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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. Who were Good and Plenty?
From: Emily
2. Re: Telephone Songs / Ronnie Dante
From: David Coyle
3. Re: Telephone Songs
From: David Coyle
4. Re: What Is Rock & Roll?
From: TD
5. Re: Top Of The Pops clips
From: David Coyle
6. Re: Early Rock & Roll
From: Steve Harvey
7. Re: New At Spectropop
From: David A. Young
8. Re: Telephone songs
From: Andres Jurak
9. Re: Telephone Songs
From: Artie Wayne
10. Re: Normie Rowe, original versions & Artie Wayne!
From: Artie Wayne
11. Good & Plenty?
From: Country Paul
12. Re: "We Can't Go On This Way"
From: Artie Wayne
13. Re: Telephone songs
From: Richard Williams
14. Re: Detergents / Ronnie Dante
From: Kitty Hinkle
15. Re: Page Sessions
From: Marc Miller
16. Who needs a telephone?
From: Stuart Miller
17. Re: Mark Wirtz / Telephone songs
From: Patrick Rands
18. Re: Early Rock & Roll
From: Dan Hughes
19. Question for Artie Wayne
From: Mikey
20. Re: Telephone Songs
From: Phil Milstein
21. Hit Me With Your Croquet Stick!
From: Steve Harvey
22. Marsh/McCartney/Reviewers
From: Alan Gordon
23. I stand corrected, good sir!
From: Steve Harvey
24. Jeff Barry
From: Guy Lawrence
25. www.bbc.co.uk
From: Phil Chapman
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Message: 1
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 15:43:37 -0000
From: Emily
Subject: Who were Good and Plenty?
Who were the duo Douglas Good and Ginny Plenty? I'm doing research for
my Web site, http://www.tonyromeo.net I know that Tony Romeo wrote for
them and Wes Farrell recorded them, right? I read that Douglas Good was
Tony Romeo, but now I think that may be wrong information. Thanks.
Emily
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 03 Mar 2003 12:51:18 -0800 (PST)
From: David Coyle
Subject: Re: Telephone Songs / Ronnie Dante
Of course, Ike and Tina's "Tell Her I'm Not Home" is a transgenderfied
version of "Tell Him I'm Not Home" by the great Chuck Jackson, which I
used for my answering machine message a while back. I let the first two
lines play, then let the rest continue as a bed for the rest of the
message. It was cute while it lasted.
I thought that Yoplait commercial used the original hit version of "Itsy
Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini"?? If so, the original was
by Brian Hyland. Is Ron Dante doing commercial jingles now, like Joey
Levine has been?
BTW, Ron Dante's video for "Sugar Sugar" by the Archies is still playing
regularly on VH-1 Classic. It has Dante miming to the vocals and a
chorus of Ron Dantes pretending to play the various instruments. Oddly
enough, it kind of resembles David Cassidy's clip for "I Think I Love
You."
David
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Message: 3
Date: Mon, 03 Mar 2003 13:21:17 -0800 (PST)
From: David Coyle
Subject: Re: Telephone Songs
There was a compilation released a couple years ago of unreleased tunes
by garage/psych legends the Music Machine called "Ignition." The last
track on the CD is called "902," and it's probably the most
lighthearted song the Music Machine, who specialized in tuned-down
alienation type songs, ever recorded.
In the song, the singer is trying to reach some girl at that extension,
only to get her father on the line. The song pretty much crescendos in
a case of mixed identities, and the verse goes:
"I don't understand, your Linda Lou is only ten?
This has got to be a bummer, I think I got the wrong
number..."
The studio laughter at the end of this verse is very uncharacteristic
of a Music Machine recording, and thus makes it the arguable highlight
of the set. The whole CD is definitely worth checking out.
David
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Message: 4
Date: Mon, 03 Mar 2003 16:43:07 -0500
From: TD
Subject: Re: What Is Rock & Roll?
Shawn:
> Big Momma Thornton should be the the #1 influence in Rock and Roll
> her song is first Rock and Roll song. Little Richard should be #2
> and the King of Rock and Roll.
Interesting choice! Thorton's "Hound Dog" is great. Little Richard
lays claim to the title "Father of Rock and Roll". Richard prefaced
his claim by declaring that Elvis Presley is the King of Rock and Roll
--"there's no disputing that"--but, said Richard, as he was seated at
the piano, "I am The Father of Rock and Roll!", and he launched into
"Tutti Frutti"!
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Message: 5
Date: Mon, 03 Mar 2003 14:01:40 -0800 (PST)
From: David Coyle
Subject: Re: Top Of The Pops clips
These video clips and the archives of Brian Matthew's "Sounds Of The
Sixties" radio show are two great reasons to check out the BBC website.
Thanks to whoever provided the link.
Thirty seconds of "Legend Of Xanadu" was more than adequate for hearing
the lyrics to the spoken passage Dave Dee throws in the middle. It's
kinda buried in the mix on the DDDBMT comp I have.
Dave Cee
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Message: 6
Date: Mon, 03 Mar 2003 16:17:19 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Re: Early Rock & Roll
Tom Taber:
> I found in a local newspaper info on a Minstrel show that was to
> appear here (Albion, NY) in the early 1880s...
Wasn't that about the time of the Rolling Stones first American tour?
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Message: 7
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 08:14:26 -0000
From: David A. Young
Subject: Re: New At Spectropop
Hi, gang,
I've gotten so behind in my reading that tonight I just decided to
ignore everything else on my plate and make a dent in the backlog.
I still have three issues of Goldmine and one of Discoveries,
among other things, to go, but at least I got started.
I finally read the interviews with Phil Spector that appeared in the
London magazines G:2 and Telegraph recently, but the best reading of
the night was right here on Planet Spectropop. Don't know how I ever
made it this long without devouring the pieces on The Lovelites and
Charlotte O'Hara! If you've been denying yourself too, for whatever
reasons, trust me; you want to drop anything else you have going on
and treat yourself to these in-depth, insightful, and sensitive
offerings, written with heart and presented with style. Amazing.
Sorry to be so far behind the curve in adding my praise, but these
essays are too extraordinary to not comment upon.
I also checked out Phil Milstein's recent review of the new Shirley
Ellis CD. Phil's posts have always struck me as well-written and
thoughtful, but this piece is absolute poetry. Add my name to the
list of those convinced by his words to purchase the disc. I enjoyed
the review, along with Phil's linked contribution to the Charlotte
O'Hara article, so much that I spent a great deal of time checking
out the rest of his fantastic song-poem site at http://www.aspma.com
where the link appears. I don't know how I've missed this gem before,
but I'm sure glad I've found (and bookmarked) it now. If you haven't
yet, check it out.
A big thanks to all 863 (and growing) of you that keep this list so
vitally informative, friendly, and fun. An especially big thanks to
those who keep it, and the companion Web site, going behind the
scenes. I can't even imagine how much work that is. After this
evening's experience, I have a fresh resolve to continue to explore
the archived features and digests (and Stuffed Animal's newish
Tico/George Goldner story; I'm afraid that once I got lost in Phil
M's site, I couldn't stay awake long enough to come back to S'pop
and give it the attentive read it obviously deserves). If it's been
a while, I urge you to rediscover for yourself the bounty that is
the Spectropop site. I feel very lucky indeed to be part of it.
David A. Young
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Message: 8
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 10:39:21 -0000
From: Andres Jurak
Subject: Re: Telephone songs
Not an oldie but touchy...
Can't Think Straight - Gilbert O'Sullivan with Peggy Lee
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Message: 9
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 04:55:19 -0800 (PST)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Re: Telephone Songs
One of my favorite telephone songs is "starting all over again"
by Mel and Tim [on one of the Stax labels] a recitation over the
intro sets up the story.....there's dialing...and conversation
......but by the time the record became a hit .......it had been
remastered and the recitation had been deleted.
regards, Artie Wayne
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Message: 10
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 05:19:11 -0800 (PST)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Re: Normie Rowe, original versions & Artie Wayne!
Lindsay.........You oughta' be my publicist!!!! Thanks for saying so many
nice things. Growing up in the 50s' and 60s' yop 40 radio consisted of
the top of all generes playing side by side so I wrote Pop, R+ B , Rock
and country for World artists at the same time. You're freaking me out, I
never knew about any cover records on "Go to him" which I wrote with Bess
Coleman, who was one of the Beatles' press officers. I cut it with her
brother as the London Knights for Laurie records.......That was the last
I heard of it. I'd love to hear the original or a cover - could you please
contact me off list.
Thanks and regards,
Artie Wayne
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Message: 11
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 08:39:19 -0500
From: Country Paul
Subject: Good & Plenty?
Just conjecture - could "Plenty" have been Cassandra Morgan,
who was a member of Romeo's group Trout on MGM? Anyone with
any ideas on that?
Country Paul
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Message: 12
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 05:57:44 -0800 (PST)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Re: "We Can't Go On This Way"
Bob.......Thanks for posting " We can't go on this way" ..... It's as
good as I remembered!!!
regards, Artie
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Message: 13
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 15:38:37 +0000
From: Richard Williams
Subject: Re: Telephone songs
George Leonard wrote:
> He'll Have To Go and This is Dedicated to the One I Love are two songs
> that repay any logical positivist's close reading. Jim Reeves' version
> is better than Solomon Burke's because the diction is country white,
> not black.
As far as I'm concerned, Mr Leonard, the diction on Atlantic 2218 is
Solomon Burke's. But you're very welcome to prefer Jim Reeves' version,
if that's your taste.
Richard Williams
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Message: 14
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 16:20:16 -0000
From: Kitty Hinkle
Subject: Re: Detergents / Ronnie Dante
Laura Pinto:
> Speaking of the Detergents and the Shangri-Las, I came across a rather
> obscure single via eBay about a year ago by the former entitled "I Can
> Never Eat Home Anymore."
Haven't managed to hear "I can never eat at home anymore" but, rest
assured, I'll be on the lookout. As for Ron Dante commercials, he's also
heard on McD's old "you deserve a break today" as well as some for Coke,
American Airlines and Budweiser. Never let it be said he's not diverse!
Kitty
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Message: 15
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 12:17:15 -0500
From: Marc Miller
Subject: Re: Page Sessions
Phil M:
> I have become very hungry for a compilation of Jimmy Page's session
> work. I know one or two have trickled out over the years, but those
> have unfortunately passed me by. Can anyone tip me to the top-level
> details of any such comps? Eagerly awaiting a hearty dose of that
> pipin' hot guitar
Amazingly, there's a comp coming out in April on Fuel2000 (distr. by
Universal, but then so is everything...). Besides the Yardbirds it's
got Les Fleur De Lys, The Authentics, The Talismen, The Masterminds
and a few others. Comprehensive? Not even close. A good start? Well,
something is better than nothing.
Marc
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Message: 16
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 17:23:41 -0000
From: Stuart Miller
Subject: Who needs a telephone?
George L
Call that being let down by your woman George? Give me a break. This
happened to me. Except it wasn't just my woman that done me wrong, oh no.
When your best friend tells you that he saw your girl out with somebody
new, well, you'd believe that it's true, your best friend would never be
lying to you now would he? Heck, how was I to know he loved her too? I
was betrayed.
Now in situations like this, and it does happen George, most people
would have the decency to just suppress it, so as to not cause pain to
anyone else. But he was always around and just to impress her he would
put me down. But old good natured me, I laughed off the things that he
said about me, oh indeed I did.
And you may well ask, because I did afterwards, how much of a fool can
one guy be? "Buddies to the end", he always said we'd be buddies to the
end. But what kind of friend is he, taking my girl, when he knew that
she meant the world to me? Yep, I was betrayed. For as long as I live,
I'll never forget her enough to forgive. Why do this to me? Too late I
see, I was betrayed.
When I look back at the whole thing afterwards, I don't understand why
my "pal" drew attention to the situation in the first place. And I
notice I fall into the usual trap in these situations of blaming one or
other of the two parties, but in truth they were both to blame.
I wish I could tell you it all ended happily and that I won her back but
alas........... They're still together, probably glued to each other by
some sticky substance called guilt. He became an accountant, she became
a dog trainer, and they had the usual 2.3 children and live happily in
Iowa. They send me a Christmas card every year. I on the other hand
fell into a life of despondency and depression as a result of the whole
affair. Down on my luck, constantly short of cash, and following a path
of utter aimlessness through life, I eventually had no alternative but
to resort to the profession of the despised and desperate - I became a
singer. Mine is the story of the rags to star. The world at my feet,
huh, but I've come too far, and, I think I'd better stop now, I'm
getting very confused.
with apologies to Sandy and Denny
Stuart
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Message: 17
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 17:30:09 -0000
From: Patrick Rands
Subject: Re: Mark Wirtz / Telephone songs
Looky Looky - there is a review of Pop Works II here too (way down the
page): http://www.shindig-magazine.com/reviews-feb2003-1.html
Also Mark Eric, Voices Of The Millennium, and the Forum on Rev-ola get
reviews too. What a great site.
I went through a Thomas Fritsch phase many years ago when I got my hands
on two of his albums. Anyone know anything about this guy? I once had a
party in which me and my guests played night croquet with the Thomas
Fritsch lps playing on the outdoor speakers. Very strange night!
I thought of another Telephone song - The Pengion Cafe Orchestra have a
fun song in which they use a dial tone in the rhythm as a melody. It was
featured in the Oliver Stone / Eric Bogosian movie Talk Radio. I think
it was called Telephone and Rubber Band. I wonder if the "new" Joel
Schumacher movie Phone Booth will have any phone songs.
:Patrick
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Message: 18
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 13:22:04 -0600
From: Dan Hughes
Subject: Re: Early Rock & Roll
Tom Taber:
> I found in a local newspaper info on a Minstrel show that
> was to appear here (Albion, NY) in the early 1880s...
Steve Harvey:
> Wasn't that about the time of the Rolling Stones first
> American tour?
No, Steve, that was their famous Second Comeback Tour....
---Dan
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Message: 19
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 15:33:07 -0800
From: Mikey
Subject: Question for Artie Wayne
For Artie Wayne:
Do you recall who the drummer was on Brian Hyland's "The
Joker Went Wild"? It sounds a bit like Hal Blaine, but not
overly so. Was it recorded in LA? Western?
Thanks so much!
Mikey
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Message: 20
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 14:53:09 +0000
From: Phil Milstein
Subject: Re: Telephone Songs
David Coyle wrote:
> "I don't understand, your Linda Lou is only ten?
> This has got to be a bummer, I think I got the wrong
> number..."
Sounds from the description like a play on another 'phone
song I don't recall having seen mentioned here yet, Chuck
Berry's "Memphis TN."
--Phil M.
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Message: 21
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 12:57:55 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Hit Me With Your Croquet Stick!
Patrick Rands wrote:
> I once had a party in which me and my guests played
> night croquet with the Thomas Fritsch LPs playing on
> the outdoor speakers. Very strange night!
Wasn't Thomas Fritsch the composer who only used a
croquet mallet and a large supply of mice in his
recordings?
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Message: 22
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 13:01:09 -0800
From: Alan Gordon
Subject: Marsh/McCartney/Reviewers
Dan Hughes wrote re. Dave Marsh's book
> Marsh's book of the best 1001 singles of all time really
> dissed Tina Turner's "River Deep - Mountain High"
> - ruined the whole book for me.
Hi Dan:
Sorry, I'm VERY behind in my reading, but I thought I should
comment on this. (How completely un-Zen of me).
This situation always leaves me sorta flat. "Bad" reviewers
seem to think that someone of lofty import had died and left
them the single arbiter of taste, style, talent, etc. It
shouldn't, but it annoys the heck outta me. From my
experience, I've noticed that most reviewers are frustrated
or lazy at whatever craft they review. I think Tom Wolfe
said that (and I seriously paraphrase): Reviewers are mad
because you didn't write their novel, or paint their picture,
or play their song (etc.)... meanwhile... they're not. And
then of course there's the age-old wisdom: Those that can,
do. Those that can't, teach. And those that can't teach,
teach gym.
I just finished a great older book, that besides a few
comments, was a fountain of information about The Byrds.
And I thought I was pretty knowledgeable about these guys.
The writer, early on, talks about how Chris Hillman, at this
particular point, had far-surpassed Paul McCartney in his
ability to play bass. I know most of us think that what we
"know," is what is true. But as great a bass player as Chris
is, well, in my humble estimation, he's no McCartney. Paul
had a far-reaching understanding of arrangement and production
that did so much for his bass playing. He knew where a note
fitted or was "needed" and where it wasn't. He didn't have
to play a lot of notes to impress anyone. Everything he did
"served" the song.
And in saying all of this, I have to state that Chris was a
serious mother-%$#@&* on his 4 stringed instrument. But that's
just my opinion.
I'll go to my room now.
peace,
albabe
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Message: 23
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 13:30:14 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: I stand corrected, good sir!
Tom Taber:
> I found in a local newspaper info on a Minstrel
> show that was to appear here (Albion, NY) in the early
> 1880s...
Steve Harvey:
> Wasn't that about the time of the Rolling Stones
> first American tour?
> No, Steve, that was their famous Second Comeback
> Tour....
Before Brian Jones joined them?
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Message: 24
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 22:00:08 -0000
From: Guy Lawrence
Subject: Jeff Barry
What's the sum total of the group's knowledge about Jeff Barry's
time with the Spartans? All I know is that their "Can You Waddle?"
is one of the greatest dance craze records ever made.
Regards,
Guy.
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Message: 25
Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 22:02:35 -0000
From: Phil Chapman
Subject: www.bbc.co.uk
Keith Beach:
> I'd like to report...the excellent TV documentary series,
> Lost Highway: The Story Of Country Music, playing on BBC2
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/folkcountry/losthighway/
> reached the late 50s on Saturday.
David Coyle:
> These video clips and the archives of Brian Matthew's
> "Sounds Of The Sixties" radio show are two great reasons
> to check out the BBC website.
Thanks all, found a neat audio clip of La La Brooks talking
about "the mad recording technique of record producer Phil
Spector."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutmusic/rockandpop/1963.shtml
It's a great pity they disposed of so much video footage
from the period.
Phil
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