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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Carl Wayne, Steve Duboff, Roquel (Billy) Davis, R.I.P.
From: S'pop Projects
2. Boom!, Skeeter, North Syde
From: Bob Rashkow
3. Various subjects
From: Clark Besch
4. The Murmaids
From: Martin Roberts
5. New @ S'pop Recommends: Teenage Crush
From: S'pop Projects
6. Jim Croce
From: Austin Powell
7. Re: They All Wanna Sound Like Dion
From: Gary Myers
8. Dean Reed's "Elisabeth"/ Claire Francis' " But I Donīt Care"
From: Julio Niņo
9. Re: Skeeter Davis, R.I.P.
From: Bill George
10. Re: Sandy (with a Y) Shaw
From: DPWirth
11. Re: If You Wanna Be Happy
From: Joe Foster
12. Re: They All Wanna Sound Like Dion
From: Fred Clemens
13. Python Lee Jackson
From: Phil X Milstein
14. Re: more on Dean Reed
From: Fred Clemens
15. Florence Ballard song
From: Jason de Sah
16. Re: remembering Jim Croce
From: Austin Roberts
17. All's Quiet on West 23rd
From: Dave O'Gara
18. Re: The Outsiders
From: Mark
19. Re: Frankie's Got It
From: Phil X Milstein
20. Welcome
From: Claire Francis
21. Re: Dean Reed
From: Andres
22. Thanks for the welcome
From: Claire Francis
23. Claire Francis; Cowsills
From: Country Paul
24. Re: Izora Rhodes Armstead, R.I.P.
From: Simon White
25. Re: There were tears in my eyes.....
From: Andres
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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 00:46:06 +0100
From: S'pop Projects
Subject: Carl Wayne, Steve Duboff, Roquel (Billy) Davis, R.I.P.
Dear Members,
Alas, obituaries for Carl Wayne, Steve Duboff and Roquel (Billy)
Davis have been added to the Remembers section, the place where
we honour our recently departed heroes and heroines. The Billy
Davis epitaph was specially compiled for S'pop by Mick Patrick
from various online obituaries and other sources. Please take
the time to read these tributes.
S'pop Remembers;, most recent entries at foot of page:
http://www.spectropop.com/remembers/index.htm
R.I.P.
The S'pop Team
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2004 20:43:09 EDT
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: Boom!, Skeeter, North Syde
Clark, I wish I could put "Won't You Be Friendly With Me?'" and the
almost-as-pretty B side on musica but I don't know how to scan stuff
and it's on vinyl. But I do know that it's gorgeous, it's from approx.
1968, and Musicor "almost" released it for chart consideration. I'm
sure it got some airplay on CFL and WLS at the time, although I don't
specifically recall hearing it. Maybe I can see if Harvey Daniels is
still in Chicago and try to contact him which I'd like to do anyway.
Skeeter Davis, we will miss you. I have a fair copy of "I Can't Help
You (I'm Falling Too)", one of her earliest charts, a response to Hank
Locklin's smash.
Davie Gordon, thank you for the Boom discography. The only 45 I have
on Boom is "Hide and Seek", and I've since heard Bunker Hill's
wonderful original version, but it was The Sheep that pounded through
my brain as a kid, and my sister and I used to count along with them
in the car, "5 10 15 20......"
Austin Roberts: Which song is The American Breed cutting (of yours)?
I'll watch out for it.
Bobster
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Message: 3
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 05:31:41 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Various subjects
A variety of subjects.
Thanks to Country Paul for the Shadden & King Lears info. How bout
a play to Musica? Since the long Vee version is on Cd, I can't put it
up on Musica. As for your comments on "If You Wanna Be Happy", I
once played the song on my radio show around 1980 (before there were
oldies stations in Lincoln) and someone called and said they did not
like me playing the song and how would I like it if I were considered
ugly and it was played? I really had no answer for her. Since then,
oldies stations popped up here and eventually started playing the
song. I always wonder if they get those calls when they play it or
"That's the Way Boys Are" by Lesley Gore when she sings about her
boyfriend hitting her. How do these get by when they always have
answers for not playing "2525" as a downer song, or "Ballad of the
Green Beret" as being outdated or "unlistenable"? Many on here might
cringe at that song, but most people I know from the 60's like it.
A goodbye and a welcoming. Goodbye to the great Skeeter Davis. Is
it possible to think of that voice as ever being 73? You will long
be remembered.
A welcoming to Claire Francis. I must admit that I have never heard
the name before, but after hearing the song posted to Musica, you
have a very strong voice and it is a shame you didn't have any hits.
Great to have you aboard!
As for the Outsiders' "Bend me, Shape me", the big deal about the
Outsiders' version is that (altho not the first version released) it
was the first nationally heard version via the Lp on Capitol, a year
or so ahead of the American Breed. The Montanas did this live on the
BBC in early 68, but the Amen Corner had the big Uk hit with it,
altho the American Breed's version eventually charted and reached the
top 25.
As for the BOOM! label discography, I have to admit I like novelty
songs and my fave "Boomer" is Cab Calloway's "Great Men Repeat
Themselves", his take off on "History Repeats Itself".
A couple of original comments. I heard EMI is releasing a Cd of John
Lennon acoustic versions of his songs. I think that'll be great. I
like hearing these things, especially when it is not revisionism
thru "rerecording" songs nowadays (ala "Real Love"). Certainly,
hearing George's acoustic "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" for the
first time was amazing. I expect similar things from the lennon
package. I've heard the "unplugged" "A Day in the Life" before and
it is cool to hear it that way. I'll not likely like any of these
versions better than the released versions, but it's fun to hear it
that way.
On another note, I heard a local station play the new Hall and Oates
single: "I'll Be Around". I will admit that it sounded almost
identical in some ways to the Spinners' 70's hit, but like their
cover of "You've Lost That Loving Feeling", I don't like the idea of
doing a song just like one that was already huge and better
originally. "Feeling" DID reach number 12 and their next umteen
singles were huge. Maybe that's the idea now, but it won't work, as
there is no real outlet in my opinion for it. I'm sure it will sell,
but it reminds me of when the Righteous Bros were forced to record
standards continuously. It's just not necessary.
Lastly, I want to thank everyone for setting me straight on any
things I get wrong. I often don't comment on some of these things,
but I do listen and apologize when I get anything wrong.
Take care, Clark
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Message: 4
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 19:18:59 +0100
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: The Murmaids
Michael Godin's mention of interviewing Ron Dante and the show being
archived on his site http://www.TreasureIslandOldies.com jogged my
memory. Ronnie Allen chatted to the Murmaids some while back but the
archived interview www.wbcb1490.com/murmaids.htm doesn't seem to work.
Any sharing, caring S'popper got a copy?
Best,
Martin
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Message: 5
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 01:19:54 +0100
From: S'pop Projects
Subject: New @ S'pop Recommends: Teenage Crush
... With 28 well-selected tracks; the representation of under-
exposed classics; the outstanding liner notes (scholarly and fun
simultaneously); and the amazing photos, ads and label scans which
are included, my hat is off to this soundtrack of a significant
part of my musical youth ... (Country Paul Payton)
Read Paul's full review of the brand new CD Teenage Crush, Volume
4 (28 clean-cut pop rockers and teen ballads from the late '50s
and early '60s) at the Spectropop Recommends section:
http://www.spectropop.com/recommends/index2004.htm#TeenageCrush
Enjoy,
The S'pop Team
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PS: Is there a recent CD, book or DVD that you consider to be of
particular interest to the S'pop readership? Would you like to
write a review of it for the Recommends section? If so, simply
reply to this message and one of the S'pop Team will get back to
you.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 11:28:52 +0100
From: Austin Powell
Subject: Jim Croce
Artie Wayne:
> It's hard to believe that it's been thirty years since my friend Jim
> Croce went down in a plane crash.
Artie, Sanctuary Records here in the UK are about to release (or maybe
have just done so) a 3 CD set of Jim's work called "Jim Croce - The Way
We Used To Be". Nearly 70 tracks in all including TV demos from '69 and
"live" things from the final tour. Also has great notes/booklet from
Geoff Wall which includes input from Ingrid and from Tommy Cashman.
Austin P
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Message: 7
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 12:15:22 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: They All Wanna Sound Like Dion
Austin Roberts:
> Greatest Dion sound-alike, in my opinion, was the one-hit wonder,
> number one record Little Star by The Elegants ...
Yes, a good one. Another good one is the Mystics "Hushabye".
In May 1962 I was playing in Fargo, ND, when a show featuring the
Belmonts and several others was in town. Some of the people from the
show came into the club, and Carlo of the Belmonts got up and sang a
couple with us. The funny thing was that he did two of Dion's solo
hits.
gem
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Message: 8
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 19:02:17 -0000
From: Julio Niņo
Subject: Dean Reed's "Elisabeth"/ Claire Francis' " But I Donīt Care"
Hola Eveybody.
Iīve been searching for information about Dean Reedīs "Elisabeth" and
Iīve found something in a German web dedicated to him:
1- According to that web the song was composed by B. Molnar? (lyrics)
and H. Buchholz y H. Loose? ( music). The credits have those question
marks, so I deduce that they are not completely sure.
2- Iīve heard a mp3 of the song and Iīm pretty sure that Iīve never
heard it before, although it reminds me a lot of the many silly and
disposable songs that occurred here in Spain in the seventies,
epitomized by the sonic horrors perpetrated by the indescribable
Georgie Dann.
3- In respect to the Spanish lyrics, let's just say that you are lucky
if you canīt understand them.
The web includes lots of photos of him, he was really handsome in his
youth and looked like the stereotype we Mediterranean people have of
the American male beauty. Iīm convinced that looking "so American"
could have been an important factor for his success in South America,
East Germany and Russia. Anyway it seems to me that the character is
much more interesting than his songs or films.
Chao.
Julio Niņo.
PS: I love the wonderful "But I Donīt Care" by Claire Francis
currently playing in Musica, itīs as powerful and beautiful as a
summer storm.
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Message: 9
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 01:48:35 EDT
From: Bill George
Subject: Re: Skeeter Davis, R.I.P.
I'm still catching up with my digests (as usual), but when I saw the
two Skeeter Davis tracks in musica I felt a bad omen. So I skipped
ahead and found what I feared. I knew Skeeter had been ill for some
time, but I hadn't heard an update in at least a couple of years. I'd
been thinking about her recently and had been meaning to ask if
anyone knew anything about her condition. Too late now. She was one
of my all-time favorites. I have most of her albums and singles, and
I read her autobiography. I even got the chance to see her at the
grand ol' opry about a dozen years ago and she was the best one on
the show. She bounced on stage in a silk kimono! She will be missed,
but her music will live on. She definitely had "the spirit" about her.
Bill
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Message: 10
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 14:44:58 EDT
From: DPWirth
Subject: Re: Sandy (with a Y) Shaw
"Wiedehopf in Mai" is a special kind of bird in May. "Einmal glücklich ..."
means literally "one time happy."
DPWirth
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Message: 11
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 20:43:45 +0100
From: Joe Foster
Subject: Re: If You Wanna Be Happy
previously:
> I always wondered if there had been a calypso version before -- or after.
> Anyone know?
There's a pretty good version on Robert Mitchum's calypso album, which
he always claimed was pretty much like the original writer's (or at least as
credited on his album) version. Take a look www.revola.co.uk (shameless
plug).
Joe
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Message: 12
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 19:41:18 -0000
From: Fred Clemens
Subject: Re: They All Wanna Sound Like Dion
Austin Roberts wrote:
> Greatest Dion sound-alike, in my opinion, was the one-hit wonder,
> number one record Little Star by The Elegants, circa 1958. What a
> great record!
It was more the other way around. Dion has stated on more than one
occasion that he modeled his solo vocals after Vito Picone of The Elegants,
particularly on the vocals on The Elegants' "Please Believe Me".
Fred Clemens
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Message: 13
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 16:00:21 +0000
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Python Lee Jackson
I recently revisited the Python Lee Jackson hit "In A Broken Dream,"
to see if I'd still like it as much as I did when I first discovered it in
Sire's "History Of British Rock" series about a quarter-century (yikes!) ago.
I do! It's a terrific track, but this time around I began to wonder what
this "Python Lee Jackson" thing was all about. Not only have I never
heard anything else by them, I haven't even heard OF anything else by
them. Were they merely a studio concoction, tossed together for just
this one session, or were they a real working (albeit short-lived) band?
Do we know know who else, besides Rod Stewart, was involved? If I'm
not mistaken, the record was originally on Immediate.
Yeah,
--Phil M.
P.S. On an unrelated matter, I just wanted to thank whoever it was who
played the Lecia & Lucienne track "Waiting On The Corner" to musica.
It's totally nuts and fun, especially the organ part. I also dig the
Claire Francis track, and hope to hear more of her story soon.
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Message: 14
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 20:34:05 -0000
From: Fred Clemens
Subject: Re: more on Dean Reed
Chris wrote:
> I'd actually first heard about Dean Reed in the "American Rebel"
> documentary. What I found interesting was the fact that he got his
> start in 1959 at Capitol, which, despite "The Search," his first release,
> only reaching the fifties on Billboard, kept releasing several more
> singles until 1961.
My first aquaintance with Dean Reed was with a 45 on Capitol I picked
up in the mid '70s, "The Search"/"Annabelle". It wasn't until his death
in 1986 that I learned any info on him. Entertainment Tonight did a
broad profile on his career, talking about how early on he was acting
on TV (Bachelor Father), and then his move to Russia and his political
leanings. I was really surprised so much info was given on this relatively
unknown singer.
Fred Clemens
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Message: 15
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 18:55:58 EDT
From: Jason de Sah
Subject: Florence Ballard song
Hi, I'm kinda new to the group and I was wondering if anyone can tell
me which CD has the song "Save Me A Star" by The Supremes on it.
It has Flo on lead and it was released on a Supremes compilation.
Jason de Sah
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Message: 16
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 18:31:00 EDT
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: remembering Jim Croce
Artie Wayne wrote:
> It's hard to believe that it's been thirty years since my friend Jim Croce
> went down in a plane crash. At the exact time of his passing, Patti
> Dahlstrom (who'd introduced me to him) and I were writing a song
> that we turned into a message to Jim, "Sending My Good Thoughts
> To You". You can click on http://artiewayne.com/sending.html and
> hear Patti's 20th Century recording.
I knew Jimmy pretty well and miss him still. He knew I was from the south
and he would ask me to tell him any southern stories I could think of, things
that happened to me and others I knew. He said that some of his songs were
based on things he'd heard about and he'd take it from there. He and his
guitarist Maury were great talents.
Please give Patti D. my best. Kerry Chater introduced us 20 years ago. I
haven't seen her since, but we have many mutual friends.
Best,
Austin Roberts
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Message: 17
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 23:19:38 -0000
From: Dave O'Gara
Subject: All's Quiet on West 23rd
I recently did a search for All's Quiet on West 23rd Street by Julie Budd
and ended up with a copy (mp3) of the song by Jet Stream instead.
I wasn't able to find any chart information on either version, although
I did discover that the song was written by Resnick-Levine, and that
and the Julie Budd version on MGM was produced by Herb Bernstein.
It's the Budd version I remember from the radio but I was unfamiliar
with the Jet Stream version. Anyone have any recollections on these
two versions?
Were they out at the same time, and did the competition from the two
prevent either from becoming the hit I think it should have been? Also,
oddly, the word "Street" is in the title on the sleeve but is not used in the
song.
If anyone has a copy of Julie Budd's version they could play to musica, it
would be great to hear again. I see that Julie did manage to reach the charts
with a version of "One Fine Day" in 1976.
Thanks,
Dave O'
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Message: 18
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 02:50:28 GMT
From: Mark
Subject: Re: The Outsiders
Hey Guys!
Running WAY behind in my e-mails, sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I
have to contribute to this thread.
Tom King of The Outsiders is a good friend of mine (I think I've mentioned
this before), and he told me that Weiss and English pitched "Bend Me, Shape
Me" to The Outsiders. They recorded it, though they weren't too keen on the
song (Tom says it's slower than the American Breed's version), but decided
not to put it out as a single due to the American Breed releasing it. Incidentally,
it's on their fourth album, "In", and not "Outsiders #2".
With regards to the "Happening Live" LP, Tom told me that they got a bunch
of high school kids to come down to the studio, lie down on the floor and
scream as if they were really seeing a live concert. Not a great LP by any means,
but I am a fan and collector and they were from my hometown, so I would put
it in my collection.
I should add that I wrote the liner notes for the comp of Tom's earliest work,
"Roots Of The Outsiders" (his sides with Tom King & The Starfires) and his
most recent live CD, "The Outsiders 30 Years Live", both on Collectables.
Best,
Mark
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Message: 19
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 23:44:15 -0400
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Re: Frankie's Got It
Jeff Lemlich wrote:
> Guida masterminded a very cool promotional record for the shop in
> 1969. "Frankie's Got It!" by the Steve Peele Five is a pretty good
> psychedelic novelty that can be heard on the "Aliens, Psychos, &
> Wild Things" compilation of Tidewater-area bands.
Excellent track. Thanks for sending me back to hear it again, Jeff --
some of those comps are packed so tightly with great records that it can
be a struggle for some of the less obvious ones to properly catch your ear.
A nice companion for "Frankie's Got It" would be "Go To Rhino Records,"
Wildman Fisher's unsolicited (if I recall correctly) plug for the
original Rhino store and their very first release as a label. Anyone
know of any other songs about record shops, especially real-life ones?
--Phil M.
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Message: 20
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 20:04:22 EDT
From: Claire Francis
Subject: Welcome
Kevin Higham:
> Just to introduce myself to the group. Kevin Higham, UK-based, listen
> to USA R&B, which in the UK is split Vocal Harmony, R&B, Soul,
> Northern Soul, Deep, Southern, Motown, etc., as well as Modern/
> Crossover. I also listen to Blues, Soulful Reggae, Bluebeat, oh and
> even some '50s and '60s Gospel, which seems had to get to hear! So "I
> have my ears wide open" and give most tunes a try. I prefer USA 45s
> myself, but have a growing number of CDs; all the LPs gone now,
> though. Hope to contribute if and when I can.
Welcome Kevin,
I just joined the Spectropop group as well. I am in search of any
singles of work by Claire Francis, records produced by me of other
artists, as well as records recorded by me. This was on the Polydor
label in the mid sixties, and on United Artists. I wrote a song with
Herbie Hancock called "I Love New York", and I do have a copy of that,
but anything else would be greatly appreciated. I would appreciate any
help.
Thanks,
Claire
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Message: 21
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 09:23:49 +0400
From: Andres
Subject: Re: Dean Reed
Eddy Smit wrote:
> Apparently Dean Reed had more than strong sympathies for Communism.
> After all, there was a reason why he lived in the GDR and was so
> popular in the USSR.
I also heard that he was the member of the US Olympic team in the
late '50s (track and field). Interesting person.
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Message: 22
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 00:03:49 EDT
From: Claire Francis
Subject: Thanks for the welcome
Hi Clark,
Thanks for the welcome. I really love the Spectropop website. I hope
you enjoyed my record "But I Don't Care". It is true that I have a
very strong voice and still do. I enjoy singing because when I sing
I feel like I am in a state of true Spirit. When people ask me if I
believe in a Higher Power, I say, yes, especially when I sing. I know
you said "it's a shame I didn't have any hits", but hey, it's not
over 'till it's over baby. I have a feeling that one of these days it
will come because my voice is still strong and I'm still around.
Love & Light
Claire
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Message: 23
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 00:06:35 -0400
From: Country Paul
Subject: Claire Francis; Cowsills
Claire Francis:
> My name is Claire Francis. I was head of A&R for Polydor in London
> for a few years in the sixties. While I was there, I recorded myself
> as an artist. I recorded "But I Don't Care" and "I've Got My Own
> Thing Going", for Polydor records in the 60's....
Welcome aboard, Claire, from a Yank who had never heard of you before
listening to "But I Don't Care" on musica. Nice big sound; I'm impressed.
Care to discuss any of the artists you brought to UK Polydor while you
headed A&R there?
Phil M:
> ...[T]hanks for the recent posting of The Cowsills' "All I Really
> Wanta Be Is Me." I'd never heard this song before, but, despite the
> distractingly loud snare, really enjoyed it. Pure folk-rock, of the best
> variety, in fact it reminds me in places of The Beau Brummelstones'
> "Don't Talk To Strangers." And, for better or worse, it's very hard to
> find a trace of the group that would soon enough be hitting with "Hair,"
> "The Rain, The Park, Etc.," and the theme to "Love American Style."
Amen to all the above. I liked the pre-Rain Park phase best, myself, and
also had never heard this little gem.
Country Paul
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Message: 24
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 07:46:05 +0100
From: Simon White
Subject: Re: Izora Rhodes Armstead, R.I.P.
Eddy wrote:
> R.I.P. Izora Rhodes Armstead, half of The Weather Girls of "It's
> Raining Men" fame.
Sad news. I saw the Two Tons Of Fun as back ups for Sylvester when
they came to the UK in the late 70's and it was the first time I'd
experienced big voiced gospel soul singing live. I was completely
blown away and to this day it remains the best performance I've ever
seen live.
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Message: 25
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 09:27:55 +0400
From: Andres
Subject: Re: There were tears in my eyes.....
Claire Francis:
> Dear Mick Patrick and Spectropop members, Thank you for playing my
> song in your music room. My whole family sat there with tears in
> their eyes as we listened. "But I Don't Care" was so much of a
> thrill to produce, write, arrange and record. I forgot for a moment
> in time just how great the thrill was. Thanks for bringing in on home
> to me...
Dear Claire, Thank you once again for your music! As I was reading your
message there were tears in my eyes too. It's really great that we have
this Spectropop forum where we can meet our favorite artists.
Best regards from Moscow, Russia!
ANDRES
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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
End
