Gracia Nitzsche (1936-2008) Remembered

Sorry I’ve been absent from the site for a while, can’t promise a regular service but hope there won’t be such a long delay in future.
I was very sad to hear of the deaths of Nitzsche friends and colleagues Alan Gordon, Lee Hazelwood, Willy DeVille and Ellie Greenwich. I never knew Ellie, although I thought I did through her music, and Willy, well he seemed an ideal running mate for Jack and they made some fine music, including an excellent version of Ellie Greenwich (and Jeff Barry & Phil Spector)’s "Little Boy".
Alan Gordon I did know through the site, and if there is a nicer, funnier man in pop music I’ve not met him. Alan was always willing to answer my questions and I feel guilty that a project we’d been working on, which should have been finished before his death, is still not complete. I intend to finish it by the next update. Christian Gordon has set up a web site with details of his father’s work The Alan Gordon Music Library.
Mick Patrick informed me of one other death that has missed any media attention, that of Jack’s former wife Gracia Nitzsche. With help from Jack Nitzsche Jr., a tribute page has been set up, Gracia Nitzsche Remembered.
The Discography page has been updated with a number of previously unreleased Nitzsche recordings.
Ace Records have 4 tracks over the same number of CDs:
The Satisfactions "Woman In Love (With You)" Where The Girls Are Vol.7
(This CD also contains the incredibly rare (i.e. I haven’t got a copy) Marry Clayton "The Doorbell Rings".)
Tammy Grimes "I Can't Remember Ever Loving You" On Vine Street - The Early Songs Of Randy Newman
Darlene Love "Let Him Walk Away" So Much Love – A Darlene Love Anthology
Donna Loren "That’s The Boy" Glitter And Gold – Words And Music by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil
Neil Young has also been rummaging through his basement and, as a follow-up to his first Archive set "Live at the Filmore East" CD/DVD, has released the "Neil Young Archives Vol.1 (1963-1972)". Available in three formats, two contain Young's film "Journey Through The Past" - Nitzsche can be seen in this - and a 236 page hard-back book. All contain live and studio recordings including plenty of previously unreleased cuts, many featuring Jack. For fans of Mr. Young it's a must buy. For those less committed, don't forget it's possible to buy single mp3s.
Around the time of Young's "Live at the Filmore East" release, friend of the site, Owen Coppin, contacted me in regards to Jack's work with Neil Young, particularly his live work. This period is discussed (in fairly harrowing detail) in Jimmy McDonough's excellent biography of Neil Young, "Shakey". Owen sent me an extensive collection of live 'bootleg' recordings, all claiming to feature Jack Nitzsche in the line-up. Some wonderful moments, but playing them in a row was a bit foolish. I certainly understood why Jack behaved a bit crazy on these tours; I didn't actually want to piss on Neil's carpet, but could understand why Jack did!
Al Hazan produced many excellent records with Jack Nitzsche: Terry Day "Just Another Broken Heart", Al Anthony "The Force Of Love" and The Starr Sisters "All Because Of You". These plus other collaborations, some which never gained release at the time and fine examples of Al's work without Nitzsche, are now available on two CDs from cdbaby Al Hazan - The Sixties, Volume 1 and Volume 2
Another producer friend of the site, Marty Cooper, has also had a CD released recently: The Shacklefords...Sing. Originally on Capitol, this was the second LP release from the 'group', a studio creation of Marty & Lee Hazelwood, who wrote, produced and sang with session singers. Gracia Nitzsche & Albert Stone were vocalists on the first Mercury album and possibly on this one also.
Good to see this CD on the shelves, but a bit rough that his (and often Jack's) work with Bobby Day, The Victorians and even Jack Nitzsche's instrumentals "Old Town" & Puerto Vallarta, both co-written with Marty, have escaped a proper CD compilation.
The Tulsa Area Music Archives has recently been providing much enjoyment, with many hours of music from leading session musician Leon Russell. The founder of TAMA and the genial host of the podcasts, Steve Todoroff, has, as of this writing, presented 9 hours worth of music and appreciation of the bearded Tulsan pianist. Jack was a big fan of Leon's work and hired him for many/most of his sessions. Naturally, many Nitzsche tracks are included on the podcasts/downloads.
Greg Shaw supplied plenty of help and encouragement when I started on the Jack Nitzsche site and I’m pleased to recommend a recently published book by his widow, Suzy, with Mick Farren, Bomp! Saving The World One Record At A Time. Reprinting many articles that appeared in his various ‘zines, the book captures the zeal that Greg had in promoting the music and artists he loved. Buy a copy.
Not all good news on the Jack Nitzsche reissue front, Mark Linnet tells me that the proposed Rhino set "is sadly still on indefinite hold". This will be the second or possibly even third proposed Reprise/WEA Nitzsche collection for release on Rhino that I know of. Mark Linett's plans certainly seemed the most interesting and it really would be too bad if the project was left on the back burner.
I'm sure there is more news that should be on 'Nitz & Bitz' but, besides my long sabbatical, I also had a computer crash and lost about two years' worth of notes, emails, contacts and other bits. If you wrote with some info and I've not used it, write again.

Due soon on Ace Records (who else!) "Vine Street: The Early Songs Of Randy Newman" compiled and with sleeve notes by Mick Patrick is a must have. More info when I've got my copy.
I got my copy of "Girl Answer Songs Of The 60s" and very good it is too but I am disappointed with the sleeve notes for Sammi Lynn's entry. Despite the main facts, produced Ron Barrett, arranged Jack Nitzsche, first released on Staccatto and Sammi Lynn confirmed as aka Gracia Nitzsche coming from Ron Barrett's Producer pages the only credit for this comes in a rather vague "my gratitude goes to the Spectropop wesite" at the booklets end. I've checked with Ron and can't say I share the writers assumptions over the records recording either.
I forgot to mention last time that the Discography page has been updated.

I'm sure there will be but for now a New Year with nothing to report.

Nitz and Bitz archive, Aug '06-Dec '06
Nitz and Bitz archive, Jan '07-Dec '07