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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 14 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. New Year with Honey & the Bees
From: Mick Patrick
2. New Year songs
From: David A Young
3. Re: Three Degrees
From: Simon White
4. Re: Apache
From: Justin McDevitt
5. Phil's Xmas Album
From: John Fox
6. Re: Earl Jean & the Cookies
From: John Clemente
7. Dick Kallman Drops In As "Hank" LP
From: John H
8. Connie Francis, Larry Marks, "Always Magic.."
From: Rob Pingel
9. Re: New Year songs > the Gems
From: Will Stos
10. Connie Francis and Tommy
From: David Bell
11. Re: Apache
From: Steve Harvey
12. Re: Wrecking Crewe
From: Phil Chapman
13. Re:Auld Lang Syne - Any fab femme versions?
From: Chris King
14. Nashville TN Record stores
From: Paul Urbahns
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Message: 1
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2005 21:46:15 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: New Year with Honey & the Bees
David A Young:
> Other Spectropop-type gals (sometimes with guys) weighing
> in on turn-of-the-calendar issues include The Adlibs' "I
> Stayed Home (New Year's Eve)" (released in 1989 but
> recorded in vintage doo-wop style), Paul and Paula's "A
> New Year, A New Ring," Beverley's "Happy New Year"
> (featured in musica a year or two ago), Honey and the
> Bees' rendition of "Auld Lang Syne" ...
Great group, Honey & the Bees. They should have been big,
but lost out in the Philly Sound stakes to the Three
Degrees and others. "Jing Jing A Ling", the other side of
the 45 mentioned above, is out on CD. Here's their story
from the booklet:
---------------------------------------------------------
Honey & the Bees
In mid-'60s Philadelphia, not long since a hothouse of
teenage dance crazes, the times they were a-changing. The
"Gravy" had congealed on Dee Dee Sharp's "Mashed Potatoes",
while Patti LaBelle and her Bluebelles had become
disenchanted with their endless trek "Down The Aisle". A
new breed of young writers, producers and performers were
transforming the Philly sound. Honey & the Bees were among
the artists whose music epitomised the new lush, highly
orchestrated, romantic approach.
Originally known as the Superiorettes, then, briefly, as
Sugar & the Spices, Nadine Felder and her group - Cassandra
Wooten, Jean Davis and Gwendolyn Oliver - made their disc
debut as the Yum Yums, with "Gonna Be A Big Thing",
released on ABC Paramount in 1965.
They became Honey & the Bees shortly afterwards and signed
with Jimmy Bishop's Arctic label. They cut five singles
for the logo between 1966 and 1969, when the company
closed shop.
The irresistible combination of girl groups and Christmas
was realised to perfection on the girls' first post-Arctic
waxing, "Jing Jing A Ling". Sporting some great singing
from Nadine and her gang, their sole Chess outing sported
more bell-trees than you could shake Phil Spector at, AND
you could dance to it. This single also appeared on Gamble
& Huff's North Bay label.
Jimmy Bishop then moved his protégées over to the Josie
label, who put out half a dozen 45s by the group over the
next two years. Their Josie swan song, "It's Gonna Take A
Miracle", was an almost hit, prompting the release of a
highly glamorous Honey & the Bees album, a top collectable
these days.
Honey & the Bees called it quits in 1973 after two singles
on Bell failed to chart. Cassandra and Gwendolyn were
rewarded within a few years when they twice made the Top
20 as two-thirds of the exotically garbed Ritchie Family.
----------------------------------------------------------
I've posted Honey & the Bees' Hogmanay offering to musica.
Details are: "Auld Lang Syne" (Chess 2088 and North Bay
303, 1970); new lyrics by Jimmy Bishop and Bernard Broomer;
a Penguin Production. To hear it click here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/files/musica
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
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Message: 2
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2005 21:19:36 -0000
From: David A Young
Subject: New Year songs
Will Stos:
> Did the Gems record a New Year single? The have one called
> something like "Happy New Love," but I thought they had
> recorded "Happy New Year" vocals over top of the track or
> does the song refer to New Year's in some way?. I'm not sure
> where I heard this, or if I'm just crazy. Does anyone know?
The version of "Happy New Love" I have on Chess 1930 does
include a couple of musical nods to "Auld Lang Syne,"
suggesting that Minnie et al might be encountering their
romantic good luck at the turning of the year, but they never
come right out and say (sing) it.
I'd love it if Will's theory turns out to be true and there's
a more New Year-specific recording of the song. But what I'm
afraid he's thinking of is their previous single pairing "All
of It" with "Love for Christmas": essentially the same song,
but one side with seasonal lyrics and the other with words
for the rest of the year.
David A. Young
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Message: 3
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 00:12:10 +0000
From: Simon White
Subject: Re: Three Degrees
Jana B wrote:
> The Three Degrees had a very nice New Year's song on their
> first self-entitled Phil Int'l Records' LP called "Year of
> Decision." It had a message that touched on social and
> personal issues. Written by Gamble and Huff, it was first
> released in 1973.
Good call Jana! We don't get enough Three Degrees on Spectropop
- the group's pre Philly Int stuff is well worth investigating.
Simon
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Message: 4
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2005 19:44:00 -0600
From: Justin McDevitt
Subject: Re: Apache
Roy Clough wrote:
> Apache was not in same league as The Shadows and I can
> only assume that you guys/gals across the pond never got
> to hear their version.
I first heard the Shadows version of Apache in 1989 when I
picked up a double Lp Best Of at a Minneapolis record shop,
a find that I consider a semi-miracle since I had never come
across any of their music during various other record
sleuthing forays.
Until recently, I was under the mistaken impression that the
Shadows version of Apache preceeded the Jurgen Ingman hit
that I first heard in 1960 and so was more favorably biased
towards the Ingman version and for that matter I still am
regardless of which one predated the other.
I haven't heard the Shadows version in a while and as I
remember, it's a bit faster than the Ingman track.
I also admit that part of my preference for Ingman's
treatment of this great instrumental involves the memories
that I associate with it, as a relatively new, (soon to be
avid) 8-year old AM radio listener, (including country music).
Finally, all this being said, I think Jurgen Ingman's
version of this song has a more interesting sound!
A great New Year to all of you!
Justin McDevitt
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Message: 5
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2005 20:45:42 EST
From: John Fox
Subject: Phil's Xmas Album
I must have listened to "A Christmas Gift For You" in its
entirety at least 10 times in the past few weeks. I also
read the great website learned about in a posting here
about a week ago. That account of the recording notes
that the sessions took place in July of 1963.
I'm not doubting that timing, but if so, that means Phil
was not only a genius but a real gambler in terms of
betting, among other things, that listeners would even
know who The Ronettes were ("Be My Baby" didn't hit the
charts till late August). Also, that songs like "Be My
Baby" would be hits worthy of having their exact style
copied on the Christmas Album (see "Frosty The Snowman").
The same goes for "Wait Till My Bobby Gets Home" (charted
starting in late July and style copied in "Winter
Wonderland"), and "Then He Kissed Me" (charted starting
in mid-August and style copied in "Rudolph The Red-Nosed
Reindeer").
The other thing that struck me was that "Santa Claus Is
Coming To Town" copied the style of "Da Do Ron Ron" (not
a timing problem since it charted in the spring of 1963),
and the Bruce Springsteen version of the same song
(recorded in 1975 and first charting in 1985) starts out
by copping the style of "Be My Baby" and ends up as "Do
Do Ron Ron".
Merry Christmas, Phil. You're probably not looking
forward to a very Happy New Year.
John Fox
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Message: 6
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 07:18:23 -0000
From: John Clemente
Subject: Re: Earl Jean & the Cookies
Max Weiner wrote:
> I just purchased the Rhino Girl Group Box set. While I can't
> name all my favorites on it, I do have a question concerning
> Earl Jean & "I'm into Something Good". Is that Carole King
> helping out on the background vocals? It sure sounds like her.
> I have listened to that song for years and wondered that.
> Can anyone tell me?
Hello Max,
You are correct! Carole King and Earl-Jean's sister Darlene
McCrea are singing backing vocals on "I'm Into Something Good".
They did the same for her follow-up, "Randy/They're Jealous Of
Me".
Regards,
John Clemente
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Message: 7
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 01:45:01 -0000
From: John H
Subject: Dick Kallman Drops In As "Hank" LP
One of my favorite lost-and-found surprises of the year was
this 1965 album, recorded by tv star (if only for a season)
and all-around charm salesman, Dick Kallman. The production
doesn't stray too far from the sounds of the day (Hatch-lite
pop, some Broadway balladry, and a Motown rip or two), but
Kallman's charisma and surprisingly strong voice won me over.
David Gates was at the helm, and it was probably his
considerable talent as a producer that kept this obvious
cash-in from really sounding like one.
Does anyone out there have anymore info on this album, or on
Dick Kallman? (Aside from what one has already learned via
endless Googling, of course.)
I managed to obtain both stereo and mono versions of the LP,
but have no way of encoding vinyl to MP3s. If anyone can be
of any assistance, please drop me a line. (It would totally
make my New Year's, moreso than any old ball drop!)
ciao
-John H.
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Message: 8
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2005 22:36:04 -0000
From: Rob Pingel
Subject: Connie Francis, Larry Marks, "Always Magic.."
Does anyone know who performed the background vocals on
"Tommy" by Connie Francis. The male falsetto sounds a lot
like Lou Christie and the female vocals in line with the
Angels or possibly the Tammys.
Recently discovered a record by Larry Marks titled "Don't
Slam the Door in My Face" on VMC 717. Sort of an early
precursor to the disco age. Seems like the writers of the
later mega-hit "I Will Survive" were possibly influenced.
The record credits Barry White as producer, and Gene Page
as arranger. Checked with Record Master who have no entry
for Larry Marks on the VMC label. They do attribute the
song to an artist named David on VMC 717, and a release
date of 1967. Do I have a misprinted copy?
Read and enjoyed "Always Magic in the Air" over the
Christmas weekend. It's a worthy purchase, but could have
used a better edit job. Might be fun for Spectropoppers
to weigh in on whatever mistakes (large or small) that
they discover. Also some of the author's subjective
assessments/comments could use a good challenge.
Happy New Year,
Rob Pingel
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Message: 9
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 16:58:22 -0000
From: Will Stos
Subject: Re: New Year songs > the Gems
Me:
> Did the Gems record a New Year single? The have one called
> something like "Happy New Love," but I thought they had
> recorded "Happy New Year" vocals over top of the track or
> does the song refer to New Year's in some way?. I'm not sure
> where I heard this, or if I'm just crazy. Does anyone know?
David A Young:
> I'd love it if Will's theory turns out to be true and there's
> a more New Year-specific recording of the song. But what I'm
> afraid he's thinking of is their previous single pairing "All
> of It" with "Love for Christmas": essentially the same song,
> but one side with seasonal lyrics and the other with words
> for the rest of the year.
You're probably right. I don't have any of this stuff on MP3 or
CD, so it's not easily accessible to check. But David has
likely made sense of my mash up of memories.
Will : )
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Message: 10
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 10:46:44 EST
From: David Bell
Subject: Connie Francis and Tommy
Previously:
> Does anyone know who performed the background vocals on
> "Tommy" by Connie Francis. The male falsetto sounds a lot
> like Lou Christie and the female vocals in line with the
> Angels or possibly the Tammys
On the American cd, Rocksides, it says that the background
vocals for Tommy are provided by the Tokens.
David.
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Message: 11
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 07:39:00 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Re: Apache
Justin McDevitt wrote:
> Until recently, I was under the mistaken impression that
> the Shadows' version of Apache preceeded the Jurgen Ingman
> hit that I first heard in 1960 and so was more favorably
> biased towards the Ingman version and for that matter I
> still am regardless of which one predated the other.
No, The Shadows' version was first!! Atlantic Records had
the rights to the Shadows version and blew it. Jurgan picked
up on the fact that the song was a hit all over the world,
but not the USA and did a quick cover. Things might have
been different for both the Shads and Atlantic Records if
their "Apache" had taken off. I will try to post the cover
of the US Atlantic lp ($125.00) on the site.
That said, I like Jurgen's version as it does have a few
more guitar lines that Hank doesn't do. In many ways "Apache"
was for budding Brit guitarists what "Walk Don't Run" was
for their US counterparts.
Steve Harvey
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Message: 12
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 16:47:22 -0000
From: Phil Chapman
Subject: Re: Wrecking Crewe
> PHILLES 134 - Ike & Tina Turner
> Two To Tango (Manning - Hoffman)/
> A Man Is A Man Is A Man (Pete Antell)
> Prod: Bob Crewe
> Arr & Cond: Herb Bernstein
Phil M:
> How did a Bob Crewe production wind up on Philles?
Handing over production of I&TT to Bob Crewe, and the
Ronettes to Jeff Barry, Phil S (temporarily) retired hurt
after the spectacular failure (in the USA) of "River Deep
- Mountain High", which was however, as many writers on
the subject seem to omit, a huge hit in the UK and raised
awareness of Tina as a solo talent.
PC
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Message: 13
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 18:52:58 -0000
From: Chris King
Subject: Re:Auld Lang Syne - Any fab femme versions?
Greetings fellow Spectropoppers -
I'm running the Da Doo Ron Ron NYE shindig tomorrow night &
am desperately trying to locate a vaguely uptempo, ideally
soulful, reading of the old staple Auld Lang Syne. Due to my
10 week old daughter Grace, I've really not had much time to
devote to scouring, and having rejected the Babs Streisand
thingy and am currently reduced to spinning a misty-eyed,
verging on funereal rendering courtesy of Jo Stafford
supplied by my Dad. If needs be it'll have to suffice but
just wondered if anyone out there in Spectroland knows of a
fab, femmecentric version?
Oodles of thanks in advance,
Chris Da Doo
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Message: 14
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2005 14:01:29 -0500
From: Paul Urbahns
Subject: Nashville TN Record stores
I will be in Nashville in a couple weeks on a record buying trip.
Does anyone on the list know of any stores that sell good vinyl
at cheap prices, besides Phono Luxe and the local thrift stores.
You can email me direct with suggestions.
Thanks!
Paul Urbahns
Radcliff, KY
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