________________________________________________________________________
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
________________________________________________________________________
There are 17 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Patty Michaels and, on VIOLIN, Brenda Holloway
From: Mick Patrick
2. HIT Records question
From: David Gofstein
3. Re: Dick Dale and the roots of Surf music
From: Phil X Milstein
4. Re: Dick Dale and the roots of Surf music
From: Dan Nowicki
5. Brenda Holloway / Chiffons' "Be My Baby" ?
From: Will Stos
6. Alicia Granados, John Barry and a nice cup of tea
From: Mick Patrick
7. "Mr. Mojo"
From: Austin Roberts
8. Re: Dino, Desi & Billy
From: Andy
9. Re: Dick Dale and the roots of Surf music
From: Tom Diehl
10. Re: The Beach Boys on X and Candix
From: Tom Diehl
11. Dino, Desi & Billy / Regional Hits
From: Javed Jafri
12. Re: Dick Dale and the roots of Surf music
From: Gary Myers
13. "Roller Coaster" Question
From: Bill Mulvy
14. Re: Gentrys on Hit now playing on musica
From: Chris
15. The Beach Boys on X
From: David Feldman
16. Nashville Cats: Old School R&B
From: Skip Woolwine
17. Re: Dick Dale and the roots of Surf music
From: Margaret G Still
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 21:04:01 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Patty Michaels and, on VIOLIN, Brenda Holloway
Julio Niño:
> I would like to thank Phil and John Grecco for the fabulous
> article about Patty Michaels and also for playing her great
> "Mrs. Johnny". I like it very much.
Country Paul:
> Compliments to "The Patty Michaels Story," as usual, well-
> written and researched by John Grecco and Phil Milstein.
> Thanks for shining a spotlight into this corner, guys.
For those who might have missed it, find "Lavender Girl: The
Patty Michaels Story" by John Grecco and Phil Milstein here:
http://tinyurl.com/5mnbc
Here's a small extract:
"... Patty's final recording experience came in 1967, again
for Epic. The A-side, "I Prayed For A Boy (Like You)", is a
torchy supper-club item reclaimed from an unreleased Brenda
Holloway take of a Stevie Wonder-Clarence Paul number ..."
To listen to "I Prayed For A Boy (Like You)" by Patty Michaels
go here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/files/musica/
Which leads me to ...
Top of my play list this weekend is "Brenda Holloway: The
Motown Anthology", a double CD newly released on UK Motown
980 765-8. Among the 48 tracks are 19, count 'em, previously
unissued recordings, including Brenda's original version of
"I Prayed For A Boy (Like You)". It was recorded in January
1965 and is quite exquisite.
Elsewhere, the CD contains two other cuts new to my ears that
are destined to be contenders for my favourite Motown tracks
of all time. But the one that made me yell out loud with
excitement they saved for last: a live recording of the
standard "Summertime" featuring a violin solo played by the
multi-talented Brenda herself.
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 10:57:41 -0800 (PST)
From: David Gofstein
Subject: HIT Records question
Hi Poppers:
Is there a site out there with the story of HIT Records and other
sound-alike or knock off labels? The Gentrys thread has had me
curious. If you google the phrase hit records you get a million
responses. All of which are no help of course! I knew that this
would be the place to ask!!
Thanx everyone,
dave gofstein
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 14:47:13 -0500
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Re: Dick Dale and the roots of Surf music
Steve Jarrell wrote:
> It is really nice to read postings about Dick Dale. I was his sax
> player in the 70's. I really admire Dick and probably learned more
> about the music business, and how to run a band, from him than anyone
> in my life. God Bless him, he's still going strong!
And here I'd always thought that Beach and Surf musics had nothing to do
with one another!
Happy to be mistaken,
--Phil M.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 15:45:07 EST
From: Dan Nowicki
Subject: Re: Dick Dale and the roots of Surf music
Dick Dale played the Rhythm Room here in Phoenix in December and blew
many minds and eardrums. His set still includes cool covers such as
"The Caterpiller Crawl," "Rumble," "Honky Tonk," "Fever," etc.
Dan Nowicki
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 21:23:32 -0000
From: Will Stos
Subject: Brenda Holloway / Chiffons' "Be My Baby" ?
Mick Patrick:
> Top of my play list this weekend is "Brenda Holloway: The
> Motown Anthology", a double CD newly released on UK Motown
> 980 765-8.
I can't wait to get my hands on this and the forth-coming Chris Clark
package. I have the Velvelettes Anthology and the Barbara McNair comps
too.
I'm amazed at all the unreleased material Motown is willing to part
with at one time. Normally they spread it out, adding a new track
here or there on other compilations. Does anyone know if they're
planning similar treatments for more established artists? I can't
remember where I heard this, but there was a rumour about potential
box sets for some of the other hit-makers. Maybe that's just wishful
thinking.
On a completely different topic, I was looking through Ellie
Greenwich's site an saw she had put down the Chiffons as one of the
groups that had recorded "Be My Baby." This was news to me. Is it a
mistake on her part, or does this actually exist? If so, was it
recorded in the 60s, or was it done more recently? Any info would be
great!
I'm now off to play my two newest purchases, "It's Got To Be Sharon
Tandy" and "What Does A Girl Do? Femme Pop from President".
Will : )
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 23:11:37 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Alicia Granados, John Barry and a nice cup of tea
Julio Niño:
> "In Madrid, people sin massively". This description of Madrid
> as a sin city isn't the last official publicity slogan created
> to attract tourism, but one of the last condemnatory warnings
> of Monsignor Rouco Varela, bishop of Madrid. That admonition
> has originated perplexity and/or fun for Madrilenians.
> Personally I think that's a little exaggeration. Anyway those
> words brought immediately to my mind the lyrics of a song by
> Spanish singer Alicia Granados: "Mantenga Limpio Su Corazón"
> (keep your heart clean). Recorded for the Spanish label Belter
> in 1967 when she was just twelve. The lyrics of the song are
> quite optimistic and they propose, as a way to live happily,
> to clear your mind of prejudices (prejudice could be one of
> the ugliest and less elegant sins). I would love to play the
> song to musica now that there's room, but I would need some
> Samaritan mediation and don't want to be a pain in the neck.
If you gotta hurt somebody, please hurt me. I've uploaded to
musica on behalf of Julio 12-year-old Alicia's plea for
tolerance. Click here to listen:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/files/musica/
> Leaving the pulpit. I want to thank Mick ... for his
> recommendation to tranquilize my crazy nerves. How should I
> take the Chamomile tea, intravenously?
Do you possess a funnel?
I've had a good weep this evening, not because something bad
has happened, but because I've been watching the BAFTAs, the
British equivalent of the Oscars. I invariably get choked during
awards shows. I'm so shallow. When my mother died, I shed not a
tear, yet just a few words from Stephen Fry never fails to open
the floodgates. By the time John Barry got his Fellowship Award
I was biting my hand. I'd discuss the matter with my analyst, if
I had one.
Never mind, in the words of Vera Drake, everything will be
alright after a nice cup of tea.
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 19:01:09 -0500
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: "Mr. Mojo"
Gary Myers writes:
> Another record that was probably bigger in L.A. than anywhere else
> was Larry Bright's "Mojo Workout" (early 1960).
Does anyone remember Mr. Mojo? What a fun song to play on guitar,
even though I was playing in a Dtax, James Brown horn band at the
time.
Best, Austin R.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 00:19:04 -0000
From: Andy
Subject: Re: Dino, Desi & Billy
Frank wrote:
> BTW "If You're..." is not included on the soundtrack LP which
> features the score music by Lalo Schifrin. I'm not sure if it
> received a release at all. Any ideas?
Well, I don't know if it is the same version (a la "To Sir With Love")
but it was Reprise 0544 (b/w "Pretty Flamingo"). DDB performed "If
You're Thinkin' ..." (the only song they did) on American Bandstand
(March 25, 1967), in their only ABS appearance.
andy
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 9
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 00:34:41 -0000
From: Tom Diehl
Subject: Re: Dick Dale and the roots of Surf music
James Botticelli:
> 'Misirlou' itself is a takeoff on an actual Middle Eastern tune.
Gary Myers:
> 'Misirlou' first charted (at least in the USA) by Harry James in
> 1941. I suspect this is what influenced Dick Dale to include the
> trumpet on his version.
I have a 78 rpm of Miserlou on Decca by Nicolas Matthey, i believe,
doing Miserlou from circa 1939-1941. I don't have it handy (it's at
home and I'm not). It was a very very slow song on that 78 and
definitely NOT where Dick Dale got it from...
Tom Diehl
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 10
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 00:36:53 -0000
From: Tom Diehl
Subject: Re: The Beach Boys on X and Candix
Previously:
> I bought the 45's of "Let's Go Trippin'," "Surfer's Stomp," and
> "Surfin'" (on X, not Candix) as soon as they came out.
Steve Propes:
> Did you buy the X label version in a record shop? The reason I ask
> is because the Candix version was legit, but I understand that the
> X variation was essentially a bootleg pressed up for Murry Wilson
> who peddled the 45s on Venice Beach. Even if not true, makes for a
> great story. Can anyone confirm or deny?
The X label version was sold by the Beach Boys themselves before it
got released on Candix. There were 500 made. A friend of mine once
had a copy that he sold on ebay for $500 in VG condition, he had
purchased it (for $1!) from a lady who had purchased it directly from
the Beach Boys after one of their concerts. I don't believe it was
ever sold in stores.
Tom Diehl
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 11
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 21:18:43 -0800
From: Javed Jafri
Subject: Dino, Desi & Billy / Regional Hits
Frank:
> The song is called "If you're Thinking what I'm Thinking" and is by
> Boyce and Hart. During the song there was also an in-joke done by
> Dino about the band (and his son of course) which he tried to place
> to Ann-Margret. But she was grooovin' so high she couldn't care less
> what he said. Can't remember the exact words, sorry.
>
> BTW "If You're..." is not included on the soundtrack LP which
> features the score music by Lalo Schifrin. I'm not sure if it
> received a release at all. Any ideas?
The song was released as a single on Reprise Canada backed with
"Pretty Flamingo." I still have the 45 and, speaking of regional hits,
the song made the top 10 in Toronto. I'm sure it must have been
released in the US but I don't think it dented the Billboard Hot 100.
I had always thought it was DD & B's biggest hit because it was so
popular here. Then I checked Joel Whitburn's book and discovered that
it had never charted nationally in the States.I finally found out why
"I'm A Fool" was the only DD & B song played by American oldies
stations.
Javed
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 17:33:54 -0800
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Dick Dale and the roots of Surf music
Steve Jarrell:
> I was (Dick Dale's) sax player in the 70's.
Do you know Gilman Carver (gtr, bass)?
gem
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 13
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 2005 22:00:37 -0600
From: Bill Mulvy
Subject: "Roller Coaster" Question
Sandy Revers:
> I am hoping someone in this wonderful group can help with this
> question. I am trying to identify a song for a friend that
> includes lyrics similiar to: "Love is like a roller coaster".
> Does that ring a bell for anyone? Anyone have a copy of the song?
I believe you are referring to the Ides of March song "Roller coaster".
The lyrics are "Did you ever take a ride on a roller coaster?" It's
on a CD of early Ides songs put out a few years back by Sundazed.
For all you Ides fans they just released a live 40th anniversary live
DVD performance at the Arcadia Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois.
Bill Mulvy
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 05:51:09 -0000
From: Chris
Subject: Re: Gentrys on Hit now playing on musica
Previously:
> Amazingly, those Nasville session guys were very good at copying
> the current records, especially the drummers. Some of the records
> are extremely well done, others aren't. Pretty impressive, tho',
> if you ask me.
My favorite of the label is HIT #50, "I Saw Linda Yesterday" by
Dave Gibson... who was he? Of course my vote for greatest knockoff
of all goes to Scatman Crothers' hipster rendition of "Transfusion"
on Tops...
-Chris
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 15
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 02:10:26 -0500
From: David Feldman
Subject: The Beach Boys on X
Steve Propes asked:
> Did you buy the X label version in a record shop? The reason I ask
> is because the Candix version was legit, but I understand that the
> X variation was essentially a bootleg pressed up for Murry Wilson
> who peddled the 45s on Venice Beach. Even if not true, makes for a
> great story. Can anyone confirm or deny?
I definitely bought Surfin' in a record store, and it would almost
certainly have been at one of two places -- a small independent store
near my home in Mar Vista, or the famous Wallach's Music City in
Hollywood.
I still have the 45 with my initials proudly (and stupidly) etched in
pencil. Surfin' was a big hit in L.A., and at one point in time there
were definitely X's out there.
Love your work, Stephen. I never thought I'd be helping YOU with a
question about 45s.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 07:22:26 -0000
From: Skip Woolwine
Subject: Nashville Cats: Old School R&B
See: http://tinyurl.com/4hf54
The Grammies are Sunday Night. In Saturday's Nashville Tennessean
2/12/05, there is an extensive story about the Grammy Nomination
of "Night Train To Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues, 1945-1970"
for Best Historical Album. They include a sidebar with a photo of my
friend, whom my band frequently backs, Clifford Curry and his
reaction to his 1967 "She Shot A Hole In My Soul" (produced by Buzz
Cason) being on that compilation, and its being nominated for a
Grammy. The above weblink for the main story, sadly, does not
include this. Nevertheless, in marketing our little rock and soul
combo to the masses, I have now decided to refer to our headliner
as, not only "Beach Music Hall Of Fame Member", but also, "Grammy-
Nominated Clifford Curry" because his song is indeed part of the
Grammy-nominated entry! How Cool! (They're up against stiff
competition: a posthumous Johnny Cash album.) If "Night Train" wins
Sunday night, I will, from now on, always refer to Clifford
as "Grammy-Award-Winner Clifford Curry". (OK, maybe a little bit of
a stretch, but I'm in advertising and PR...spin is my biz) It's too
much fun for a middle-aged SEC frat-boy who, with a few co-
conspirators, keeps trying to recreate the Toga Party scene from
Animal House... and Clifford is our perfect "Otis Day". He's about
67 years old now, and can still make 'em "gator" in the floor.
"Night Train To Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues, 1945-1970" is
a must-have if you like older R&B. Volume II is in the works as we
speak, according to the producers. And you thought Nashville was a
bunch of hillbillies... ;^D
"Wait 'till Clifford sees US! He LOVES us!"
--- adapted from Animal House
Skip Woolwine
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 17
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 06:00:32 -0000
From: Margaret G Still
Subject: Re: Dick Dale and the roots of Surf music
James Botticelli wrote:
> Dale is Lebanese and has mentioned that his music, often said
> music. And that 'Misirlou' itself is a takeoff on an actual Middle
> Eastern tune....Essentially surf music is Middle Eastern music spun
> off once successfully by Dick Dale and became a genre unto itself
> subsequently. I love that story. Even if it is proven to be untrue.
> Because it lends itself to the theory that the greatest successes
> in life are mainly due to happy accidents, not due to the "Nose to
> the Grindstone" mythology
Great post, especially the part about "happy accidents". I think surf
music - the driving, dangerous-sounding kind- is one arm of the many-
armed 50's subculture of hot rods and rockabilly dives. Dick Dale's
idea about Middle Eastern music is pretty interesting because I can
hear it in the music - though a Middle Eastern influence in surf
music could easily be proven "untrue". I also hear a Latin influence
in surf intrumental music (where do Ritchie Valens' instrumentals fit
in here?)....and I wonder why there are no stories of kids sneaking
out to Mexican joints, and then using that music as an influence, the
way there are so many stories about White kids sneaking out to Black
joints and being enthralled with the music.
Best,
Margaret G. Still
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
End
