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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 19 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: The Blossoms in "Change Of Habit"
From: Austin Roberts
2. Re: Promo Men
From: (That) Alan Gordon
3. Re: Topless jazz at the Metropole
From: Austin Roberts
4. Re: Tammy Wynette and the art of the concept album
From: Jeff Lemlich
5. Re: the group/s Bag
From: Scott Swanson
6. Re: Promo Men - Gene Hughes
From: Steve Jarrell
7. Re: Carl Wayne, R.I.P.
From: Austin Powell
8. Re: Topless jazz at the Metropole
From: Gary Myers
9. Re: Topless jazz at the Metropole
From: Steve Jarrell
10. Brian Wilson
From: Country Paul
11. Re: more "Smile" samples
From: Kurt Benbenek
12. Robin Ward's "Wonderful Summer"
From: Jim
13. U.S. Smile tour
From: Jens Koch
14. Jerden
From: JB
15. Re: concept albums
From: Frank Murphy
16. Re: The Blossoms in "Change Of Habit"
From: Keith Beach
17. Jean DuShon interview with pictures
From: Algy
18. New "Liberty Records" CD-ROM
From: Frank Kisko
19. Re: promo men -- Gene Hughes
From: Ed Salamon
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Message: 1
Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2004 18:37:27 EDT
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: The Blossoms in "Change Of Habit"
Tony Leong writes:
> ... At the end of (Elvis's) movie (Change Of Habit) there is a church
> scene where the Blossoms are the backing singers again, only there is
> another lady in place of Jeannie!!!! Anybody who has seen the movie
> know WHO that other woman is???? Looking at her, I know she is not
> the ususal suspect of mid-60's LA session singers that we all know!!!!!!
I think you mean Vanetta Fields,who did sing with the Blossoms at times.
Now there is a red flag going up in my brain (a vague word at best)
saying that I could be wrong, so if anyone knows differently, feel free
to attack me etc with the truth.
Austin R.
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Message: 2
Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2004 15:41:34 -0700
From: (That) Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: Promo Men
Thank you, Austin, and Ed. By the way Austin, the Julie London tale
is hilarious {not a bad song title!} With all the different group
names you recorded with Austin, I think the Tripods would`ve been a
great name to use.
In the early 70`s I had my own label Four Star Radio Records. I
should have called it Kamikaze records, seeing that in less than a
year and a half, the label crashed and burned, here`s one of the
reasons. I produced a single called "High School Girl" by the Milky
Way [Carl Hall]. I hired regional promotion men, the single was an
r&b tune and we were getting some positive reaction on several urban
stations. There was a Urban Radio and record convention in Chicago,
So I took a train from New York, I did all my flying at the office.
I arrived at Union Station early in the morning, and the local
promotion man I hired met me at the station. I`ll call him Joe, he
was a burly, energetic guy who looked like a young Ernest Borgnine.
He grabbed my luggage, and began to tell me all the meetings he set
up with dj`s and music directors etc. I was really impressed. He then
proceeded to take us where all the taxi`s were parked, there was a
long line of people, but Joe just said follow me. I was now really
impressed with my new Promo genius. He brought us to a big empty
Checker cab, he opened the door for me, I said "Joe, you`re
fantastic" He laughed and then much to my amazement, HE Got Into The
Drivers Seat and drove off!!!!!!!!! He looked at my shocked
expression in the rear view mirror and said, "I gotta earn a living!"
I love Promo Men.
Best, That Alan
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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2004 18:50:35 EDT
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: Topless jazz at the Metropole
Mikey writes:
> Austin..... When you played at the Metropole, did they have Jazz
> during the day? I think I read that Gene Krupa was playing there
> every other day for a long time in the mid to late 60s.
You're right. We did our rock bit in between Jazz shows, the first
show I remember was Hugh Masekela. He was there a couple of times at
least. Great band! Maybe not as great as the dancers, but to a kid,
no contest; could've been the Beatles.
Austin R
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Message: 4
Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 00:23:45 -0000
From: Jeff Lemlich
Subject: Re: Tammy Wynette and the art of the concept album
Phil X Milstein:
> Does anyone know of another album that was, in essence, a single
> long-format follow-up to a recent hit by the same performer?
How about "Everyday I Have To Cry" by Steve Alaimo (Checker 2986)?
They spun off his hit of the same name, with eleven additional songs
with "cry" or "crying" in the title. Alaimo actually had several
concept albums in the 60s, such as his all-twist album, his all-ska
album, his all-Spanish-language album, his swing album, and his all-
songs-heard-on-"Where The Action Is" album.
This will be my last post before Hurricane Frances. When things
get back to normal, I'll post the Austin Roberts penned "Sharon Stay
In Birmingham" and another song related to the Florida Sandpipers.
Jeff Lemlich
http://www.limestonerecords.com
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Message: 5
Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2004 22:28:23 EDT
From: Scott Swanson
Subject: Re: the group/s Bag
Bob Rashkow on the group/s Bag:
> To the best of my knowledge no, but I can't prove it one way or
> the other. Jerry Dennon was out of either Seattle or Portland and
> I don't know where the Decca group hailed from. Osborne and
> Umphred both list them separately.
The Decca group was from New Jersey ... one of the band member's
relatives bought a copy of their LP from me and then a band member
sent me an email regarding an online review I have.
Scott
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Message: 6
Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 07:03:01 -0500
From: Steve Jarrell
Subject: Re: Promo Men - Gene Hughes
Ed, when we speak of great promotion men, let's not forget our late
friend Gene Hughes of Casinos fame. He is surely missed.
Steve Jarrell
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Message: 7
Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 09:29:39 +0100
From: Austin Powell
Subject: Re: Carl Wayne, R.I.P.
JK's memories of Carl Wayne reminded me of when I first saw him perform.
I lived in Mid Wales about 50 or so miles from Birmingham in the early
sixties. An enterprising promoter decided to "import" Birmingham groups
instead of using the more local ones...The first two to come over the
border from England were Carl Wayne & The Vikings and Denny Laine & The
Diplomats....Both lead singers went on to greater things...
The Midlands was the breeding ground for some excellent pop-harmony
bands, many of which never realised their full potential. This list
would include JK's Montanas as well as The Californians, Lincoln Black,
Light Fantastic, Fluff, Peppermint Circus and, of course, the early
line-up of Trapeze....
Most made excellent records for some of Britain's biggest labels (Decca,
A&M, DJM, Pye, Fontana, MCA), but somehow the record buying public
prferred the "mersey beat" rather than more polished harmony bands.
Pity.
Best to all, especially in Florida right now. Take care...
Austin P
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Message: 8
Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2004 21:05:28 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Topless jazz at the Metropole
Austin Roberts:
> I played at the Metropole with Jerry (Vance)'s band when I was
> underaged, so imagine how delirious I was when, on the first day,
> the girls were topless.
I worked the summer of '67 with Larry Carlton at a topless, after-
hours beer bar. It was a weekend gig, while I also did 6 nights with
the Portraits (and sometimes it was long, fast freeway drive to get
from one to other between 2-2:30 AM).
gem
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Message: 9
Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 06:59:36 -0500
From: Steve Jarrell
Subject: Re: Topless jazz at the Metropole
I remember playing the Metropole in 1966. Gene Krupa did play there
at night. I remember a police officer standing in front of the club
saying, "Keep the line moving!" as people would stop to watch through
the window. I was with a band called the "Prophets" from
Fredericksburg, VA. We played there once in the afternoon. What a
thrill!
Steve Jarrell
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Message: 10
Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 01:39:11 -0400
From: Country Paul
Subject: Brian Wilson
Going way back a week and a half, thank you, Right Reverend Bob, for
the in-depth Brian Wilson story. We know the background is messed up,
and we appreciate that his current career had some wrong turns. Fine.
But to see the man with his band in concert, as I've been privileged
to three times in the past few years, was for me to experience
something bigger than performers playing music: the recreation of the
past meeting the promise of the future from a musical icon who still
has much to give.
Austin R., I appreciate your brave and revealing comments too. I heard
once, and believe, the concept that "art is expressed neurosis." Those
of us who create have to have *something* causing a creative itch that
needs to be scratched. Perhaps that's why the music of many "totally
happy" people can be so bland....
And Phil M., I agree with your Larry King comments in general; his
ongoing success is anathema to logic, IMO. I'm sorry I missed the
interview, but I too, would probably have been cringing every time King
opened his mouth. Your in-depth review goes a long way to make up for
missing it.
And the thoughtful comments and discussion of everyone made this an
interesting thread.
My last BW item, a question: When is the US "Smile" tour, please?
Country Paul
(STILL trying to catch up - REALLY!)
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Message: 11
Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 05:36:12 -0000
From: Kurt Benbenek
Subject: Re: more "Smile" samples
Jens Koch wrote:
> 30-second clips of all the tracks on the new Smile in a zipfile can
> be downloaded at http://martytingles.leicar.com/smileclips.zip
All of the SMILE music samples are great. In fact, they're (how can I
say this?) "wonderful." A person would have to be a real tone deaf
curmudgeon not to appreciate the newfound beauty that's been coaxed
out of the once-dead SMILE project.
As far as I can tell, the music is right on, the harmonies are there,
the feeling is definitely there and most importantly...Brian Wilson
is there.
If there was ever a piece of music that should be exempt from any neo-
modern armchair pop criticism, it's this new SMILE album. There are
times when things need to be viewed exactly for what they are...and
this is one of them. I expect that many music mags will judge it by
their usual 5-star systems. However, this album is unique (utterly
unique) in the history of pop and is therefore "off the scale".
The new SMILE recordings don't sound QUITE the same as the 66-67 era
bootlegs. Those tapes were made 40 years ago. But brother Brian
bridged those 40 years and brought the music with him...and that's
truly miraculous and breathtaking.
see y'all at the LA show,
Kurt Benbenek
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Message: 12
Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 19:11:36 -0000
From: Jim
Subject: Robin Ward's "Wonderful Summer"
I've been looking for a copy of this great tune without success. No
luck via iTunes, nor locally at Virgin. Could someone tell me where
I might get it?
Thanks,
Jim
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Message: 13
Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 20:37:28 +0200
From: Jens Koch
Subject: U.S. Smile tour
Country Paul asked:
> When is the US "Smile" tour, please?
It's (virtually) now. Check http:www.brianwilson.com for dates.
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Message: 14
Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 14:27:22 EDT
From: JB
Subject: Jerden
Jerry Dennon and his various labels (Jerden, Picadilly, etc.) were
Seattle-based, though he did pick up a few Portland bands, such as
The Kingsmen!
JB
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Message: 15
Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 18:06:26 +0000
From: Frank Murphy
Subject: Re: concept albums
In a similar vein to Jan & Dean how about The Genius Hits The Road,
with every song a place name.
"Alabamy Bound," "Georgia On My Mind," "Moonlight In Vermont,"
"California, Here I Come," "Blue Hawaii," etc. It's from 1960. I
have the vinyl album on HMV, but it looks like Rhino added some
similar tracks from other sessions to fill out the reissue CD out,
e.g. six minutes of "Rainy Night In Georgia"
FrankM
reflections on northern soul Saturday's two thirty pm
www.radiomagnetic.com or listen to an archive show
www.radiomagnetic.com/archive/rnb.php
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Message: 16
Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 12:36:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: Keith Beach
Subject: Re: The Blossoms in "Change Of Habit"
Tony Leong wrote:
> Hey all: I just found a DVD copy of the 1968 Elvis movie "Change Of
> Habit" and there are 2 scenes featuring the Blossoms. In the first,
> Elvis is singing "Rubbernecking" and you clearly see Darlene, Fanita,
> and Jeannie in the background.
Absolutely nothing to do with Spectropop BUT in 'Change of Habit'
towards the end of the movie there's a scene where Mary Tyler Moore
(she's a nun in this movie) is in the street where a demonstration is
being brought under control by a policeman...Ed Asner. Yep, Mary
Richards meets Lou Grant years before "The Mary Tyler Moore Show".
Sorry, I'll crawl back under my rock now.
Keith
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Message: 17
Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 18:17:22 -0000
From: Algy
Subject: Jean DuShon interview with pictures
Great interview with Detroit diva Jean DuShon just went up at:
http://www.soulgeneration.co.uk/home.htm
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Message: 18
Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 14:19:31 -0400
From: Frank Kisko
Subject: New "Liberty Records" CD-ROM
I bought the hardback version of Michael "Doc Rock" Kelly's book
"Liberty Records" ten years ago because the table of contents was
impressive. But it was published looking like a text book, so all
I ever did was look at the pictures, which were in black and white.
But now I've bought the CD-ROM version. What a difference! It's so
much more readable that I am actually reading it! There are twice
as many photos, and they are in COLOR. Why did I wait so long? Well,
because it was like a text book. But this thing is packed with new
information, from new interviews. I'm learning things about artists
that I thought I already knew everything about! I mean, Doc
interviewed Bones Howe and Stan Ross, for crying out loud!
This treasure trove of information about Liberty Records and its
stars from 1955-1971 can be purchased from Doc's website,
http://www.DocRock.us for only $26 postage paid. I highly recommend
it.
Frank Kisko
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Message: 19
Date: Fri, 03 Sep 2004 18:15:10 -0000
From: Ed Salamon
Subject: Re: promo men -- Gene Hughes
Steve Jarrell wrote:
> When we speak of great promotion men, let's not forget our late
> friend Gene Hughes of Casinos fame. He is surely missed.
You are certainly correct, sir. Maybe because I thought of Gene so
much as our friend, it is hard for me to think of him as a promo man.
He helped the careers of many of today's biggest Country stars,
including Reba and George Strait. The first time I met Toby Keith,
it was Gene who introduced us, at the A&M studios in LA. Gene's
personality and skills, which he learned as frontman for The Casinos,
served him and his clients well.
Ed Salamon
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