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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 12 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Ray Stevens
From: Matt Spero
2. Re: The $ound Investment
From: Gary Myers
3. Re: Don Gibson; Ray Stevens
From: Gary Myers
4. Re: Ray Stevens; Ivy
From: Country Paul
5. Re: Rude Rod
From: John Fox
6. Re: Paul Hampton; Ray Stevens
From: Austin Roberts
7. Re: Teddy Boys
From: MopTop Mike
8. Re: Rare Breed
From: MopTop Mike
9. Re: Chris Curtis
From: Einar Einarsson Kvaran
10. Re: Ray Stevens
From: Clark Besch
11. Re: Diane Hilderbrand and/or Jack Keller
From: Austin Roberts
12. Re: John Abbott RIP
From: Austin Roberts
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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 6 Mar 2005 13:31:00 EST
From: Matt Spero
Subject: Re: Ray Stevens
Rays serious works are really wonderful -- I think I have just about every
album he ever made. The stuff done on Monument is particularly good.
His version of the Beatles song "Help" is amazing.
Matt Spero
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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 6 Mar 2005 11:23:52 -0800
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: The $ound Investment
Dave Monroe wrote:
> Anybody here familiar with "Cheryle" b/w "My Baby's Been
> Talkin'" by The $ound Investment [sic]? On Dave Kennedy
> Records ca. 1969?
No I'm not, but I want to be! Would it be possible for you to send me
a label scan?
gem
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Message: 3
Date: Sun, 6 Mar 2005 11:29:41 -0800
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Don Gibson; Ray Stevens
Mike Rashkow wrote:
> Happened to glance at the great B-side to Don Gibson's 1960-ish, "Oh
> Lonesome Me" -- tune called "Sea Of Heartbreak" ...
You must have a reissue. The former song was a hit in '58, the latter a hit
in '61.
> ... Go back and take another listen to: "Unwind," "Mr. Business Man." ...
Great stuff! Yes, I've always thought Stevens was a great talent (saw him
in Reno the week that The Streak hit #1). And, although he didn't write this
one - and it's out of our time frame -- don't forget "I Need Your Help, Barry
Manilow".
> Other viewpoints -- particularly the arrangement on "Unwind." ...
Great song/record. One of the few big hits in which the tempo slows down.
Great chord progression, etc.
gem
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Message: 4
Date: Sun, 06 Mar 2005 18:07:24 -0500
From: Country Paul
Subject: Re: Ray Stevens; Ivy
Mike Rashkow wrote:
> I had reason to go back and listen to Ray Stevens. Go back and take
> another listen to: "Unwind," "Mr. Business Man," "Gitarzan," "The Streak"
> and maybe "The Mooonlight Special" ...
Nick Archer wrote:
> I've always liked "Isn't It Lonely Together" by Ray.
Acknowledging his serious side, I was always partial to "Jeremiah Peabody's
Polyunstaturated Fast-Acting Quick-Dissolving Pleasant-Tasting Green And
Purple Pills." They sure don't write 'em like they used ta!
Haven't heard it yet, but Ivy has a new CD out. "Edge Of The Ocean", from
a couple of years ago, was a projection of the Paris Sisters into the 21st
century. With luck, this could be more fo the same. The New York Times
loved it.
And now we return to the Spectropop era, already in progress. ...
Country Paul
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Message: 5
Date: Sun, 6 Mar 2005 18:07:06 EST
From: John Fox
Subject: Re: Rude Rod
Susan Lang wrote:
> "Stay With Me" was another fave for this youngester ...
> yeah, there's a serious lack of couth in both,
Yep -- "Say, what's your name again?" is one of the all-time great lines in
a rock song, especially since he mentions her name earlier in the song.
John Fox
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Message: 6
Date: Sun, 06 Mar 2005 19:55:45 -0500
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: Paul Hampton; Ray Stevens
Mike Rashkow wrote:
> Happened to glance at the great B-side to Don Gibson's 1960-ish,
> "Oh Lonesome Me" -- tune called "Sea Of Heartbreak." Writers: Hal
> David and Paul Hampton.
Paul Hampton is a trip.
> Also, at the risk of being laughed out of the group, I had reason to
> go back and listen to Ray Stevens.
Ray Stevens was and still is one of a kind. From "Ahab The Arab" to
"Everything is Beautiful" and many more, he's one of the most original
artist/writers I know. He's still selling records, too. Layng Martine and I had
a song called "The Flies Of Texas Are Upon You" about 12 years ago (on
the album that had "If Jesus Wore A Rolex"), and the album just went
platinum. He also won a Grammy for his arrangement of "Misty," which
he cut years ago. What a great talent.
And by the way Mike, what was that crack about Nashville? Remember,
there are still a lot of rednecks down here that are still fighting that Civil
War thing, so be careful what you say next time you're here -- and for that
remark, you're buying!
Austin R.
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Message: 7
Date: Mon, 07 Mar 2005 12:20:49 -0000
From: MopTop Mike
Subject: Re: Teddy Boys
Rex Strother asked:
> Anybody know about this group: Teddy Boys, with John Reynolds
> as lead singer?
The debut Teddy Boys 45 is "She's So Sweet And Kind" / "Don't Mess With
Me," released in late 1964. Recorded at a local radio station (can't remember
the call letters right now). They only had four singles, but a couple others under
pseudonymns: Pinnochio & The Puppets on Mercury, and The Lovin' Cohens
(sp?) on MGM. They also recorded in the UK with hopes of having material on
the Apple label. My pal has talked to a couple of these guys and they have
great recollections of cutting some amazing stuff while in the UK.
Other area "rival" combos included The Stingrays of Newburgh (two 45s
on Columbia), and The Sapians (killer single on Mercury from September
'65). The Teddy Boys' most "famous" moment might be the time when they
hired a limo when the Fab 4 were coming to NYC. They drove right down
the main drag to the hotel where The Beatles were staying. The Beatles
had not arrived yet, so The Teddy Boys decided to make some headlines
by stealing the thunder. The limo drove up to the front of the hotel and ran
out while throngs of girls mobbed them as they ran inside. The account
was written up in Rick Sklar's "Rocking America" book.
MopTop Mike
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Message: 8
Date: Mon, 07 Mar 2005 12:25:19 -0000
From: MopTop Mike
Subject: Re: Rare Breed
There is still some mystery as to the identity of the original Rare Breed. I
have an article from Record World (early 1966, the Attack 45 came out in
May '66) showing a pic of this group, which notes the guys had just been
signed by Kasenetz & Katz and were going to record in NYC. The blurb
states they were from Iowa! No member names, unfortunately.
MopTop Mike
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Message: 9
Date: Sun, 6 Mar 2005 10:02:43 -0800 (PST)
From: Einar Einarsson Kvaran
Subject: Re: Chris Curtis
Mike Griffiths wrote:
> "If I Could Find Someone" from the Bumble Bee EP and the
> Sounds Like The Searchers album is a folk-rock gem in the style
> of Jackie DeShannon and the Byrds.
I just played the song on my "Made In The Philippines" copy (hi, Marge) and
agree -- the 12-string especially make it sound somewhat Byrd like. The
harmonies are pure Searchers.
Einar
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Message: 10
Date: Mon, 07 Mar 2005 00:07:58 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Re: Ray Stevens
Mike Rashkow wrote:
> I had reason to go back and listen to Ray Stevens. I have
> always had a high opinion of his work, but after a long time
> without hearing his stuff, I was moved to see if there are
> others out there who also think he was underrated and
> under-appreciated.
Ray Stevens is a great artist. I tend to lean toward two serious songs as
my faves, but his comedy songs are cool too. I suggest anyone who likes
Ray to buy the Varese CD reissue of the cleverly-titled "Even Stevens"
LP from 1968. Not only does it have my two faves, "Unwind" and "Mr.
Businessman", but his earlier Monument 45s are gems, included there
as bonus tracks and with the 45 version of "Mr. Businessman" in stereo.
Certainly "Everything Is Beautiful" was huge, although I prefer the more
political-minded "America, Communicate With Me" sans the opening part.
Anyway, his stuff is classic. He is as much a one of a kind as Ross
Bagdasarian was.
Clark
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Message: 11
Date: Sun, 06 Mar 2005 19:31:06 -0500
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: Diane Hilderbrand and/or Jack Keller
Richard Campbell wrote:
> Does anyone know how to reach Diane Hildebrand and/or
> Jack Keller? I am attempting to contact either or both of them
> to interview them for some liner notes I am writing.
Jack Keller lives here in Nashville, but is currently under the weather. I
saw Diane (who goes by Sky these days) a couple of years ago but don't
know how to reach her. I'm sure Jack does. If you'll remind me in a few
days I'll see if jack is better and then give you his number.
Best,
Austin Roberts
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Message: 12
Date: Sun, 06 Mar 2005 19:44:04 -0500
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: John Abbott RIP
Ray wrote:
> I was sorry to hear that John Abbott passed away a few months ago.
I am truly sorry to hear of his death -- I hadn't heard. I worked with him in
NYC when Bill and Steve Jerome were producing me for Phillips Records,
and was totally impressed with his talent and his great personality. I also
worked with him when he helped me put some demos together on an
artist I wanted to get a deal for. I'm sure it was because of his input that
she got a deal. He was one of the GOOD ONES.
Austin Roberts
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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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