Spectropop - Digest Number 2123

• From: Spectropop Group
• Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005

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               SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 13 messages in this issue.


Topics in this digest:

      1. Jersey Boys Reviews
           From: Ken Charmer 
      2. Re: Marci & the Mates
           From: Robert Pingel 
      3. Susan Lynne versus Sue Lynne
           From: Mick Patrick 
      4. Re: New Vashti album
           From: Norm D. Plume 
      5. Mel Williams, R.I.P.
           From: Bill Swanke 
      6. Johnny Tanner, R.I.P.
           From: Bill Swanke 
      7. Jackie De Shannon interview
           From: Bill George 
      8. Re: Pearly Gates
           From: Simon White 
      9. Re: New Vashti album
           From: Frank M 
     10. Re: Daytona Buzz & Jerry Lee
           From: Phil X Milstein 
     11. Re: Sahm and Sham's Pharoahs?
           From: Steve Harvey 
     12. John Tanner, R.I.P.
           From: Bill Swanke 
     13. Re: Vashti Bunyan
           From: Zambra 64 


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Message: 1
Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 17:18:10 +0100
   From: Ken Charmer 
Subject: Jersey Boys Reviews

It would be fair to say the launch of the 'Jersey Boys' musical 
on Broadway telling the story of the rise and troubles of the 
Four Seasons has been a major success with most reviews being 
favourable.

There is a good video clip of the show with interviews at:

http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Video.aspx?ci=520911

It's very entertaining and interesting.

Ken Charmer





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Message: 2         
   Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 07:53:36 -0800 (PST)
   From: Robert Pingel 
Subject: Re: Marci & the Mates

Steve wrote: 
> In 1962 or '63 there was a record "Shall I Tell Him You're 
> Not Here," a Pomus-Shuman tune recorded by Marci & The Mates 
> on Big Top. Does anybody know if Marci & The Mates ever did 
> any other records?

They had another release on Big Top;  Oops There Goes Another 
Tear/bw Suddenly We're Strangers.  Both sides written by Pomus-
Shuman.  The group does a very good job, but I think the songs 
were written with other artists in mind.  "Oops..." tailor-made 
for the Drifters, and "Suddenly..." has a Gene Pitney feel.

Rob Pingel




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Message: 3         
   Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2005 00:35:36 -0000
   From: Mick Patrick 
Subject: Susan Lynne versus Sue Lynne

As Sue Lynne and Susan Lynne have both been under discussion 
here recently, I thought I'd post a couple of rare tracks 
to musica. Viz:

Susan Lynne "In His Car" (Capitol 5201, 1964). Written and 
produced by Artie Kornfeld. Back-up vocals by the Angels. 
Digital dub courtesy of Martin Roberts.

Sue Lynne "Baby, Baby, Baby" (UK RCA 1874, 1969) Written by 
Ellie Greenwich; Arranged by Johnny Arthey; produced by 
Chris Andrews. Digital dub courtesy Clunkie.

Find both tracks here: 
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/files/musica

Susan Lynne on CD:

"Don't Drag No More" on "One Kiss Can Lead To Another: Girl 
Group Sounds - Lost And Found" (Rhino). Find more info here: 
http://tinyurl.com/7gpk5

"There'll Be No Goodbyes" on "What Does A Girl Do: Femme 
Pop From The President Vaults" (President). More info here: 
http://tinyurl.com/dlt55 and here: http://tinyurl.com/e2zgn

Sue Lynne on CD:

"Reach For The Moon" on "Stonefree And Sassy: Dream Babes, 
Vol 6" (RPM). Find more info here: http://tinyurl.com/9a8we 
and here: http://tinyurl.com/cmgvo

Susan Lynne Discography:

Duel 506 1962
Such A Short Time / There'll Be No Goodbyes 

Duel 514 1962
I'll Always Be In Love With You / Even Though 

Duel 523 1963
Just A Number / Such A Short Time 

Capitol 5201 1964
Don't Drag No More / In His Car 
(Came with a picture cover, which I've never seen. Does 
anyone have that item?)

Sue Lynne is British: Susan Lynne American. But you knew that.

I could post more tracks by each lady. Anyone interested?

Hey la,

Mick Patrick




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Message: 4         
   Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 08:50:07 -0800 (PST)
   From: Norm D. Plume 
Subject: Re: New Vashti album

Phil X Milstein wrote:
> Slate recently ran a really good article about Vashti, to 
> coincide with the release of her new album, "Lookaftering":
> http://www.slate.com/id/2128686/?nav=navoa
> Has anyone heard the album?

I've not heard the album but I did catch her TV appearance, 
playing live on "Later..." (BBC2 TV in the UK) last Friday. The 
nearest musical comparison I'd give, at least for the one song 
she did, was "Sunny Goodge Street"-type Donovan: acoustic guitar 
with chamber quartet, wispy / ethereal vocals, lyrics that didn't 
grab my attention too much.  Nice, but.....  It does have a 
resonance with a lot of current light folky music that's been 
around for a while now.  Her last TV appearance was apparently in 
1969, so a second follow-up album after 36 years is certainly 
some come back.  

I've never heard her first album - it's been obscure, 
unobtainable, and sold for vast sums.  I don't wish to be 
judgmental about her music, but as far as her impact is concerned, 
I have to ask "Why?" It's an interesting phenomenon, that's for 
sure.

Norm D.




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Message: 5         
   Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2005 06:08:08 -0600 (Central Standard Time)
   From: Bill Swanke 
Subject: Mel Williams, R.I.P.

Received word from Pete "Spike" Leinhos of the Southern Cal 
Doo Wop Society, that Mel Williams passed away some time in 
October. Mel was a solo artists on the majority of his 
recordings for Decca & King.

However, he was a member of the Sheiks and one of the many 
voices of the Sheilds.  His recordings backed by the unnamed 
Montclairs and Johnny Otis' Jayos were all superb.

Mel was just 2 months shy of his 69th birthday. No details 
were given.
 
Another tenor voice to hit notes in DooWopHeaven.

Rest In Peace, Mel Williams
 
Willie C.







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Message: 6         
   Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 13:31:16 +0000
   From: Bill Swanke 
Subject: Johnny Tanner, R.I.P.

Johnny Tanner, the last original of The Five Royales, passed 
away November 8th.  

R.I.P.

Bill Swanke






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Message: 7         
   Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:20:03 EST
   From: Bill George 
Subject: Jackie De Shannon interview

Kingsley writes:
> I had the very great pleasure of interviewing Jackie last week
> at length for an upcoming piece in Record Collector.

Hi Kingsley, Some nice teasers there. Please let us know when the 
Record Collector is out!

Bill




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Message: 8         
   Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 21:20:39 +0000
   From: Simon White 
Subject: Re: Pearly Gates

Paul Rusling: 
> Just a line to say thanks to Mick Patrick for the Pearly Gates 
> track at musica. I knew Pearly back in the '70s, when she hosted 
> some shows at Radio Luxembourg. I had previously played her 
> Flirtations stuff on Deram to death in my previous persona as a 
> nightclub / ballroom DJ. She had a great radio voice, as well as 
> a lovely warm personality. She had a few tracks published by 
> Luxembourg's own publishing company (Louvigny Music),  and Alan 
> Keen signed her for a year to host programmes. She was second-
> most listened to DJ in the Gallup Poll surveys 208 did, after 
> Johnnie Walker. Anywone know where she is these days?

Pearly Gates did indeed record Disco/Hi Energy in the UK as did 
The Flirtations, although who the line up was I can't be sure. I 
can probably find out if needs be. I have never been able to 
understand the complexities of this, but The Gypsies on Old Town 
were of course the Flirtations but seemingly not The Flirtations 
on Festival. I think that's right, maybe someone will clear that 
up for us if not.

Certain of the Flirtations recordings on Deram have enjoyed a 
revival here recently, particularly "Nothing But A Heartache" 
which ended up being featured in a TV ad. My personal favourite 
on the label is "Need Your Loving", which is in Northern Soul 
terminology a "stormer" .I also have a soft spot for an RCA 
release from the mid seventies called 'Mr Universe', a Motown-lite 
pop sing-a-long number which errs on the side of twee but somehow 
works. A later "Hi Energy" recording by The Flirtations called 
"Earthquake" is excellent and almost transcends that much derided  
genre, in that it retains a retro feel. I don't think Pearly was 
part of that line up. A solo effort by Pearly called "Action" in 
the same style is good too-if you like that sort of thing.

As a footnoote, in my days as an embryo celebrity gardener, I used 
to see Pearly Gates at New Covent Garden flower market very early 
in the morning.. We do have  a florist in out midst here so he may 
be able to elaborate. I understand Pearly was a florist herself.
I never spoke to her as I was very shy then. I wish I had. I never 
spoke to Murray Melvin either, the star of one of my very favourite 
films "A Taste Of Honey"  either when I used to see him on the 
number 31 bus  This reticence may partly be the explanation for 
total non event of my T.V. career (coupled with the complete lack 
of any television connections). 




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Message: 9         
   Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 14:21:21 -0800
   From: Frank M 
Subject: Re: New Vashti album

Vashti is gueting on Archie Fisher's Travelling Folk on BBC 
Radio Scotland Tonight Thursday at 22:30 GMT online here: 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/radioscotland/view/show.shtml?travelling
and available on Listen Again.




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Message: 10        
   Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 17:25:27 -0500
   From: Phil X Milstein 
Subject: Re: Daytona Buzz & Jerry Lee

Martin Jensen wrote:
> Speaking of Ronny & The Daytonas, I've just purchased a German
> compilation off eBay ...

Speaking of speaking of Ronny & The Daytonas, I'd like to relate 
one of the wonderful stories -- more of a snapshot, actually, in 
this case -- contained in (one-time Daytona) Buzz Cason's terrific 
2004 memoir, "Living The Rocknroll Dream":

-----

... Jerry Lee would autograph keys and hammers from pianos he had 
destroyed. Yet with the Killer, there was a rocknroll paradox of 
sorts, in that many nights after a wild concert, when the fans had 
left and we [The Casuals] were packing up around him, Jerry would 
change into street clothes and return to the stage and what was left 
of the piano to do a more laid-back, gospel-filled concert for those 
of us packing up. These are the priceless moments of life on the 
road, when, knowing you have a grueling schedule ahead, you take a 
little time to pause and take in the music as it flows from the heart 
and soul of a gifted performer. Jamming and "sitting in" with 
each other lifts the spirits of all of us who sing and play music.

-----

Dig,
--Phil M.




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Message: 11        
   Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2005 16:41:50 -0800 (PST)
   From: Steve Harvey 
Subject: Re: Sahm and Sham's Pharoahs?

Max Weiner wrote:
> Doug Sahm & The Pharoahs. Are those the same Pharoahs that 
> would later back Sam the Sham, another great Texas rocker?

I would highly doubt it. I always thought Sam the Sham put those 
guys together and I'm sure he didn't lend them out. Sir Doug and 
the Sam both hit the national hit parade about the time too.




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Message: 12        
   Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2005 02:54:02 +0000
   From: Bill Swanke 
Subject: John Tanner, R.I.P.

JOHNNY TANNER, LEAD OF THE 5 ROYALES, DIES AT 78
 
Johnny Tanner, whose powerful and expressive lead voice fronted 
the R&B vocal harmony group the Five Royales on a string of 
successful hit records during the 1950s and early 1960s, died 
Tuesday November 8, 2005, at Wake Forest University Baptist 
Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  The 78-year old 
singer had been suffering from bone cancer.

Born in Forsyth County, NC on November 28, 1926, Tanner graduated
from Atkins High School and served in the Korean War before 
beginning his singing career with the Royal Sons Quintet.  With 
Lowman and Clarence Pauling, Otto Jeffries, and William Samuels, 
Tanner signed on with Apollo Records in New York City and soon 
switched over to the rhythm and blues field, finding success 
with “Baby, Don’t Do It”, their third release as the Five Royales.  
The record spent three of its 16 weeks on Billboard’s R&B chart 
in the #1 spot in early 1953, and was soon followed by “Help Me 
Somebody”, a number one record for five weeks.

“Crazy, Crazy, Crazy”, “Too Much Lovin’”, and “I Do” all reached 
the national charts for the group in the mid-1950s, by which time 
they consisted of Johnny Tanner, his brother, Eugene Tanner, Jr., 
Jimmy Moore, Obadiah Carter, and principal songwriter Lowman 
Pauling.  Mentor Carl LeBow helped the Five Royales leave Apollo 
for King Records in late 1954.  Two additional top 10 R&B hits, 
“Tears of Joy”, and “Think”, came in 1957.  The group toured the 
country regularly during their heyday, working the famed theater 
and one-nighter stops that became known as the “chitlin’ circuit”.
Their second and final pop chart hit, “Dedicated To The One I 
Love”, was first issued in December of 1957, and cracked the Pop 
Hot 100 in early 1961 following the success of the Shirelles’ 
cover version.  A later rendition by the Mamas and the Papas went 
to #2 in 1967.

Tanner remained with the Five Royales through 1963, recording for 
Home of the Blues, Vee Jay, ABC-Paramount, and Todd Records.  
Eudell Graham replaced Mr. Tanner as lead on the group’s Smash 
and White Cliffs sides in 1964-65.

In later years, Tanner worked at the Centenary United Methodist 
Church and resisted all requests to perform secular material.  The 
Five Royales were inductees into the R&B Hall of Fame in Raleigh 
and the United in Group Harmony Association Hall of Fame.  They 
were the 1992 North Carolina Folk Heritage Award recipients, and 
were honored by their hometown of Winston-Salem with the naming 
of “Five Royales Drive”.

Mr. Tanner was preceded in death by fellow group members Lowman Pauling (1926-1973), Otto Jeffries (1912-1975), his brother, 
Eugene Tanner, Jr. (1936-1994), Obadiah Carter (1925-1994), 
Clarence Pauling (1928-1995), Eudell Graham (1933-1995), and 
pianist Royal Abbit (1932-1995).  Tenor/baritone Jimmy Moore, now 
79, is the group’s lone survivor.

Johnny Tanner is survived by his wife, Cornelia Fuiell Tanner; 
four children, three brothers, six grandchildren, and 15 great-
grandchildren. Funeral services are planned for noon, Friday, Nov. 
11, at St. John CME Church, 350 Crawford Place, Winston-Salem, 
with the Rev. Bobby Best officiating. Interment will be in 
Parklawn Memorial Gardens.  Online condolences may be made at 
http://www.russellfuneralservice.com

© Todd Baptista




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Message: 13        
   Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2005 05:52:01 -0000
   From: Zambra 64 
Subject: Re: Vashti Bunyan

Norm D Plume:
> I've never heard (Vashti Bunyan's) first album - it's been obscure, 
> unobtainable, and sold for vast sums.  

Since last year there´s a reprint of Vashti Bunyan´s album available
as a CD. You may also listen to it (if you´re satisfied with bad 
quality 30-s-snips). Here´s the link: 
http://tinyurl.com/cykua




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