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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 16 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. "Twiggs" and Twiggy
From: David A. Young
2. Smile @ NPR.org
From: Dave Monroe
3. Wax
From: Dave Heasman
4. Re: Little Pattie
From: David A. Young
5. Re: Terry Melcher, R.I.P.
From: Frank Jastfelder
6. Little Pattie / Augie Rios.
From: Julio Niño
7. Re: Twiggy
From: Frank Jastfelder
8. The Christmas party starts here :-)
From: Joe Nelson
9. Terry Melcher and Curt Boettcher
From: Gary Myers
10. Re: Some old geezer
From: Al Kooper
11. Beyond The Sea
From: Mike Rashkow
12. Re: Terry Melcher, R.I.P.
From: James Botticelli
13. Ivanhoe Records, Terry Melcher's Mother
From: Bob Rashkow
14. Re: Winfield Scott @ musica
From: Al Kooper
15. Re: Who killed your song
From: Al Kooper
16. Donde Esta Santa Claus
From: Mick Patrick
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Message: 1
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 19:03:42 -0000
From: David A. Young
Subject: "Twiggs" and Twiggy
Per Mick's request, I've posted this "Twiggs" by The Seagulls to our
listening lounge. The caption below the photo of The Seagulls with
Twiggy that illustrates Brent Cash's superb Kenny Young interview
new at the S'pop home page leaves one (and evidently left Mick) with
the impression that the song is an homage to the '60s supermodel.
However, a listen to the tune quickly reveals that there's no
connection between the poor girl who's the subject of the song and
the internationally renowned jet-setter. I trust Mick and the rest
of you will find the tune worth a spin all the same, and it's one
more aural illustration to Brent's piece.
Speaking of Twiggy, she released a barely noticed CD a year or two
ago that's well worth seeking out: "Midnight Blue" is a collection
of '80s recordings, mostly previously unreleased and all quite good.
As a collector of cover versions of Spector songs, I felt like I got
good value for money due to its inclusion of renditions of not one
but two Ronettes songs: "Baby I Love You" and "Be My Baby." If this
one got by you, you may wish to seek it out.
David A. Young
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Message: 2
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 07:42:56 -0800 (PST)
From: Dave Monroe
Subject: Smile @ NPR.org
>From NPR.org, November 24, 2004:
In 1966, Brian Wilson began work on the follow-up to The Beach Boys'
now classic Pet Sounds. The album, called Smile, was to be his most
ambitious undertaking yet, but before it could be completed, a
tumultuous set of circumstances caused Wilson to abandon the project.
Almost four decades later, the public is finally getting a chance to
hear the most celebrated album never released. In a two-hour Creators
at Carnegie special, Brian Wilson sings songs from Smile:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4182988
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Message: 3
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 17:32:22 -0000
From: Dave Heasman
Subject: Wax
Mick Patrick:
> Wax up your board, surf on over .....
That reminds me of the Loudon Wainwright/George Gerdes show at the
Hampstead Country club (prop. Stuart Lyons) in 1971. They performed
the death-song they'd written together in high school about the girl
who'd been so infatuated she'd omitted to wax her surfboard, with
predictable results.
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Message: 4
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 19:46:12 -0000
From: David A. Young
Subject: Re: Little Pattie
Dear Mick and anyone else interested (should be a lot of you):
Both the UK and US Amazon.com sites are showing as still in stock a
20-track Little Pattie compilation CD from 2001.
Credit cards ready!
David A. Young
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Message: 5
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 22:35:00 +0100
From: Frank Jastfelder
Subject: Re: Terry Melcher, R.I.P.
Bill Reed wrote:
> As for Melcher's association with the Byrds, it was sometimes
> strained. I believe that he is the one responsible for the earliest
> recordings by the group being done with top-flight L.A. studio
> session guys and gal (Carol Kaye?) replacing most of the group's
> players.
Bill, it was Larry Knechtel who played bass on The Byrds "Mr.
Tambourine Man" besides Hal Blaine on drums.
> I also like Melcher's two solo albums. The one for Reprise is as
> good as anything he ever turned out for anyone else as producer.
> Both are still available in Japan on CD.
IMHO Terry did the most beautiful version of Jackson Browne's "These
Days" on his Reprise album from '74. It's so heavenly and self-
contained compared to the original. He was truly underrated as an
artist.
Frank Jastfelder
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Message: 6
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 21:44:45 -0000
From: Julio Niño
Subject: Little Pattie / Augie Rios.
Hola Everybody.
Mick Patrick:
> Little Pattie Amphlett was an Australian pop princess, equal
> parts Annette Funicello and Lesley Gore. She was aged just 14
> at the time of her first record, 1963's "He's My Blonde Headed
> Stompie Wompie Real Gone Surfin' Guy". (I think I can already
> sense a ripple of excitement in Madrid!)...
I see that I´m very foreseeable. Yes, I confess that every artist
with a "Little" before his/her name immediately attracts my
attention. In addition to that I love the song "Little Things Like
That" so I sure will like Little Pattie´s version. Those tracks sung
by early teen and pre-teen artists are one of my favorite musical
subgenres. I never get tired of them.
Today, they have lit Christmas lights here in Madrid. And talking
about Christmas and pre-teen voices, I´m in love with a Christmas
song that I ve discovered in a compilation, "Donde Esta Santa
Claus", sung by a very very young boy, named Augie Rios, half sung
in Spanish and half in English. I think it´s going to be my favorite
Christmas song this season. Anyone know anything about Augie?.
David A. Young:
> Both the UK and US Amazon.com sites are showing as still in stock
> a 20-track Little Pattie compilation CD from 2001.
I´m going to take a look. One of these days I´m sure my credit card
is going to denounce me for abusing it.
Chao.
Julio Niño.
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Message: 7
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 22:40:44 +0100
From: Frank Jastfelder
Subject: Re: Twiggy
David A. Young:
> ... I've posted this "Twiggs" by The Seagulls to our listening
> lounge. The caption below the photo of The Seagulls with Twiggy
> that illustrates Brent Cash's superb Kenny Young interview new at
> the S'pop home page leaves one (and evidently left Mick) with the
> impression that the song is an homage to the '60s supermodel.
> However, a listen to the tune quickly reveals that there's no
> connection between the poor girl who's the subject of the song and
> the internationally renowned jet-setter.
Speaking of Twiggy, does any of you Poppers know of or even own the
Chris Montez 7" on A&M with a song called "Twiggy"? I think the tune
refers to the model we all know but I''m not sure. Anyway, I'd love
to hear it. I once requested it for a compilation on Universal but
they neither found any contract nor master of the song.
Frank J.
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Message: 8
Date: Thu, 25 Nov 2004 19:51:09 -0500
From: Joe Nelson
Subject: The Christmas party starts here :-)
Hi all,
The annual Christmas music marathon officially begins tonight. I've
made my contribution to the din by posting to musica a recording I
made about twenty years ago of me playing "Winter Wonderland", a
simple four track recording played primarily on a Gretsch 6125
electric guitar (using a Fender Precision for the bass part). In
spite of the low tech approach I get compliments on this (probably
because I opted not to sing for once) - download and enjoy!
Feel free to privately e-mail me with any seasonal greetings you
feel compelled to record. I'll try to find time to set them against
an appropriate musical backdrop. Thanks in advance.
Joe Nelson
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Message: 9
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 14:10:00 -0800
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Terry Melcher and Curt Boettcher
Bill Reed:
> ... there are the terrific recordings that Melcher and Bruce
> Johnston did with Curt Boettcher ...
Are you these Boettcher's solo releases on Together and/or Elektra?
If not, what are they? (Boettcher was born in Wisconsin, and will
be mentioned in my 2nd IW book).
gem
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Message: 10
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 19:05:24 EST
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: Some old geezer
Don:
> I was flipping through channels last night and came across a show on
> Ovation (cable channel) on rock family trees. I came in fairly late
> and it was jumping around from Mamas and Papas lineage to Zal leaving
> the Spoonful to break up of Blues Project and started interviewing
> some old geezer about starting a group called BS&T. The name was
> sure familiar, but can't seem to place it.
Steve Katz??? He said he started BS&T on that show.
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Message: 11
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 19:41:32 EST
From: Mike Rashkow
Subject: Beyond The Sea
Just heard the CD from the new Bobby Darin biopic, "Beyond The Sea"
-- with ALL vocals by Kevin Spacey and my first reaction is not
beyond the sea, it is beyond belief. Wow! Amazingly good stuff --
wonderful tracks, Spacey is channeling Darin on the vocals--whatever
that means. As far as I can tell there is a Dick Behrke part in the
movie as well. Those of you who have AOL can find the full CD available
for listening. No way I can copy the link and too bad I can't get a
true URL so Stream Down could capture is for me. I haven't seen or
heard Ray, but this Darin thing is going to be first on my list.
Di la,
Rashkovsky
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Message: 12
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 20:16:32 -0500
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: Terry Melcher, R.I.P.
Frank:
> IMHO Terry did the most beautiful version of Jackson Browne's "These
> Days" on his Reprise album from '74. It's so heavenly and self-
> contained compared to the original. He was truly underrated as an
> artist.
Definitely on my must listen list. Thanks for the heads up. Got an MP3
for me? :-))))
By the way, Frank may not toot his own horn, but the Get Easy Christmas
compilation #2 is out. I just picked it up and it is a killer. Pixies
Three with "Cold Cold Winter". And that Bing Crosby track from '71 is
so good you'll stop what you're doin'. The remastery is awe-inspiring.
A better selection you'd be hard pressed to find.
JB/no financial interest either
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Message: 13
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 19:35:21 EST
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: Ivanhoe Records, Terry Melcher's Mother
Ivanhoe label may date back to '67 or '68. It was out of Chicago.
I only own one specific 45, Bobby Trend ("Good Day"--does anyone
know if this is Ormandy's 1970 song?), published by Bob-Cor and
released Fall 1970. I now understand why it only charted here in
Chicago and not on Billboard. It's cool psych-pop but probably
wasn't commercial or catchy enough to go national. Clark Besch may
remember it.
I've seen the film "Move Over Darling" on TV a long time ago. I
think Doris' song plays over the opening credits. This wasn't pop,
was it? Just another of her pretty MOR movie themes. At least I
don't particularly recall any drumbeat.
Bobster
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Message: 14
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 19:28:06 EST
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: Winfield Scott @ musica
Phil M:
> Now playing at musica, courtesy Michael Greenberg, is the fifth
> installment in the "We Wrote 'Em And We Sing 'Em" series, Winfield
> Scott performing "Tweedle Dee."
Does he sing one of the greatest lyrics in popdom IMHO?
"Hunkies, hunkies, pieces bite
I'm gonna see my baby tonight" ????????
Any translators on this one, gang ?????????
Al Kooper
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Message: 15
Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2004 19:21:31 EST
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: Who killed your song
Rob Pingel:
> It must be terribly frustrating to write a song, go through the agony
> of trying to get someone to record it, and then...when somebody does,
> they butcher it. Would any of the songwriters out there care to make
> specific comments about the most disappointing covers of their
> tunes. Or, on a more positive note, give examples of covers that
> exceeded all expectations.
I was NEVER a fan of Gary Lewis's This Diamond Ring. It was written as
an R&B song and I was incredulous when I first heard it - pissed off &
BEYOND disappointed. I calmed down when it went to #1.
I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know by Donny Hathaway was magnificent,
but they changed a key line in the song. "I could be President of
General Motors" was relegated to "I could be king of everything" by
producer Jerry Wexler, and I never have forgiven him for that.
Al Kooper
rooting for Joe Nelson
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Message: 16
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 11:14:27 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Donde Esta Santa Claus
Julio Niño:
> And talking about Christmas and pre-teen voices, I'm in love
> with a Christmas song that I've discovered in a compilation,
> "Donde Esta Santa Claus", sung by a very very young boy, named
> Augie Rios, half sung in Spanish and half in English. I think
> it's going to be my favorite Christmas song this season. Anyone
> know anything about Augie?
I've never heard of Augie Rios, but I have heard some other
versions of the same song, one of which I've posted to musica.
Details are: Toni Stante "Donde Esta Santa Claus (Where Is Santa
Claus)" (Parkway 970, 1966); Written by Al Greiner and Gordon
Parker; Produced by Al Greiner. Curiously, the singer sounds
remarkably like Toni Wine. The backing vocalists sound rather
familiar too. This song is crying out to be recorded by the Rocky
Fellers: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/files/musica/
Has anyone heard Toni Stante's other record, "Whatever Happened
To Rosemarie"? If so, is it the Connie Francis song? I'd love to
hear it.
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
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