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Volume #0188 December 1, 1998
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Slight warpage will not distort playing quality
Subject: Cookies/Cinderellas vocalist mystery finally solved
Sent: 11/29/98 10:36 am
Received: 11/29/98 7:26 pm
From: IAC, ianXXXXXXXXalnet.co.uk
To: Spectropop List, spectrXXXXXXXXities.com
It's been pretty much accepted up till now, although never
actually confirmed in print, that the group who cut the
Cinderellas "Baby Baby I Still Love You"/"Please Don't Wake Me"
for Dimension were in fact the Cookies - not too surprising,
considering the Goffin/King (& Russ Titelman) connections, and the
use of session groups in a range of disguises during the girl-group
heyday (e.g. the Blossoms) The lead vocal on the Cinderellas sides
was pretty obviously the same girl taking lead on the Cookies own
"I Never Dreamed" and "Only To Other People", also on Dimension.
We knew it wasn't Cookie Earl-Jean McRea, as her distinctive solo
records for Colpix demonstrated, and it didn't really sound like
Cookie Dorothy Jones either, judging from her solo 45 for Columbia.
This left Cookie Margaret Ross as No. 1 suspect. Well, a tape
has just been unearthed from the vaults containing the actual
Cinderellas studio session of "Baby Baby I Still Love You". Studio
chat is clearly audible in between takes, particularly between the
engineer and the lead vocalist - and he clearly addresses her as
"Margaret", on more than one occasion.
Mystery solved, it would appear. Extracts from the session tapes
may be available on a girl-group compilation in the
not-too-distant future. For those interested, Margaret's voice -
the epitome of the classic girl-group sound - is also to the fore
on the following other "Cookies-in-disguise" records:-
Palisades - "Make The Night A Little Longer"/"Heaven Is Being With
You" - Chairman
Honeybees - "One Wonderful Night" - Fontana (this side only)
Ian Chapman
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Subject: Xmas Show
Sent: 11/30/98 1:01 am
Received: 11/30/98 7:43 am
From: Doc Rock, docrXXXXXXXX.com
To: Spectropop List, spectrXXXXXXXXities.com
Here in Toledo, Ohio, there is a show coming up with Freddie Cannon,
Bryan Hyland, and one member each of the groups Sam & Dave,
Drifters, Shirelles, Outsiders, Climax, and more.
Oldies shows are as rare as hen's teeth in Toledo. This is only
the second since I moved here in '91. The show is December 17th,
Unfortunately, December 17th is also the day I start my new job --
in Columbia, South Carolina! 15 hours away!
Arggg!
Doc
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Subject: Smashmouth & Sealed Lips
Sent: 11/29/98 11:44 pm
Received: 11/29/98 11:39 pm
From: Javed Jafri, javedjXXXXXXXXnt.ca
To: Spectropop List, spectrXXXXXXXXities.com
> Subject: Re: "Can't Get Enough of You Baby"
> From: Billy G. Spradlin, biXXXXXXXXore.net
> This song was also covered by a UK group called The Colour Field
> in 1985 and it was a popular "New Wave" radio hit. In fact I think
> Smashmouth's version is based on this cover.
It's quite possible that Smashmouth were introduced to this song
via The Colourfield's version but I don't think they based their
arrangement on it. The Colourfield's version is slowed down and
melodic while the Smashmouth version retains the "garage" flavor
of the Question Mark version. The Colourfield were led by Terry
Hall, a former member of The Specials and Fun Boy Three. Also, a
rather tenuous Girl Group connection here. He co-wrote "Our Lips
Are Sealed" with Jane Wiedlin of the Go Go's. That's one of the
best female pop records of the 80's, don't you think ?
Javed
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Subject: The Murmaids / Kim Fowley /The Flirtations
Sent: 11/30/98 11:54 am
Received: 12/01/98 7:43 am
From: Darian Sahanaja, monsXXXXXXXXhlink.net
To: Spectropop List, spectrXXXXXXXXities.com
Had the pleasure of meeting the original Murmaids today.
Technically 2 out of the 3 original girls. The Fischer sisters
Caroi and Terry and new member Cynthia Perry who replaced Sally
Gordon. Mentioning Sally's name seemed to bring about an awkward
silence so I thought best not to ask. They were all very lovely
ladies and seemed genuinely touched that even younger folk knew of
"Popsicles & Icicles" let alone other fantastic singles such as
"Wild & Wonderful" and "Heartbreak Ahead". I tthought Terry had one
of the best West Coast girl lead singer voices and she says "not
bad for a 17 years old". . . JEEZ, I guess singers were just much
better back then. I thought I had touched upon yet another awkward
moment when I pulled out a copy of full-length vinyl compilation
album that I picked up in the mid 80's. It sported the original
Chattahoochee label and had excellent sound quality so I thought
it was legit. . .WRONG, it was a boot. . .WHOOPS! But they all had
a laugh 'cause the photos on the cover weren't even of them. In
fact, since they recorded them in 1963, they hadn't even heard the
songs until Collectables acquired them for their recent CD release.
This prompted Terry's humor to quote "so you heard them before we
did". . .YIKES!
At any rate, conversation went from David Gates to Rodney
Bingenheimer (the first time I ever heard "Popsicles. ." was on
his radio show) who they hadn't heard of but were extremely
enthusiastic about meeting. . .another YIKES! Actually, with a
Rodney documentary in the makes (yes it's true, with decent
Hollywood funding even), that led to the very fascinating
discussion about Kim Fowley, who produced "Popsicles.." and will
steal the show when the documentary comes out. I mean, c'mon,
Murmaids, Hollywood Argyles, Helen Reddy, Runaways, KISS. . .talk
about a mover and shaker. The producer and director already agree
that he's GOT to be their next subject. Oh well, back to the
Murmaids. Seems they're considering a string of shows and a
possible recording. They did one show recently with the Cowsills
(minus Susan) and they're wanting to do more. I love my new
autographed photo of them posing with, hmmm, you guessed it . . .
Kim Fowley.
Many salutes to Ian Chapman for the Flirtations info. I had no
idea there was a connection to the Gypsies. I love their Old Town
45's like "Oh I Wonder Why" and "Diamonds, Rubies, Gold and Fame".
Fantastic records they are. Does anyone know if the Flirtations CD
on Marginal covers the same material as their Deram album? And
does anyone know where I can still get a hold of one? With rumor
of Marginal's demise, I figure I should move on it.
These are a part of the things I love,
Darian
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Subject: Re: the Flirtations/Marginal
Sent: 11/30/98 9:42 am
Received: 12/01/98 7:43 am
From: wXXXXXXXX.tyenet.com
To: Spectropop List, spectrXXXXXXXXities.com
Thanks to CHARLES THOMPSON and IAC for the info on the Flirtations.
I'm going to try to get my hands on a copy of that comp! I have
a track called "Hey There, Hey There," by the Gypsies from 1963,
but I guess a few years make quite a difference, because they
sound nothing alike.
>I understand that Marginal is shortly to cease existing....
>So if there's anything you're after (and there's quite a bit I
>want), its probably a good idea to get it soon!
Say it ain't so, Kieron. This isn't good news for girl group fans.
Marginal put out some great rare stuff. Maybe it's good to get a
list together of exactly what's available. I have a Dixie Cups
comp, and a Chiffons comp, and now we now about the Flirtations,
Caravelles, and Kiki Dee, but who else is there?
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