________________________________________________________________________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ S P E C T R O P O P ______________ ______________ ______________ ________________________________________________________________________ Jamie LePage (1953-2002) http://www.spectropop.com/Jamie.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ There are 22 messages in this issue. Topics in this digest: 1. Falling From: Simon White 2. Re: Great LP bargains at Woolco in 1970s From: Ian Chapman 3. Baby Jane From: Jimmy Crescitelli 4. Re: Lisa Hartman From: Will George 5. Lulu/American Studios From: Bill 6. Re: NY party?, more Barbara Keith, 60's pop-psych, Pete Records From: Erik 7. Re: Whatever Happened To BABY JANE & THE ROCKABYES? From: Phil Milstein 8. Re: Lulu/American Studios From: Patrick Rands 9. Baby Janes/Font From: Ian Chapman 10. Re: Whatever Happened To BABY JANE? From: Mick Patrick 11. Baby Jane & the Rockabyes - The Novel From: Ian Chapman 12. Re: NY party? From: Mark Frumento 13. Little Boy From: Stewart Mason 14. Re: - BILL SODEN From: Nick Archer 15. SILKY & THE SHANTUNGS: THE MINI-SERIES From: Mick Patrick 16. Bonner and Gordon? From: unclemeatz 17. 60's Music and the Mafia From: Leonardo Flores 18. Re: Gus Dudgeon etc From: Country Paul 19. Re: MUSIC & THE MAFIA From: Mick Patrick 20. The 45 Club on the 27th-Hollywood From: Leonardo Flores 21. Re: The Crystals' "Little Boy" From: Phil Chapman 22. Re: - BILL SODEN From: Erik ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 1 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 13:47:26 +0100 From: Simon White Subject: Falling Ken Silverwood wrote: > NEW STUFF!!! If you get the chance give a listen to > David McAlmont & Bernard Butler "Falling" it bears all the > traits of a Spectropop delight, I swear I can hear chains > being thrashed in the chorus (a Motown signature). > It's on a single. I heard this live on TV the other week and the connection has only just clicked. I shared an office with McAlmont's manager a few years ago and heard a whole bunch of demos from that time but I don't think this was one of them. David is a real talent though and I am going to make a point of getting this single today. His last [?] album "A Little Communication" is a gem and although it doesn't fall into the 'Spectropop' genre, I would recommend it to anyone who likes sensitive, lyric-led, real music, not restricted by the boundaries set by current market driven forces. -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 13:23:45 -0000 From: Ian Chapman Subject: Re: Great LP bargains at Woolco in 1970s Mary wrote: > Ah! Those were the days!!!! > I remember a phenomenal time when our local Woolco stores (perhaps > it was a chain-wide deal) suddenly got a lot of LPs, which must > have been LPs that had been sitting around in warehouses for > years. That's interesting Mary, because exactly the same thing happened in the UK in the 70s in our Woolworth's stores. The albums were all UK issues, and there were masses of long-deleted Motown albums, all unplayed and all cheap - I particularly remember seeing multiple copies of "The Artistry of Brenda Holloway", and "Greeting, We're The Monitors". I also found the Marvelettes' "pink" album, the Supremes "A Go Go" and the Vandellas' "Ridin' High" albums. But it wasn't just Motown - I also got my copy of the Righteous Brothers "Back to Back" album there. Yes, a time-machine would be very handy - unfortunately, I can still clearly remember a lot of the things I left behind - and it's torture! Ian -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 10:28:22 -0400 From: Jimmy Crescitelli Subject: Baby Jane An EXCELLENT piece of girl-group journalism!!! Kudos to all involved... the text and rare pics are GREAT! ==Jimmy Crescitelli== -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 10:47:27 EDT From: Will George Subject: Re: Lisa Hartman > Jeff also wrote and produced a track on Lisa's second > Kirshner album, whose title escapes me . . . The title of her second LP is "Hold On", and the song Jeff Barry produced is called "Steal Away". That album also includes a great version of Lulu's "Oh Me Oh My". That is probably her best overall album. And if I remember correctly, she was discovered singing in a Houston club, but not by Jeff Barry. They were put together after her signing with Kirschner. Funny how after she became successful as an actress people didn't take her seriously as a singer. She finally got a #1 hit last year with her husband Clint Black with the ballad "When I Said I Do". Now if only she would make another album... -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 10:51:48 EDT From: Bill Subject: Lulu/American Studios In my search for LPs recorded at American Studios in Memphis, I was lead to Lulu's two Atco releases. While they are excellent, soul-drenched records, I was disappointed to find neither were recorded at American Studios. "New Routes" was recorded in Muscle Shoals, and "Melody Fair" was recorded in Miami. Still, I'm glad to have them in my collection. This is what I have so far from American Studios... Elvis Presley Dustly Springfield Jackie DeShannon John Prine Box Tops Brenda Lee Petula Clark Dionne Warwick Merrilee Rush Gentrys (which I don't have yet) Any more suggestions? -bill -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 15:24:21 -0000 From: Erik Subject: Re: NY party?, more Barbara Keith, 60's pop-psych, Pete Records Country Paul wrote: > I was always a John Braheny fan - his "December Dream" is a > gorgeous song, whether his version (on Records by Pete - more below) > or the better-known Stone Poneys track; and "Free Fall" still sounds > good. *** I have two JOHN BRAHENY 45s on the PETE label: Grey Day/Free Fall (Pete 703) His best! Long Way Home/Long Way Home (Pete 704) Do you know if "December Dream" was also released by him on 45 or was it only on his "Some kind of change" L.P. (Pete 1104) ? > Click Horning was apparently a violinist as well as singer; largely > on ABC, he also had singles on Laurie. The "resident expert" on > Click's music, and possibly his biggest fan, is DJ Bob Brainen on > WFMU; you can contact him by e-mail via their website, > http://www.wfmu.org. *** I have the "Click" L.P. (ABC 677) with "Many Times Jimbo" being my favourite track. I'm still looking for two non-LP 45s that he made on Laurie: Dancing Babies/The fat lady in the wicker chair (Laurie ????) Girl with a mind/Rainmaker (Laurie ????) Would love to hear/have these! Anything else he made? > Speaking of Records by Pete, they had an 45 by [Rick] Cunha > (of Hearts and Flowers) and [Jim] Dawson (later a solo singer- > songwriter) called "Yo-Yo Man." Clever and well-done novelty song, > but the vocals worked because they were "character" voices with an > undertone of poignancy. Any input on this label from anyone? *** I've got the following other PETE label 45s: MICHAEL P. WHALEN: Low clouds and local fog/Puerto Rican Bay Blues (Pete 702) Country-ish...you better avoid. I was told that he made some more 45s on the same label + an L.P. that has his moments. As MICHAEL WHALEN he had some records on Reprise as well. THE GROUP: But you know I love you/If's a big mighty word (Pete 711) A-side from forthcoming album "The Sounds of Nashville from L.A."; B- side from "The Warm & Groovy Sounds" L.P. Produced by Joseph Porter. Nice hippie sunshine pop, but not outstanding. Erik -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 15:49:40 +0000 From: Phil Milstein Subject: Re: Whatever Happened To BABY JANE & THE ROCKABYES? > Intrigued? To read the full story of Baby Jane & the Rockabyes, simply > click here: http://www.spectropop.com/BabyJane/index.htm Great story. It certainly dispels the (admittedly left-field) notion that there was some connection there to Baby Jane Holzer, she of the 1965 Hullaballoo appearance doing "You're Gonna Hurt Yourself." Anyone know if the song ever made it to release? And a nice page layout, too -- good use of color and illustrations. Can the designer step forward to identify the name of the logo font? I'd like to try and procure a copy. --Phil Milstein -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 20:33:58 -0000 From: Patrick Rands Subject: Re: Lulu/American Studios Bill Young wrote: > In my search for LPs recorded at American Studios in Memphis Here's a couple interesting links I came across - which might have some information you are looking for. I especially like the bit about baking the tapes! woogads! http://www.chipsmoman.com/articles/july.html http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/1268/raders.html http://www.studio-sound.com/archive/mar98/i_mardin.html :Patrick -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 9 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 20:35:52 -0000 From: Ian Chapman Subject: Baby Janes/Font Phil Milstein wrote: > Great story. It certainly dispels the (admittedly left-field) > notion that there was some connection there to Baby Jane Holzer, she of the 1965 Hullaballoo appearance doing "You're Gonna Hurt Yourself." Anyone know if the song ever made it to release? Phil, myself and other Spectropoppers have searched in vain for a release for that track. It's not listed in any of the 60s US 45s databases that we use, so it seems it was a TV one-off. Pity. > And a nice page layout, too -- good use of color and illustrations. > Can the designer step forward to identify the name of the logo > font? I'd like to try and procure a copy. The font is called Ravie, Phil - kinda 60s-sounding, I thought! I'll forward it to you. Ian -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 10 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 22:06:01 +0100 From: Mick Patrick Subject: Re: Whatever Happened To BABY JANE? The Team wrote: > Intrigued? To read the full story of Baby Jane & the Rockabyes, > simply click here: http://www.spectropop.com/BabyJane/index.htm Phil Milstein: > Great story. It certainly dispels the (admittedly left-field) > notion that there was some connection there to Baby Jane Holzer, > she of the 1965 Hullaballoo appearance doing "You're Gonna Hurt > Yourself." Anyone know if the song ever made it to release? Hi, To my knowledge Baby Jane Holzer's version of "Hurt Yourself" was never actually released, making the divine "Rapunzel" her one and only 45. But hey, let's face it, she sings flat as a witch's tit on the song anyhow. Frankie Valli, now THERE'S a singer! MICK PATRICK -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 11 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 20:51:56 -0000 From: Ian Chapman Subject: Baby Jane & the Rockabyes - The Novel While working on John's fantastic Baby Jane & the Rockabyes piece and researching European releases, I followed a link that led to a totally unexpected detour that I'd like to share with the group. The link led to a Swedish webpage which appeared to be all about Baby Jane & the Rockabyes. I was intrigued, but having no knowledge of the Swedish language, I chanced an e-mail in English to the page's author, Jan Khouback, and told him about John's imminent article for Spectropop. This is part of his fascinating reply:- "When I was travelling by tram to my work (it takes about 35 minutes), I was suddenly thinking of this group Baby Jane and the Rockabyes. I bought their single "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window" in the 60s and it was one of my favourites, I remember. I have read that several groups from that time have made nostalgia tours but I have never heard anyone from this group. So I was curious and looked them up on the net and there was practically nothing about them." "So that's why I've got the idea to write a novel about them. Since I have always liked the music of the girl groups and the music from the 60s, I have read a lot of books and I know a little about how life could have been in the studios. So I built a story – inventing a small record company and persons working in it and around it." "At first I didn't know much at all about the group, but as I got mail from my readers I slowly learned some things about them. Among other things, that they have recorded under other group names – as far as I know right now, one single as the Elektras, one single as the Lullabyes and two, maybe three singles as Henrietta and the Hairdooz. By now I have heard all the Baby Jane singles (top and flipsides) and I have also heard the Elektras and the Lullabyes singles. But I have not heard any music recorded as Henrietta and the Hairdooz." "I am building my story around the records. What I write about them is "real" – titles and date of release and so on. Some other persons in my story do exist (like Florence Greenberg for example) and most of the groups that I mention are also "real" groups – like the Shirelles and the Orlons. But apart from that the whole story is fiction. And it is only in Swedish. My English is far too poor for translating it, I am afraid. The title is "Vad Som Än Hände Med Baby Jane" (Whatever Happened to Baby Jane) and originally I just planned ten episodes. But I had a lot of readers urging me to go on, so I did. But it is coming to an end soon I guess, since I am building it around their records. And now I have only one Henrietta song more to use and also their last one as Baby Jane and the Rockabyes and The Lullabyes. I don't really know what happened to the girls. I know that Estelle died in the 70s (but not why) and that Yvonne DeMunn is still alive. But that is all, I am afraid. So I am looking forward to read the article at Spectropop!" Later, I asked Jan if his episodes were online and if he'd thought of getting them translated:- "I have published every episode on http://www.skrivarsidan.nu/kaseri.shtml (and they are still all there) and the last one was episode 59. Next one will be published on the 8th of August. There are no episodes translated. I am not good enough to do it myself, I am afraid. I am also looking for someone who could illustrate the story, because I have been asked to publish the story as a book." Who'da thought it!! A fictional novel about Baby Jane & the Rockabyes!! That's a story I'd certainly love to read, as I'm sure would many others on the list. This undertaking surely deserves encouragement. Do we have any Scandinavian list members who'd like to offer their translation services?!! John, what do you think Yvonne's reaction would be to this fascinating piece of news?! Ian -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 21:33:23 -0000 From: Mark Frumento Subject: Re: NY party? Country Paul wrote: > Re: NY Party - I'm in Chatham, NJ just west of NYC (1/2 hour); > Mikey's in Manhattan, Marc's in the area, Jimmy B visits from > Boston. I know Mark F is in Cherry Hill.... I'm on vacation next > week and unavailable each weekend until mid-August, but afterward > maybe some of us could make contact, or at least someone could get > the ball rolling. Got to be careful to read every post.... The answer is YES let's do it. -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 13 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 18:03:47 -0400 From: Stewart Mason Subject: Little Boy DJ Jimmy C asks: >Are the session singers bleating "doo ron day ron day" or >"little one take my heart away?" Years ago I played it for >a neighbor girl, like in 1970, and she insisted it was the >latter... and I tend to agree. Listening to the song again, I lean strongly in the opposite direction: "Doo ron day ron doo-lay." For circumstantial evidence, I can only point towards the Signals' surf-rock-flavored cover on Rhino's 1984 LP THE GIRLS CAN'T HELP IT, one of my favorite covers ever: that's *definitely* what they're singing on that one, so I assume it's what's being sung on the Crystals record as well. S -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 17:59:52 -0500 From: Nick Archer Subject: Re: - BILL SODEN I know "a" Bill Soden who traveled here to Nashville to write songs over the years. I called him up today in Philadelphia, and yes, he is "THE" Bill Soden. Here's a quick rundown of the conversation: Bill was a young songwriter for April-Blackwood in NYC with Chip Taylor and others. He says he's always just wanted to write great hit records, not be a performer. He said, "Then you could make a record if you sang as bad as me, or Donovan, or Paul Simon". He said his recording career never took off because he wasn't promotable. "I had no persona. I didn't look great, or dance great, and wasn't real comfortable on stage". Bill did mention that he was proud of "Soakin Up Sun", and that Sheryl Crow had a similar title out now. He mentioned coming to Nashville, and recording with legendary sidemen like Harold "Pig" Hargis, and members of Area Code 615 that later became Barefoot Jerry. He said that being from New York all of his music was charted and that the musicians didn't even use them. Bill said that as the session progressed and the musicians played "my producer slowly slid the charts into the waste can". In 1967 Bill worked for WFIL in Philadelphia, a super top 40 station as the Head of Promotions. I once showed him a record survey that I saved as a child, and he said that he layed it out for publication. Until recently, Bill continued to come to Nashville once or twice a year to write with local songwriters. He does have writing credits on lots of albums cut here in Nashville. His main job for the last ten years has been writing sports music for network television. He's written the music for NFL Football on CBS, Wall Street Journal Week, and many other TV shows. He promises to visit my studio for an interview the next time he's in town, and I'll certainly make that CD available to Spectropoppers. A couple of more notes: Bill says he also put out several records as "Jesse Cochran". Oh, and he said that I could give out his email address to anyone who wants it and contacts me off-list. Check out Nashville's classic SM95 on the web at http://www.live365.com/stations/289419 -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 15 Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 02:21:44 +0100 From: Mick Patrick Subject: SILKY & THE SHANTUNGS: THE MINI-SERIES > Who'da thought it!! A fictional novel about Baby Jane & the > Rockabyes!! That's a story I'd certainly love to read, as I'm > sure would many others on the list. This undertaking surely > deserves encouragement... Great minds obviously think somewhat alike. I have at my side a synopsis for a never-was TV-comedy-drama-musical-mini-series based on another mysterious NY girl group, SILKY & THE SHANTUNGS. I gather that, after over ten years, the project remains in "development hell"! "He's A Fink", what a great record! But who was Silky? Maybe John Clemente can track down the lady, or her Shantungs, for us? My money's on Barbara English. MICK PATRICK -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16 Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 20:45:02 -0500 From: unclemeatz Subject: Bonner and Gordon? A double-sided question: a) Anybody have an idea what this talented twosome (although I doubt they work together anymore) is up to now? b) Something I've always wondered about...is there any chance that a Bonner/Gordon demo CD would ever see fruition? Hearing the Turtles talk about the various demos they heard of their songs, for example, certainly awakens my curiosity. I'd have to imagine that many would have survived the years? -D -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 17 Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 03:39:57 -0000 From: Leonardo Flores Subject: 60's Music and the Mafia Hello Spectropoppers, Has anybody written a book about the Mobs connection to the 60's music industry? I know a couple of labels had some affiliation, but has anybody written a book about it? Thanks Leonardo -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 18 Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 01:49:33 -0400 From: Country Paul Subject: Re: Gus Dudgeon etc This post, or maybe one more - will be my last before vacation in North Carolina; I'll let you know if we heard any really cool beach music. I'll start by acknowledging my ignorance - is Rev-Ola a US or UK label? (or "other"?) I confess to never having heard of it beyond mentions on this list, but if the Sandy Salisbury material is anything like his still-astounding 45 of "Come Softly (To Me)", sign me up! Very sad to hear about Gus Dudgeon. Another loss I heard about today: Dave Carter, singing and life partner of Tracy Grammer, with (at least) two excellent and intelligent folky albums in the US. They feature intricate yet open arrangements, especially their innovative vocals, and some excellent songs highlight both CD's. He had a heart attack at the young age of 49. The obit was in today's NY Times. Den Lindquist - I checked my copy of Cunha & Dawson: Records by Pete #709, June 1969: "Yo-Yo Man" (wr Rick Cunha - Marty Cooper) /"Weary Blues" (Hank Williams). Pete was an unusually interesting and prolific label for a personality-based operation - the head guy was one Pete Peterson (I think), about whom I know nothing. GRC reissued it? I didn't know. They were an interesting label out of Atlanta. In addition to the wonderful "Chevy Van", an early release was a notorious psychologically-unbalanced 45 called "Psycho" by Jack Kittle (as I remember, the less I remember about it, the better) and at least one jazz-rock album by Mike Greene c. 75-76, who subsequently became the embattled President of the RIAA. I don't remember the group Ripple (never drank the stuff either), but those good ol' days of album promotion were a wonder to behold. We may not have gotten paid much, but we gained plenty of weight on "record company food" served at the area's best restautants! By the way, on the Hearts & Flowers album, "Now Is The Time For Hearts & Flowers", my top track was "A Minute of Your Time," a very strange pleading song from a depressed narrator. Gotta pull it out and listen again to see how well it has handled the passage of time. Marty Cooper was also involved with this group, if I remember; wasn't he the producer of several Autumn releases, including the Vejtables and/or The Mojo Men? Niagara - um, Mary - thanks for "coming out". I was wondering if we had (m)any active women in this group; glad to hear a distaff voice. With albums like you mention for 88 cents, even I could have afforded a few on my starving musician's wages! Country Paul -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 19 Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 07:43:57 +0100 From: Mick Patrick Subject: Re: MUSIC & THE MAFIA Leonardo wrote: > Has anybody written a book about the Mobs connection to the > 60's music industry? I know a couple of labels had some > affiliation, but has anybody written a book about it? The book you need is "Hit Men: Power Brokers And Fast Money Inside The Music Business" by Fredric Dannen, published by Muller in 1990. Payola, corruption, drugs, the Mafia - an everyday story of the record industry, according to the dust jacket. I recommend it. MICK PATRICK -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 20 Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 03:54:21 -0000 From: Leonardo Flores Subject: The 45 Club on the 27th-Hollywood Hello Spectropop Soul fans, On Saturday July 27th The 45 Club will have it's third night at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. Our first two nighters have been very successful with lots of great known and rare original Soul 45's spun for the foot sliden', back droppin', Soul Lovin' masses. I'm looking forward to meeting many more of you this weekend, please check out our web-site for more information. thanks again and Let's Keep This Soul Party Goin' Cheers Leonardo Flores http://www.the45club.com Uplandmod'd Top 10 1) Maggie Thrett-Soupy (Dynovoice) 2) Invitations-What's Wrong With Me, Baby? (Dynovoice) 3) Beverly Warren-March (BT PUPPY) 4) Johnny & The Expressions-Boys and Girls Together (Josie) 5) Gene Chandler-It's Time To Settle Down (Checker) 6) Chuck Wood-Seven Days Too Long (Roulette) 7) Eddie Holman-Eddie's My Name (parkway) 8) Del Capris-Hey Little Girl (Kama Sutra) 9) Marvin Gaye-Little Darlin I Need You (Tamla) 10)Doris Jones-No Way Out (UA) -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 21 Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 10:46:57 -0000 From: Phil Chapman Subject: Re: The Crystals' "Little Boy" Jimmy "Boy" Crescitelli wrote: > Are the session singers bleating "doo ron day ron day" The balance of probablility would indicate this, but I always *wanted* it to be something different. I used to sing a variety of background lines to myself. Seems I wasn't alone:-) -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 22 Date: Fri, 26 Jul 2002 11:09:01 -0000 From: Erik Subject: Re: - BILL SODEN Nick Archer wrote: > I know "a" Bill Soden who traveled here to Nashville to write > songs over the years. I called him up today in Philadelphia, > and yes, he is "THE" Bill Soden. Congratulations, Nick! You did a wonderful job by tracking down Bill Soden. Great story! ...and a sad story at the same time! Maybe no persona, but what a great voice & songwriting capability! I'd love to hear more from Bill, incl. all the records that he made or was involved in during the 60s. Can you please put me in touch with him? Thanks a lot! Erik -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
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