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Volume #0289 July 9, 1999
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it`s the "sound" that counts
Subject: Welcome, Bob
Received: 07/09/99 12:53 am
From: David Feldman, feldxxxxerables.com
To: Spectropop List, spectroxxxxies.com
Bob Alcivar said:
> Thank you Carol Kaye for letting me know and getting me
> on this list.
And welcome to the list, Bob. It's too bad that you didn't
arrive a few months earlier, as we have had many
discussions recently about both the Fifth Dimension and
the Association. I think you'll find this is a congenial
and knowledgeable group of people, and I can't wait to
hear some war stories from you in the future.
If you don't mind me asking something right off the bat....
If I'm not incorrect, you came from a straight jazz
background, and I was curious how the adjustment came for
you to producing/arranging pop music. Was the transition
difficult? Did you approach producing/arranging a 5th
Dimension song any differently from, say, a Manhattan
Transfer one?
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Subject: Ska Light Ska Bright/Top Ten Question
Received: 07/08/99 1:37 am
From: WILLIAM STOS, wsxxxx.com
To: Spectropop List, spectroxxxxies.com
> No, Id say Gretchen "invented" soft rock!
Gretchen, would you know where I can find the Fleetwoods'
song Ska Light Ska Bright on cd? I heard the title, and
I'm interested to hear what it sounds like.
> 4) The Marvellettes-He Was Really Sayin' Something
Is the Marvelettes version of this song as good as the
Velvelettes? It was originally just an album cut, and
usually Motown girl group album covers are not all that
exciting, ie Diana Ross and the Supremes' Heatwave.
Will
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Subject: "Home of the Brave" revisited
Received: 07/08/99 1:37 am
From: Mark Landwehr, mslxxxxs.com
To: Spectropop List, Spectroxxxxies.com
I know this is an old thread, but I have received a copy
of pages from what looks to be the Gavin Report from the
60s, and the "Who Came First?" question is discussed re:
"Home of the Brave." It's a tad long, but I think will be
of interest as a historical item...
>From the 8/6/65 issue:
"Conflicting statements have recently been made regarding
the 'original' version of 'Home of the Brave.' Phil
Spector's signed statement in a Billboard ad claimed that
he had heard that 'it was gonna be covered by a major
label,' and that his record was the original.
"Capitol has just released the song by Jody Miller.
Capitol execs state that their record was recorded at
Capitol Tower Studios in Hollywood on July 8. The record,
they say, was previewed at their sales meeting at the
Sheraton San Juan Hotel, Puerto Rico, on the evening of
July 15.
"Officials of the Los Angeles Musicians Union, Lcl. #47,
confirm the Capitol recording date. They also provide the
following data: On Wed., Aug. 4, they received in the mail
a signed contract for a recording session that had been
held at Hollywood's Gold Star Studios at 3 PM, July 24th.
The contract was signed by Phil Spector, specifying Jerry
Riopell as the leader. The name of Nick di Caro appeared
on the contract as arranger but had been scratched out.
Enclosed with the contract was a check from Phil Spector's
company in payment for union taxes, etc. The check voucher
specified HOME OF THE BRAVE as the song that had been
recorded, although the contract itself specified two other
tunes.
"Phil Spector, when queried about his claim to have the
'original' version, stated that last year he had worked
with writers Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil in developing the
song for one of his groups. He recorded it with the
Ronettes, but was not satisfied with it and did not
release it. His friend Jerry Riopell liked the song and
obtained Phil's permission to work on it. By using Phil's
arrangements and ideas from the previous track, Jerry was
able to work out an acceptable version with Bonnie and the
Treasures. Phil Spector picked up the tab for the recording
costs. No one involved at that time was aware of the
Capitol record, according to Phil. During a plane flight,
Phil had mentioned the song to Steve Douglas of Capitol,
and he believes that it was through this conversation that
Capitol learned of the song and selected it for Jody Miller."
>From the 8/13/65 issue:
"A wire from Phil Spector states: 'I still maintain that
the idea behind the song, of doing the song, and of its
hit potential and the fact that it would now be apropos is
what constitutes in my opinion the word 'cover.' All these
things were first thought of and originated by the Philles
organization.'
"Steve Douglas, Capitol's A&R man for the Jody Miller
record, denies a previously quoted statement from Phil
Spector to the effect that a plane conversation between
the two men gave Capitol the idea of acquiring the song.
Steve states that while he was in New York on June 7 & 8
of this year, songwriters Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil
asked him to listen to a demo record of 'Home of the Brave.'
Steve was told that the song had been twice recorded,
but had not been released. The writers, along with
publisher Donnie Kirshner, seemed of the opinion that it
was not going to be released, and wanted Steve to take it
for Jody Miller. Which he did...
"Funny how things work out. One of the sax men on Phil
Spector's original recording session for the Ronettes last
summer was Steve Douglas"
If anyone has the 8/20/65 issue, it may continue the story.
But, quoting what was said at the end of the 8/6/65
issue, "It seems obvious from the foregoing that nobody
'covered' anybody else. The two records appeared on the
market almost simultaneously..."
Mark
Phil Spector Record Gallery (updated
7/1/9xxxx//www.toltbbs.com/~msland/Spector
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Subject: Re: Van Dyke Parks
Received: 07/09/99 12:54 am
From: Brad Elliott, surfxxxxline.net
To: Spectropop List, spectroxxxxies.com
Don Richardson wrote:
>3. Donovan's Colours-Mono (Leitch/Adapt. Arr. Parks)/ Donovan's
>Colours-Stereo (Leitch/Adapt. Arr. Parks) WB-7026 (1967)
>
>Number 3B Has not appeared anywhere to my
>knowledge. It was reported to be on Danny Hutton's album
>"Pre-Dog Night", but I cannot confirm it.
I feel certain that something went awry here. Surely, Don,
you're not indicating that the stereo version of "Donovan's
Colours" hasn't appeared anywhere else, are you? It's on
every copy of SONG CYCLE that I've got (vinyl or CD), and
it's even on the IDEOSYNCRATIC PATH compilation that came
out in the UK a couple of years ago.
In any event, I have a copy of PRE-DOG NIGHT and no
version of "Donovan's Colours" is included. In fact, there
seems to be no obvious Parks connection to any of the
album's 10 songs.
Surf's up!
Brad
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Subject: a question
Received: 07/09/99 12:54 am
From: Stewart Mason, flamixxxxom
To: Spectropop List, spectroxxxxies.com
Is anybody else bothered by the new "corrected" spelling
of Buddha Records, recently reactivated by BMG as their
umbrella reissue label? Buddah was one of the great label
names -- as well as having some of the best label art of
its era -- and seeing it as Buddha Records feels like if
EMI had suddenly started calling its US arm Capital.
Stewart
***************************FLAMINGO RECORDS*************************
Stewart Allensworth Mason "My hair always looks like it's
Box 40172 listening, in some private way,
Albuquerque NM 87196 to a disco album called DANCE
www.rt66.com/~flamingo CRAZE '97."
*********************HAPPY MUSIC FOR NICE PEOPLE********************
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Subject: BW
Received: 07/09/99 12:53 am
From: Carol Kaye, carolkxxxxink.net
To: Spectropop List, spectroxxxxies.com
Greg L., thanks for your message.....yes, you're right. So
many want to feel important by painting a weird picture of
Brian Wilson that is totally false from what his studio
musicians saw of him (check the booklet w/Pet Sounds,
that's the real opinions there) for their own agendas.
Brian was a happy wonderful guy to work for back in the
60s when we saw him very regularly.
Many have asked me "did he start changing when he got into
the Smile lp"? I have to say "no, he was just a young man
growing fast with his creativity -- he kept his personal
life to himself and was a total happy professional in the
studio life".
He did tell us of his influences and would say some
remarks here and there (4 Freshmen, Spector etc.) and we
all felt like we knew him very well with all his put-ons,
and subtle humor but also his intensive drive to cut a
great hit. He wasn't alone with those feelings, but just
more talented imo. He could write his own notes.
Maybe someday a documentary will be made on his happy life
....instead of all the made-up stuff and titillating "dark"
things that others say about him. Am sure that will be
coming soon.
Carol Kaye
http://www.carolkaye.com/
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Subject: Newbeats
Received: 07/09/99 12:53 am
From: john rausch, jxxxxet
To: Spectropop List, spectroxxxxies.com
IAN wrote:
John, I'd cite "Run Baby Run" as my favourite Newbeats
track too, along with the similar "Crying My Heart Out"
(sadly not on the CD). An interesting footnote: a harmony
group called the Weekends did the oldie "Canadian Sunset"
on Columbia. in EXACTLY the same stompy, unrelenting style
as "Run Baby Run" and I do mean exactly....in fact, you'd
swear they'd used the same backing track!! Well worth
looking out for - produced by Morty Craft (Columbia 4-
43597).
Ian,
Thanks for all the info on my latest fixation. The way you
describe Run Baby Run, "the same stompy, unrelenting style"
is so apropos of this perfect pop tune; one of those songs
that just stick in your head for days.
I was amazed at their 45 singles output listed in Goldmine
record price guide...do Newbeats keep the same sound on
their non-Hickory label output?
Paul Urbahns wrote:
>John asked about the Newbeats. I have "best Of The
>newbeats" CD issued on Sequel it has 29 cuts...
I do know they didn't play on their records but used some
of Nashville's best studio musicians of the period....
Thanks for the info, Paul. I was wondering if they were a
"manufactured" group, not that this matters to me; it`s the
"sound" that counts. What are track listings on the sequel
comp?...is there much stereo? and how would you grade the
overall sound? I probably will try to pick this up. I
found a cd comp on Collectables label, but it was pretty
lame, so I passed. This Sequel cd seems to be the one to go
for. I love these cover versions (hang on sloopy, come see
about me, oh pretty woman, help and satisfaction). Another
great track is "oh girls,girls" contained on my stereo lp
"run baby run" and wonder if they are contained on the
Sequel comp?
Thanks
John Rausch
Presenting The Fabulous
Ronetxxxx//www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Studio/2469/
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Subject: Philately & That Will Never Happen Again copies
Received: 07/09/99 12:54 am
From: Ian Chapman, iandxxxxnet.co.uk
To: Spectropop List, spectroxxxxies.com
Jimmy Cresitelli wrote:-
>
>... a while ago I posted a note saying that I
>had many issues of the above-named magazines, and asked
>Ian to get info for me re the copying of the items for
>interested parties. Ian, I hadn't heard back; what is the
>policy about that? I know responses re the Phil Spector
>Appreciation Society are long in coming... : )
Jimmy, I apologise...I must have missed that post, I have
no recollection of it at all. I'll check with Mick about
copying the mags, and get back to the list when I hear
from him.....whenever that may be!! :-)
Ian
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Subject: Re: Spectropop V#0288
Received: 07/09/99 12:54 am
From: WASE RADIO, wxxxxorg
To: Spectropop List, spectroxxxxies.com
I need to elaborate something. On my last post, I mention
the Newbeats recorded an interesting cover version of the
Nat Stuckey country hit "Sweet Thing". They released their
version under the name "Snoopy And The Others". I think
they were inspired by the Four Seasons' campy version of
the Bob Dylan song "Don't Think Twice" that was released
in late 1965 as by "The Wonder Who?" I have an old beat up
copy of "Sweet Thing" and it is hilarious to hear Larry
Henley going "Weeeeeeeeeel, Have anyone seen sweet thing"
in that falsetto. As i mentioned the song was a top 20
Louisville Ky. area hit, Never made the national charts. A
shame.
Michael G.Marvin
WASE radio
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Subject: Rekkids found
Received: 07/09/99 12:54 am
From: DJ JimmyB, DJJimmyxxxxm
To: Spectropop List, spectroxxxxies.com
Good Morning World! ... Here's a batch of 45's I lucked
into yesterday:
The Fourmyula - Nature - Bell
Mel Carter - When I Hold The Hand Of The One I Love
Imperial
The Critters - Don't Let The Rain Fall Down On Me - Kapp
The Association - Standing Still - Valiant
Bazooka - Look At You Now - White Whale
Arkade - Sing Out The Love - Dunhill
Blue Stars - Mambo Italiano (in French!) - Mercury
Lord Sitar - Black Is Black - Capitol
Baja Marimba Band - Can You Dig It - A&M
The Fleetwoods - They Tell Me Its Summer - Dolton
Jefferson - Baby Take Me In Your Arms - Janus
All in the soft rock/pop vein, all wonderful to these ears
Jimmy Botticelli
"Jimmy's Easy" airs on WMBR-FM, 88.1 in Cambridge MA on
Tuesdays from 6-8a.m. To hear WMBR on the web in real time,
download Real Audio and go to www.wmbr.org
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Subject: Ron Dante
Received: 07/09/99 12:53 am
From: john rausch, jxxxxet
To: Spectropop List, spectroxxxxies.com
This name should be familiar to the list members. The
voice of bubblegum music.Sang as the Archies, Detergents,
Cufflinks and so many more. I came across his new website
still under construction but worth a peek.
http://www.rondante.com/
John Rausch
Phil Spector`s Wall Of Sound at
http://members.tripod.com/~rauschj/
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