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Spectropop - Digest Number 458



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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 21 messages in this issue.

Topics in this digest:

      1. Re: Goffin-King "He Knows..."
           From: Mark Wirtz 
      2. Re: Kim Fowley Stories
           From: Mark Wirtz 
      3. Bonnie, other treasures, and a bunch of questions
           From: Paul Payton 
      4. Re: I Can Hear Music
           From: james botticelli 
      5. Re: Best of Red-Bird/Blue Cat CD
           From: james botticelli 
      6. Re: Millennium CD set on Sundazed
           From: Jeff Lemlich 
      7. BERNADETTE PETERS MEETS BRUTE FORCE . . . TWICE!
           From: mick patrick 
      8. Mel 'N Verdelle
           From: Jeff Lemlich 
      9. Richest men - Carter vs Singer
           From: Mark Wirtz 
     10. Re: Millennium CD set on Sundazed
           From: Simon Rigot 
     11. CD booklets too fat
           From: Dan Hughes 
     12. Pat Zill
           From: Dan Hughes 
     13. Re: Group Therapy
           From: Stephane Rebeschini 
     14. Open letter from Mark Wirtz
           From: Mark Wirtz 
     15. Ikettes on Kent/Chiffons on Ace
           From: Will Stos 
     16. Re: Chiffons on Ace
           From: Mark Frumento 
     17. Reparata
           From: Ken Silverwood 
     18. Re: Mel 'N Verdelle
           From: Phil Chapman 
     19. Re: Goffin-King "He Knows..."
           From: Phil Chapman 
     20. Re: Ikettes on Kent/Chiffons on Ace
           From: Peter Lerner 
     21. Re: Reparata
           From: Phil Chapman 


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Message: 1
   Date: Sat, 04 May 2002 23:23:34 EDT
   From: Mark Wirtz 
Subject: Re: Goffin-King "He Knows..."

Phil Chapman writes:
> Well, I, or Boris, could do you a CD burn. I recommended "He Knows..." 
> to Spectropeeps last year as an example of your work, and an 
> original treatment of the Goffin-King song. It's a quirky combo 
> of quasi-funk drums & bass, dbl-tempo arpeggiated acoustic guitars, 
> lazy mariachi trumpets, Baja Band marimba and a Paris Sisters vocal. 
> And - it's a 'b' side!

    *** Oh yes, I would love a copy of this! (both sides)! :):) For some 
reason, I have always remembered this single and the recording session with 
particular fondness - there was such an abundant air of warmth and passion 
about the whole thing. The more surprising that my brain somehow believed 
retrospectively that It was Peanut, not Valerie who performed - booooh! Mind 
you, they were such a team at the time, it was easy to get them mixed up). 
    Oddly enough, out of all the records I made, this (as well as "Tar and 
Cement", of course) seems to have been the most ignored and obscured one of 
all. It'd be a treat to hear these tracks again, just for the memory of it, 
as well as the Goffin-King song :)
    Mark W.





-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2 Date: Sat, 04 May 2002 23:57:27 EDT From: Mark Wirtz Subject: Re: Kim Fowley Stories Mike Demers: >That reminds me....does anyone else here have any Kim Fowley stories? Check out my novel "Sisyphus Rocks" (available via Amazon under my author name Michael Sinclair), which is a virtual tribute to Kim (my all time hero) - the perennial commuter between the gutter and esoteric supremacy. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1588517306/qid=1020586078/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_2/103-9860912-3248602 Having not only spent many hours with Kim as a friend (as much as anybody can be his friend, considering his raging fear of intimacy) as well as a collaborator on numerous significant recording projects, I took much loving care and effort to portray Kim (in the guise of one of the book's pivotal characters) in his various, maniacally rapid transformations, not only conveying his notorious outrageousness, but also his deep, virtually unknown sensitivity and humanity. Mark W :) -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3 Date: Sun, 05 May 2002 00:46:42 -0400 From: Paul Payton Subject: Bonnie, other treasures, and a bunch of questions I missed you folks for a couple of days.... Peter Lerner wrote: > I'd like to know more about Bernadette. Is she still recording? > What have I missed? She also did an acting gig on "Ally McBeal" a few months ago - no singing, though. Mick Patrick wrote: > And talking of "Home Of The Brave"...some friends and I happened to > meet RONNIE SPECTOR back in the late-1970s and we asked her if she > ever recorded the song. Back then, some (deaf!) people still thought > that Ronnie WAS Bonnie of Bonnie & the Treasures. At the WFMU Record Fair today I scored the Phil Spector Flips & Rarities CD. No liner notes; Mick, were you on strike? :-) (Particularly for collector-oriented reissues, I agree: intelligent liners add so much to the enjoyment.) "Home of the Brave" was on there, and listening to it leads me to conclude that the Bonnie is one and the same as the singer on the Gary Zekley-produced "Close Your Eyes," which in my opinion out-Spectors Phil in it's delicious production. So who is or was Bonnie? Does she have a last name? Or a fascinating back-story like Robin Ward? By the way, someone standing near me at the Record Fair picked up a 45 on Philips by "Jacky" - one name only - and the last name Ward was somewhere on the label; he was curious if this was the same person as Robin Ward? I didn't know. Does anyone? Probably old news to most, but on the Spector CD is a super Gene Pitney track with writing credited to Spector-Phillips called "Dream for Sale." Anyone have any history to share on this one? There's also a beautiful version of a somewhat rewritten (in the bridge) "Unchained Melody" by the Blackwells, a Fleetwoods-sounding trio who also recorded for Guyden (the very delicate "Oh My Love"). Does anyone have any background on them, too? Did they ever have hits to speak of? Tom Taber, thanks for the info on Swan. I checked - Tony Galla & the Rising Sons "In Love" (proper title) was Swan #4275, the number before my pressing of "Rats," the reissue you mention. I never "Rats" came out previously (on Swan? Shan-Todd? other?), nor did I know of a follow-up. With Swan folding shortly thereafter, I'd mistakenly thought those two were the end of the line. By the way, I met Joey Reynolds twice, and each time I thought him to be one of the biggest jerks I'd ever encountered. However, he was also one of the funniest, sharpest, most musically astute and most creative radio personalities I have heard in my entire life, as well as one of the best co-ordinated technically; perhaps his attitude is part of what fueled his brilliance. (I confess, during my first personality radio job in 1964, to driving around after my 10pm signoff just listening to Joey so I could steal material for the following evening!) BTW, Tom, do I know you from Hartford or elsewhere? Contact me off-list if you'd like to follow up. Finally, I wish I could be of help with the "Unidentified female" (yep, I actually got it to play for me!!!); the track really gets exciting about 2/3 through. The fuzz guitar makes me think this would be about 1966-67. Country Paul -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4 Date: Sat, 04 May 2002 22:17:30 -0400 From: james botticelli Subject: Re: I Can Hear Music Phil Chapman wrote: > Thanks for the link, Jimmy B - I did find a Parade album in the > 'lounge' area, but no details, just a price. Is it the same crew? The Parade I believe only recorded one LP and I don't believe it was actually released. I think--THINK, mind you, that this LP was released by the Japanese only recently despite its age. So, yes, I am reasonably sure they are one and the same. If you want to know beyond a shadow, call Other Music. They are on East Fourth Street in Greenwich Village between Bleeker and The Bowery -- Jimmy Botticelli Taking The E-Z...Way Out! -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5 Date: Sat, 04 May 2002 22:26:56 -0400 From: james botticelli Subject: Re: Best of Red-Bird/Blue Cat CD Don Charles wrote: > No need to trade! This Taragon CD is still in print and available > for purchase online at CDNOW, AMAZON.COM and other music outlets. > http://www.cdnow.com Actually CDNow only advertises it, then says they are out of stock, asks for your credit card number and tells you there may be a wait...A month later they email you and tell you it won't be available.. -- Jimmy Botticelli Taking The E-Z...Way Out! -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6 Date: Sun, 05 May 2002 05:21:01 -0000 From: Jeff Lemlich Subject: Re: Millennium CD set on Sundazed laughingmood wrote: > YES!!!!! You have to get it! It's absolutely phenomonal. Other > stuff on Sundazed you may like: Any of the Harper's Bizzare albums, > The Yellow Balloon album, The Genesis album by Wendy and Bonnie, > Distant Shores by Chad and Jeremy, Present Tense by Saggitarius. > There are many others. Sundazed is one of the great reissue companies. And don't forget "Mirror Of Our Minds" by We The People. Versatile, fantastic, and flawless! Jeff Lemlich http://pub64.ezboard.com/blimestonelounge -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7 Date: Sun, 05 May 2002 06:57:40 +0100 (BST) From: mick patrick Subject: BERNADETTE PETERS MEETS BRUTE FORCE . . . TWICE! Hi, For Rex & Peter, a few more words from me on Vargas-wrapped, hamster-cheeked pop princess turned Sondheim goddess BERNADETTE PETERS: WILL YOU CARE WHAT'S HAP'NIN' TO ME, BABY, Bernadette's 1967 Columbia 45, was written by the one and only BRUTE FORCE of the Tokens, author of such genre treasures as the Chiffons' "Nobody Knows What's Goin' On (In My Mind But Me)". Thirty-odd years after the event I asked the enigmatic songsmith about the song. Here's what he told me: "I remember Bernadette sitting right next to me as I auditioned songs for her. I was at once taken by her Betty Boop voice. And she was SO pretty. Five or six years ago I was working as a waiter at a private function and Bernadette was a guest at the party. So there I was, bringing her plates of this and that, taking her dishes away, pouring her wine. I looked into her eyes once. You know, I wanted to say something to her, but I didn't." Real name Bernadette Lazzara, our subject began her showbiz career with an appearance on TV's Name That Tune at age three. She has a Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and two Tony awards. Bernadette Peters also holds the distinction of being the youngest ever inductee of the Theater Hall Of Fame. Find out more at: http://www.bernadettepeters.com or http://www.bernadettepeters.net MICK PATRICK (Forthcoming attraction - The Shangri-Las meet the Mothers Of Invention. Straight Up!) -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8 Date: Sun, 05 May 2002 05:29:31 -0000 From: Jeff Lemlich Subject: Mel 'N Verdelle Phil Chapman wrote: > Is his "Tar And Cement" the same as Verdelle Smith? > Now there's someone that rarely gets a mention. Same song as Verdelle Smith/Francoise Hardy, and done very well, too. It's the flip of one of his MOR tunes ("Take Good Care Of Her") but it blows the A side away. My favorite by Verdelle Smith is "Life Goes On". There WILL be another spring! Jeff Lemlich http://pub64.ezboard.com/blimestonelounge -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 9 Date: Sat, 04 May 2002 22:07:02 EDT From: Mark Wirtz Subject: Richest men - Carter vs Singer For the record, I thought Mel's voice was awesome on just about anything he did - pure, unbastardized soul. Regarding the difference between Ray Singer's and Mel Carter's version of "Richest Man Alive" (just about the difference between apples and oranges) will you accept my suggestion that Mel sounds like he means being the richest man at heart, whereas Ray sounds like he means being the richest man money-wise …? Mark W ;) -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 10 Date: Sat, 04 May 2002 19:11:21 +0200 From: Simon Rigot Subject: Re: Millennium CD set on Sundazed From: DJ Steve > Anyone know if this is worth getting. Also looking for any > Sundazed label recommendations on CD. Thanks If you don't have The "Begin" album, indeed it's worth it. But honestly, I listened to it at my local store in Brussels/Belgium, and I must confess that the "Begin" material is the best stuff. So as I already have it, I didn't buy the CD set. Simon -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 11 Date: Sun, 05 May 2002 05:21:52 -0500 From: Dan Hughes Subject: CD booklets too fat Rex complains: > Of course, when the book is too thick to be held in the cover > clips (and I ended up mangling it), I also pout a bit. Rex, here's the trick: When you replace the CD booklet, DON'T slide it in from the side, under the first set of top/bottom plastic tabs, then the second. Instead, carefully insert the bottom of the booklet under the two bottom tabs at the same time, without sliding it at all. Then gently arch the booklet so the top of it can slide under the top two tabs, again at the same time without sliding the booklet horizontally. This method of replacing the booklet is faster, easier, and safer than trying to slide the booklet in from the side. I learned this method from seeing a video of a CD factory, and this is how the employees who put the CDs together for sale insert the booklet before they shrinkwrap the CD. ---Dan -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12 Date: Sun, 05 May 2002 05:32:44 -0500 From: Dan Hughes Subject: Pat Zill Country Paul mentions, > and a country hit by Pat Zill (right name?), "Pick Me > Up On Your Way Down". I got a Pat Zill record in one of those 5-for-88 cents Kresge's packages, maybe about 1962. It was called Bouquet of Roses ("I'm sending you a big bouquet of red, red roses / One for every time you broke my heart"), and it was on the Dove label. Very country, almost a travesty of country, and my mother loved that record; played it over and over while she did laundry in the basement. ---Dan -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 13 Date: Sun, 05 May 2002 19:00:07 +0200 From: Stephane Rebeschini Subject: Re: Group Therapy Dan Hughes a écrit : > I have two albums by Group Therapy: People Get Ready For Group > Therapy, RCA LSP-3976 (1968), and 37 Minutes of Group Therapy, > Phillips PHS-600-303 (1969). Same group I assume? No, a different one. The Group Therapy moniker was used by at least four bands in the '60s. I also have the Canterbury single and it's indeed good, and very different from what the RCA/Philips group released. Stephane -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14 Date: Sun, 05 May 2002 14:37:48 EDT From: Mark Wirtz Subject: Open letter from Mark Wirtz Dear fellow Poppers, Ever since Mark Frumento invited me to become a member of the gang, I have not only been in utter awe of how many loyal fans and supporters my music has around the world, but I have moreover been deeply touched by how much of a personal impression my work has made on so many of you. If, at first, my joining the Spectropop fold may have appeared as a strategy on my part to promote my "products", I hope that it has by now become apparent that, to the contrary, I first and foremost joined as a fan, to participate in what the group is all about - to share. To share, in tribal spirit, enthusiasm for and appreciation of music and its history so close to our hearts; to share and exchange knowledge and information. And, last not least, to protect accuracy and truth, so easily distorted and twisted in the multidimensional maze of the music business. In that spirit, allow me to convey the following: It was by sheer coincidence that Mark's invitation overlapped with the publication of my novel "Sisyphus Rocks". It was by further chance irony that the book (a fictional, if brutally authentic - and politically incorrect! - portrayal of the record business) happens to be about music. Of the subsequent books that I have completed since Sisyphus, or that are works in-progress, the only one that is even remotely related to the music world is the "Sisyphus Rocks" sequel "Sisyphus Rocks On... GATOR'S GOTTA EAT" And even there, the music business link takes place only in the book's early potion for continuity sake, before the plot takes off into entirely different worlds. The point of my writing all this is to clarify that my motive for having brought up the book in Spectropop in the first place was not to sell a bunch of books, but to share the essence of my past, unique music business experiences with those of you that might be interested. I still stand by that. Thus, as the book is a relatively expensive item, and not readily affordable by many as a mere "luxury" expense, I would like to make it available to interested Spectropop members as free reading. Simply write to me at markwirtz11@aol.com, and, at your request I shall e-mail you a personal file of the book. As there is no money transaction, nor profit involved whatsoever, there is no likely copyright conflict and you will receive the file as a standard free sample. However, please note that I am making this offer exclusively to fellow Spectropop (and CherrySmash) members! Very best, Mark Wirtz (aka, Michael Sinclair) -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 15 Date: Sun, 05 May 2002 15:58:44 -0400 From: Will Stos Subject: Ikettes on Kent/Chiffons on Ace Question for people familiar with Ace Records, I was just visiting the site and came upon a cd called "Fine Fine Fine" by the Ikettes that has about 20 songs on it from their Modern sessions, but no links to any liner notes. Does anybody have this cd? I'm a big fan of what I have heard from the Ikettes on Modern, but is there any blanatnt filler? Also, seeing as I now know I'm not the only liner note junkie on the list, anybody want to comment on the info that (hopefully) goes along with this? Kent/Ace are usually great about including liner notes. Next question to Mick, I noticed RPM records recently reissued your fab Shangri-las compilation, but the biggest item on my Christmas wish-list (I know it's rather early) is a new Chiffons comp. Your Greatest Recordings package on Ace from 1990 is the best one around, but it's out of print. And recent comps just have the 10-12 hits. Do you have any plans to go and mine out the other great songs not on cd yet? Specifically the great tracks from their "Sweet Talkin' Guy" album or "My Secret Love" album? Please please, please? Will "Chiffonaholic" Stos -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16 Date: Sun, 05 May 2002 18:13:47 -0400 From: Mark Frumento Subject: Re: Chiffons on Ace From: "Will Stos" > Your Greatest Recordings package on Ace from 1990 is the > best one around, but it's out of print. And recent comps just > have the 10-12 hits. Disc Collector had this in stock and was advertising it at sale price about a year ago. I'd go to the end of the earth to find it. It was the only place I could find my fave Chiffons song, "Tonight I'm Gonna Dream". That comp was pretty ground breaking for a 1990 release.... 33 tracks, 77 minutes! Mick, maybe now I see the irony. It took Will's post for me to find "When The Boy's Happy" in my collection. Perhap it was more laziness than forgetfulness on my part? -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 17 Date: Sun, 05 May 2002 23:01:05 +0100 From: Ken Silverwood Subject: Reparata Hello all, I've just come across a Reparata & Delrons track produced by Jeff Barry on RCA 8820, entitled "I'm Nobody's Baby Now". I'm familiar with "I Can Hear The Rain " but not this song. It has a spoken section a la "don't try to touch me" only the boots on the other foot, so to speak! Was it ever released in UK? Ken on the West Coast -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 18 Date: Sun, 05 May 2002 20:53:29 -0000 From: Phil Chapman Subject: Re: Mel 'N Verdelle Jeff Lemlich wrote: [Tar And Cement] > Same song as Verdelle Smith/Francoise Hardy, and done very well, > too. It's the flip of one of his MOR tunes ("Take Good Care Of > Her") but it blows the A side away. Any chance of it finding its way to musica, pleeze? The somewhat folksy original Italian recording by Adriano Celentano is out on CD, it's interesting to note the transition. I think Vance/Pockriss did a great job picking out the melodic strong points. > My favorite by Verdelle Smith is "Life Goes On". I suppose my favourite will remain "Tar And Cement" as that's what I first heard from her, but I love all her recordings (that I know of). Never quite understood why she didn't enjoy some success, it was certainly deserved. Do you know the (male) Castells version of "Life Goes On" (Decca) - good, in a Spectropop kind of way. Phil -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 19 Date: Sun, 05 May 2002 20:45:22 -0000 From: Phil Chapman Subject: Re: Goffin-King "He Knows..." Mark Wirtz wrote: > *** Oh yes, I would love a copy of this! (both sides)! :):) > For some reason, I have always remembered this single and the > recording session with particular fondness - there was such an > abundant air of warmth and passion about the whole thing. Consider it done - Burn, Boris, burn! > Oddly enough, out of all the records I made, this (as well as > "Tar and Cement", of course) seems to have been the most ignored > and obscured one of all. Oh I don't know, Mark - Ian C. has turned up a Barbara Windsor 45 bearing your name. Don't panic, I haven't heard it - yet! Actually, I'd forgotten Caroline Munroe's "Tar And Cement" was one of yours - texturally inventive as ever, who else could have incorporated a banjo playing "Da Doo Ron Ron"?:-) You took on quite a challenge there - Verdelle Smith's rendition is sublime, and that did nothing here (UK) either. In an earlier message you mentioned a Peanut version of "Rumours". I can't find any evidence of its release. Is it the J Ferdy song as recorded by Kippington Lodge? Phil -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 20 Date: Sun, 05 May 2002 22:53:14 +0100 From: Peter Lerner Subject: Re: Ikettes on Kent/Chiffons on Ace Will Stos: > I was just visiting the site and came upon a cd called "Fine Fine > Fine" by the Ikettes that has about 20 songs on it from their > Modern sessions, but no links to any liner notes. Will - my copy of the CD has 24 tracks, some of which were previously unreleased, all of which are good, plus liner notes by the estimable Malcolm Baumgart. Spectropoppers rest-of-the-year resolution for 2002 should be to combine together and buy a PC with internet connection for Malcolm and then teach him to use it. What he can't tell us isn't worth knowing! Peter -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 21 Date: Mon, 06 May 2002 00:25:46 -0000 From: Phil Chapman Subject: Re: Reparata Ken Silverwood wrote: > I've just come across a Reparata & Delrons track produced > by Jeff Barry on RCA 8820, entitled "I'm Nobody's Baby Now". Congratulations! This is my fave R&D record, and one of my favourite JB songs. Reparata & the girls were discussed in some depth last August. Take a look at Spectropop digests 230 onwards http://www.spectropop.com/archive/digest/m698.html Meanwhile, here's Ian Chapman's definitive review of the track from Philately #4. Phil - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Damn shame that Reparata & the Delrons are remembered here in the UK mostly for "Captain Of Your Ship", a damp piece of sea-sickness if ever there was. But if you've ever investigated beyond and before that you'll know that the group was capable of far better things. "Although the Delrons' earlier stuff on World Artists provided some truly wonderful moments, Reparata herself has often said that she felt their best period, material-wise, was their stint at RCA, which ran from late-'65 to mid-'67. I, for one, tend to go along with that, and I'd also venture to suggest that "I'm Nobody's Baby Now" is in turn the jewel in the RCA crown, and therefore, Reparata & the Delrons' finest-ever 2 minutes and 40 seconds. Their Ne Plus Ultra. "The song comes from the pen of a solo Jeff Barry - and if you thought it was always Ellie's touch that provided the magic, you're in for a surprise. This is pure Shangri-Las drama from start to finish, beautifully blended with a Spectorish "Walking In The Rain"-type backing; but most of all, it has that essential ingredient that always goes to make up the best girl-group slowies - bells. As with all the group's records right from the word go, it's produced by Steve and Bill Jerome, and arranged by John Abbott; a team to be reckoned with (check out their Jubilee sides with Renee St Clair and Marie Applebee). Reparata, too, turns in one of her best performances, wringing every drop from the forlorn, love-lost lyrics. She half-sings, half-murmurs at first, as if in a state of bewilderment at being abandoned, her voice gradually building up to the crashing chorus, while the Delrons supply true Ganser Twin back-ups. Then, to top it all, she delivers one of the saddest, most beautiful spoken-parts on vinyl, to the accompaniment of those bells. She sounds almost suicidal! It's all too much for flesh and blood to bear." (Ian Chapman, 1984) "Unfortunately, "I'm Nobody's Baby Now" is one of the most difficult Delrons discs to find. I made do with a cracked copy for many years. Phil -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
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