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______________ S P E C T R O P O P ______________
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Jamie LePage (1953-2002)
http://www.spectropop.com/Jamie.htm
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There are 18 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Wirtz/Anka
From: Ian Chapman
2. Re: Finders Keepers
From: Jeff Lemlich
3. Do Your Own Thing!
From: Jeff Lemlich
4. Re: Wes Farrell
From: Ted L
5. Paul Stefen (with Paul & The Pack)
From: Jeff Lemlich
6. The Fruitgums ARE back
From: Bob Rashkow
7. Re: Curt Boettcher Ads
From: Doug
8. GOODEES, GEORGETTES, CHIFFONS
From: mick patrick
9. Re: GOODEES, MERCY
From: Patrick Rands
10. Georgettes "Little Boy"
From: Martin Roberts
11. Re: Curt Boettcher Ads
From: Neb Rodgers
13. Gurls
From: simon white
14. Re: Finders Keepers & 'The Dalton Brothers'
From: Martin Roberts
15. Re: Gurls
From: Gene Sculatti
16. Re: GOODEES, MERCY
From: Billy G Spradlin
17. Re: Gurls
From: mick patrick
18. Re: MERCY
From: Jeff Lemlich
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 00:28:30 +0100
From: Ian Chapman
Subject: Wirtz/Anka
Phil wrote:
> Thanks for playing this Ian, and I agree entirely. I think
> there's something Mark isn't telling us! Song's a bit of a
> rip-off of "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" don't you think?
Yes, it is. But I'm glad you agree about its "Wirtz-ness"!!
It immediately put me in mind of "Count The Stars" when I first
heard it.
How about it Mark - did you leave any tracks behind after you
stopped working with Auntie?! :-)
Ian
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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 20:00:04 -0400
From: Jeff Lemlich
Subject: Re: Finders Keepers
Martin Roberts wrote:
> Thanks for Finders Keepers info. More questions on
> this group though: I have two FK 45's on UK Fontana. Both A
> sides inferior cover versions, Irving Martin produced. One,
> Madara/White/Gilmore's "Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)" and the
> other, Greenwich/Barry's "Friday Kind Of Monday" (this one
> got a US release). There is also (I think) a US group on
> Challenge.
The group on Challenge is the UK group, who had hooked up with
Gary Usher. I've often wondered about that too, since
"Lavender Blue" was a hit in Miami in 1966.
Jeff Lemlich
Please visit the Florida music forum at:
http://pub64.ezboard.com/blimestonelounge
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 20:30:51 -0400
From: Jeff Lemlich
Subject: Do Your Own Thing!
> Frank Youngwerth wrote:
> My current favorite is on a WLS aircheck from around '67,
> with a pained Neil Diamond soundalike singing, "Yesterday
> they took away my window/But I still see things my way/Don't
> let them tell you what you can't do/Do your own thing today"
That was a real song, released (in a somewhat different version)
by Brook Benton as "Do Your Own Thing", on Cotillion 44007.
The writer, producers, and arrangers credits all go to Jerry
Leiber and Mike Stoller!
Jeff Lemlich
Please visit the Florida music forum at:
http://pub64.ezboard.com/blimestonelounge
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 17:50:48 -0700
From: Ted L
Subject: Re: Wes Farrell
Don wrote:
> Wes Farrell passed away some time ago. Hopefully, his career
> will be discussed at length in the forthcoming VH1 bubblegum
> rock documentary (due to his work with such acts as The
> Partridge Family and The Rock Flowers).
The songwriter/producer died on Feb 29, 96 in Fisher Island,
FLA according to allmusic.com. I'm familiar with his pop/rock
productions vita, but I did not know of his efforts in the
soundtrack field. I recently learned that he did some production
work on the commendable "Midnight Cowboy" soundtrack. Does anyone
know which "James Bond" theme he produced?
Ted L.
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Message: 5
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 20:20:06 -0400
From: Jeff Lemlich
Subject: Paul Stefen (with Paul & The Pack)
Bob Rashkow wrote:
> Jerry Osborne also credits this SAME RECORD to one 'Paul
> (Stefan) and The Pack'. Same serial # and all. Did Jerry O
> make a geniune error, or did Hildebrand go by various other
> pseudonyms? Checked under Paul Stefan and there are references
> to "Roland Stone", "Ronnie Premiere" et al.
Paul Stefen was a real rock 'n roller from Milwaukee, with no
connection that I'm aware of to Ray Hildebrand. He had a group
called "The Apollos" that did include Roland Stone on some
recordings. (Roland Stone was really Roland Oeller, the man behind
"Jingle Jump" by Danny Peil and the Tigers). Sam McCue of the
Legends (the band on Ermine, Capitol, Warner Bros., Parrot, Thames,
and Date) plays rhythm guitar on "You" by "The Apollos & Paul
Stefen" (Cite 5008). McCue later played guitar for the Everly Bros.
and was in the 70s band Crowfoot.
I don't have the 45, but I see a listing for:
Tower 4261 PAUL & THE PACK - Hiding From Myself/Dr. Goldfoot's Iglo
According to author Tom Tourville, this was Paul Stefen and Gary
Myers, and is a dj copy only.
> First one to get back to me gets my sealed
> souvenir container of "Great Shakes" from 1966 - Just kidding,
But does it really stand up to a straw!
Jeff Lemlich
Please visit the Florida music forum at:
http://pub64.ezboard.com/blimestonelounge
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 01:15:11 -0000
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: The Fruitgums ARE back
Thank you to Frank Youngwerth and Kim Cooper for clearing it
up for me - the Fruitgum Company (Jeckell Marcus et al) are
REALLY ONLINE. Minus Mark G but that's okay, thanks for the
additional info on him too! Funny I said Jekyll and who?! -
because I didn't know (learn lots of stuff every day on
Spectropop) that they were Jeckell and the Hydes first!!!
Frank the "K" surname you're referring to is probably Kasenetz
& Katz, the driving force behind SUPER K Productions, the Teem
label, and so many other bubblegum artists. They also dabbled
in singing and playing as on "Quick Joey Small." Sad to hear
that the great Wes Farrell is gone. I loved the work he did
with the SENATE groups, Every Mother's Son, and many others.
Ian Chapman wrote:
>...you're right, absolutely no connection with the
> Alley Cat Pipkins...
Does this mean there might actually be a female singing on
Puddin' n' Tain??!! (Could it be - Bobby Sheen doin' the
falsetto thing?!)
The Jamie tributes are extremely moving. I too so love
"Walking In The Rain" by the Ronettes - another fabulous
Spector production. When Jay Black remade it early in '70
I had no idea in the world that it had been done infinitely
better and more emotionally involving by Ronnie and the girls.
Speaking of girl groups is there any info online about the
Southern group The Goodees on H.I.P. ("Condition Red", the
poor man's Leader Of The Pack - but a great relic just the same)
Keep On Dancin'!
Bobster
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Message: 7
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 01:48:30 -0000
From: Doug
Subject: Re: Curt Boettcher Ads
Jeffrey Glenn wrote:
> Jason, do you have these, [Curt Boettcher Ads]
> and if so, can you post them to musica?
> Enquiring minds would love to hear these!
The Curt Boettcher "Misty Mirage" CD on Poptones contains
"Wearing Levi's (acoustic)", "Stretch Levi's", and spots for
Bank Americard and Crown Paper Towels.
In addition, the Millennium "Again" CD on Poptones includes
another version of "Wearing Levi's".
Doug
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Message: 8
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 07:57:09 +0100 (BST)
From: mick patrick
Subject: GOODEES, GEORGETTES, CHIFFONS
Original message from Bob Rashkow:
> Is there any info online about the Southern girl group the
> Goodees on H.I.P. Their "Condition Red" is a poor man's
> "Leader Of The Pack", but a great relic non the less.
Bob, "Condition Red" is the opening track on the Where The
Girls Are CD (Ace CDCHD 648). You can view the track list
and read more about the CD at http://www.acerecords.co.uk
In the meantime, here's a paragraph from the booklet:
Petulant white girls, screeching motorbike brakes, dead
boyfriends and church organs were not generally the stuff of
records coming out of Memphis in 1968. So quite what possessed
Stax staffers Don Davis and Fred Briggs to produce such an
out of character is unknown. The lucky Goodees - Judy Williams,
Kay Evans and Sandra Johnson - got a Top 50 hit out of it.
Original Message from Ron Buono:
> Does anyone know if the GEORGETTES' "LITTLE BOY" ever
> surfaced on a girl group comp CD? I would love to find it!
> Thanks.
But I can't trace this cut on a CD, not even on a b*&tl%g.
Maybe some kind soul will play it to musica for you.
Unless he's working late at his flower emporium.
Original message from Jimmy Botticelli:
> ...the CHIFFONS' radio spot for H.I.S. clothing begs the
> question: Do the H.I.S. fascismions fit the broader-bodied
> boomers of today?
And you, Jimmy boy, can speak for yourself!
MICK PATRICK
(34 waist, 36 inside leg)
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Message: 9
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 09:49:51 -0400
From: Patrick Rands
Subject: Re: GOODEES, MERCY
> Original message from Bob Rashkow:
> > Is there any info online about the Southern girl group the
> > Goodees on H.I.P. Their "Condition Red" is a poor man's
> > "Leader Of The Pack", but a great relic non the less.
Mick wrote:
> Bob, "Condition Red" is the opening track on the
> Where The Girls Are CD (Ace CDCHD 648).
> You can view the track list and read more about the CD at
> http://www.acerecords.co.uk
I'm glad the Goodees came up! In fact I just listened to their
album this weekend. My question is pretty simple: are the
Goodees and the Goodies the same singing group?
Btw their album isn't half bad in a half bad kind of way and
their singles are even better. Their version of He's a Rebel is
horrendous fun, if that is indeed possible. If one were to
wipe the vocals off, we'd have a Booker T. styled instrumental
in the first order.
:Patrick
P.S. As a side note: I heard Mercy singing a fetchingly
horrible version of Hey Jude and am curious now. Why two albums
of the same name on different labels? Did they have the same
artwork too? Is all their stuff as indifferent and curious...or
worse? Any thoughts or information on Mercy?
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Message: 10
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 20:53:20 +0100
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: Georgettes "Little Boy"
Mick Patrick wrote:-
>Maybe some kind soul will play it to musica for you.
>Unless he's working late at his flower emporium.
Afraid this is one (of many) musical bouquet that is missing
from my humble store.
Martin
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Message: 11
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 19:29:03 -0700 (PDT)
From: Neb Rodgers
Subject: Re: Curt Boettcher Ads
Jeffrey Glenn:
> Jason, do you have these, and if so, can you post them to musica?
> Enquiring minds would love to hear these!
I have a couple of these. They were included on Curt's 'Misty
Mirage' cd, as put out by the Poptones label. This disc has
jingles for Bank Americard, and Crown Paper Towels as well.
I haven't tried sending anything to musica yet, but unless
someone else has them (paging Mr Stec!) I'll give it a shot.
Neb
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Message: 13
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 21:57:38 +0100
From: simon white
Subject: Gurls
As Spectropop has gone a bit gurlie again recently, can anyone
give me any information on any of the following wimmin?
The Hi Fashions
Dian Hart
Judy Stone
and a token male member....with a slightly gurlie name....
Kenny Karen?
I also found I have an AWFUL version of ' A Touch Of Velvet '
by The Second City Sound. Never was such a group of
dis-interested people committed to vinyl. Committed maybe,
vinyl no. How many versions do we think there were?
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Message: 14
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 22:43:30 +0100
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: Re: Finders Keepers & 'The Dalton Brothers'
Thanks to Jeff Limlich for supplying Finders Keepers, Challenge
AND Gary Usher info. I had forgotten reading about this in
Stephen J McParland's Usher odessy.
So on the evidence of their two Fontana releases, an average
UK pop combo got to work with two of the West Coast's musical
giants. Wonder if they ever recorded with Spector?!
Answering my earlier question, the FK's Alec Noel 45 was on CBS
(UK). Anyone care to play it to musica?
Talking of musica, Paul Underwood kindly played The Dalton
Brothers' "Lottin Dottin Da Da". Beside giving me a couple of
fretful hours I really enjoyed it. But where did it come from?
Was Paul spotted running away with armfuls of Goldstar recording
tapes? Or is there a more innocent explanation?
Martin
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Message: 15
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 17:01:40 -0700
From: Gene Sculatti
Subject: Re: Gurls
Simon White:
and a token male member....with a slightly gurlie name....
Kenny Karen?
Kenny Karen, I believe, was a solo (male) act on Columbia.
Can't recall any of his sides, though I think I might have a 45.
(Or am I thinking of Kenny Dino, who was on Columbia and Musicor?)
Gene Sculatti
Director of Special Issues, Billboard magazine
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Message: 16
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2002 01:31:04 -0000
From: Billy G Spradlin
Subject: Re: GOODEES, MERCY
> P.S. As a side note: I heard Mercy singing a fetchingly
> horrible version of Hey Jude and am curious now. Why two albums
> of the same name on different labels? Did they have the same
> artwork too? Is all their stuff as indifferent and curious...or
> worse? Any thoughts or information on Mercy?
I believe the group was only signed to Sundi (dist by Jamie) for just
one record. When "Love Can.." hit big the group bolted to Warners. So
Sundi padded out a quickie album with lots of filler by a female
group called "Love".
Frank's vinyl musuem has the LP on display at:
http://www.franklarosa.com/vinyl/Exhibit.jsp?AlbumID=58
Billy
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Message: 17
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2002 07:20:22 +0100 (BST)
From: mick patrick
Subject: Re: Gurls
> Original message from Simon White:
> ...can anyone give me any information on any of the following
> wimmin? The Hi Fashions...Judy Stone...
Hi,
Questions, questions :-)
The HI FASHIONS, aside from their single on Dynovoice, supplied
backing vocals on the debut LP by LAURA NYRO. They appear to
have worked exclusively with the great producer/arranger
HERB BERNSTEIN. I suspect they may have also waxed
using the monicker VALA REGAN & THE VALARONS.
JUDY STONE was Australian. Her version of "AND THE
TROUBLE WITH ME IS YOU" wasn't as good as the original
by BERNADETTE PETERS.
Now, THERE'S someone worth discussing.
MICK PATRICK
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Message: 18
Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2002 07:29:57 -0000
From: Jeff Lemlich
Subject: Re: MERCY
Patrick Rands wrote:
> I heard Mercy singing a fetchingly
> horrible version of Hey Jude and am curious now. Why two albums
> of the same name on different labels? Did they have the same
> artwork too? Is all their stuff as indifferent and curious...or
> worse? Any thoughts or information on Mercy?
The story is so convoluted and confusing, especially at 3 in the
morning! But in a nutshell... Mercy was a real group, self-
contained, with male and female vocals. The band members had played
in some pretty well-respected Florida garage bands, including the
Early Americans and Surprize (whose "I Will Make History" is on one
of the "Psychedelic States Florida" albums). Sundi was run by Gil
Cabot, a man more than one musician has described to me as "a
scoundrel". Well, sometimes the language used is stronger. Sundi
used to be Paris Tower, my favorite label in the world. Paris Tower
was a custom label... Sundi was an attempt to go "legit". Cabot
lucked out when the producers of the "Fireball Jungle" movie liked
Mercy, and wanted to use them, and feature their then-unknown
single "Love Can Make You Happy". The first pressing was not
distributed by Jamie... it was a local Tampa label. The song took
off in Florida, and Jamie picked it up for national distribution.
(Actually, there are three pressings of the "Love Can Make You
Happy" single - local Sundi, Jamie-distributed Sundi, and
flexi-disc! I have the bloody flexi!).
The song was a hit, and Mercy (the real band) did some recording in
Miami with Brad Shapiro & Steve Alaimo, and a lot of people liked the
results. Apparently Gil Cabot only had the rights to the single, but
he thought he also had the rights to the name Mercy. So when the
mixed group bolted and Alaimo & Co. negotiated a Warner Bros. deal,
Cabot (so the story goes) took some girl singers into the studio,
brought in Mighty Manfred & The Wonder Dogs to back them, and had an
instant "Love Can Make You Happy" album to compete with the Warner
Bros. album. Everyone got mad, called each other names, and had
hissy fits, but in the end it really didn't matter because Mercy's
cover of Pete Drake's "Forever" really didn't sell, and the follow-up
(a soft pop remake of Proctor Amusement Company's "Heard You Went
Away") did even worse. The final Mercy single appeared in 1970 on
Henry Stone's Marlin label, and didn't even chart locally. Sundi saw
minor chart action in 1970 with a song about the Kent State
killings, "Monday In May" by the Third Condition (a band comprised of
former members of the 2/3rds from Daytona Beach). Sundi moved
operations to California, released records by George Wallace Jr.(!),
Jimmy Velvet, and Alex Brown, whose Northern soul anthem "I'm Not
Responsible" stared me in the face once and I didn't buy the sucker!
Bugger!
Jeff Lemlich
Please visit the Florida music forum at:
http://pub64.ezboard.com/blimestonelounge
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
End
