________________________________________________________________________
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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 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Speedy Gonzales, Pat Boone, David Dante, Bill Giant
From: Mike Edwards
2. The Chicago Lovelites
From: James F. Cassidy
3. Susan Carter Epic LP
From: Matt
4. McAlmont and Butler
From: Keith Moore
5. various
From: Country Paul
6. RE: Lovelites CD
From: Posnick Louise
7. Re: Le Sunshine Pop/Le (neo) Sunshine Pop
From: Freya
8. American Dreams
From: Robert Beason
9. The Poppy Family
From: Freya
10. Invitation from Mark Wirtz (M.Sinclair)
From: Mark Wirtz
11. Louise Robbins and The Lovelites
From: John Clemente
12. Re: Le Sunshine Pop/Le (neo) Sunshine Pop
From: Jed Dubois
13. The 1970s Lovelites
From: Ian Slater
14. Re: The Chicago Lovelites
From: james botticelli
15. Re: McAlmont and Butler
From: richard hattersley
16. The Actionettes
From: The Spectropop Team
17. Re: McAlmont and Butler
From: Ken Silverwood
18. Re: Party?
From: Stephanie Campbell
19. Re: Coffee / the (Chicago) Lovelites
From: Jon
20. Re: The Poppy Family
From: Elisabeth
21. Re: the Lovelites
From: The Spectropop Team
22. Re: Coffee / the (Chicago) Lovelites
From: Simon White
23. Saturday Morning Playlist 24 /08 0/02
From: Simon White
24. Re: Party?
From: Stephanie Campbell
25. Re: Coffee/the (Chicago) Lovelites
From: Jon
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 02:14:05 -0000
From: Mike Edwards
Subject: Speedy Gonzales, Pat Boone, David Dante, Bill Giant
From the CD booklet accompanying MCA's "Pat Boone's Greatest Hits":
"Randy Wood picked all of my songs except "Speedy Gonzales", says
Pat. "I first heard it while I was in the Philippines, where I'd sold
out a 25,000 seat coliseum for ten days. A fellow got up in a club
and sang "Speedy Gonzales", which had been recorded by David Dante on
RCA and was a hit only in the Philippines. I loved the song and took
it to Randy, who said that after all those movie songs I'd been
having hits with, nobody wanted to hear me sing rock and roll any
more. Eventually we were scheduled for a session with (arranger)
Jimmie Haskell and Randy said that I could easily record "Speedy
Gonzales", but I had given my copy of the David Dante record to
Randy. I spent hours at his house looking for it and had just about
given up when it turned out to be in a stack of singles that Randy
had given to his housekeeper, who was from the Philippines. I got the
record to Jimmie, who wrote up an arrangement. We added the narration
and Speedy's voice, which were not part of David Dante's record"
"The "plaintive sounds of a young Mexican girl" at the beginning of
the record were supplied by studio vocalist Jackie Ward. A year
later, she recorded the hit "Wonderful Summer" for Dot, released
under the name of her daughter, Robin. Randy Wood asked his friend
Mel Blanc to come in and overdub the voice of Speedy, not realizing,
Boone vows, that the mouse was a Warner Bros. Cartoon character that
Mel was already voicing. "Speedy Gonzales" was the biggest selling
record I ever had apart from "Love Letters In The Sand"".
I will play the David Dante RCA 45 to musica, when some space becomes
available. I'm not sure What Pat means when he says we "added
Speedy's voice which (was) not part of David Dante's record" When you
listen, you will hear that there is a very vocal Speedy on the Dante
record.
There was also a continuation of the saga from Bill Giant called Tia
Juana Ball. Although a song-writer (one third of the Giant-Baum-Kaye
team) he is not credited with writing this one. After two great
records for MGM, one being the original version of Kenny Lynch's
Poof, this was Bill's 3rd and final release. When you listen to Tia
Juana Ball (it'll be on musica, space permitting), it's not difficult
to understand why. Nonetheless, the Giant-Baum-Kaye wrote some very
strong girl-group material including Peggy March/Cliff Richard's
Watch What You Do With My Baby.
Mike Edwards
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 09:31:21 -0400
From: James F. Cassidy
Subject: The Chicago Lovelites
DJ Jimmy Bee asked:
> Does anyone remember Chicago's Lovelites (same spelling) who
> recorded for UNI? Their signature song "How Can I Tell My
> Mom & Dad" (about a teen pregnancy) is fabulous pop-soul
Was that the one that goes "How can I tell my Mom and Dad that
I've been bad"? That's a great example of the more socially
conscious lyric themes that started appearing in pop songs in
the late '60's. Apparently, by 1969 (the year it came out, as
did "Love Child"), it was okay to imply being sexually active
as long as it was presented negatively with a strong dose of
moral condemnation!
Jim Cassidy
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 13:54:22 +0000
From: Matt
Subject: Susan Carter Epic LP
Hi all-
Usually I'm usually lurking on this list, but I was
hoping someone might help me out with something... does
anyone here have Susan Carter's 1969 Epic LP "Wonderful
Deeds & Adventures"? Please let me know.
thanks in advance!
Matt
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 15:24:52 -0000
From: Keith Moore
Subject: McAlmont and Butler
Has everyone heard "Falling", the new single by David McAlmont
and Bernard Butler? Surely the best record that Phil and the
Ronettes never made! Despite an excellent performance on Top
of the Pops they've already dropped out of the top 40 and I
picked up my copy half price a fortnight after its release.
Should've been top ten, but it's good to see the Spector sound
being revived.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 12:52:42 -0400
From: Country Paul
Subject: various
Jimmy B writes:
> I heard a couple of geezers waxing nostalgic about that WCBS
> doo wop show on WNHU, New Haven just the other night. The guys
> on 'NHU were saying they'd been on NHU 28 years. Their doo-wop
> was so obscure its very existence is in doubt!
Indeed, the problem with some collectors (I know "Rockin' Richard",
the host) is that they "play the label" rather than the music.
His heart is in the right place, though, even if his music isn't
always. But it is worth turning in 88.7 on Tuesday nights 8-11pm;
he also plays some early soul stuff than can be fun.
> I never heard the [W]CBS one, but the resident doo-wop czar
> up here in Boston was on the CBS affiliate and was basically
> ordered to play doo-wop's greatest hits and very little else.
Yep - that's the last chapter before they close the book - it's
what happened in NYC.
Marc Miller wrote, re: Aki Aleong:
> If he wins, maybe he'll recite "Shombolar" as his acceptance
> speech!
Then we'll finally know all the lyrics! :-) Although I do like:
"Of all the animals in the world
I'd rather be a bear
Climb up on the mountain
Travel through thin air"
David Ponak, from your playlist...
> 9.Ivy/Let's Go To Bed
> Guestroom (Minty Fresh)
The same Ivy with Adam Schlesinger? If so, before or after the
"mass release" albums ("Apartment" and the one woith "Edge Of The
Ocean")?
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 11:43:56 -0400
From: Posnick Louise
Subject: RE: Lovelites CD
Jon:
> In regards to the Lovelites, I have a great CD (not bootleg)
> on the Chi-City Music label. The CD is called, "Herb Kent, The
> Kool Gent Presents The Lovelite Years".
This CD is the Chicago Lovelites who recorded in 1969,
not the Phil Spector Lovelites who recorded in 1965..
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 17:17:25 -0000
From: Freya
Subject: Re: Le Sunshine Pop/Le (neo) Sunshine Pop
> check out Marina http://www.marina.com (with a great tribute to
> Brian, forget about the other recent comp on a US label this one
> is much much better) & new Free Design album (fabulous)
My favourite Free Design song is bubbles. It sometimes plays in my
head when I am out walking and feeling especially happy! :)
> Siesta is great. Also check out Louis Philippe Records and Linus Of
> Hollywood:
> http://www.louisphilippe.co.uk
Mr Phillipe is a very nice man!
Wow I just went to his site and found all these mp3s!
My favourite song of his was "why I collect stamps" which isn't on
there sadly, but I will be dowloading what I can! :)
Really beautiful music.
love
Freya
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 15:44:26 +0000
From: Robert Beason
Subject: American Dreams
Have any Spectropoppers heard any buzz or seen a preview of
the NBC show "American Dreams" that's scheduled to debut this
fall? Supposedly the show, which takes place in the '60s,
will include original performances from "American Bandstand".
Bob Beason
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 9
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 17:53:21 -0000
From: Freya
Subject: The Poppy Family
I guess I just missed out on the spectopop party. I've not
been on the list for a while as I've been having to deal with
life and things and it was too complicated! I feel sad that I
missed it but then again I was stewarding at a festival and
then I played a gig in London, and making another trip across
the country in such a short space of time would be kind of
crazy, and rather defeat the whole point of living upt'north!;)
Anyway getting back to the point and that is to ask about the
Poppy Family. I'm embarrassed to admit that I only just
discovered them and the story of how I discovered them is even
more embarrassing.
I downloaded a song by the Friendly Science Orchestra (Ian
Masters latest musical project) called Beyond The Clouds, and
completely fell in love with the song. I especially loved the
lyrics, it became one of my most special pieces of music. At
the time I was working at a company where I was generally being
bullied and abused and I probably wasn't too sane. I would be
really upset going to work each morning. I used to walk there
so it would be less stressful and so I could hear the birds in
the trees, and the thing that I would think to myself, was that
at least when I got there, I could hear the song again, and it
was something to look forward to as it would be waiting for me
there on my harddisk.
Ian Masters was reaching legendary status in my mind, not only
was he doing all this weird musical experimentation but he had
written this wonderful song! So one day I was ranting to demon
girl (she who can quote the date of birth and hometowns of all
the Kinks, Byrds etc off the top of her head!) about the song,
and I think I played it to her and she just said "it's a cover"
and bizarrely pulled a cassette tape out of her bag that contained
the original song! Freya was a little bit shocked to say the least
but also excited that there might be more songs out there!
About a week or so ago I downloaded a load of Poppy Family songs
off the internet but I havn't heard them yet as the soundcard on
this computer has fried itself. However I have now discovered that
one of the people in the Poppy Family, was none other that Terry
Jacks!
Now I am wondering what else anyone can tell me about the Poppy
Family or even Terry Jacks? I have a 7" of Seasons In The Sun
somewhere but that is about all I know!
Really curious!
love
Freya
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 10
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 14:20:42 EDT
From: Mark Wirtz
Subject: Invitation from Mark Wirtz (M.Sinclair)
Dear Spectropoppers,
Please allow me to cordially invite you to visit my new,
official web site at http://www.markwirtz.com
For those of you who enjoy my music, writing and painting,
there is lots of new and past "stuff" to read, look at and hear.
I would like to thank Mark Frumento for his tireless and creative
assistance in designing this site.
Hope to see you there.
Very best,
Mark Wirtz
aka, Michael Sinclair
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 11
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 20:11:56 -0000
From: John Clemente
Subject: Louise Robbins and The Lovelites
Hello,
I have a question for Louise. Phil Spector used a group on
demos and sometimes lent them out to Gerry Goffin. "Please Be
My Boyfriend" by The Crystals is actually not The Crystals.
Dee Dee Kenniebrew verified this. I mistakenly reported that
Barbara Alston of The Crystals sang lead on this, but upon closer
listening, it is not her. I strongly feel, however, that it is
the same group (a trio) sang the demo for "Some Of Your Lovin"
which was (supposedly) released as the second Honey Bees single
on Fontana Records. Margaret Williams of The Cookies listened
to the tape of the song and said that, contrary to what we
previously thought, doesn't think that The Cookies are even on
backup. The lead, however, is the same lead as on "Please Be My
Boyfriend", which I believe Vini Poncia and Pete Andreoli co-wrote.
Any thoughts on this, Louise? Thanks much.
John Clemente
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 22:14:44 +0200
From: Jed Dubois
Subject: Re: Le Sunshine Pop/Le (neo) Sunshine Pop
Freya got taste-
Pete Aves is great too!! (Sean O' Hagan + Lee Hazlewood tour)
he plays quite unique pop with hints of Stevie Wonder ballads
+ Englishness rarely found in bland recent Brit-pop.
http://www.tricatel.com
need your investigation and Bertrand Burgalat fansite
http://www.burgalat.com
For October people able to read French may be interested
to read my piece on pop for Standard - (a new French pop mag)
Voila ;-)
Free design: "sings for important people" I just bought on a
coolsville cardboard reissue -
and I just love it!
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 13
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 21:27:37 +0100
From: Ian Slater
Subject: The 1970s Lovelites
Country Paul wrote:
> Does anyone remember Chicago's Lovelites (same spelling) who
> recorded for UNI? Their signature song "How Can I Tell My
> Mom & Dad" (about a teen pregnancy) is fabulous pop-soul and
> their hard to find LP is great from Track 1 until the end.
> They did an indie single called "My Conscience" on their own
> label on which they included their pictures in '71. In '72
> or '73 they got signed to whatever label Barry White was on in
> his early years and released yet three or four great singles.
> No LP that I know of......"
They did have an LP, Paul - "With Love from the Lovelites"
(UNI 73081). For a 70s record it's quite scarce and expensive.
Their sound was very much "soul" first and "girl-group" second,
and of a consistent high quality. I've got records by them on UNI,
Cotillion, Bandera and Lock (a reissue?) as well as of course
Lovelite, their own label - how many other girl groups achieved
that? I think I've got all their recordings either on singles,
the LP or CD and would be glad to send anyone a list or more info
if they contact me.
And many thanks to The Team, Mick and Louise herself for the info
on the original Lovelites who are right in the bullseye of our
interest! Love to hear that other record.
Now, how about the Sugar Plums (Lover's Wonderland - Phi-Dan 5010),
the last remaining Spector-related mystery girl-group? Several
people have asked about them, on these pages but so far as I'm
aware no-one has come up with any answers yet.
Ian Slater
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 16:57:53 -0400
From: james botticelli
Subject: Re: The Chicago Lovelites
James F. Cassidy wrote:
>> Does anyone remember Chicago's Lovelites (same spelling) who
>> recorded for UNI? Their signature song "How Can I Tell My
>> Mom & Dad" (about a teen pregnancy) is fabulous pop-soul
> Was that the one that goes "How can I tell my Mom and Dad that
> I've been bad"?
That's the one. interestingly enough it was updated in 1980 on
De-Lite Records as "Mom & Dad '80" by a regrouped Lovelites then
known as Coffee, still with Patti Hamilton, the original singer,
doing the vocals.
--
Jimmy Botticelli
Taking The E-Z...Way Out!
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 15
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 21:58:01 +0000
From: richard hattersley
Subject: Re: McAlmont and Butler
Keith Moore:
>Has everyone heard "Falling", the new single by David McAlmont
>and Bernard Butler? Surely the best record that Phil and the
>Ronettes never made!
Totally agree Keith.
Its a fantastic record a great tribute to Spector.
I eagerly await the Starsailor Spector recordings. Maybe we
will see a Spector sound revival in the charts!
Sorry to plug but Keith check out my Spector soundalike
"coming soon(going so fast)" at http://www.mp3.com/richard_snow
Its free, by the way!
Richard
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 00:36:17 +0100
From: The Spectropop Team
Subject: The Actionettes
Hi All,
Just a final reminder to all of you who missed the Spectropop
Party that there's another chance to catch the Actionettes at
their show on Saturday 31st of August, Upstairs at the Garage,
Highbury Corner, London Nsomething. (Islington Tube Station is
pretty much directly opposite). It's the gals' summer special
featuring some of their favourite dance routines, special guests
and DJs. More info as always on: http://www.actionettes.com
The Spectropop Team
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 17
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 00:57:41 +0100
From: Ken Silverwood
Subject: Re: McAlmont and Butler
Keith,
Simon White & I enthused about this track a few weeks ago
before its charting. You're right, it deserves a much higher
rung, but that's not possible nowadays. Still, try their album
"Bring It All Back", which is new. Plus try finding the single
"Yes" from a few years ago, you'll see they were on the ball then.
All the best,
Ken On The West Coast
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 18
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 22:09:46 -0700
From: Stephanie Campbell
Subject: Re: Party?
Are there going to be any Spectropop parties in America next year?
Steph
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 19
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 01:56:15 -0000
From: Jon
Subject: Re: Coffee / the (Chicago) Lovelites
Oh my....I had no idea that Coffee was a re-grouped Lovelites! I
picked up a CD of the "Best of Coffee" and wondered who these girls
were?! Now I have a better idea. The CD is pretty disco based and not
as good as the "Best of the Lovelites" CD that I have.
Jon
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 20
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 05:59:37 -0000
From: Elisabeth
Subject: Re: The Poppy Family
Hi Freya,
Sorry you couldn't make it to the Spectropop party - whereabouts in
t'North are you?
Anyhow, for a pretty good discography on the Poppy Family and some
background info, go here:
http://www.canoe.ca/JamMusicPopEncycloPagesP/poppy.html
If it's any consolation, I'm a recent convert too - which is pretty
embarassing considering I'm Canadian. But although I remember hearing
Terry Jacks on the oldies radio stations when I was younger, the
Poppy Family wasn't a name I was familiar with. Of course when I
mentioned them to my dad the other month, he was like "Phwoar, Susan
Jacks!" even though he'd never bought any of their records. :-)
My introduction came when someone put "I'll see you there" on a cd
comp for me. Now it's one of my favourite songs ever, and I'd like to
cover it one day...
It's reasonably easy to pick up their LPs on eBay, although the
prices tend to be in the $20 range. I've yet to come across any UK
issue Poppy Family LPs although my Record Collector bible says they
exist.
Hope this helps! Now I'm off to Luton for a conference. Ugh! I'll
*definitely* need to take a Poppy Family minidisc with me to cheer me
up.
Elisabeth x
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 21
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 00:56:32 +0100
From: The Spectropop Team
Subject: Re: the Lovelites
Dear Members,
Here's the reply from Louise Robbins of the Lovelites to John Clemente's
question:
> I have a question for Louise. Phil Spector used a group on demos and
> sometimes lent them out to Gerry Goffin. "Please Be My Boyfriend" by The
> Crystals is actually not The Crystals. Dee Dee Kenniebrew verified this.
> I mistakenly reported that Barbara Alston of The Crystals sang lead on this,
> but upon closer listening, it is not her. I strongly feel, however, that it
> is the same group (a trio) sang the demo for "Some Of Your Lovin" which was
> released as the second Honey Bees' single on Fontana Records. Margaret of
> The Cookies listened to the tape of the song and said that, contrary to what
> we previously thought, she doesn't think that The Cookies are even on backup.
> The lead, however, is the same lead as on "Please Be My Boyfriend", which I
> believe Vini Poncia and Pete Andreoli co-wrote. Any thoughts on this, Louise?
"Sorry, I have no memory of us recording 'Some Of You Lovin'' or doing backup
for it. I will forward this to Linda and see if she has memory of the song. We
did do backup on a song called 'Georgie'. Anyone remember that at all? We don't
know if that was released. I also don't know who did the lead. I will try to
find out. We did a few other backups, but none for Goffin. 'Please Be My
Boyfriend' was written by Vini and Peter for Phil. Louise"
With a lot of help from Louise and Linda, Spectropop has started work on a
Lovelites page. Watch this space.
The Spectropop Team
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 22
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 09:54:44 +0100
From: Simon White
Subject: Re: Coffee / the (Chicago) Lovelites
Jon:
> Oh my....I had no idea that Coffee was a re-grouped Lovelites!
> I picked up a CD of the "Best of Coffee" and wondered who these
> girls were?!
Me too ! [or " me neither ", depends where you're coming from].
Coffee's take on Ruby Andrews " Cassanova " is a personal
favorite and a memory record for me.
Of course , it's easy to forget that the 70s where closer to the
60s than we are now...and that the 80s were pretty close to the
70s. So girls and boys who recorded in the 60s carried on into
the 70s and beyond, just in different styles. Sidney Barnes springs
easily to mind, lots of disco backing work, Honey And The Bees went
on to form early Ritchie Family, Mildred Scott from The Glories had
solo and group hits in the 70s and 80s ,ditto Edna Wright had group
hits....the list goes on!
Quality always shines through!
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 23
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 10:25:17 +0100
From: Simon White
Subject: Saturday Morning Playlist 24 /08 0/02
Apologies to those who mailed to say they had missed this.
I had a major email disaster last week [i.e. me] and am just
catching up.
Here is last Saturday's playlist in its full horror/glory.
Half The World - Adam Wade
I Got a Feelin - Barbara Randolph
Rubberneckin' - Elvis Presley
Canadian Sunset - The Weekends
Piece Of My Heart - The Sisters Love
Take A Chance on Me - Anisteen Allen
By The Light Of The Silvery Moon - Little Richard
Rented Tuxedo - The O'Jays
Street Talk - The Tymes
Love Don't Turn Your Back On Me - John Leach
True love At Last - Hoagy Lands
Young Stranger - Lady Luck and The Lullabies
Talk To Me Baby - Barry Mann
Please Dont Kiss Me -The Chantelles
Time Won't Let Me - Sandy Nelson
You Can Count On Me - Sammy Davis Jnr
The Beat Goes On - Dee Dee Warwick
Shakin All Over - Mae West
Drag Mad - The Madisons
Markin' Time - Bent Fabric
Miami Beach Rhumba - Xavier Cugat
Walk On Dont Look Back - Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 24
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 09:43:42 -0000
From: Stephanie Campbell
Subject: Re: Party?
Are there going to be any Spectropop parties in America next year?
Steph
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 25
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 09:44:17 -0000
From: Jon
Subject: Re: Coffee/the (Chicago) Lovelites
Oh my....I had no idea that Coffee was a re-grouped Lovelites!
I picked up a CD of the "Best of Coffee" and wondered who these
girls were?! Now I have a better idea. The CD is pretty disco
based and not as good as the "Best of the Lovelites" CD that I
have.
Jon
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
End
