__________________________________________________________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ S P E C T R O P O P __________ __________ __________ __________________________________________________________ Volume #0319 September 14, 1999 __________________________________________________________ Recorded with Maximum Separation of the Left & Right HandsSubject: Laura Nyro Received: 09/10/99 12:53 am From: David Feldman, fexxxxxnderables.com To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com Jamie said: > I think Laura Nyro is so underrated and we don't discuss > her great work nearly enough here. > > Laura Nyro died at 49 of ovarian cancer. Such a waste. > Nevertheless, she left for posterity some fantastic songs. Fantastic songs? How about fantastic albums? I think Eli & the 13th Confession is nothing less than a masterpiece. To me, the three great album masterworks in rock history (albums that are more than just collections of songs) are Pet Sounds, What's Going On, and Eli. And of the three, I think Eli might have the fewest weak spots. I have to admit that today I listen to it less than the BB's and Marvin Gaye, and I think part of the reason is the intensity and earnestness of Nyro in "Eli" (not that there isn't humor in the album). It requires a little more work than the other two. But on the BB and Gaye albums, the best-known songs are among the highlights of the album. "Stoned Soul Picnic" and "Sweet Blindness" are among the weakest on Eli -- songs like "Poverty Train," "Emma" and "The Confession" are just as accessible and cut to the bone. If you don't like "Eli," you probably won't like her other stuff, but folks on this list will probably enjoy "It's Gonna Take a Miracle," her doowop/soul album with Labelle, but More Than a New Discovery (her first album) and New York Tendaberry are also superb. Nyro was also a dynamite live performer. I once went to see her five straight nights at the Troubador in Los Angeles in 1970, and except possibly for Jonathan Richman, I've never seen a singer-songwriter mix up a show as much from night to night as she did. I'm not fond of musical cults, and I didn't particularly like the adoration that some fans gave her in public. She wasn't a diva; she was a fantastic songwriter and a wonderfully expressive singer. And she had a sense of humor. My favorite L.N. moment: On one of the Troubador nights, I was stuck in the balcony of the Troubador. The only plus about the location was that it provided visual access to L.N. right before the show. At that time (1970) she wore long, flowing (usually black) dresses, and her demeanor was somber. As the emcee announced her, right as she was ready to leave the booth, her boyfriend gave her a not-too-soft whack on her rear-end. She burst out laughing but somehow was able to assume the mournful expression as soon as she opened the door to walk down for her show. That's a great point that you made, Jamie, about her producers and arrangers. Roy Halee, in particular, seemed to be very important to her records -- they sounded great. Dave Feldman Single of the Week: "One Wonderful Night (The Honeybees) CD of the Week: "Baby" (Michael Carpenter) Book of the Week: "Faster" (James Gleick) Best Gender Survey on the Net: More than 40 new questions at http://www.imponderables.com --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------- Subject: Hear Hear! Laura Nyro! Received: 09/10/99 12:53 am From: WASE RADIO,xxxxxt.org To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com Hear Hear! Laura Nyro was indeed a great talent. I have 3 cds by her-"New York Tendaberry" (CS 9737), "Christmas and the Beads of Sweat" (C 30259) and "It's Gonna Take A Miracle" w/ Labelle. (Sorry I do not know the catalog number). I must warn the uniniated that "New York Tendaberry" will be a total shock-because of her free use of dynamics. Several songs on this album starts off real soft to where to you almost have to turn up the volume. Then suddenly it gets loud-I mean real loud to where you have to turn the volume the other way. That album contained "Save The Country" later a top 30 hit for the Fifth Dimension in the summer of 1970. As well as "Time and Love", later recorded by Barbra Streisand. "New York Tendaberry" was recorded over the summer of 1969 at Columbia's New York studio. There was an article in Life Magazine about the album.. One report was she wanted jazz great Miles Davis to participate in one song. He said he coudn't-he said it was already done. Her "Christmas and the Beads of Sweat" album continued the same music experimentaions of dynamics and free flowing poetic lyrics. This album was produced by Felix Cavaliere of the Rascals. It was recorded in part in Muscle Shoals, Alabama-and finished up in New York, It contained her only charted single-ironically a remake of the Drifters' 1963 hit "Up On the Roof". Her version peaked at #92 during a very brief two week chart run. Her 1972 album "It's Gonna Take a Miracle", a collaboration with Labelle contains all cover versions of vintage early rock and roll abd R&B chestnuts. One highlight of this album is her version of "Desiree", originally a minor chart for the Charts (I could be wrong on this). Her version is pure dynamite. Slow with some nice vibes. The one fault is that it's too short, only running 1:50. I have to play the same song three times to get the maximum enjoyment. Another highlight is her cover of the Jesters' "The Wind". This has great production. Putting a very liberal amount of reverb onto the Labelles vocals, then mixing them down a bit, is a bit of genius. It makes the voices sound distant. Other Laura Nyro albums worth checking out are "Eli and the Thirteenth Confession" (her first album on Columbia", "The First Songs" (first issued on Verve/Forecast in 1967, reissued on Columbia in 1973) and "Smile" (1976) Enjoy! Michael Marvin WASE radio --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------- Subject: Murray the K album Received: 09/14/99 1:26 am From: Glenn Sadin & Mariko Kusumoto, glenn_mxxxxxhlink.net To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com I wanted to let you all know about an amazing LP I found at the local record store for only $2.95. It's called "Live From the Brooklyn Fox - The Murray the K Holiday Revue," and it was issued by KFM Records (#KFM-1001), which I assume Murray himself owned. The album is an actual (as opposed to fake) live recording - check out this line-up of stars and songs!!!!!!: THE CHIFFONS - He's So Fine RANDY & THE RAINBOWS - Denise THE ANGELS - My Boyfriend's Back JAN & DEAN - Linda (the only 'fake' live track on the LP - maybe their real performance sucked) THE TYMES - So Much in Love THE RONETTES - Be My Baby (!!!!!!!!) JAY & THE AMERICANS - She Cried GENE PITNEY - Town Without Pity THE MIRACLES - Shop Around THE DOVELLS - You Can't Sit Down THE DRIFTERS - There Goes My Baby BEN E. KING - I (Who Have Nothing) THE SHIRELLES - Everybody Loves a Lover How's THAT for some full-on 1963 goodness!?!? It's so great to hear those songs performed LIVE and while they were still on the charts. The album also has some wonderful bits of Murray the K dialogue, goofing with the audience in his inimitable hip-speak. Classic. The LP cover is really cool too - the front has a bunch of great color photos of Murray in his trademark straw hat and striped sweater on stage, the kids lining up outside the theater, and of all of the hip teenagers sitting in the front row. The back cover has b&w shots of all of the performers during the actual concert - oddly enough, only two of the Ronettes (Estelle & Nedra) are visable in the photo of the group. (Speaking of the Ronettes, does anyone know whatever became of Estelle & Nedra, and what they're doing today?) Glenn Glenn Sadin Guitarist/Vocalist/Songwriter for THE BERKELEY SQUIRES: http://www.termites.com/BerkeleySquires.html Read about Japanese pop from the '50s & '60s! NIHON NO POPS: http://home.earthlink.net/~glenn_mariko/nihon.htm --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------- Subject: Paris Sisters Received: 09/10/99 1:43 am From: Jamie LePage, le_pagxxxxxities.com To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com xxxxxcom wrote: >The Paris Sisters "I Love How You Love Me" that you heard >was probably the version that Mike Curb produced for "The >Golden Hits Of The Paris Sisters" LP on Sidewalk. That's what I would have guessed. >The LP was produced by Mike Curb & Clancy Grass who I think >was married to Priscilla. Yes, I believe Clancy Grass III was Priscilla's husband. Clancy managed Priscilla's career after she left Charlie Green and Brian Stone. Green and Stone had her on their label for one solo album "Priscilla Sings Herself", a fascinating "teen idol goes folkie" record with liner notes by Phil Spector. Priscilla's songs are a bit weak, but her voice and the LA backing tracks help make up for the slightly less than top notch songwriting. Clancy Grass also produced an album of Billie Holiday covers called Priscilla loves Billy on the Happy Tiger label. Purists would probably hate this album, but Priscilla brings her own magic to these standards and I have always been quite fond of this album. I like it far better than the tired retreads of the aforementioned Curb "Golden Hits" album anyway. >Does anyone know anything about the Paris Sisters LP "Sing >THE Glass House" on Unifilms? Another Mike Curb production >with Richie Podolor & Clancy Grass. Never heard this particular Paris Sisters record, which is actually called 'The Paris Sisters sing from "The Glass House"'. Spector's Paris Sisters sides and the Nitzsche-produced "Sing Everything Under The Sun" LP on Reprise are wonderful. But seeing as Glass House is another Curb production I am skeptical, and others have reported that it really isn't all that special. Anyone heard this? I've been curious about this album for years. That "live in Paris" record that Perry Botkin mentioned to Carol Kaye sounds interesting too. Never even heard of that one before Carol's post... Jamie --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------- Subject: Playlist for "Jimmy's Easy" Received: 09/10/99 12:53 am From: DJ JimmyB, DJJimxxxxxcom To: exxxxxxsion.com Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com "Jimmy's Easy" airs on WMBR-FM, 88.1 in Cambridge on Tuesdays from 6-8am. It can be heard in Real Time through Real Audio by visiting www.wmbr.org Leo Arnaud Orchestra-Japanese Sandman Les Baxter-Oasis Of Dakhla Walter Wanderly-When It Was Done Keith Mansfield-Tyreen Bill Justus-Meditation Martin Denny-Sweet Someone Syd Dale-Mexican Ding Dong Brass Ring-Moon River 101 Strings-Take Me In Your Arms Jefferson-Take Me In Your Arms -The Third Wave-Wave's Lament -Lalo Schifrin-Dead Leaf -John Cameron-Sunny Speed -The Match-Spray Colored Glasses -Bert Kaempfert-Caravan -John Buzon Trio-Caravan (eat static remix) -Perez Prado-Mambo #8 -Living Voices-Get Up And Boogie (That's Right!) Nite Liters-Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart) Mongo Santamaria-By The Time I Get To Phoenix Horst Jankowski Orchestra & Singers-Didn't We Girl Andre Kostelanetz-Beginnings Pete Terrace Orchestra-Its Delovely Bob Thompson-M-M-M-Nice! Kahimi Karie-Zoom Up Neal Hefti-Lord Love A Duck -Ventures-Fear -Stereophonic Space Sound Unlimited-Budapest Incident -Space Project-Conquest Of The Stars (Star Wars/Trek-sploitation 12"er) -Fantastic Plastic Machine-Satellite Beats -Sir Julian-Peanut Vendor -Henri Rene-Without A Song -Auratones-Hupalulah -Flabby-Mambo Italiano -------Wayne Newton-Wives & Lovers------ --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------- Subject: Re: "He's A Rebel" Received: 09/10/99 12:53 am From: DJ JimmyB, DJJimxxxxxcom To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com In a message dated 9/8/99 12:32:34 PM, you wrote: >By the way, the Shirelles were offered "He's A Rebel" >before the Crystals, but they turned it down as too >controversial. But have you wrapped those floppy chunks of flesh on the side of your head around Vicki Carr's E-Z Listenin' version? Seek and sample I say! Jimmy Botticelli/"Jimmy's Easy" airs on WMBR-FM, 88.1 in Cambridge, MA on Tuesdays from 6-8am. We can be heard in Real Time through Real Audio at our website, www.wmbr.org --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------- Subject: Re: Experience Music website Received: 09/14/99 1:26 am From: Carol Kaye, caroxxxxxhlink.net To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com There is a website called "Experience Music", and it has much to do with Paul Allen's new music museum being built in Seattle, quite a museum; largest music museum in the world. He had sent a film crew down to film a few of us studio musicians in 1997 and the first of our segments is now up on their website. I have to personally thank the wonderful Sarah Allen and her great editing crew for putting together the 10 segments from my film-shoot and the 1st one is now in video-stream form on the site along with some samples of audio tunes I'm playing guitar on, see following excerpt post from my new Message Board (tho't you'd like to bookmark this site as Hal Blaine will eventually be on there too, others): http://www.experience.org From my Message Board: Finally was able to get the RealPlayer going on the video, that's just the 1st segment, quite a few more to be shown. It was a little jumpy but overall pretty good quality, never played a video before, it's wild. Had to change the display settings tho' to 32 bits for better overall colors. Wanted to say that's EARL PALMER on not only the Ray Charles hit of "I Don't Need No Doctor" but also my guitar audio cuts: "Baia" from my "Calif. Creamin'" 1965 multi-guitar album.....and the rest of the guys, Bill Green, Jim Horn, Gary Coleman, Rene Hall, they all sound so great....that was the spirit of our LA recording sounds and feel of 1965, enjoy. Earl is also on "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" Righteous Bros. hit too. All that is Earl there, something isn't he?! Listen to his great drum feel, we just played together the other night and he still has it 34 years later. It was wonderful. Bill Green gave jazz sax lessons to so many here in the LA are, inc. Ernie Watts etc., Bill was so great and Rene Hall on bass on Baia, a fine guitarist/composer/arranger and wonderful person. You see his name as composer/arranger on some black movies also from the 40s and 50s - Rene used to play organ on the river-boats back in the 40s up and down the Mississippi. Jim Horn has lived and worked in Nashville now for about 18-20 years. You see him on some old film traveling with John Denver, tall sax player, also plays bari, has a great "raw" sound. And Gary Coleman was one of Hollywood's top-call percussionist/vibist, father of Lisa Coleman (singer/keyboardist behind Prince awhile back with Mike Melvoin's daughter, Wendy). I am playing acoustic rhythm guitar on "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" and Phil Spector put a double-time echo on it, so you hear it mixed in with the drums/bass etc., part of the wall-of-sound. Well anyway, down "memory lane"... those were the guys, and they were great to work with. Carol Kaye http://www.carolkaye.com/ --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------- Subject: Re: Rosecrans Avenue Received: 09/10/99 1:43 am From: Jamie LePage, le_pagxxxxxities.com To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com Scott Bauman wrote: > >Jamie, you really need to spend more time in L.A.! >Manhattan Beach is in Los Angeles County, not Orange >County. Anything south of Pico and I need a roadmap. All us kids from the Valley were a bunch of hoedads. South Bay Surfers Rule! >the name of the street is really Rosecrans Avenue, not >Rosecrans Boulevard. Funny that. Why do you think Webb elected to use boulevard instead? Both are three syllable words, and it wasn't a rhyming problem. Try singing the song to yourself as Rosecrans Avenue. Doesn't sound good. "Boulevard", with its harder b and d sounds, has more bite than the softer sounding "avenue". I guess that was Webb's reason for it. David Feldman wrote: >I've always viewed the song as murder mystery song, with >a lover's betrayal a metaphor for murder. What an imagination! Jamie --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------- End
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