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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 25 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Short stories about big music
From: Paul Levinson
2. Peter and Gordon request
From: Michael
3. Jerry Mathers
From: Larry Lapka
4. The Wellingtons
From: Mark Hill
5. Karen meets Mary Kaye
From: Steve Harvey
6. Deals
From: C. Ponti
7. Twist & Shout
From: TD
8. Re: Priscilla Paris, RIP
From: Country Paul
9. The Wellingtons
From: Paul Urbahns
10. Ana Belén
From: Julio Niño
11. Inner Dialogue; Fraternity; Bryants; Sort Of Records
From: Country Paul
12. Re: Questions from new Spector biography
From: Martin Jensen
13. Re: new 78 retro turntables
From: Billy G Spradlin
14. Re: surprising originals
From: Michael Fishberg
15. 60s Girly Sounds A-go-go! Saturday 20th March
From: Chris King
16. Re: The Golden Lost
From: Eddy
17. Re: "Here My Dear"
From: Eddy
18. Re: Midnight Cowboy -- what's the real story?
From: Dan Hughes
19. Re: Our New Homepage
From: S'pop Projects
20. Girls Go Zonk!!
From: S'pop Projects
21. Jerry Ragovoy and Eurovision
From: Paul Underwood
22. Paley Brothers
From: Eddy
23. Eye magazine
From: Dan Hughes
24. Hit Parader and Al Kooper
From: Dan Hughes
25. "Here My Dear"
From: TD
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Message: 1
Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2004 00:48:47 -0000
From: Paul Levinson
Subject: Short stories about big music
Hi Folks --
In case this is of interest to any Spectropoppers:
My short story, "The Kid in the Video Store" (published in a small
magazine in the mid-90s) was just put up online at Fictionwise.com
Another story, "The Harmony" (published in an anthology in the
mid-90s) has been on Fictionwise for about a year.
"The Kid" is about the "Roy Orbison and Friends" black-and-white
concert; "The Harmony" is about the Drifters and like pop groups.
URLs for the stories are:
"The Kid in the Video Store"
http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/eBook20657.htm
"The Harmony"
http://www.fictionwise.com/ebooks/eBook7599.htm
Fictionwise charges about 50 cents per story.
At some point down the line, I should be able to make them available
gratis on Spectropop. Some of the Fictionwise holdings are also
available free of charge from some libraries.
All best,
Paul
www.sff.net/people/paullevinson
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 19:25:58 -0000
From: Michael
Subject: Peter and Gordon request
Might anyone in here be kind enough to let me hear Peter and
Gordon's "Love Me Baby?" (for a project). Contact me off list
please. Thanks in advance to anyone who could help me out.
Michael (NANKERPHLG at AOL dot com)
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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 22:27:29 -0000
From: Larry Lapka
Subject: Jerry Mathers
Does anyone have either of the two singles recorded by Jerry "Beaver"
Mathers' teen band Beaver and the Trappers? If anyone does, I would
love to hear them. Please contact me off the board.
Didn't these 45s do well in certain areas, even hitting the top spot at
several pop stations? Anybody know any more history on this band? I
know Mathers recorded some 45s as a kid, but this appears to be his
only two recordings as a teenager.
Larry Lapka
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Message: 4
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 17:58:40 -0500
From: Mark Hill
Subject: The Wellingtons
Re: Shindig questions
Frank W. writes:
> I immediately noticed Darlene Love and the Blossoms backing you up,
> but who is the male trio on the left of the stage?
Ed Rambeau:
> They were called "The Wellingtons". It was the Blossoms and the
> Wellingtons.
The Wellingtons: Les Brown Jr., Ed Wade, George Patterson, Kirby
Johnson. A folk-singing group who recorded, "The Ballad of Davy
Crockett" for Disney and sang the original theme of GILLIGAN'S ISLAND.
They also appeared on Gilligan's Island as "The Mosquitos." After the
first season, the Gilligan theme was sung by another folk group, "The
Eligibles." The Wellingtons were unavailable due to work in Las Vegas
at the time. The Wellingtons appeared on "Shindig" and "The Hollywood
Palace" in the 1960's.
"Dr. Mark" Hill
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Message: 5
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 19:18:18 -0800 (PST)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: Karen meets Mary Kaye
Al Kooper wrote:
> Downey was also the home to The Carpenters, but
> that's another story.
I published a couple issues of a fanzine on the
Carpenters in the mid70s called Downey Soft. Thought
Al had come across a copy of it.
Dave Alvin told me a story once about a girl going out
to the Carpenter household, jumping onto the hood of
his car and peeing on it. Did wonders for the finish.
In 1976 I asked the Carpenters about their Magic Lamp
single. Karen lied and said they never made any
records except for A&M. However, they did the single
under Karen's name. It was on Johnny Burnette's label
(although he had drown two years earlier) and was
recorded in Joe Osborn's garage. Only 500 made and
I've had two. Mark Frumento sold it over the Internet
for me for $900. Used it to buy my Mary Kaye Strat.
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Message: 6
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 03:37:13 -0000
From: C. Ponti
Subject: Deals
That Alan Gordon wrote:
> C. Ponti, thanks for the kind words about the Magicians. Sundazed
> put out a nice CD several years ago, I think you might like it. As
> far as royalties and statements, well this is a family chat room,
> I could go on for days talking about "proper" statements. I will
> leave you with this one story. When I signed a writer's contract,
> as part of the deal I was leased a Cadillac. Years later I would
> always refer to this car as one of the rarest, most expensive
> Cadillacs ever -- I called it my RECOUP DeVILLE!! I was still
> paying for it for over 25 years!!!!!
Alan,
A close friend who was in a major band of that time described the
deal which one was offered as "ten thousand dollars and all the speed
you could take". I also know of bands who signed over most rights for
outfits and equipment. Of course, I would have to admit some vintage
Epiphones and Vox amps would've held their value pretty well. My
Epiphone Casino is worth around 5k. I recently had a long walk around
the Village with a producer of that era. The stories he told of
producing one of the biggest American bands answering the volleys of
the British Invasion were both inspiring and bloodcurdling. Some of us
walked away with major copyrights and royalties. What breaks my heart
is the fate of some fellow musicians who didn't write the songs. They
are often working construction, especially in England, or other hard
labour. However, as I've matured, I have learned life is not fair. At
least the drummers got all the girls, if not the royalties.
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Message: 7
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 22:54:56 -0500
From: TD
Subject: Twist & Shout
Phil X. Milstein writes:
> I'm working up a list, for an eventual compilation, of "surprising"
> original versions.
Pb:
> I nominate "Twist & Shout" by the Isley Brothers, it's so feeble!
> Very surprising, when I finally got to hear it.
a. The key word is "orignial".
b. The Isley Brothers didn't record the orginal. The Top Notes did.
--TD
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Message: 8
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 23:21:59 -0500
From: Country Paul
Subject: Re: Priscilla Paris, RIP
I am stunned to read of Priscilla Paris' passing. Please extend my
condolences.
I'm sitting here, having difficulty writing, feeling a deep sense of
loss. What initially attracted me to Spectropop was the company and
knowledge of people who were into, specifically, a magical sound
embodied by The Paris Sisters, The Teddy Bears and The Spectors Three.
In fact, my first musical "quest" on Spectropop was discovering the
Sisters' "You," which I'm listening to right now in disbelief. While
I had lost the trail of Priscilla Paris' later music, her pure and
sensuous vocals in the Gregmark era and beyond are a major part of
the soundtrack of my musical life. Thanks, Bill Reed and Phil
Milstein, for passing along the sad news - wish you hadn't had to -
and thanks to Phil for posting the Rainy Day Friends sides to musica.
Country Paul
(drying a tear)
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Message: 9
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 23:32:07 EST
From: Paul Urbahns
Subject: The Wellingtons
Frank W. ask Ed Rambeau about, "but who is the male trio on the
left of the stage?" Ed Rambeau identifed them as The Wellingtons
which is correct. They were a staple on the Sjindig show and did
backgrounds for many appearing artists just like the Blossoms did.
I don't know of any hits they had, but they were a fixture in the
LA recording scene back in those days. I know they did quite a bit
of work for Disney, such as the Theme from Scrawcrow of Romey
Marsh and some others I used to have several of their Disney
releases. They received screen credit on some of the Disney films
for their vocal work. A web site for Shindig lists the members as:
Kirby Johnson - singer (The Wellingtons)
George Patterson - singer (The Wellingtons)
Ed Wade - singer (The Wellingtons)
They made appearances on other musical shows like The Hollywood
Palace.
Don't know anything else about them.
Paul Urbahns
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Message: 10
Date: Sat, 13 Mar 2004 23:22:12 -0000
From: Julio Niño
Subject: Ana Belén
Hola Everybody.
I´ve played in musica "Tengo un nuevo ángel" by Ana Belén, included
in a scarse Spanish EP of 1965. The song was part of the original
soundtrack of "Zampo y yo", an horrendous movie about a little girl
(Ana Belén) and an unbearable clown.
Ana Belén is a very famous actress and singer here in Spain. This
was her first record, she was thirteen and lovely.
A little inocent song for these sad days here in Madrid.
Chao.
Julio Niño.
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Message: 11
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 00:08:25 -0500
From: Country Paul
Subject: Inner Dialogue; Fraternity; Bryants; Sort Of Records
Paul Richardz, Re: Inner Dialogue:
> It's one of my favourite albums &, I agree, it deserves a CD reissue.
> There's a link and info at http://www.weirdsville.com/featured1.html
I'm listening to it on the above site - it's a fascinating mix of
incredible musical sophistication and madding sachharine pop. And then
there the dime-store psychology lyrics. All in all, rather endearing,
I'd say. The title track is very fine, and "Looke At Me" is beautiful.
So is this available anywhere?
Phil M.:
> I should have added this link to a fascinating article about
> Fraternity's founder, Harry Carlson, written by Shad O'Shea, who
> bought the company name (and only that) when Carlson retired in 1975:
> http://www.shadoshea.com/fraternity/
He doesn't write a lot about what's been released since 1975 except for
his local hits. I wonder how the label is doing these days.
Frank Young :
> I am presently going through a seasonal obsession with the more obscure
> compositions of Felice and Boudleaux Bryant....They really wrote some
> brilliant and musically complex material, especially in the very early
> '60s. Songs like "Sleepless Nights" and "The Same Old Trouble" are
> several years ahead of the pop curve, sounding more like 1965-66 pop
> material....Just wondering if anyone has any super-obscure Bryants
> faves they'd care to mention.
"Sleepless Nights" is IMO a masterpiece. The Everly Brothers have the
definitive version, but the Gram Parsons-Emmylou Harris duet is also
noteworthy - and a true pop classic. I'm not familiar with "The Same Old
Trouble"; who did that, please? Also, fave obscurity - their son, Browning
Bryant, had an LP on Warner Brothers in the early 70's produced by the
inimitable Allen Toussaint. Check out the song "You Might Say" if you can
find the LP. (I think it was also a 45.)
Phil Hall:
> I ran across an obscure but interesting-looking CD called "The
> Golden Lost"....
After you finish delectating over this collection, checkout their
catalog at http://www.sunpk.com/art/cdart/sortof.htm One album that could
be of particular interest (among several here, I'm sure) to this group is
by Lottie Golden, called "Motor-Cycle." The company's name is Sort Of
Records. Pretty cool stuff.
Country Paul
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Message: 12
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 09:17:55 -0000
From: Martin Jensen
Subject: Re: Questions from new Spector biography
Frank wrote:
> As for the Dion track it's available on the CD edition of Born To
> Be With You.
I actually already own this CD and the known version with Dion. A
great song & production. What intrigued was that the book mentions
another version of the song recorded after the Dion session. This
time Spector recorded it with a young group called the Paley Brothers
and one of them is quoted as saying that their recording was among
the best work Spector had ever done. I wonder if there's any truth to
this information, and if so, if anyone here has heard about it or
perhaps even had the chance to hear the actual track?
By the way, I have now finished reading the book, and I remember some
time ago someone on the list asked if anyone here could recommend
it... Well, I would say it is worth reading, even though it mostly
restates what we already know. Judging from the melodramatic title
'Wall of Pain' I had feared that it would paint a far more dark and
devilish picture of Spector than it eventually did, so that was quite
nice. Interestingly, the author points to Spectropop for information
or quotes at various times...
With regards
Martin, Denmark
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Message: 13
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 10:04:02 -0000
From: Billy G Spradlin
Subject: Re: new 78 retro turntables
Phil Milstein wrote:
> Speaking of 78s and turntables, has anyone had any experience with
> those new 3-speed turntable boxes being sold at Restoration Hardware
> and the like?
I saw one at Fry's electronics in Dallas a couple weeks ago. Depsite
some nice woodwork the quality of the electronics is cheap. Ceramic
cartridge, plastic turntable, low power amp, and tiny speakers.
Billy
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Message: 14
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 05:30:14 -0800 (PST)
From: Michael Fishberg
Subject: Re: surprising originals
Phil X. Milstein writes:
> I'm working up a list, for an eventual compilation, of "surprising"
> original versions.
PB:
> I nominate "Twist & Shout" by the Isley Brothers, it's so feeble!
> Very surprising, when I finally got to hear it.
I think you'll find THE original version by the Top Notes will surprise
your socks off!
Michael Fishberg
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Message: 15
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 17:22:45 -0000
From: Chris King
Subject: 60s Girly Sounds A-go-go! Saturday 20th March
Dear South Brit-based Spectropoppers -
Da Doo Ron Ron - the one & only 60s girl group club - return for our
monthly sashay through the femme-centric side of the 60s on Saturday
MARCH 20th @ the Sussex Arts Club, 07 , Ship St, Brighton, BN1. Doors
9pm to 2am.
Admission:-£5 if names are reserved by e-mail:-
dadooronron.club@ntlworld.com / £6 on the door on the night.
Alternatively, you can phone reservations via Tel:-01273-778020/727371.
Established in October 1998 (in North London), Da Doo Ron Ron is a 60s
orientated club night with a unique slant. In a tribute to original
'girl power', DDRR DJs Chris 'Da Doo' King & Simon Bridger (Brighton
Northern Soul All-dayers) only spin female-fronted tracks from the
swingin' sixties. You will never hear a male lead vocal at DDRR! The
club's musical menu is a femme-centric celebration of 60s girl groups
such as The Ronettes, Marvelettes, Shangri-Las, Aupremes, Chiffons,
Crystals etc, sassy soul sisters like Aretha, Dusty Springfield, Maxine
Brown, Brenda Holloway and playful popstrels in the vein of Petula
Clark, Lesley Gore and Helen Shapiro.
For further info. plaese check the Da Doo web-site:-
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/dadooronron/
"Da Doo Ron Ron - A 'femme-centric' selection of back-combed
harmonizing".
The Guardian - Number 1 Clubs 'Pick Of The Week' November 2003
Many thanks indeed for your indulgence,
Kindest regards,
Chris Da Doo
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Message: 16
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 18:34:06 +0100
From: Eddy
Subject: Re: The Golden Lost
Art Longmire:
> ...for instance, "Jack" by World of Oz (an English soft-psych group)
> is a nice tune, although I like the flip side, "King Croesus", even
> more.
At least on the Eastern side of the Pond, King Croesus was the A-side.
Not a huge hit, but big enough for me to buy the 45 at the time.
Eddy
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Message: 17
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 18:41:15 +0100
From: Eddy
Subject: Re: "Here My Dear"
> Then there is Marvin Gaye's "Here My Dear," the story of
> which someone else could probably tell better (and more
> accurately) than I.
> I'm curious; could someone please step to the fore on this?
I was kinda hoping someone else would come forward on this one, as
I only have a vague memory on this. But since you ask... IIRC Marvin
Gaye recorded this album as a "reply" to the divorce settlement with
his wife. I'm not sure, but I believe she was entitled to all the
rights to his next album. But I'd love to hear confirmation/
elaboration on this myself !
Eddy
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Message: 18
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 11:59:15 -0600
From: Dan Hughes
Subject: Re: Midnight Cowboy -- what's the real story?
Bryan sez:
> I've read/heard that Bob Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay" was also written/
> recorded for the movie too, but missed the deadline, which led to
> them using Harry Nilsson's ''Everybody's Talkin'" (by Fred Neil).
And I've read that Nilsson wrote "I Guess the Lord Must Be In New York
City" (the lyrics are dead on) to be used as the opening and the theme
of the movie, but the director (or whomever) didn't care much for it
and chose "Everybody's Talkin'" instead.
---Dan
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Message: 19
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2004 09:55:06 -0000
From: S'pop Projects
Subject: Re: Our New Homepage
We wrote:
> Ladies and gentlemen, S'pop has a newly designed homepage,
> based on the classic publication Pop Weekly. You'll find it
> offers easy access to all S'pop facilities. Check it out at:
>
> http://www.spectropop.com
>
> Feedback welcome.
--------------------
You responded:
Laura Pinto:
It looks wonderful! Great job. Thanks for letting us know about the
change.
--------------------
That Alan Gordon:
Bravo to the S'pop team. I just checked out the new home page, wow!
The feeling I got was like the feeling I used to get when looking
at the programs from the rock'n'roll shows with Allan Freed. S'pop
is what rock'n'roll is all about - Fun, Love and Rock'N'Roll. Keep
up the good work.
--------------------
Jim Shannon:
The S'pop home page looks good. It probably should be re-designed
frequently. One suggestion, have you considered adding a category
for influential DJ's from the '60s, perhaps in the radio or Reference
Guide sections. Just a thought.
--------------------
Country Paul:
Since you invited them, some first reactions to the redesigned front
page: I like the access given to everything on the cover, but I miss
the wider color palette of the earlier version. (Or is it just that
the available photos are in black & white?) May I assume that "Pop
Weekly" was a UK publication? I'm unfamiliar with it. And by the title,
"Spectropop WEEKLY," are we given to understand the cover page will
change at that frequency? It certainly is quite a change; more "period,"
less "webby." I'm curious to see what other members' reactions are.
--------------------
Rob Stride:
Love the new Homepage
It's Poptastic!
Keep up the great work
Love & Hugs & Pristine Vinyl
Stridey
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Message: 20
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2004 10:16:17 -0000
From: S'pop Projects
Subject: Girls Go Zonk!!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
RPM's first venture into the world of American girl groups, "Girls
Go Zonk!!", is the latest addition to the S'pop Recommends section.
Access Ian Slater's review here:
http://www.spectropop.com/
Here:
http://www.spectropop.com/recommends/
Or here:
http://www.spectropop.com/recommends/index2004.htm#Zonk
Feedback welcome.
Enjoy!
The S'pop Team
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Message: 21
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2004 10:50:12 +0100
From: Paul Underwood
Subject: Jerry Ragovoy and Eurovision
Hi there,
The BBC presenter, Brian Matthew, who has a weekly show called "Sounds
of the Sixties" recently played an early record by Elkie Brooks, "He's
gotta love me". He said the song, written by Jerry Ragovoy and Kenny
Lynch, was in the running for the Eurovision Song Contest, though it
wasn't chosen as the British entry.
I didn't know Lynch and Ragovoy had worked together: did they write any
other songs? And what's the story behind this Eurovision connection?
Does anyone out there know about this?
Paul
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Message: 22
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2004 11:24:24 +0100
From: Eddy
Subject: Paley Brothers
The Paley Brothers consisted of brothers Andy and Jonathan Paley
and only released one (power pop) album in 1978 on Sire, produced
by ex-Sparks Earl Mankey. There was a one-off collaboration with
the Ramones on C'mon let's go for the R&R Highschool soundtrack.
They also released a few EP's that include non-album material,
so they might be worth checking out.
I don't know if this photo is "known" or not, but I've uploaded a
photo of Darlene Love, Phil Spector and Joey Ramone with the Paley
Brothers. It's in the photo section at:
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/
The Paleys are now working on a compilation CD. It will include
the album plus EP's and singles songs, plus an exciting unreleased
track. This will be a version of "Baby, Let's Stick Together"
recorded with Phil Spector at Gold Star Studios with The Wrecking
Crew backing them up. Be still my heart !! Jonathan says it's the
best thing Spector has done since his heydays in the 60's. Holy
Cripe !
Eddy
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Message: 23
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 12:07:27 -0600
From: Dan Hughes
Subject: Eye magazine
Orion asks about Eye magazine:
It lasted 15 issues, I think... they have some interesting articles,
pictures and sniplets about singers, groups, etc. from the era of 1968.
Although it was aimed at the psychedelic crowd, it does have some other
music stuff in it.
Like fantastic full-sized posters! Wasn't it Eye that had that great
Peter Max painting of a paisley Dylan? (Or was it maybe Cheetah?)
I sold my copies of Eye several years ago; they are pretty pricey I
believe.
---Dan
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Message: 24
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 12:12:03 -0600
From: Dan Hughes
Subject: Hit Parader and Al Kooper
Art sez,
> I've got about 14 issues of Hit Parader and its sister publication
> Song Hits dating from 1966 to 1971, with the majority from '66
> to '68. These magazines are indeed a treasure trove of information
> about the music of the era.....
I always wondered if they got payola from Elektra, because they seemed
to cover an Elektra act in almost every issue.
Also, I remember one issue wherein our very own Al Kooper listed his
ten favorite albums, and one of them was an Elektra album of Gregorian
chants!
Do you still listen to that one, Al?
---Dan
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Message: 25
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 14:03:31 -0500
From: TD
Subject: "Here My Dear"
"Here My Dear": As part of his divorce settlement with Gordy's sister,
Gaye had to give up the profits from his next album. Hence the title
and sentiment -- TD
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
End
