________________________________________________________________________
______________ ______________
______________ ______________
______________ S P E C T R O P O P ______________
______________ ______________
________________________________________________________________________
Jamie LePage (1953-2002)
http://www.spectropop.com/Jamie.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are 21 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Mina
From: Mick Patrick
2. Re: Shangri-Las
From: Pekka Johansson
3. Re: Seven Day Weekend
From: Monophonius
4. Re: Helen Shapiro / Dodie Stevens
From: Mike Edwards
5. Re : He's So Fine My Lord
From: Tony
6. Re: The Rock Flowers / Clinger Sisters
From: Mick Patrick
7. "Midnight Mary" album
From: Artie Wayne
8. Re: Major new Shangri-Las article
From: Stuffed Animal
9. Question for Allan Rinde and Toni Wine
From: Stuffed Animal
10. The Comprehensive Jeff Barry
From: Stuffed Animal
11. Re: "Midnight Mary" album
From: Mikey
12. A Flock Of Seagulls
From: Phil Chapman
13. Re: Escorts
From: Martin Roberts
14. Shangri-Las CD
From: Harry Young
15. The Northern Soul Show on Soul 24-7
From:
16. Re: "Midnight Mary" album
From: Artie Wayne
17. Re: "Midnight Mary" album
From: Mikey
18. Re: "Midnight Mary" album
From: James Botticelli
19. John Howard: Kid in a big world
From: Jean-Emmanuel Dubois
20. Re: Escorts
From: James Botticelli
21. Re: Shangri-Las "Myrmidons Of Melodrama" CD
From: James Botticelli
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 09:55:54 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Re: Mina
Previously on Spectropop:
> ...a larger than life character, Mina's image becomes more
> extreme with each successive album cover.
Stewart:
> It's true! I have an album from 1980 called SALOME on
> which she appears with a long, curly, Smith Brothers beard!
> I can't imagine what she's doing on her album covers 22
> years later...
Yeah, and she took the transgender theme one step further for
her "Rane Supreme" LP, the cover of which features her head on
the body of a naked muscleman. Fabulous abs!
> ...or imagine Barbra Streisand (the singer I feel Mina most
> resembles) doing something like that on an album sleeve, for
> that matter.
You're right, Mina and La Babs ululate in a very similar fashion.
I guess Streisand was the American Mina. There are those who
reckon Mina was an influence on Dusty Springfield too.
A quiet day at work yesterday, I spent most of the afternoon
listening to Mina's "Studio Uno 66" CD (RCA 74321482622, Italy).
It's another goody. The cream tracks are "Ta-Ra-Ta-Ta" (her
Italianization of Bernadette Carroll's "Try Your Luck"), "No"
(a girly punk/pop guitar thrash) and "Se Telefonando" (the
original version of the Francoise Hardy's "Je Changerai D'avis",
co-written and directed by the great Ennio Morricone, no less).
Mina has a great website. Better brush up on your Italian:
http://www.minamazzini.com
Time for a cappuccino.....Ciao,
MICK PATRICK
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 11:09:12 +0100
From: Pekka Johansson
Subject: Re: Shangri-Las
JB/curious in boston wrote:
> Does anyone have a CD reissue of the COMPLEAT Shangri-Las to recommend?
> And where I can get it?
JB's letter brings back memories of my trip to NY in August when I took
the time to go to Cambria Heights, Queens, to look at Andrew Jackson
High School, which the Shangri-Las attended. This was before school
started, unfortunately, so the place was closed and empty. On my way back
to Manhattan I stopped at MOMA, which had a fantastic exhibition of five
vintage and new cars, among them a mint Jaguar E-type. On the subway you
also pass Shea Stadium of Beatles '65 fame, so Queens is well worth a
visit!
The most complete compilation is "Myrmidons of Melodrama" on the British
rpm label, with 33 tracks including the Revlon commersials. This is
recommended by AMG on sound quality grounds, the message "First
definitive collection with improved sound" on the back cover says it all.
These two are basically all you need.
Another collection worth recommending is "The best of The Shangri-Las" on
Mercury from 1996 (25 tracks), which has been directly transferred from
the original tapes with superb sound as a result. Some others have less
than satisfactory sound due to late-generation tapes apparently being
used.
Best regards,
Pekka Johansson, Stockholm, Sweden
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 14:07:49 -0000
From: Monophonius
Subject: Re: Seven Day Weekend
Of course "Seven Day Weekend" is a terrific song. It was written by
Pomus and Shuman!
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 14:58:27 -0000
From: Mike Edwards
Subject: Re: Helen Shapiro / Dodie Stevens
An update for the list of US songs recorded by Helen Shapiro
for which there may have been a US original:
"Daddy Couldn't Get Me One Of Those" (wr: Fred Tobias- Paul Evans)
was recorded by Dodie Stevens (Imperial, 1963).
Something tells me that by a big name such as Dodie, we should have
known that. I should have because I have the 45 in my collection!
Someone marked it up, 01 /9/63, so it probably predated HS's version.
While rummaging, I found Dodie's "I Cried" (Dot, 1962), arranged
and conducted by Perry Botkin, Jr. Dot used to print the month and
date of issue on their 45s and this one is tagged 2-62. She had to
have been running neck and neck with Jay & The Americans as their
version charted on 3/17/62. Dodie's is a fine version – definitely
not a case of Vikki Carr vs. The Crystals.
Mike Edwards
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 14:49:18 -0000
From: Tony
Subject: Re : He's So Fine My Lord
I suggest that the definitive answer to this question is Jonathan
King's rendition of "He's So Fine" (Rhino 74412). He uses
Harrison's 'Lord' as the instrumental and sings the words to 'He's
So Fine'. They surely do fit nicely together ....
Tony
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 10:11:52 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Re: The Rock Flowers / Clinger Sisters
Nick Archer:
> I just bought an album by the Rock Flowers on Wheel records, a
> division of Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus. I haven't
> listened to it yet, but it's produced by Wes Farrell, and features
> Wrecking Crew musicians. Does anyone know the story of this group?
It looks like you've come to the right place, Nick. The Rock Flowers
have been the topic of literally dozens of messages here on planet
Spectropop. Rather than re-hash their story yet again, I thought I'd
supply you with a handy URL instead. Simply click below to read every
word that has ever been written about the group at Spectropop:
http://sitelevel.whatuseek.com/query.go?crid=3139029a15576827&query=rock+flowers
The Rock Flowers were sculpted from the Clinger Sisters, another act
much discussed here. Click below to witness:
http://sitelevel.whatuseek.com/query.go?crid=3139029a15576827&query=clinger
And here:
http://sitelevel.whatuseek.com/query.go?crid=3139029a15576827&query=clingers
And if you need more, our man Patrick Rands is the guy to ask.
MICK PATRICK
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 08:10:48 -0800 (PST)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: "Midnight Mary" album
It's hard to beleive that it's been 39 years since the Kennedy
assassination ...one of those occasions where everyone remembers where
they were and what they were doing.
I was in New York city. From November 22-25....we had to produce tracks
for the "Midnight Mary" album. We had planned the sessions for months
....Joey Powers only had four days before he had to be back in college
....so we couldn't cancel the dates. Needless to say the sessions, which
included Al Gorgoni and Paul Simon on guitars, were emotionaly charged.
Larry Uttal, head of Amy/Bell records, couldn't hold back the tears
...and wondered like everyone else ....how would we ever get through.
regards, Artie Wayne
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 16:18:05 +0000
From: Stuffed Animal
Subject: Re: Major new Shangri-Las article
I must take exception to one comment that George "Shadow" Morton made in
this article. He says the seagulls on "Remember (Walkin' In The Sand)" came
from a sound effects record. Not!!! What you are hearing is an overdubbed
Jeff Barry IMITATING seagulls in an echo chamber. Jeff revealed this in an
interview I did with him last year, and he actually reproduced the effect
for me over the telephone! He said that he also vocally produced the train
whistles heard on "Train From Kansas City."
Stuffed Animal
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 9
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 16:22:05 +0000
From: Stuffed Animal
Subject: Question for Allan Rinde and Toni Wine
Mr. Rinde,
Does your wife remember singing background with Ellie Greenwich on Archies
records? Singer/songwriter Joey Levine has claimed that he sang background
on some Archies sessions in a group that included Ellie Greenwich, Toni Wine
and Jamie Carr. Ron Dante has denied this, and neither Jeff nor Ellie
remember clearly (Jeff thinks maybe so, Ellie thinks maybe not). Can she
put this controversy to rest?
Stuffed Animal
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 10
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 16:40:06 +0000
From: Stuffed Animal
Subject: The Comprehensive Jeff Barry
Amassing a comprehensive collection of Jeff Barry productions isn't
hard to do if you go the route of vinyl LPs (and CD reissues, when
available). Here is a list of albums that offer the best of Jeff
Barry's production work from the mid-60s to the late '70s. In no
particular order, they are:
ANDY KIM'S GREATEST HITS - Andy Kim (ABC)
LAY A LITTLE LOVIN' ON ME - Robin McNamara (Steed)
RON DANTE BRINGS YOU UP - Ron Dante (Kirshner), takes you higher!!!
THE BOBBY BLOOM ALBUM - Bobby Bloom (M-G-M), a masterpiece!!!
EARLY CLASSICS - Neil Diamond (Frog King), honey hush!!! This is the
only album that has "Kentucky Woman" in true stereo.
THE KLOWNS ALBUM - The Klowns (RCA Victor)
THE ARCHIES' GREATEST HITS - The Archies (Kirshner), five stars!!!
THE NIGHT IS STILL YOUNG - Sha-Na-Na (Kama-Sutra), a real treasure!!!
THE GLOBETROTTERS ALBUM - Harlem Globetrotters (Kirshner), ditto!!!
THE LISA HARTMAN ALBUM - Lisa Hartman Black (Kirshner), great!!!
I JUST WANT TO SING WITH MY FRIENDS - The Persuasions (A&M), another
masterpiece!!!
THE IDOLMAKER SOUNDTRACK - various artists (A&M), features the
wonderful Darlene Love singing the movie's theme song: "Ooo-Wee, Baby."
CHANGES - The Monkees (Rhino), contrary to what you may have heard,
this album DOESN'T suck! Get Rhino's CD reissue with bonus tracks.
DUSTY SINGS THE BLUES - Dusty Springfield (Rhino), unfortunately, you
have to buy two Rhino CD reissues (DUSTY IN MEMPHIS, deluxe edition,
and A BRAND NEW ME) to hear all the songs from this unreleased Dusty
album. This problem needs to be corrected immediately!!!
I'd also recommend picking up Rhino's MONKEES' GREATEST HITS CD for the
essential Jeff Barry-produced hits "I'm A Believer" and "A Little Bit
Me, A Little Bit You." I'm hopeful that a true stereo version of the
latter tune (complete with handclappings) will surface someday.
Stuffed Animal
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 11
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 11:36:44 -0500
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: "Midnight Mary" album
>>>>>Artie, do you have any info as to where the multitrack tapes are
for the Joey Powers material? Alot of people myself incuded, would
like to hear "Midnight Mary" in stereo. Is there any way you can ask
Larry?
thanks,
Mikey
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 17:12:57 -0000
From: Phil Chapman
Subject: A Flock Of Seagulls
Stuffed Animal wrote:
> I must take exception to one comment that George "Shadow"
> Morton made in this article. He says the seagulls on
> "Remember (Walkin' In The Sand)" came from a sound effects
> record. Not!!! What you are hearing is an overdubbed
> Jeff Barry IMITATING seagulls in an echo chamber.
SA, whatever Jeff may have said, I have some Audio Fidelity
Sound Effect series, and "Seagulls, Staten Island Ferry"
sounded mighty familiar. Being a true anorak, I laid them up
alongside "(Remember) Walkin' In the Sand", and they match
perfectly.
Do the test for yourself, the gulls have flocked to musica.
The train whistle, however, sounds very human.
Phil
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 13
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 18:19:43 -0000
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: Re: Escorts
Jimmy Bee wrote;
> It's fantabulashiositotimo that we have uncovered this
> corner of neglected "Neglectia"
Oh dear! I am sorry, but I think you can get an ointment for
it nowadays.
Martin
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 11:43:00 -0800 (PST)
From: Harry Young
Subject: Shangri-Las CD
> Does anyone have a CD reissue of the Shangri-Las to
> recommend?
For my money there is only one Shangri-Las CD:
Myrmidons of Melodrama - Special Edition [RPM 506,
released 2002]
http://www.rpmrecords.co.uk/
32 Tracks perfectly selected and sequenced, totally
comprehensive liner notes, excellent illustrations
(including French picture sleeves and what has been
described here as 'THAT' photo), four rare radio spots
and mega-STEREO on vital cuts like 'Remember (Walking
In The Sand),' 'I Can Never Go Home Anymore' and
'Leader Of The Pack.'
Get it 'Right Now And Not Later.'
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 15
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 20:27:52 +0000
From:
Subject: The Northern Soul Show on Soul 24-7
This Sunday 24th November on Soul 24-7
7pm-9pm GMT
http://www.soul24-7.com/index.htm
The Metropolitan Soul Show - 02 hours of Northern Soul.
This week - The Utterly Marvellous Simon White.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 13:07:58 -0800 (PST)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Re: "Midnight Mary" album
Re the album "Midnight Mary" in stereo: Arista, who bought
Amy/Bell probably has the multi-track. Unfortunately, Larry
Uttal passed away several years ago.
regards, Artie Wayne
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 17
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 17:54:45 -0500
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: "Midnight Mary" album
Artie Wayne wrote:
> Re the album "Midnight Mary" in stereo: Arista, who bought
> Amy/Bell probably has the multi-track. Unfortunately, Larry
> Uttal passed away several years ago.
Thanks, Artie!!
I wonder what we'd have to do to get Arista to reissue that LP.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 18
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 18:06:35 -0500
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: "Midnight Mary" album
Artie Wayne wrote:
> It's hard to beleive that it's been 39 years since the Kennedy
> assassination ...one of those occasions where everyone remembers
> where they were and what they were doing.....
> I was in New York city. From November 22-25....we had to produce
> tracks for the "Midnight Mary" album.
Wasn't that literally days before "I Want to Hold Your Hand" was
released in the U.S.?
JB/still have the b&w picture cover and record
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 19
Date: Sun, 24 Nov 2002 22:08:20 +0100
From: Jean-Emmanuel Dubois
Subject: John Howard: Kid in a big world
Hello-
Am I the only one digging John Howard: "Kid in a big world"
album released in 1974 (recorded at Abbey Road & Apple studio)?
- out on C.B.S. It seems there's nothing on the net about it.
It's the only thing I know about this guy. To me it's kinda a
mix of easy-Lounge with a glam post Bowieseque/ Marc Bolan feel.
His song "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" is brillant, with the fab
lines:
"And Flash just flew past my window,
Batman rang me today,
Superman's he's my best friend
Spiderman's coming to stay..."
A truly great bit excentric a la Barrett (but more dandyesque).
Any info/fans and news about this Mr Howard, whatever happened to him?!!
Get in touch-
Jean-Emmanuel
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 20
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 18:09:36 -0500
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: Escorts
Jimmy Bee:
> It's fantabulashiositotimo that we have uncovered this
> corner of neglected "Neglectia"
Martin Roberts:
> Oh dear! I am sorry, but I think you can get an ointment for
> it nowadays.
it was a great party!~
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 21
Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 18:14:53 -0500
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: Shangri-Las "Myrmidons Of Melodrama" CD
Pekka in Sweden wrote:
> The most complete compilation is "Myrmidons of Melodrama" on the
> British rpm label, with 33 tracks including the Revlon commersials.
> This is recommended by AMG on sound quality grounds, the message
> "First definitive collection with improved sound" on the back cover
> says it all.
Harry Young wrote:
> For my money there is only one Shangri-Las CD: Myrmidons of Melodrama -
> Special Edition [RPM 506, released 2002] http://www.rpmrecords.co.uk/
thanks a lot...its already ordered!
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
End
