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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 19 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Margaret Ross speaks!
From: Mick Patrick
2. Rex: Solomon King
From: Ken Silverwood
3. Re: Talking Guitar
From: John Fox
4. Re: France Gall
From: Frank
5. Re: Kerri on
From: David A Young
6. Re: a Vogues question
From: Various
7. Re: unreleased demos
From: Barry Margolis
8. surprising oldie in a current commercial
From: Tony Baylis
9. Re: Ray Peterson, R.I.P.
From: Gary Myers
10. Beach Boys '65 DVD for a dollar!
From: Tom Taber
11. Re: Do You Hear That Beat
From: Gary Myers
12. Re: Besame Mucho
From: Gary Myers
13. "Corrina, Corrina" / "What Does A Girl Do?"
From: Bob Rashkow
14. Re: Ray Peterson, R.I.P.
From: Pres
15. Thoughts on age(s); Sonovox; Barbara George
From: Country Paul
16. Re: Frequently misheard lyrics: the case of 'He Is The Boy'
From: Mike Carter
17. Re: Solomon King
From: Davie Gordon
18. Re: "Dick Fox's Golden Boys"
From: Phil X Milstein
19. Re: 'He Is The Boy'
From: Dave Heasman
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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 12:54:49 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Margaret Ross speaks!
Jeff Lemlich wrote:
> The unreleased demos keep on coming. Now playing at musica
> is a Dick Charles Recording 10" acetate of a song called
> "Please Let Him Love Me". There is no artist listed on the
> label, but I have a feeling the Spectropop detectives will
> get to the bottom of this one, too.
Peter Andreasen:
> I am 99.9% certain that the lead singer on "Please let him
> love me" which is currently playing at Musica, is Margaret
> Ross of the Cookies. Try to compare it with "Only to other
> people" and "Softly in the night" or The Cinderellas single
> "Baby, baby I still love you" bw "Please don't wake me".
> Does anyone disagree?
That demo is fantastic, in a Hale-&-the-Hushabyes-doing-
"There'll-Always-Be-An-England" kinda way. Like you, I was
convinced the lead vocalist was the one and only Margaret
Ross. To find out for sure, I put the track on a CDR and mailed
it to Margaret. You may recall that she attended the S'pop live
Shindig held in New York in 2003. She gave me her contact
details that evening. I followed up with a phone call. Here's
some of what Margaret had to say:
"Yes it's me. How on earth did you find it? I think it sounds
really great, but I don't actually remember recording it. The
other Cookies aren't on it, are they? The backing vocalists
are men, but I have no idea who they are. I don't recall
doing sessions with any male back-ups. Maybe they put them on
afterwards. I think the song was written by Barry Mann and
Cynthia Weil. Barry got me to do demos of quite a few of his
songs, like 'Good, Good Lovin'. It certainly doesn't sound
like one of Carole and Gerry's songs. Thanks so much for
sending it to me. It really made my day."
Margaret also told me that the other two Cookies - her cousin
Dorothy and Janie (Earl-Jean) - aren't in the best of health
these days. I asked her to pass on the best wishes of the
S'pop gang.
How lucky the Cookies were to have three great lead singers.
So, thanks Jeff for sharing your demos with us. Not wishing
to be grasping, or anything, but do you have any others?
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
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Message: 2
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 19:44:13 -0000
From: Ken Silverwood
Subject: Rex: Solomon King
Larry wrote:
> I've been trying to find out what the original label was for close to a year.
First released in 1970 on Columbia DB 8676 as "Say A Prayer" / "Beautiful
Day" by Solomon King, then in 1971 as "Beautiful Day" / "Don't You Be
A Sinner" on Columbia DB 8807 by Levi Jackson. I would think that Levi
Jackson, rather than King Solomon, is his real name. I've also read that
he spent time living in Prestwich Nr Manchester UK.
Ken On The West Coast.
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Message: 3
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 15:55:21 EST
From: John Fox
Subject: Re: Talking Guitar
Jim Faust wrote:
> Hope someone can point me to a US song which was a hit in
> Australia (and probably elsewhere) around 1963. Its catchy gimmick
> was "talking" guitars, where the "vocals" were played on the strings.
The song you're thinking of is probably "Forever" by Pete Drake, which went
to #25 in 1964.
John Fox
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Message: 4
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 19:11:07 +0100
From: Frank
Subject: Re: France Gall
Phil M. asked:
> By the way, Frank, how did you come to know her?
Oh this is a rather long story Phil, but in a few words I was a DJ for several
years, then a pop music magazine editor, then a record producer ... among
other things. I also happen to have written a musical with her then-husband
Michel Berger. It will probably be produced for the stage next year.
Frank
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Message: 5
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 18:22:39 -0000
From: David A Young
Subject: Re: Kerri on
Artie Wayne quoth:
> Kerri Downs was married to Gerry Granahan ["No Chemise Please"].
> In 1962 she recorded a song Ben Raleigh and I wrote, "4,003,221
> Tears from Now" which was covered by Judy Stone and went top ten
> in Austraila.
Thanks, Artie. That explains why Gerry's name is a common denominator
on so many of Kerri's sides (though not "4,003,221 Tears"). In addition to
its regular issue on Epic 9643 (which my sources show as an early 1964
release), her version of that song came out on an unnumbered red-vinyl
Epic promo, backed with Linda Brannon's "Don't Cross Over (To My Side
of the Street)." Interestingly, Linda was married to another big-time
soundbooth guy, Jerry Kennedy, who produced a number of credible
girl-group records (including with Ms. Brannon) in addition to the country
fare for which he's better known.
David A. Young
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Message: 6
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 17:44:44 -0600
From: Various
Subject: Re: a Vogues question
A plethora of answers to Max Weiner's question:
> Got a question about the Vogues' "Five O'Clock World". I have two
> versions of this song, one with a string section in the back and
> one without. Personally, I think the strings add something to this
> song, but my question is which version actually was released first?
----------
Denny:
The original mono versions of "Five O'Clock World" do not include strings.
The Vogues' record label at the time, Co & Ce, never released anything
in stereo. For "The Vogues Greatest Hits" on Reprise (RS 6371), string
arrangements were added to the mono trackings of their three biggest
hits on Co & Ce ("Five O'Clock World", "You're The One", and "Magic Town")
for stereo balance. Although it is not true stereo, the sound quality is still
excellent.
----------
Michael Thom:
The version without strings was the original Co & Ce single. Ernie Freeman
added the strings (as he did to the other mono Co & Ce recordings) for the
reissue of the song on the Reprise "Vogues' Greatest Hits" LP so that the
resulting tracks would be in stereo.
-----
Billy G. Spradlin:
The strings version was done for a greatest hits album on Reprise in 1968.
Producer Dick Glasser just overdubbed orchestration on top of the old mono
Co & Ce recordings to create new "stereo" mixes. The overdubbed version
appears on the Warner Special products "More Party Classics" CD.
There is a split-track stereo version on Varese Sarabande's "Discoveries
Presents -- Stereo Oldies!" CD, with the instrumental track on the left,
vocals hard right. From what I remember reading about the song, the
instrumental bed was recorded in Nashville, then shipped to Pittsburgh
for The Vogues, who recorded vocals on top.
I'm kinda partial to the stereo overdub version. I heard it for many years
and the overdubbed "You're The One" on FM oldies radio and shows
(like Dick Bartley's) before many stations switched to CD libraries and
started using the mono original, probably from Rhino's best-of CD.
-----
Paul Urbahn:
Co&Cee could not afford strings in the Mid 60s. According to Bill Inglot, the
music tracks were recorded in Nashville and the vocals were added at a
small mono studio in Philadelphia. On some of the recent stereo reissues
of Co & Ce material you can hear the monitor speaker playing the backing
tracks in the vocal channel.
When The Vogues signed with Reprise, they were in the big leagues and
all their records featured strings much like their competitors The Lettermen.
When Reprise issued their first Greatest Hits album, strings were added
to the three old mono Co & Ce cuts. I think the strings fill in the holes in
the Co & Ce arrangements, but purists hate them.
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Message: 7
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 09:39:06 -0600
From: Barry Margolis
Subject: Re: unreleased demos
Jeff Lemlich wrote:
> The unreleased demos keep on coming. Now playing at musica
> is a Dick Charles Recording 10" acetate of a song called "Please
> Let Him Love Me". There is no artist listed on the label, but I have
> a feeling the Spectropop detectives will get to the bottom of this
> one, too.
Speaking of demos, I have a 10" metal acetate with the label "Regent
Sound Studios, Inc.," with The Overtones doing "Walkin' My Baby Back
Home" b/w "What Made Me Forget," a really cool girl group version of the
1931 standard. Was this ever issued?
Barry in Minneapolis
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Message: 8
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 17:14:32 -0000
From: Tony Baylis
Subject: surprising oldie in a current commercial
It would be neat to know how and/or why 'Whoo Hoo', originally by The
Rock A Teens, was chosen by the telephone company Vonage as the
backing for their current commercials on the box. Although I haven't heard
the original in quite a while, I don't believe it is that being played, although
it could be a live version. Considering that 'Whoo Hoo' was never that
huge of a hit, it ias most surprising to hear it on TV over 40 years later.
Tony Baylis
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Message: 9
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 10:59:25 -0800
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Ray Peterson, R.I.P.
Ed Salamon wrote:
> I just returned from Ray Peterson's funeral ... Former Beach Boys
> manager Fred Vail, who booked Ray to open their 1964 tour, spoke.
I saw that show in Milwaukee. IIRC, Keith Allison was also on it. He might
have been playing guitar for Ray, and then Ray featured him on one song,
or something like that.
gem
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Message: 10
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 09:15:32 -0800 (PST)
From: Tom Taber
Subject: Beach Boys '65 DVD for a dollar!
I finally got around to watching the last of three Jack Benny shows that are
on a DVD the Dollar Tree store had a few months back. The box said "three
half-hour shows," but the last segment is a B&W kinescope of his Nov. 3,
1965 NBC hour-long special. Was I surprised when The Beach Boys were
announced as guests! With Brian, they did a short version (about half) of
"California Girls," appear in a skit with Jack and Bob Hope, and introduce
"Barbara Ann" as "from their new album." It's Jack Benny Vol. 2, but look
for that 11/65 show date.
Tom Taber
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Message: 11
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 11:10:12 -0800
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Do You Hear That Beat
Dave Monroe wrote:
> I can't find a copy either at the library or on sale
It should be in several libraries in Milwaukee (at least it was). Barnes &
Noble's in WI were stocking it, but they haven't re-ordered in a few years.
It can be special-ordered at most any book store, and it's also available
directly from me -- see my website or e-mail me offlist.
Thanks very much for checking the record!
Gary Myers / MusicGem
http://home.earthlink.net/~gem777/
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Message: 12
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 10:57:02 -0800
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Besame Mucho
Me, earlier:
> I recall an instrumental version, in 5/4, being played on LGFJ
> (L.A.) in '63. <<
Norman D. wrote:
> Was it by Jet Harris (ex-Shadows, bass player)? This was a UK hit
> in 1962. I can't recall the time it was in, just the twangy guitar.
Well, I recall more of a B-3 sound than a twangy guitar, but it's been so long
that it's hard to say. Maybe I'm only remembering part of it. Either way, thanks
very much for the response, Norman.
gem
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Message: 13
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 23:02:17 EST
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: "Corrina, Corrina" / "What Does A Girl Do?"
Does anyone remember one of those endless 90s movies based on songs,
"Corrina, Corrina" with Whoopi Goldberg & Ray Liotta--I saw the flick
when it came out. I can't remember if Ray's original version is used
on the soundtrack or if they got some other contemporary "singer" to
wail it. Anyone remember this? The only other version I've heard is
(I believe) either Dean Martin or Perry Como on the B side of one of
their lower charts (or non-charts).
Mick Patrick, I am enjoying your liner notes for the "What Does A Girl
Do?" CD. Your utter appreciation for these unsung girl-group tunes
shows through in every single blurb. So far I've heard 10 of the 22
tracks. Really dig The Chelmars (Jigsaw Puzzle), Terry and the
Tunisians (Tom Tom) and Linda Cumbo, particularly Yesterday, Today and
Tomorrow. Mouth is watering to hear the vintage Shirley Ellis--I'll
let you know! Bobster
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Message: 14
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 20:15:41 -0000
From: Pres
Subject: Re: Ray Peterson, R.I.P.
Larry Bromley wrote:
> Last night I, like another group member, could not find news about
> Ray Peterson. Just now, I searched on YAHOO! and found a number of
> news articles, so I guess that it waasn't deemed important enough
> by any on-line servies, since the articles I found were from
> newspapers.
I was pleased - as pleased as one can be considering the
circumstances - to see that news of his passing actually made the
CNN scroll later that evening.
pres
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Message: 15
Date: Sat, 29 Jan 2005 17:20:30 -0500
From: Country Paul
Subject: Thoughts on age(s); Sonovox; Barbara George
Larry Bromley:
> Last night I, like another group member, could not find news
> about Ray Peterson. Just now, I searched on YAHOO! and found
> a number of news articles, so I guess that it waasn't deemed
> important enough by any on-line servies, since the articles
> I found were from newspapers.
NY Times ran both his obit, and that of Jim Capaldi of Traffic, today.
Interesting to reflect: Capaldi was only 60, Peterson 65, and Spencer
Dryden was 66. At the time of the change between pre- and post-Beatles/
British Invasion music, the lines were drawn pretty clearly, and the
generations seemed to be from different universes. In numeric
comparison, rare were the pre-'64 hit artists still having a significant
run of hits by 1970, unless they totally reinvented themselves. And yet
in retrospect, the ages of these folks overlapped significantly. (And
yes, friends, I do know that a fair number of pre-'64 artists "made the
change" or tried to, but the generalization is fairly true *as a
generalization*.) For example, our own Al Kooper, a case of success in
both styles, is only 60, and his hitmaking goes back to the Royal Teens
in '58. Just a thought....
Jim, re: Hawaiian "Talking" Guitars
> Hope someone can point me to a US song which was a hit in
> Australia (and probably elsewhere) around 1963..its catchy
> gimmick was "talking" guitars, where the "vocals" were played
> on the strings. Haven't heard it since then and since I can't
> remember the artist or the song's title I'm unable to locate
> it. It was a Hawaiian-flavored love song..any ideas? (I'm
> pretty sure neither McGarrett or Don Ho were involved in this
> one.)
This is probably not it, Jim, but Pete Drake's "talking steel guitar"
version of The Little Dippers' [Anita Kerr Singers'] "Forever" (Drake
on Smash, Dippers on University) was the big one here. The effect was
made using a device called The Sonovox; an outstanding station jingle
for WABC, New York, possibly featuring Jimmy Smith on organ, used the
device at length, and short jingle (used frequently) was made from it.
Later, both Joe Walsh and Peter Frampton ran their guitars through it,
and Neil Young used something like to quite good effect (in my opinion)
on his electronically-based "Trans" album.
Me earlier:
> ... the amazing one-shot "I Know" by Barbara George ...
Gary M:
> I also like the follow-up, "You Talk About Love", with the
> instrumental break done on drums.
Unknown to me, Gary. Is it easily available on CD, or perhaps future
musica material?
Country Paul
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Message: 16
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 19:50:25 -0000
From: Mike Carter
Subject: Re: Frequently misheard lyrics: the case of 'He Is The Boy'
Hans Huss wrote:
> Thanks for your valiant attempt at solving the riddle. And thanks
> for acknowledging the magnitude of the task. Sadly, I don't think
> you've got it right. (Though "grade" may well be in there: "When
> they gave out grades", perhaps? "When they gave out xxxx, they xxx
> xxx hidden his slate..."?)
Here's what I hear Eva sing as the first verse of "He Is The Boy":
". . .When they gave out grades they gotta hear me say
He'll never set eyes on a passin' grade . . . "
And perhaps Eva stretches the word "say" to sound like "said" or
"say'd" (say with a "d" sound on the end of it) so that it rhymes
with the word grade.
Mike C.
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Message: 17
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 14:48:47 -0000
From: Davie Gordon
Subject: Re: Solomon King
Simon White wrote:
> A track apparently by him called "This Beautiful Day" was
> released under the name Levi Jackson, to make him seem
> a bit more 'hip'.
Pres:
> This also showed up on EMI's "Talcum Soul 4," and is one of the 5
> songs there, out of 26 total, which has no backstory in the notes.
> It is noted that it was arranged and conducted by Nicky Welsh and
> produced by Bob Barrett. Released in 1970. I've been trying to find
> out what the original label was for close to a year.
Columbia DB8807 - demo copies show release date as August 13, 1971
The copyright date "1970" probably refers to the song itself not the
Levi Jackson track specifically.
Bob Barrett was an EMI staff producer - he specialised in recording
theatre organists (check your Reginald Dixon albums) - a google search
reveals that he died in January 2004 so we might never know who Levi
Jackson really was.
I have my doubts about Levi Jackson being Solomon King - seems more
like Northern Scene disinformation to me.
Solomon King's records : -
US : RCA 8474 (12/64)
You'll Never Walk Alone
I Believe
US : United Artists 967 (01/66)
It's A Good Thing
Moon Who Ran Away
US : Capitol 2114 (03/68) / UK : Columbia DB8325
She Wears My Ring
I Get That Feeling Over You
Prod : Peter Sullivan, music director : Charles Blackwell
UK : Columbia DB8402 (1968)
When We Were Young
These Gentle Hamds
UK : Columbia DB8639 (1969)
Bless Your Heart
Sugar Sweet As Candy
US : Capitol 2622 (09/69)
Cry Softly
A Hundred Years Or More
I seem to remember a UK issued album but have no details handy.
Davie
STOP PRESS: Late additions :
UK : Columbia DB8556
or Each Question There's An Answer
?
UK : Columbia DB8676
Say A Prayer
This Beautiful Day
UK : Columbia DB8739
November Snow
?
UK : Colummbia DB8771
Answer Me
Oh Happy Day
UK : Polydor 2058258
When You Gotta Go
Life Child
UK : Decca F13482 (1974)
We Can Make It
Love Me, Love Me
UK : Decca F13541 (1974)
Only You
Daddy Loves You Honey
albums :
UK : Columbia SCX6344 "King Of SDong"
US : Capitol ST2923 "Solomon King"
(probably same as "King of Song")
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Message: 18
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 13:36:50 -0500
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Re: "Dick Fox's Golden Boys"
Country Paul wrote:
> FYI, "Dick Fox's Golden Boys" - Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby
> Rydell - are playing at the Trump 29 Casino in San Diego, CA, March
> 3rd. This means they're probably on tour at various other venues as
> well.
Dick Fox built his career as an oldies promoter on fake groups, and
likely still has many of them out on the road. I realize it's a quandary
for those who wish to see, and support, some of their favorite '50s and
'60s pop acts, but those preferring to avoid giving their dollars to a
noted scam artist such as Fox will need to factor that into their
considerations.
--Phil M.
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Message: 19
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 21:36:43 -0000
From: Dave Heasman
Subject: Re: 'He Is The Boy'
Hans Huss:
> Wish I knew the answer and could put it to the list as a quiz. (Mick
> Patrick, have you played "He Is The Boy" lately?) Does anyone have
> the sheet music?
I just love the piano solo on that track. Elbows, I think.
(Better than I could do). Dave H.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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