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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. Mello Cads Unplugged This Thursday
From: David Ponak
2. Re: Where The (Amy/Mala/Bell) Girls Are
From: Mick Patrick
3. RE: Jeff Foskett & Billy Hinsche
From: Robbie McCabe
4. Re: Where The Girls Are
From: Mike Carter
5. New website....new project
From: Artie Wayne
6. Canterbury Music Festival
From: Country Paul
7. Re: Friend & Lover
From: Phil Reynolds
8. Detroit website
From: Country Paul
9. Re: Sonny Bloch’s Elephants
From: Jeff Lemlich
10. Re: Canterbury Music Festival
From: Rat Pfink
11. paul simon
From: Alan Gordon
12. Sundazed - girl-group reissues
From: Mike Edwards
13. Re: thee Wild Angels
From: Mick Patrick
14. Missing Joanie Sommers 45
From: Ron Weekes
15. B T Puppy Records
From: Mike Edwards
16. Re: Canterbury Music Festival/Bessie Banks date
From: James Botticelli
17. Betty Barnes; early Shangs?; Nino & April; Sam Cooke songs; R&RHOF
From: Country Paul
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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 13:14:55 -0500
From: David Ponak
Subject: Mello Cads Unplugged This Thursday
Hey folks,
This Thursday will mark the first 2003 appearance of
Mello Cads! It will be a stripped down affair featuring
myself, keyboard virtuoso Bob Remstein and omnipresent
guitar god Probyn Gregory.
We'll be doing an unusual set of brand new originals, never
heard covers and who knows what else!
Oh, and the admission is FREE! Our set is at 9PM. (Sharp!)
See below for complete lineup info!
Get there early if you want to get a seat.
THURSDAY MARCH 20, 2003
Highland Grounds
742 N. Highland Ave. (just north of Melrose)
Hollywood 323-466-1507
Hope to see you there.
David
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Message: 2
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 00:22:24 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Re: Where The (Amy/Mala/Bell) Girls Are
Me:
> To date MB and I have included tracks by the lovely Tracey Dey
> on three legit CDs. The folk at Sundazed have a licensing deal
> with BMG for Bell/Amy/Mala material. Perhaps it's time a US
> label got involved in the girl-group reissue scene instead of
> leaving the job to us Brits. Howzabout it, Ephram?
Billy G. Spradlin:
> I agree - Sundazed is an outstanding label but besides their fine
> reissue of the Toys first album and the garage band Luv'd Ones,
> they have done nothing else in the girl group genre. Maybe they
> should contact you two to have you conceive their compilations?
I'd love to see an Amy/Mala/Bell-derived girl-group CD in the racks.
I'm sure Sundazed would consider such a project if they thought it
would sell. Maybe they have no g-g fans or experts on staff. Who
knows? I must say that they have done a sensational job with their
very recent "The Daisy/Tiger Story" CD. Excellent info in the
booklet. I always wanted to know the exact recording date of Bessie
Banks' "Go Now". Now I do. There's a great previously unissued
alternate take of the B-side "It Sounds Like My Baby" too.
MICK PATRICK
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Message: 3
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 20:00:55 -0500
From: Robbie McCabe
Subject: RE: Jeff Foskett & Billy Hinsche
Kingsley Abbott wrote:
> A splendid day, topped only by the news that on his return
> Mr Foskett is spending much time in the studio working
> towards a running order for a live Smile performance for Brian
> Wilson to debut in London early next year. As expected it's
> finally coming...expect approx 40 minutes of Smile without
> any breaks! More news when I know...
For Brian Wilson/Beach Boys fanatics (and I know many of us here
are), this is BIG news. Brian has been performing the better-known
material from Smile ("Heroes and Villains", "Surf's Up") but this
sounds like it could be more extensive than even what he has
performed.
If anyone can perform Smile and do it justice, it is Brian and his
current band.
Rob
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Message: 4
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 03:34:37 -0000
From: Mike Carter
Subject: Re: Where The Girls Are
Re. Spectropop recommends:
Someone here in Retro Popland mentioned that they had a
hankering for the Goffin and King catalogue. Well, "Where
The Girls Are Vol. 5" is a mighty good place to start. It
contains 4 Goffin and King tunes of very high order but ones
that are also very obscure. One might, but shouldn't have,
forgotten "Wasn't It You". Luckily, MP & MB didn't.
"Takin' The Long Walk Home" sung in Dorothy Jones' straight-
forward way a-top those mighty strings is better than Cookie
dough. Miss Dorothy can tell me there's no place like home
any ol' time. One fine day, perhaps, Marsha Ball will unearth
this dittie and pound it out a-la Professor Longhair.
Ahhh, wishful thinking.
Me, me, me....This vinyl dub of "The Harlem Tango" sure sounds
GREAT to me. Better than my vinyl dub! And to think that the
flip side was thrown in for good measure. I can't decide which
is better, A or B. Thank you, MICK P.!!
Those Franklin girls ARE where it's at. Oh, no, no, no, I don't
even have the right to compare such bitter sweet love. But Sister
Erma belting out from sweet to harsh and back again what might be
one of Carole and Gerry's most soulful, overlooked gems is worth
the price of the whole disc. I listen in amazement at the
emotional breadth of this song/singer and wonder why wasn't this
a hit?
Peggy Lipton's "Wasn't It You" certainly isn't the strongest song
of the entire set but for G&K searchers here's one where the
material really outweighs the singer. Makes me appreciate Petula
Clark once more.
Hopefully there are to be more in this fine, fine super fine series!
5 more would be perfect.
Wishful thinking? Hope not!
Mike C.
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Message: 5
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 19:54:26 -0800 (PST)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: New website....new project
When I joined Spectropop last year, I was starting to write
and produce after a twenty year hiatus.....but I was missing
something.....the "Spirit of the Sixties". I want to thank
you for helping me find it again! I'd like you to hear what
I just finished........"You Can't Push a Bullet Back Into a Gun".
It's not about control..... It's about responsibility!!!!
If you scroll down you'll be able to preview my new website:
http://www.geocities.com/artie_wayne/bullet.html
I hope you enjoy it.
Regards, Artie Wayne
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Message: 6
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 23:23:59 -0500
From: Country Paul
Subject: Canterbury Music Festival
At http://www.geocities.com/badcatrecords/CANTEBURYmusic.htm
I found the following, which I'd never heard of before:
Artist: Canterbury Music Festival
Album title: Rain & Shine
Label: B. T. Puppy BTSP 1018, 1969
The write-up: "Here's one of those acts you occasionally see
listed in collector discographies, but is seldom (if ever),
actually seen. In twenty years of collecting, we've only seen
two copies of the LP and this one is by far in the best shape.
"Unfortunately, we can't tell you much about the band.
Apparently a quartet (we base that guess on the back cover
photo), the group were signed by The Tokens' short-lived B.T.
Puppy label. We also know their 1969 album "Rain & Shine" was
produced by The Tokens. Musically the set's kind of hard to
describe. Imagine The Association singing with a distinctive
British lilt and you'll be in the right ballpark - that's
actually an interesting comparison since these guys don't appear
to have been English. The Association comparison isn't bad
either given much of the set consists of sensitive ballads.
While there isn't anything wrong with material such as "First
Spring Rain", "Sunny Days" and "Why Does Everybody Run To Home",
these tracks don't offer up anything particularly original or
memorable. Far better were up tempo numbers such as "Sharin"
and "Angelina" (both which would have made dandy top-10 singles),
the fuzz guitar propelled "Super Duper Trooper" and the
Sgt. Pepper-inspired slice of lite psych "Mr. Snail". Certainly
not the year's most original effort, it was still far better
than anything label mates The Tokens or The Happenings ever did
... You certainly won't be surprised to learn the set literally
vanished without a trace (BT Puppy certainly doesn't seem to have
printed many copies); followed in quick succession by the band.
As for the price [$380.00!]; consider this to be a true collector's
piece ..."
Songs are by Friedland (probably Stephen Friedland, a/k/a Brute
Force); three by the Tokens; and an instrumental of "Son Of A
Preacherman." The rest credit [last names] Gemelle and Infanzon.
So, my curiosity is aroused. Has anyone heard this?
Country Paul
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Message: 7
Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 22:35:07 -0600
From: Phil Reynolds
Subject: Re: Friend & Lover
Jim Post made a number of solo recordings for Fantasy, and
as others have mentioned in previous responses to the email,
he became a fixture in the Earl of Old Town/Quiet Knight folk
scene (with John Prine, Steve Goodman and others), and has an
acappella cut on the rare Earl of Old Town anthology.
He currently resides in the Galena, Illinois area - - and has
a bushy Mark Twain look. He does a one man show on history of
the Galena territory as well as occassional folk appearances.
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Message: 8
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 00:38:48 -0500
From: Country Paul
Subject: Detroit website
Of probable interest to our northern soul fans and others:
http://www.soulfuldetroit.com
Celebrating Detroit soul in the '60s and '70s, there's a
thorough history of Golden World/Ric-Tic Records, including
a scan of Tamla 101, Marv Johnson's "Come To Me," and some
truly architectural hair on The Reflections in their first-page
photo.
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Message: 9
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 15:02:39 -0000
From: Jeff Lemlich
Subject: Re: Sonny Bloch’s Elephants
Andres wrote:
> Thanks to one Spectropopper I've got a very interesting
> recording - BEETLE SQUASH by Sonny Bloch's Elephants.
> Unfortunately, cannot find any info about the band and when
> this seemingly anti-Beatles song was released. Could anybody
> help?
This 1964 track was a one-off by the South Florida group better
known as SONNY BLOCH'S CORALAIRS. The Coralairs did the original
version of the Nat King Cole Christmas tune "Buon Natale", and
featured future disc jockey/"Bowling For Dollars" host Arnie Warren.
Jeff Lemlich
http://www.limestonerecords.com
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Message: 10
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 17:40:55 -0500
From: Rat Pfink
Subject: Re: Canterbury Music Festival
Country Paul wrote:
> Artist: Canterbury Music Festival
> Album title: Rain & Shine
> Label: B. T. Puppy BTSP 1018, 1969
> So, my curiosity is aroused. Has anyone heard this?
It's been reissued on CD and was reviewed over at the
Shindig! Magazine site last year:
http://www.shindig-magazine.com/reviews-oct2002-1.html
I've got a copy of the CD but haven't given it a thorough
listen yet. I'll give it a couple spins and report back
later this week.
RP
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Message: 11
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 11:26:34 -0800
From: Alan Gordon
Subject: paul simon
Stratton Bearheart wrote:
> My thoughts move from McCartney to Paul Simon, who, I think,
> emerged from a "folk tradition" and ventured into a far more
> interesting harmonic territory than PM. (even if a little boring!)
Man, I'm a sucker for the bait. But you first.
albabe
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Message: 12
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 22:49:04 -0000
From: Mike Edwards
Subject: Sundazed - girl-group reissues
Billy G. Spradlin writes:
> I agree - Sundazed is an outstanding label but besides their fine
> reissue of the Toys first album and the garage band Luv'd Ones,
> they have done nothing else in the girl group genre.?
To their credit, Sundazed have tried with some other girl-group
reissues:
The Shirelles -
Baby It's You
Sing To Trumpets And Strings
Foolish Little Girl
Give A Twist Party
Nancy Sinatra -
Boots
How Does That Grab You
Nancy In London
All pretty much essential purchases.
Mike Edwards
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Message: 13
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 22:51:00 -0000
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Re: thee Wild Angels
Me:
> ...are you aware of a girl group called the Wild Angels? They didn't
> just sound like the Shangs, they looked like them too. You should see
> the picture I have in front of me at the moment. All four of them in
> matching leopard print pant suits and ruffled shirts!...
Phil Milstein:
> Mick will you be posting that amazing Wild Angels pic to the S'pop
> photo board? It's too ghastly-good for mere wurds to suffice. I mean,
> those Hicksville chicks look like they could eat fellow Hicksvillite
> Billy Joel for breakfast, and then (also f. H'ite) Ellie Greenwich for
> lunch. Wrestlemania before dinner with the Shang's? I wouldn't bet on
> 'em to conquer this rumblicious combo!
Okey dokey. Click below to see the broads in question. D'ya reckon any
of 'em could take on Lori Burton in a one-on-one?
http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/lst
MICK PATRICK
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Message: 14
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 17:16:52 -0700
From: Ron Weekes
Subject: Missing Joanie Sommers 45
Fellow Spectropopers:
I posted this on the Gary Usher group. Any help with this
search is appreciated.
Ron Weekes
Fellow Usherites,
There seems to be a bit of a controversy brewing regarding
Gary Usher's first producing job at Columbia. Jeff Glenn
and I have been looking for the following Gary Usher produced
Joanie Sommers single:
It Doesn't Matter Anymore Joanie Sommers Columbia 4-43950 12/66
Take A Broken Heart Joanie Sommers Columbia 4-43950 12/66
The info listed comes from Stephen McParland's Usher discography.
I've been in contact with several Joanie Sommers collectors who
said they have heard of this single but have never seen one, stock
copy nor promo copy.
Has anyone on the list ever seen this 45? Does it really exist?
Ron Weekes
http://www.garyusher.com
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Message: 15
Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2003 00:13:03 -0000
From: Mike Edwards
Subject: B T Puppy Records
Country Paul writes, in discussing the Canterbury Music
Festival album:
> You certainly won't be surprised to learn the set literally
> vanished without a trace (BT Puppy certainly doesn't seem
> to have printed many copies)
That is a fate the Canterbury Music Festival appeared to share
with other B T Puppy artists. I wonder how many of us have got
copies of these BT Puppy albums:
Bow Street Runners – same
Brute Force – Extemporaneous
Canaries – Flying High
Chiffons – My Secret Love
Cinnamon Angels/Satins 4 – Mixed Soul
United States Double Quartet – Life Is Groovy
Trade Winds – Around The World
Town Criers – Shore To Shore
There were others.
Two good tracks from the CMF album, "First Spring Rain"/
"Poor Man" were released as a 45 credited to We Ugly Dogs
(B T Puppy 537) and the CMF (B T Puppy 541). Not sure whether
or not that's the same group, but some record exec certainly
wanted to hedge his/her bets. It is yet another example of
how masterful the Tokens were at getting the maximum mileage
from their catalog. Other examples (all supposedly released
by B T Puppy) are:
"Green Plant" – Amanda Ambrose, Shenny Brown, Majic Ship,
Steeple People, Tokens
"Oh Kathy" – Tokens, Satins 4, Steeple People
"When I Lock My Door" – Happenings, U S Double Quartet,
Bob Miranda (solo)
"You're In A Bad Way" – Scene, Happenings
"A Girl Named Arlene" – Tokens, Del Satins
"Strange Strange Feeling" – Chiffons, Cinnamons [same group?]
If you figure in titles released on multiple labels, the list
lengthens:
"When Summer Is Through" – Tokens, Chiffons, Happenings
"Why Am I So Shy" – Chiffons, Three Pennies [same group?],
Andrea Carroll, English Muffins.
You simply could not fault the Tokens for trying and for the
overall quality of their output.
Mike Edwards
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Message: 16
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2003 19:38:00 -0500
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: Canterbury Music Festival/Bessie Banks date
Country Paul
> At http://www.geocities.com/badcatrecords/CANTEBURYmusic.htm
> I found the following, which I'd never heard of before:
> Artist: Canterbury Music Festival
> Album title: Rain & Shine
> Label: B. T. Puppy BTSP 1018, 1969
I think Sundazed has this available as a reissue. I'm not
totally sure, but I'm almost certain I saw it on a Sundazed
e-mail about a month back and thought that it wasn't a great
name for a band. If I'm wrong, apologies in advance.
Mick Patrick wrote:
> I always wanted to know the exact recording date of Bessie
> Banks' "Go Now". Now I do.
well?
JB
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Message: 17
Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2003 00:52:34 -0500
From: Country Paul
Subject: Betty Barnes; early Shangs?; Nino & April; Sam Cooke songs; R&RHOF
Thanks to a little help from my friends, I've heard the
Betty Barnes single, "Requiem....." It definitely requires
a whole new category - perhaps the most over the top teenage-
chick death song ever - even more than "Death of an Angel" by
Donald Woods (which, by the way, is a favorite of Carol Connors).
Question: did the Shangri-Las ever record for Arrawak before
Red Bird (same label as Lorraine & the Socialites)? I seem to
remember knowing about them before "Remember (Walking In The
Sand)", but I don't remember how.
David Coyle:
> "Deep Purple" by Nino Tempo & April Stevens is one of my all-
> time favorite recordings ever -- not merely "'60s", "pop", or
> "duo" -- it's just a great song. But I can't seem to get
> interested enough in a whole Nino & April CD collection....
> Is there anything else enough like "Deep Purple" to reel me in?
The songs that got me into them were the amazing reconception
of "Sweet and Lovely" (the model for the arrangement of "Deep
Purple") and the totally sexy "Together", which still shimmers.
I also like the newer track they did on that collection, although
the title escapes me at the moment. (For me there's only one
penultimate "Deep Purple" version: Billy Ward and the Dominoes.)
David again:
> Haven't heard the Springsteen version, but I read somewhere
> when the CD first came out that "Mary's Place" is either a
> ripoff or rewrite (depending on who you ask) of Sam Cooke's
> "Meet Me At Mary's Place", recorded for his SAR label in the
> early '60s.
Even better on SAR, in my opinion, is the eventual hit version
of the song Johnny Morisette's "Meet Me At The Twistin' Place".
It's also on that two-CD SAR box I mentioned earlier. And, Richard
Williams, Bruce's "Havin' A Party" is actually another Sam Cooke
song, recorded (I think with Lou Rawls doing the duet) on RCA.
Larry Lapka, re: the R&RHOF:
> I mean, who has AC/DC, a band that I've had some affection for
> over the past three decades, influenced? In this country, who
> did the Clash influence? I think the place looks down at the
> pop rockers because they feel they are so superficial, but
> those songs stay with you forever.
I agree - I think the world will be singing "Spectropop's Greatest
Hits" long after AC/DC once again only means electric current.
Shakin' it all night long,
Country Paul
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