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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 22 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: Quick notes: John Kay; Twirl; ...Believin'
From: Michel Gignac
2. Dream on musica
From: Mark Frumento
3. Re: Fanita of the Blossoms and Rick Lancelot
From: Tony Leong
4. Away from the expected; Shangri-La's; Moon Stones & other notes; Browning Bryant
From: Country Paul
5. Re: Pete Best
From: Eddy Smit
6. Re: Chiffons' "Stop Look & Listen"
From: Tony Leong
7. Re: QUICK QUERY! Any Roger Nichols involvement on Paul Williams Demo LP?
From: Eddy Smit
8. Tidbit on two members of the Jaynettes
From: stiffman22
9. Private Label Elvis duets album
From: Paul Urbahns
10. promo LP "L.A.Radio"
From: David A Young
11. Re: Murray The K album
From: Paul Urbahns
12. Re: Fanita of the Blossoms and Rick Lancelot
From: Joe
13. Re: Private Label Elvis duets album
From: Mikey
14. The Londonaires - Dearest Emma
From: Jerry Lintelf
15. Re: Capreez
From: David Coyle
16. "Monday Kind of Friday"
From: Jonathan Singer
17. The Poppies
From: costaricansoul
18. Diane Renay's Birthday
From: Rosemarie
19. Tidbit on one member of the Jaynettes
From: Simon White
20. Chiffons, "Nobody Knows What's Goin' On In My Mind But Me"
From: Art Longmire
21. the Electric Screwdriver
From: Paul Urbahns
22. Fancy another Party?
From: Martin Roberts
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Message: 1
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 01:45:17 -0000
From: Michel Gignac
Subject: Re: Quick notes: John Kay; Twirl; ...Believin'
Country Paul wrote: [about "I Just Can't Help Believin'"]
> Yes, Mann's version is 1968, but further down the list
> there's a version by Wayne Newton (!) also dated 1968.
> Was Mr. Las Vegas actually the first?
Paul, let's try to be more accurate. Wayne Newton (MGM 14014)
is just after "White Houses" (MGM 14013) by The Animals, which
began its chart action in November of 1968. Barry Mann's recording
(Capitol 2217) is before Glen Campbell's "Dreams Of The Everyday
Housewife" (Capitol 2224) which charted in July of 1968. Unless
Newton's recording was first on an album, I think that the
"Master"'s release was before Mr Vegas' one!
Michel.
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Message: 2
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 03:54:34 -0000
From: Mark Frumento
Subject: Dream on musica
Who ever posted the file to musica called "Dream"...
it's by Clifford T. Ward. A beautiful song among many
beautiful songs by Cliff.
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Message: 3
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 04:23:13 -0000
From: Tony Leong
Subject: Re: Fanita of the Blossoms and Rick Lancelot
Sean wrote:
> Does anyone know what happened to these two? Fanita was part
> of the background singing group, The Blossoms
Fanita James sang with Tom Jones for over 20 years until he revamped
his act in the early '90's. She then went on to sing with Doris
Jackson's West Coast "Shirelles" until 2000. Today, she lives in
Inglewood California and I believe she and Gloria Jones (an original
Blossom) sing with another lady as the Blossoms on the West Coast.
> And Rick Lancelot who also appeared on "Shindig!" a few times
> and was also on "Shivaree".
As for Rick Lancelot, I too have his appearances on Shindig, but I
know NOT A thing about him nor any of the other great unknowns that
were on Shindig (Linda Gayle, Gary Brento Weis, Linda Clark, Kelley
Garrett, well, actually, Kelly appeared in New York a few years ago
at a cabaret club).
Tony Leong
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Message: 4
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 01:27:21 -0400
From: Country Paul
Subject: Away from the expected; Shangri-La's; Moon Stones & other notes; Browning Bryant
David writes (back on June 30):
> I would take "The Joker Went Wild" and his version of the
> Impressions' "Gypsy Woman" over "SWAK" and "IBTW etc." any day.
Mike Edwards:
> Interesting comparison as Brian Hyland had about 4 phases to
> his 60s' career. I rate "Run Run Look And See" (with J J Cale
> on the guitar break) higher than "The Joker Went Wild" - it
> was the follow-up. Neither compares to "Sealed With A Kiss"
> from the glorious summer of '62, though.
Throwing in my two cents worth: My all time faves are the delicate
and exquisite "Ginny Come Lately," IMO the sweetest of his sweet
sounds; and the Stones-a-delic "Come Away With Me" (shades of "2000
Light Years From Home"). I think that had the latter been released
under a different name - one not so heavily associated with "teeny-
pop music" - it would have been a hit.
Reflecting on the above, I find I frequently like the "different"
tracks by artists. For examples, as much as I dig "Sheila" and
"Everybody" by Tommy Roe (his first-phase Buddy Holly period), my
favorite Roe song is the exquisite Curt Boettcher-produced "It's
Now Winter's Day," reflecting neither his Holly nor his bubblegum
era. Similarly, my favorite single Monkees track is the intricate
and progressive "Porpoise Song," the full-length single version
(with Hammond opening and full-length psychedelic fade). Here's
another one: Bobby Darin's "Lost Love," the flip of "Queen of the
Hop," a quiet folky ballad of extraordinary beauty and depth whose
main accompaniment was an almost acapella male chorus. (It would be
a perfect segue to or from "Wonderful You" by Jimmie Rodgers in the
same period.) It was most unlike his rock 'n' roll or ring-a-ding
styles, and that moody sensitivity didn't show up again until his
Dimension period. Which leads to...
Two more cents, this time about the spirited Chiffons discussion
I just caught up on: While I appreciate "One Fine Day," "He's So
Fine," and the big hits, the Chiffons - whether from their own
inspiration or that of inspired producers, management and/or writers
- that enabled them to experiment "outside the box," too. To wit, the
beautiful "What Am I Going To Do With You" and the remarkable "Nobody
Knows What's Goin' On (In My Mind But Me),"two brilliant recordings,
and in the case of "Nobody," a truly progressive pop record.
(Acknowledging the oft-cited uneven quality of their ouevre, I still
never realized their Laurie catalog was 50+ songs deep!)
Which introduces a possible discussion thread: What atypical songs
by artists identified with a distinct style (or styles) are among your
favorites? What unexpected surprises have most grabbed you? Your turn....
Phil Milstein, your Shangri-La's '77 article is outstanding; thank
you for such a well-documented and self-evident labor of love. I
never knew about that aspect of their career. The photos are priceless,
too. On this past July 4th, "the Shangri-La's" were to perform before
the fireworks display in nearby Summit, NJ; I assumed but I don't know)
that it was one of the bogus groups. Reading about their aversion to
their earlier material, I think I was probably right. I got burned on
one such fake Shangs show a couple of years ago - as close as they got
was one of the background singers who looked like Mary Weiss' cousin
would have in the 60's; turns out the lead singer was her mother!
(The "cousin's," not the real Mary.) Caveat emptor.
Quick notes:
New on the want list: Adam Charles, "Somebody Else's Girl," Dot 16459,
1963. Thanks, Mick, for the identification. Original performance, please;
format irrelevant. Perhaps someone could please play it to musica?
Also looking for information on the Moon Stones, who did "Love Call"
(main vocal refrain "Lover, come back") on Dolton in the mid '60's.
Nice spacy production on a fun rocker driven by an acoustic guitar.
They're not listed in Fuzz Acid & Flowers.
Stu Phillips:
> On Oct. 17th, New York City fans can meet Stu at the Barnes
> & Noble Bookstore... 1972 Broadway at 7:00 PM.
Please remind us again closer to the date...
Elisabeth, you were great at S'pop NYC. And thank you for the
compliment. Again, requests regarding your CD: Track details?
Can it be acquired? How, please? On- or off-list is fine.
Finally, the S'pop Team posted:
> Barry White and Mickie Most are the latest additions to the
> S'pop Remembers Section. Available here:
> http://www.spectropop.com/remembers/
Sadly, the gallery keeps growing. Re: Felice Bryant, I notice her
survivors include two sons named Del and Dane. In the early '70's,
there was an album on Warner Brothers by one Browning Bryant
(produced by Allen Toussaint, if I remember correctly), who was
said to be the Bryants' offspring. Which son was this? (It was a
pretty good album, too; if you find it, check out the funky "You
Might Say" for starters, which I could have sworn would be a hit -
unique voice, Toussaint's production and piano, and a vocal back-up
straight out of Van Dyke Parks.)
Country Paul
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Message: 5
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 09:17:49 +0200
From: Eddy Smit
Subject: Re: Pete Best
Nick Archer:
> Didn't Pete Best score the first Crocodile Dundee movie?
Different Peter Best. This one's an Australian composer with
about 40 TV & film credits to his name from which I only
recognised Crocodile Dundee 2 (Duh!) and Muriel's Wedding.
Eddy
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Message: 6
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 04:27:52 -0000
From: Tony Leong
Subject: Re: Chiffons' "Stop Look & Listen"
David Bell wrote:
> I have a black and white photo that I showed Judy last year
> that she had never seen. It'd make a wonderful inside cover
> illustration. How about it? And Tony...I promised to send Judy
> a copy. Can I send a scan to you to forward to her?
Absolutely David, you can scan me a copy of the photo and I will
send it to Judy. Judy still does gigs with the group, but she
also works at a medical office and lives up in the Bronx.
Tony leong
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Message: 7
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 09:54:52 +0200
From: Eddy Smit
Subject: Re: QUICK QUERY! Any Roger Nichols involvement on Paul Williams Demo LP?
O. Lebair:
> There's an apparently ancient but undated Paul Williams demo
> album up on ebay, credits appear to be minimal but there are
> label scans which list about twelve titles, most of which are
> unfamiliar to me. Can anyone glean from the titles when these
> tracks were cut in relation to his work with Roger Nichols?
Here's the titles...
Side A :
The room
This is love
Before you
The quiet side of love
Once upon a mystery
The hunter
Side B :
Carnival of love
Stargazer
As others turn
Walk tall
And a seed to sow
Professor
As far as I can make out, the label also says Published by
Adam R Levy & Father Enterprises Inc.
C/D Big Seven Music Corp
17 West xxx Street
New York, NY 1002x (5? 3?)
+ phone number
This record is for demonstration purposes only, not for sale
or public performance.
Eddy
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Message: 8
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 13:48:07 -0000
From: stiffman22
Subject: Tidbit on two members of the Jaynettes
Lezli Valentine of the Jaynettes is alive and well and living
in Columbus, Ohio. I talked to her the other day and she informed
me that Marie Hood, also an old member is living in the Cleveland,
Ohio area. I have talked for hours with Lezli and listened to her
music. She is a real character. I informed her that I did a search
on the internet and found that she still has a lot of fans. I told
her about it and she was so excited( She does not have internet).
She told me I "made an old lady's day"! If anyone out there has any
questions she would be glad to answer them.
That's all for now.
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Message: 9
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 10:13:48 EDT
From: Paul Urbahns
Subject: Private Label Elvis duets album
Does anyone have a copy of the record album that a mail order
dealer, (Richard Minor comes to mind but it may not have been
him) that issued an album of Elvis dueting with Simon and
Garfunkel and other name stars of the early 70s. It was crudely
done from what I understand as the edited Elvis versions of songs
with the hit versions by name artists. I have never heard it. You
can email me privately if you don't want to post comments to the group.
Paul Urbahns
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Message: 10
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 16:37:39 -0000
From: David A Young
Subject: promo LP "L.A.Radio"
Hi, friends,
I'm writing to request information about a promo-only LP called
"L.A.Radio" and released by Los Angeles's KROQ in 1979. A copy
was recently auctioned on eBay (needless to say, I wasn't the
lucky winner), and the description, including label scans, can
still be viewed here: http://snurl.com/1s4g
The track listing consists of a mixture of otherwise available
and previously unreleased songs. There are enough songs here
known to be produced by the Kessel brothers that I consider it
highly likely that more of their productions would be among the
tunes exclusive to this package. Can any of you confirm/identify
such tracks?
Second, the title song by Steven T. is said to mention Phil Spector.
Since I collect records that pay tribute to Phil (and have a
forthcoming Spectropop article on the subject in development), I'd
like to know what the pertinent lyrics are, please. Better yet, if
some kind soul would play the song to musica, I'd love to hear it in
its entirety.
Finally, the LP contains the song "Do Ya" credited to American Spring.
Is it safe to assume that this is the same version of the song
subsequently issued on The Honeys' LP "It's Like Heaven" (and later
reissued on their Capitol CD)?
While I believe that many group members would be interested in the
answers to these specific questions, I also welcome more detailed
off-list correspondence from anyone in possession of a copy of the album.
Thanks in advance for the help,
David
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Message: 11
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 10:13:47 EDT
From: Paul Urbahns
Subject: Re: Murray The K album
Ken On the West Coast writes:
> Talk of Murray the K brings me to an album "Murray the K
> presents 1962 Golden Gassers" it's a Scepter Records label
> but the artists are not all from that label. We have Johnny
> Tillotson, Don & Juan & Ben E King for starters. Anyone else
> seen any? I suppose it was a series.
That's the only album I have seen, so it may have been a series
of one. However, my disappointment was Murray The K is not on
the album anywhere, except the cover. I have two Alan Freed Oldies
albums he did for Roulette and on one of them he gives a brief
introduction to each song, on the other it is just music no talk.
I actually like the introductions. If they put a DJ's name on
something I think he should at least do an introductory track.
Paul Urbahns
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Message: 12
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 10:37:08 -0700 (PDT)
From: Joe
Subject: Re: Fanita of the Blossoms and Rick Lancelot
Sean wrote:
> Does anyone know what happened to these two? Fanita
> was part of the background singing group, The Blossoms,
> that appeared on "Shindig!" as regulars.
Hiya Sean,
I met Fanita James two years ago at the memorial
service for my long time friend Doris Jackson of
the Shirelles. Doris moved to California in the
80's and Fanita sang backup for Doris' Shirelles
group. The memorial was held here in New Jersey.
I haven't heard anything after that.
Darlene lives here in the NY metro area and appears
frequently at shows on the East Coast.
The Blossoms also recorded an LP for MGM, and
several 45's for various labels. They were quite
good, but really didn't break into the market.
Joe
Ellie Greenwich Fan Club
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Message: 13
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 14:01:00 -0400
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: Private Label Elvis duets album
Paul Urbahns:
> ......an album of Elvis dueting with Simon and
> Garfunkel and other name stars of the early 70s. It was
> crudely done from what I understand as the edited Elvis
> versions of songs with the hit versions by name artists.
Geez Paul, its gotta be a horror show. He must have done it
all with the "Hand Syncing" technique used back then.
It might be interesting to hear tho....
Mikey
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Message: 14
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 18:29:17 -0000
From: Jerry Lintelf
Subject: The Londonaires - Dearest Emma
I heard a song played on UK radio last week called "Dearest
Emma" by a vocal group called (I think) the Londonaires.
I believe it's on UK Decca and came out around the mid-60s.
Can anybody help me locate a copy please? Thanks!
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Message: 15
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 11:49:50 -0700 (PDT)
From: David Coyle
Subject: Re: Capreez
The Capreez were actually in the top 20 on WCOL
Columbus on a week in 1966 when the number one song
was "Little Black Egg" by the Nightcrawlers. I don't
remember "Time" being the song, though. It was a great
week for garage/pop type records, particularly local
ones as the chart also featured the Dantes, Fifth
Order and Rebounds from Columbus, and Gary & The
Hornets from Franklin, OH.
Any more info would be appreciated. In the meantime
I'll look to see what the Capreez Columbus-charted
song was...
David
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Message: 16
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 19:16:20 -0000
From: Jonathan Singer
Subject: "Monday Kind of Friday"
Dear Spectropop People:
I just discovered and joined your group - mostly because of
a song, "Monday Kind of Friday" by Dawn's Early Light.
Thirty-some years ago, my best friend, Eddie, was a member
of this group. This was my Bronx buddy's first (and final)
involvement in a hit record; just as the record was released
he was drafted, did a hitch in the Navy and that was the end
of his career in pop music.
I've been looking for this record for nearly ten years,
particularly because Eddie hasn't seen or heard it for 20 years.
He's been trying to make it as an actor in NYC -- he was part of
Michael Madsen's crew in the vastly unrecognized and under-
appreciated, "Donnie Brasco" -- with the spotty success that is
typical of the actor's life. I know he'd get a real boost if he
could hear the record again.
I've located a collector who's going to sell me the actual 45.
In the meanwhile, I noticed in some of your old posts that last
year someone had posted an mp3 of "Monday Kind of Friday" on
your site. Would it be possible for someone to play it again?
I will try to repay this kindness by telling whoever is interested,
some of the background on that record. Since Spectropop is
devoted to my favorite period of 60s music, NYC/Brill Building
stuff, I would be happy to sign a hardcover copy of a book I wrote,
Cissy Houston's autobiography, "How Sweet the Sound" (Doubleday,
1998) as a gift to the first couple of people who are interested
enough (and as passionate about this era of great music as your
various posts reveal) to contact me .
Although this book chronicles her life story and the history of
Gospel music, my personal mission was for readers to feel
what a typical NYC recording session was like in the early 60s.
By interviewing people like Brooks Arthur, Mike Stoller, Billy
Vera, Tom Dowd, Garry Sheman, Jerry Ragovoy, Hugh McCracken and
Paul Griffin, I believe I accomplished that - from page 148 onward.
Stumbling upon Spectropop made my day - not just for "Monday Kind
of Friday" - but also for discovering a bunch of people who dig
this music as much as I do. Thanks for reading.
Jonathan Singer
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Message: 17
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 20:13:16 -0000
From: costaricansoul
Subject: The Poppies
Hey Will,
The Poppies album consist of ten tracks and they are all
pretty good, the song "He's Ready" really shows off the
girls' vocal talents.
You can also find their song "There's A Pain In My Heart"
on the CD, The Best Of Soultime which was issued on Epic
in 2002. This is a great track that was not included on
their album.
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Message: 18
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 13:38:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: Rosemarie
Subject: Diane Renay's Birthday
Tomorrow 13th of July will be Diane Renay's Birthday -
why not drop her a line or send her a e-card (she has not
got a guestbook on the site http://www.dianerenay.com/ but
her e-mail address is missdianerenay@aol.com
Rosemarie
http://www.edrambeau.com
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Message: 19
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 21:43:40 +0100
From: Simon White
Subject: Tidbit on one member of the Jaynettes
stiffman22 wrote:
> Lezli Valentine of the Jaynettes is alive and well and
> living in Columbus, Ohio.
For members' (and Lezli's) information, her spiffing All
Platinum track "I Won't Do Anything" has recently been
released on the CD "On The Real Side" (The Modern End Of
Northern Soul) CMRCD291. It's a different mix than the 45
and very nice it is too.
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Message: 20
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 21:03:01 -0000
From: Art Longmire
Subject: Chiffons, "Nobody Knows What's Goin' On In My Mind But Me"
Country Paul wrote:
> Two more cents, this time about the spirited Chiffons
> discussion I just caught up on: While I appreciate "One Fine
> Day", "He's So Fine", and the big hits, the Chiffons - whether
> from their own inspiration or that of inspired producers,
> management and/or writers - that enabled them to experiment
> "outside the box"' too. To wit, the beautiful "What Am I Gonna
> Do With You" and the remarkable "Nobody Knows What's Goin' On
> (In My Mind But Me)", two brilliant recordings, and in the case
> of "Nobody", a truly progressive pop record. (Acknowledging the
> oft-cited uneven quality of their ouevre, I still never realized
> their Laurie catalog was 50+ songs deep!)
Hello, Country Paul
Thanks for giving the props to the Chiffons' "Nobody Knows What's
Goin' On (In My Mind But Me)", a tune that I too have been raving
about for many years now. I found a copy of this about 12 years ago
and was stunned at the performance and arrangement. I like how you
refer to it as "progressive" - I've always called it psychedelic
or "proto-psychedelic" and it would have to be one of the earlier
examples of that style since it was recorded in 1965. Also it was
written by the artist and writer known as Brute Force - this was
the first record I came across with his participation.
Best,
Art Longmire
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Message: 21
Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2003 18:12:23 EDT
From: Paul Urbahns
Subject: the Electric Screwdriver
Does anyone on this list have any albums credited to The
Electric Screwdriver. I just missed on on ebay not long ago.
They are sound-a-likes of current hits in the early 70s.
Paul Urbahns
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Message: 22
Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2003 00:18:54 +0100
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: Fancy another Party?
Clay Stabler gave me the details of a Nitzsche co-writing
credit, well it is exciting news to me. But he also supplied
two very interesting links;
http://www.starrevue.com/
http://www.millenniumwomen.net/doo-wop.htm
Unfortunately I can't be there but if any of my S'pop pals make
it, I want a detailed review with names and phone numbers!
Martin
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