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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. More Bass-ics...
From: Alan Gordon
2. Re: Rick Nelson, Glen Campbell & Jerry Fuller - Lost Recordings
From: Mikey
3. Re: Jan and Dean and Eve
From: Alan Gordon
4. Re: Rick Nelson, Glen Campbell & Jerry Fuller - Lost Recordings
From: Michael Edwards
5. Re: Dave Clark dolls
From: Bill George
6. Re: Spectropop party
From: Bill George
7. Re: Beverly Bremers
From: Simon White
8. Re: Beverly Bremers
From: Billy G. Spradlin
9. Re: PMS pressings
From: Alan V. Karr
10. Re: The Critters
From: Clark Besch
11. Re: I Don't Want To Discuss It
From: Clark Besch
12. Re: Robbs
From: Clark Besch
13. Who or what is Bartok Lanski (?), "Back To You"
From: Lindsay
14. Re: Four Seasons/Beach Boys/Robbs
From: Lapka Larry
15. Re: Beverly Bremers
From: Billy G. Spradlin
16. Re: Beverly Bremers
From: James Cassidy
17. Re: Wilson/Valli
From: Mike Miller
18. Stumble and fall right down like a clown
From: John Rausch
19. Re: Dave Clark dolls
From: Mikey
20. Robbs; Jersey Surfin'
From: Bob Rashkow
21. Popcorn Double Feature
From: David Coyle
22. Re: Alternate Coasters
From: David Coyle
23. Pat Lewis
From: John Clemente
24. Re: Jackie on Rhino
From: Bill George
25. Re: London
From: Bill George
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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2003 15:03:21 -0700
From: Alan Gordon
Subject: More Bass-ics...
My two cents, expounding on Mr. Harvey's buck and a half
According to the usually reliable Tony Bacon, there was an electric bass
previous to Fenders. Paul Tutmark of Audiovox produced one in 1936
according to his catalogue.
Fender's first electric bass was produced in 1951. It was christened the
Fender Precision Bass, and was designed to look like the just released
Telecaster guitar (whose name had also just changed from Broadcaster to
Telecaster, because Gretsch had a set of drums named the Broadcaster set).
In 1954 the design of the Precision changed to look more like a big
brother of the futuristically contoured Stratocaster. Both bass guitars
had the same basic overall measurements and shape, but because of the body
contours and different shaped pickguard, the 1954 version was
significantly more jet-age looking. I think the scale length was the same,
and besides the smoothly contoured body and pickguard, the only real
difference was that the strings passed through the body below the bridge
and anchored themselves in 4 metal ferrules.
Things evolved a bit in 1957 when the new two-piece humbucking pickups
replaced the earlier single-coil "bar" type, and the head-stock became the
recognizable Fender ikon.
albabe
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2003 20:25:53 -0400
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: Rick Nelson, Glen Campbell & Jerry Fuller - Lost Recordings
Albabe:
> I forgot who was mentioning in here that they were going to pick up
> the "Rick Nelson, Glen Campbell & Jerry Fuller - Lost Recordings."
> I'm curious what he/she or anyone thinks of the package?
That was me, and I did pick it up, and its a very nice package. Sound
quality is terriffic.
Also, possibly the only place where Glen Campbells 1961 Crest hit "Turn
Around, Look At Me" is from master tape.
Well worth the money.
Mikey
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Message: 3
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2003 16:25:08 -0700
From: Alan Gordon
Subject: Re: Jan and Dean and Eve
Phil MiIstein:
> Now, anybody wanna hear Jan & Dean's version?
Yea... me... please...
What album was that on, sir?
peace,
albabe
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Message: 4
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2003 20:30:48 -0400
From: Michael Edwards
Subject: Re: Rick Nelson, Glen Campbell & Jerry Fuller - Lost Recordings
Alan Gordon asks:
> I forgot who was mentioning in here that they were going to pick up
> the "Rick Nelson, Glen Campbell & Jerry Fuller - Lost Recordings."
> I'm curious what he/she or anyone thinks of the package?
It's just so wonderful to get a CD like this: there are so few quality
sounding CDs covering pre-Beatles' 60s pop being issued now. For me, the
highlight is Jerry Fuller singing "First Love Never Dies" also done by
Frankie Avalon and the Walker Bothers.
Mike Edwards
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Message: 5
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2003 21:33:44 EDT
From: Bill George
Subject: Re: Dave Clark dolls
I have nothing to comment about the dolls, but I did hear Dave Clark
interviewed on the radio a few weeks ago. I guess he's put a new band
together and is back on the road. Anyone heard him yet?
Bill George
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Message: 6
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2003 21:35:14 EDT
From: Bill George
Subject: Re: Spectropop party
The S'pop Team wrote:
> On entry, all S'pop members will be handed a Back To Mono button -
> preferable to name badges, we thought.
How about Back To Mono buttons with our screen names written on them?
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Message: 7
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 02:25:16 +0100
From: Simon White
Subject: Re: Beverly Bremers
David Bell wrote:
> I'm sure that I'm teaching my granny to suck eggs here but I
> hope Beverly Ann is aware that there are 4 lovely black and
> white pix of her in the booklet that accompanies the BMG CD
> release "Turning My Heartbeat Up" (7431 774012). She looks fab!
>
> As Kev Roberts wrote "Country / Pop singer with one of two
> Northern soul associations. A real obscurity and poor seller
> to boot. I can imagine the look on her face as someone runs
> into her at a flea market in Wyoming, revealing she's a star
> in the UK." The song is "He's Coming Home", of course. So does
> she realise she's a star in the UK, Simon?
I didn't know the pics were there myself! Its a cd I dont have. But
tomorrow is another day.
Beverly was contacted by someone from Canada via her new website:
http://www.beverlybremers.com/main_page/
He told her she had two big records on RCA ("Get Smart Girl" on
Scepter also got played) on the Northern scene and of course she had
no idea what he was talking about, so looked it up on the web and ....
she contacted Kev Roberts and he's interviewed her for his radio show.
Incidently Kev's show has a fantastic interview every week. She
happened to be in London this weekend and Kev suggested we meet up.
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Message: 8
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 02:21:39 -0000
From: Billy G. Spradlin
Subject: Re: Beverly Bremers
I just posted both sides of Beverly Bremers' Showcase single to Musica.
(another one of my thrift store finds - wonder what I could get for it
on E-bay?)
I wonder who came up with the idea of doing "The Great Pretender" mid-
sixites Motown style. It's an interesting arrangement of a Doo-Wop
classic. "We Got Trouble" is another "good girl-loves-bad boy" song.
Anyway she sounds great on both sides. My only gripes is the
production sounds a little skimpy and I wish the end of "Pretender"
wasn't faded out...
Billy
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Message: 9
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 04:57:54 -0000
From: Alan V. Karr
Subject: Re: PMS pressings
Well, going back a about a decade earlier, CBS/Columbia wound up their
historical/familial arrangement with EMI, mostly or partly due to EMI's
reluctance to accept the 33 RPM LP format. Philips decided to enter the
British market using US product as a linchpin, releasing discs on the
Philips and later Fontana labels. Initially this partnership worked very
well but mostly one-sided for Philips in England. British product
languished on the then-weak CBS sister Epic label stateside, and few
discs (Marty Wilde's Bad Boy, Frankie Vaughan's Judy) did much business
here.
Simultaneously, Mercury's UK distribution changed a few times, from Pye-
Nixa (the terms were strict- Pye was not permitted to carry other US
labels ala London under the deal-when it was terminated Pye International
was created) and then to EMI c. 1959. The EMI license deal overlapped
Philips' 1962 purchase by some months but by 1964, Mercury was one of
Philips' UK labels too. Several English groups signed or leased to UK
Mercury during the beat boom confusing the matter more. I dont think
Mercury was ever slated to be an EMI acquisition, I think MGM was a more
likely candidate at that time although certainly EMI enjoyed several
British hits in their Mercury deal.
I would agree that Philips (and Siemens-Polydor, as they entered into
their joint venture at this time, having themselves had an American
distribution arrangement with US Decca-thats how the Beatles Hamburg
recording of My Bonnie came to be released in the USA) ran their US
division on the cheap, (or worse as referred to by such as Ken Pitt in
his excellent early Bowie bio, "The Pitt Report") One glance at the
cheesy label lettering, misaligned labels and self-destructing record
sleeves and "bootleg" is the word that comes to mind.
Regards,
Alan V. Karr
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Message: 10
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 06:04:29 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Re: The Critters
Chris, I have both "Look at the Girls" 45 and all Bob Dileo singles.
I think Bob sounds like the vocalist on the Copout 45. If you are
looking for the Dileo 45's, I got them all as they were released and
dated them all. "Band in Boston" was received 9/12/68 and is really
cool pop/psych. Followup "Just Can't Help Believin'" b/w "Mind
Excursion' dated 5/31/69 (BJ Thomas' version of "Believin'" was aound
6/70). "Jessica" dated 8/23/69. Nothing that special on followup
singles. All were on Columbia. The Copout 45 was on Poppy which also
had Alan Bown 45 I think, or was that Music factory? Looked about
the same label from my memory. Anyway, hope this helps and if you
ever find out who Bob Dileo was, please post it here!
Thanks, Clark
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Message: 11
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 06:15:17 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Re: I Don't Want To Discuss It
Bill Craig wrote:
> The first version I ever heard of "Discuss It" was by Rhinoceros
> in either '68 or '69. I think they were on Electra. The Rod Stewart
> is really quite good also, coming from fairly early in his recording
> life.
Bill, the Robbs' version came out around May, 1968. Clark
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Message: 12
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 06:41:45 -0000
From: Clark Besch
Subject: Re: Robbs
Larry, the Robbs were certainly a local band in many ways. Altho on
Dick Clark tours and the show, they played a ton of Chicago dates and
were the big thing in hometown Milwaukee. Even in late 67 and early
68, after a year of all the above and the end of their Mercury
career, they stuck close to home it seemed. I also think that with
the exception of LA, where "Next Time You See Me" was a #1 most
requested song, they did quite well in the midwest, but failed
everywhere else basically.
Another possiblity for the national failure was their often somewhat
lethargic ballad cover renderings on "Action" and possibly their
Beatles moptop haircuts that were getting out of style some by mid 67?
If you heard their "Blowin' in the Wind" or "You've Got Your Troubles"
Action performances, you'd likely agree. Ashame if so, because their
records were anything but lethargic! They were crisp, polished pure
pop that captured all the different sounds of the era.
Of course, the Raiders eclipsed the other "regulars" on Action as
you said. They'd been doing their schtick longer and were simply
better performers and they had HITS! Going up against Steve Alaimo,
Keith Allison, the Hardtimes and even the Robbs was easy. In the
Robbs' defense, I'm thinking the only released song of theirs that
was performed on "Action" was "Race With the Wind". Dick Clark did
really try to do them right, tho. Even after "Race" had done well in
Chicago, he put it on Bandstand's "Rate a Record" as a test
saying "this is not really a new song"! Whaa??? Dick isn't "Rate a
Record" supposed to be for new records??? Anyway, it unfortunately
lost that battle too!
Take care, Clark
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Message: 13
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 11:26:29 -0000
From: Lindsay
Subject: Who or what is Bartok Lanski (?), "Back To You"
There's a webpage I really like called Please Please Me which
entertainingly lists and comments on a number of Beatles-like
tracks. Some of them are blatant cash-ins (such as The Buggs and
The Liverpools), but others are a matter of influence (Easybeats,
Swinging Blue Jeans, Hollies).
Some of them are up there for download as mp3s. One of the mp3s is a
track the website guy taped off a radio show (KROQ) in '86, and he's
not sure of the artist. He thinks they might be from San Diego.
The song is "Back To Me", an infectious piece of neo-Merseyside with
chunky Beatles-style harmonica, and the artist/s MIGHT be "Bartok
Lanski". I can't find any trace of such a band, or person, anywhere
on the web.
Someone here might be able to identify it: it's at:
http://www.deathbarney.com/Lets_Be_The_Beatles/Albums/Please_Please_Me.htm
Scroll right down to the last item.
Thanks chums,
Lindsay
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Message: 14
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 10:11:43 -0700 (PDT)
From: Lapka Larry
Subject: Re: Four Seasons/Beach Boys/Robbs
Dear All:
With all the talk about the Four Seasons vs. the Beach Boys, could
someone tell me if "East Meets West" is available on CD? If not,
maybe someone could post it to Musica? I distinctly remember seeing
this record in the 45 racks of the old Record World chain here in
New York, but for some reason, I never bought the record.
As for the Robbs, I have contacted several record companies to try to
get their music out legitimately, but so far no takers. If anyone is
interested, I have a CDR of their music that I once again am offering
to anybody who wants to hear it.
Larry Lapka
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Message: 15
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 08:39:48 -0000
From: Billy G. Spradlin
Subject: Re: Beverly Bremers
I just did a search with Google and found out Beverly has a website
at http://www.beverlybremers.com
Billy
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Message: 16
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 08:48:05 -0400
From: James Cassidy
Subject: Re: Beverly Bremers
Somewhat contrary to the quote from Kev Roberts, Beverly Bremers was
not a complete unknown here in the US; she did have one major hit,
"Don't Say You Don't Remember", #15 on Billboard in 1971.
Jim Cassidy
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Message: 17
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 13:47:07 -0400
From: Mike Miller
Subject: Re: Wilson/Valli
Dave,
i am not sure who has the most top 40 hits. all i know is that many of
recordings of both groups are really great and that many of their best
or most interesting were not necessarily the most popular at their time
or the most popular in their catalogue. many of the later 60's recordings
of both entities are among their best. one listen to "i know there's an
answer" and "the night was so young" by the beach boys and "raven" and
"saturdays father" by the four seasons and you can hear the progression
and varied sound of both.
comparing these two groups or even as single artists (valli vs. wilson)
will not find a "winner". as far as i am concerned, both are winners.
their body of work speaks for itself and the entire music world is much
better off with their contributions to all of music. these two acts were
enormously successful and greatly contributed to most forms of music
during their heydeys and afterwards.
i for one wish more music was released by both of these acts during the
sixties period. the constant touring and branching out by various members
took their collective tolls on both groups, and caused them to have less
studio time actually making records.
doowopdaddy (mike miller)
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Message: 18
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 16:26:10 -0400
From: John Rausch
Subject: Stumble and fall right down like a clown
In a recent post, someone asked about the dj/stock version of Philles
123... Check out Mark Lanwher`s wonderful site, The Philles Label Gallery:
http://home.tbbs.net/~msland/Spector/PSindex.htm Scroll down to the Stumble
And Fall link to get your answer.
John Rausch
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Message: 19
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 16:49:38 -0400
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: Dave Clark dolls
Bill George:
> ...but I did hear Dave Clark interviewed on the radio a few weeks ago.
> I guess he's put a new band together and is back on the road. Anyone
> heard him yet?
You mean Mike Smith, the lead singer.
Dave Clark isn't going to touch a drum set ever again.
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Message: 20
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 18:28:30 EDT
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: Robbs; Jersey Surfin'
(Or: Sherry, Candy and Dawn are Surfer Girls!)
Thanks Larry Lapka and Patrick Rands, you're probably right that the Robbs
suffered from too much exposure by Dick Clark, and not enough from Mercury
Records. How sad! If I remember they did manage to get some teen mag coverage
& were in a paperback book from around '68 that featured only pop acts with
really good-looking guys in them. Every Mother's Son and the Evergreen Blues
were in it and possibly the Monkees, Grapefruit, and the Five Americans and the
Strawberry Alarm Clock--don't remember the name of it. It made the rounds of
some 6th-grade girls and that's where I first saw the name The Robbs. What was
the release month of RWTW? Larry or Patrick? I seem to dimly recall hearing
it once or twice at camp on someone's transistor--was it summer '67???
Mike Miller:
> the constant touring and branching out by various members took their
> collective tolls on both groups, and caused them to have less studio
> time actually making records.
Especially true, I think, in the case of the Beach Boys' LPs. Considering
the rate at which the top moneymakers were churning out product in those days,
it must have been quite an event in the recording industry when they finally
came out with Smiley Smile--a true 6Ts classic to which they gave their all &
which demonstrated that they were ready for the changing patterns just ahead.
Bobster
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Message: 21
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 17:04:07 -0700 (PDT)
From: David Coyle
Subject: Popcorn Double Feature
The Castaways didn't do "Popcorn Double Feature"...
I'm pretty sure you're thinking of "Lavender Popcorn,"
which I think in the UK was done by a group called
Scrugg. The Castaways version is on their compilation
CD on Plum, called "Liar Liar: The Best Of The
Castaways." It has all their singles, some unreleased
tracks and great liner notes, but is brought down a
notch by a number of '70s/'80s bar-band era tracks.
David
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Message: 22
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 17:28:01 -0700 (PDT)
From: David Coyle
Subject: Re: Alternate Coasters
This wasn't some nostalgia-fest disc, like the common
Searchers and Gerry and the Pacemakers discs that have
Gerry doing "Imagine" and Mike Pender's Searchers
doing "Red Ferrari." This was about 18-20 tracks, most
of them familiar titles, but then saying "alternate
version -- take 20" or "stereo version" or whatever. I
don't remember enough about it, and that's why I
asked. Maybe I just imagined it...since I didn't pick
it up and don't own it, I can't prove it even exists.
Here's looking forward to a new Coasters compilation.
The last available US disc besides the budget "Very
Best Of The Coasters" disc was a 2-CD set called "50
Coastin' Classics," which was probably passable in the
early '90s. I wish I could have found Sequel's
expanded edition of their original "Greatest Hits"
album, but all I managed to snare was the "Coastin'
With The Coasters" reissue, which at least got me the
original version of "Ain't That Just Like Me?" Wonder
if the Rhino set will have any unreleased tracks...
David
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Message: 23
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 21:41:39 -0400
From: John Clemente
Subject: Pat Lewis
Hello All,
I recently spoke with Louvain Demps of The Andantes. I'm sorry to report that
she informed me that singer Pat Lewis is seriously ill. The Rhythm and Blues
foundation has set up a fund for Ms. Lewis. When I find out any more
information, I will pass it on.
John Clemente
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Message: 24
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 22:35:57 EDT
From: Bill George
Subject: Re: Jackie on Rhino
I can heartily recommend this disc (Surprise!) Jackie's first Atlantic album
is probably the peak of her career. And the unreleased tracks are as good and
soulful as anything she ever released. My eternal gratitude to anyone who can
tell me who wrote "When I'm Gone."
-Bill
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Message: 25
Date: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 23:08:29 EDT
From: Bill George
Subject: Re: London
Andrew Hickey ranted:
> London has an intense aura of evil about it that means only
> truly great music can entice me down...
I've always found London to feel like "home." I wish it was. Any Londoners
want to trade flats with me in NYC???
- Bill
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