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Spectropop - Digest Number 1631
- From: Spectropop Group
- Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004
________________________________________________________________________
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
________________________________________________________________________
There are 24 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Robin Ward's "Wonderful Summer"
From: Clark Besch
2. Re: Reissuing the Cowsills?
From: Clark Besch
3. The Frank Guida Sound
From: Austin Roberts
4. Re: Keith
From: Gary Myers
5. Ron Dante's new CD - now available!
From: Laura Pinto
6. Re: Samples and steals, how do you feel?
From: Norm D. Plume
7. Bonnie & the Treasures' "Home Of The Brave"
From: Mick Patrick
8. Welcome Steve Meyer
From: (That) Alan Gordon
9. Cosimo's
From: Mike Rashkow
10. Re: Reissuing the Cowsills?
From: Billy G. Spradlin
11. "Prophets" at the Metropole
From: Dan Nowicki
12. Re: Reissuing the Cowsills?
From: Orion
13. Crazy Horses LP
From: Paul Richards
14. Re: Robin Ward's "Wonderful Summer"
From: Billy G. Spradlin
15. Re: Jean DuShon interview with pictures
From: John
16. Re: Bonnie & the Treasures' "Home Of The Brave"
From: Keith Beach
17. Re: Welcome Steve Meyer
From: Laura Pinto
18. Re: Promo Men
From: Clark Besch
19. Phoenix, AZ question
From: Gary Myers
20. Re: Reissuing the Cowsills?
From: Clark Besch
21. Re: The Cowsills
From: Jeffrey Thames
22. Re: The Frank Guida Sound
From: S.J. Dibai
23. Osmonds and the Cowsills
From: Stephanie
24. Re: The Cowsills
From: Brent Cash
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 15:16:59 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Re: Robin Ward's "Wonderful Summer"
Jim:
> 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?
Mick Patrick:
> Robin Ward's "Wonderful Summer" is contained on the CD "Early
> Girls, Volume 1". View tracklist here: http://tinyurl.com/4fvrn
Also on Eric records' "Teen Time Vol. 3" along with obscure Dot hits
of the era and some liner notes that told me alot about the songs.
Clark
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 15:47:47 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Re: Reissuing the Cowsills?
David Coyle wrote:
> Will there ever be a definitive compilation of the Cowsills? ...
Billy G. Spradlin:
> That the Cowsills have a "bubblegum" reputation and family image
> has hurt any chance we will see a seriously compiled collection. I
> wonder why Verese Sarabande hasn't put together a good comp when
> they did a good job on the Osmonds and Archies. Universal's "20th
> Centrury Remasters - The Best of The Cowsills" is only a 12 track
> collection but includes some hard to find cuts and single mixes
> that weren't on the Best Of CD, with lenghty liner notes and the
> mastering is better than the Rebound/Polydor CD.
Billy, Unlike the Osmonds and Archies, I don't think the Cowsills
deserve a bubblegum tag, myself. Actually, Eric records has an "in"
with Universal too, so maybe they should try a Cowsills set?? Bill
Buster listening?? There is so much stuff besides their greatest 12
songs that should be out there on Cd. "II x II" is great! As for the
Osmonds and Archies, I'd like to hear "What Could It Be?" and "Movin'
Along" on Cd and a stereo mix of "Who's Your Baby" by the Archies
would be cool on CD. It's mono on the supposedly "stereo" 45.
Clark
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 13:24:34 EDT
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: The Frank Guida Sound
Country Paul:
> ... it rocks like crazy, but the sound quality makes Gary US Bonds
> on LeGrand sound like digital hi-fi! :-)
I know what you're saying about sound quality, but in this case, the
Frank Guida produced acts, Gary Bonds, Jimmy Soul, Tommy Facenda etc.
were part of what came to be known internationally as the Norfolk (Va.)
Sound. Though not clean, it was an exciting sound. I worked with Guida
a couple of times and still have no idea how he managed to get this
sound on one track and then two track machines. Magic room and mic
placement I guess.
Austin Roberts
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 11:00:58 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Keith
Previously:
> Keith is alive and well and can be found at http://www.keith986.com
Country Paul:
> And what a strange-lookin' cat he has become!
Yes, and whoever transcribed his WRCO interview must have flunked
punctuation. Also, Bobby Hebb is shown as Bobby Head, and Keith says
that 98.6 went to #1 in BB and top 5 in CB, while it actually
attained #7 in both mags. (WRCO is in tiny Richland Center, WI, but
Phil Nee, who runs the station, is always interviewing oldies artists.
Phil has been helpful with some of my Wisc info, and he and I did a
live 4-hour, all-Wisconsin show when my book first came out in 12/94).
gem
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 18:15:48 -0000
From: Laura Pinto
Subject: Ron Dante's new CD - now available!
Hi, Spectropoppers and RD fans,
Ron Dante's newest CD, Ron Dante's Saturday Night Blast, is
now available. For ordering information, click on this
link:
http://lpintop.tripod.com/rondante/id2.html
This CD features some cool tracks, like "Rockin' Robin,"
"Angels Among Us," "Mony Mony," "To Love Somebody," and more!
Happy listening,
Laura
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 10:25:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: Norm D. Plume
Subject: Re: Samples and steals, how do you feel?
Joe Nelson asked:
> ... given the popularity of both sampling and "tribute theft" (for
> lack of a better term), how does the list feel when older songs
> get twisted up for representation to a contemporary audience that
> may or may not know the originals?
and S.J. replied:
> I can say with passion that I loathe the excessive sampling and
> outright stealing that takes place in today's music.
I wrote here a couple of weeks ago about a rap version of "Like A
Rolling Stone" ("Como Una Pietra Scalciata") by Italian artiste
Articolo 31. It uses lengthy and instantly recognisable samples of
Dylan's original, and is in fact featured in the last Bob Dylan film
"Masked & Anonymous". I presume Dylan sanctioned it as it's part of
the soundtrack to the movie. If you haven't heard it, please track
it down as I'd welcome people's opinions. I think this version is
great - it's an audacious and original re-write of such a familiar
classic.
Now, if the sampling HAD NOT been agreed by the author, would it
have made it less of a great record? To my mind, no. It's
interesting that some artistes fully participate in samplings like
this. I've no idea what Dylan's views on this on might be - Love and
Theft, perhaps?
Norm D.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 21:18:34 +0100
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Bonnie & the Treasures' "Home Of The Brave"
Not too long ago, someone asked me who the back-up singers
were on "Home Of The Brave" by Bonnie & the Treasures. I
replied that I didn't know.
Anyway, I'm currently writing the booklet notes for a
forthcoming CD. One of the people about whom I have to
compose a frightfully interesting and informative paragraph
is Sherlie Matthews. Note the spelling. This is the West
Coast Sherlie Matthews, not the girl Bob Crewe produced at
the Atlantic and Amy labels.
So there I was, searching the internet, like you do for
hours on end, hoping to discover some good facts, or a
picture of Sherlie, when I came across this link:
http://www.dustbury.com/music/bonnie.html from where come
the following words, written by Charles G. Hill:
> HOME OF THE BRAVE
> Bonnie and the Treasures
> Phi-Dan 5005, 1965
> Billboard: #77
> ... Charlotte O'Hara (née Matheny) sang lead on this Mark
> II version of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound, produced by
> Spector protégé Jerry Riopelle and issued on a short-lived
> Philles subsidiary label. Behind Charlotte were Sherlie
> Matthews and Clydie King... Charlotte, alas, is no longer
> with us. Clydie and Sherlie went on to the Blackberries
> and sustained lengthy careers as backup singers. Sherlie
> also piled up extensive production and songwriting credits
> ... The team at the Spectropop mailing list have compiled
> a frighteningly-complete history of this track and
> Charlotte O'Hara's recording career.
I don't know where Charles got his information, but it has
about it the smell of authenticity. Sherlie and Clydie were
two of the most in demand vocalists on the Los Angeles
recording scene. Songwriter Sherlie supplied Clydie's "My
Love Grows Deeper", one of the wondrous sides she recorded
for Imperial with Bonnie's producer Jerry Riopelle.
Next time someone asks me who produced Bonnie & the Treasures'
"Home Of The Brave", I shall answer Sherlie Matthews and
Clydie King.
Those who have no idea what I'm talking about should visit
one or all of the following links in a hurry:
http://www.spectropop.com/HOTB/index.htm
http://www.spectropop.com/HOTB/HOTBpart1.htm
http://www.spectropop.com/HOTB/HOTBpart2.htm
http://www.spectropop.com/HOTB/HOTBpart3.htm
http://www.spectropop.com/HOTB/HOTBpart4.htm
http://www.spectropop.com/HOTB/HOTBpart5.htm
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 16:40:50 -0700
From: (That) Alan Gordon
Subject: Welcome Steve Meyer
I would like to welcome Steve Meyer to Spectropop. Steve is a well
known Promotion man, with a lot of experience in the music business.
He also puts out a great newsletter called Disc and Dat. Steve jump
on in and welcome to our wonderful group.
Best, That Alan
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 9
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 20:29:59 EDT
From: Mike Rashkow
Subject: Cosimo's
Austin Roberts writes:
> Though not clean, it was an exciting sound. I worked with Guida
> a couple of times and still have no idea how he managed to get this
> sound on one track and then two track machines. Magic room and mic
> placement I guess.
Cosimo Matassa's (also known as Matissa) place in New Orleans had a
similar reputation for a magic room with limited equipment--but a
cleaner sound. A lot of hits came out of there. I can't name them,
but start with Specialty.
In case you guys don't have time to go to the Google search, I found
this interesting nugget:
Cosimo Matassa's New Orleans studio awarded landmark status. New
Orleans and Louisiana honored the birthplace of rhythm & blues and
rock'n'roll and the fathers of the music December 10th when Cosimo
Matassa's J&M recording studio at 838/840 North Rampart Street Quarter
(in the building now housing Hula Mae's Tropic Wash laundromat) was
officially designated as an historic site on the 50th anniversary of
the first recording session there by Antoine "Fats" Domino and Dave
Bartholomew on December 10th, 1949. The official landmark plaque now
honoring the site reads:
First Recording Studio Of Cosimo Matassa
Built Circa 1835 With Galleries Likely Added In The 1850s
In 1944, J&M Amusements Acquired The Building, And Cosimo Matassa Soon
Opened J&M Recording Studio
Oscar "Papa" Celestin, Danny Barker, and the Dukes Of Dixieland
recorded jazz here The "New Orleans Sound" developed from pioneering
rhythm & blues and rock & roll recordings made here between 1947 and
1956 by Paul Gayten, Annie Laurie, Roy Brown, Professor Longhair, Dave
Bartholomew, Fats Domino, Guitar Slim, Shirley & Lee, Lloyd Price,
Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Ray Charles and others.
Matassa also made historic recordings on Rampart Street and at later
studios on Governor Nicholls Street and Camp Street ("Jazz City") with
Sam Cooke, Huey "Piano" Smith, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, the Spiders,
Earl King, Tommy Ridgley, Johnny Adams, Frankie Ford, Irma Thomas,
Chris Kenner, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Art and Aaron Neville, Ernie
K-Doe, Lee Dorsey, the Meters and the Neville Brothers.
Cosimo now operates a neighborhood grocery store, Matassa's, at the
corner of St. Philip and Dauphine in the French Quarter.
Matassa, Domino and Bartholomew were joined by Toussaint, K-Doe,
Frankie Ford, Bernie Cyrus and Steve Picou of the Louisiana Music
Commission and many other musicians and old friends for the
celebration. Rick Coleman, author of a forthcoming biography of Fats
Domino, and Jerry Brock of the Louisiana Music Factory, a popular
Decatur Street record shop, provided the motive force that resulted
in the building's landmark designation.
Laissez le bon temps roulez!
Rashkovsky
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 10
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 00:46:49 -0000
From: Billy G. Spradlin
Subject: Re: Reissuing the Cowsills?
> Billy, Unlike the Osmonds and Archies, I don't think the Cowsills
> deserve a bubblegum tag, myself.
Me neither but they always get lumped in because of thier all-
American family milk image. They werent a manufactured studio/cartoon
group and "We Can Fly!" on, they wrote the majority of thier
material. Most of thier material (the heavily orchestrated tracks)
fit right in with most of the Soft Pop genre.
> Actually, Eric records has an "in"
> with Universal too, so maybe they should try a Cowsills set?? Bill
> Buster listening?? There is so much stuff besides their greatest
12 songs that should be out there on Cd. "II x II" is great!
Why does Collectables and Eric have a "in" with Universal while
Sundazed doesnt? Is Sundazed's connection with Sony keeping this hook-
up from happening?
I loved the Osmonds "Crazy Horses" LP when I was a kid in 1972, and
still I think its thier best LP and far better than the
overrated "The Plan" LP. BTW play "Crazy Horses" and then
Areosmith's "Back In The Saddle Again" and compare :)
"What Could It Be" appeared on Curb Records "21 Hits" CD, which is
still the best overall comp on the group, though it misses one of
thier early 70's singles "He's The Light Of The World".
And I'd like to hear The Archies "Who's Your Baby?" in stereo too.
Did this track ever appear on a LP?
Billy
http://listen.to/jangleradio
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 11
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 22:35:07 EDT
From: Dan Nowicki
Subject: "Prophets" at the Metropole
Steve Jarrell:
> 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!
Hey, "I Still Love You" by the "Prophets" on Shell is a great garage-
band song!
Dan Nowicki
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12
Date: Sat, 04 Sep 2004 22:48:09 -0500
From: Orion
Subject: Re: Reissuing the Cowsills?
There is/was a great compilation of the Cowsills released by a Japanese
company. I had the CD at one time but can't put my hands on it right
now. I will continue to look (probably I played it in the car and when
finished placed it in a wrong CD case) for it.
Orion
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 13
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 06:14:45 EDT
From: Paul Richards
Subject: Crazy Horses LP
I also loved this LP as a child, played it over & over. Brilliant
self-penned songs & great production from Michael Lloyd. Great
brass & strings as well as rocking guitars, 'Hold her Tight' rocks!
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 00:50:16 -0000
From: Billy G. Spradlin
Subject: Re: Robin Ward's "Wonderful Summer"
Jim:
> 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?
Mick:
> Robin Ward's "Wonderful Summer" is contained on the CD "Early
> Girls, Volume 1". View tracklist here: http://tinyurl.com/4fvrn
Clark:
> Also on Eric records' "Teen Time Vol. 3" along with obscure Dot
> hits of the era and some liner notes that told me alot about the
> songs.
It's also on Rhino's "The Best of the Girl Groups - Volume 2":
http://tinyurl.com/4j8zj
Billy
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 15
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 07:52:06 -0000
From: John
Subject: Re: Jean DuShon interview with pictures
Algy wrote:
> Great interview with Detroit diva Jean DuShon just went up at:
> http://www.soulgeneration.co.uk/home.htm
Thanks for posting about this site--very nice!
-John
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 02:21:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: Keith Beach
Subject: Re: Bonnie & the Treasures' "Home Of The Brave"
Mick Patrick wrote:
> Not too long ago, someone asked me who the back-up singers were on
> "Home Of The Brave" by Bonnie & the Treasures ... I came across
> this link: http://www.dustbury.com/music/bonnie.html ... Next time
> someone asks me ... I shall answer Sherlie Matthews and Clydie King.
I listened to this fabulous track a dozen or more times this morning,
my curiosity piqued. I'm sure that I could hear the girls as the
'call and response' backup singers we expect from this era, but also
deeper in the mix a mini-choir doing spectorish oohs & ahhs...and I'm
sure there's a man (or men?) in those harmonies. Maybe Jerry Riopelle
himself? Listen after the first verse and chorus when they repeat
Bonnie's "Why won't they let him be what he wants to be". Also is
Bonnie double-tracked on her vocal?
Keith Beach
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 17
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 12:47:39 -0000
From: Laura Pinto
Subject: Re: Welcome Steve Meyer
(That) Alan Gordon wrote:
> I would like to welcome Steve Meyer to Spectropop. Steve is a well
> known Promotion man, with a lot of experience in the music business.
> He also puts out a great newsletter called Disc and Dat. Steve jump
> on in and welcome to our wonderful group.
Hi Steve, Welcome to Spectropop. You'll love it here; it's a really
cool group of folks and musical knowledge.
(As an aside, Steve was kind enough to email me his August 28th issue
of Disc and Dat, which had a great interview with Ron Dante!)
Good to see you here, Steve, and we will all look forward to your
posts.
Laura
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 18
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 16:05:40 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Re: Promo Men
I am wondering if any of you ran into Jim Scully in Chicago or Bill
Broege in Milwaukee as a promotion men in the 60's? Scully was WLS
DJ Ron Riley's (Ron Scully real name) brother, but have never heard
any stories about him. Anyone? Bill Broege I met at a record
convention in Omaha in the late 80's. Nice guy and had some nice
stories about promoting the Cryan Shames and other groups in the
Milwaukee area.
Thanks, clark
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 19
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 09:58:47 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Phoenix, AZ question
I have a Phoenix question. My continuing Wisconsin research leads
all over and, because of a 1963 Wisconsin release with a Phoenix
band, I'm searching for a singer/piano player known as Chico Vance.
The record in question was with the Nocturnals, but he apparently
was not actually a member of that band. I've found a couple of the
Nocturnals, but no leads on Vance. He also had an earlier release
as "Cheek-O-Vass" and his real name was something like Vasilio. He
may have worked as a barber. I welcome any clues or guesses.
Gary Myers / MusicGem
http://home.earthlink.net/~gem777/
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 20
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 16:40:42 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Re: Reissuing the Cowsills?
Previously:
> Unlike the Osmonds and Archies, I don't think the Cowsills
> deserve a bubblegum tag, myself.
> Me neither but they always get lumped in because of thier all-
> American family milk image. They werent a manufactured studio/
> cartoon group and "We Can Fly!" on, they wrote the majority of
> their material. Most of thier material (the heavily orchestrated
> tracks) fit right in with most of the Soft Pop genre.
Actually, they seem to be more disregarded than disrespected. I
wonder if the Partridge Family story actually has hurt the Cowsills
more than anything the Cowsills have done. The PF are phonies
(whether you like music or not) and it might make the Cowsills have
the same image in a way. Personally, I think the Cowsills were
great.
> Actually, Eric records has an "in" with Universal too, so maybe
> they should try a Cowsills set?? Bill Buster listening?? There
> is so much stuff besides their greatest 12 songs that should be
> out there on Cd. "II x II" is great! Why does Collectables and
> Eric have a "in" with Universal while Sundazed doesnt? Is Sundazed's
> connection with Sony keeping this hook-up from happening?
I cannot speak for Bob Irwin and Co., but my guess is that his hands
are full all the time with projects and he just "hasn't gotten around
to a deal" because he already has his plate full. I think as more of
the comps come out (many of which he produces and mixes), Sundazed
will get to deal with the "scraps" which is more to SPoppers' liking
anyway--at least to me! :) Another reason why "quality not quantity"
is a trademark of Bob's work. It's nice that Collectibles can put
out all this stuff, but it has little notes and seldom remixed with
original tapes by a professional, IMO. Eric does a great job with
sound, but I don't think they deal with master tapes alot, where
Sundazed almost always does. In Eric's defense, it is mainly a one-
man-show and Bill Buster does the best anyone could, given that.
> I loved the Osmonds "Crazy Horses" LP when I was a kid in 1972, and
> still I think its thier best LP and far better than the overrated
> "The Plan" LP. BTW play "Crazy Horses" and then Areosmith's "Back
> In The Saddle Again" and compare :)
Funny you mention that. In summer of 73, I thought something
similar. I was an AM guy from the 60's and altho I loved stereo, I
hated my AM heroes losing ground to FM radio at that time. One thing
I always took pride in for AM was their ability to keep top 40 going
as long as possible without pidgeon-holing groups. FM had to play
only the hip groups, even when the "hip" groups did an AM song and
the "non-hip" groups did an FM song. Because of the Osmonds' "One
Bad Apple" image and because of the Edgar Winter Group's great FM
stereo monster "Frankenstein", both had an image in summer 73. FM
would play Winter songs, but not Osmonds, while AM would play both!
I loved the Osmonds' "Goin' Home" when it came out in June, 73. It
was a rampaging rocker with all the energy and compressed sound
production of previous AM great "Go all the Way" by the Raspberries.
Understandably, FM wouldn't touch it. 2 months later, I walked into
World Radio and forked over $1.08 (first time I'd ever payed over one
dollar for a new 45) for the new Epic orange labelled "Free Ride" by
Edgar Winter. My thought was, "Man, this is like "Goin' Home", but
with the full stereo sound". It was an AM sound produced as an FM
song. Of course, the FM stations were all over it, playing it next
to Zeppelin or Pink Floyd". AM was great because it could play it
all!! Even if "Money" had to be the edited version. :)
> "What Could It Be" appeared on Curb Records "21 Hits" CD, which is
> still the best overall comp on the group, though it misses one of
> thier early 70's singles "He's The Light Of The World".
I gotta say that the lead vocal on "What could it Be?" could be
McCartney or a Hudson Brother, if I didn't know better. Great song.
I'll have to see if I can find it now. Thanks.
> And I'd like to hear The Archies "Who's Your Baby?" in stereo too.
> Did this track ever appear on a LP?
While we're at it, how bout the stereo version of the Tony Romeo
(also wrote "I Think I Love You" oddly enough) Cowsills song "Poor
Baby"?? How bout widening those narrow Osmonds stereo mixes too.
All in due time, I hope.
Clark
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 21
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 14:11:20 -0500
From: Jeffrey Thames
Subject: Re: The Cowsills
Comin' outta troll mode for the first time in years...
I bought the Cowsills' 20th Century Masters about two years ago during
a road trip to Austin. I was already a big fan since hearing the old
best-of (w/the excellent Jack Davis cover art) back in high school
(1986, I'm 34), but "The Prophecy of Daniel and John the Divine" threw
me for an unexpected loop. It's my favorite Cowsills track to this day.
I have the so-so In Concert reissue from Razor & Tie but I never picked
up the self-titled debut (w/"The Rain The Park etc."). I was
disappointed that We Can Fly never made it to the CD ranks ("Heaven
Held" needs to be preserved digitally). I'm with Billy G...Varese
could do an excellent reissue job, or maybe even Hip-O. Then again,
Universal hasn't even bothered to release the early Scott Walker stuff
in his home country, so what chance do Rhode Island's First Family of
Pop have?
Of course, with the Partridge Family revival going on with the new VH1
series, perhaps the roots will get their due. I'll keep my eyes peeled
and report back when there's something to report about. Carry on!
Cheers,
Jeff
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 22
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 18:26:22 -0000
From: S.J. Dibai
Subject: Re: The Frank Guida Sound
Austin Roberts wrote:
> ... the Frank Guida produced acts, Gary Bonds, Jimmy Soul, Tommy
> Facenda etc. were part of what came to be known internationally as
> the Norfolk (Va.) Sound. Though not clean, it was an exciting sound.
What's really mind-blowing is when you come across a rare example of
someone copying this sound so accurately, as on The Sir Douglas
Quintet's "She's Gotta Be Boss"--Huey P. Meaux got it down to a tee,
with the messy double-tracked vocals, the hazy party atmosphere,
that spacey echo, and the pounding drums, while Doug Sahm must have
written that tune as a Texan answer to U.S. Bonds. What's all the
more delightful about this track is that it was the flip side of Sir
Doug's cover of "Quarter To Three"!
S.J. Dibai
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 23
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 17:53:44 -0000
From: Stephanie
Subject: Osmonds and the Cowsills
I'm no fan of the Osmonds but Crazy Horses is the best album those
guys ever did and people forget they rocked as well as Aerosmith if
you ask me. They never made an album as good as that one and the
poster who said that the Cowsills didn't get a good rep because of
the Partridge Family I concur. They could have a done a documentary
on them and we could have had a reality show before they were even
popular......
The Cowsills never took themselves too seriously but they were good
musicians and if they had the prodding that David Cassidy had they
may have stayed in the spotlight longer. I hate to see people like
Danny Bonaduce make it and a musician like a Cowsill be forgotten.
Stephanie
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 24
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 17:23:21 -0000
From: Brent Cash
Subject: Re: The Cowsills
If any label ever does a comprehensive Cowsills collection as is being
discussed here, I hope it will have generous offerings from my favorite
LP by them, "On My Side". Eight of the twelve songs on this album blow
me away every time I hear them. I have always heard a blueprint for the
group The Jayhawks ('90's/'00's group) in many of these songs. Same
southern (US) "twang" in the accents of these Rhode Islanders as the
(Minnesota) Jayhawks to my ears, how? don't know... I wasn't as
enraptured by the single "You (In My Mind) that followed, but it's good
also. These were on London, so I think Universal would maybe have those
tracks, too. I would also have to hope for tracks from big brother
Bill's excellent "Nervous Breakthrough" LP. Side one (for those who
haven't heard it)surprisingly, is in the style of "Beggars' Banquet" to
my ears, and as bad as that sounds on paper, it is fantastic and
totally works, I feel. Side Two goes into Dusty, Skeeter Davis and
Betty Everett territory if you can believe that. "The Milk Song" would
have to be on it, too. Lessee, do I have any white bread left in the
house?...
Best to all,
Brent Cash
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