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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 20 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Dave Rich now playing at musica
From: Martin Roberts
2. Claire Francis . . . and the Breakaways
From: The S'pop Team
3. Re: Python Lee Rod Stewart
From: Jim Fisher
4. Tommy McLain
From: Dave O'Gara
5. Just saying Hello
From: Craig
6. Re: Kevin McQuinn / Diamond Records
From: Mike Miller
7. Re: One-hit Wonders: Zager & Evans
From: Dan Hughes
8. Re: Richard Perry query
From: Phil Milstein
9. Re: el gusto es mio
From: Claire Francis
10. more Distant Cousins
From: Al Quaglieri
11. Re: Denny Zager; 1-HWs
From: Clark Besch
12. Re: Johnny Crawford´s voice
From: Chris
13. regarding Jay & The Americans
From: Stephanie
14. Re: Bend Me, Shape Me
From: Dave Monroe
15. Re: Tommy McLain.
From: Julio Niño
16. Louise Cordet: It's So Hard To Be Good
From: Phil Milstein
17. Izora Armstead, a Singer in the Weather Girls Duo, Dies
From: Phil Milstein
18. Re: Tommy McLain
From: Gary Myers
19. Re: Tommy McLain
From: Davie Gordon
20. Nervous Norvus
From: S'pop Team
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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 19:45:26 +0100
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: Re: Dave Rich now playing at musica
Claire Francis wrote:
> Mick and Martin, you are my angels. Tonight I heard my record
> and realized how blessed I am to know you all. Can you imagine
> what it must feel like to be me right this moment? Man, all I
> can say is -- this is love!
Hello Claire,
I used to be rather famous for satisfying the ladies but it's been
a while since my actions have produced such an enthusiastic response.
You're very welcome. I can imagine your delight at hearing these
recordings after such a long time, but I hope you realise the thrill
your appearance on S'pop is to us fans.
More sides to follow and if you could please keep the stories coming
we'll all be thrilled!
Martin
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 23:44:02 +0100
From: The S'pop Team
Subject: Claire Francis . . . and the Breakaways
Claire Francis wrote:
> ... The Breakaways -- I haven't heard that name in so many
> years. I think they were on this session. I would love to
> see a picture of them. I might remember even more ...
As a treat for Claire, and because the Spectropop Team love
them, a photograph of the Breakways has been newly installed
at the members page. If you haven't spotted it, click here:
http://www.spectropop.com/go2/members.html
Claire, you'll probably remember their adorable Liverpudlian
accents. On the left is brunette Margo Quantrell, blonde (ish,
at the time) Vicki Brown is in the middle, and auburn-haired
Jean Ryder is on the right. Sadly, Vicki passed away in 1991.
Let the Breakaways thread commence.
Love and light backatcha,
The S'pop Team
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Message: 3
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 12:24:53 -0700
From: Jim Fisher
Subject: Re: Python Lee Rod Stewart
Eddy mentions Rod Stewart's better early stuff; could I add his take
on Chuck's "Sweet Little Rock 'n Roller" to that list. It moves
along at a fair clip. I'd like to see him (Rod) do an entire album
of Mr. Berry's rockers. I've heard his fairly recent reading of the
old standards and it's fine but I think that ground has already been
plowed over pretty smoothly by Harry Nilsson. Rod--could you please
round up The Faces, de-tune the guitars, touch up the mullets and
start rockin'??
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Message: 4
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 23:05:55 -0000
From: Dave O'Gara
Subject: Tommy McLain
Julio mentioned Tommy McLain in a recent post and it reminded me
how much I liked Tommy's version of "Sweet Dreams". When I first
heard this song as a teenager back in the summer of '66 I must
admit I knew nothing of the Patsy Cline original. I thought it was
his song. Believe me, I've since been well-educated on her wonderful
musical gifts to the world. But the mention of Tommy's name prompts
me to ask S'pop folks what they know about him. Was he country, pop
or a little of both. Stories anyone?
Dave 0'
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Message: 5
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 01:38:43 -0000
From: Craig
Subject: Just saying Hello
Hello all,
I was poking through the '60s usenet mp3 group, when I found a post of
"Extra Girl" by the Blue Beats, and a mention of Spectropop in that
post, which caused me to search for Spectropop, and that brings me here.
(The Blue Beats were the first rock band I saw live). I was a long-time
member of the Bomp list around '95-'99, so maybe I know some of you
already? I'll probably just enter lurk mode for a while now.
Best,
Craig, aka
Marble River
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Message: 6
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 22:33:10 EDT
From: Mike Miller
Subject: Re: Kevin McQuinn / Diamond Records
Davie,
The connection has definitely been established then !! Thanks for all
your detective work !! I emailed Charlie Calello, and he confirms that
this was the first record that Crewe, himself, and Valli and Gaudio of
the 4 Seasons were involved with together. But he said that he never
met Quinn, McQuinn, or whoever he was, as the track and backing vocals
were all done before. Then at a later date, Crewe would have the singer
do the lead vocals. There may be another name that he recorded under
too, but I have yet to check this out. The name is Eddie Robbins ???
and I have found that at least one single was released under the name
of Eddie Robbins and The Robbins. So it looks like there may be some
more detective work necessary. It's really amazing how these artists
would change names like this.
Mike Miller, doowopdaddy
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Message: 7
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 18:03:53 -0500
From: Dan Hughes
Subject: Re: One-hit Wonders: Zager & Evans
Joe Nelson says,
> ...and Zager and Evans released the unpromotable "Mr Turnkey" as
> their sole followup to "In The Year 2525"....
Unpromotable, but I loved it. Hey, if the Buoys can do a song about
cannibalism, why can't Zager & Evans sing about a jailed rapist
committing suicide by nailing his wrist to the wall?
And on top of that, this has to be the only instance in all of rock
music where a girl is described as being "lovelier than oil rights."
---Dan
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Message: 8
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 19:15:03 +0000
From: Phil Milstein
Subject: Re: Richard Perry query
Artie Wayne asked:
> How y'all doin? Has anybody heard what my old friend Richard Perry
> is up to these days?
I posed Artie's Q to a mutual friend (of mine and Perry's, that is),
who reports:
> Richard has been busy the last several years producing the three Rod
> Stewart "standards" cd's. The third one is out on October 19th.
My friend also included Perry's phone number, so if you'd like to call
him, Artie, write me offlist and I'll zing ya that info.
Yeah,
--Phil M.
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Message: 9
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 19:22:09 EDT
From: Claire Francis
Subject: Re: el gusto es mio
LOL--LOL---LOL---LOL---even more Laughing Out Loud.
Martin, you are a riot! I laughed so hard at your e-mail that I couldn't type!
Your e-mails are becoming quite Brooklyn-ese, with the "back atcha". I am
electing you for Chairman of the Board.
The pleasure is all mine. I am such a fan of Spectropop, I am going to get
everyone that has a computer that I meet to sign up.
Speak to you soon.
Love and light,
Claire Francis
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Message: 10
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 22:37:59 -0400
From: Al Quaglieri
Subject: more Distant Cousins
As promised, I've posted a few more Distant Cousins tracks, making it a
solid half dozen. I'll leave them up until Saturday (October 2) only. If I
get too many hits I'll take them down sooner, so be nice to my server.
She Ain't Lovin' You
http://www.alcue.com/distant.mp3
Empty House
http://www.alcue.com/distant-2.mp3
No More You
http://www.alcue.com/distant-3.mp3
Stop Runnin' 'Round, Baby
http://www.alcue.com/distant-4.mp3
Mr. Sebastian
http://www.alcue.com/distant-5.mp3
Let It Ring
http://www.alcue.com/distant-6.mp3
I have also posted a Distant Cousins picture sleeve to:
http://www.alcue.com/distant-pic.jpg
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Message: 11
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 05:20:34 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Re: Denny Zager; 1-HWs
Gary Myers wrote:
> I told him I did occasional stories for record collector's publications
> and wondered if he would do an interview sometime. He said they had
> just had some recent interest in re-doing the song from someone in NY,
> and he'd like to wait until that happened. I wrote to him once after that,
> but never heard anything further.
If ya wanna talk to Denny Zager, he has a website:
http://www.zagerguitar.com/dz.htm
Even on that site, little is mentioned of the Z&E years. I think there is a big
problem with royalties due to Rick Evans having written their tunes. As I
mentioned a year ago, when "2525" was number one nationally, they could
walk down the streets of Lincoln and not be recognized. Same would be true
today!
Orion wrote:
> I think many consider a "one-hit wonder" if they only charted one record
> in the Top 40 or so. I know I have purchased a few "One-Hit Wonder" CDs,
> and when looking them up in Billboard and Cashbox found much what you
> described. They only had one in the Top Ten and maybe another in the 90s
> or the like.
I hate to say it, but "one hit wonder" is a relative term to me. If you wanna
talk national, "2525" is POSSIBLY a one hit wonder. However, here in Lincoln,
they had several hits. Some artists should be "one hit wonders", but due to
sales being spread out over a long period of time, never reached a national
chart status deserving of total sales over a long period. The Cryan Shames'
"It Could Be We're In Love" was #1 in Chicago on WLS for four weeks in
a row and yet bubbled under or charted on the Hot 100 over three months
only reaching #85. It probably outsold their #49 hit "Sugar and Spice"!
Sometimes the term "one hit wonder" makes my stomach turn like mentioning
the Rock n Roll Hall of Shame. Whose criteria are you going by and WHY THEM?
Thanks,
Clark
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Message: 12
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 05:49:36 -0000
From: Chris
Subject: Re: Johnny Crawford´s voice
previously:
> The same thing happened to me, when I first heard Johnny singing
> "Rumours" I thought it was a girl who was singing...
I had the same thing happen in reverse -- dug up a few thrift store singles,
put one on the turntable, and started listening to a lovely, moody Caibbean
ballad that I thought was being sung by a young Johnny Nash wannabe.
Got more than halfway through the thing before I realized that I'd left the
turntable at 33-1/3. So I switched it to 45 and enjoyed the rest of Linda
Scott's "Bermuda". (I swear it -- try it yourself!)
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Message: 13
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 14:01:50 -0000
From: Stephanie
Subject: regarding Jay & The Americans
I am a big fan of Jay & The Americans. I was wondering -- we all know Dave
Clark left most of the guys in the DC5 financially sound so they wouldn't
have to work anymore. If I remember correctly I think Jay & The Americans
had a label or other business ventures together also.
I know Kenny Vance is with the nostalgia group The Planetones now. Has
anyone know what the other Americans are doing? Also, are there any
people here who love "Living Above Your Head" and "Capture The Moment"
as much as I do?
Stephanie
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Message: 14
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 07:57:44 -0700 (PDT)
From: Dave Monroe
Subject: Re: Bend Me, Shape Me
Ed Salamon quoted songwriter Larry Weiss:
> "Yes, The Models did do the first version of 'Bend Me Shape Me.'
> The late Tom Wilson produced them, on MGM, and they actually
> were beautiful models for real!"
I met someone a while back, a friend of a friend, who claimed that he,
and not Gary Loizzo, sang "Bend Me Shape Me" on The American Breed's
recording thereof. I can't find any online corroboration, and I'd rather not let
his name out into the wild in case he wasn't quite on the up-and-up. But
I've no particular reason to disbelieve him, either. Resepctable guy, had
some convincing details (though the conversation was in a context not
conducive to long-term memory, if you know what I mean ...). Can anyone
comment authoritatively on this?
In the menatime, howzabout Claude Francois's various recordings of the
song? I have at least a French and an Italian version by him ...
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Message: 15
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 18:11:08 -0000
From: Julio Niño
Subject: Re: Tommy McLain.
Dave O'Gara wrote:
> But the mention of Tommy's name prompts me to ask S'pop folks
> what they know about him. Was he country, pop, or a little of both?
In my opinion Tommy's songs have a little bit of Country, a little bit of Pop
and also a little bit of Soul, but somehow the result is something different
than the sum of the parts. I think this could be applied to a lot of Louisiana
music, which I like very much.
I love Tommy's voice, he always sounds softly sad, and I find that feeling
perfect for enjoying blue states of mind.
Some years ago Ace Records issued a wonderful Tommy McLain compilation,
that's really worth looking for.
Chao,
Julio Niño
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Message: 16
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 12:35:28 +0000
From: Phil Milstein
Subject: Louise Cordet: It's So Hard To Be Good
Now playing at musica is Installment Numero Dos in an occasional series
of songs dubbed from video that were never apparently released
otherwise. This time around we find Her Royal Sassiness Louise Cordet
bemoaning how difficult it is for such a bad girl as she to calm down,
smooth out her ruffled petticoat and be GOOD, dammit. Taken from the
1966 hodgepodge montage "Disk-O-Tek Holiday," aka "Just For Fun".
Louise, please call home -- all is forgiven.
Yeah,
--Phil M.
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Message: 17
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 13:03:22 +0000
From: Phil Milstein
Subject: Izora Armstead, a Singer in the Weather Girls Duo, Dies
Izora Armstead, a Singer in the Weather Girls Duo, Dies
September 28, 2004
by Ben Sisario
Izora Rhodes Armstead, one half of the disco-pop duo the Weather Girls,
who sang the flamboyant and enduring club hit "It's Raining Men," died
on Sept. 16 at a hospital in San Leandro, Calif. Her age was unknown.
The cause was heart failure, The San Francisco Chronicle reported. The
church where Ms. Armstead's funeral was held, St. John Missionary
Baptist in San Francisco, confirmed her death.
"It's Raining Men," a bombastic vocal romp that winkingly borrowed from
gospel music - "Hallelujah, it's raining men, amen!" goes its chorus -
was one of the biggest hits of the genre known as hi-NRG, a souped-up
version of disco that ruled dance clubs in the 1980's.
Sung with gusto by Ms. Armstead, then known as Izora Rhodes, and her
partner, Martha Wash, the song only reached No. 46 on the pop charts
when it was released in 1983, but hit No. 1 on the club charts and later
reached No. 2 in England.
Written by Paul Jabara and Paul Shaffer - now of "Late Show With David
Letterman" - the song has since become an anthem of the gay club scene
and in 2001 it again reached the top of the British charts with a
version by a former Spice Girl, Geri Halliwell.
The song was the centerpiece of the group's first album, "Success,"
which featured another booming Jabara-Shaffer composition, "Dear Santa
(Bring Me a Man This Christmas)" and a version of Rodgers and
Hammerstein's "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair."
Ms. Armstead and Ms. Wash met in San Francisco in the mid-70's when they
both joined a gospel group called Now (News of the World). They were
soon recruited to sing backup for Sylvester, a cross-dressing disco
singer with a local following.
The two sang on four Sylvester albums, including the hit songs "Dance
(Disco Heat)" and "(You Make Me Feel) Mighty Real."
The two went solo in 1979 under the name Two Tons o' Fun, a play on
their Rubenesque physiques. They issued one album under that name before
rechristening themselves the Weather Girls for "Success." They recorded
two more albums before disbanding in the late 80's.
After the Weather Girls, Ms. Wash sang, often anonymously, for C and C
Music Factory, Black Box and other groups, and Ms. Armstead moved to
Germany to found a new Weather Girls group with her daughter Dynell
Rhodes, who survives Ms. Armstead, along with six other children and
several grandchildren.
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Message: 18
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 10:42:13 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Tommy McLain
Dave O'Gara wrote:
> The mention of Tommy's name prompts me to ask S'pop folks what
> they know about him. Was he country, pop, or a little of both?
I recall an LP by him, circa 1978, that I think was produced by Huey Meaux.
I think McClain was from Georgia or Louisiana.
gem
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Message: 19
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 19:06:48 -0000
From: Davie Gordon
Subject: Re: Tommy McLain
Dave O'Gara wrote:
> The mention of Tommy's name prompts me to ask S'pop folks what
> they know about him. Was he country, pop, or a little of both?
He was from Louisiana. His records were co-produced by Huey Meaux and Floyd
Soileau, who owned the Jin and Swallow labels. MSL, the Jamie/Guyden-
distributed label on which his "Sweet Dreams" was issued, stood for Meaux,
Soileau and Frank Lipsius, who was the owner of Jamie/Guyden. If he'd been
around a few years earlier he'd probably have been categorized as "swamp-pop,"
like Rod Bernard, Phil Phillips and singers like them.
Davie
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Message: 20
Date: Wed, 29 Sep 2004 01:24:01 +0100
From: S'pop Team
Subject: Nervous Norvus
Country Paul wrote:
> ... Aside from the compelling writing in the liner notes, the
> CD itself is very interesting and strange... Norvus/Jimmy Drake
> was as talented as he was highly idiosyncratic... Also, like so
> many comedians, if one listens through one can hear the sadness
> and desperation in Drake's life... Fun musically, fascinating
> sociologically.
Country Paul ain't the only one to appreciate Nortons Records' new
CD "Stone Age Woo: The Zorch Sounds Of Nervous Norvus". Eric
Dunsdon of Now Dig This magazine knows a fascinating new release
when he hears one too. Check out his review, currently in sindication
at the S'pop Recommends section:
http://www.spectropop.com/recommends/index2004.htm#NervousNorvus
Dig!
The S'pop Team
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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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