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Jamie LePage (1953-2002)
http://www.spectropop.com/Jamie.htm
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There are 19 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Cousins
From: James Botticelli
2. Re: a sort of Chicago-related question
From: Phil Reynolds
3. Ronettes
From: Phil Reynolds
4. Re: Susan Singer / Oriole Records Reissues
From: Mark Wirtz
5. Re: Moulty and Hooke
From: Phil Reynolds
6. Re: Adam Faith
From: Michael Kemp
7. Re: The Star Maker Machinery
From: Stratton Bearhart
8. "Cuddly Toy" -- Nilsson/Monkees
From: David Coyle
9. Re: Emitt Rhodes
From: Mark Frumento
10. Murmaids radio show tonight (Thursday)
From: Ronnie Allen
11. Re: Lovin Spoonful -- live at the Night Owl
From: David Coyle
12. Re: Adam Faith on CD
From: Alan V. Karr
13. Re: Cousins
From: Rat Pfink
14. Re: Susan Singer / Oriole Records Reissues
From: Alan V. Karr
15. Re: Cousins; The Buckinghams
From: Justin McDevitt
16. Patty Duke; Nedra Ross; Oriole
From: Ian Chapman
17. Re: "Teenage Opera" lyrics
From: Mark Wirtz
18. The Other Cousin
From: Steve Harvey
19. Re: Summer of '68
From: James Botticelli
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2003 19:42:39 -0400
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: Cousins
Ian Chapman wrote:
> "...But they're cousins, identical cousins all the way...."
There's Patty who likes to do the earthy blue collar stuff
but Cathy adores a minuet, something something, and crepes
suzettes and Patty's only seen the lights that seem to shine
on Brooklyn Heights - what a crazy pair. One set of matching
haircuts, different as night and day (botched that one, I know!)
Which reminds me, has anyone heard Patty's U.A. LP "Patty Sings
Songs From The Valley Of The Dolls & Others"? Fantastic LP of
lowbrow pop masquerading as Supper-Clubia
--
James Botticelli
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2003 20:55:04 -0500
From: Phil Reynolds
Subject: Re: a sort of Chicago-related question
Relating to Creature Features music, the theme song to the
Saturday night fright show was by Henry Mancini from the
movie "Experiment in Terror". It's a gem....
Incidentally, Link Wray's "Rumble" was used by WFLD ch.32
for Svengooli/Chicago DJ Jerry G Bishop (and son of Svengooli/
Rich Koz).
Also, it does my heart good to hear the discussion re: the
Chicago groups, having seen many of them live during the
60-70s and under their current line-ups. I recently saw Jim
Peterick/Ides of March live, and they have an absolute killer
double live CD available on their web site. It has all
their hit(s), including the local ones ("You Wouldn't Listen
to Me") as well as spectacular covers of "Tobacco Road" and
"Dancing In the Streets". The Ides also put brass to Jim
Peterick's solo outing as well as his Survivor hits ("Eye of
the Tiger" and "High on You" ) and lots more. The best recent
Chicago area concert was last fall at the Hardrock/Chicago
as it was a benefit for former Cryan Shames guitarist Isaac
Guillory, who recently passed away in England from cancer.
Post-Shames, he recorded a self titled album released here
in the States on Atlantic, but was a true presence in the
English folk scene and released many albums overseas. Bob
Stroud (natch) did a great job hosting, but the evening saw
the reuniting of the original Shames members (including Jim
Fairs, etc) as well as sets by Jimmy Sohns and the current
Shadows of Knight, the current New Colony Six, Jimmy
Rogers and the Mauds, members of the Ides of March, Ronnie
Rice, the Buckinghams and more. A great time, for a good
cause. The Ides, NC6, American Breed, and others still make
a good weekend living in the Midwest, with the Buckinghams
still going on a national scale and releasing new material.
A word if I may about the Exceptions, a true Chicago treasure.
I have some original 45s as Kal David & the Exceptions as
well as the origianl "This Is How Much I Love You" (which
Ron Riley tried to push on his Sunday night new release show)
backed w/"Girl From New York City". In the past 18 months or
so, there have new individual recordings by many of the
original members, and it's great to hear them and that they
are staying current. The original guitarist, Kal David (Rovin'
Kind, Illinois speed press, Fabulous Rhinestones, session work,
John Mayall, etc) has a blues club in Palm Springs and released
a terrific live recording of he and his current band, the Real
Deal. Go to http://www.blueguitar.com for information. His
replacement, Jim Vincent/ne: Donlinger (Aorta, Rotary Connection,
Lovecraft, Azteca, session work, 05 solo releases is back into
music, has acquired, remastered, and re-released his solo
catalog from Caribou and Myrrh. He also has some jazz related
new recordings worth checking out - he should be able to be
reached at http://www.jamesvincent.net - He's also working on
a bio. Obviously, bassist Peter Cetera continues as a MOR
artist, but multi-instrumentalist Marty Grebb (not Grebe, it
was a misspelling that continues to haunt him) (Buckinghams,
Lovecraft, Fabulous Rhinestones, Bonnie Raitt, Leon Russell,
the Band/others) released a blues oriented CD, called "Smooth
Sailin" on Telarc 83478. It's good, with his original songs
showcasing his guitar, organ, sax talents. He has no website,
but it should be found via Amazon and others. The Exceptions
also gave us Billy Herman (Aorta, NC6,etc) and Jimmy Nyeholt
on keyboards (Aorta, Rotary Connection, others).
Anyway, the group truly supplied alot of talent, that is still
active and current.
Thanks for providing a memory and a chance to share some. I'm
all for the Sundazed releases, my 45s of the Shames, Buckinghams
(the original USA) etc. are beat, and this includes the NC6 on
Centaur/Sentar and Sunlightlabels. HP Lovecraft still remains
a favorite.
Bye
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2003 21:22:49 -0500
From: Phil Reynolds
Subject: Ronettes
For the girl group/Ronettes lovers, maybe you can help me.
In Ronnie Spector's bio and other sources it appears that
cousin/member Nedra Ross (Talley) married a Christian DJ and
stopped touring etc. Awhile ago, I found an album by Nedra
Ross from 1978 on New Song/Jubilation label - a division of
Myrrh, the Christian music label in Waco. The album is
called "Full Circle". While there in no specific mention
of the Ronettes, the front cover shows a full shot of Nedra
in front of a theatre, on which the marquee reads: "Tonight:
The Ronettes - One Night Only 8:00" with a large picture of
all three Ronettes underneath prominently displayed.
I've never seen this listed on any Ronettes discographies,
so any further observations from the Spectropop world would
be welcomed. Also, Christian star (and ex-Glass Harp
guitarist) Phil Keaggy played a prominent role in playing,
vocals, and writing.
Thanks
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 00:31:23 -0400
From: Mark Wirtz
Subject: Re: Susan Singer / Oriole Records Reissues
I believe that veteran ace engineer Mike Ross is a member here
(he recently tracked me down via this group) - he would be an
ideal person to ask [about Susan Singer/Oriole Records]. Mike
was one of two resident engineers at Levy Studios (I had
forgotten all about the "Levy" bit and only remembered it as
"Oriole" studios). In fact, Mike and I took our first steps
there together in "big time" record making (he engineered all
my pre-EMI sessions, including " A Touch Of Velvet"). When CBS
bought Oriole, Mike was part of the move and he subsequently
engineered literally dozens and dozen of hit records for CBS
through the years. He's still active there today and kicking
ass. (In fact, I owe him a way, way overdue letter). I bet Mike
knows and recalls at lot of Oriole's recording history, and the
trail of any tapes! Wasn't there also a "Maureen (somebody)"
who made some interesting records?
By the way, Paul Simon recorded his original demo of "I Am A
Rock" at Levy's (without Garfunkel). I remember it well! It
sounded like an uptown Dylan thing that nobody could even in
a million years have predicted to become not only a commercial
hit, but a "classic".
Mark Wirtz
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2003 23:57:19 -0500
From: Phil Reynolds
Subject: Re: Moulty and Hooke
Dan:
> Has anyone ever seen Moulty and J.C. Hooke together??
...can't speak for Moulty, but J.C.Hooke (aka Jim Pilster)
had his hook officially "mounted" on the wall of the Chicago
Hardrock Cafe. In a moving ceremony, the Cryan Shames did
their version of "Hook's On the Wall" to the tune of Pink
Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall". I don't believe Moulty
was in attendance.
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Message: 6
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 09:06:04 +0100
From: Michael Kemp
Subject: Re: Adam Faith
Mike Edwards:
> ...As everything Adam recorded is out on CD.....
Alan V. Karr:
> Really? Everything???? (e.g. I Vibrate from Fontana
> Drumbeat EP, HMV & Top Rank B sides etc. Just kidding)
> Or just the hits, which definitely have been. Pretty sure
> there are several UK LPs that havent made it to CD
Well, I couldn't find "Big Time" (a kind of modulating
"Mack the Knife"/"Lazy River"-type construction with
in-yer-face bolshy teenage lyrics along the lines of
"A-when the big times come, I'm gonna have me some; I'm
gonna do the things, my Daddy never done" etc - used to
drive my mother to distraction) on CD when I was trying
to track my adolescent years in song a few years back...
Michael Kemp
Brighton
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Message: 7
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 11:59:29 -0000
From: Stratton Bearhart
Subject: Re: The Star Maker Machinery
Alan Gordon wrote:
> "Emitt's third solo album sure reflects the heart of a very
> depressed man. But I know dealing with certain Record Execs,
> A&R guys and producers will affect a sensitive soul. Mixing
> business with spirit is a tricky business indeed. Movies,
> Music, Publishing, Art, etc., will always suffer from the
> administrators' supposed vast "understanding" of any particular
> business, and their insatiable need to control and suck the
> soul of artists."
I wanted to say what good luck befalls the 'sensitive soul' of
the artist when it finds itself under the tutelage of a benevolent
manager/Record Exec...
There are more horror stories of quite the opposite, where the
artist's gifts are coldly exploited. Joni Mitchell's "Free Man
In Paris" tells it well.
There is a story that Brian Epstein arrived at Abbey Road whilst
The Beatles were delving deep into psychedelia on Sgt Pepper.
Epstein voiced his concern to The Lads over the studio intercom;
"John, don't you think this is sounding a little weird" to which
Lennon acerbically replied, "You worry about the f***** business,
we'll worry about the f****** music"
Which of course he did, facilitating the flow of The Beatles
creativity...
Stratton Bearhart.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 07:55:17 -0700 (PDT)
From: David Coyle
Subject: "Cuddly Toy" -- Nilsson/Monkees
The fact that it passed the censors might have
something to do with the fact that I always thought
"cherry delight" was "charity light"(?). Now it all
makes sense!
On the other hand, the sexual overtones start with the
very first line ("You're not the only cuddly toy that
was ever enjoyed by any boy"), so the censors would
have jumped all over it, except wasn't the song tucked
away as an album track anyway? I don't think it was
recorded with single or radio airplay in mind. Did it
make the TV show? Now I'm intrigued...
David
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Message: 9
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 21:54:39 -0000
From: Mark Frumento
Subject: Re: Emitt Rhodes
I wrote:
> The question is was he alienated or did he alienate?
> Probably some of both, I guess. Mr. Rhodes is not known
> for having the best personality in the business.
Alan Gordon replied:
> Really??? I've never heard this before.
I made a poor choice of words in my last sentence. To be
fair the two stories I heard were more recent and more to
his apparent resentment of the past. It would have been
better put as a question.
My personal feeling is that Emitt is/was quite talented
but his talents were really out of time. To be blunt, I
can understand why he didn't make it. If he stayed with
his true talent people probably took his music as bubblegum.
When he tried to change it just wasn't as good (to me).
At least I feel that his last album is so all over the place
that I can't make heads or tails of it.
About the release of ER demos etc. I signed the petition that
was on the web site originally. When I wrote the gentleman
who runs the site he didn't answer my questions about the
potential demo CD. While I'm not sure he'd sell 5000 CDs,
there is certainly a good mini-market for a one-time limited
edition. Wonder what happened to the idea?
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 10
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 09:41:09 EDT
From: Ronnie Allen
Subject: Murmaids radio show tonight (Thursday)
I'll be doing my one-hour live-by-phone Murmaids show
this evening starting at 9 PM.
I'm happy to report that a surprise famous guest (pre-
recorded with me three days ago) is also going to be on
the show!
The URL for picking up the show is:
http://www.wbcb1490.com/listen.htm
This message may arrive too late for those of you who are
digest subscribers. If you are an "individual message"
subscriber then there is still time to e-mail a question
at the address below if there's something you'd like me to
ask the Murmaids during the show. Because of time constraints,
I can't guarantee I will get around to using all submitted
questions but I'll certainly try to use at least a few.
Ronnie Allen
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 11
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 07:34:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: David Coyle
Subject: Re: Lovin Spoonful -- live at the Night Owl
Somebody had to mention this ill-fated CD, something
I'd been looking forward to for quite some time, and
now all the frustration I felt is coming back to the
surface.
Why would anyone think that a true fan of the Lovin'
Spoonful would rather have a late '90s John
Sebastian-less Spoonful "Live At The Hotel Seville"
than the Spoonful in their prime at the Night Owl in
1965? Sure, someone who is clueless about their
one-time greatness might buy this stuff at the state
fair because maybe they liked the band they saw and
wanted something for the guys to autograph, but that's
about it.
So, I wish someone would swallow a bit of pride and
just release this "crappy pre-Kama Sutra recording."
Let us judge for ourselves. We want to hear it!
And while we're at it -- Paul Simon. Reissue the "Paul
Simon Songbook" LP! Who cares if we can hear you
tapping your feet!?
There, I've said my piece...
David
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Message: 12
Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2003 00:59:59 -0000
From: Alan V. Karr
Subject: Re: Adam Faith on CD
Michael Kemp wrote:
> Well, I couldn't find "Big Time".... on CD when I was trying
> to track my adolescent years in song a few years back...
Well, you may be delighted to know "Big Time" *is* available
on the 2 CD comp "John Barry - The Hits and Misses" (Play It
Again). There is even an audio excerpt from it at *m*z*n.co.uk
Regards,
Alan V. Karr
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Message: 13
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 18:55:29 -0400
From: Rat Pfink
Subject: Re: Cousins
Phil Milstein wrote:
> Cathy, by the way, was Scottish, demonstrating the actress'
> facility with accents. I'm not sure her last name was ever
> revealed in the show.
Lane, same as Patty's family...
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14
Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2003 00:50:21 -0000
From: Alan V. Karr
Subject: Re: Susan Singer / Oriole Records Reissues
Mark Wirtz wrote:
> Wasn't there also a "Maureen (somebody)"
> who made some interesting records?
Maureen Evans made it to the UK Top 5 w/ "Like I Do", the
same tune as "Hello Muddah..." Ponchielli's "Dance of The
Hours". A lot of her discs were issued by CBS-Columbia
in the States.
Thank you for the commentary, hope someone will exhume
Oriole masters one day. To some it's sacrilege but to me,
if every US 45 from every label ever has to be unearthed
and get a hearing, no matter how underproduced or lackluster
then Oriole's and Ember's discs are worth it too.
****
--While I've got your attention, what are the lyrics
to that part of "Excerpt.." that goes "housewives...no milk,
no eggs..." It's bedeviled me for years!
Thanks & regards,
Alan V. Karr
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 15
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 12:21:13 -0500
From: Justin McDevitt
Subject: Re: Cousins; The Buckinghams
Hello Spectropop,
I believe that the correct lyrics to the Patty Duke show
theme song are: "but they're cousins, identical cousins and
you'll find, they laugh alike, they walk alike and sometimes
even talk alike, you can loose your mind, when cousins are
two of a kind".
Loved the show, though Patty apparently didn't. Paul O'Keefe
as Ross, (around my age) at the time was a cool guy - so was
Richard, Patty's on-the-show boyfriend, trying to keep Patty
in line in his awkward, galumphing teenage sort of way, though
in actuality, his real age was around 24 years.
Truth to tell, the most together character on the show was
Patty's mother, (can't recall her real life name). In the
first book of her autobiography, "my name is Ana", Patty
concurs.
I have really enjoyed the Chicago sound discussions. Not much
to add, though whenever I hear "Back In Love Again", ( a song
that packs a lot of wonderful up-tempo punch into its 2-min 20
or so seconds, I always feel a little wistful, a little sad.
This was the last real chart hit for the Buckinghams.
This was such a great song and at the time it was being played
on the radio, I hoped that they would continue to chart, at
least for a while longer.
Also, let's face it, 1968 wasn't a great year, what with the
assassinations of Dr. King and Bobby Kennedy, the Chicago riots
at the Democratic national convention and Richard Daly's abhorrent
treatment of many of the protesters, the capture of the Pueblo
by North Korea, the brief taste of freedom by Czech citizens and
their subsequent put-down by the Soviet Union etc.
"Back In Love Again" was truly a bright light during the summer
of that year.
Yours in peace, Justin McDevitt
P.S. Broke a temperature record this past Monday in these fair
Twin Cities; 88 deg F. Today it's 36 degrees F and sleeting.
Nevertheless, spring is on its way.
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16
Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2003 03:26:56 +0100
From: Ian Chapman
Subject: Patty Duke; Nedra Ross; Oriole
Justin wrote:
> Loved the show, though Patty apparently didn't.
I think she once felt that way, Justin, but I recently
caught a Patty interview on the E! channel, and she said
she had since revised her opinion and realised that the
show still holds a place in many hearts, which is why she
did the "reunion special" TV movie in 1999. I don't know
how current the interview was, tho'.
Thanks to all who tried their hand at the theme song - the
full lyrics can be found at:
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/televisiontvthemelyrics/thepattydukeshow.htm
To Phil Reynolds,
Nedra's "Full Circle" album dates from '78, and has been
mentioned in various publications over the years, including
the old "Philately" mags back in the 80s, the Jack Fitzpatrick/
John Fogerty book, "Collecting Phil Spector" and most recently
in John Clemente's "Girl Groups". If you can find a copy,
issue 31 of "Record Exchanger" mag ran a great Nedra interview
in the early 80s, where she gave her take on the Ronettes'
story with some fascinating snippets (does everybody know they
were once briefly called the Rondettes?) She also talks about
her Christian recordings (the "Full Circle" album is pictured)
and says she actually became born-again in late '66, while she
was still with the Ronettes. Nedra did another Christian album
for the same label, entitled "The Courts Of The King", in '77.
To Alan V. Karr,
Nancy Sinatra did the original of "Like I Do" in '62, quite
a different arrangement to Maureen Evans' hit version. I've
always liked both equally.
I loved the Oriole logo - for one thing, it's my favourite
record label design ever (the yellow and black era, that is)
As a burgeoning kid collector, I think the fact that it
never seemed to be in the charts made it even more intriguing.
I share your hope that the masters may one day become available,
but I won't hold my breath. Shame - there's quite a few gems
crying out for release. I could fill a whole CD with "Oriole
Girls" for starters.....
Ian
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 17
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 21:44:03 -0400
From: Mark Wirtz
Subject: Re: "Teenage Opera" lyrics
"... when Jack turns up, we'll give him hell
no eggs, no milk, no marmalade labels..."
Oh, why not go all the way:
GROCER JACK
(Excerpt from "A Teenage Opera")
Music composed by Mark Wirtz -
Lyrics by Keith West and Mark Wirtz
Counts the days into years
Yes, 82 brings many fears
Yesterday's laughter turned to tears
His arms and legs don't feel so strong
His heart is weak, there's something wrong
Opens windows in despair
Tries to breath in some fresh air
His conscience cries, "Get on your feet!
Without you, Jack, the town can't eat!"
Chorus: "Grocer Jack, Grocer Jack
Get off your back
Get into town
Don't let them down - oh no, no!"
The people that live in the town
Don't understand
He's never been known to miss his round
"It's ten o'clock!" the housewives yell
"When Jack turns up, we'll give him hell!"
Husbands moan at breakfast tables
No milk, no eggs, no marmalade labels
Mothers send their children out
To Jack's house to scream and shout
Repeat Chorus (sung by children)
A Sunday morning, bright and clear
Lovely flowers decorate a marble square
People cry and walk away
Think about the fateful day
Now they wish they'd given Jack
More affection and respect
The little children dressed in black
Don't know what's happened to old Jack
"Grocer Jack, Grocer Jack
Is it true what Mommy says
You won't come back?
Oh no, oh no..."
(c) 1967 Robbins Music Ltd. UK
Very best,
Mark (Wirtz)
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 18
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 18:59:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: The Other Cousin
Re. Patty Duke Show:
And who can forget that seldom seen episode when Cathy
and Patty were visited by their other cousin, Penny,
from Liverpool?
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 19
Date: Thu, 17 Apr 2003 21:26:42 -0400
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Re: Summer of '68
Justin McDevitt wrote:
> let's face it, 1968 wasn't a great year......"Back In Love
> Again" was truly a bright light during the summer of that year.
(Just like) 1967 was the Summer of Love, 1968 was the Summer of
Soft Rock, but that's just me. Politics makes strange bedfellows,
music included apparently.
JB
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
End
