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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 15 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Running a small (tiny?) CD label
From: Tom Taber
2. Young, Gifted and Pink
From: Steve Harvey
3. Re: Philīs Spectre II: Another Wall Of Soundalikes
From: Julio Niņo
4. Re: A Whiter Shade Of Pale
From: Bob Rashkow
5. Re: October is International Bubblegum Month
From: Austin Roberts
6. "Rock 'n' Roll Heaven"
From: Alan O'Day
7. Paul Anka Alert
From: James Cassidy
8. Re: Main Line Records
From: Clark Besch
9. Re: Phil's Spectre II: Another Wall Of Soundalikes
From: Gary Myers
10. Jack Nitzsche Story: Hearing is Believing review
From: Patrick Rands
11. Re: "Rock 'n' Roll Heaven" TYPO
From: Alan O'Day
12. Cameo Parkway box set - Stonefree and Sassy
From: Vlaovic B
13. Re: The Songs Of Lori Burton
From: Jeff Lemlich
14. Re: "Rock 'n' Roll Heaven"
From: Orion
15. Re: "Phil's Spectre II: Another Wall Of Soundalikes"
From: Clark Besch
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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2005 10:53:46 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tom Taber
Subject: Running a small (tiny?) CD label
A while back someone asked Spectropoppers for advice on starting a
small label - I offered assistance, but never heard back. However, I
thought I'd explain one term a new label will need to know the
meaning of.
"60 days net," in most businesses, refers to the practice of sending
your product to a retailer, and the retailer paying you the amount
owed to you for your product in 60 days.
In the tiny CD label business, "60 days net" means that, at around
day 75, you start wondering where the heck your money is. Sometimes
an inquiry at that point will get the money sent to you. Or, you may
hear back, "Gee, I've only sold 6 of the 10 you sent me, can I have
some more time?" (You know, the CD manufacturing plant didn't tell
YOU to send them their money when it became economically convenient
for you to do so!) Or, you will be ignored altogether.
Unpleasant experiences seem to outnumber smooth, pleasant
transactions by a factor of 4 to 1!
Tom Taber,
Almeron Records,
with 383 copies of "Skeletons 'LIVE' at the Amador 1979" sold.
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2005 14:44:17 -0700 (PDT)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Young, Gifted and Pink
As part of our music lesson (since the school district no longer
deems music teachers necessary) I have to also teach music. I handed
out the lyrics to "Young, Gifted and Black" to my 31 4th graders. I
then played them Nina Simone's and Bob and Marcia's versions. They
were asked to compare the two and tell which one they liked the best.
As an aside I mentioned that Elton John had also cut a version. Got
some puzzled looks over that one, but I told them I'd bring his
version in so they could hear it.
Steve
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Message: 3
Date: Tue, 07 Jun 2005 20:42:22 -0000
From: Julio Niņo
Subject: Re: Philīs Spectre II: Another Wall Of Soundalikes
Hola everybody,
I want to thank Mick for advancing us the track list of the upcoming
"Philīs Spectre 2" CD. It sounds fabulous. I canīt wait to listen to
The Fantastic Vantasticsī "Gee What A Boy" in good sound, maybe then
Iīll managed to discriminate between Vanīs and Kendraīs voice.
In the notes of a compilation of songs by The Dreamlovers I was
listening to a few days ago, it indicated that the grandiose ballad
"You Gave Me Somebody To love " was inspired by April Young. Itīs a
majestic song. The version by The Dreamlovers is in my opinion much
superior to the better known by Manfred Mann. Incidentally, the B-
side of "You Gave Me Somebody To love" was the apparently more
modest, but absolutely sublime "DoinīThings Together with You",
composed by Van McCoy. One of my favorites songs right now, and with
the backing voices sounding suspiciously Vantastics.
Iīm going to feed my cats. They are jumping on my Mac, and biting my
hand angrily.
Chao.
Julio Niņo.
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Message: 4
Date: Tue, 7 Jun 2005 00:49:59 EDT
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: Re: A Whiter Shade Of Pale
So Keith Reid DIDN'T write the lyrics??!! Being a Procol Harum
fanatic, I'd better check the credits on all the LPs again. I was
given to understand that all the lyrics to every Procol Harum song
except the few covers they recorded are the work of ultra-talented
Keith Reid. Now if Fisher is claiming credit for the MUSIC......
Bobster
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Message: 5
Date: Tue, 7 Jun 2005 23:22:21 EDT
From: Austin Roberts
Subject: Re: October is International Bubblegum Month
Kim said:
> October is International Bubblegum Month Interested? Visit
> http://www.scrammagazine.com/october.html
Bubblegum will never die (or pop).
Austin Roberts
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Message: 6
Date: Wed, 08 Jun 2005 06:49:27 -0000
From: Alan O'Day
Subject: "Rock 'n' Roll Heaven"
Peter, et al - -
I co-wrote Rock'n'Roll Heaven with singer/songwriter Johnny
Stevenson, who has long since disappeared. Artie Wayne teamed us
together after hearing Johnny's original song idea, including the
title. But as I recall, Johnny's verses were not about departed
icons, which was obviously the direction to take the lyric. So in
'73 Stevenson & I worked together on the tune & I added verse
tributes to rock heroes. The publishing was split three ways: Zapata
Music (Ed Silvers), E. H. Morris (Sidney Goldstein), and Ceasar's
Music Library (Mark Gordon). Yes, the song was first released by
Climax (featuring Sonny Geraci) on Rocky Road Records (I'm looking
at the 45). At that point the second verse was:
PEGGY SUE AND DONNA, OUR SWEETHEARTS FROM THE PAST
THEY CRYSTALIZED OUR LIVES ON THE RADIO
THE ONES WHO LOVED THEM FIRST OF ALL, HAVE LEFT BEFORE THEIR TIME
BUT WE'LL ALL BE BACK TOGETHER, WHEN WE MEET FOR ONE BIG SHOW
Climax's record was well-produced, but didn't do well on the charts.
We were all disappointed, & I remember thinking our song was "dead",
so to speak. But a few months later, Craig Aristei at Warner Bros.
(Publishing) told me that producers Dennis & Brian Potter were
planning to cut it with the brothers Righteous! Brian & Dennis then
met with Johnny & me directly, and told me they wished to re-write
the second verse. They didn't want any of the writer's share
(gentlemen that they were), but only wanted the Righteous Bros.
version to mention more RECENT dead people. So the second verse
became:
REMEMBER BAD BAD LEROY BROWN, JIMMY TOUCHED US WITH THAT SONG
AND TIME WON'T CHANGE THE FRIEND WE CAME TO KNOW
AND BOBBY GAVE US MACK THE KNIFE, LOOK OUT HE'S BACK IN TOWN
THEY'LL ALL BE THERE TOGETHER, WHEN WE MEET IN ONE BIG SHOW
The single was a killer, and as you said, made Billboard #3.
Fast forwardt to American Bandstand 1981. I believe they did use my
"Elvis" verse written for that anniversary show:
ELVIS SANG, AND SHOOK THE WORLD, AND YOUNG GIRLS SCREAMED HIS NAME
WE CROWNED HIM KING, AND LOVED HIM MOST OF ALL
NOW THEY SAY THE KING IS GONE, BUT OUR LOVE REMAINS THE SAME
'CAUSE HE'S OUT THERE SINGIN' SOMEWHERE, WHERE THE CURTAIN NEVER FALLS
However, as I remember it, the 1991 Curb Records version was a
re-write by Bill Medley. I was never asked to contribute.
And finally, a friend who attended Bobby Hatfield's funeral said they
played the record at the end. I knew the nature of the song is that
it may always be re-written, but I never imagined it being used in
such a sadly ironic way.
Chordially,
Alan
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Message: 7
Date: Wed, 8 Jun 2005 14:22:37 -0400
From: James Cassidy
Subject: Paul Anka Alert
Before you tune in Anka on Letterman, be aware that he'll be
promoting his new CD called (gulp!) "Rock Swings." If that sounds
like a Bill Murray SNL skit from 30 years ago, check out the NY Times
article below (free registration required) and see for yourself. Be
sure to dig the audio samples while you're at it. The link is:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/08/arts/08anka.html?oref=login
Jim Cassidy
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Message: 8
Date: Wed, 08 Jun 2005 15:08:13 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Re: Main Line Records
I wrote:
> Main Line was a Cleveland label, as far as I know
Phil Hall:
> I could be wrong (and it wouldn't be the first time), but I thought
> that Main Line Records was based in Philly. I have several 45s by
> Lee Andrews & The Hearts of Philadelphia on Main Line.
Phil, I'm sorry, you are correct. I was thinking of Clevetown, not
Mainline, when I misspoke. I get them confused because Jerry G
Bishop's cool song "She's Gone" on Clevetown and Les Classels'
"Tomorrow May be too Late" on Mainline were out about the same time.
Both great records IMO. Jerry G was at WIXY at the time and soon
went over to WCFL Chicago like Ron Britain (of Tulu Babies/
Baskerville Hounds postings earlier) did. Les Classels were Canadian
and had these big white pompadour hair styles, as I remember it. I
think they sang usually in French, but you could not tell any
problems with English on this record, if it was their second
language. Correct me if I am wrong AGAIN! :)
Clark
PS. Many thanks for the Dantes info, all! I knew that would get
MopTop Mike back on here!! BTW, the Baskerville Hounds also had a
later hit with "Hold me".
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Message: 9
Date: Mon, 6 Jun 2005 23:18:25 -0700
From: Gary Myers
Subject: Re: Phil's Spectre II: Another Wall Of Soundalikes
Mick Patrick:
> It'll be out at the end of June. It's as good as Vol. 1, I reckon.
> The booklet is certainly better. Here's the track list:
> "Phil's Spectre II: Another Wall Of Soundalikes" Ace CDCHD 1059
> PHIL SPECTOR did not produce any of the tracks on this CD -- yet
> they all sound as if he did, or might have ...
> KANE & ABEL: BREAK DOWN AND CRY
> Arranged by James Holvay and Gary Beisbier
> A Holvay-Beisbier-DeFrancesco Production
Kane & Abel were Al and Artie Herrera of Milwaukee's Little Artie &
the Pharaohs (covered in my WI book). I see this record as being
basically the beginning of the Mob, but of course, Jim Holvay can
tell you more about that.
gem
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Message: 10
Date: Wed, 08 Jun 2005 20:26:17 -0000
From: Patrick Rands
Subject: Jack Nitzsche Story: Hearing is Believing review
Check out my review for the Jack Nitzsche Story: Hearing is Believing
compilation.
A Jack Nitzsche collection has been a long time coming, it's just a
shame that it happened 5 years after he passed away in 2000.
Considering how extensive his body of work was, it's a wonder a
compilation like this was even possible to put together. And it's a
fine job, with a hope that more compilations will follow.
Click to read the entire review:
http://www.gullbuy.com/buy/2005/6_7/nitzschejack.cfm
:Patrick
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Message: 11
Date: Wed, 08 Jun 2005 20:51:08 -0000
From: Alan O'Day
Subject: Re: "Rock 'n' Roll Heaven" TYPO
I wrote:
> (snip) Dennis & Brian Potter were planning to cut it...
Whoops ...Should be Dennis Lambert & Brian Potter...
AO
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Message: 12
Date: Wed, 08 Jun 2005 17:06:53 -0400
From: Vlaovic B
Subject: Cameo Parkway box set - Stonefree and Sassy
What a miracle it is that the C/P box set has arrived. I've been
waiting at least a couple of decades for this thing. OK minor gripes
aside (liner notes aren't great, box format looks a little cheap) but
what a collection! It really shows that C/P was more than a hit
factory of dance tunes - novelty, girl group, garage rock, MOR,
novelty, early R&R - Just Terrific, and I guess I've developed a bit
of fondness for Bobby Rydell, who'd I'd only remembered (if at all)
as a teen idol. His take on Volare is pretty damned good. Now that
they've opened the vaults, am I wrong in assuming that there'll be
individual collections for some of the artistes?
Also like my copy of RPMs latest Britgirl collection 'Stonefree and
Sassy', but where are the Claire Francis tracks that were supposed to
be there? They're still listed on Amazon as being there but not on
the CD, nor is a Julie Driscoll track. Nice to have the amazing
'Come Back and Shake Me' by Eurovision and Monty Python favourite
Clodagh Rogers. Those backing vocals sound like Abba, five years
before they ever did anything like that.
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Message: 13
Date: Wed, 08 Jun 2005 23:21:51 -0000
From: Jeff Lemlich
Subject: Re: The Songs Of Lori Burton
Mick Patrick:
> Of course, there may well be no recorded versions of the Lori
> Burton compositions on the following list, but if such things
> do exist, I'm gagging to know about them. Do these song titles
> ring a bell with anyone? ... "Why Can't I Love Him" ...
I have a version of "Why Can't I Love Him" by The Chosen Few, on Co-
Op 510. Because the vocalists are male, the title was changed
to "Why Can't I Love Her" (with some pressings showing it as "Why
Can't I Love You"). Burton & Sawyer get writer's credits; Hill &
Range BMI get publishing credits. It's a decent white soul and
garage hybrid which reminds me a little of "Ain't Gonna Eat Out My
Heart Anymore", which makes sense considering the writers. I
believe the group was from New Haven.
Jeff Lemlich
http://www.limestonerecords.com
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Message: 14
Date: Wed, 08 Jun 2005 18:23:54 -0500
From: Orion
Subject: Re: "Rock 'n' Roll Heaven"
That has been and remains one of my favorite songs. I would love to
hear the Climax version, although The Righteous Brothers version hits
me right in the heart. Thanks for writing it, I know it has touched
many, for sure it touches me.
Orion
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Message: 15
Date: Wed, 08 Jun 2005 06:35:12 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Re: "Phil's Spectre II: Another Wall Of Soundalikes"
The forthcoming "Phil's Spector II: Another Wall Of Soundalikes" CD
sounds like another winner! Pretty cool that you used two versions
of a song that was changed and picked for your first volume. Volume
one had Kane & Abel's Red Bird 45 "He Will Break Your Heart" which
was a re-write of Volume 2's "Break Down & Cry" on Destination (which
was also titled "A Man Ain't Supposed to Cry" on Destination!). Gotta
make SPopper James Holvay beam with pride, as he co-wrote the song.
Mixing the Knickerbockers with the above track makes me think there
should be a "Righteous Sounds" Cd too???
Clark
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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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