________________________________________________________________________
______________ ______________
______________ ______________
______________ S P E C T R O P O P ______________
______________ ______________
________________________________________________________________________
Jamie LePage (1953-2002)
http://www.spectropop.com/Jamie.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Penny Valentine
From: Team Spectropop
2. Re: Bob Gaudio/Nick Massi
From: Phil Chapman
3. Re: River of Salt
From: Steve Harvey
4. Re: Ketty Lester's CD
From: Mike Edwards
5. Re: Disbanded but not forgotten
From: Eddy Smit
6. Grads' 45 on E-Bay
From: Mike Edwards
7. Wildweeds CD; Ambient Sound; more Seasons; Pet Projects; more
From: Country Paul
8. Nick DeCaro
From: Kingsley Abbott
9. Re: Nick DeCaro on 45 / Irma Thomas
From: Bill Reed
10. Re: Midnight Mary
From: Dan Hughes
11. Re: Disbanded but not forgotten
From: Dan Hughes
12. Re: "River of Salt" / Penny Valentine
From: Richard Williams
13. Jeff Barry Production Stats
From: Stuffed Animal
14. Re: Disbanded but not forgotten
From: Stephane Rebeschini
15. Re: Bob Crewe & the 4 Seasons
From: Ken Charmer
16. Re: Ketty Lester
From: Amber
17. Richard Gottehrer
From: Richard Williams
18. Re: Vigrass & Osborne
From: Andrew Jones
19. Re: Jeff Barry Production Stats
From: Monophonius
20. Re: Duos
From: James Botticelli
21. Re: Bob Crewe & the 4 Seasons
From: Mike Miller
22. Various items
From: Country Paul
23. I'm a little, lost lamb
From: Steve Harvey
24. Re: Bob Crewe & the 4 Seasons
From: Billy G. Spradlin
25. Re: Aztec Two Step, Cashman & West
From: Justin McDevitt
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 15:13:43 -0000
From: Team Spectropop
Subject: Penny Valentine
Penny Valentine (1943 - 2003)
'The first woman to write about pop music as though it
really mattered'
When the Beatles travelled to London to promote their early
records, one of their ports of call was the office of Disc
And Music Echo on Fleet Street. In the words of Andrew Loog
Oldham, then acting as their press officer, they went to
"ogle and fawn over" Penny Valentine, who had become Britain's
most influential reviewer of new pop singles. Valentine was
worth fawning over, then and for the remainder of her life,
which ended last week at the age of 59 after a long struggle
with cancer...
To read the rest of Penny's Guardian obituary, written by her
friend Richard Williams, follow the URL below:
http://www.spectropop.com/remembers/PVobit.htm
The Spectropop Team
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 00:38:48 -0000
From: Phil Chapman
Subject: Re: Bob Gaudio/Nick Massi
Adam Guida:
> Anybody who's thinking of pitching in on the
> Crewe/Seasons thread oughta check out the Charles Calello
> interview at the Genuine Imitation Life website first.
> http://www.genuine-imitation-life-gazette.com/
> Charlie gives his opinion on the influences of everybody
> involved, and he sure holds Bob Gaudio in very high regard.
> Also interesting to hear that Nick Massi had more of an
> influence on the group than you might think.
Interesting interview, which sheds some light one of my favourite
Seasons-sounding cuts, "Baby Toys" by Charlie Calello's group, The
Victorians, produced by Nick Massi. This is "Mr Tambourine Man"
meets "Big Man In Town", the original version of the song that
Linzer/Randell later transformed for the Toys (adding the somewhat
politically-incorrect line "never knew an indian could be so smart"!)
Now playing at musica.
Phil
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 16:45:52 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Re: River of Salt
Thanks Ian, no wonder I never found the original.
Never heard of Miss Ketty.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 04:00:14 -0000
From: Mike Edwards
Subject: Re: Ketty Lester's CD
Ian Chapman asks:
> Has there been an OFFICIAL CD Ketty Lester collection?
NO. The only Ketty Lester CD I know of is the Marginal BOOTLEG,
entitled "Love Letters". Tracks include:
River Of Salt
Love Letters
Please Don't Cry Anymore
Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid
Once Upon A Time
Moscow Nights (a vocal version of Midnight In Moscow)
It doesn't include:
You Can't Lie To A Liar
I'll Be Looking Back
Secret Love
Pretty Lies, Pretty Make Believe (a Van McCoy song on RCA in 1965)
Incidentally, "You Can't Lie To a Liar" was written by Paul Hampton,
a gentleman who has been getting some favorable mentions on this site
recently.
Mike Edwards
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 06:55:03 +0100
From: Eddy Smit
Subject: Re: Disbanded but not forgotten
Nick Archer:
> As a DJ in the 70s, it was hard to keep up with the duos.
Speaking of duos, does anybody remember title of the (minor)
hit by Teegarden & Van Winkel ?
Eddy
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 04:10:35 -0000
From: Mike Edwards
Subject: Grads' 45 on E-Bay
Don Hertel writes:
>I bid on the Grads 45 on eBay, but I got sniped.
I won this 45 and would be pleased to play an mp3 to musica.
Please post a reminder in a couple of weeks to allow time for
the record to arrive.
Mike Edwards
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 05:40:18 -0500
From: Country Paul
Subject: Wildweeds CD; Ambient Sound; more Seasons; Pet Projects; more
Just received the Wildweeds CD (finally a legit reissue with
lots of new tracks on Confidential Records). Great clean copies.
"No Good To Cry" is in stereo for the first time; another highlight
is an very credible cover of the Soul Sisters' '63 hit on Sue,
"I Can't Stand It". It was a conspiricacy of bad luck that these
guys never became hitmakers. Find the CD; great booklet, too.
John Clemente wrote:
> [George David] Weiss ... was a veteran songwriter who continued
> writing into the R&R era to keep up with the times.
He also wrote "Can't Help Falling In Love" for Elvis.
Thanks, Jeffrey Glenn, for mentioning Jerry Cole's version of "Midnight
Mary." I'd forgotten his name - I actually heard his version first and
remember liking it better.
David Feldman wrote:
> I love [The Jive Five's] 1982 album, "Here We Are," on Ambient Sound
> (distributed by CBS), part of a series in which doo-wop groups tackled
> new and old material. I assume none of the albums in this series (the
> other particularly strong ones were the Harptones and the Capris) ever
> made it to CD.
I have several of the series, and agree with your comments. I'm
not sure about the migration to CD, but "Morse Code of Love",
from the Capris' album, was the last new doo-wop record to chart,
a huge hit in New York in '82 and a significant one in many other
markets. (It was also successfully covered by Manhattan Transfer.)
Movies: "Standing In The Shadows of Motown," as of last week,
was still playing at the Screening Room in downtown Manhattan.
And Deena, thanks for the "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" review
- it "opens wide" next week, and I'll be there.
My two cents on Four Seasons faves: I always liked their VeeJay
period best, with my personal faves being "Candy Girl" and "Connie
-O". Both the intro and the fade of the former are still chill-
inducing.
And Mike Miller: "Billy Dixon" indeed. I think I got confused because
I remember a Matthew Reid 45 also on Topix (I think) - was that also
the Seasons? I don't remember the songs....
"Colourcoat", thanks for the heads-up on "Pet Projects." After almost
40 years (40 years????) I'm going to have a copy of the Survivors'
"After The Game"! I've been searching for and raving about this beautiful instrumental which has been a buried B-side for far too long. Can't wait
for the CD! (Dispatches like this are just one more reason to love
Spectropop!)
Rosemarie, the Eddie Rambeau site is a treat. Nice links, too (got to
Teddy & the Pandas from it; Spectropop is also linked).
Re: Neil Sedaka, anyone know where "Fly Don't Fly On Me" fits into his
chronology? I remember it getting some airplay in New York, and think
it might have been pre-"Diary". Help, please?
Been out of touch awhile - more soon.
Country Paul
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 13:23:37 -0000
From: Kingsley Abbott
Subject: Nick DeCaro
Don't forget that Nick DeCaro cut a pretty nice cover
of 'Caroline No' from the Pet sounds album (A&M 1000)
Kingsley
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 9
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 15:37:12 -0000
From: Bill Reed
Subject: Re: Nick DeCaro on 45 / Irma Thomas
Mick P:
> I'll start the "Nick DeCaro on 45" ball rolling, if I may. I have
> at my side a rather delicious CD, "Time Is On My Side - The Best Of
> Irma Thomas"...
Here's what I have on Nick and Irma in my discography:
ND may have made contributions to unreleased Irma Thomas album Imperial
LP 9325 [1966]. ND is known to have been associated with her following
Imperial singles "He's My Guy" arr prod/" (I Want a) True, True Love"
prod (Imp.66080), "Times Have Changed" arr prod /"Moments to Remember"
prod (Imperial 66069), "Think Again", "Maybe", "Long After Tonight Is
All Over" arr, prod (the last three rec. 1963 but not rel. until 1992
(Minit CDP - 97988) and (participation unverified) track of "While the
City Sleeps" note: In 1974 ND rec. a very different version of this
Randy Neman song for "Italian Graffiti." ND was also prod (and most
likely arr) for the following released Irma Thomas CD tracks: "Think
Again", "Long After Tonight is Over", "Maybe".
Bill Reed
http://www.pinkywinters.com
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 10
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 10:13:35 -0600
From: Dan Hughes
Subject: Re: Midnight Mary
Country Paul sez,
> ...Jerry Cole's version of "Midnight Mary"...I actually heard his
> version first and remember liking it better.
Me too! Where'd you grow up, Paul? The rock station in Indianapolis
played the Jerry Cole version for a week or two, then switched to the
Joey Powers version--what a bummer.
---Dan
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 11
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 10:17:13 -0600
From: Dan Hughes
Subject: Re: Disbanded but not forgotten
Eddy asks:
> Speaking of duos, does anybody remember title of the (minor)
> hit by Teegarden & Van Winkel ?
It wasn't all that minor, Eddy. God, Love and Rock and Roll
went to #22 in 1970. (To me, a minor hit is one that made the
Hot 100 but not the Top 40. Anybody else like that definition?)
---Dan
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 19:30:40 +0000
From: Richard Williams
Subject: Re: "River of Salt" / Penny Valentine
1. Ian is right: Bryan Ferry took "River of Salt" from the
Ketty Lester recording.
2. Penny Valentine's funeral took place today at Golders Green
crematorium in north London. Dusty's "Goin' Back", Aretha's
"I Say a Little Prayer" and the Four Tops' "Reach Out I'll Be
There" were played, which means that Goffin and King, Bacharach
and David, and Holland-Dozier-Holland were also represented.
Among those in attendance were Vicki Wickham and Nona Hendryx.
Richard Williams
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 13
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 19:43:43 +0000
From: Stuffed Animal
Subject: Jeff Barry Production Stats
Recently, someone on this list tallied up the production successes of Bob
Crewe and Phil Spector, among others. Let's toss Jeff Barry into the mix,
why don't we? Between 1963 and 1983, he racked up the following stats as a
producer or co-producer, based on my research:
83 charting Pop singles . . .
33 Top Forty Pop hits . . .
4 Number One pop singles ("Chapel Of Love," "Leader Of The Pack," "Sugar,
Sugar" and "I'm A Believer") . . .
12 Top Ten Pop singles . . .
26 charting Pop albums, including a Number One album (More Of The Monkees).
. .
. . . and it bears noting that on some releases, he did not receive label
credit as producer (i. e. Dixie Cups, Shangri-Las). Overall, Jeff Barry has
scored a grand total of 110 charting Pop albums and singles at my last
count. In 1970, Billboard Magazine named him the second most successful
producer in the country (Norman Whitfield was in first place).
All of the aforementioned were rock 'n roll productions, including such
classic titles as "Be My Baby," "Baby, I Love You," "Leader Of The Pack,"
"Remember (Walkin' In The Sand)," "Chapel Of Love," "Montego Bay," "Cherry,
Cherry" and "Sugar, Sugar." Yet, he can't get nominated to the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame. Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil wrote the most popular rock
'n' roll tune of all-time, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'," and they can't
get nominated either! Is something wrong with this picture? Damn right
there is!
Stuff
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 20:50:53 +0100
From: Stephane Rebeschini
Subject: Re: Disbanded but not forgotten
> Speaking of duos, does anybody remember title of the (minor)
> hit by Teegarden & Van Winkel ?
Teegarden and Van Winkle : "God, Love And Rock And Roll", 1970
More about them there :
http://www.borderlinebooks.com/us6070s/fuzz.html
Thay are also responsible of the LP "Experimental Groundwork", supposed
to have been recorded under hypnosis !! The sleeve mentions that "You
are advised to read the booklet included before playing the record".
The said booklet is a must read, the writer (Gemini III !) explaining
that, in case the record player malfunctions, you will merely fall
asleep and wake up soon...
Stephane
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 15
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 21:00:24 +0000
From: Ken Charmer
Subject: Re: Bob Crewe & the 4 Seasons
Our good friend Stuart Miller has a devilish side to his nature and his
'wind-up' statement that the Four Seasons would have been as big without Bob
Crewe is entirely unsupportable as others have argued. Every great group
needs a leader outside the group with the vision, leadership, imagination,
money and influence. Bob was clearly amongst the best in terms of his
management style autocratic in some respects yet consultative in others.
Charles Calello recognises (in his interview on the G_I_L_G website) that he
and Bob Gaudio were 'couch potatoes' and Frankie Valli's drive and Bob
Crewes imagination/experimentation was the key to the unique material they
produced. It was therefore a team effort albeit a stormy relationship at
times. Yes, Valli's drive and desire for success would have given him some
hits with other producers. However the Unique 'Sound of Frankie Valli' as it
was labelled on disc was a blend that added to his exceptional voice. Bob
Gaudio clearly resented much of the control Crewe exercised. The string of
developing and successful sounds from the group was stepped up when they
reached Philips. 'Dawn' changed everything. And that success continued until
Bob Crewe lost his way. Accepting the advice of his astrologer to break up
his companies was clearly an aberration that coincided with his break-up
with the Four Seasons as they (really Bob Gaudio) sought to change their
sound. Success was to desert the uncontrolled Bob Gaudio until 1974. Enter
Bob Crewe again to deliver the songs and influence. Bob Gaudio's success
working independently with Judy Parkers writing was his only success during
this period. Crewe's influence on all of the best of the Seasons
demonstrates that whilst their individual talent may have generated some
hits, it was during Crewe's influential (and sane!!) periods that they did
the work that will be recognised by future generations. I only realised this
fully since I started researching Bob's back catalogue and with so many
artists who he helped produce outstanding music which is unheard by many
60's /70's collectors and DJ,s. But thanks Stuart for stirring us up.
Ken
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 21:30:19 -0000
From: Amber
Subject: Re: Ketty Lester
Hey World,
On the rare occasion my complexion lets me down, and I am
forced to cancel a date, my dear Mom always cheers me up by
reminding me that, no matter how bad things might seem,
there's always someone out there who's worse off than yourself.
I was at a low ebb today. What's a girl to do when hairspray
is on the banned list? Just when I thought life couldn't
possibly get any worse, I discover that some poor lamb has never
heard of Ketty Lester. Good old Mom, right again.
Maybe the Utterly Marvellous Simon White will put the poor guy
out of his misery and play Ketty's "Nice 'N' Easy" on his show
this Sunday?
A.v.T.
xxx
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 17
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 22:00:44 +0000
From: Richard Williams
Subject: Richard Gottehrer
Richard Gottehrer will be interviewed by Charlie Gillett on
BBC London 94.9FM tomorrow night (Saturday) from 2000-2200 hrs
GMT. Apparently the programme is streamed for seven days and
can be found on http://www.bbc.co.uk/london
Richard Williams
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 18
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 17:05:42 -0500 (EST)
From: Andrew Jones
Subject: Re: Vigrass & Osborne
Javed Jafri: I came across Vigrass & Osborne's album QUEUES
in the early 1980's, when I was working at my college's radio
station. Sadly, the only track I can remember from the disc
is the original version of "Forever Autumn", which later became
a hit for Justin Hayward.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 19
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 22:23:57 -0000
From: Monophonius
Subject: Re: Jeff Barry Production Stats
Absolutely right on!!! The real architects of the foundations
of rock n' roll need to have some recognition in the Rock Hall.
And that means Bob Crewe, Barry & Greenwich, Mann & Weil (Goffin
& King are there already!), Jack Nitzsche, all the great session
players in LA, NYC, Philly, Nashville, Detroit, Memphis who played
and created the best of rock! There are others, too that were
integral to the development of the rock that we all know and love.
I could go on and on about this! Pete Seeger, Mahalia Jackson,
Bill Monroe, Nat King Cole are in the Rock Hall--and they hated
rock music! What is the compelling reason for placing them in the
Hall? It boggles the mind!
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 20
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 17:44:27 -0500
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: Duos
Two on the aisle for: Paul & Paula, Santo & Johnny, Flo & Eddie, Johnnie &
Joe, The Kalin Twins, Mel & Tim, Everly Brothers, Addrissi Brothers, Phil &
Lil, Simon & Garfunkel, McFadden & Whitehead, Hall & Oates, Marvin & Tammi,
Felix & Jarvis, Womack & Womack, Pacific Gas & Electric, Marvin & Johnny,
Mickey & Sylvia, Tom & Jerry, Steve & Eydie, Ashford & Simpson, Donnie &
Marie, Boyce & Hart, Sonny & Cher, Jan & Dean, Jan & Arnie, Ferrante &
Teicher, AC/DC, Cheech & Chong, Homer & Jethro, Dick & Dee Dee, Chad &
Jeremy, Ike & Tina, Sam & Dave, Bob & Earl, Captain & Tenille, Skip & Flip,
Lee & Paul, Delaney & Bonnie, Buchannan & Ancell, Bruce & Terry, Grey &
Hanks, Nino Tempo & April Stevens, Loggins & Messina, Yarborough & Peoples,
Righteous Brothers, LeBlanc & Carr, Sam & Bill, Lyme & Cybelle, Peaches &
Herb, Seals & Crofts, Billie & Lillie, Pratt & McClain, Fire & Rain, Shirley
& Squirrely, Mouth & MacNeal, James & Bobby Purify, Shirley & Lee, Peter &
Gordon, Jon & Vangelis, Delbert & Glen, Gallagher & Lyle, England Dan & John
Ford Coley, Rene & Angela, George & Gene, Etta & Harvey, Friend & Lover,
Zager & Evans, Stark & McBrien, Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazelwood, Serge
Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin, Hugo & Luigi, Edd Byrnes & Connie Stevens, Jerry
Butler & Betty Everett, Bell & James, Rene & Rene, Dale & Grace, Marilyn
McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., Alive & Kickin', Milli Vanilli, and certainly
Crockett & Tubbs~
Love, JB
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 21
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 19:47:21 EST
From: Mike Miller
Subject: Re: Bob Crewe & the 4 Seasons
Ken, that was an excellent read on the careers of these people.
I could not have said it better. Bob Crewe certainly must have
had something, because when things worked, they worked awfully
well !!! Of course, there were many bombs in the early 60s too,
so it seems that it took a special "friction" to create some of
these masterpieces. So well said, Ken, thanks for those comments !!
Mike Miller
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 22
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 18:56:35 -0500
From: Country Paul
Subject: Various items
Regarding http://www.recordmaster.com - has anyone figured out
the logic of their listing system? It isn't alphabetical, nor
numerical, nor chronological. Just what IS their system?!?
Patrick, thanks for the lead to http://www.artiebutler.com - if
you go in with the volume up you get a minute of "Sally Go Round...."
as a welcome. And the "Sally" story is a gem!
Guy Lawrence cites Vic Dana - "Lovey Kravezit"/"Hello Roomate"
(Verna Blackwell) Dolton Records NO.317. Interesting - "Hello Roomate"
was also the flip of Vic Dana's hit, "Little Altar Boy". I remain
amazed that a song as lame as "Lovey Kravezit" has had so many lives.
Mike Edwards cites last week's New York Times articlew:
> "[S]ales of compact discs have fallen as much as 10% this year
> as CD-Burning and Internet file-sharing proliferate". Really?
> And there's poor old me thinking that the decline was due to
> the quality of the music!
Certainly from the major labels. I've been seeing a fair number of
artists lately who are selling their CDs from the stage of their
venues. Guaranteed, these don't get counted by SoundScan, yet I know
the CD pressing plants are busy with lots of these 1000-to-2000 copy
runs. I'd amend Mike's comment to read "decline [in] the quality of
music pushed by the majors". Who needs another Britney Spears? Wasn't
the first one enough?
Martin Roberts, thanks for Them's "I Am Waiting" at the Jack Nitzsche
page. Same "Them" as Van Morrison's group?
Unlike those who think the Four Seasons could do no wrong, I disagree
- but they did so much right, and I'm learning a lot from this remarkable thread.
Thanks to whoever mentioned "No Surfin' Today" - a forgotten treat.
And the collection of and connections with the various artists who
fronted them is fascinating. I've got some digging through my collection
to do! (And Billy Spradlin, "Connie-O" got a bunch of airplay in
Providence, RI when it was new. Then there are the tracks Mick P.
mentioned....)
Finally, I just ordered "Pet Projects" from Collector's Choice.
They've also got a clearance section, and I picked up Charlie Rich's
Sun (actually Sam Philips International) sessions CD for less than $6.
There are some good titles on the clearance list.
Country Paul
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 23
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 17:25:16 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: I'm a little, lost lamb
Hey, at least I'm trying to find out about the original tunes.
Always prided myself on seeking out the original versions of
tunes, but "River of Salt" always eluded my quest, until now.
Ketty Lester!?!? Where would I find out about her if it wasn't
for Spectropoppadoc?
The local oldies station distorts the past so much you'd think
that the only soul tunes released were all on Motown (and there
were only 10 them according to the ones they play again and again
and again). When I heard the Kit Kats sing "Oh My Angel" I was
able to track down the original by Bertha Tilman so I'm not
totally lost in the woods.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 24
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2003 02:18:45 -0000
From: Billy G. Spradlin
Subject: Re: Bob Crewe & the 4 Seasons
I agree with Ken here, I doubt The Seasons, Diane Renay or
any of the artists Bob Crewe worked with would have been
successful if it wasn't for his production work. The biggest
problem is many of the independent record companies he made
his best records for (like AMY) were just too small to make
a national impact. Crewe was making "hot mixes" years before
the term, his 45s are mastered super hot with maxxed-out
compression and lots of bass and high end boost to blast out
of AM car radios.
I have read that Berry Gordy and Crewe were freinds and shared
many ideas. The stomping opening of "Where Did Our Love Go?"
is right outta the Seasons handbook and so's the ledgendary
over-EQ and compression of many Motown 45s.
To "pull apart" the Seasons and say that one member was more
important than the others is like disecting a championship
sports team. Each memember played a important role in the
success and if one part "lost his way" (like Crewe did) the
group went the same way.
BTW I've played to musica one of my favorite Crewe productions
from 62-3, Matthew Reid's "Lollypops Went Out of Style". It's a
silly song but Crewe tosses in all his best production gimmicks
for a really great sounding record.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 25
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 22:38:31 -0700
From: Justin McDevitt
Subject: Re: Aztec Two Step, Cashman & West
Javed Jafri wrote:
> I remember Batdorf and Rodney. There seemed to be a virtual explosion
> of folksy duos in the wake of the success of Seals and Corfts/ Brewer
> and Shipley. Does anyone recall Vigrass and Osborne or Tufano and
> Giamarese (ex Buckinghams) or Aztec Two Step or Cashman and West.
Hi Javed and group,
I wore out my copy of Aztec Two step's first Lp from 1972. The Highway Song
is a beautiful track. I shamelessly employed its reflective melody to woo
co-eds while pursuing higher education.
Track three, (side 1) is an ode to Dean Moriarty, Sal Paradise's alter ego
in Jack Kerouac's On the Road. The character of Moriarty is supposed to be
based on Neil Cassidy, a compadre and soulmate to Kerouac with regard to
"everything beat" The song Cassidy on Bob Weir's 1972 solo Lp is a favorite
of mine.
Cashman and West, good Philly boys and friends to Jim Croci. I have their Lp
with City Suite, (not sure about this song title), It takes up all of side
1. I love their later composition, "we're Talkin Baseball" song in which
they devote an individual song, (same melody), which incorporates the names
of well-known players from teams in both the American and National leagues.
Does anyone in the group have a copy of the Lp which contains these Odes to
the Boys of Summer?
And then there's Fairport Convension, Pentangle, Steeley Span, Renaissance.
Such an english sound, transforming old folk balads and old-sounding songs
penned by individual band members. Who is the lead singer for Renaissance? I
don't want to go down to the basement and root around trying to locate the
Lp and then wake my wife up, so she can read the band personnel names.
In this vein, I hear that these electronic geniuses are working on a
hand-held reading machine (designed for us visually challenged folks, and
those too lazy or indolent to read on their own) which uses synthetic
speech. This device will be able to scan almost anything, (including x-rays
of my enlarged tonsils, a birth defect that I live with and tolerate until
I'm visited by the nasty sore throat demon).
All right now. Enough jocularity. Time for bed. A high tomorrrow of three
deg above zero (f) here in the Twin Cities, and even colder next week. (You
either live it, or live with it). Is this quote from a Firesign Theater Lp?
Yours in frigidity, Justin
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
End
