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Spectropop - Digest Number 1774



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               SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 25 messages in this issue.

Topics in this digest:

      1. Re: Foreign language versions
           From: Davie Gordon 
      2. Re: Tommy James "I Think We're Alone Now"
           From: Joe Nelson 
      3. Re: Central Park West
           From: Austin Roberts 
      4. Re: Tommy James covers
           From: David Gofstein 
      5. Claire Francis records
           From: Claire Francis 
      6. Re: Central Park West
           From: Mikey 
      7. Robert Lester Folsom
           From: JJ 
      8. Claude Francois
           From: Frank 
      9. Various
           From: Clark Besch 
     10. Re: Central Park West
           From: Mike Rashkow 
     11. Re: Tommy James covers
           From: Charles Ulrich 
     12. Re: Tommy James covers
           From: Steve Harvey 
     13. French covers
           From: Dave Heasman 
     14. Re: "Walk Away Renee"
           From: James Botticelli 
     15. Re: Joey Heatherton
           From: ACJ 
     16. Various
           From: Austin Roberts 
     17. Re: Central Park West
           From: Austin Roberts 
     18. Richard Anthony
           From: Richard Williams 
     19. Stop, Look and Listen
           From: Will Stos 
     20. Re: Central Park West
           From: Stewart Epstein 
     21. Three wheels on my wagon
           From: Richard Williams 
     22. Re: Claire Francis records
           From: Phil X Milstein 
     23. Re: Central Park West
           From: Mike Rashkow 
     24. Re: French covers
           From: Dave Monroe 
     25. Re: I Think We're Alone Now
           From: Joe Nelson 


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Message: 1 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 15:58:07 -0000 From: Davie Gordon Subject: Re: Foreign language versions Frank Murphy: > When I did that show with my fellow DJ she commented that her Dad > had hated the records of another French singer... Frank: > Seems like her father had real good taste... The singer was Claude > François. Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong singer but I'm fairly sure I've read that Claude Francois recorded an album at Motown's Detroit studios the tapes of which are now lost. Davie -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 2 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 11:10:09 -0500 From: Joe Nelson Subject: Re: Tommy James "I Think We're Alone Now" Bill Mulvy: > I don't know if all Spectropopper's are aware of the fact that the > song "I Think We're Alone Now" is available in true stereo. It is > on the Rhino CD Special Editions The Best Of Tommy James And The > Shondells. The Catalog number is R271026. All other CDs or albums > have a poor sounding electronically rechanneled for stereo version > from a mono source. You have never heard the song in it's full > glory until you hear this true stereo version! True, but there's a significant difference in the two mixes. The verses in the mono are primarily bass and drums for the first eight bars of verse: totally silence from the guitar and organ track, with the G&O track faded in rapidly to play a single guitar chord on every three beat untill the "holding on as fast as we can" links. Very effective, but leaves something to be desired in stereo and thus the stereo mix leaves the track intact. Joe Nelson -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 3 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 11:30:28 -0500 From: Austin Roberts Subject: Re: Central Park West Previously: > Actually, my rock band recorded and released "Sweets For My Sweet" > in 1969. We were called "Central Park West", and our agent/manager > was Julie Rifkind... Mike Rashkow: > Is this the same group in which Austin Roberts was a participant? > Did the group record "I've Got To Have You"? Central Park West was actually Cashman, Pistilli and West. The group I was in with Cashman and West was the Buchannan Brothers; I replaced Gene Pistilli as lead singer after Gene left the group. Best, Austin -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 4 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 08:07:04 -0800 (PST) From: David Gofstein Subject: Re: Tommy James covers Lene Lovich did a GREAT ITWAN on Stiff Records back in the early 80s. One of my favorites, actually. Keep up the great e-mails everybody. Dave G -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 5 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 09:58:08 EST From: Claire Francis Subject: Claire Francis records Hi all you groovy S'pop members, I just want to thank those of you who have helped me listen to the music of my past by posting my songs to the Musica room and also for sending me the mp3's and downloads, etc. It has really changed my life. Since I have joined Spectropop in September several people have written to me telling me that they would like to do re-issues and compilations and even hear my new works. I am very flattered and honestly wouldn't mind doing something like this. However, I have one problem... I can't remember the names of the records I have produced, recorded on, written, and helped arrange. I remember cutting demos for Atlantic and demos in some of the recording studios like Bell Sound and Mira Sound, and remember Brooks Arthur cutting a demo or two of me at the studio by his house...I remember that I cut demos in London for Polydor... I also have a faint memory of someone telling me that the Yardbirds recorded one of my songs....I don't know if that is true..but I remember hearing that. So, I am asking for your help. I have tried since September to get Polydor to talk to me and they are out and out ignoring my requests for any information on my work with them during the sixties. I have never received any royalties for any of the songs I wrote...and even though the money would be welcomed ...that is not the reason for this request...it is because I want to give this history to my daughters Kiva and Dawn who know very little about my work. What ever they have heard, they heard in Musica and what Phil, Mick, Martin, and Ian Chapman have sent to me. So please open your hearts and take a little time when you can, and help me find my work. Below is a list of my songs I have copies of from the Musica room already. Recorded on United Artists 1965 I Love New York Recorded on Polydor 1965-68 I've Got My Own Thing Goin' But I Don't Care Some Someday Who Killed Teddy Bear Stormy Weather La Mer As Before I Just Wanna Dance The Last Two People on Earth If You Don't know Now That I Love You Here I Go Again I am looking for the records of the following artists that I produced and have not heard in 40 years! Sonny Childe when I produced his album On Polydor (who later became R.B. Greaves) The John Bull Breed (one member became part of the Moody Blues) Arthur Brown (He recorded "Fire"...(not my record) but I produced his records at one time) As I said, I wish I could remember...who else...and I wish I could get Polydor to answer me. Any suggestions or help and especially downloads or Mp3s or whatever else they are called would be GREATLY....GREATLY appreciated, even just titles. I am looking forward to any information you can send me. Happy New Year. Lover of Light, Claire Francis http://www.clairefrancis.com -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 6 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 12:30:37 -0500 From: Mikey Subject: Re: Central Park West Austin Roberts: > Central Park West was actually Cashman, Pistilli and West. The group > I was in with Cashman and West was the Buchannan Brothers; I replaced > Gene Pistilli as lead singer after Gene left the group. Austin......were the guys in Central Park West the same guys in The Chevrons? Mikey -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 18:03:12 -0000 From: JJ Subject: Robert Lester Folsom Can anyone supply info on the US artist Robert Lester Folsom? I've heard only one (BEAUTIFUL) track, i.e. "April Suzanne", which I assume is from his "Music and Dreams" LP. Please reply off list. Thanx in advance! JJ -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 8 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 19:20:00 +0100 From: Frank Subject: Claude Francois Davie Gordon: > Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong singer but I'm fairly sure I've read > that Claude Francois recorded an album at Motown's Detroit studios > the tapes of which are now lost. This could be quite possible. He was a real fan of all US music and he covered a lot of Motown stuff. I know of one LP he cut in English. I may even have it somewhere, but I think this one was recorded in London. Frank -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 9 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 17:35:36 -0000 From: Clark Besch Subject: Various Artie Wayne wrote of Freddie Perrin: > Of all the songs that he composed "Say Goodbye to Yesterday" > [which he wrote with his wife Christine] remains one of my all > time favorites, since it puts the past in perspective, with an > optimistic eye to the future. Artie, I assume you are speaking of the great Wayne Fontana recording? I don't know of any other versions or songs by that name. If it is that version, I agree. Great record. That Alan Gordon wrote: > suddenly I began to sing to myself over and over so I would not > forget. "I can`t see me lovin nobody but you. When I joined up > with the band I asked Jake if he would like to write the song > with me, he said no so I wrote it with Garry. Alan, great story which by mid-67 had to make Jake feel a bit like Pete Best! I can think of a couple of occasions where I thought I came up with a few lines with melody that I thought could be turned into a song and sang them over and over to remember them. Forgot them soon thereafter. Michael Thom's great essays on T James were enlightening. Your research into many artists amazes me. That 8 track quad tape sounds pretty cool! Think I'll run down to Walmart and pick it up! :) Have you ever seen the 45 version of "Gingerbread Man' On Cd yet? I helped out a bit with the Varese Vintage release of Tommy James' 70's Fantasy stuff that included "Tighter, Tighter". The version got a ton of airplay on our local bar I frequented back then, despite its lack of sales. Good version. I saw a listing of ASCAP's Top 25 Christmas songs in the paper last week. Despite the lack of songs from BMI's catalog and the traditional songs, it would make a great Cd of titles. "The Christmas Song" was number one, which wasn't a surprise. Nat Cole's has to be the best, I'd say. This got me to thinking of how great I always thought "That Sunday, That Summer" was, even tho it hasn't anything to do with Christmas. It is never mentioned, it seems. Got it given to me at KOMA Okla City when we visited the station in 63 and Chuck Dann signed it! Anyway, the list is based on ASCAP stats for the most "performed" holiday songs. It seemed ok until I ran across #22: "Wonderful Christmastime". Has ANYONE ever done this besides Sir Paul?? How can that be on the "Most performed" list, if no one does it but him? Even IF someone else did it, can it be above #23 "Carol of the Bells", or #24 "Santa Baby"? I doubt it. Wonder what the top 25 BMI would be? When I was at church Christmas Eve, I really thought about all the great hymns that would be higher than those listed by ASCAP. I'm wondering where profits go from those hymns that are recorded over and over, since they have no copyright anymore (I assume). Alos, has anyone ever done any in depth research into the writer of these great Christmas hymns? It would make a great documentary to find out who these people were that wrote "Silent Night" and the many other Christmas hymns know by one and all without knowing nothing of the authors of these songs we all know and love. Well, now it''s on to "Rockin New Years Eve" volume 4000, without Dick Clark for the first time. Hope Dick is feeling better. To quote (kind of) one of Larry Lujack's fave songs: "We need alot more Jesus, and a lot less Regis!" With Regis replacing Dick Clark for the traditional (?) New Years Eve program, it's doubtful we'll have time for the "ball drop". Happy New Year, (Nebraska bowl-less) Clark :( -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 10 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 13:45:14 EST From: Mike Rashkow Subject: Re: Central Park West Previously: > Actually, my rock band recorded and released "Sweets For My Sweet" > in 1969. We were called "Central Park West", and our agent/manager > was Julie Rifkind... Me: > Is this the same group in which Austin Roberts was a participant? > Did the group record "I've Got To Have You"? Austin Roberts: > Central Park West was actually Cashman, Pistilli and West. The group > I was in with Cashman and West was the Buchannan Brothers; I replaced > Gene Pistilli as lead singer after Gene left the group. So, welcome back Austin, after a long period of computer problems. Of course, it is now obvious--CPW. Now--are you then saying that the original post (stating that the writer was in the group) was inaccurate? If so, shall we have him slain? Di la, Rashkovsky (in my usual post Holiday good mood) -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 11 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 09:58:29 -0800 From: Charles Ulrich Subject: Re: Tommy James covers Dave G: > Lene Lovich did a GREAT ITWAN on Stiff Records back in the early 80s. In addition to the English version on her 1979 debut album Stateless, she also recorded it in Japanese. --Charles -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 12 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 10:33:18 -0800 (PST) From: Steve Harvey Subject: Re: Tommy James covers David Gofstein wrote: > Lene Lovich did a GREAT ITWAN on Stiff Records back > in the early 80s. She also did it in Japanese on a Stiff compilation as I recall. I once did a radio show of foreign covers of popular American tunes and I remember putting her version on. -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 13 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 19:06:39 -0000 From: Dave Heasman Subject: French covers Frank: > As a Frenchman, it's quite difficult to appreciate these French covers > which I always found totally atrocious. But if I had to choose the only > one who could get near to what the original versions were all about was > Richard Anthony. I tend to agree; his "Donne-moi ma chance" was a pretty good cover. But I also rather like, for its bravado & over-the-top-ness, Eddy Mitchell's "Be Bop A Lula". -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 14 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 12:38:23 -0500 From: James Botticelli Subject: Re: "Walk Away Renee" Previously: > Has anyone here heard Sylvie Vartan's cover of "Walk Away Renee", > "Quand un amour rena?t"?  Absolutely gorgeous.  Frank: > As a Frenchman, it's quite difficult to appreciate these French > covers which I always found totally atrocious. Then try Frankie Valli's cover....Spectropop meets Disco. The blueprint of that sound! JB -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 15 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 09:58:07 -0500 From: ACJ Subject: Re: Joey Heatherton There is a new website: http://www.joeyheatherton.com It's still uder construction, but you can send it e-mails. ACJ -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 16 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 13:48:55 -0500 From: Austin Roberts Subject: Various Steve, I believe Arthur Alexander had a B side called WE'RE GONNA HATE OURSELVES IN THE MORNING that was covered by Clifford Curry here in the States. Don: > I see Michael T has posted Arkade's "Sentimental Lisa" to musica. > Maybe you could post the a-side? I've been looking for "Where You > Lead". Don, I can't find Where You Lead In My collection either, and I sang the lead on it. If you do find it, please let me know. Have a good New Year's to all you Spectropoppers! Austin Roberts -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 17 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 14:24:50 -0500 From: Austin Roberts Subject: Re: Central Park West Me: > Central Park West was actually Cashman, Pistilli and West... Rashkovsky: > Of course, it is now obvious--CPW. Now--are you then saying that > the original post (stating that the writer was in the group) was > inaccurate? I'm not sure who was in Central Park West other than Terry, Gene and Tommy. As far as the Buchannan Bros., they may have sent a group out but I was just starting to record with Chelsea (I think) so I didn't go, nor did Cashman and West. Have 2 Nagilas on me, AR -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 18 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 19:32:51 +0000 From: Richard Williams Subject: Richard Anthony Back in 1963, all really nice English girls had a copy of the Richard Anthony EP including "J'entends siffler le train" (better known in English as "900 Miles") close to the Dansette at all times. Most of them had heard it during school exchange visits with French families. It was the record that persuaded me to listen to French pop, resulting in much pleasure over the years from F.Hardy, F.Gall, Eddy Mitchell, Antoine and even, from time to time, J. Hallyday (most notably "Quelque Chose de Tennessee", a great Michel Berger ballad which is not about the state but about the poet and playwright Tennessee Williams). Now I'm looking for Sylvie Vartan's version of "Walk Away Renee", a song which seems to encourage marvellous covers -- my favourite being by Rickie Lee Jones, on the Girl at her Volcano 10-inch EP, beating the Four Tops by a short head. Richard Williams -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 19 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 20:52:01 -0000 From: Will Stos Subject: Stop, Look and Listen A while back I was surprised to learn from this list that the version of "Stop, Look and Listen" on Ace's Chiffons' Greatest Recordings was not by that group. After listening to "I'm Not Gonna Worry (Cause I Know He's Mine)" by the Cinnamons, another BT Puppy/Tokens group, I wonder if these weren't the vocalists who cut that record? Will : ) -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 20 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 12:56:50 -0800 (PST) From: Stewart Epstein Subject: Re: Central Park West Previously: > Actually, my rock band recorded and released "Sweets For My Sweet" > in 1969. We were called "Central Park West", and our agent/manager > was Julie Rifkind... Mike Rashkow: > Is this the same group in which Austin Roberts was a participant? > Did the group record "I've Got To Have You"? Austin Roberts: > Central Park West was actually Cashman, Pistilli and West. The > group I was in with Cashman and West was the Buchannan Brothers; > I replaced Gene Pistilli as lead singer after Gene left the group. Mike Rashkow: > Now--are you then saying that the original post (stating that > the writer was in the group) was inaccurate? If so, shall we > have him slain? Dear Sir, Don't have me slain quite yet, my post was not inaccurate. I was in Central Park West, our agent/manager was Julie Rikfind. His brother, Roy Rifkind, managed The Buchanon Brothers, whom I thought was a better band talent-wise than we were. This is a little complicated and maybe Mr. Roberts can get the facts better than I can, but the band I was told was the Buchanon Brothers was NOT Cashman, Pistilli, and West, but it looks like they were and were not. I think what happened was that there were two Central Park West bands and two Buchanon Brothers bands. One of each was the band in the recording studio actually on the records. Cashman told me in an email that Tommy West is the actual voice on the record of "Sweets for my Sweet" which he thought bombed-out. So, I think that means that I was, at least temporarily, a member of what he called the 'road band', the band that went on tour. I remember Julie giving me the record of Sweets and telling me to practice singing it over and over and try to sound like the lead singer. I was never told anything about being in a road band, but maybe that's what was going on. I was led to believe by Julie that the other guys and I WERE Central Park West. I remember Roy Rifkind putting out his son in The Buchanon Brothers, but that must have been the 'road band' for them. What might have happened was that Cashman and West (and maybe Mr. Roberts, too) decided not to be whichever recording band or bands they were, and the bands I knew as CPW and BB then became the road as well as recording studio bands. I am not sure because I quit due to personal tragedy. Cashman wrote me that HE decided who was going to be put in each band, and I remember writing him back and telling him the BB were more talented. Apparently, they went on to have about three or four hits, while all we had was "Sweets...". I don't know what happened to the band after I quit it. Sooo, what I was told at the time might not have been the whole truth. It shouldn't surprise me. Julie Rifkind had a lot to do with that fake 'Australian' band called the Strangeloves who were actually mostly from New York City. I hope Mr. Roberts can sort this out better than my attempt here, but I was not telling any lies in my first email. I said what I had been told by Mr. Rifkind. I really had thought that I was a new member of the whole band, not just the 'road band'. Stew -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 21 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 19:41:40 +0000 From: Richard Williams Subject: Three wheels on my wagon Country Paul: It was the Heinkel and Isetta three-wheelers that had front-opening doors, allowing the two occupants of side-by-side seats to make their exits. The Messerschmitt was the one with a sideways opening cockpit bubble-top above seats mounted like those in a two-seater plane, i.e. one behind the other. In Britain we had three-wheelers of various types, most prominently the Reliant Robin, which was usually painted orange and driven by the district nurse. They tended to fall over on sharp bends. No wonder we failed to give birth to songs such as "Hot Rod Lincoln", "Road Runner" (both types -- Diddley and Richman), "409", "Little GTO", "Racing in the Street" and "Mustang Sally". Off the top of my head, "Drive My Car" is the only credible UK automobile-song that I can think of. Richard Williams -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 22 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 16:12:31 -0500 From: Phil X Milstein Subject: Re: Claire Francis records Claire Francis wrote: > I have tried since September to get Polydor to talk to me and they > are out and out ignoring my requests for any information on my work > with them during the sixties. I have never received any royalties for > any of the songs I wrote...and even though the money would be welcomed > ...that is not the reason for this request...it is because I want to > give this history to my daughters Kiva and Dawn who know very little > about my work. Claire, I'm afraid I have nothing new to add to your quest for information and copies of your work. I wish I could help, as I'm aware that many people in the recording industry don't (for various reasons) collect copies of their own work, and when they try to piece together such a collection years later it is that much more difficult. Best of luck with your quest! I do have a question, however. I note the inclusion of "Who Killed Teddy Bear" in your list, and wonder what your involvement with that was. The movie, directed by Phoebe Cates's father Joseph Cates, is a cult classic, and the recording of the title track is of great interest to fans of girl group sounds and other '60s pop musics. Please tell us whatever you can remember about your work on that project. --Phil M. -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 23 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 17:16:40 EST From: Mike Rashkow Subject: Re: Central Park West Now I remember the name of the "group" who recorded "I've Got To Have You"--it was Horatio. It was written and produced by CP&W for Interrobang Productions. Published by Blendingwell, which was CP&W's company. Released on Event Records. I wonder who it was. I do know who it was about. Di la, Rashkovsky -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 24 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 14:19:08 -0800 (PST) From: Dave Monroe Subject: Re: French covers Frank: > As a Frenchman, it's quite difficult to appreciate > these French covers which I always found totally > atrocious. But if I had to choose the only one who > could get near to what the original versions were > all about was Richard Anthony. Rixhard Anthony?! But I understand your trepidation, as a lot of French 60s (and then some ...) records ARE atrocious. Especially amongst yr so-called ye-ye girls. I've found out the hard way, via hard-earned dollars, ever-escalating francs, and, now, skyrocketing euros. And even Sylvie Vartan's vocals are uneven at best (only Francoise Hardy had, and retains, her perfectly mellifluous voice). Her "What'd I Say" and "I Can't help Myself" and "I Can't Belive What You Say (Because I See What You Do)" I can at least play out, though her "Twist and Shout" and "Locomotion" and "Pretty Woman" and ... and ... are rather less successful, given her tendency to yelp. Her "Turn Turn Turn" ("Toure tourne tourne"), on the other hand, is quite lovely as well, almost proto-Cocteau Twins ... But here's a question for you all. On her Sylvie LP, her "L'amour est no. 1" is apparently a cover of what I presume is a soul number, called "Everything is Alright" by "Thibault/Owen." "Thibault" I think can be ignored here, as I'm assuming this is whoever wrote the French lyrics to the song (French covers often eschew translating English lyrics for using French ones which apparently "scan"; on the other hand, April March in particular has made some brilliantly creative translations of ye-ye classics). But I've yet to come up with who might have recorded the song in English. I paid good money for the LP just so I could spin the track (see also her 'L'oiseau"), and as I've often worked my way back from a great French record to a great Anglo-American one ... well, help! Thanks ... -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 25 Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 17:44:35 -0500 From: Joe Nelson Subject: Re: I Think We're Alone Now Moi: > The verses in the mono are primarily bass and drums for the first > eight bars of verse: totally silence from the guitar and organ track, > with the G&O track faded in rapidly to play a single guitar chord on > every three beat until the "holding on as fast as we can" links. Actually, that should be the two, not the three. I need to get more sleep. Joe Nelszzzzzzzzzzzzzz....... -------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
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