booklet and true stereo music on the disc: http://www.ericrecords.com/
They also have the new Teen Time Vol 3 Cd out with Mark Dinning's "Top
40 News Weather and Sports" in shiny new sound! There's no "Close to
Cathy", but there is a "Letter from Sherry"!
That's about it for now. Thanks for listening! Clark
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Message: 20
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 12:48:43 EDT
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: Judy Dyble
Kingsley Abbott:
> A little while back Judy Dyble, Fairport Convention's first lady
> singer and later member of Trader Horne, rated some mentions on S'pop.
> Members might like to know that, after several decades, she has a
> brand-new album due out very soon. Called 'Enchanted Garden', it
> should be out on Talking Elephant Records here in the UK. It has ten
> tracks that Jude has done with Astralasia (a modern semi-electronic
> set-up), and the blend of Jude's songs and their production works
> very well. Her voice is maturer, but retains that essential
> Englishness that so many folk loved her for. I suspect it will raise
> a great deal of interest.
Ah, Judy Dyble and especially Annie Halsam; loved their voices, as well
as the original lead singer for the Seekers. Special.
Austin (sometimes I wish I were British) Roberts
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Message: 21
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 13:35:05 EDT
From: Matt Spero
Subject: Pitney & Sedaka
Al Kooper on Gene Pitney's "It Hurts To Be In Love":
> Neil wrote it. He sang 'em. Originally a demo. So much so that
> there is no "real" stereo version available anywhere.
I have always wondered about this. . . . almost all of Gene Pitney's
recordings are stereo and this one falls right in the time frame that
it should be stereo as well. So what's the story here Al?
Matt Spero
P.S. I always thought this recording has a kind of muffeled sound to it.
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Message: 22
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 13:04:04 -0400
From: Joe Nelson
Subject: Re: Arkade and "Sentimental Lisa"
Peter McCray to Austin Roberts:
> Do you recall recording a song called Fool's Way Of Lovin' with The
> Arkade? According to one database I came across, this track was paired
> with Morning Of Our Lives on a Dunhill release. Judging by the Dunhill
> release number, it would have been the last release by The Arkade, and
> it almost seems like Morning Of Our Lives was the B-side, which seems
> a bit weird. However, the same database lists an ealier release of
> Morning Of Our Lives on Dunhill, with Rhythm Of The People on the
> B-side. I reckon this must have been the hit version.
That it was. To confuse matters further, "Rhythm of the People" had
already appeared as the B side of "Woman In My Life". No space to post
to musica at the moment, alas - I didn't even reailze it was a B side
untill I joined this list. Hopefully soon you guys will get to decide
what you think.
Joe Nelson
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Message: 23
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 13:36:17 -0400
From: Joe Nelson
Subject: Re: Nervous Norvous
Country Paul wrote:
> Side note from Phil's research: the car crash used on 1958's
> "Transfusion", actually recorded in 1937, was used again in Paul
> Hampton's oddly-haunting 1960 "Two-Hour Honeymoon" (Dot) and in
> Jimmie Cross's 1964 death-novelty "I Want My Baby Back." (Other
> records, too.)
Austin Powell:
> I seem to remember reading somewhere that the sound of the crash
> was lifted from a sound effects tape and the company that created/
> owned it sued and copped lots of royalties.
How do you record a car crash? It takes time to set up mics, etc. If
you know it's going to happen, do you not have responsibility to stop
it? Of do you just set your gear up near a notoriously lethal
intersection and wait for fate to do the inevitable?
Joe Nelson
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Message: 24
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 13:41:49 -0400
From: Joe Nelson
Subject: Re: Pitney & Sedaka
Previously:
> Although I'm sure it wasn't him, some of the vocal bg on one Pitney
> song always sounded to me like Sedaka. IIRC, I think it's "It Hurts
> To Be In Love."
Al Kooper:
> Don't be so sure. Neil wrote it. He sang 'em. Originally a demo. So
> much so that there is no "real" stereo version available anywhere.
I think you mean "Gene wrote it". And how much of Gene's output was
originally demos? We discussed "Love My Life Away" recently, and "It
Hurts To Be In Love" always seemed to me to be in a similar vein.
Joe Nelson
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Message: 25
Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 10:10:13 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Frank Gari
Al Kooper:
> I always thought Frank Gari's "Utopia" was the classic cutesy-wootsie
> teen idol record ...
To me, the funny thing about it is that it seems to be full of 2/4 bars
or 6/4 bars or odd numbers of bars (I never really checked). Seems as
if the arranger was afraid to let the lead and bg vocals overlap
anywhere.
BTW Al, I notice you didn't answer the question. :-)
gem
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