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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: Virginia Wolves
From: Austin Roberts
2. Re: Herb Alpert as vocalist
From: Mike Edwards
3. Earl or Hal?
From: Bob Celli
4. Re: Pop music as fine art.
From: Robert Pingel
5. Re: Beg, Borrow & Steal / Rare Breed
From: Mike McKay
6. "I Can't Believe You're In Love With Me"
From: TD
7. Zombies / Love concert at Park West
From: Bill Mulvy
8. Info for Al Kooper
From: Unsteady Freddie
9. Linzer & Randell
From: Joe Nelson
10. American Dreams is back
From: Clark Besch
11. Brian Wilson songs
From: Michael Edwards
12. New Eric Soul and Dick Bartley releases!!
From: Clark Besch
13. David Pomeranz
From: Mark Wirtz
14. Where The Girl Are Six.
From: Julio Niņo
15. Re: L. David Sloane
From: Joe Nelson
16. Re: Beach Boys
From: Tom Taber
17. "Apache"
From: Unsteady Freddie
18. Re: Where The Girl Are #6
From: Mick Patrick
19. Surf's Out forever.
From: Steve Harvey
20. Re: Brian Wilson songs
From: Artie Wayne
21. "I Can Hear Music"
From: Phil Chapman
22. Re: David Pomeranz
From: Artie Wayne
23. Re: Steam comes alive
From: Kurt Benbenek
24. Re: Herb Alpert as vocalist
From: Phil X Milstein
25. Claire Francis/Smith
From: Phil Chapman
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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 07:07:08 EDT
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: Virginia Wolves
Peter McCray asked:
> Hadn't heard of the Virginia Wolves before Austin, but did a little
> digging and found another Virginia Wolves 45 - Stay / B.L.T. released
> the previous year, 1966, on Amy. Does this ring any bells, or was
> there another pack of Wolves?!
There may have been another pack of wolves out there, but because of
Johnny's and my being from Virginia we were the true Virginia Wolves, if
only for that reason.
Go Old Dominion!
A. Roberts
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 13:44:26 -0000
From: Mike Edwards
Subject: Re: Herb Alpert as vocalist
Phil M. wrote:
> Does anyone know of the existence of a listing of Herb Alpert's
> vocals on record? If not, is there anyone who might be willing to
> help me start compiling one? The singing of his that I've heard is
> among the most sublime in the entire canon of pop, and, from what
> I've heard of his trumpet playing, I'm mystified as to how he
> could've chosen the latter on which to focus his career.
Interesting observation, Phil, but very surprising. Are you referring
to Herb Alpert's vocal recordings while he fronted the Tijuana Brass,
such as "This Guy's In Love With You"? Or to those recordings made
before the Tijuana Brass came into existence in late '62? There is a
reference to the latter in the A&M album discography at:
http://www.bsnpubs.com/aandm/aandmstory.html
I have the "Fallout Shelter" 45 by Dore Alpert that the writers refer
to, but, as Dick Cheney would say, "it is not very distinguished".
The "trumpet playing" Tijuana Brass sold boatloads of albums in the
'60s; their "Going Places" LP, for example, seemed to be just about
everywhere. Sufficient justification, one would have thought, for
making his trumpet playing the focal point of his career.
Yeah, I could pass on "Spanish Flea" but if you filch through the Tijuana
Brass' albums you will find some gems. How about "More And More
Amor" from "Going Places", "Up Cherry Street" from "South Of The
Border" and "Bitter Sweet Samba" from "Whipped Cream"?
But who did the whistling on "Acapulco 1922" (A&M, 1962)? It always
sounded pretty atrocious.
Mike Edwards
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Message: 3
Date: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 14:34:04 -0000
From: Bob Celli
Subject: Earl or Hal?
I was reading some old posts from a few years ago and came across a
question that was never definitively answered in regards to who drummed
on Bobby Vee's hit, "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes". The answer is
Earl Palmer. Hal Blaine did session work on the "Live On Tour" LP, which
included a version of "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes", but not the hit
version. This may be where the confusion comes from.
The only drummers Vee used on his early sessions were Earl Palmer
and Jerry Allison. He didn't start using Hal until the mid sixties. As an
aside, both Jerry Allison and Earl Palmer played together on "Someday"
on the Bobby Vee Meets The Crickets LP.
Bob Celli
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Message: 4
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2004 08:02:17 -0700 (PDT)
From: Robert Pingel
Subject: Re: Pop music as fine art.
Julio, you seem to be mixing apples with oranges; a minor pop recording
versus an internationally accepted master painting by perhaps the greatest
artist that ever lived. Even Barry Mann's face must be a little red from
the comparison.
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Message: 5
Date: Tue, 05 Oct 2004 22:48:02 -0000
From: Mike McKay
Subject: Re: Beg, Borrow & Steal / Rare Breed
Previously:
> ... the Rare Breed, long thought to be based in the Brooklyn/Bronx
> area, might have been from Iowa.
Gary Myers:
> FWIW, they are not included in Tom Tourville's Iowa book.
Nor are other confirmed Iowa 60's bands. Tourville's books are really
weak attempts at documenting an area. Not worthy of using for research,
etc. WAY too many errors!
Mike
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Message: 6
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2004 18:34:57 -0400
From: TD
Subject: "I Can't Believe You're In Love With Me"
In addition to the list of people Chris mentions, "I Can't Believe
You're in Love With Me" was sung by Mae Wynn in "The Caine Mutiny"
(1954), sung by Dion and the Bellmonts on Ed Sullivan's TV show,
recorded by Duke Robillard, and recorded by Charlie Parker with
Lennie Tristano... -- TD
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Message: 7
Date: Tue, 05 Oct 2004 22:34:47 -0000
From: Bill Mulvy
Subject: Zombies / Love concert at Park West
Hello,
I'm new to the group. Just wondering if anyone is going to the
Zombies and Love concert this Friday. I saw them both seperately
last year and was very impressed. This could be one of the best
retro 60s concerts ever.
Bill Mulvy
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Message: 8
Date: Tue, 05 Oct 2004 23:03:19 -0000
From: Unsteady Freddie
Subject: Info for Al Kooper
Hey Al, keep reading your posts here; I'm a big big fan of yours.
But I wanted to share something personal with you.
A fellow who used to work along side me (I'm an attorney but I am a
Director of Sales for a printing business that caters to lawyers) was
the "child model" BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS used for that first LP cover!
His name is John (won't reveal his last name). He claims it's
his "body" in every picture, but of course you guys used the head of
each BS&T member. Does this ring any bells?
Thought you'd find that interesting....it's all kinda connected isn't
it?
Right now I am promoting SURF MUSIC wherever I can .... I love that
genre, and it's alive and well....just got back from Barcelona for
www.wipeoutfestival.com and had a blast .... featured 60's icon DAVIE
ALLAN! Do you have any thoughts, affections for surf music? Perhaps
I could quote you for my show on Internet Radio, TWANG SHEBANG
(www.myrealbroadcast.com) ?
Thanks man for all the great sounds and fab vibes - bless you!
UNSTEADY FREDDIE
www.reverbsuperb.com
www.catch-the-waves.com
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Message: 9
Date: Tue, 05 Oct 2004 14:47:10 -0400
From: Joe Nelson
Subject: Linzer & Randell
Simon White:
> BTW Al, I rather like 'Love Trap" by T.D. Valentine - one of your
> songs. Tell us the story, go on!
Al Kooper:
> It is such a bizarre story you have chosen, Simon. Sandy Linzer was
> a pal of mine who had a staff job for awhile producing at Epic.
> Sandy was also a songwriter of note having written a few Four Season
> hits. His co-writer was often arranger Denny Randall.
Oddly, I was just about to ask Al Quaglieri about a related issue.
Several months ago I posted the Music Fair's "I'll Be Back Up On My
Feet Again" (circa 1970) to musica. Noting that the track was produced
by Linzer-Randall I was about to ask if Epic owned the master or if
L-R kept their stuff. (Assuming the Music Fair track was recorded
during Linzer's tenure with Epic, these guys were hardly novices, best
remembered for writing and producing the Toys' "A Lover's Concerto"
for DynoVoice several years earlier.) Just another bit of information
should I ever be able to form my own label and put this stuff back out
since apparently nobody else is interested.
Joe Nelson
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Message: 10
Date: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 06:15:15 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: American Dreams is back
The TV show of American Bandstand 60's fame which blossomed some last
season entered it's 3rd year 2 weeks ago. Altho based currently
apparently in mid 66, you'd never know it by the live performances on
the show. Dick Clark (produced by his company) seems to love 1964,
as he had the Exciters (fake Exciters??) performing "Tell Him" this
past week. He seems to constantly be a year behind the current
setting of the show when he has a fake act rendition on. I know it's
just revisionism, but the original Bandstand usually had newcomers on
his show doing their current hit, not groups that were supposed "has-
beens" by the time period of the show presented on American Dreams.
Altho it certainly is different now, back in 1966 as a kid, I wanted
to hear the new and current hits and seldom wanted to hear songs 2
years old.
Anyway, the show has so much going on that it is hard to imagine it
could all happen to one family. The daughter wanted to wear a button
that said "End the War" on Bandstand, to which the producer said Dick
doesn't like to do political things or some such comment. I coulda
believed it if it weren't for a Bandstand show where he asks the
dancers in early 68 who they thought would be the presidential
tickets in 68. One kid said "Kennedy/McCarthy", I believe, to which
Dick said something like, "I think you might be right!".
Then there's Dick's cashin 45 on Dunhill, where he followsthe trend
of Every Teenage Father's Son's Buddah answer to Victor Lundberg's
hit, "An Open Letter to my Teenage Son". Dick had a spoken word 45
(I think I have it, but can't find it now) where he spoke up for
(surprise!) the teenagers of America. It was pretty bad. I'm
guessing Dick was out to make a few bucks here more than help kids
out. Bottom line is that he DID do some political oriented things
with his Bandstand situation.
By the way, whether you like Victor Lundberg's 45 or not, it sold
amazingly well and the message wasn't that dissimilar to Darryl
Worley's hit of last year, "Have You Forgotten". Sure there's no
draft (yet), but if there is, Victor's record could be more in touch
with today than one would like to believe. With war, there's always
gonna be two sides--at least in the land of the free! Clark
By the way, I like American Dreams, but wish it had more happy
moments. As we have proven on SPop, there WERE a lot of great happy
moments in the 60's too!
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Message: 11
Date: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 15:00:58 -0000
From: Michael Edwards
Subject: Brian Wilson songs
Bill Reed writes:
> I'm far more interested in the seemingly slight "You're Welcome" (my
> perception of a pure Brian Wilson >track) than I am in "California
> Girls."
But neither are as good as "Little Honda", a tune so appealing it was
immediately covered and turned into a Top-10 hit by the Hondells
(1964), with, I believe, some Brian Wilson involvement.
Brian Wilson tunes from the Spectropop era (roughly pre-1968)
certainly have longevity, no matter who the co-writer was. Many were
the subjects of terrific cover versions both contemporaneously and
later. As well as the aforementioned "California Girls" (David Lee
Roth, 1985) and "Little Honda", we have "Surfin USA" (Bobby Rydell,
1963; Leif Garrett, 1977), "Help Me Rhonda" (Johnny Rivers,
1975), "Don't Worry Baby" (Tokens, 1970) and "Girl Don't Tell Me"
(Tony Rivers & The Castaways, 1966). I cannot recall any of Brian's
later works being picked up by other artists.
Another point about Brian Wilson songs is that they have zero r&b
appeal, which is why his work is not totally embraced by
Spectropoppers. Most of our Spectropop songwriting and producing
heroes made wonderful contributions to the field of r&b, including
some of our current members: Artie Wayne, Eddie Rambeau, Jim Holvay
and Al Kooper. "Big Town Boy" over "Fun, Fun Fun"? Ah, who knows. But
you know the former will get played at a Spectropop meet.
Mike Edwards (who, for the most part, did have fun all summer long)
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12
Date: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 15:09:30 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: New Eric Soul and Dick Bartley releases!!
My buddy Bill Buster has a new Dick Bartley collection as well as a
new soul series that looks good! Happy as usual to see new stereo
and his sound quality will be excellent as always, I'm sure. Say, 4
Chicago tracks on Bartley's! Good show, home boy!! Also, Nice to
see Dee Jay & the Runaways of Iowa in there!! Anyway, Bill says
he'll be shipping Nov 10 and taking advance orders on Oct 23 at
http://www.ericrecords.com --Clark Besch
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Message: 13
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 06:08:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mark Wirtz
Subject: David Pomeranz
Artie, I'm still curious to know what happened to David Pomeranz.
Weren't you and David connected back at Warner Music, Artie? Did
you keep track of him? I used to think David was a great writer
and awesome vocalist, even if his repelling, EST-infested, attitude
back then lost him a lot of friends and support in the biz...
Keep rocking!
Best,
Mark Wirtz
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Message: 14
Date: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 18:20:01 -0000
From: Julio Niņo
Subject: Where The Girl Are Six.
Hola Everybody.
Iīve just read on the ACE webpage that next month itīs foreseen
the sixth volume of "Where There Girls Are" is to be released.
This announcement produced an instantaneous greed attack in
me. Maybe Mick Patrick could be so kind and reduce my anxiety
by giving us an advance of the track list. If not Iīll have to
get a massage.
Chao.
Julio Niņo.
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Message: 15
Date: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 11:40:43 -0400
From: Joe Nelson
Subject: Re: L. David Sloane
G. Austin Robertson:
> Wasn't L. David Sloane written by Billy Meshel?
Single credits:
W. Meshel - A. Martin
Arr and Cond. by Bill Justis
Produced by Jack Gold
Hope this helps
J. Robert Nelson
(wishing I knew Michelle Lee's full name... :-/ )
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Message: 16
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 08:39:31 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tom Taber
Subject: Re: Beach Boys
Mike:
> Some members have drawn attention to Brian's skills as a
> producer, and these four tracks are fine examples of this.
> The group didn't even need a Brian Wilson song to make a
> great record.
In at least one case, they didn't even need Brian - I
believe Carl Wilson produced "I Can Hear Music". It's
miles ahead of the Ronettes version.
Tom Taber
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Message: 17
Date: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 18:15:58 -0000
From: Unsteady Freddie
Subject: "Apache"
I first heard "Apache" via Jorgen Ingmann -- and when I met
Davie Allan this weekend in Callela, Spain for the Wipe Out
Festival, he, too, felt it was the 'smoothest' version.
I find Jorgen to be sadly overlooked - he was an amazing talent.
There's no surf music from my viewpoint without him.
Check my surf pages
http://www.catch-the-waves.com
http://www.reverbsuperb.com
and my internet show called Twang Shebang
http://www.myrealbroadcast.com
TWANG ON!
Unsteady Freddie
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Message: 18
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 19:57:25 +0100
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Re: Where The Girl Are #6
Julio Niņo:
> Iīve just read on the ACE webpage that next month itīs foreseen
> the sixth volume of "Where There Girls Are" is to be released.
> This announcement produced an instantaneous greed attack in
> me. Maybe Mick Patrick could be so kind and reduce my anxiety
> by giving us an advance of the track list. If not Iīll have to
> get a massage.
Here t'is. Typed by my own fair hand. Pick the bones out of this lot.
It's due for release at the end of the month.
WHERE THE GIRLS ARE, Volume 6 (Ace Records)
1. The Darlettes 'Lost'
(Van McCoy) Mira 203 1965
Produced by Van McCoy.
2. Barbara Mills '(Make It Last) Take Your Time'
(Ralph Maria Siegel, Dub Murray) Hickory 1323 1965
3. Kathy Lynn and the Playboys 'Little Baby'
(Nicholas David Ameno, Carl Cisco, Kathleen Mary Keppen) Swan 4209 1965
Arranged by Carl Cisco and Nick Ameno. A Dice Production.
4. Denita James 'I Have Feelings Too'
(Clifford Davis, Denita James) Flip 364 1964
5. Joy Dawn 'Hang It Up'
(Claudine Clark) Swan 4138 1963
An Inez Ryan Production.
6. The Percells 'The Greatest'
(Peter Antell, John Linde) ABC Paramount 10516 1964
Arranged and Conducted by John Linde and Peter Antell.
7. Kathy Lynn and the Playboys 'My Special Boy'
(Nicholas David Ameno, Carl Cisco, Kathleen Mary Keppen) Swan 4193 1964
Arranged by Carl Cisco and Nick Ameno. A Dice Production.
8. Sue Thompson 'Walkin' My Baby'
(Aldine Louis Mathis, Marcus Felton Mathis) Hickory 1359 1965
9. The 2 Of Clubs 'Walk Tall (Like A Man)'
(Paul Vance, Lee Pockriss) Fraternity 975 1966
Produced by Carl Edmondson.
10. The Sweethearts 'No More Tears'
(Maxwell Davis) Kent 442 1966
11. Little Eva 'Sugar Plum'
(Harold Thomas) Previously unissued 2004
Produced by Guardian Productions.
12. The Belles 'Cupid's Got A Hold On Me'
(Sherlie Mae Matthews) Previously unissued 2004
Arranged by James Carmichael. Produced by Fred Smith.
13. The Ladybirds 'Yes I Know'
(Frank Bendinelli, Leroy Lovett) Lawn 231 1964
Produced by Frank Bendinelli and Leroy Lovett.
14. Tutti Hill 'Baby Take It Slow'
Previously unissued 2004
Produced by Ron Miller and Lee Porter.
15. The Chiffons 'Every Boy And Every Girl'
(Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, J. Hamiph) BT Puppy LP 1011 1970
Produced by Bright Tunes Productions.
16. The Cinnamons 'I'm Not Gonna Worry ('Cause I Know He's Mine)'
(Rufus Horton) BT Puppy 503 1964 Engineered by Brooks Arthur.
Arranged and Produced by Big Time Productions.
17. The Pen-etts 'That's No Way To Spend My Time'
Becco 0001 1962
Produced by Mike Hanks.
18. Deanie Parker and the Valadors 'My Imaginary Guy'
(Willia Dean Parker) Volt 105 1963
19. Joan Moody 'Big Time Operator'
(Fred Dobbs, Scott Douglas) Sylvia 5002 1965
Produced by Ron Miller and Lee Porter.
20. Felice Taylor 'Captured By Your Love' (Vernon S. Jones)
Kent 488 1968
21. Beverly Warren 'He's So Fine'
(Ronald Mack) BT Puppy 527 1967
Produced by Bright Tunes Productions.
22. Carol Connors 'Lonely Little Beach Girl'
(Carol Connors) Mira 219 1966
Arranged and Conducted by Richard Podolor. Produced by Marshall Leib.
23. Carol Connors 'He Belongs To Me'
(Bob Dylan) Previously unissued 2004
Arranged and Conducted by Richard Podolor. Produced by Marshall Leib.
24. Reparata and the Delrons 'Why Do Lovers Break Each Other's Heart'
(Ellie Greenwich, Tony Powers, Phil Spector)
Previously unissued 2004 Produced by Steve Jerome and Bill Jerome.
25. Pat Powdrill 'I Can't Hear You'
(Carole King, Gerry Goffin) Downey 139 1966
Produced by Nick Risi and Jim Thomas.
26. The Goodees 'Jilted'
(Don Davis, Freddie Briggs) HIP LP HIS 7002 1969
Arranged by Dale Warren. Produced by Don Davis and Freddie Briggs.
I could do with a bit of a rub down myself now.
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
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Message: 19
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 12:54:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Surf's Out forever.
Unsteady Freddie wrote:
> Right now I am promoting SURF MUSIC wherever I can
> .... I love that genre,
Hey Freddie, ever meet Kathy Marshall, queen of surf
guitar? What a doll and even had a Fender Jag, or was
it a Jazzmaster with a painted headstock? The Crossfires
were pals of hers and she even did an acetate of two
Ventures tunes. Heard she's still out in Orange County.
Steve Harvey
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Message: 20
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 12:58:23 -0700 (PDT)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Re: Brian Wilson songs
Michael...How ya' doin'? How quickly they forget. When I
was running Irving/Almo music [A+M's pubbery] I gave Olivia
Newton-John "God Only Knows", which is on the "I Honestly Love
You" album. I also gave "Good Vibrations" to the Troggs with a
couple of my lyric changes [with Brians permission,of course]
"I love the clothes you almost wear"...etc.
regards, Artie Wayne
http://artiewayne.com/
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Message: 21
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 00:37:25 +0100
From: Phil Chapman
Subject: "I Can Hear Music"
Tom Taber:
> I believe Carl Wilson produced "I Can Hear Music".
> It's miles ahead of the Ronettes version.
The Beach Boys' version, oddly enough, is closer to how I imagined
the Ronettes' version promised to be. Similarly, the Larry Lurex
(aka Freddy Mercury) recording is a powerhouse production. The
rumoured Spector-produced Ronettes version did not materialise,
and the eventual Philles release was produced by Jeff Barry in the
fashion of the Barry-Greenwich Red Bird hits. However, I do think
it is one of their finer records, and one of Ronnie's best vocals.
To add to the interest value, I've played Phil Spector's original
voice & piano demo of "I Can Hear Music" to musica. With its portent
of "Imagine", I wish there was a recorded version using *this* chord
progression.
Phil C.
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Message: 22
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 13:09:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Re: David Pomeranz
Mark...How ya'doin'? David Pomeranz joined Warner
Brothers music just as I was leaving for Irving/Almo.
I'm curious, did you have any dealings with my late
partner Lou Reizner, who discovered and recorded Rod
Stewart, The Singing Nun, and produced the A+M
"Tommy" album. You both are known for such larger than
life projects.
regards, Artie Wayne
http://artiewayne.com/
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Message: 23
Date: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 21:06:05 -0000
From: Kurt Benbenek
Subject: Re: Steam comes alive
Andrew C. Jones asked:
> Was any S'popper involved, either onstage or offstage, with the
> "real" version of the group Steam that was formed in the wake of
> the huge success of "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye"?
That (first?) Steam album contains "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye"
as well as 6 or 7 other songs that sound exactly like "Na Na Hey Hey
Kiss Him Goodbye"
The producers took the backing track for "Na Na" and used it as the
foundation for nearly every song on the album. The standout track is
something called "I Cried a Million Tears" which is basically "Na Na"
with more complicated lyrics.
Assembly-line bubblegum pop in action! Can't beat it.
Kurt Benbenek - USA
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Message: 24
Date: Wed, 06 Oct 2004 17:07:20 +0000
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Re: Herb Alpert as vocalist
Mike Edwards wrote:
> Interesting observation, Phil, but very surprising. Are you referring
> to Herb Alpert's vocal recordings while he fronted the Tijuana Brass,
> such as "This Guy's In Love With You"? Or to those recordings made
> before the Tijuana Brass came into existence in late '62? There is a
> reference to the latter in the A&M album discography at:
Sorry for not making myself clearer. Yes, the main source of my
affection for Herb-as-vocalist is "This Guy's In Love With You," a
record that never fails to stop me in its tracks no matter where I might
be or what I might be doing when it comes on, even if the volume is
barely audible. A lot of singers TRY to sound relaxed, but the power of
Herb's work on this track lies in his ability to sound relaxed without
trying (a conundrum) -- in sounding like his profession of love is
nothing more than an afterthought.
On the other hand, his trumpet playing always sounded kind of dull to me
-- flat in inspiration, if not in intonation. That is not meant to
criticize the TJB records, as in every other respect they're
magnificently alive, and I realize they're not exactly meant as a forum
for Miles-ian technique. But I've always wondered if Alpert deliberately
downplayed his abilities in order to keep the lead line on those records
as simple as possibly, or if he simply is not a gifted musician.
I also realize that commercially it made much more sense for him to
pursue the TJB angle. And I appreciate the fact that, like Rod McKuen,
his early career is marked by stabs at a relatively wide range of ideas,
followed by a dogged pursuit of the mode that finally caught on. (And
then to hit on A&M Records on top of that!).= I just wish that for the
sake of posterity -- or call it art, if you wish -- he'd left us with a
few dozen more vocal classics along the lines of "This Guy's In Love
With You."
Does Herb ever give interviews? I'd love to hear him address issues
involving the singing phase of his career, but I can't recall ever
reading a single chat with the man.
--Phil M.
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Message: 25
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 00:37:25 +0100
From: Phil Chapman
Subject: Claire Francis/Smith
A question for Claire:
Rummaging through my 45s, I came up with a Claire Francis and
Richard Hill production sung by an artist called Smith. It's two
classic tunes back to back, "La Mer" and "Stormy Weather". Both
have the trademark 'big' sound, and the vocal seems to be influenced
by PJ Proby, who must have recently been in the charts with his
'West Side Story' renditions. For interest, I've posted the flip
to musica as the intro quotes "Maria" and "You've Lost That Lovin'
Feelin'". Claire, do you remember anything about Smith?
Phil C.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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