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Jamie LePage (1953-2002)
http://www.spectropop.com/Jamie.htm
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There are 17 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Nobody Knows What's Goin' On (In Brute Force's Mind But Him!)
From: Mick Patrick
2. Re: The Poppy Family
From: Vlaovic B
3. PopperSalute from Mark Wirtz
From: Mark Wirtz
4. Re: Party?
From: Marc Miller
5. Re: The Poppy Family
From: Patrick Rands
6. Re: Party?
From: Mikey
7. Re: Nobody Knows What's Goin' On (In Brute Force's Mind But Him!)
From: Simon White
8. Re: U.S. Spectropop Party
From: John Lester
9. Re: U.S. Spectropop Party
From: Stephanie Campbell
10. Re: The Poppy Family
From: Ian Slater"
11. Re: Party?
From: james botticelli
12. The Moon
From: Doug
13. Re: Nobody Knows What's Goin' On (In Brute Force's Mind But Him!)
From: Mike Rashkow
14. Re: The Moon
From: Bryan
15. NPR interviews; more
From: Country Paul
16. Gold Star Acetate Found - Chuck Barris Syndicate
From: Leonardo Flores
17. Re: The Poppy Family
From: Freya
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 12:51:42 +0100
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Nobody Knows What's Goin' On (In Brute Force's Mind But Him!)
Hi All,
A long train journey yesterday provided me with the opportunity to catch up
with some reading. I thought you all might find the following quote from
Brute Force of interest. It's from a lengthy interview conducted by Michael
Lucas in issue #15 of Scram magazine:
"What is a thought? Where does a thought come from? How does a person feel
about their thought? About secrets? These are some of the questions which
might prompt an understanding of 'Nobody Knows What's Goin' On (In My Mind
But Me)'.
"Texturally, it's a love song: a person loves another person, to everyone's
disapproval, and because of societal pressure (who knows: parental, peer
group, cultural), everybody says 'Give it up'. But what do they know? This
leads the person to realise that, 'Nobody knows what's goin' on in my mind
but me', a flat out declaration of independence, of individuality and of
privacy of one's thoughts. Freedom of thought. The song is very concerned
with this larger issue of privacy of one's thoughts, and to that extent is
courageous in this day of Big Brother.
"There is a point, however, which the song doesn't explore: the point when
not expressing one's thoughts can be an unhealthy thing to do and all the
energy, whatever it is, just keeps building up and can become too much to
bear for the 'thinker of thought'.
"Secrecy is a subtextual element in the song. Keeping secrets, obviously, is
a must when nobody else knows what's going on in one's mind. As a
song-writer at the time, I was exploring the workings of the human mind and,
through a love-story lyric, expressing my own feelings about love -
interracial love, perhaps - and the invasion of one's mind by friends,
family and government.
"The melody, I remember, during its creation, as being especially entrancing
in the chorus, almost hypnotic in its repetition, enhanced by the lyrics,
floating over the chord pattern, which are concerned with the mind. The mind
singing about the mind.
"The song was produced by the Tokens while I was a member of the group. It
was a chart record, which was very exciting, and I still receive royalties.
"Years later, I recorded 'Nobody Knows' as the b-side for the Apple single
'King Of Fuh'. I produced this with the Tokens: the cellophane wrapper from
a box of Kool cigarettes, which I was chain smoking at the time, was used to
create a sound effect while I played piano. My rendition was very much more
agitated and frenetic than the Chiffons' rendition.
"I haven't seen any of the Chiffons since that time, except on TV ads for
compilation CDs, but I feel very lucky to have known them and to have had
our paths cross and come out with a hit. And if you want to know any more,
all I can say is...'Nobody knows what's goin' on in my mind but me'. But you
can always ask!"
Brute Force has a website:
http://www.brutesforce.com
Scram magazine (Spectropoppette Kim Cooper is their editrix) has one too:
http://www.scrammagazine.com
MICK PATRICK (doesn't)
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 09:02:19 -0400
From: Vlaovic B
Subject: Re: The Poppy Family
I was in my favourite Toronto record store the other day
and noticed that they have stocked a comprehensive Poppy Family
CD, including not only their hits (and LP trax) but also solo
stuff by Terry Jacks (incl. Seasons in the Sun) and Susan Jacks
solo stuff (incl. the Canadian hit 'Evergreen'). I expect that
it's a bootleg, so source material may be vinyl but as I noted
it seems pretty comprehensive. No label credits, etc and inkjet
jewel box insert. If anyone wants I can get them more details.
In fact this store stock a number of Canadian CDs which are of
questionable origin. There's probably very little market for these
things outside of Canada, so record companies see little reason
to release compilations by the aforementioned Poppy Family or,
say, Gary & Dave. I keep hoping A&M will do some sort of release
of the fabulous Charity Brown singles but in the meantime I have
my own bootleg of some 20 sides (from vinyl sources)
V
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Message: 3
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 08:32:09 EDT
From: Mark Wirtz
Subject: PopperSalute from Mark Wirtz
Dear Spectropoppers,
After many weeks in research and construction - and while not
only conceptualizing AND realizing THREE highly ambitious CD
projects on yours truly, but also pursuing his daily profession,
fellow Popper Mark Frumento's work on my official homepage had
matured enough for me to crack a bottle of Champagne at it to
send it on its maiden voyage. Not a moment to soon, because good
old Mark was ready to smash that bottle against my head instead
and drown me. I think that his first hand experience of my
hypercritical and obsessive perfectionism was slowly driving him
to rage, and his wife close to picking up the phone to summon a
divorce lawyer. Let me just say that, while flipping between CD
and web site related "discussions", we had a good share of moments
when any decorum, civility and courtesy were suspended in favor of
the filthiest and most disgusting profanities and expletives (not
to mention the most surrealistic suggestions of biologically
impossible acts) that were blitzing back and forth via high speed
modems and telephone wires between New Jersey and Savannah. In
other words, we had a bloody good time.
Well, "Philwit & Pegasus" and "Pop Works" are "out", (pun intended),
the "Garage Sale at Rainbow's End" Anthology is about to follow,
and the "markwirtz.com" web site is "open". So, please be sure to
check out MaFru's work at http://www.markwirtz.com
I must state at this point, that Mark is one smooth operator. Not
only did he manage to get secretly guarded tapes and demos and
pictures and clips out of me that nobody had ever before (and I
never believed ever would), but the bugger got me so excited
that, after a two year breather, I actually pulled a collection
of master tapes out of the freezer for post production on my first
official album release in over 25 years. All new music, and - yes
- carrying the spirit and signature of my "movies on record".
Entitled "Dreamer2Dreamer", I intend to advance preview it around
Christmas, or first of the year.
But this mail is not about me. It's about Mark, who, only a few
months ago, appeared out of nowhere to invite me to visit and join
Spectropop. Since then he has become the most passionately dedicated,
unflappable, determined supporter I ever had. In many ways, he made
the impossible possible - the very essence of what this is all about
- entertainment. To dream dreams for those that can't dream them for
themselves.
It is only appropriate that I acknowledge and thank Mark publicly.
And, what would be a better forum in which to do it, than right here,
where it all kinda started.
So, come on, Poppers, let's give a hand to that crazy li'l Italian,
ya hear? And Frumento, here's to you. Thank you, thank you, and
thank you!
Cheers!
Mark Wirtz :)
http://www.markwirtz.com
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Message: 4
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 12:36:19 -0400
From: Marc Miller
Subject: Re: Party?
Stephanie wanted to know:
> Are there going to be any Spectropop parties in America
> next year?
Some of us are trying to put something together in the NYC area
for later this/early next year.
Marc
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Message: 5
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 15:59:39 -0000
From: Patrick Rands
Subject: Re: The Poppy Family
Hi Freya,
I too discovered the Poppy Family recently and fell in love
with them. On my trip to Canada this summer I also picked up
a Susan Jacks LP, Ghosts, from 1980, for 3 Canadian dollars.
We had a discussion recently here at Spectropop regarding the
Poppy Family so maybe you want to search through the archives.
They have a good CD compilation called "A Good Thing Lost"
which is a good place to start.
:Patrick
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Message: 6
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 14:19:16 -0400
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: Party?
Marc Miller:
> Some of us are trying to put something together in the NYC
> area for later this/early next year.
Yes, I'm into that!!! If we do it in a bar or something,
maybe I'll have my band play. We will learn some GG stuff
for the occasion!!
Your Friend,
Mikey
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Message: 7
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 19:28:09 +0100
From: Simon White
Subject: Re: Nobody Knows What's Goin' On (In Brute Force's Mind But Him!)
Brute Force:
> "Secrecy is a subtextual element in the song. Keeping secrets,
> obviously, is a must when nobody else knows what's going on
> in one's mind. As a song-writer at the time, I was exploring
> the workings of the human mind and, through a love-story lyric,
> expressing my own feelings about love - interracial love,
> perhaps - and the invasion of one's mind by friends, family and
> government.
Blimey!
I got a headache reading this! [Or was it just those
Spectro - Poppers?]
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 19:44:58 +0100
From: John Lester
Subject: Re: U.S. Spectropop Party
Stephanie Campbell:
> Are there going to be any Spectropop parties in America
> next year?
Steph.......why don't you arrange one.........!!!
.....you can get your brother to repeat his playing on Fuzz's
"I Love You For All Seasons"........
...make sure that the Actionettes are on the invite list....
HEE HEE!
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Message: 9
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 16:28:49 -0700
From: Stephanie Campbell
Subject: Re: U.S. Spectropop Party
To John Lester:
I had no idea you were on the Spectropop list!!! Man you really get around!!
If I was in England I would have come to the party there. Oh well, I will
definitely be in the one in NY. And by the way, no offense to anyone on the
list, but I can't stand the Poppy Family, although I can tolerate "Seasons In
The Sun". It's "Which Way You Goin Billy" that I don't like!!!! Susan has a
nice voice though. I read in some book that "Seasons In The Sun" made so much
money for Terry Jacks that he could retire and didn't have to work again.
Steph
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Message: 10
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 20:55:50 +0100
From: Ian Slater"
Subject: Re: The Poppy Family
Elizabeth wrote:
> 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.
Yes they do exist, I'm pleased to say (er..boast) I've had them from new:
"Which Way You Goin' Billy" - Decca LK-R 5022 (mono) and SKL-R 5022 (Stereo)
"The Poppy Family" - Decca SKL 5114 (Stereo - no mention on the cover of a
mono version)
I'm glad to see praise for this fabulous group. Notwithstanding the big
international success of "...Billy" they didn't seem to get much attention
at the time. I don't think the group's name helped - it implied either a
very "poppy" bubble-gum group or a way-out druggy band, both well wide of
the mark but likely to put-off the rest of us!
Their albums are very varied and adventurous with imaginative musical
structures and thoughtful lyrics. My own favourite track is "Tryin'",
credited to "Jacks" (Terry, Susan or both?), on the second album - a lovely
tear-jerking ballad not unlike "...Billy". I'd recommend all the tracks on
both albums but, sorry, I always hated Terry's mawkish "Seasons in the Sun".
Ian Slater
P.S. When I've got a minute I'll try and load to Musica a track that's not
currently available.
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Message: 11
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 18:27:28 -0400
From: james botticelli
Subject: Re: Party?
Mikey wrote:
> Marc Miller:
>> Some of us are trying to put something together in the NYC
>> area for later this/early next year.
>
> Yes, I'm into that!!!
seconded...try Rififi on E11 1&2 I believe. They're open to
specialty nights
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Message: 12
Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 00:34:09 -0000
From: Doug
Subject: The Moon
Anyone here know the status of the Moon CD on Cherry Red?
I've been checking the UK amazon.com and haven't seen anything.
I wrote to Cherry Red and have not got a reply.
I can't wait for this one; the first Moon album is just great
and a long time fave!
Doug
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Message: 13
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 20:52:32 EDT
From: Mike Rashkow
Subject: Re: Nobody Knows What's Goin' On (In Brute Force's Mind But Him!)
> MICK PATRICK (doesn't)
Doesn't need one. He is universally known and acclaimed.
Rashkovsky
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Message: 14
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 18:20:56 -0700
From: Bryan
Subject: Re: The Moon
Previously:
> Anyone here know the status of the Moon CD on Cherry Red?
> I've been checking the UK amazon.com and haven't seen anything.
> I wrote to Cherry Red and have not got a reply.
That would be a Rev-Ola release, I think, distributed by Cherry Red....
Joe Foster of Rev-Ola is on the Spectropop list....Joe? What's the status?
Bryan
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Message: 15
Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2002 22:39:08 -0400
From: Country Paul
Subject: NPR interviews; more
In the US, on NPR [National Public Radio], Terry Gross on "Fresh Air" has
been playing back 1990's interviews with various music people. On Monday
evening, I came in on the tail of Mann & Weil (from '95, I believe); today I
heard parts of David Bowie, Ray Davies, and Marianne Faithfull. Try
www.npr.org to see if these are archived.
Keith Moore wrote:
> Has everyone heard "Falling", the new single by David McAlmont
> and Bernard Butler? Surely the best record that Phil and the
> Ronettes never made!
It never made it here, either, at least on the radio. Is there a US release?
Bob Beason writes:
> 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".
I'm sure the clips will be interesting if they let enough of them roll long
enough; the only other buzz I've heard is negative.
Ian Slater: while it wasn't me who asked about the Lovelites, I'll take it
as a compliment that you thought so! I'm learning a whole lot about two
groups I was totally unfamiliar with, too.
Country Paul
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Message: 16
Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 06:45:06 -0000
From: Leonardo Flores
Subject: Gold Star Acetate Found - Chuck Barris Syndicate
Hello all,
I was digging around at my friends record shop this evening and low
and behold I find a yellow and Black "Gold Star" Acetate by a group
called the Chuck Barris Syndicate. The song is called "Baja
California" with a B-side song with an unknown title.
It's very soft rock-Association/Salt Water taffy sounding song and
quite cool. The song to me sounds like it was recorded in the late
sixties (there's a line about "peace and love"). Does anybody know anything
about this group and if the 45 was ever released?
Regardless it's cool to have an acetate from one of the most historic
LA studios from the 60's. All help greatly apprciated.
Cheers,
Leonardo Flores
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Message: 17
Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 10:40:33 -0000
From: Freya
Subject: Re: The Poppy Family
Patrick:
> They have a good CD compilation called "A Good Thing Lost"
> which is a good place to start.
Yes I just got an e-mail from Harvey where he mentions this
compilation! The label is called March Records:
http://www.marchrecords.com
The website seeems to be still in development but you can find
ways of buying it from there and there is even an mp3 you can
download!
Ian Slater:
> both albums but, sorry, I always hated Terry's mawkish
> "Seasons In The Sun".
*giggle* Oh I love it but I think you have to approach it with a bit
of a sense of humour. Having said that I probably like songs about the
birds singing and that mention starfish! :)
One really funny thing we had here was some boy band doing a cover of
the somg. I saw a video of it one day! It was hysterical, they kind of
made it sound like a happy christmas song and they were doing all that
sort of funny stuff with their hands like they were in a rap act or
something. Really bizzare.
Having said that, the beach boys version of the song is kind of a bit
upbeat too I thought!
> P.S. When I've got a minute I'll try and load to Musica a track
> that's not currently available.
I look forward to that! :)
love
Freya
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