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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 19 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Keith's "I Can't Go Wrong"
From: Artie Wayne
2. "Good Morning Starshine"
From: ACJ
3. Andrew Sandoval; Sam Fletcher; Thurl Ravenscroft; Accents; Condello; Big Al; Raveonettes and Parlor James
From: Country Paul
4. Re: "Midnight Sun"
From: Gary Myers
5. Top Teen Dances
From: Ken Silverwood
6. Richard Snow - Tuesday Music
From: Richard Hattersley
7. Re: The (many) Way(s) Of Love
From: Simon White
8. "Doing Things Together"; The Caireles
From: Julio Niño
9. Re: Mike Curb and Elvis
From: Gary Myers
10. "Easier Said Than Done" - The Essex
From: Paul Urbahns
11. Hey from O'Day - - "Easy Evil" demo file uploaded
From: Alan O'Day
12. "Image"; labels "all in the family"
From: Country Paul
13. Re: Re: Elvis
From: Artie Wayne
14. Re: Mike Curb and Elvis
From: Mike Rashkow
15. Re: Raveonettes
From: Norm D.
16. Re: musicians as collectors
From: Phil X Milstein
17. doo wop backing tracks
From: George
18. Cameo Parkway Box
From: Tony Waitekus
19. Attention Forum fans...
From: Joe Nelson
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Message: 1
Date: Fri, 27 May 2005 19:06:53 -0700 (PDT)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Re: Keith's "I Can't Go Wrong"
S.J. How ya'doin'? I'm glad you like "I Can't Go Wrong",
which I co-wrote with Jerry Ross, Keith's producer. I'm
glad it's getting some attention.
We always thought it could've been a contender!
regards,
Artie Wayne
http://artiewayne.com
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Message: 2
Date: Fri, 27 May 2005 23:40:20 -0400
From: ACJ
Subject: "Good Morning Starshine"
I've been getting reacquainted with one of my childhood faves,
"Good Morning Starshine" by Oliver. Does anyone know, perchance,
who were the percussionists on that track? Thanks.
ACJ
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Message: 3
Date: Fri, 27 May 2005 23:49:30 -0400
From: Country Paul
Subject: Andrew Sandoval; Sam Fletcher; Thurl Ravenscroft; Accents; Condello; Big Al; Raveonettes and Parlor James
Andrew Sandoval, congratulations on your book's publication.
I also checked out your website, http://www.andrewsandoval.com
and am enjoying your demo, "A Change of Scene." I can hear more
production in my head. Nice.
Gary Myers Re: Sam Fletcher
> Around '67. when we (Portraits) were signed to Mike Curb,
> our producer, Clancy Grass, had some involvement with a
> Fletcher release. My recollection is that Clancy made some
> reference to Fletcher having a drug problem that seriously
> affected his career.
That'd do it. Thanks for the info.
> Stephane Rebeschini re: RIP Thurl Ravenscroft
> Thurl Ravenscroft dies at 91 .... Tony the Tiger? That was
> Ravenscroft.... His singing career continued into the 1970s.
> As a member of the Johnny Mann Singers, he sang on 28 albums,
> appeared on television for three seasons and performed for
> President Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev at the White House.
As a voice-over person, I've of course heard of him; never
realized he had a music career, too, although I've found that
in the voice-over biz, many of the best are also musicians,
radio people, or both. RIP - but 91 is pretty OK.
Bobster:
> One of my recent finds is Sandi & The Accents' "I've Got
> Better Things To Do" (I think I have a copy on Challenge,
> although the original was on the Charter label). This is a
> fabulous folk-pop tune written by Sloan and Barri.
Good record. My then-little college station used to play the
Charter release a fair amount (billed as The Accents Featuring
Sandi). We may have been the only ones on the east coast to do so!
Dan Nowicki wrote:
> What a disappointment. I have been waiting a long time for Jackie's
> cover of Mike Condello's "Crystal Clear" to make it to CD....
John Hesterman:
> I have to agree wholeheartedly with Dan, Mike Condello's "Condello"
> on the Scepter label is a '60s delight, and its CD reissue is long
> overdue. "Crystal Clear" is a beautiful track, in the tradition of
> "Yesterday" and "Here, There And Everywhere." It is a shame it was
> left off of Jackie's release. "Condello" has other standouts....
> Mike is no longer with us, but it sure would be nice to have his
> work released in a modern format.
John, I only knew of Mike Condello from a 45 on Scepter, a very nice
version of the traditional "Goodnight"; his arrangement was a rockier
version of that by the Incredible String Band. It'd be great to hear
his "Crystal Clear" at musica, particularly since it seems to be out
of print. Do you or does anyone have the 45 or LP and can play it?
Big Al Pavlow, formerly owner of Providence, RI's coolest record
store, mentions:
> ...a book I'm about to publish called "Pro-Files" (discogs of
> producers, writers, etc.). Anyone interested in more info and
> hype re: this book, feel free to e-mail me for details.
Sounds interesting, Al; please send me some info!
Flashing ahead, I've so far taken one listen through The
Raveonettes' new album, "Pretty In Black," and had some initial
reactions. The hooks, the arrangements, the vocals (especially)
are all really nice - but I think the excerpts on their website,
http://www.theraveonettes.com, hold the essence of each song.
Many of the compositions get awfully repetative within themselves.
There is a guest appearance by Ronnie Spector on what could be
arguably the best track on the CD, "Ode To L. A.," and there's a
nice cover of "My Boyfriend's Back" as well, which makes sense
since the CD is co-produced by Richard Gottehrer. Considering his
pop sensibilities and obvious influence, I'm surprised that the
songs aren't fleshed out a bit more. For example, most of the songs
don't so much end as simply stop. But on the plus side, those
haunting vocals and the richness of the production sound are most
impressive. I wish the whole album were up to those aspects, but
I'd still say it's well worth a listen. I'm sure some individual
favorite tracks will emerge. Don't expect a 60s-pop resurrection,
but the Spectropop era's influence permeates the CD.
Interesting sonic connections I hear include Skip & The Echotones'
"Born To Love" (Warwick, 1960, which I've discussed here before
and hope to be able to play to musica sometime soon), which I'm
sure is coincidental; The Everly Brothers in general (the two-part
leads); and current and recent artists Ivy and Parlor James
(featuring Amy Allison, Mose's daughter; they had a very fine CD,
"Old Dreams," on Sire in 1998, including good girl-group sounds on
"This Misery". More on this CD at
http://www.nodepression.net/archive/nd15/features/parlor.html
although I disagree with some of the critical conclusions).
And now back to our regular era....
Country Paul
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Message: 4
Date: Wed, 25 May 2005 13:01:29 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: "Midnight Sun"
Me, earlier:
> "Midnight Sun" is a great song, and probably the only
> one to use "aurora borealis" in a rhyme.
Eddy:
> Does Carole King's Chalice Borealis count?
What song is that in? And what is the rhyme?
gem
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Message: 5
Date: Sun, 29 May 2005 00:48:32 +0100
From: Ken Silverwood
Subject: Top Teen Dances
In amongst my recent purchases is an EP entitled Top Teen Dances
on the UK Stateside label 1962. Where you can do the Twist, Pop-Eye,
Madison & Waddle all on one record! My reason for getting it was for
the Sam Cooke produced Meet Me At The Twistin' Place by Johnnie
Morisette which I'd not heard before. Anyway, I've posted said EP
vcover to the photo files for all to observe.
http://tinyurl.com/a4f3o
Ken On The West Coast.
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Message: 6
Date: Sat, 28 May 2005 15:03:51 +0000
From: Richard Hattersley
Subject: Richard Snow - Tuesday Music
Excuse the plug.
I know a few Spectropoppers have already bought my album
"Tuesday Music". Just thought I'd mail and let you know,
It now has UK distribution and will get a "Proper" release
on 11.7.05 and be available from any good record store.
It's all '60s influenced Power pop with splashes of the Byrds,
Phil Spector and Brian Wilson. There's even a cover of the
Beach Boys' "Slip On Through". It should be available to
pre-order in about 1 month.
Cheers
Richard
http://www.myspace.com/richardsnow
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Message: 7
Date: Sat, 28 May 2005 15:00:02 +0000
From: Simon White
Subject: Re: The (many) Way(s) Of Love
Mark Maldwyn wrote:
> Apart from being one of the most popular singers in the UK and
> a gay icon, Kathy Kirby became a gay role model when she came
> out to the UK press in the early 70s - this was front page news
> at the time. Perhaps this had an early influence on her
> interpretation of "The Way of Love"?
Blimey, I missed that one. We must have got the Daily Mail that
day instead of the Daily Mirror. One of the most popular you say?
I've just played (as they say), Bobby Sheen's wonderful version
of the song "to musica". No re-interpretations of the song there,
thank God.
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/files/musica/
Bing bong -Avon calling.
Simon White
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Message: 8
Date: Sat, 28 May 2005 16:18:20 -0000
From: Julio Niño
Subject: "Doing Things Together"; The Caireles
Hola everybody,
This Saturday morning, while I was having my coffee overdose
and listening to music, which is perhaps my favorite moment of
the week (Saturday breakfast, I love the sensation of freedom
and idleness I feel at those moments), I found a song that
instantly seduced me, it's a Van McCoy composition, "Doing
Things Together With You", the version by The Dreamlovers
(Heritage 1965; and also Warner Bros.). It's a delicious tune,
it sounds easy and totally inevitable, like a natural phenomenon.
Maybe it's a fantasy, but I think I can hear Van's voice singing
the chorus (or maybe it could be Kendra Spotswood, I'm unable
to distinguish their voices). Could somebody please confirm if
it could be Van singing the backing voice?.
Apart from the Dreamlovers version I was familiar with Madeline
Bell's cover (which is also great). Could somebody tell me if
there are any other versions of this song and who did the
original recording?. Thanks.
And changing the subject:
In a recent post Christopher Bentley asked about The Caireles:
Christopher, I can´t help you with your question, I've never
heard anything about that group, but in the back cover of the
EP they are presented as an international group. It also caught
my attention that the word Ibiza is written in the front cover.
In the late sixties Ibiza was a kind of parallel Universe, many
things happened there that barely transcended to the rest of the
world, maybe that group was one of those things.
Chao.
Julio Niño.
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Message: 9
Date: Wed, 25 May 2005 14:47:23 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Mike Curb and Elvis
Clark Besch:
> Dick Clark kept saying that Curb was going to be the
> biggest music businessman in the industry.
Well, he *did* do alright. It wasn't too long after
the time period you mention that he became president of
MGM Records, produced the Osmonds, etc.
> I am wondering if Mike tried to promote you as heavily as
> he did the Clingers? Did he get you top gigs, or was he
> just getting started?
He wasn't involved in getting us gigs, except possibly the couple
of TV things we did. Our manager, Clancy Grass, booked some gigs
for us (and maybe he was the one who got us the TV shows, too -
I don't really know. I'm guessing he and Curb may have worked
together a bit on those). My impression was that Curb probably did
some initial promotion for radio play on "Over The Rainbow" and/or
"Runaround Girl", but I have no idea how much. We got some play and
there were a couple of meetings.
Just before OTR was released, we met with Tower's promo man (Hugh
Dallas, IIRC) who seemed to be excited and had big ideas, but they
never followed through with any of them. (When we went to the Capitol
bldg for the meeting, the Standells were also there for a meeting).
gem
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Message: 10
Date: Sat, 28 May 2005 15:06:10 -0400
From: Paul Urbahns
Subject: "Easier Said Than Done" - The Essex
Are there two different versions of "Easier Said Than Done"?
Are the lyrics different? I don't think I have the original
Roulette single but I have several reissues on CD. Seems to
me I read where there was an alternate version.
Paul Urbahns
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Message: 11
Date: Sat, 28 May 2005 20:13:30 -0000
From: Alan O'Day
Subject: Hey from O'Day - - "Easy Evil" demo file uploaded
Hi again, S'poppers,
At Artie Wayne's suggestion, I have uploaded my original
1970 demo of "Easy Evil" to musica.
Some background info below:
The lyrics for "Easy Evil" were carefully crafted, but the
inspiration was not subtle: a sexy little seductress who played
me like a violin. I suffered later on for my "addiction" when
the "drug" was no longer available, but man... I got some great
song ideas out of the adventure!
The tracks were recorded on a Sony reel-to-reel 1/4" 4 track
recorder, in my apartment bedroom at 323 3/4 N. Alexandria Ave
in Los Angeles. Mic was a Shure PE54. A Wurlitzer Electric Piano,
and a borrowed drum box called the Rhythm Ace, went direct. I
think it was a predecessor to Roland. It had clunky punch buttons
for the various rhythm pattern choices, and a start/stop foot-switch. [ see http://www.keyboardmuseum.org/ar/a/ace/fr1.html ]
If memory serves me, this was my recording procedure: I first played
the keyboard & drum box "live" direct on separate mono tracks, then
physically reversed the tape reels so the drums would play backwards.
I played the reversed drum track out of a speaker, while adding a
live cymbal and the backward Wurlitzer in spots, miked & recorded
the sounds from across the room. Then I reversed the tape reels
back to normal & mixed the drums with their "reverse room pre-verb"
tracks, along with the electric piano track, all to one new track.
This left me three tracks to erase & use for lead & harmony vocals.
The "sucking" reverse effect on the drums was kind of a turn on to
me. Maybe it reminded me of... her?
The money for my home studio equipment had come from Sidney Goldstein
at E.H. Morris Music, the first publisher to sign me. He was a real
"song man", and taught me valuable lessons about lyrics, structure, &
melody. I was the first writer he ever signed in some twenty years
running the L.A. office, God bless him. Sidney treated me somewhat
like a son. He agreed to split his publishing portion with Viva Music,
circa 1970, so I'd be in a better position to get a recording deal.
With Viva & E.H. Morris both plugging this demo, there were
eventually over 50 releases on Easy Evil, including John Kay
(Steppenwolf), Bobby Hart, Dusty Springfield, John Travolta, Peggy
Lee, Sarah Vaughn, Captain & Tennille, Tony Orlando & Dawn, as well
as unfamiliar names like Hedva & David, Travis Wammack, and Sonny
Bottari. I thank them all.
Aside from a little brightening, the track remains "as is", warts
and all. Hope you enjoy it!
Chordially,
Alan O'Day
http://alanoday.com
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Message: 12
Date: Sat, 28 May 2005 17:23:58 -0400
From: Country Paul
Subject: "Image"; labels "all in the family"
Clark Besch:
> Speaking of other delights, I'm looking for 3 songs in stereo
> only and wondering if anyone has these in stereo in their
> collection..... Image, Pts. 1 & 2 by Hank Levine Orchestra
Image Pt. 1 was my theme song on my first radio program! It's now used
by Bob Brainen on WFMU (www.wfmu.org, Saturdays 6-8pm Eastern Time. If
you find it in stereo, please let me know. (Was it ever on an LP? If so,
that might be a stereo source...)
Phil M. and Rex S. (among others), is Paul Trefzger the original person
behind Saxony who has now resurrected his own label? I know (from
reading it here) that Henry Stone has done the same with the TK family
of labels, B. T. Puppy continues with at least some original Tokens at
the helm, and Jamie/Guyden continues under the guidance of Hal Lipsius'
son, Frank. Does anyone know of any other labels from the 50s-early 70s
era that have either the original owner or have stayed in the family?
Country Paul
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Message: 13
Date: Fri, 27 May 2005 19:00:21 -0700 (PDT)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Re: Re: Elvis
Clark...How ya' doin'? I saw about 10 minutes of the
Elvis Movie and was bitterly disappointed. I'm tired
of watching charismatic people being portrayed by
un-charismatic actors. Isn't the Presley estate making
enough money without having to produce something that
just trivializes the King?
On the other hand, I thought the Presley home movies
TV show was excellent! I was a big fan of his since
his Sun days and know every vocal nuance on most of
his hits. It's amazing how good his voice was...even
in his final days.
Since I'm lashing out, I'm also pissed off at all of
the alternate takes...Disco-fication...De-Echoing...of
some of my favorite titles by Elvis.
Why can't they leave his legacy alone?
regards, Artie Wayne http://artiewayne.com
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-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14
Date: Fri, 27 May 2005 21:15:08 EDT
From: Mike Rashkow
Subject: Re: Mike Curb and Elvis
Re: Curb
Johnny Cymbal who "hung" with Curb, was signed to his
organization, and was at least half of Cymbal & Clinger,
said to me in about 1976-78 "Mike Curb wants to be Governor
of California."
Each of us will have to make a judgment as to the veracity
of that remark and, if accurate, what effect it may have had
on his career. I don't pay attention, but it seemed to me he
had a pretty good one.
Of course, Cymbal may have been confused at the time and
meant Ahhnold Shvatzanegger.
Doodah day,
Rashkow (for this one moment in time)
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Message: 15
Date: Sat, 28 May 2005 15:53:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: Norm D.
Subject: Re: Raveonettes
Country Paul wrote:
> I'm hearing 20-to-30-second samples on their website,
> http://www.raveonettes.com
> Is this album as good as it sounds?!? Wow....
I've not heard the album, but the samples ARE good. Their
manager / writer / producer Richard Gotterer was a guest on
Charlie Gillett's BBC radio show a couple of years back when
the band was starting out. He said they're named after Buddy's
"Rave On". With a name like that, and someone as S'Pop esteemed
as Richard Gotterer at the helm, you can't go wrong. Their albums
are widely available in France, so maybe they're big in the rest
of Europe.
Norm D.
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Message: 16
Date: Sun, 29 May 2005 12:45:38 -0400
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Re: musicians as collectors
Rex Strother wrote:
> I've had the good fortune to make friends by email with Paul Trefzger,
> talk to him, meet him and help him update the Saxony website at
> http://www.saxonyrecordcompany.com
> The man boasts a crazy collection of over 14,000 45s (not counting
> 78s, LPs, CDs and whatnot). ...
That's real interesting, as it seems to me that not many people
of Paul's generation who worked in the record industry, either
as performers, studio personnel or on the business end, have
been serious record collectors, a fact which constrasts strikingly
with those of today's generation. Of '50s/'60s performers, for
instance, I can cite only Arthur Lee Maye and Eugene Pitt as self-
proclaimed record collectors. Of course, this fact probably reflects
the rise in record collecting across-the-board than it does anything
about the performing lifestyle, but I find it interesting nonetheless.
Dig,
--Phil M.
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Message: 17
Date: Sun, 29 May 2005 17:42:21 -0000
From: George
Subject: doo wop backing tracks
Anyone any ideas how I can get karaoke or backing track versions
of any doo wop or spector stuff? Have downloaded some but can
only get the likes of 'In The Still Of The Nite' and 'Blue Moon'. Someone told me about something called Coolmix that should let
you remove vocals from tracks but searched internet and found
nothing. Any help appreciated,
thanx :)
George
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Message: 18
Date: Sun, 29 May 2005 12:56:52 -0500
From: Tony Waitekus
Subject: Cameo Parkway Box
I love the C/P box...but, last night listening, I found some errors.
"Slow Twistin'" by Chubby Checker & Dee Dee Sharp is not the single
version. The sax break is missing. And there are some extra lines
where the sax break would be. I compared it to my original 45 to
verify. The song starts off sounding right. It's like they used an
early tape before edits were made for single release.
Second, Gravy by Dee Dee Sharp doens't sound right to me. I believe
it's a totally different take. I don't have the original single, but
was able to compare it to the Rock-O-Rama album. The whole take sounds
wrong to me, but the giveaway is right at the end of the sax break,
Dee Dee sings extra "yeah yeah yeah yeahs" on the box set version.
Does anyone have the original single to compair it with?
Tony Waitekus
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Message: 19
Date: Sun, 29 May 2005 21:25:16 -0000
From: Joe Nelson
Subject: Attention Forum fans...
Now playing at Musica: my repair of the stereo mix of the
Forum's "The Time Is Now"
The decision by RevOla to use only stereo versions where they
existed on the 'River Is Wide' CD left a few holes for those
of us who prefer the mono mixes, and this was one of them. On
the original stereo, Phil Campos' lead vocal is mixed almost
completely out on the second verse. The mono gives prominience.
Here, I've been able to bring him up to where he should be.
(The mono is slightly longer than the stereo: I could have
elongated the ending but I just moved on to other things.)
If you have any idea what I'm talking about, enjoy it.
Joe Nelson
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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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