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Jamie LePage (1953-2002)
http://www.spectropop.com/Jamie.htm
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There are 15 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Peter James Proby? / Gene Pitney
From: Mick Patrick
2. Re: Hallucinations / J. Geils
From: Stewart Mason
3. Re: M & M Records
From: Guy Lawrence
4. Re: What's for Dessert Ma??
From: Artie Wayne
5. Re: Peter James Proby?
From: Martin Roberts
6. Re: Hallucinations / J. Geils
From: James Botticelli
7. Re: Lisa Mychols
From: Donald
8. Re: In praise of Bobbie Gentry
From: Norman
9. Help !!! I need some info.
From: Ken Silverwood
10. Ral Donner and Sonny James
From: Mike Edwards
11. Re: What's for Dessert Ma??
From: James Botticelli
12. ?? for Artie Wayne
From: Steve Harvey
13. Catherine Spaak
From: Patrick Rands
14. The making... and remaking... of a HIT
From: Jeff Lemlich
15. Overwhelmed
From: Andrew Jones
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________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 11:54:14 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Re: Peter James Proby? / Gene Pitney
Previously:
> there was a US version of Goffin/King's "Stage Door". It
> was by Peter James on Reprise 0383, 1965. Fabulous song.
> Good record too. As was the Tony Jackson rendition.
Mike Edwards:
> Peter James has a song, Wind Me Up And Let Me Go, to his
> credit (Liberty, 1963). Does anyone know whether or not
> this was the same song that Cliff Richard recorded in 1964?
The Cliff Richard song, #2 in the UK in 1965, was written by
John Talley and Bob "Misty Blue" Montgomery. I've not seen
or heard the Peter James 45, but I bet someone out there has.
In fact, the only record by this artist that I own is the
above-mentioned "Stage Door". Is it true that Mr James is the
infamous P. J. Proby doing a spot of moonlighting? Judging by
the B-side, "People Say" written by Andrew Loog Oldham, I'd
say the answer is affirmative.
Ron Sauer:
> ("That Girl Belongs To Yesterday":) on my single and on the
> "It Hurts to Be in Love (US)" vinyl LP, Gene Pitney's vocal is
> double tracked. On every CD issue save one that I've been
> able to find, his voice is single tracked...Was the British
> single release in the 60's the single track or double track?
> And why was it so hard to find the double track?
The original UK single of "That Girl Belongs To Yesterday"
featured Gene's vocal dual-tracked. That version is contained
on the CD "Looking Through Gene Pitney: The Ultimate Collection"
(Sequel NEECD 380, 2000). A stereo version with a single-tracked
vocal is available on the CD "I'm Gonna Be Strong / Looking Thru
The Eyes Of Love" (Sequel NEM CD 891). There are pros and cons.
I'd say a person requires both versions.
MICK PATRICK
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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 10:27:31 -0500
From: Stewart Mason
Subject: Re: Hallucinations / J. Geils
Jimmy Bee:
> ...The Hallucinations, later to become J. Geils...
Bobster:
> Really?! Was this around '65/'66 - Wolf and Justman with a
> garage sound? Can you add a little more info about this please?
> This is all news to me!!
The Hallucinations were Peter Wolf's first band of note, but the only
other Geils member in the band was drummer Stephen Bladd. I've never
heard their music (I don't believe they ever recorded), but according
to Peter, they were a soul band. Given that the young Wolf's musical
tastes consisted almost entirely of jazz and blues -- he was a local
legend in the early days of freeform rock radio, and recently
reappeared on the airwaves here for a brief stint -- I kind of doubt
that they sounded very garagey.
Stewart
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Message: 3
Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 19:20:57 -0800
From: Guy Lawrence
Subject: Re: M & M Records
Mike Edwards mentioned M&M Entertainment. Here's a link to a site
dedicated to the label and featuring a discography, pictures and
track listings: http://www2.gol.com/users/davidr/ [referring page]
I'll never forget stumbling upon their "Melody Goes On" CD years
ago and realising that I'd struck gold when I got it home. I'm
afraid I can't provide any information on where to get them these
days. In fact, links to any sites selling those gorgeous Japanese
"Soft Pop" compilations would be much appreciated.
Regards, Guy
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Message: 4
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 12:35:38 -0800 (PST)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Re: What's for Dessert Ma??
Bob.....In the mid-sixties, Jerry Ross was one of my favorite
songwriting partners. We wrote "Lovin' for Money" for Jay and
the Techniques, "The Teenybopper song", "I Can't go Wrong" and
"Candy,Candy" for Keith. On the "Apple, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie" album
Jerry hired me and my then wife to act as 'Dance Consultants'....
for lack of a better expression. We'd go to a tracking session....
and when the track was in the groove.....we'd start dancing to it.
He would use this as a barometer......until we disagreed on the
take to use on "Keep the Ball Rolling". He won out and the record
went top ten.......and we took our 'Dance Consultants' sign down.
regards,
Artie Wayne
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Message: 5
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 20:01:19 -0000
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: Re: Peter James Proby?
Mick Patrick:
> ...there was a US version of Goffin/King's "Stage Door". It was by
> Peter James on Reprise 0383, 1965. Fabulous song. Good record too.
> As was the Tony Jackson rendition.
Ian Chapman in an aside mentioned:
> Out of interest, there was another U.S. version of "Stage Door" by
> the Grads (who became the Sandpipers) on A&M, but it came a year
> after the Peter James version (surely that was really P.J. Proby?)
Mick:
> Is it true that Mr James is the infamous P. J. Proby doing a spot of
> moonlighting? Judging by the B-side, "People Say" written by Andrew
> Loog Oldham, I'd say the answer is affirmative.
Very interesting!
When Ian was a young lad, for the sake of musical appreciation in later
years, his mother would lock him in a darkened cellar for hours at a
time. Of course this did have its drawbacks. Many are the times when
he's had to be coaxed down from lamp fittings where his ankles had
happily suspended him. BUT it did have the desired affect of educating
his hearing to sounds that most mortals cannot hear. I know of many
vocalists singing under group names or aliases that he has correctly
identified. But the notion that P.J. Proby moonlighted under the name
Peter James for at least seven singles is a new one to me. The time
frame fits: first record in 1960 for Silver, 02 on Liberty, 03 on Reprise
and a final 1966 release for Warner Brothers. I've got another Reprise
Peter James 45s (sadly not the Nitzsche produced "You Won't Forget Me")
and yes, I'd say it could be him.
But what about the danger of detection – I can't think Liberty in the
UK would have been too happy if they'd found out – and why didn't the
master of vocal styles attempt to disguise his voice? Ian's comment
deserves examining and I posted a few e-mail's to folk who might know –
including Mr. Proby who naturally has not replied (!) Sadly, nobody who
answered could corroborate the idea, or had even heard of the theory. I
do hope other 'poppers will ask their 'sources'. It could be a wonderful
discovery.
My copy is a UK Reprise demo, which sadly means no producer credit.
I'd like to think it might be a Jack Nitzsche arrangement. Anyone
got the label credits? The other Peter James release I have is on US
Reprise 0460, complete with credits: "Opportunity", wr Joyner/Harshman/
Marascalco, pr Don Lanier, arr Jimmy Bowen b/w "Misirlou", wr Roubinia,
pr Don Lanier, arr Mike Rubini.
Martin
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Message: 6
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 16:54:12 -0500
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: Hallucinations / J. Geils
Bob Rashkow wrote:
> Really?! Was this around '65/'66 - Wolf and Justman with a
> garage sound? Can you add a little more info about this please?
> This is all news to me!!
Yeah...locally in Boston they were known as the Hallucinations for a
couple of years while they were in aht school at the Museum of Fine
Arts. Their sound was more Yardbirds/Smokestack Lightning-influneced
than straight garage. When they came to our dance in '67 they were
Louder Than God and that mouth harp pierced your brain. Sunglasses
and Truc-Boutique clad, they were the very picture of Pre-Summer of
Love 1967: foppy like the Yardbirds, and arty. I still have a couple
of tunes of theirs on an old cart.
Stewart Mason wrote:
> The Hallucinations were Peter Wolf's first band of note, but the
> only other Geils member in the band was drummer Stephen Bladd. I've
> never heard their music (I don't believe they ever recorded)
They were recorded "live" in the studio of WTBS-FM at Massachusetts
Institute of Technology in '67. The reel still sits in the archives.
WTBS became WMBR www.wmbr.mit.edu or www.wmbr.org when Ted Turner paid
us (I was a member during the 70's, 80's and 90's) handsomely for the
call letters in the late 7T's allowing us to pump up our power from a
piddly 10 watts to 360!
JB
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Message: 7
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 22:18:32 -0000
From: Donald
Subject: Re: Lisa Mychols
Doug wrote:
> Has this been released yet? I usually buy my imports from Amazon
> UK, ... the Lisa Mychols CD isn't listed at all. What gives??
Lisa Mychols CD is listed at http://www.amazon.com where it says that
it will be released on December 10. Lisa has a nice website:
http://www.lisamychols.com - that is definitely worth a look. It has a
link the amazon listing and a couple of tracks from the CD can be
heard. I haven't had time to listen to them yet, but if they are half
as good as the wonderful "Lost Winters Dream" (heard on Spectropop
Girl Group Radio), this CD will be indispensable.
Donald
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Message: 8
Date: Mon, 02 Dec 2002 09:50:41 +1030
From: Norman
Subject: Re: In praise of Bobbie Gentry
Following on from Bill and Phil re: Bobbie Gentry "Mississippi Delta":
I don't have the LP in my possession but "Mississippi Delta" appeared
on her first (sic) LP "Bobbie Gentry - Ode to Billie Joe" (Capitol ST
2830 UK 1967). When the thread on Bobbie started I wanted to praise
the second album "Bobbie Gentry Performs The Delta Sweete" (Capitol ST
2842 UK 1968). Included among 8 Bobbie Gentry originals are classics
such as "Big Boss Man", "Parchman Farm" (sic), "Tobacco Road" and Doug
Kershaw's "Louisiana Man" (also done by the Hollies).
After the initial freshness and originality of her first albums it
seems she recorded less of her original songs and got landed with stock
material such what appears on "Touch 'em With Love" (Capitol E-ST 155
UK 1969). Only 2 of her own songs on this one. She does interesting
versions of both "Son of A Preacher Man" and "Where's the Playground
Johnny". If more time had been put into "Preacher Man" it may have
become a standard alongside the exquisite Dusty and Aretha's versions.
She did go to number 2 here in my home town with Bacharach-David's
"I'll Never Fall in Love Again" , from this album, just managing to
push Anita Harris to the lower reaches of the charts.
As is probably evident from my contribution, although I don't own every
recording by Bobbie Gentry, I never tire of her style. Needless to say
if she released an album of Australian Rugby Songs I'd like it!
My last praise of her is via "Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell" (Capitol
ST 2928 Australia 196?). Both "My Elusive Dreams" and "Let It Be Me"
got airplay here alongside David Houston and Tammy Wynette's Version.
Next to Bobby Vinton their version of "Elusive Dreams" is my favourite.
Before I go, I heard that Bobbie's real name is Roberta Streeter and
she took her last name from the film Ruby Gentry!
Norman
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Message: 9
Date: Mon, 02 Dec 2002 00:07:47 -0000
From: Ken Silverwood
Subject: Help !!! I need some info.
Hello all, Can anyone help out with further info on two tracks I
possess, they are "Ya Gotta Take A Chance" by Bonnets on Unical 3010
from 1964 & "Hang On" by the Wall Of Sound on either Big Bird or
Tower, I don't have the year. Thanks in anticipation.
Regards, Ken On The West Coast
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Message: 10
Date: Mon, 02 Dec 2002 00:39:11 -0000
From: Mike Edwards
Subject: Ral Donner and Sonny James
A big thank you to the team behind the Jack Nitzsche section of
Spectropop for playing Ral Donner's "I Wish This Night Would Never
End" to the site. The song definitely makes the case for a "Jack
Nitzsche – The Reprise Years" CD. Or indeed any years for that matter
as it seems he produced a CDs worth of tunes for quite a few labels.
Ral's was not the original version of this song though. It appears
that honor goes to Sonny James (NRC, 1960). It was written by C&W
tunesmith, Dan Welch, who also wrote Sonny's 1957 hit, "First Date,
First Kiss, First Love" (don't you just love 50s song titles?). Sonny
had titles covered by Tab Hunter ("Young Love") and Cliff Richard ("The
Minute You're Gone"). It seems he reversed the tables in the late 60s
and dipped into the pop catalog with a vengeance to create C&W #1
hits with such titles as "Take Good Care Of Her"," I'll Never Find
Another You", "A World Of Our Own" and "My Love".
I have played Sonny's version to musica and would like to welcome the
Southern Gentleman to Spectropop. We've got another "battle of the
bands" on our hands.
Those members wishing to acquire some Sonny James' tunes will find a
nice CD on the UK's Connoisseur Collection label, "Young Love And
Other Rock `N' Roll Ballads". Unfortunately, "I Wish This Night.."
and "The Minute You're Gone" are not on this CD.
Mike Edwards
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Message: 11
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 17:03:24 -0500
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: What's for Dessert Ma??
Artie Wayne wrote:
> ...On the "Apple, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie" album Jerry (Ross) hired
> me and my then wife to act as 'Dance Consultants'....for lack of
> a better expression. We'd go to a tracking session....and when
> the track was in the groove.....we'd start dancing to it. He would
> use this as a barometer......until we disagreed on the take to use
> on "Keep the Ball Rolling". He won out and the record went top ten
> .......and we took our 'Dance Consultants' sign down.
What did you do when "Strawberry Shortcake" was recorded?
JB / Ya Can't Sit Down
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Message: 12
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 16:04:25 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: ?? for Artie Wayne
Hey Artie Wayne,
I used to have a friend named Ken Milstein who always told me his
cousin was writing material for Jay and Techniques. Related to you
or to Jerry? Maybe neither!
Steve Harvey
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Message: 13
Date: Mon, 02 Dec 2002 03:45:44 -0000
From: Patrick Rands
Subject: Catherine Spaak
I finally updated the song of the week page of my website and I'm
featuring a song by Catherine Spaak called Prima di te, dopo di te.
I definitely think Spaak is someone that Spectropoppers could get
into especially if you like Ennio Morricone (whom she worked with)
or Francoise Hardy (she covered two of her songs - one she sings in
2 or 3 different languages!). I just recently picked up a fine
double cd set called Flashback - I Grandi Successi Originali (2002)
which has inspired me to bring back the Wonderful Catherine Spaak
webpage.
The Song of the week
http://prands.kity.nu/pramarama/sounds
The Wonderful Catherine Spaak Page
http://prands.kity.nu/catherine.spaak
If you check out her website be sure to read the fascinating article
from Cosmo July, 1964 - included - in it's entirety!
:Patrick
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Message: 14
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 22:57:37 -0500
From: Jeff Lemlich
Subject: The making... and remaking... of a HIT
It turns out Bobby Russell cut "Sure Gonna Miss Her" TWICE for the Hit
label!
His original demo was recorded in January 1965, more than a year before it
became a hit for Gary Lewis & The Playboys. This original, very sparse
recording (under the title, "I'm Going To Miss Her") can be found on the
album "Current Hits Volume 27", on Hit LP #27... an album with lots of
groovy tracks, including the Ronny & The Daytonas moonlighting projects
"Ford G.T." (as Jackie & The Giants) and "California Street" (as the Jalopy
Five)... plus Connie Dee (Landers) covering Lesley Gore's "Look Of Love"!
Move ahead to 1966. Snuff Garrett gives "Sure Gonna Miss Her" a more upbeat
arrangement, adds horns, and gives Gary Lewis a top ten U.S. smash. Never
one to miss a trick, along comes Bobby Russell (under the pseudonym Ed
Hardin), rerecording his OWN song, this time mimicking Snuffy's arrangement!
Talk about covering YOURSELF!
Now move ahead two years to 1968, and the quickie album "20 Top Hits" (Hit
LP 448). It's clear Hit was changing with the times, with covers of "Hello
I Love You", "Sunshine Of Your Love", and "Hurdy Gurdy Man" on side one, but
when you look closer, there on side two you'll find the more than
two-year-old Bobby Russell remake of "Sure Gonna Miss Her". Look even
closer and you'll see some other interesting items here -- for one, the
placement of "Sure Gonna Miss Her":
(side two line-up)
Turn Around Look At Me
Yummy Yummy Yummy
Everybody Loves A Clown
Single Girl
Hanky Panky
Little Green Apples (1)
She's Just My Style (2)
Sure Gonna Miss Her (3)
Everlasting Love(4)
Young Girl
So here we have Bobby Russell performing three Gary Lewis & The Playboys
songs, including one that he wrote himself... plus we get Russell's own
"Little Green Apples", leading off a four-song succession in which song #1
is a current hit record written by an in-house guy... song #2 is the Gary
Lewis hit that happened to precede song #3 on the charts in real-life...
song #3 having been written by the guy who performs it here... followed by
song #4 ("Everlasting Love") that was also written by a long-time Hit
performer, Buzzy Cason, who likely is singing it here! Add to that yet
another Gary Lewis hit performed by Bobby Russell, followed by a cover of a
Sandy Posey song -- the same Sandy Posey who worked and recorded for Hit! --
and there are some mighty cozy connections here!
Jeff Lemlich
http://www.limestonerecords.com
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Message: 15
Date: Sun, 01 Dec 2002 23:46:21 -0500 (EST)
From: Andrew Jones
Subject: Overwhelmed
Eyes bulging. Mouth wide open. Mind spinning at the sheer bounty to
which I have just gained access. That hasn't happened very often in my
life, but it happened when I discovered Spectropop. I've barely begun to
go through the website. And these Daily Digests of e-mails I've been
receiving are just as unbelievable. Reading messages directly from so
many people whose names I've seen in liner notes, CD booklets and
Goldmine magazine. Mick Patrick. Don Charles. Artie Wayne. Frank
Lipsius. Even my ol' pal Doc Rock! (If indeed it's the same guy who
wrote the Liberty Records bio.) When I've calmed down enough to make
sense, I'll send along another e-mail in which I put in my $.02 about
some of the subjects recently covered in this group. Thanks!
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End
