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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 7 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. The Breakaways
From: S'pop Projects
2. Jack Keller, R.I.P.
From: Mick Patrick
3. desperately seeking Dawn
From: Sheila B
4. The Charmers' "Looking For Trouble"
From: Stefano
5. Re: Jack Keller, R.I.P.
From: Mark Wirtz
6. Juggy Murray, R.I.P.
From: Mick Patrick
7. Re: Jack Keller, R.I.P.
From: Artie Wayne
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Message: 1
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 11:09:28 +0100
From: S'pop Projects
Subject: The Breakaways
New @ S'pop ... The Breakaways by Ian Chapman and Mick Patrick
With foreword by Tony Hatch and postscript by Petula Clark
In Detroit, Michigan — at Motown Records — they had the Andantes.
Nashville, Tennessee — Music City — boasted the Anita Kerr Singers.
In Memphis, they had Jean and the Darlings at Stax, and Rhodes/
Chalmers/Rhodes at Hi Records. And out West — in Hollywood, Los
Angeles — they had the Blossoms, while New York was home to the Sweet
Inspirations and the Cookies. It seems that, in the 1960s, in every
major recording metropolis, there existed groups of studio singers
who ruled the roost, backing up all the local talent and passing
stars. London, England was no exception. Greet the Breakaways — fresh
out of Liverpool — possibly the busiest and greatest session group
the British recording scene has ever known. For the full story, click
here: http://www.spectropop.com/Breakaways/index.htm
Enjoy,
The S'pop Team
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 12:14:34 +0100
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Jack Keller, R.I.P.
Previously:
> Jack Keller - co-author of such great songs as "Run To Him", "Venus
> In Blue Jeans", "Breaking In A Brand New Broken Heart", "Don't Try
> To Fight It Baby", "Run To Him", "Everybody's Somebody's Fool" and
> "Girls Grow Up Faster Than Boys" - lost his battle with cancer
> yesterday.
Sad news indeed. As a tribute, I've posted to musica one of my
favourite Jack Keller songs. As far as I know, for some reason this
great track is not out on CD. Details are: Eydie Gorme "Don't Try To
Fight It Baby" (Columbia 4-42790, 1963); written by Gerry Goffin and
Jack Keller; arranged and conducted by Marion Evans; produced by Al
Kasha: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/files/musica/
Jack Keller, R.I.P.
Mick Patrick
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sat, 02 Apr 2005 11:29:31 -0500
From: Sheila B
Subject: desperately seeking Dawn
Hey gang:
I'm looking for biographical info on Laurie Records' gal Dawn. Seems
she also recorded for United Artists, ABC and APT.
Thanks,
Sheila
http://www.chachacharming.com
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4
Date: Fri, 1 Apr 2005 21:06:56 -0800
From: Stefano
Subject: The Charmers' "Looking For Trouble"
I just bought an LP called "Girls About Town" that came out in the
80s from Impact records. It has a track on it called "Bad Trouble",
which is the same song as recorded on a 45 by The Charmers called
"Looking for Trouble". The LP version, however is credited to Big
Maybelle. It sounds to me like the same version on "Where the Girls
Are" Volume 2 (credited to the Charmers with an alternate vocal).
Does anyone know if the Charmers' original single version is
available on CD, or if it was reissued on some LP, ever?
Thanks-
Stefano
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 03:54:02 -0800 (PST)
From: Mark Wirtz
Subject: Re: Jack Keller, R.I.P.
Previously:
> Sad news indeed. As a tribute, I've posted to musica one of my
> favourite Jack Keller songs. As far as I know, for some reason this
> great track is not out on CD. Details are: Eydie Gorme "Don't Try
> To Fight It Baby" (Columbia 4-42790, 1963); written by Gerry Goffin
> and Jack Keller; arranged and conducted by Marion Evans; produced
> by Al Kasha: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/files/musica/
> Jack Keller, R.I.P.
It is with the deepest sadness that I read about Jack Keller's
passing.
Jack, together with King, Goffin, Sedaka, Barry and Greenwich
inspired and motivated me more in my fledgling days, than any other
writer or composer.
Truly one of the legendary pioneers of modern popular music creation,
his loss touches me as profoundly as if he had been personal friend.
My heartfelt condolences go out to all of Jack's family and friends.
Mark Wirtz
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 14:47:08 +0100
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Juggy Murray, R.I.P.
Previously:
> Juggy Murray - who founded the Sue label in 1957, and made stars
> of Ike & Tina Turner, Inez & Charlie Foxx and many others - passed
> away in early February. He was 81 and had been suffering from
> Parkinson's Disease.
One of THE record men - a real hero. Of Baby Washington, Juggy Murray
once said, "I would rather record her than eat." Baby, no slouch as a
songwriter, was already an established R&B hitmaker. Juggy persuaded
her to adopt a grander, more sophisticated style. The result? "That's
How Heartaches Are Made" (her biggest ever hit) and a string of other
big beat ballads. Bacharach & David had Dionne Warwick: Juggy Murray
had Baby Washington. Her "The Sue Singles" (more info:
http://tinyurl.com/4x8fk ) is one of my absolute favourite CDs. Juggy
and Baby were working on some comeback sessions when he died. (Sigh)
Anyway, as a tribute to the great man, I've posted to musica an
excellent Sue 45 that as far as I know is not out on CD. Details are:
Marjorie Black "You Still Love Her" (Sue 132, 1965); written by Van
McCoy; arranged by Robert Bateman; A Juggy & Bateman Production.
Marjorie Black reminds me of Dee Dee Sharp (Atco era). Does anyone
know anything about her? Find the track here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/files/musica/
Juggy Murray, R.I.P.
Mick Patrick
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sat, 2 Apr 2005 10:09:28 -0800 (PST)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Re: Jack Keller, R.I.P.
In 1960, when I was signed as a songwriter to Nevins/Kirshner, Jack
Keller was the first writer to work with me. He was one of the older
and more musically experienced staffers there and I learned a lot
about how to put a session together from him.
I remember one day he and Howie Greenfield ran into the office with a
demo of a song they had just written, "Everybody's Somebody's Fool"
[which I believe was used later as the master with Connie Francis'
voice added]. I was one of the few people, in the office at the time,
and while they were waiting for Donny Kirshner to come back from
lunch they invited me in to hear their latest creation.
I not only was knocked out by what I heard but it was one of the
first times I was privy to sucessful writers discussing the merits of
their work. Although Jack was proud of his organ playing, he thought
he could make it better.
Howie loved it and so did I, but Donny Kirshner put all of Jacks'
doubts to rest when he yelled "It's a F***ing Smash!!!"
I never wrote a song with him, but he always was there to lend me his
ear or a chord when I needed it. I really think that he was one of
the most underated songwriters at Aldon music. When he and Gerry
Goffin wrote "Run to Him", I thought Jack's chord progressions were
light years ahead of the market...and to this day gives me chills
when I hear it.
Although I hadn't seen him in years, I'd get reports from Allan
Rinde and Toni Wine [whom he brought to Donny Kirshner] that Jack was
still working hard on his music and looking forward to the release of
the film "Bewitched", which of course uses his famous theme.
Thanks for everything...Rest in Peace, Artie Wayne
http://artiewayne.com/
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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