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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 13 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Tony Hatch
From: S'pop Team
2. Re: Brian Wilson and New Jersey
From: Sean Anglum
3. New Dick Campbell cd (Blue Winds Only Know) coming out soon on Cherry Red
From: Gary
4. Re: Only The Strong Survive
From: Stephanie
5. The Aerovons
From: Richard Havers
6. Brian Wilson and NJ Jerry Blavat bass songs two Al Caseys
From: Country Paul
7. Does anyone remember The Silver Convention
From: Louis Wendruck
8. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
From: Steve Harvey
9. Eddie Rambeau - Records
From: Rosmarie
10. Mickie Most
From: Martin Roberts
11. Re: Eva De - construction
From: Simon White
12. Re: - Hi
From: Simon White
13. Re: Bassic chord progressions
From: Kurt
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Message: 1
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
From: S'pop Team
Subject: Call Me: The Songs Of Tony Hatch
'Downtown', 'Call Me', 'Joanna', 'Sugar And Spice', 'I Know A
Place', 'Where Are You Now (My Love)', 'You're The One', 'Don't
Sleep In The Subway' . . . There is no prize for knowing that
what links these great songs is that each and every one was
written by Tony Hatch, a likely contender for the UK's top pop
songwriter of the 1960s. A more complete list of his hit
compositions would fill several paragraphs such as this one.
Last year, Sanctuary Records released 'Call Me...', a 60-track
double CD retailing for under £10. "Somebody up there likes
us," says Spectropop's Mike Edwards. Click here to read his full
review: http://www.spectropop.com/recommends/index.htm#TonhyHatch
Enjoy!
The S'pop Team
Spectropop - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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Message: 2
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
From: Sean Anglum
Subject: Re: Brian Wilson and New Jersey
Don't forget the "controversy" of the Four Season's tune "No
Surfin' Today" (flip of "Dawn") and The Beach Boys answer song,
"Don't Back Down"! Supposedly there's something to it.
There, that should raise a ruckus for a few east-coasters.
Not that the Stanley Cup series isn't doing the trick.
Hey, it's summer...Surfer's Rule, No More School!
Landlocked in Colorado,
Sean Anglum
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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
From: Gary
Subject: New Dick Campbell cd (Blue Winds Only Know) coming out soon on Cherry Red
Here is a link to the newsletter for Cherry Red Records U.K. which
will be releasing a Dick Campbell CD called "Blue Winds Only Know".
The release date for the CD is june 26th 2003.
This CD was written by Dick Campbell and Gary Usher. Dick Campbell
sings all leads with Gary Usher singing back up on some of the tracks.
There are also 4 bonus tracks written by Dick Campbell, D.C. and
Keypashine Golesorkhi, and D.C. and K.G and Steve Hoffman.
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/crzone/newletters/may03/4.htm
There is more on Dick Campbell on the Cherry Red Records page if you
use there search engine to find it.
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Message: 4
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
From: stephanie
Subject: Re: Only The Strong Survive
Phil Milstein wrote:
> Four-star recommendation for the new documentary film
> "Only The Strong Survive." It's similar to "Standing In
> The Shadows Of Motown" in that it compiles recent interview
> and performance footage, but in this case the focus is on
> lead performers rather than sidemen. Featured performers
> include Jerry Butler, Rufus and Carla Thomas, Isaac Hayes,
> Sam Moore, Ann Peebles, The Chi-Lites, Mary Wilson and Wilson
> Pickett. All of them shine. The premise is to bring the
> audience up-to-date on these artists. Thus, while there's
> little archival material, the stars all turn in noteworthy
> performances of one or two of their most important hits,
> infusing them with new fire while still respecting the
> original versions.
Im glad to see this review because although I have not seen the
movie yet they have been comparing it to Standing in the Shadows
of Motown which is really not fair. Stax is a grittier label so
I didn't expect the movie to be as polished and it's a historical
artifact not a Steven Spielberg epic.....LOL It's good to have this
history on film.
Stephanie
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Message: 5
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
From: Richard Havers
Subject: The Aerovons
Disclaimer - I have no connection with RPM, the band or anyone
associated with this release!
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Mysterious Magical Tour de force
How can an album this good have remained undiscovered for over
thirty years? From the opening bars of the anthemic World of You,
you can't help thinking - I am in for a treat. Every song is hook
laden and while the direct Beatles references are obvious in some
of the songs they take nothing away from the originality of the
whole album. Most bands today would kill to do an album this good.
In fact if you buy just one album this year, buy this.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
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Message: 6
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
From: Country Paul
Subject: Brian Wilson and NJ Jerry Blavat bass songs two Al Caseys
Interesting post from the Brian Wilson website discussion group
on 6/2/03 [US; 2/6/03 UK] regarding cancelling the New Jersey
Performing Arts Center show:
"On 5/31 Brian said:
'Hi everyone, I guess in today's ecomony, we got a little too
ambitious booking two shows so geographically close together.
We are sorry if this cancellation has inconvienced any one. I
would hope that for all of you who bought tickets to the New
Jersey show will redeem them and come join us at the Beacon for
some really "Good Vibrations". Looking forward to seeing all of
you in Boston and New York. L&M Brian'"
Thanks, Neb, for the lead to that rather spirited discussion page:
http://www.brianwilson.com/messages/Message_Board/message_board.html
Justin McDevitt:
> So many folks thought he was a black DJ. Hands down, Jerry Blavat
> was and still is the fast-talkinest, white DJ that I ever heard,
> even faster than that 60s DJ in Toronto, Mickey (can't think of
> his last name).
Actually, the fastest on-air talker I ever heard was the late B.
Mitchell Reid on WMCA in New York. Quick, funny, and excellent
musical taste. He later was a pioneer of progressive FM out in
California. Jerry Blavat is still on a string of one-kilowatt AM
stations in South Jersey, by the way; I don't know how frequently.
Steve Harvey:
> As an aspiring bassist I noticed that most rock bassists of note
> started in the 60s. I think the bassists of the 50s suffered from
> the handicap of having to play the same old chord progressions
> over and over.
Interesting comment - as is your follow-up history. May I add a
couple of observations:
First, I notice in listening to many '50's records that the bass
player rarely uses the lower two strings. Its expecially noticeable
in the key of C, where the bass rarely drops to two octaves below
middle C, usually staing at one octave below. Someone once told me
that it was difficult acoustically to record the bottom two strings
of the stand-up bass because the overtones would overwhelm the rest
of the band. Thus, their range was limited. (Of course, whoever
played bass with Jimmy Wright - the band on most of the great Gee
doo-wops, i.e., Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, Cleftones, etc. -
obviously wasn't paying attention to that dictum, as he was all over
his instrument, down AND up.)
Second, the Fender electric bass wasn't really perfected until 1958
or so. I believe the first hit 45 to have one was Ritchie Valens'
"La Bamba" (Del-Fi). I believe Marty Robbins' "Don't Worry"
(Columbia)
also used one, but I think it was the 6-string variety, intended
originally as a melody instrument, for which it was used on this
track, with a stand-up bass providing the "real" bottom.
Anyone else have any comments on this?
Steven Fromm, thanks to the link to
http://www.maronis-world.de/Seiten/mp3-demos.htm. Linda Laurie's
"Prince Charming" is a treat, and I also found a hot uptempo doowop
on my want list, Ritchie Cordell's "Tick Tock Tick" (not a
masterpiece,
but fun).
Martin Roberts, "Califia" (Lee Hazlewood/Suzi Jane Hokom) on the Jack
Nitzsche site is a treat! What a vocal blend! Too bad about the tempo
change - I personally think that's what kept it from being a bigger
record. But - well worth the multiple listens I just gave it.
John Henderson:
> I really think most people thought it to be Duane Eddy but the
> reference to "Duane" in the tune would make one wonder.
Having played it on the radio, I always knew there was a difference.
However: there was also a song called "Jivin' Around" by the Al Casey
Combo on Stacy. This, I believe was a different Al Casey - it seems
like a black ensemble from Chicago. Anyone know anything
authoritative
about this? (By the way, the track is a mid-tempo 6/8 sax-led blues;
it cooks nicely.)
Looking forward to NYC, and very appreciative to be asked to spin
and present. I won't let y'all down!
MC/DJ CP
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Message: 7
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
From: Louis Wendruck
Subject: Does anyone remember The Silver Convention
Can you help me?
Do you remember the group called The Silver Convention
that sang "Fly, Robin, Fly" ? I have a website for The
Silver Convention at http://surf.to/silverconvention
with many photos of the groups products as well as products
by the individual members.
I have never been able to contact Michael Kunze, Silvester Levay
or Stephen Prager regarding the group The Silver Convention. I
would like to know if I can get the correct history because I
know that the main members were: Linda Thompson (ex-Les Humphries
Singers), Ramona Wulf (formerly a solo artist,) and Gertrude Münzner
(Penny McLean). With the departure of Linda Thompson, she was
replaced by Rhonda Heath.
Later did Jackie Carter join the group? How about Zenda Jacks?
Were there any other members? If you know anyone who can help me
with this, I would appreciate your emailing me offline.
Thanks,
Louis Wendruck
The Girl Groups Fan Club http://surf.to/girlgroups
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Message: 8
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
If you go to Hilton Valentine's website you see an
interesting picture of him and the composer of of
"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood". Interesting story on
the song's origins. Turns out Mr. Valentine is now
living in Gene Pitney's homestate.
http://home.earthlink.net/~skeezix65/stories.html
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Message: 9
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
From: Rosemarie
Subject: Eddie Rambeau - Records
Does anyone know of any record collector sites in the UK where
I might be able to get Eddie Rambeau Records.. I have just
started to collect them .. I have 2 copies of "I'm The Sky" on
different lables and "My Name Is Mud" ...very small collection
so far.... so I would appreciate any help or advice.
Rosemarie
http://www.edrambeau.com
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Message: 10
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: Mickie Most
Good to read the postings in regards to Mickie Most particularly
from Mark Wirtz and Artie Wayne. Too often you can read tributes
in the papers and on TV and be a mite unsure as to the sincerity
of the comments. It would be very hard for most people to be phoned
by a journalist regarding the passing of someone and to reply,
"Oh, that b...".
In the late 70s, early 80s I was often in the Regents Park/St.
John's Wood area of London but it was damm near impossible to park
due to the number of Porsches, Rollers etc bearing a RAK number
plate.
And his house in Totteridge has to be seen to be believed. Good to
see that at least he received his financial rewards!
I couldn't think of a suitable Mickie Most production to play to
musica but as a small tribute, Priscilla Paris - I Love How You
Love Me - RAK 184 '74 is playing on musica. Produced by Mike Chapman
(any relation?) and Nicky Chinn the record is 10 a penny in the UK
but our US cousins may not have heard it.
Martin
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Message: 11
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
From: Simon White
Subject: Re: Eva De - construction
Thanks to the Eva heads who have come up with the various
alternative and uncredited tracks. I'm trying to work out
which are which and what is what but work is getting in the
way at the moment which is a bit of a pain.
My grate is eternally full.
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Message: 12
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
From: Simon White
Subject: Re: - Hi
Wendy Flynn wrote:
> And does anyone know anything about Sugar & The Spices?
> They have a supersweet song called Faith In Me but I can't
> remember the label as I cant afford a copy
This has definitely been out on CD - and I know I have it - but
I can't lay my hand on it at the moment . But as soon as I do ...
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Message: 13
Date: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
From: Kurt
Subject: Re: Bassic chord progressions
Andrew Hickey:
> In fact does anyone have any idea who the first person to
> play bass guitar was? I'd be very interested to know...
There's a concise overview of bass playing at Bass Player Online
click here:
http://archive.bassplayer.com/z2000/0001/cent1.shtml
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