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File under: Female Vocal
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There are 13 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Another tribute for Sam The Record Man
From: "Louis and Jean"
2. Re: Christine Quaite/Marion/Sam TRM
From: "Peter Lerner"
3. Re: Christine Quaite
From: "Ian Slater"
4. RE: The Bon-Bons
From: Marc Miller
5. Life Is A Rock
From: Michael Rashkow
6. Re: Joanie Sommers
From: Michael Rashkow
7. Joanie Sommers, actress
From: "Jack Madani"
8. RE: Joanie Sommers
From: Jason Penick
9. ROBIN WARD GOES SURFIN'
From: Mick Patrick
10. Re: Come Away Melinda
From: Will George
11. Re: Still Skirting the Issue
From: LePageWeb
12.
From: "Paul Payton"
13. Rashkow On The Road
From: Michael Rashkow
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Message: 1
Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 21:41:27 -0800
From: "Louis and Jean"
Subject: Another tribute for Sam The Record Man
It's been nice to see so many accolades for Sam The
Record Man . It truly is / was one of a kind. I had the
pleasure of being head buyer for the flagship store in
Toronto for 5 years and I got to tell you that I always
felt like it was my own private record store.
How's this for Sam's (and his son Jason's) mandate: I
want at least one of everything available whether it is
domestic or import! Is that heaven or what ?!?!?!
So with the help of some veteran dep't managers in
Classical, Jazz as well as Ken S. who'd overseen the
International (always there before the phrase World Beat
was invented) / C & W, Bluegrass / Pop Vocal / Pop
Instrumental / Spoken Word and the seasonal Christmas
departments for years, and an encyclopaedic import buyer
Dave C. we had created what had to be THE best record
store on Earth.
I can't tell you how many customers from around the
world who shop at the store and have to tell us that it
was bar-none the best music buying experience they ever
had. God, we used to have airline people, who did
international runs, would come in on a regular basis
with giant shopping lists from their friends back home.
Number one they would tell us the selection was
incredible. Number Two: even if they could buy the
titles in question back home, you couldn't beat the
Canadian currency exchange.
Yes, the place definitely had it's share of celebrity
customers. B. B. King always stopped in the store when
he was in town ( even if he was doing an in-store
appearance at a competitor). He would always spend a
couple of hours in the Jazz dep't. I remember Bruce
Springsteen coming in the store one rainy morning
(without handlers and the such) just browsing around for
an hour or two and stocking up with 3 of four baskets of
CDs (he seemed to be digging Bluegrass at the time).
When Billy Bob Thornton & John Cusack were in town
filming that awful film about flight controllers (can't
remember the name at the moment) they were so knocked
out by the place that when Billy Bob was interviewed in
the national newspaper he had to mention Sam's because
it made hanging out in Toronto in the heat of Summer
tolerable. For the last 3 or 4 Rolling Stones tours,
they always sent their people down to our store not only
to pick up their own catalogue (to use for rehearsals)
but also stuff for their own collections (Charlie was
the only one who would come in the store and do his own
shopping). Tons of celebrities, tons of stories but
anyone who ever visited the store could find the
signatures of the stars all over the place.
Yeah, the family that owned the company could have
treated their employees better but one thing's sure it
was a music lovers paradise and that's what kept the
people who worked there going!
The world of music is changing and losing Sam The Record
Man is another part of that changing scene.
Hail and Farewell !
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Message: 2
Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 13:31:53 -0000
From: "Peter Lerner"
Subject: Re: Christine Quaite/Marion/Sam TRM
"Elisa" wrote:
> Hello everyone
>
> This is going to be an intro and other stuff rolled into
> one, as this is my very first post ... First of all I'd
> like to say that I can't believe I haven't found my way
> here sooner. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw so
> much lovely girlgroup-ness all in one spot. That
> Christine Cooper ad from yesterday was totally ace!
>
> Can anyone tell me more about US girl Christine Quaite?
> I searched the archives and haven't seen anyone mention
> her.
Hello Elisa xxx and welcome. You'll enjoy Spectropop.
I always believed Christine Quaite was British. She had a
few early 60s 45s on the UK Oriole label, mostly covers,
including Here She Comes (1921); You're nose is gonna
grow (1772) and two or three others. So there's a few
more for you to look out for.
Best wishes
Peter
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Message: 3
Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 20:51:50 -0000
From: "Ian Slater"
Subject: Re: Christine Quaite
Elisa wrote:
> 1. Can anyone tell me more about US girl Christine
> Quaite? I searched the archives and haven't seen
> anyone mention her. I first heard her via a tape an
> old friend made me, that had "if you've got a heart"
> (released on Stateside). I've never been able to
> find a copy, but I did track down "Tell me mama"
> (b/w the divine "In the middle of the floor") on
> World Artists which seems to turn up more often.
> She had another two singles, neither of which I've
> ever heard - called "Long after tonight is over" and
> "Mister Stuckup" (great title!) - anyone know if
> they are any good?
-----------------------------------------
Regarding Elisa's question, Mr. Stuck-up is on the
excellent "Gems" girl group compilation LP that crops up
on eBay and at fairs etc. Is it any good? Well, I like it
- I don't think it will disappoint. Not seen "Long after
the night.." but I've got another British released single
by Christine Quaite - Mr. Heartache / Whisper Wonderful
Words on Oriole 1845. It came out in 1963, the songs were
written by "L. Pouliot" and "D Manning" respectively and
both were produced by Frank Barber. I've always thought
this was a British recording, there is no mention of an
original US label on the record. Oriole's main claim to
fame was that it was the first company to issue Motown
regularly in the UK - but they used their Oriole-American
label for those wonderful sounds.
Hope someone can tell us more.
Ian Slater
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Message: 4
Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 10:36:23 -0500
From: Marc Miller
Subject: RE: The Bon-Bons
Ian, re:
> Back in '76, a guy called Billy Miller wrote to Bomp
> magazine in response to the Shangs/Bon-Bons query. He
> sent them a photo of the Bon-Bons which had originally
> been featured in the Aug. '64 issue of Teen Life magazine
> with the following caption:- "The Bon-Bons - and did you
> ever see such four living, breathing, singing, dancing
> DOLLS. "Come On Baby", their first recording on the
> Coral label, skyrocketed them to overnight fame. You'll
> be hearing lots about these teens." Yes, well.......
Sounds like the same Billy Miller who started (the
amazing) Kicks Magazine, and the (also amazing) Norton
record label.
Marc
(no relation)
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Message: 5
Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 00:44:17 EST
From: Michael Rashkow
Subject: Life Is A Rock
Does anyone know who the real lead singer was on " Life
Is A Rock" by Reunion?
Sounds like someone I knew slightly --first name???
Levine.
Watcha got for me on that?
Mike Rashkow
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Message: 6
Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 07:22:08 EST
From: Michael Rashkow
Subject: Re: Joanie Sommers
In a message dated 11/8/2001, Spectropop writes:
> saw Joanie perform at the Roosevelt Cinegrill in L.A.
> about two months ago. She did five nights. I think it
> was her first local appearance in some time. The date
> was recorded for possible future release. Seated at the
> next table were Barry Mann, Cynthia Weill, and Mr & Mrs
> (super-harpist Corky Hale) Mike Stoller and Artie Butler.
> I believe I reported here earlier that after the show I
> went up to Barry Mann and told him, "I bought your CD."
> i.e. "Soul & Inspiration" (Atlantic, 2000) a wonderful
> work BTW. He replied, "Oh, so you're the one." Nice man.
>
I thought Artie Butler was Mr. Corky Hale, maybe that
was (or is) another harpist I'm thinking of--possibly
Gail Levant. Also, I am the second man to own the
BarryMann CD--it is a good take. You can hear the songs.
Nice understated tracks. Mr. Imbermann is some talent.
Rashkovsky
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Message: 7
Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 21:23:56 -0500
From: "Jack Madani"
Subject: Joanie Sommers, actress
spectropop writes:
>Joanie Sommers
Say, I don't recall this being mentioned, but Joanie was
in a spiffy little 1964 teen flick called "The Lively Set."
Co-starring James Darren, Doug McClure, and Pamela Tiffin
(hubba hubba wacka wacka). Plenty of custom rods and
dragsters. And songs written by Bobby Darin (including
one tune that sounded suspiciously like a rewrite of the
Chiffons' "One Fine Day").
Anyhow, Joanie played a nightclub singer and Doug
McClure's love interest in the movie, and she was
surprisingly good as an actress. As a singer, of course,
she was really strong, singing a couple of tunes in a
sort of early Eydie Gorme style.
jack
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Message: 8
Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 21:57:06 EST
From: Jason Penick
Subject: RE: Joanie Sommers
Joanie did some sessions with Gary Usher, correct? I
seem to remember hearing about a single or two he
produced for her on Columbia. If anybody knows anything
about these... Thanks!
Jason
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Message: 9
Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 22:29:53 +0000 (GMT)
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: ROBIN WARD GOES SURFIN'
Greetings,
Alan Gordon wrote:
> I agree. "Wonderful Summer" is a fantastic song ...
> Didn't Robin Ward do the singing voice of
> What'sHerName from The Big Valley in one of those AIP
> Beach movies as well?
Correct, Al babe. Robin Ward was the singing voice of
Linda Evans in the 1965 A.I.P. movie Beach Blanket Bingo.
Thank God!! The future Dynasty star lip-synced to
Robin's recordings of "New Love" and "Fly Boy".
Unfortunately these performances were never commercially
released but Donna Loren's versions of both songs can be
found on her recently released Collectables CD "The Very
Best Of Donna Loren".
This information comes from Stephen J. McParland's
beachtastic book "It's Party Time: A Musical
Appreciation of the Beach Party Film Genre".
MICK PATRICK
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Message: 10
Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 22:46:52 EST
From: Will George
Subject: Re: Come Away Melinda
In a message dated 11/4/01, Spectropop writes:
> Tim Rose. As well as doing Hey Joe, he had a great
> and much-covered song Morning Dew, and another called
> Come Away Melinda which, when I was young and
> impressionable, always used to reduce me to tears.
He played that one at the gig. It was a hit for Harry
Belafonte, yes? I have a very nice version by Bobbie
Gentry.
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Message: 11
Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 23:14:30 +0900
From: LePageWeb
Subject: Re: Still Skirting the Issue
"Phil Chapman" wrote:
> Well, would *you* wear a skirt that was only 24"??
I think the only response that would come to mind is
"Obviously Not!"
> I do hope Carole G has the courage to supply a photo.
Yes, I'd like to check the score for any bum notes.
Jamie
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Message: 12
Date: Fri, 09 Nov 2001 01:57:36 -0500
From: "Paul Payton"
Subject:
Thank you for the Jackie (Robin) Ward interview at
http://www.cmongethappy.com/interviews/jw/index.html).
I was never a Partridge fan, but know a lot of the music
and musicians she refers to. I never knew...
To Jack Madani re: accents: If you can find Cal Raye and
the SweetTeens (male with female back-up trio) "Lovely
Lies" on Burlington c. 1962, you'll hear one of the
world's "great" Rhode Island accents. Providence - or
should I say Prawvidence - has a unique enunciation
somewhere between the broadness of Boston and the bombast
of Noo Yawk. As with many east coast accents, the "R" gets
its - it's sort of an "uah". You can find it in the name
Ford - not like Boston, where it's closer to Fahd (almost
rhymes with "wad"), but Fawd (rhymes with "claw"). But
back to the music - Cal "raps" an opening monologue:
"Y'know, when yoa baby leaves you, it puts a huht in yoa
hot, and inside yer croyin', cuz huh love foa you is doyin',
and you know she's loyin'..." The phonetics overstate the
case only slightly; I heard the record shortly after I got
to college in Rhode Island, and thought poor Cal had a
speech impediment! Nope - only the local accent. (By the
way, he cut this song FOUR times - three as Cal Raye and
once as Jerry Raye. Only the first Cal recording has the
monologue. A local hit WELL worth finding.)
I fished out some 45's we've been talking about (can't
play 'em now for complete memory refreshment because
others are sleeping) but some interesting names pop up:
The Front Porch (all releases on Jubilee and produced by
Jay Tropp)
45-5700, released June 1970 - Shake Rattle & Roll (the Joe
Turner classic done as a med-slow Bob Dylan led rocker)
B/W Song to St. Agnes (gorgeous enigmatic slow 6/8 with
Dylanesque voice; by Charles Purpura - see earlier note.
This side was way deeper than it's pop surface)
45-5717, released June, 1971 - Under The Boardwalk (track
arranged by Al Gorgoni, vocals arr. & recorded by Brooks
Arthur at 914; complete change of sound to almost a
girl-group with male lead) (I have a DJ copy, stereo/mono)
45-5720, released September 1970 - Wonderful Summer (yes,
that one; arranged by Jimmy Wisner! This must also have
had their girl group sound) (another stereo/mono DJ copy)
Christopher Robbins (both on RCA)
45-8937, released September, 1966 - Here There and
Everywhere (arr. & prod. Joe Rene)/The Street of Forgotten
Lovers (arr. Jimmy Wisner, prod. Joe Rene)(A-side is
almost acapella and absolutely beautiful)
45-9137, released March, 1967 - Shadows/Leave The Crying
To Me (B-side written by Ben Raleigh & Mark Barkan, both
arr. Jimmy Wisner, prod. Joe Rene)
Two phantom 45's - any info beyond what I can get on the
labels? Are they as obscure as they seem?
Stacy's 5th (Jubilee)
45-5540, released July, 1966 - This Thing/My Lovin' Baby
(female lead, jangly guitars, "A Bismark Production",
written by A. & D. Lubawy; A-side's "unique" mix helps
make it a haunting standout)
Peabody (Busy-B)
ZAP 7, released August, 1968 - Forever Eyes/Days of Rest
(prod. by Jeb Banashak, maybe the legendary New Orleans
producer Joe Banashak's son? Written by Mike Presti, pub.
by Tune-Kel, which was a major New Orleans publisher.
A-side is incredibly compressed sonically; great sound,
but can't understand a word)
I'm hoping that with the number of first-person
contributor and Ph.D's on this subject, someone will know
something.
Enough for one night!
Country Paul
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Message: 13
Date: Thu, 08 Nov 2001 00:08:52 EST
From: Michael Rashkow
Subject: Rashkow On The Road
Dear Poppers,
Some of you already know, but for those who don't, I'm a
full time RV'er - a vagabond, gypsy, nomad.
I've been lurking in one place for a while and actually
had a land line to hook my laptop into the world, but I
leave Thursday for travels toward a warmer clime; and with
only my cell phone, I have limited access to the net.
Your compliments and warm welcome are tremendously
appreciated on my side. It is an honor to have the
opportunity to be part of this group as well as to find
that there are people who are interested in both my music
and my experiences.
I do have a tendency to go on. I hope that the detail I
provide is not too boring. I rely on the administration
of Spectropop to edit my verbose meanderings down to
something readable whenever necessary and will attempt to
control myself. I'm always happy to hear from any member
off-site at my e-mail address.
I look forward to being an interested reader and a
meaningful contributor. I have some knowledge in limited
areas, but you guys know records--really know records.
Very impressive. Plus, the sincerity evident within the
group about the music and positive spirit regarding the
performers and creators shines through every post and is
inspiring.
Thanks to everyone out there who has made me feel at home
and part of the family.
I'll be looking forward to catching up with all the
postings and responding as appropriate whenever I have
access to a land line during my wanderings. The better
campgrounds usually have some type of data port deal
available.
Until then, keep putting the bomp in the bomp pa bomp pa
bomp.
Rashkovsky
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
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