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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 12 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Re: The Three Degrees
From: Mike Rashkow
2. The Groop, The Avant Garde
From: Art Longmire
3. Re: Laura Nyro
From: Bill Craig
4. Simon White's Metropolitan Soul Playlist 3rd August 03
From: Simon White
5. Buzz Cason/Garry Miles/The Groop
From: Norman
6. Re: Sire
From: Andrew Jones
7. Laura Nyro
From: Stuart Miller
8. Re: Jam's "Pigeon"
From: Jeffrey Glenn
9. Re: Battle of the Teenage Stars
From: Stewart Mason
10. Janis Ian, Sire, Groop
From: Bob Rashkow
11. Re: The Groop, The Avant Garde
From: Keith D'Arcy
12. Jam (on Bell) / Jam (on Sire)
From: Michel Gignac
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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2003 19:07:54 EDT
From: Mike Rashkow
Subject: Re: The Three Degrees
Bob Rashkow writes:
> Rashkovsky, when were you doing sound for them?
I was the button pusher on one session they did in Studio A
at Bell sound. Don't remember the details. I'm pretty sure
it was Leon Huff that came in with them.
I do remember them coming in at various times to do BG.
That's it.
I've got CRAFT disease.
Rashkovsky (your cuz)
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2003 23:23:50 -0000
From: Art Longmire
Subject: The Groop, The Avant Garde
Keith mentioned the Groop, who recorded an LP for Bell records
- I once corresponded via e-mail with a member of the band,
and am interested in finding out more about their LP. The woman
I spoke with is named Aileen Thomas and she is now married to
Elkin Thomas, who along with Chuck Woolery (of game show host
fame) was the prime mover in the Avant Garde. I'm sure most people
on the board have heard the Avant Garde's "Naturally Stoned".
They currently tour and record as a folk duo.
When I spoke with Aileen, she said that she was surprised that
anyone remembered the music of she and her husband's old groups.
I told her that I had a 45 by the Groop (I think it's on United
Artists - a selection from the "Midnight Cowboy" movie) and that
I had a 45 by her husband's first group, the Bordermen, who also
included Chuck Woolery. I told her that I thought the Bordermen
record was brilliant and to let Elkin know! By the way, if anyone
has heard of this record (it's called "Anna" on the CEO label)
please let me know - I always thought it was a real obscurity,
but it's one of my all time favorite tracks. I also have always
liked "Naturally Stoned" - it's a classic!
Elkin and Aileen Thomas have a website and the bio posted there
mentions these groups - http://www.aethomas.com/
Best,
Art Longmire
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Message: 3
Date: Mon, 04 Aug 2003 23:30:49 -0000
From: Bill Craig
Subject: Re: Laura Nyro
Susan wrote:
> Janis Ian with "Society's Child" and all that came after?
David Feldman:
> I knew someone would bring up Janis Ian! Yes, Janis was younger
> than Laura Nyro, but I don't think there's any comparison in the
> quality of the music or the sophistication.
I'm with you David. Taking nothing away from Janis Ian, I can't
think of too many artists of any age who seamlessly synthesized
their influences (Girl Groups, Doo-wop, Soul, Jazz) and created
a completely unique musical and lyrical universe, the way that
Laura did.
Bill Craig
I can surrey, and occasionally picnic.
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Message: 4
Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2003 11:57:16 +0100
From: Simon White
Subject: Simon White's Metropolitan Soul Playlist 3rd August 03
Some items of interest to Spectropoppers here I think -
you know it makes sense!
Early Bird Satellite - Andre Brasseur - Pallette
Just Trying To Please You - Jimmy Thomas - Mirwood
What Kind Of Man - Marva Whitney - King
How - The Masqueraders - Grapevine
Starting The Hurt All Over Again - Brenda Holloway - Motown
I.O.U. - Johnny Caswell - Champion (bootleg!)
My Baby's Been Cheating (I Know) - AC Reed - Goldmine Cd 150 "Allnighter Vol 2"
I Aint Going For That - Inez And Charlie Foxx - Dynamo
New Guy - The Dynells - Constellation
Stop, Look And Listen - E. Lois Foreman - Sureshot
Challenge My Love - Tobi Lark - Kent CD 177 'Dave Hamiltons Detroit Dancers
Vol 2'
Not My Girl - The Platters - Kent Album 69 'No No No No No..'.
Heart broken Memories - Sheila Ferguson - Kent CD 120 'Swans Soul Sides'
Think It Over - The Chesterfields - Grapevine 2k
A Little Bit Of Something - Little Richard - Columbia
That's A Good Idea - Grover Mitchell - Vee Jay
If You Wanna - Baby Jean - Stacey
Call His Name - Christine Kittrell - King
Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide - Little Walter Hammond - Duo Disc
Jealous Heart - Pookie Hudson - Double L
Chills And Fever - Ronnie Love - Dot
Hold Me In Your Arms - Eddie Holman - Grapevine 2k
Angel Baby - Garland Green - Uni
Bet You Never Thought - Gene Chandler - Constellation
I Don't Need It - Barry White - Del Fi Cd 71255 'Boss Soul - The Genius Of Barry White'
This Won't Change - Lester Tipton - Grapevine
Shing A Ling - The Cooperettes - Brunswick
Magic Touch - Melba Moore - Kent CD 146 'Kent's Magic Touch'.
This Old Heart Of Mine - Donnie Elbert - Mojo
Why Don't You Let Yourself Go - Mary Wells - 20Century
California Montage - Young Holt Unlimited - Bruswick
No More Room In My Heart - Saundra Edwards - Bestway CD 'Northern Soul
Memories Vol 3'
No Turning Back - Shelly Black - Castle CD 291 'On The Real Side - The
Modern End of Northern Soul'
Written On The Wall - The Invitations - Dynovoice
Do You Believe In Love At First Sight - Dionne Warwick - Warner Brothers
Raincoat in The River - Sammy Turner - Big Top
Bring Back My Heart - Dee Sharp
Night - Dee Dee Sharp - Cameo
You Need Me - Lewis Sisters - V.I.P.
In The Cold Light Of Day - Gene Pitney - Musicor
Rilleah! - Marvin Gaye and Oma Page - Spectrum CD 067016-2 'Motown Connoisseueurs Vol 2'
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Message: 5
Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2003 23:14:54 +0930
From: Norman
Subject: Buzz Cason/Garry Miles/The Groop
Hi Spectroppers,
Look For A Star
A message from my brother extolling his latest acquisitions
included the Garry Miles version of Look For A Star. He asked
if I knew of this bloke. I was excited! After giving him the
rundown on Buzz Cason he invites me to have a look at the record
when I visit next. Well, my excitement was two fold when I
discovered he actually had an Extended Play with a decidedly dapper
Buzz Cason on the cover.
Look For A Star - Garry Miles and the Statues
Look For A Star/Wishing Well/I Miss You So/Afraid of Love
Produced by Snuff Garrett
Liberty LSX 1005
Anyway, I would like to share the bio on the back cover with
Spectroppers.
"Garry Miles got his start in show business about four years ago by
pantomiming records, and later singing , on a Nashville Tennessee
television station. He also spent about two years working with a
band called The Casuals. The group backed such outstanding names as
Jerry Lee Lewis, Fabian and Brenda Lee.
Although he plays piano and drums, Garry's main interest is singing.
His first hit record, Look For A Star, is featured in this album. He
is backed by The Statues, Hugh Jarrett and Richard Williams, also from
Nashville - center of the recording and music business in the South"
re: The Groop (from Down under)
Interesting to see the list of who has been a member of the Australian
Groop. Brian Caine (aka Brian Cadd), Ronnie Charles, Don Mudie and Max
Ross among a few. Both Cadd and Charlies have worked considerable
periods overseas. Probably the most unusual song this outfit recorded
was the 1966 side "Best In Africa", although I doubt the line-up at
that time included Cadd, Charles or Mudie. Their success came with
Woman You're A Breaking Me and Such a Lovely Way in 1967 and 68
respectively.
Incidentally, Cadd, Mudie and Ross were used instrumentally on the
Australian epic "The Real Thing" by Russell Morris, and I believe
Ronnie Charles is featured vocally somewhere amongst the cacophony.
Ronnie Charles recorded an album in London in the 1970's titled
"Prestidigitation" that included a interesting version of Free's
Wishing Well.
Cheers
Norman
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Message: 6
Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2003 10:07:24 -0400 (EDT)
From: Andrew Jones
Subject: Re: Sire
I used to have The Mixtures' "Pushbike Song" single on Sire
(US), and I remember the word "Polydor" was right next to the
Sire logo.
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Message: 7
Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2003 16:22:55 +0100
From: Stuart Miller
Subject: Laura Nyro
Dave,
I couldn't agree more with your comments about Laura Nyro.
Specifically in relation to "Eli", Laura did all the background
vocals herself. She had rehearsed the parts beforehand with
"singers" (I don't know whether it was The Blossoms or The Hi
Fashions) but this was more in preparation for live performances
than the recording.
The fact that Laura did the background voices herself presented
technical problems in recording because it was an 8 track that
was used and there was worry that there wouldn't be enough space.
The tracks were mixed to another 8 track and the overdubs were
done on the slave and then bounced back to the master. And it was
done manually as there were no syncing devices then.
Laura did a demo of "Eli" first and it's interesting to see that
with the obvious dearth of new material, some of those demo cuts
have been finding their way out on compilations over the last few
years.
And as a "no use to anyone" bit of information, the drummer on
the sessions, Artie Schroek, had never done a drum session in his
life before that one.
Stuart
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Message: 8
Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2003 08:43:54 -0700
From: Jeffrey Glenn
Subject: Re: Jam's "Pigeon"
Michel:
> I think that your impression is quite right. In Jerry Osborne's
> book "Rockin' Records", he puts Jam's single on Sire in 1968.
> When I first saw that you had uploaded some music by Jam from
> 1972, I thought this was the same Jam who released "Pigeon" in
> 1971. I have not heard "Pigeon" since 1971 when a snippet of it
> was played at American Bandstand I think. If somebody owns that
> single and wants to play it to musica or sell it to me, it would
> be fantastic!
It's there now.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/files/musica
Enjoy!
Jeff
http://lostjukebox.tripod.com
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Message: 9
Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2003 13:38:22 -0400
From: Stewart Mason
Subject: Re: Battle of the Teenage Stars
Dave Feldman wrote:
>I knew someone would bring up Janis Ian! Yes, Janis was younger
>than Laura Nyro, but I don't think there's any comparison in the
>quality of the music or the sophistication. But then Laura Nyro
>is my favorite solo singer-songwriter ever. I can't think of any
>other teenager in the "rock era" capable of producing masterpieces
>like "Poverty Train" or "The Confession."
I believe Kate Bush was all of 18 or 19 when her debut album THE
KICK INSIDE was released (she'd signed to EMI when she was 16), and
while she did even better work later on, this album is still quite
remarkable. As much as I love Laura Nyro, I'd put "The Man with the
Child in His Eyes", "Them Heavy People" and "Wuthering Heights"
against any of Laura's stuff any day.
S
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Message: 10
Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2003 14:44:00 EDT
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: Janis Ian, Sire, Groop
I knew that Sire Records existed in the late sixties but
didn't know they started in '66 or that they had such a
long subsidiary history. Before they established themselves
as a $-making label with Renaissance, Climax Blues Band and
the like, there apparently were some very obscure rock albums.
Mixtures ("Pushbike Song") were on there too? Always loved
that one, great summertime record!
Artie Wayne, there is no end to your good, hard work! Let's
just say I wax poetic about Janis Ian's first 2 LPs and "At 17"
(post-Wayne hit?) and am searching for the third and fourth LPs
for more of her brilliant music and lyrics. (Shadow Morton was
one of the "celebs" I tried and failed to correspond with!)
The Groop contributed to the MIDNIGHT COWBOY soundtrack. Was
that the Bell band or the Australians? Suspect the former.
Also I believe this was their last gasp before disbanding.
Bobster
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Message: 11
Date: Tue, 05 Aug 2003 21:42:15 -0400
From: Keith D'Arcy
Subject: Re: The Groop, The Avant Garde
Art Longmire wrote:
> Keith mentioned the Groop, who recorded an LP for Bell records
> - I once corresponded via e-mail with a member of the band,
> and am interested in finding out more about their LP. The woman
> I spoke with is named Aileen Thomas and she is now married to
> Elkin Thomas, who along with Chuck Woolery (of game show host
> fame) was the prime mover in the Avant Garde.
Hey Art,
Right you are... Susan Musmanno of Groop fame changed her
name to Aileen Thomas (which is her middle name combined with
her married name, I think). She and her husband Elkin Thomas
met while backing Leonard Cohen, apparently. They're still a
going concern on the folk circuit.
Here's the track listing for the Groop LP:
Side One
1. A Famous Myth (Jeffrey Comanor)
2. I Try To Think Of You When I Can (Edward Millis)
3. The Continental (Herb Magidson/Con Conrad)
4. Blustery Day (Edward Millis)
5. Goin' Back (Gerry Goffin/Carole King)
6. Time Fire (Jeffrey Comanor) note: this may be listed as
"Bright Fire" on the masters
Side Two
1. The Jet Song (Chris Ducey)
2. Nobody At All (Jeffrey Comanor)
3. Haunted Places (Jeffrey Comanor)
4. I Just Don't Know How To Say Goodbye (Joey Stec/
Sandy Salisbury)
5. Wonder Why (Chris Ducey)
6. Dianne Help Me Now (Jeffrey Comanor) note: this may be
listed as "Dianne Help Me Now" on the masters
Cheers,
Keith
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Message: 12
Date: Wed, 06 Aug 2003 03:38:00 -0000
From: Michel Gignac
Subject: Jam (on Bell) / Jam (on Sire)
Jeff,
You must be the only owner of Jam's Pigeon in the world!
Thank you very much. The information you give about this
single (Bell 138) (which was popular at the end of 1971 and
the beginning of 1972) let us know that it was not released
on Sire. It is almost impossible that two different groups
with the same name recorded in 1972. Does it let us conclude
that Jerry Osborne is right when he gives 1968 for Jam's
single "Something's Gone"? I own a Strangeloves' single
(Honey Do) on Sire blue label at the end of 1968. As Billy
wrote, "Until someone comes up with a copy we will never know."
But I don't think Fuzz Acid and Flowers is wrong too often.
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