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Spectropop V#0422

  • From: The Spectropop Group
  • Date: 06/19/00

  •             http://www.spectropop.com
    
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       Volume #0422                           June 19, 2000   
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            Fun and entertainment that every home needs       
    
    
     
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Subject:     that one recording session
    Received:    06/19/00 6:40 am
    From:        Jack Madani
    To:          Spectropop!
    
    spectropop writes:
    >been present at ONE recording session for one single song,
    >which would it be? And why? And what would you have
    >changed / suggested, if anything?
    
    dewd, there's a lot of ways I could go with this.  But I
    guess maybe if I really had to choose, maybe I'd go for
    something like:
    
    the I Got You Babe session, because I'd like to see the
    look on the faces of the musicians during playback when
    they realized that Sonny "don't forget the fries when you
    come back with the hamburgers" Bono had come up something
    that good.  That would have been something to see.
    
    
    --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
    
    
    Subject:     Strawberry Children
    Received:    06/14/00 11:49 pm
    From:        Lindsay Martin
    To:          Spectropop!
    
    
    Dr Hibbert wrote:
    
    >"It's A Soft Rock World" JPN : 1996 Keystone SR 9601 (CD)
    >Love Years Coming / Strawberry Children
    
    This is a Jimmy Webb song, by a group of which he was a
    member.  Nice song, hippie love & peace.
    
    Lindsay 
    
    
    --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
    
    
    Subject:     Wrecking Crew
    Received:    06/19/00 6:40 am
    From:        john rausch
    To:          Spectropop!
    
    Hi Everyone, just thought I`d mention that there is an 
    article/interview with Hal Blaine and Don Randi in the 
    new issue of Discoveries magazine.
    
    
    --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
    
    
    Subject:     Count Basie plays Rock and Roll with Alan Freed
    Received:    06/14/00 11:49 pm
    From:        Paul Urbahns
    To:          Spectropop!
    
    << Not as off-topic as it sounds, Doug.  By co-incidence,
    I've been listening to some Count Basie from the 30s &
    40s in recent days and remarking on how close some of
    these tracks are to early rock'n'roll. Lindsay >>
    
    Count Basie was used by Alan Freed as the "backup band"
    to accompany artists on some of his stage shows. A good
    example of this is the record "Rock 'N Roll Radio" on
    Radiola MR-1087. So it wasn't just Frank Sinatra that
    appreciated Basie's talent.
    
    Paul Urbahns
    
    
    
    --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
    
    
    Subject:     Here Come The Girls
    Received:    06/14/00 11:49 pm
    From:        Jack Madani
    To:          Spectropop!
    
    Once again demonstrating my cluelessness, I wonder if
    someone could help bring me up to date on the most
    recent state of the Here Come The Girls series.  I
    currently own volume numbers:
    
    1 (catalog NEX CD 111)
    3 (catalog NEX CD 193)
    4 (catalog SEQUEL 1012-2, and actually labeled "Volume 1"
    but I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be volume 4)
    6 (catalog NEM CD 718)
    7 (catalog NEM CD 752)
    8 (catalog NEM CD 845)
    9 (catalog NEM CD 950)
    
    What if anything comes after volume 9?  And who carries
    the discs of this series?
    
    
    --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
    
    
    Subject:     B-52's
    Received:    06/14/00 11:49 pm
    From:        Marti Gallowitz
    To:          Spectropop!
    
    >How in hell did a band out of Athens GA in the late
    >seventies ever hear of what would have at the time been
    >an impossible to find obscure single by a band that
    >everyone assumed was no more than a one-hit wonder?          
    
    Wax 'n' Facts
    432 Moreland Ave
    Atlanta, Ga
    
    Home of DB records, too. And (I think) there was a Wax in
    Athens as well. Great shop. I bought tons of used vinyl
    there in those early days of punk/new wave. I know there
    are Spectropop people who can tell this story better than
    me . . .
    
    
    --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
    
    
    Subject:     How In The Hell? Here's How
    Received:    06/14/00 11:49 pm
    From:        DJ JimmyB
    To:          Spectropop!
    
    
    In a message dated 6/12/0 2:20:53 PM, you wrote:
    
    >How in hell did a band out of Athens GA (B-52's) in the late
    >seventies ever hear of what would have at the time been
    >an impossible to find obscure single by a band (The Sunrays)that
    >everyone assumed was no more than a one-hit wonder?
    
    Don't forget that the late 7T's was probably basic/punk
    rock's richest period. It was then that bands were coming
    along and mining 50's and 6T's sounds at a furious rate.
    EVERYONE did a rockabilly tune. EVERYBODY did a surf tune.
    EVERYBODY did some garage rock. When I say EVERYBODY, I'm
    not talking about Radio Rock. That was so corporate as to
    be not worth the time of day. NOT everybody did Soft Rock
    though and I think that's part of the reason for its
    current popularity. Its the only form of rock not re done
    to death. The B-52's were a significant part of this
    movement and probably dug deeeeep to find something
    different to retro-fit onto their tunes. And don't forget
    they found the record about 13 years after it came out.
    That would be like finding a reddid from 1987 today...Not
    implausible...JB
    
    
    --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
    
    
    Subject:     B52s
    Received:    06/19/00 6:40 am
    From:        john rausch
    To:          Spectropop!
    
    Hi Jack
    
    Interesting thread on the B52s Rock Lobster and the
    Sunrays . I`ve never heard the Sunrays so I can`t compare
    the songs but what is interesting and why I had to post
    is the fact that may shed some light on your question:
    
    On one of their later records, Song For A Future
    Generation, each member of the B52s has a spoken part in
    which they reveal something about themselves and Fred
    Schnieder says his hobby is "collecting records". So
    maybe there is that connection between Rock Lobster and
    the Sunrays.Being a collector, Fred may have discovered
    that obscure song and figured on "borrowing" from it in
    hopes that no one would ever have heard of the Sunrays.
    
    Just a thought.
    John Rausch
    
    Presenting The Fabulous Ronettes @
    http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Studio/2469/
    
    
    --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
    
    
    Subject:     B52s
    Received:    06/19/00 6:40 am
    From:        David Mirich
    To:          Spectropop!
    
    Jack wrote:
    << This is totally freaking me out.
     You know the B-52's "Rock Lobster," that terrific slice
     of retro-surf-punk-whatever?
     I think they copped several of its essential riffs from a
     Sunrays tune called "Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously."
    (snip)  How in hell did a band out of Athens GA in the late
     seventies ever hear of what would have at the time been
     an impossible to find obscure single by a band that
     everyone assumed was no more than a one-hit wonder?>>
    
    I wouldn't underestimate the B-52s in their search for 
    inspiration. I remember analyzing one of their songs that 
    was totally reminiscent of an obscure Beach Boys song. IMO, 
    the B-52s created some of the most amazing music in all 
    of pop. Plus, anyone who loves the Sunrays as much as I do
    is allright by me! I will listen to the songs you mentioned
    Jack, but I'm sure that you are right. It just goes to show 
    you how musically sophisticated the late Ricky Wilson was.
    
    Dave Mirich
    
    
    --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
    
    
    Subject:     Sunrays
    Received:    06/14/00 11:49 pm
    From:        Jamie LePage
    To:          Spectropop!
    
    During their short lived career, the Sunrays released some
    excellent surf-oriented material and had two memorable hits
    with I Live For the Sun and Andrea. Somehow, though, I 
    think knowing about the rift between Murray and the Beach
    Boys has made it difficult for me to listen objectively to 
    the Sunrays' music.
    
    Beach Boy Carl Wilson introduced his father to
    singer/songwriter Rick Henn. After Carl's father was
    fired as the Beach Boys manager, he sought out Rick Henn
    and organized a band specifically with the idea of
    showing Carl and his brothers that Dad was the true
    genius behind the Beach Boys. Murray "OK, Brian, I'm a
    genius too" Wilson wanted to outbeach his sons,
    particularly Brian. Knowing what we do about the problems 
    between Murray and the Beach Boys, Murray's actions seem 
    likely under the circumstances. 
    
    Long before all the Beach Boys docu-dramas, Endless 
    Harmonies and "Vintage Sunrays", all I knew about Murray 
    and the Sunrays was the Tower LP, and although I hadn't 
    listened to it in quite some time, I remember thinking the
    album was weak save for the two hits Andrea and I Live For 
    The Sun. After Jack's post about the B52s, I re-listened to
    the band's material and had a whole new take on it, albeit 
    reaching a similar conclusion as before.
    
    Maybe I know too much about the history to be objective. 
    Yes, the Sunrays songs are as silly as surf songs can be, 
    but they are written and performed WITHOUT A HINT OF IRONY. 
    The Sunrays records sound like what the Beach Boys would
    have sounded like in 1966 if Brian hadn't "f**ked with the 
    formula". The Shangri-las' Leader of the Pack is ludicrous, 
    but you get the feeling Shadow, Jeff and Ellie knew it 
    at the time. Likewise, J&D/Rip Chords "Gas Money" is a put
    on, while Sunrays "Outta Gas" tackles the same subject as 
    seriously as a teenager with a new pimple.
    
    Take a song like ""Hi, How Are You?", with its
    relentless chorus of:
    
    Hi there, how are you. Hi there, how are you. Hi there, 
    how are you. Hi there, how are you
    
    I can just picture Murray saying to songwriter Henn
    "C'mon Ricky buddy. Ya wanna be a success? Well listen
    to me, now, remember what I did with those bums the
    Beach Boys. Now ya gotta good song here, but ya gotta
    put your heart into it. Just sing "Hi there how are you"
    over and over. You gotta make the kids remember the title."
    
    How about "Car Party" which not so coincidentally name
    checks both the Beach Boys and Dad in the closing
    couplet of the chorus. This seems all too strange.
    
    "I Just Have to Be Myself", written by someone named
    HIAL BANCROFT KING, repeats the lines in nursery
    rhyme-like ding dong ding dong fashion:
    
    I just have to be myself 
    Be myself and nobody else
    
    .....again, without a hint of irony. Pretty scary!
    
    Hial King also wrote "You Don't Phase Me" (sic) for the
    group. None of the band, nor Murray, nor anyone at Tower
    or Irving Music bothered to mention to Mr. King that it
    should have been faze...
    
    However, "Still" is the funniest track on the CD. I
    can't help but think of Murray singing the lyric to his
    sons. "Please take me back, and if you do, baby, I'll
    never be jealous anymore. I've been going around to all
    the dances, and I found nobody that can compare with you.
    I miss you so much that if you give me another chance,
    I'll never let you down."
    
    Bruce & Terry, Fantastic Baggys, Rip Chords, and to a
    certain extent Jan & Dean all traded in the same wares
    as did Murray's Sunrays. Musicianship is solid, vocal
    arrangements refined, recording top notch and
    songwriting patchy but with some very strong high points.
    Rick can do a pretty good Young Brian falsetto, too. But
    so much of their material sounds "square" (for lack of a
    better term), I can't help but think the blame has to go
    to Murray and perhaps arranger Don Ralke (Can anyone
    redeem Ralke by pointing to some better arrangements?).
    
    Anyone feel differently?
    
    
    Jamie
    
    
    --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
    
    
    Subject:     Lawsuit
    Received:    06/19/00 6:40 am
    From:        john rausch
    To:          Spectropop!
    
    Looks like Ronnie & the girls won
    XXX
    
    
    John Rausch
    Presenting The Fabulous Ronettes @
    http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Studio/2469/
    
    
    
    --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
    
    
    Subject:     Ellie Greenwich
    Received:    06/19/00 6:40 am
    From:        john rausch
    To:          Spectropop!
    
    One more post:
    Just thought I`d pass this link along in case anyone`s interested.
    http://elliegreenwich.com/index.html
    
    
    John Rausch
    
    
    
    --------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
    ADMIN NOTE: After more than a year of making queries and 
    writing letters, Spectropop is very pleased to announce 
    that lyricist extraordinaire, Mr. Hal David, has agreed to
    field questions from our group for a special Hal David 
    issue of Spectropop. 
    
    Mr. David has been quoted as saying "the melody has to 
    feel like it was made for the lyric and the lyric like it 
    was made for the melody, and to do that requires an 
    accommodation of sorts. It shouldn't look like there is an
    accommodation. One should just mesh into the other. If you 
    are able to tell which was written first, the lyric or the
    melody, then there is something wrong with the song."
    
    Having the opportunity to pose questions to one of the 
    most acclaimed and beloved lyricists of all time is truly 
    exciting, and judging from the above quote, Mr. David is 
    sure to bring some fascinating insights to our group about
    the songwriting process itself as well as his work 
    specifically. 
    
    Questions for Mr. David should be posted to the regular 
    list address. The (unanswered) questions will be posted in
    the next two digests. This will allow list members enough 
    time to give due consideration to their questions. The 
    questions will then be forwarded to Mr. David in the form 
    of an email interview questionnaire. Mr. David is 
    traveling right now. He is extremely busy with a show for 
    the Songwriters' Hall of Fame in New York (of which he is 
    Chairman of the Board), and in in a few days he will go to
    London, where Burt Bacharach and he are to receive an award
    and be honored with a show of their songs at the Royal 
    Albert Hall. For this reason, it may take some time before
    we receive his comments to our questions. He asks for our 
    understanding.
    
    Special thanks to those list members who helped make this 
    exciting project come to fruition.
    
    End