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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: SGC / David Jones
From: Lapka Larry
2. Re: Monkees masters
From: Mikey
3. Midnight Mary / Joey
From: Tom Adams
4. Re: "Sweets For My Sweet"
From: Stewart Epstein
5. Re: Clique
From: Phil X Milstein
6. Re: The Jaynetts' "Snowman, Snowman, Sweet Potato Nose"
From: Dave Monroe
7. "Sweets For My Sweet" / Joey Powers to Photos
From: Clark Besch
8. Magicians' orbit
From: Phil X Milstein
9. Re: "Sweets For My Sweet"
From: Dave Monroe
10. Re: "Sweets For My Sweet"
From: Dave Monroe
11. May I "chime" in
From: Bob Rashkow
12. Freddie Perren, RIP
From: James Cassidy
13. Re: Joey Heatherton
From: Julio Niño
14. Re: Freddie Perren, RIP
From: Davie Gordon
15. Re: Joey Powers to Photos
From: Davie Gordon
16. Re: Magicians' orbit
From: "That" Alan Gordon
17. Re: Joey Heatherton
From: Mikey
18. Re: Joey Heatherton
From: That Alan Gordon
19. The Braillettes
From: Will Stos
20. Re: Joey Heatherton
From: Phil X Milstein
21. The Turtles' "Happy Together"
From: Claire Francis
22. Re: The Turtles' "Happy Together"
From: Roger Smith
23. Re: The Braillettes
From: Steve Yaver
24. Re: The Turtles' "Happy Together"
From: Phil X Milstein
25. Re: The Turtles' "Happy Together"
From: That Alan Gordon
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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 05:15:15 -0800 (PST)
From: Lapka Larry
Subject: Re: SGC / David Jones
Dear All:
Thanks for the information on SGC. My mind is spinning
at this point, but keep it coming--and any other
information you may have on Colgems too.
I think the David Jones LP is OK, but nothing to write
home about. Remember, he was a Broadway star when this
album first appeared, as the original Artful Dodger in
Oliver, so the material kind of went back and forth
from contemporary stuff ("It Ain't Me Babe") to
British music hall-type material ("What Are We Going
to Do").
This leads me to my next point: I think the album
leans toward Herman's Hermits-sounding material
overall, and I have long contended that Davy was
included in The Monkees to "ape" Peter Noone! I know
that some radio stations played "What Are We Going to
Do" and that many listeners thought it was the new
Herman's Hermits recording.
Ironically, Jones and Noone toured briefly a few years
back in the Teen Idols tour, and they actually
recorded a song together that is on the CD sold at
tour stops. Bobby Sherman stuff is also on there, as
he was with them at the time.
Larry Lapka
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 07:58:29 -0500
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: Monkees masters
Phil M:
> Arista originally inherited the Monkees catalogue, yet it now
> SEEMS to be held by Rhino -- thankfully, as they've done a far
> better job with it than Arista ever did. Presuming this to be
> true, did Rhino buy it outright from Arista at some point?
Yes, as a matter of fact, Rhino bought the ENTIRE Monkees
franchise, music, TV shows, movies, etc, from Arista/Colgems.
Rhino owns it all now.
Mikey
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Message: 3
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 14:36:47 -0000
From: Tom Adams
Subject: Midnight Mary / Joey
Hey all;
After a year long search, I was finally able to get my hands on Lorna
Dune's "Midnight Joey", the answer song to Joey Powers' "Midnight
Mary". This record has proven to be so elusive and rare that even our
own Artie Wayne (who wrote it) said that he didn't know much about it
except that "Lorna Dune" was actually Lorna Wright, the sister of
Gary "Dreamweaver" Wright.
It's now posted at musica.
Happy Holidays to all.
Tom Adams
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Message: 4
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 04:18:00 -0800 (PST)
From: Stewart Epstein
Subject: Re: "Sweets For My Sweet"
Dave Monroe wrote:
> I picked up a 45 by The Riddles the other day the b-side of which
> is a cover of Pomus/Shuman's "Sweets for My Sweet"... I know The
> Drifters and The Searchers had recorded it previously, but am
> convinced someone had taped a rather elss obvious version of it
> for me some time back. The shop owner had some idea The Clique
> had done it as well, though I can't find any quick confirmation
> online. Help! Thanks ...
Actually, my rock band recorded and released "Sweets For My Sweet" in
1969. We were called "Central Park West", and our agent/manager was
Julie Rifkind, who is the man who introduced me to Karen Carpenter in
1969. I was the lead singer, BUT the singer on the released single was
actually Terry Cashman, who formed our group plus another band called
"The Buchanon Brothers", managed by Roy Rifkin, who put his son into
that band and which was, quite honestly, the more talented of the two
bands. Hope this helps.
Stewart Epstein
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Message: 5
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 10:18:45 -0800
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Re: Clique
Bill Mulvy wrote:
> The Clique album also had some Tommy James songs including "Sugar On
> Sunday" and "Sparkle and Shine". Their big hit song was "I'll Hold
> Out My Hand". They also did the original? version of "Superman", to
> be made famous, years later, by REM.
Was that the same Clique that also covered "Splash I," by the 13th Floor
Elevators (which, by the way, was written about Janis Joplin)?
--Phil M.
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Message: 6
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 09:38:09 -0800 (PST)
From: Dave Monroe
Subject: Re: The Jaynetts' "Snowman, Snowman, Sweet Potato Nose"
Julio Niño:
> ... the very hypnotic "Snowman, Snowman, Sweet Potato Nose" by
> The Jaynetts. I find it childish and charming but somehow wicked
> at the same time. I don´t know why it disquiets me a little.
> Anyway I love it. PS: my cats also seem to feel something perverse
> in the song, because when I play it loud they run and hide under
> the bed, very nervous.
James Moniz wrote:
> That's so strange the first time I played "Sally Go Round the Roses"
> by the Jaynetts my cats also started to act strange (meowing and
> hiding).
Try "Hey Now" by Lesley Gore. I've found no end of fascination of
late in that strangely seductive rhythmic disconnect betwixt vocal and
instrumental tracks ...
Dave M.
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Message: 7
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 16:33:37 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: "Sweets For My Sweet" / Joey Powers to Photos
MopTopMike wrote:
> The Buckinghams released their version of "Sweets For My Sweet" as
> their debut single in January 1966, just prior to getting signed to
> the USA label. The Riddles version came out in mid 1967.
> The shop owner must be confusing "Sugar On Sunday" with "Sweets..."
Mike, you made me look foolish here! Yes, the Riddles was 1967 and
how could I not think of the Bucks' version too? EEgahd. I'm going
to punish myself by going and listening to the "Kind of a Drag" Cd 10
times!
Also, someone posted "Midnight Joey" to Musica. I had a picture
scanned already that I was going to send to Artie Wayne of Joey
Powers and Lorna Dune of their recording session, so I posted it to
S'Pop photos section. Now, watch and listen! Clark
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Message: 8
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 13:06:02 -0800
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Magicians' orbit
Reading the liner notes to Rhino's first "Nuggets" boxset last night, I
grew curious to learn more about the Magicians' (and Blues Magoos')
management team. Perhaps one of our Alan Gordons can clue us in on that.
Likewise, I was surprised to read there the writer credits to
"Invitation To Cry," which listed Alan's name alongside that not of the
expected Garry Bonner but rather of James Woods. Would I be correct in
assuming that's a different James Woods than the (in)famous actor, Alan?
Magically,
--Phil M.
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Message: 9
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 08:50:17 -0800 (PST)
From: Dave Monroe
Subject: Re: "Sweets For My Sweet"
Clark Besch wrote:
> Dave, do you like the Riddles' version? I love it!
> It made top 20 in Chicago on WLS in 1966....
Oh, yeah, I actually bought it for that side. Is that
a fuzz bass, or just a guitar? Anyway, one of my DJ
tag-team partners told me I couldn't play that one as
she was already spinning it, then she figured out I
had no interest in the other side. Thanks for the
info!
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Message: 10
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 08:51:42 -0800 (PST)
From: Dave Monroe
Subject: Re: "Sweets For My Sweet"
MopTopMike wrote:
> The Buckinghams released their version of "Sweets For My Sweet"
> as their debut single in January 1966, just prior to getting
> signed to the USA label. The Riddles version came out in mid 1967.
> The shop owner must be confusing "Sugar On Sunday" with "Sweets..."
Thanks as well! And I believe you're right, meaning, what, now Tommy
James is mistakenly involved as well ...
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Message: 11
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 13:52:12 EST
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: May I "chime" in
Taking this opportunity to wish everybody on Spectropop a terrific
2005 and joyous holidays......Bobster (Peace all over the world ASAP)
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Message: 12
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 11:34:57 -0500
From: James Cassidy
Subject: Freddie Perren, RIP
>From the Los Angeles Times, December 22, 2004
LOS ANGELES -- Freddie Perren, a composer, arranger, and record
producer who won a Grammy Award for producing two songs on the 1977
''Saturday Night Fever" album, has died. He was 61.
Mr. Perren died Thursday after a long illness, according to his wife,
Christine Yarian Perren. She said Mr. Perren suffered a massive stroke
11 years ago.
The ''Saturday Night Fever" album was named Album of the Year in 1978.
The next year, Mr. Perren wrote and produced, with Dino Fekaris, ''I
Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor, which won the Grammy for Best Disco
Recording in 1979. Mr. Perren was a member of the Motown production
group The Corporation, which wrote and produced the first Jackson Five
hit records. The Corporation -- which included Motown Records founder
Berry Gordy, Deke Richards, and Fonce Mizell -- produced the Jackson
Five's ''I Want You Back," ''ABC," and ''The Love You Save." While at
Motown, Mr. Perren also produced the Miracles' hits ''Love Machine"
and ''Do It Baby."
Some of Mr. Perren's post-Motown records include Peaches and Herb's
''Reunited" and ''Shake Your Groove Thing"; the Sylvers's ''Boogie
Fever" and ''Hot Line"; and Tavares's ''Heaven Must Be Missing an
Angel."
In addition to his wife, Mr. Perren leaves a son and a daughter.
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Message: 13
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 16:17:59 -0000
From: Julio Niño
Subject: Re: Joey Heatherton
Hola Everybody:
I love innocent girls pretending to be bad, but I think I much
prefer bad girls pretending to be innocent. Joey Heatherton
looked in many pictures like a wonderful case of the latter type,
although she always made it clear to us that her faux candour is
just a pose. To me, she always looks like a girl with attitude and
a lot of sense of humor.
I´m only familiar with one track by Joey, her great and in my
opinion definitive version of " Live and Learn" (included in
"Where The Girls Are" vol.1). I also think to remember that she
appeared in John Waters´ "Cry Baby".
Yesterday, I was very intrigued by the amusing post by David A.
Young (thanks for the tip , David) announcing the recent release
of a Joey´s compilation in Hip´O select (you can find info in
http://www.hip-oselect.com/catalogue_joey.asp ). Of couse I felt
immediately fascinated when I saw the suggestive picture on the
cover of the CD. I´ve already ordered my copy, but it will take
some days to arrive, and according to David the liner notes
aren´t very informative. So, as I feel very curious about her (her
music and her life), maybe David or our "Jail Queen" (or was it
"Sanatorium Queen"), Amber, or any other, could calm my anxiety by
telling us something about Joey.
Chao.
Julio Niño.
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Message: 14
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 19:42:06 -0000
From: Davie Gordon
Subject: Re: Freddie Perren, RIP
James Cassidy wrote:
> From the Los Angeles Times, December 22, 2004
> LOS ANGELES -- Freddie Perren, a composer, arranger, and record
> producer who won a Grammy Award for producing two songs on the 1977
> ''Saturday Night Fever" album, has died. He was 61.
Sad news indeed, James - thanks for letting us know. I knew he was in
a bad way following his stroke but this still comes as a shock. My
sympathies to his wife and family - they must have had some trying
times over the years.
Davie
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Message: 15
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 19:48:15 -0000
From: Davie Gordon
Subject: Re: Joey Powers to Photos
Clark Besch wrote:
> ... scanned already that I was going to send to Artie Wayne of Joey
> Powers and Lorna Dune of their recording session, so I posted it to
> S'Pop photos section. Now, watch and listen!
Aye, they were the days when girl singers were "larks" or "thrushes" -
not like these days of "barely clothed slappers".
Davie - in "old curmudgeon" mode :)
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Message: 16
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 12:52:03 -0700
From: "That" Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: Magicians' orbit
Phil X Milstein wrote:
> Reading the liner notes to Rhino's first "Nuggets" boxset last night,
> I grew curious to learn more about the Magicians' (and Blues Magoos')
> management team. Perhaps one of our Alan Gordons can clue us in on
> that. Likewise, I was surprised to read there the writer credits to
> "Invitation To Cry," which listed Alan's name alongside that not of
> the expected Garry Bonner but rather of James Woods. Would I be
> correct in assuming that's a different James Woods than the (in)famous
> actor, Alan?
The Magicians and Blues Magoos were both produced by Art Polhemus and
Bob Wyld. They had a company called Longhair Productions. "Invitation
To Cry" was a song I wrote with Jimmy Woods, a fellow staff writer at
We Three Music. I had not met Garry Bonner untill Art and Bob brought
him into the studio to do the lead vocal on "Invitation" The Magicians
were given the name by Koppleman and Rubin who had the Spoonful hit
"Do You Believe In MAGIC", hence The Magicians. Garry replaced Mike
Appel who quit the group before Longhair sold the master to Koppleman
and Rubin. Jimmy Woods is not the actor James Woods. Longhair did
manage the Magoos, who recorded a song I co wrote with Ritchie Adams
called "Gotta Get Away" which was on the B side of "We Ain`t Got
Nothin Yet" both groups performed at The Nite Owl in the village.
Best, That Alan
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Message: 17
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 15:26:57 -0500
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: Joey Heatherton
Speaking of Joey Heatherton, MANY years ago, when I was like 15, I
got to meet her brother Dick Heatherton at WCBS-FM. Super guy. Showed
me how to load carts. Hope he's well these days.
Mikey
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Message: 18
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 13:37:43 -0700
From: That Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: Joey Heatherton
In the 1950`s there was a children's television show called 'The Merry
Mailman' which was hosted by a man named Ray Heatherton. He was, if I`m
not mistaken, Joey`s fatherton. I betcha Al Kooper and I still remember
his theme song!!!
Best, That Alan
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Message: 19
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 20:17:03 -0000
From: Will Stos
Subject: The Braillettes
I'm not sure if this is even real or not, but on a list of worst
record covers ever, a girl group (whose members are apparently blind)
showed up. Anyone ever heard their record?
http://porktornado.diaryland.com/covers2.html
Will : )
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Message: 20
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 15:38:16 -0800
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Re: Joey Heatherton
Julio Niño wrote:
> I´m only familiar with one track by Joey. ... So, as I feel very
> curious about her (her music and her life), maybe David or our
> "Jail Queen" (or was it "Sanatorium Queen"), Amber, or any other,
> could calm my anxiety by telling us something about Joey.
Joey was raised in a family prominent in local New York City show
business circles. Her father, Ray Heatherton, was, if I'm not mistaken,
a former big-band leader, who by the time I was coming up had taken to
hosting his own daily kiddie TV show titled "The Merry Mailman." His
sidekick, if you can believe this, was a talking mailbox named
"Bleep-Bleep," who could only talk when the Merry Mailman pulled down
his hinged letterbox door. (If I remember correctly, all Bleep-Bleep
could say, at that, was "bleep bleep." Hence, as you've no doubt already
gathered, his name.) As the Merry Mailman was not only merry but also a
singing mailman, there was at least one album released in conjunction
with the show.
Joey's brother Dick Heatherton was a long-time NYC DJ. She herself was
groomed for stardom, as a singer / dancer / actress / sexpot, but was
derailed by a raging cocaine habit, which led to an unfortunate case
over an airport inspection of her baggage. Details are hazy, in my mind
and perhaps her's as well.
So Julio, does this information raise Joey's position in your pantheon,
or lower it?
Live and learn,
--Phil M.
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Message: 21
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 15:49:01 EST
From: Claire Francis
Subject: The Turtles' "Happy Together"
I just want to say that "Happy Together" by the Turtles is one of my
all time favorite records. It kept my family going through many tough
times when there was a lot of medical problems in our then young
family. Every time I hear that song, I just feel like crying. If
any of you know the songwriter, or The Turtles...give them a big hug
for me.
Love & Light,
Claire Francis
http://www.clairefrancis.com
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Message: 22
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 16:18:14 -0500
From: Roger Smith
Subject: Re: The Turtles' "Happy Together"
Claire Francis:
> I just want to say that "Happy Together" by the Turtles is one of my
> all time favorite records. It kept my family going through many tough
> times when there was a lot of medical problems in our then young
> family. Every time I hear that song, I just feel like crying. If
> any of you know the songwriter, or The Turtles...give them a big hug
> for me.
Check out http://www.theturtles.com/ to see if the Turtles are performing
in your area. In addition to putting on a terrific show, Mark and Howard
are very accessible. They usually greet fans after their shows. I doubt
they get tired of hearing how much their music has meant to others.
As for one of the songwriters, hang on a second .... :-)
-- Roger
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Message: 23
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 13:06:39 -0800
From: Steve Yaver
Subject: Re: The Braillettes
Will Stos:
> I'm not sure if this is even real or not, but on a list of worst
> record covers ever, a girl group (whose members are apparently blind)
> showed up. Anyone ever heard their record?
> http://porktornado.diaryland.com/covers2.html
It most certainly is real, as I have a copy of it. But, and here's the
big BUT...I haven't listened to it because it is still sealed. It's on
Heart Warming Records, and it's Christian music. They were from San
Leandro, CA, and the record was recorded at Whitney Recording Studios
in Glendale, CA. The music was arranged and conducted by Jimmy Owens.
I have a friend that has an open copy, and he says it's nothing special;
just girl vocal stuff on some traditional Christian songs.
Steve
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Message: 24
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 16:21:51 -0800
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Re: The Turtles' "Happy Together"
Claire Francis wrote:
> I just want to say that "Happy Together" by the Turtles is one of my
> all time favorite records. It kept my family going through many tough
> times when there was a lot of medical problems in our then young
> family. Every time I hear that song, I just feel like crying. If
> any of you know the songwriter, or The Turtles...give them a big hug
> for me.
Claire, one* of the writers of that song, the so-called That** Alan
Gordon is a prominent member of Spectropop. My bet is that he will be
delighted to hear of how much "Happy Together" has meant to you and your
family.
Love and light to you, too,
--Phil M.
*The other being Alan's longtime writing partner, Garry Bonner.
**To differentiate him from This Alan Gordon, another member, who, come
to think of it, we haven't heard from in a while.
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Message: 25
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 2004 14:25:20 -0700
From: That Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: The Turtles' "Happy Together"
To Claire, I`m so glad you like "Happy Together". Like you, that song
kept my family going through many tough times, and thankfully many good
times. I`m blessed to be able to say I co-wrote the song with Garry
Bonner. When I was a young man I would always ask for heavenly help in
trying to write a hit song, well the Angels must have heard my prayers
because they made sure there were plenty of trumpets on the record.
Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year to you and your family.
Best, That Alan
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