________________________________________________________________________
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
________________________________________________________________________
There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Spector CD sets query
From: Chris Mondia
2. Re: welcome John Townley
From: Clark Besch
3. Re: instro This Diamond Ring
From: Al Kooper
4. Re: Who's who
From: Al Kooper
5. Re: Candy says
From: Al Kooper
6. Re: Bob Yorey
From: Al Kooper
7. Re: Donnie Elbert British recordings
From: James Botticelli
8. Re: Donde Esta S.C.
From: Joe Foster
9. Tempo Records and Toni Arden
From: Rex Strother
10. Re: Passion Fruit
From: Joe Foster
11. Gene Ammons
From: Andrew C. Jones
12. Cover versions
From: Jeff Wescott
13. Darlene Love on the airwaves
From: "spectorcollector"
14. Re: Donde Esta S.C.
From: Mike Rashkow
15. Re: Kenny Young & Patti's Groove
From: Robert Pingel
16. Donnie Elbert / Barbara Windsor vs Twiggy / Tracey Ullman
From: Simon White
17. Re: Terry Melcher and Curt Boettcher
From: Richard Havers
18. Re: Donnie Elbert British recordings - backing singers
From: Philip Hopson
19. Re: Bob Yorey / The Laddins
From: Hans Huss
20. Knock, knock...
From: Mark Wirtz
21. Van Morrison vs Al Delory?
From: Simon White
22. Who is Keith Mansfield
From: Frank Murphy
23. Re: Bardell / Butane / Angie
From: Hans Huss
24. Re: Billy Dawn (Smith)
From: Davie Gordon
25. Re: Donnie Elbert British recordings
From: Hans Huss
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 00:54:45 -0000
From: Chris Mondia
Subject: Spector CD sets query
There are two Spector sets out there right now that I'm trying to find some
more info on. They are the 5-CD set "The Phil Spector Sessions," and the
4-CD set, "Blast From the Past". Can anyone help me distinguish the two?
They appear to cover the same material, and I was wondering if one was
recommended over the other. I would like to ask for one for the holidays,
but have been unable to find any good, solid info on the differences --
pros, cons, etc, -- between the two.
Thanks!
Chris Mondia
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 13:45:45 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Re: welcome John Townley
John Townley wrote:
> I just joined Spectropop at the suggestion of old friend and former
> Magician drummer extraordinaire (not to mention songwriter of fame)
> Alan Gordon. Thanks, Alan!
So happy to have you join the fray, John! Pretty wild story about the
other John Townsley. You'll note that your friend (and ours), Alan Gordon,
is one of two Alan Gordons that have membership here at S'pop. I guess
being "magicians" would be a good description of you two!
I seriously doubt there are 2 Clark Besch's, altho I have seen my name in
CD booklets as Clarke Besch, Clark Besche, and (in new Lou Christie CD)
Clark Bletsch.
John, I have seen some of your recorded output (courtesy Karl Baker),
and it seems to be somewhat sparce between Magicians and '70s music,
mostly seemingly dealing with "the sea". Can you give us a synopsis of
your pre-Magicians days to now? I hope you are happy to see your
Magicians stuff out on Sundazed. The Magicians half-hour TV show you
guys did back in '65 is great!
Welcome!
Clark Besch
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 08:54:53 EST
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: instro This Diamond Ring
Mikey:
> This Diamond Ring" ... makes a groovy instrumental. Have you
> ever heard of any other instrumental versions of it? The Ventures
> never recorded it.
Actually sounds like a GREAT idea! No Ventures that I know of, but
there is a Chipmunks cover. Lends itself to a great Wrecking Crew
kinda arrangement.
Al Kooper
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 08:57:31 EST
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: Who's who
Mick Patrick asked:
> Talking of real names, what's yours, Al?
Alan Peter Kuperchmidt. My dad changed it to Kooper a week
after I was born. Telepathic? Perhaps ...
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 09:47:04 EST
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: Candy says
Phil M. asked:
> By the way, did Terry Melcher's '60s sweetheart, Candace Bergen,
> ever make any records?
Sometime during 1968-72, while I was living in NYC and working as a staff
producer for Columbia Records, I went out to LA to do some recording
at Columbia Studios. I went to the Columbia Records office to make some
calls, and they let me use Terry Melcher's office as he was outta town for a
few days. I was instructed to take messages for him if the phone rang while
I was in there. So naturally, Candace Bergen called, and we had a mah-vellous
45-minute chat. I was late for my session. I still can't believe she knew who
Al Kooper was ...
Al Kooper
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 09:50:49 EST
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: Bob Yorey
Martin Roberts wrote:
> ... Bob Yorey who along with The Laddins seems to be the
> common denominator produced all the above records.
Bob Yorey was a pretty wacko guy, but he had good taste in music. My
favorite obscure Laddins track was "There Once Was A Time", also on
one of Bob's instant labels although I don't recall which one (just that
it was light blue with black letters)
Al Kooper
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 10:24:09 -0500
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: Donnie Elbert British recordings
Phil X. Milstein asked:
> ... But who is Keith Mansfield?
He's the Percy Faith of England, 'cept he had listened to a LITTLE more
rock. Swirling, pretty easy listening. Got some props during the Loungecore
Revival of the mid-'90s. Look for him on the Sound Gallery compilations of'
England's Studio 2 Records, which turn up in the used CD bins here and
there, and are must-haves for any late '60s/early '70s EZ collector.
JB
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 16:03:11 +0000
From: Joe Foster
Subject: Re: Donde Esta S.C.
Julio Niño wrote:
> I've just gotten up (it's half past one), after being tortured all
> throughout the night (by the night performance of my cats, I
> declare). I'm having breakfast, listening to "Donde Esta Santa
> Claus" by Toni Stante, with a very big smile in my face.
I released a version of this song by El Vez a few years back ... so
I guess I'm guilty too!
Joe
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 9
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 09:10:54 -0700
From: Rex Strother
Subject: Tempo Records and Toni Arden
I'm interested in anything anyone knows about the Tempo Record label
(red vinyl seemed to be their "thing") -- a discography, info on who started
the label, etc. Also, bio information about Toni Arden. Is there a good
website -- how she got started; is she still with us; etc.?
You guys know it all. Any help would be appreciated -- but offlist, please.
Rex Strother
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 10
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 16:07:27 +0000
From: Joe Foster
Subject: Re: Passion Fruit
Right Rev. Bob wrote:
> The recordings that I believe were being referred to were the
> California Music singles (released) and the Passion Fruit (unreleased,
> save a sort of gray area release or three) California Music album.
That'll be the "Passion Fruit" CD I released on Poptones. "Gray area"? --
pah! We had platinum records, and proper authorised releases every time.
Joe
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 11
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 11:48:18 -0500
From: Andrew C. Jones
Subject: Gene Ammons
I recently heard an interesting radio show about Gene Ammons, a
'50s/'60s jazz saxman who was also popular with R&B audiences. Any
Ammons experts here? If so, can you recommend (offlist) any Ammons
albums or collections for "beginners"? Thanks.
ACJ
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 16:18:35 -0000
From: Jeff Wescott
Subject: Cover versions
I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for interesting/weird/brilliant
cover versions. I DJ at a London club night every week, and love dropping
in some slabs of oddness from time to time. Personal favourites of the
moment are Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My head by Edwin Starr, and Purple
Haze by Johnny Jones & The King Casuals. Would like suggestions from
any genre, the weirder and wilder the better! Offlist, of course, please.
Thanks in anticipation,
Jeff
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 13
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 01:17:54 -0000
From: "spectorcollector"
Subject: Darlene Love on the airwaves
Dear gang,
I'm praying that this message goes through in time for interested
parties to tune in. I've just learned that Darlene Love will be on
Air America's "Morning Sedition" program Tuesday morning, November
30. The show airs from 6-9 a.m. Eastern (U.S.) Time; I don't know
when her segment will air. You can listen no matter where in the
world you live; the show streams live in two formats at
http://www.airamericaradio.com/listen.asp#
>From the station's Web site:
Darlene Love brings her unique voice to our program, along with her
unique perspective on the practices and politics of the music
business throughout the decades.
David A. Young
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 16:57:03 EST
From: Mike Rashkow
Subject: Re: Donde Esta S.C.
Please note the exact answer to the Re: Donde Esta S.C. is precisely:
Just south of N.C.
For those not from the US, nor familiar with the geography--South
Carolina is on our east coast and shares a generally east/west State
Line with North Carolina. Therein is a joke?
Di la,
I'm Not Signing This One
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 15
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 09:00:58 -0800 (PST)
From: Robert Pingel
Subject: Re: Kenny Young & Patti's Groove
Mick Patrick:
> Could you ask him (Kenny Young) who the heck is Patti's Groove?
The lead vocal sounds so familiar. I think it may be Ellie Greenwich.
Rob Pingel
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 17:16:27 +0000
From: Simon White
Subject: Donnie Elbert / Barbara Windsor vs Twiggy / Tracey Ullman
Philip Hopson wrote:
> I have a British made recroding by Donnie Elbert, released in 1967
> on CBS: "Get ready" (Somkey Robinson) and "Along came pride" (R.
> Murphy). Both sides arranged by Keith Mansfield and produced by
> Mervyn Conn and Donnie Elbert. Does anyone know who sang back up
> on these two sides. Certainly on "Pride" the bg. vocals are very
> "clipped" and English sounding.
Quoting below from an article in the September edition of the
excellent UK Soul music mag "Manifesto". No info on who who the
backing singers are but I can play it to "Musica" when space allows.
Donnie Elbert - Along Came Pride- CBS/Epic/RCA - 7"
Three seperate issues for Donnie and "Along Came Pride" so someone
really liked it! Arranged by pop-funk-soundtrack supremo Keith
Mansfield. In dance terms the CBS/Epic is the best bet because you
get a slightly menacing take on "Get Ready" too. Donnie covered a lot
of Motown songs - his version of "This Old Heart Of Mine" is good too
and he recorded that great version of "Where Did Our Love Go" for All
Platinum which hit the charts. His name meant a lot more in Europe
than in the States and he was another U.S. artist who at one time he
lived here in the U.K.
Mick Patrick wrote:
> I do have (on cassette) a track that definitely IS about the
> legendary model, although not in a particularly complimentary
> fashion. I've posted it to musica. Details are: Barbara Windsor
> "Don't Dig Twiggy" (Parlophone R 5629, 1967); Arranged by Mark
> Wirtz.
I think an explaination for the benefit of our cousins in Europe and
on other continents Mick you should explain further the significence
of Ms Winsdor recording a song about Twiggy.
> Tracey Ullmann
Surely SOMEONE on the list can help?
Simon White
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 17
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 17:39:17 +0000
From: Richard Havers
Subject: Re: Terry Melcher and Curt Boettcher
Bill Reed:
> Also there are the terrific recordings that Melcher and Bruce
> Johnston did with Curt Boettcher, most (some?) of which are
> available on the Poptones CD, California Music.
Bob Hanes:
> I'm not convinced that Melcher had any hands on to do with that
> material. I think Curt sort of took over the name from Melcher,
> Johnston, Wilson, whomever and started doing his own thing with it.
Bob,
You're right on Terry only having a marginal involvement with
California Music. His was at the initial "business end": according
to Bruce Johnston. Factoid time, Bruce's song 'Brand New Old Friends'
was about the Marx Brothers in case it was a question on the tip of
anyone's tongue.
Richard
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 18
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 19:03:21 +0000 (GMT)
From: Philip Hopson
Subject: Re: Donnie Elbert British recordings - backing singers
I wrote:
> ...a British made recording by Donnie Elbert, released in 1967
> on CBS: "Get ready" and "Along came pride" Both sides arranged by
> Keith Mansfield and produced by Mervyn Conn and Donnie Elbert. Does
> anyone know who sang back up on these two sides.
Phil X Milstein wrote:
> Who is Keith Mansfield, and who is Mervyn Conn?
Mervyn Conn known over in dear old blighty as an entertainment
impresario/entrepreneur; having, in the past promoted tours by Johnny
Cash, Roberta Flack. Mel Torme, Eartha Kitt and the such like. He also
promoted the British Country Music Festival for 20+ years.
Keith Mansfield has produced or provided musical arrangements for
various British pop acts, including Dusty.
Back to the bg. vocalists: could possibly be someone like Maggie
Stredder or one of the Breakaways. I've a sneaking suspiscion that it
could even be Kiki Dee. I'm wondering if any northern soul fan out
there might have some ideas? Must say Donnie Elbert isn't promoting
his "Little piece of leather" falsetto vocal and in fact, sounds quite
subdued.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 19
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 15:03:09 -0800 (PST)
From: Hans Huss
Subject: Re: Bob Yorey / The Laddins
Al Kooper wrote:
> My favorite obscure Laddins track was "There Once Was A Time", also
> on one of Bob's instant labels although I don't recall which one
> (just that it was light blue with black letters).
Hi Al, That would be The Laddins 'Oh How I Hate To Go Home' / 'There
Once Was A Time' on Theatre 111 (1961). Another one for the wants list.
HH
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 20
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 18:49:06 -0000
From: Mark Wirtz
Subject: Knock, knock...
Hi, S'Poppers,
I don't do this often, as you well know, but every now and then I have
to commit a slight act of self-promotion. So, check this out in the
knowledge that, contrary to rumours, I am NOT buried under moth balls :)
http://www.revola.co.uk/
Cheers,
Mark W.
http://www.markwirtz.com
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 21
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 19:06:05 +0000
From: Simon White
Subject: Van Morrison vs Al Delory?
I was in a little record shop today and bought a copy of Van Morrison's
"Domino" for one of our English pounds, because I didn't have it and
I'd never heard it before. Blow me down if the backing track isn't very
similar (to the point of "eh?" ) to Al Delory's "Right On". Both
tracks have had their time on the Northern Soul playlists.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 22
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 21:33:04 +0000
From: Frank Murphy
Subject: Who is Keith Mansfield
Phil M:
> Who is Keith Mansfield?
Find out here: http://www.vinylvulture.co.uk/pages/keith_mansfield.htm
FrankM
reflections on northern soul Saturday's two thirty pm
http://www.radiomagnetic.com or listen to an archive show
http://www.radiomagnetic.com/archive/index.php?genre=&show=65
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 23
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 15:14:01 -0800 (PST)
From: Hans Huss
Subject: Re: Bardell / Butane / Angie
Martin Roberts wrote:
> Great to read Hans' mention and possible playing of the Alice
> Wonderland track, I'd love to hear it. And thanks for his original
> suggestion that Bardell and Angie may be related. Thanks also to
> Davie for picking up the ball and running even further with the
> idea.
Martin, Thanks for the kind words. As a newcomer to the list - but
certainly not to the music - I'm thrilled about the way the story
unfolds. Bardell, Butane, Angie, and now - thanks to Al Kooper -
Theatre! Been away but will try to post the Alice Wonderland track
before the weekend.
HH
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 24
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 00:35:20 -0000
From: Davie Gordon
Subject: Re: Billy Dawn (Smith)
Phil X Milstein wrote:
> Note that the writer-singer is "Bill"ed differently in the various
> parts of the record, listed as Billy Dawn in some spots and Billy
> Dawn Smith in others. I'm not familiar with either person, nor can
> I recall offhand in which elements he's which, but a photo and bio
> are available in the "We Wrote 'Em" folder at the Photos section.
Phil, here's an article on Billy Dawn Smith by Marv Goldberg which
will fill you in on his background.
http://home.att.net/~uncamarvy/BillyDawn/billydawn.html
Davie - working backwards trying to catch up :-)
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 25
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2004 16:34:41 -0800 (PST)
From: Hans Huss
Subject: Re: Donnie Elbert British recordings
Good to see Donnie Elbert mentioned on the list, he is truly one of
the unsung heroes! Another of his British recordings has an
interesting story. His 1968 single 'Without You', though voiced in
the UK, features Jamaican backing musicians. Originally released as
the flip to 'Baby Please Come Home' on New Wave, a Melodisc
subsidiary (and reportedly Elbert's and music journalist Norman
Jopling's label), the single was picked up by Deram and flipped,
'Without You' reaching number one in Jamaica and becoming a non-
charting radio hit in the UK in the process.
While Johnny Nash had gone to Jamaica for original backing tracks in
the same year, with his JAD/Turntable label mates Lloyd Price and
Howard Tate following suite on a smaller scale (the former's 'Bad
Conditions' is particularly fine) - and Paul Simon would go, too,
with great results, a few years later - 'Without You' may be the first
instance of an already released rocksteady (or reggae) recording being "versioned" by a non-Jamaican artist (a practice which had not
yet become par for the course even in Jamaica at the time). The same
rhythm track - produced by Bunny Lee - provided the original back-drop
for Glen Adams' cover of 'Hey There Lonely Girl', released on a blank
in Jamaica, and as 'Lonely Girl' in the UK on Giant 33 (back to back
with the inimitable Roy Shirley's 'Warming Up The Scene' - the latter,
with Slim Smith and Glen Adams on backing vocals, one of the fifty or
so best tracks ever made, in my humble opinion).
Backing musicians on 'Without You' / 'Lonely Girl' are Derrick
Harriott's band, the (Mighty) Vikings. Not sure who plays on 'Baby'
(it may be a British band). In an almost Jamaican approach to
songwriting, the lyrics of 'Baby Please Come Home' unashamedly use
the opening couplets of The Miracles' 'I Gotta Dance To Keep From
Crying' - "Gather round my swinging friends, help me forget my hurt
within, I lost the only girl I've ever loved, she's the only one I'm
thinking of..." - before taking off in a different direction.
Now, let me dig out Donnie's All Platinum album for his version of
'Where Did Our Love Go'... That's another British recording, if I
remember correctly.
HH
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
End
