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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 12 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. "Teenage Crush"
From: Michael Edwards
2. Re: Rhino Girl Group Box
From: David Gofstein
3. St Etienne
From: JK
4. Hollywood Jills
From: Sheila Burgel
5. Alvin & Olay
From: Phil X Milstein
6. Re: Colgems
From: Davie Gordon
7. Re: Rhino Girl Group Box
From: Tim Sendra
8. Re: Rhino Girl Group Box
From: Phil X Milstein
9. speaking of Winfield Scott ...
From: Phil X Milstein
10. Dionne Warwick
From: Karen Andrew
11. Various topics
From: Clark Besch
12. Re: Rhino Girl Group Box
From: Mikey
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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 16:16:39 -0000
From: Michael Edwards
Subject: "Teenage Crush"
Some time ago I bemoaned the fact that James Darren's "Goodbye
Cruel World" appeared on a compilation CD, "Teen Time – Vol. 1"
on the Eric label along with some other well known songs drawn
from the Colpix and Roulette labels. Nothing wrong with "GCW";
it's just that it suffers a little from over-familiarity, as do
"Easier Said Than Done" and "Johnny Angel" on the same set.
Well, yesterday's mail brings another CD with "Goodbye Cruel World"
on it; "Teenage Crush – Volume 4" from the UK based Ace label.
However what makes this CD work is the inclusion of some rarities
from that the late 50s/early 60s, all of which grazed the Hot-100
but have been overlooked by oldies' programmers and CD compilers.
Examples include Dean Christie's superb Dion knock-off, "Heart
Breaker", from 1962 and Huelyn Duvall's rockabilly-tinged ballad,
"Little Boy Blue" (1959).
The quality of this CD reflects the super high standards set by the
Ace label. Our own Mick Patrick and Malcolm Baumgart discuss all
the songs in detail in the booklet. I note that "Country" Paul is
in there too. The graphics and memorabilia are plentiful, colorful
and well laid out. The track sequencing is such that the rarities
are interspersed among the hits for a listening experience that is
light years away from that found by tuning in to oldies' stations.
It's topical too, as "Queen Of The Hop" reminds us that Kevin
Spacey's "Beyond The Sea" flick is opening in a few weeks.
The whole thing starts with the chirpy organ intro to Dickey Lee's
"I Saw Linda Yesterday" (nice to have this on CD again), so you're
into it right away. I have the 3 earlier volumes in this series but
I get the impression that the compilers have cast their nets more
widely with this one. Roll on volume 5!
Track listings, zub's review and indicative US pricing at
amazon.com:
http://tinyurl.com/5qjko
Mike Edwards
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 08:12:43 -0800 (PST)
From: David Gofstein
Subject: Re: Rhino Girl Group Box
Dan N:
> Lesley Gore's official Web site contains a blurb about Rhino
> Records planning to release a 4-CD girl group box set in June
> 2005.
Hi All:
4 CDs and only two slots for Lesley Gore?? That just ain't right!
Just off the top of my head I would have to include "Sometimes I
wish I were a Boy", "Wonder Boy", "Look of Love", "The Old Crowd",
"You Don't Own Me", "My Town, My Guy and Me", "When Yesterday Was
Tomorrow" and "I Won't Love You Anymore". Then if I really thought
about it I could goose that list up by 6 or 7 more!!
But that minor quibble sure won't stop me from looking forward to
this box from the good folks at Rhino. If it shows half the care
and attention that their 2 Nuggets boxes received, it will be one
for the ages!
Sunshine Lollipops and Rainbows,
Dave Gofstein
(also in Phoenix AZ USA, by the way)
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Message: 3
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2004 17:10:01 EST
From: JK
Subject: St Etienne
St Etienne are currently finishing off there new CD..which
features the vocal and arranging talents of Tony and Anthony
Rivers...expect a Brian Wilson feel behind their sound...
JK
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Message: 4
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 14:26:03 -0500
From: Sheila Burgel
Subject: Hollywood Jills
Hi Spectropoppers:
I'm lookin' for info on Capitol girl group the Hollywood Jills- anyone
got any?
Thanks!
Sheila
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Message: 5
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2004 23:14:53 -0500
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Alvin & Olay
Holiday time, as we all know, is mall time. While doing my annual duty
there the other day I was taken aback by one of those newfangled,
pedestrian-impeding billboard monoliths, which featured a dual ad
promoting both Oil of Olay and, of all things, Alvin & The Chipmunks.
Now, you might wonder, what in the name of all that is holy might a
greasy skin care product have to do with our favorite sped-up rocknroll
cartoon band? Fortunately I happened to have my camera handy, and thus,
if you drop by the Photos section, you can find out for yourself.
Me I want a hula-hoop,
--Phil M.
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Message: 6
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 10:09:28 -0000
From: Davie Gordon
Subject: Re: Colgems
Larry Lapka wrote:
> One question: I don't believe that Colpix ceased to exist when "Last
> Train To Clarksville" was released, although for all intents and
> purposes, its remaining shelf life was pretty short at this point in
> 1966. What was the final, last record released on the Colpix label?
Colpix 804 GAMMA GOOCHEE HIMSELF
Billboard May 14, 1966
Sweet Violets
tipped to make the country charts !
Colgems 1001 THE MONKEES
Billboard Aug 27, 1966
Last Train To Clarksville
Colpix was closed down months before the Monkees' first single
was released - probably as soon as the deal betwen RCA and
Screen Gems was signed.
Davy Jones : "One of the reasons Ward Sylvester left New Yorl
was to close Colpix Records down. They had asked Lester Sill
to head Colpix up only to shut it down a few months later, knowing
full well they were about to put together the Colgems label with
Don Kirshner in control and the Monkees as the only artist on
the label" (from Glenn Bakers "Monkeemania !")
It looks to me as if the contracts for Nesmith and Jones,who
were already on Colpix,were transferred to Colgems and all the
other Colpix artists were dropped with the exception of Hoyt
Axton.
Davie
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Message: 7
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 17:49:29 -0000
From: Tim Sendra
Subject: Re: Rhino Girl Group Box
One can only hope that our Mick Patrick is involved somehow. Perhaps
he can help Rhino avoid the dodginess of the Punk and 80's
underground boxes. And of so many of their recent projects. How can
we trust a label that is sitting idly on the rights to the Everly
Brothers catalog to do the right thing?
Wishin' and Hopin'
Tim Sendra
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Message: 8
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 11:56:13 -0800
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Re: Rhino Girl Group Box
Dan Nowicki asked:
> Lesley Gore's official Web site contains a blurb about Rhino
> Records planning to release a 4-CD girl group box set in June
> 2005. Does anybody on Spectropop have any insight into this
> project? Lesley's site only says, "They plan to go beyond the
> hits and showcase 'should-have-been-hits'. It will include two
> tracks from Lesley and a box book." Is there a tentative track
> list or any other details floating around out there?
I've been involved on this project as a consultant, although am hardly
enough in the thick of it to have all the details. The box is being co-
produced by Gary Stewart and Sheryl Farber, and is planned as a sort of
girl-group version of Gary's two very successful "Nuggets" boxes (hence
my title suggestion of "No Nuggets"). Liner notes are being penned by our
own Sheila Cha-Cha Charming. The last I've heard the tracklist is still a
bit up in the air, with some of the songs awaiting final licensing
approval, but if the release version comes anywhere close to the list
I've seen on paper the box will be so hot we'll need to handle it with
asbestos gloves!
Hopefully,
--Phil M.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 9
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 15:35:35 -0800
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: speaking of Winfield Scott ...
With Winfield Scott so much in the news of late, this seems the perfect
time to add his "Some Cold Night Now," from MGM's "We Wrote 'Em And
We Sing 'Em" LP, to musica. As connoted by the album's title, Scott is
heard singing his own composition.
Those living in the northeastern U.S. may find this particular track
doubly appropriate for right now. On my way home tonight, I swear I
could see my breath freeze to itself!
Dig,
--Phil M.
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Message: 10
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 19:43:56 -0800 (PST)
From: Karen Andrew
Subject: Dionne Warwick
Saw Dionne on "The View" TV show this past week. She has finally put
out her first ever Christmas album. She said she didn't do it before
now because Christmas albums have to be recorded in the summer and
she always tours in the summers.
In the recent past, there has been a discussion of the quality of her
voice on S'Pop discussions. She sang "White Christmas" on "The View"
and sounded as beautiful as ever. She was singing on their stage and
didn't appear to be lip-syncing. (I think she was singing to a
recorded orchestra or band.) So, I think it was really her beautful
voice without enhancements, etc. Of course, what do I know. The show
is taped!
Karen
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Message: 11
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2004 06:18:18 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Various topics
First, I would like to wish all you great SPopper friends a very
Merry Christmas! I especially want to thank Doug Richard for hooking
me up to this great group of people and to Joe Nelson who was kind
enough to post a song to Musica. Hopefully, I will be able to do so
again soon.
> Scott Swanson wrote: I have copies of both "Happy New Year" and its
> B-side ("Where The Good Times Are"). As far as I know she only
> released one other solo track in the '60s -- a version of
> Donovan's "Museum" in July 1967. Now if only someone would upload
> THAT to Musica!
This topic was covered a year ago, but I will reiterate that "Happy
New Year" is a GREAT record--so powerful!! I'd also love to
hear "Museum" by her.
> Joe Nelson wrote: My question was as to the difference in fates
> between the two labels.
> I believe Colgems effectively was absorbed into Bell when the latter
> label was bought by Screen Gems / Columbia Pictures Television around
> 1970 (imagine the Partridge Family on Colgems), yet the Colpix
> masters didn't follow to the new label?
If Colgems was a name change for Colpix, it sure did NOT have the
Colpix roster. I never saw Colpix' Just Us, The Real gamma Gucci,
Billy Carr, the Princetons on Colgems. Instead we got non-Colpix
artists like the Fountain of Youth, Toomorrow, Lewis And Clarke, New
Establishment, and PK Limited. Yet 2 Colpix artists, David Jones and
Mike Nesmith (as Michael Blessing) were a part of the Monkees!!
> Mike wrote: Larry, I don't believe the Davy Jones Lp was ever re-
> released by Colpix, or anyone.
Maybe, kinda?? The Lp came out in mid 65 originally and the
single, "What are We Going to Do" became a hit in the midwest,
reaching #30 on WLS Chicago. After the Monkees became famous, I
began to hear the song again on radio and the Lp finally jumped onto
Billboard's Lp chart for the first time in summer of 67!! I'm sure
the Lp was starting to sell again in early 67 and Colpix likely
pressed more copies and caused it to rise into the charts. So,
the "David Jones" Colpix Lp was charting as the
Monkees' "Headquarters" Lp was near the top. Just think of all the
water that flowed under the bridge between the 2 Lps original release
dates!!
> Dave Monroe wrote: St. E have also covered, on the Francophone
> front, Massiel's "La la la" and Francoise Hardy's "Tout les garcons
> and les filles". Okay, my two obsessions, 60s French pop and Saint
> Etienne (okay, three obsessions, Scottish indie pop as well) rolled
> into one post ...
Someone once sent me a tape of Francoise Hardy doing 4 songs. I
couldn't understand a word she was singing, but the songs were
incredible! Went out and got a greatest hits Lp as soon as I could.
She just made great music, in a "Sukyaki" kind of way, I guess, since
I couldn't understand what she was singing. Later, I heard her sing
one of the songs in English, and I DIDN'T LIKE IT that way!!
> Davie Gordon wrote: Tony Middleton is definitely not Sammy Ambrose.
> Ambrose died some years ago, whereas as far as I know Tony Middleton
> is still with us.
The name Middleton struck a chord with me until I realized I was
thinking of EDDIE Middleton. He had a great record in summer of 70
called "Until Then" on Shelby Singleton's "SSS Int" label. A hit in,
you guessed it, Wichita, Kansas. Great blue-eyed soul with harmonica
and a Memphis horn soul sound. Anyone ever heard of that guy or what
his story was. Never saw a record by him again.
> Michael Edwards wrote: Well, yesterday's mail brings another CD
> with "Goodbye Cruel World"
> on it; "Teenage Crush – Volume 4" from the UK based Ace label.
> However what makes this CD work is the inclusion of some rarities
> from that the late 50s/early 60s, all of which grazed the Hot-100
> but have been overlooked by oldies' programmers and CD compilers.
> Examples include Dean Christie's superb Dion knock-off, "Heart
> Breaker", from 1962 and Huelyn Duvall's rockabilly-tinged ballad,
> "Little Boy Blue" (1959).
As with the above commentary by me, the talk of "Little boy Blue"
made me think of another tune again. This time from late 1960. KOMA
in OKC played what i think was a local hit only, "Johnny Blue" by
Jimmy Hughes on UBC records. I have it taped off KOMA from then as
well as on their survey. It's kind of a Frankie Avalon song, pretty
goofy too, but it was when I was really young and would love to hear
it on Musica if anyone has the record.
Thanks again for a great year!! Clark
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2004 12:35:15 -0500
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: Rhino Girl Group Box
David Gofstein:
> 4 CDs and only two slots for Lesley Gore?? That just ain't right!
> Just off the top of my head I would have to include "Sometimes I
> wish I were a Boy", "Wonder Boy", "Look of Love", "The Old Crowd",
> "You Don't Own Me", "My Town, My Guy and Me", "When Yesterday Was
> Tomorrow" and "I Won't Love You Anymore". Then if I really thought
> about it I could goose that list up by 6 or 7 more!!
Nahh....the Lesley Gore Stuff is all available in a million places.
I'd like to see a bix set with the 2nd level hits and LOTs of
obscurities. Hell, we dont need "My Boyfriends Back" on another Comp!!
Mikey
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
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