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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 19 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Jack Nitzsche at Spectropop update
From: Martin Roberts
2. Badfinger's "The name of the game"
From: Denis Gagnon
3. Re: Al Gorgoni & Picture Me Gone
From: Scott Swanson
4. Re: Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas?
From: lynnuttall
5. Sensational Epics
From: Bob Rashkow
6. Kirsty MaColl Sings Brian Wilson
From: Eddy
7. Stereo Beatles
From: Al Kooper
8. Re: Which "I've Been Hurt" came first?
From: Ken Silverwood
9. Early '60s teen 45s - writers & producers
From: Ash
10. Re: Investigating The Lettermen
From: Mikey
11. Re: Investigating The Lettermen / Me About You
From: Mikey
12. The Tams
From: Julio Niño
13. Sophia Loren Sings Burt Bacharach & Hal David
From: Mick Patrick
14. That Alan and Babs
From: Martin Roberts
15. One if by lava lamp, two if by reverb.
From: Steve Harvey
16. Nick Drake Release Preview
From: Neb Rodgers
17. Re: Which "I've Been Hurt" came first?
From: Jeff Petschow
18. Oh, Canada!; Cake; colored dj copies; Harkit in the US; early Pitney; questions
From: Country Paul
19. Re: Carmen McRae Sings Brian Wilson
From: Al Kooper
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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 23 May 2004 06:43:50 +0100
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: Jack Nitzsche at Spectropop update
Inspired by the overwhelming and appreciated comments about
the playing of a hitherto unknown Lee Hazlewood vocal track,
there follows a season of "Jack Nitzsche and Lee Hazlewood
Records of the Week", on the home page,
http://www.spectropop.com/JackNitzsche/index.htm
To kick off, the second (sic) track is The Sinners "Nightmare"
(Eden 1); a right little corker, matured over 40 years. A first
impression maybe that it's a rough little number, but it's full
-bodied and has travelled very well.
Martin
PS Regarding last week's Mark Robinson track: Was anyone foolish
enough (like me) to assume the "Hazlewood & Lee Productions" was
just 'clever' word play? John P. Dixon, leading Arizona music guy,
contacted the 'horses mouth' and passed on the info that the 'Lee'
in question is actually Jim Lee (Monogram Records etc).
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Message: 2
Date: Fri, 21 May 2004 21:30:09 -0400
From: Denis Gagnon
Subject: Badfinger's "The name of the game"
I'm presently reading "Without you the tragic story of Badfinger".
Great book, btw...
Al Kooper's name is mentioned a few times. I would like him to tell
us about that "Name of the game" recording in which he was involved
and which was never issued (apparently).
Also, could he tell us more about Stan Polley who was his manager at
one time ?
thanks
Denis
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Message: 3
Date: Fri, 21 May 2004 18:36:12 -0700
From: Scott Swanson
Subject: Re: Al Gorgoni & Picture Me Gone
Ken Silverwood writes:
> With all the posts pertaining to Mr Gorgoni I thought I would
> play to musica a lesser-spotted version of his & Chip Taylor's
> "Picture Me Gone" by Dianne Brooks, Prod. by Harvey Brooks on
> Verve. I also have versions by Madeline Bell & of course Evie
> Sands. Are there any more out there?
Dave Berry released a version in November 1966. I also have a live
version by Madeline Bell from a 1973 TV appearance.
Regards,
Scott
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Message: 4
Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 01:36:14 -0000
From: lynnuttall
Subject: Re: Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas?
Bob:
The Dakotas also recorded a fine - and original - surf instrumental,
"The Cruel Sea", which charted Top 20 in the UK. I think is one of
the very best surf instrumentals of the era (this was '63) and was
even covered by the Ventures. Remarkable really, considering the
Dakotas were presumably a world away from California. Guess it just
shows what a fast-travelling, powerful genre surf music was.
Bob wrote:
> The Dakotas are:-
> Mike Mayfield (guitar)
I think it's Mike Maxfield. He has the writing credit for "The
Cruel Sea"
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Message: 5
Date: Fri, 21 May 2004 22:48:30 EDT
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: Sensational Epics
I'd absolutely kill for any earlier 45s by the Sensational Epics.
I've got "All My Hard Times", which IS sensational. Their lead
singer is as soulful and funky as anybody wailing around that
period of time. Willing to bet all their other stuff is at least
as good.
The Sound Laboratory on SSS Int'l ("Sherry, Sherry", 1969) is pretty
damn good sunshine pop from the South. Stained Glass on RCA ("If I
Needed Someone/How Do You Expect Me", 1966) is killer! Their Beatles
take is wonderful but they were frighteningly talented when it came
to writing bittersweet ORIGINAL tunes, and the melancholy B-side
complete with electric guitar and organ effects is IMHO outstanding.
Proves once and for all that their other 45s output is worth
searching the far ends of the earth for and that the "Crazy Horse
Roads" LP is true genius unleashed. Does anybody know the
whereabouts of Rominger, McPherson et al. I just want to kiss their
feet! Go Brian Wilson! ! ! ! ! Keep on surfing baby! ! ! ! !
Bobster
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Message: 6
Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 10:23:01 +0200
From: Eddy
Subject: Kirsty MaColl Sings Brian Wilson
Mick Patrick:
> I'll start the ball rolling with Carmen McRae's version of "I
> Just Wasn't Made For These Times". It's from her 1967 LP "For
> Once In My Life" (Atlantic SD 8143)...
Steve Harvey:
> The late, great Kirsty MacColl did a version too, on some
> obscure single...
Can't seem to find any trace of this one, Steve. Happen to have
any further details?
Eddy
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Message: 7
Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 11:45:02 EDT
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Stereo Beatles
While assembling a 100 best Beatles tracks (in the interest of space,
let's not make THIS a thread). I found to my chagrin that my American
Parlophone CD copies of Beatles 4 Sale, With The Beatles & A Hard Days
Night are all in mono.
PLEEEEEEEEEEZ!!!!!!!! Where can I get CD stereo versions ASAP for
decent money? PLEEEEEEEEEEZ!!!!!!!!
Contact me off-list.
Al "Cant Live Without Stereo" Kooper
P.S. Beatles 4 Sale (Beatles ' 65) is my favorite.
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Message: 8
Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 10:32:38 +0100
From: Ken Silverwood
Subject: Re: Which "I've Been Hurt" came first?
As far as I can tell The Tams' version came out in 1964 with no
release in the UK. Guy Darrell's probably was in 1966 on CBS
202082. Sadly I don't have a copy of this disc, only a re-release
on Santa Ponsa in 1973 when it was a UK hit reaching #12. Funnily
enuff the "b" side remained the same, a version of Paul Simon's
"Blessed". Have all Guy Darrell's singles been compiled on one CD?
He was on a few labels; Oriole , CBS, Pye,Piccadilly & Page One.
Ken On The West Coast
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Message: 9
Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 16:26:53 -0000
From: Ash
Subject: Early '60s teen 45s - writers & producers
Hi There,
I'm Ash from Sydney Australia.. I'm a passionate collector of early
60's Teen and doo wop. If there are any collectors who love this
stuff also and would like to trade records and cd's etc, Let me
know... I Love getting in touch with new people..
I also am trying to find out more info about many of the songwriters
and producers of the period..
Here's some examples of some :
Neville Nader
L. Kusik
Arthur Altman
Ritchie Adams - I Loved his early work on Imperial,Beltone etc.. Im
sure he also wrote and co wrote many classic teeners from the early
60's also.
Giant
Ben Raleigh
Mark Barkan
Springer - Kaye
Alan Lorber - Just amazing how many Great Teen records he produced
in the early 60's.. If anyone can help me track down more early 60's
that contain any songwriters such as above and ones which had
fantastic productions..
although I have a decent knowledge of many early 60's teen pop
records, Im still learning and wanting to know the links between
many of the great songwriters, because often the same ones as
mentioned above keep appearing on many fantastic songs!
Rick Randell - He sung 2 of my all time favourite Teen songs 'Dining
and Dancing" and "Tale my name and Number" Both On United Artists
from 1962.. Written by Kusik - Adams.
Many Thanks... Hope some one can help... Much Appreciated.
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Message: 10
Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 11:57:49 -0400
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: Investigating The Lettermen
JB:
> Patrick et al....there exists a Letterman anthology CD called "The
> Soft Rock Collection". I have it and its spectacular...It MAY be
> Japanese though (read $28.99).
Well, JB...I know that "Soft Rock Collection" and while ANy Lettermen
Cd is Ok with me, the track selection on that should have been better.
The one I complied for ERIC was a killer, I will tell you that....
Mikey
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Message: 11
Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 09:03:07 -0400
From: Mikey
Subject: Re: Investigating The Lettermen / Me About You
Well guys, you would be hard pressed to find a bigger fan of The
Lettermen than me!! I have 36 lps, every Cd, reel to reel tape,
even special transcriptions they did for the armed forces.
"Mr Sun" is indeed a great track. It's on what I think is their
very best LP, "Spring". That Lp was my very first Lettermen LP and
it's special to me to this day, and I play it alot.
"Me About You" is off the "I Have Dreamed" Lp. Nice track. I'd post
it to Musica for you but every time I try to do that, the system
tells me there is no space.
I do some consulting for a few small reissue labels, and I was THIS
close to getting them to do a Lettermen Cd that was going to be all
LP tracks, B sides, everything BUT all the hits again. Had it
compiled and everything, but at thr last minute they backed out. I'm
still trying.
Oh yes...for a nice treat, throw on The Lettermens version of "Forget
Him". Better than Bobby Rydell by a long shot!!!
If any of you out in Spectroland would like to email me about The
Lettermen, feel free!! Love to hear from you.
All the best,
Mikey
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Message: 12
Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 17:51:49 -0000
From: Julio Niño
Subject: The Tams
Hola Everybody.
Simon white wrote about "I´ve Been Hurt":
> The Tams version fits in here somewhere - I really must find out
> where.
Could somebody please confirm in which year The Tams' version was
released. I have my records packed because I'm moving and so I can't
consult them, but it rings a bell to me that I read in the booklet
of a compilation of The Tams that their version was from 1964. Am I
wrong?
And now that we are talking about this wonderful group, there is a
beautiful song titled "Dancing Mood" by Delroy Wilson, one of my
favorite Jamaican tracks from the mid-sixties. Delroy sounded in that
song like a Frank Sinatra on an overdose of barbiturates. I've read
many times that the song is a cover of a track by The Tams, but I've
never been able to find it. Could somebody tell me which record of
the group included that song.
Thank you.
Julio Niño.
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Message: 13
Date: Sun, 23 May 2004 10:27:12 +0100
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: Sophia Loren Sings Burt Bacharach & Hal David
Mike Edwards:
> ... I'd like to put up Babs Tino and in particular "Too Late
> To Worry" from 1962. It was probably not Burt's finest effort
> and it was eclipsed by a UK version of the song from Richard
> Anthony (who also recorded it in French and Italian) the
> following year.
I believe the French language version by Sophia Loren might
predate the Richard Anthony rendition. It's very, 'ow you say,
ye-ye. Anyone wanna hear it? Whatever. It's playing over at musica
right now: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/files/musica/
Details are: Sophia Loren "Donne-Moi Ma Chance" (Barclay EP 70513,
1962). Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. French lyrics by
Andre Salvet.
Hey la la,
Mick Patrick
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Message: 14
Date: Sun, 23 May 2004 11:21:48 +0100
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: That Alan and Babs
Re-reading Barbara Streisand's sleeve note for her "Superman" LP
(as you do) and guess which S'popper she described as "...slightly
crazy, very funny, enormously talented and a genuinely lovely
person."? No, not me nor Mick Patrick, but Alan Gordon. Now ain't
that sweet.
Martin
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Message: 15
Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 17:19:22 -0700 (PDT)
From: Steve Harvey
Subject: One if by lava lamp, two if by reverb.
Phil X Milstein wrote:
> No way, Jose -- William Dawes has his very own
> traffic island, right on the outskirts of Harvard
> Square.
Wasn't William Dawes the replacement for Doug Yule in
the Velvet Underground after Lou left 'em?
Thanks, you're the first person that actually knew who
the hell I was talking about. However, don't you live
in his area? Outside of that neck of the woods you
won't find him listed anywhere in the history books
Solve this one, who was the guy that followed
Alexander Graham Bell into the patent office an hour
after Bell was there? He had a phone he'd invented,
but faded into obscurity due to timing.
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Message: 16
Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 21:47:45 -0700 (PDT)
From: Neb Rodgers
Subject: Nick Drake Release Preview
>From NME: http://www.nme.com/features/story.htm?ID=108517
> 'Made To Love Magic', an album of rarities, remixes and an un-
> released song 'Tow The Line', the last song Nick Drake committed
> to tape prior to his early death in 1974. 'Made To Love Magic'
> also includes mainly alternative versions of some of the cult
> singer's classic songs.
>
> You can listen to the album here, before release, by clicking on
> the link below, with different tracks becoming available every day
> over the next week.
>
> Click here http://www.hyperlaunch.com/nickdrake/nme/
Now if only the 'A Skin Too Few' documentary about Nick would come
out on video! I think I read that the delay with that release had
something to do with the song copyright legalities, but hopefully
it'll be available soon.
-Neb
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Message: 17
Date: Sat, 22 May 2004 20:48:11 -0500
From: Jeff Petschow
Subject: Re: Which "I've Been Hurt" came first?
> Didn't the Tams record this song first? That's the version
> I'm familar with. I think their version is still the best, a
> fantastic production. BTW Who was the songrwriter of this song?
The writer of the song is Ray Whitley. That's why I think his
version came out first. Possibly only as a promo. I had forgotten
about the Tams version.
Jeff
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Message: 18
Date: Sun, 23 May 2004 01:51:19 -0400
From: Country Paul
Subject: Oh, Canada!; Cake; colored dj copies; Harkit in the US; early Pitney; questions
Superoldies wrote:
> I am currently in the process of tackling a JB & The Playboys
> collection, a top group that was on RCA Victor Canada. RCA was
> bought by BMG Music Canada, and has since shut their doors. After
> 20-30 years of no licensing interest, the master tapes were (get
> this) thrown out when they shut down!
Ouch! If the major labels treat their product that way, the minor ones must
be completely out of the question! I have a JB & The Playboys 45 somewhere
in the collection - haven't heard it in years, but remember thinking they
were pretty good.
Later, Supe writes:
> There is also a CD out by The Esquires (Capitol Canada), which is
> from vinyl too.
But without my favorite Canadian 45, the Esquires' "So Many Other Boys,"
which, if I'm not mistaken (or am I?), I've never seen as a legit reissue.
I need to find my copy and see if I can get it posted to musica - great
song, and a Top 10 hit in its time (1964-65). How could such a sizable
Canadian hit - with, I think, universal appeal - not have been issued in
the US?
Mike, re: Cake:
> The studio musicians for their two Decca albums were many of the same
> people who graced "Gris-Gris" by Dr. John the Night Tripper, including
> Harold Battiste. In fact, there's one song on the second album with a
> backing track that sounds as if it could have been taken directly from
> that LP. Same weird voodoo clarinets (regular and bass), etc....[T]heir
> other tracks range from Spectorish girl group productions to more folky
> numbers, including some with the Dr. John influence that are way left of
> center.
You've got me really curious - I'd only heard one single, which I thought
at the time was okay. But I'm a big fan on Dr. John's voodoo period, being
first to play him on the air in Rhode Island. Are these albums available on
CD, please? The acapella number, "Under The Tree...," sounds extremely cool!
Dave O' wrote:
> And an aside to Paul Evans: I just rediscovered my radio station copy
> of Bobby Vinton's "Roses are Red," was pressed in red vinyl. Was the
> colored vinyl stronger or more wear-resistant than the black? Still
> a great song, Paul!
Paul Evans:
> Yellow, green, red, orange, blue. Your choice. It's just color. Doesn't
> do a thing for strength. The red vinyl you discovered "Roses" on was
> probably just Epic Records' indication that the disk is a DJ copy.
You're both right - some Epic DJ copies were pressed on colored vinyl (I
have Keith Relf's "Shapes In My Mind" on blue, IIRC. But the colored vinyl
was stronger than the usual styrene DJ copies CBS sent out whichdeveloped
cue burn on the first or second play. Of course, good ol' high-quality
virgin vinyl, such as that used regularly by RCA, had the same strength.
RCA also did a few colored DJ copies; I remember a hot pink 45 from Dolly
Parton, for example.
Michael Stroggoff directs us to the "latest news" box at the Harkit Records
website, http://www.harkitrecords.com, for the Toni Fisher upcoming cd.
Along with an unrelated picture of drop-dead striking Judy Geeson, there's
also this note for us Yanks:
"Please note that with immediate effect, NorthCountry Music Distributors of
New York will be distributing most of our titles in the U.S. Their website
is at http://www.cadencebuilding.com."
ACJ:
> [The Gene Pitney-Ginny Arnell duets] were Gene Pitney's first
> commercial recordings, after the demos he made with the Echoes.
Wasn't Pitney also recording as Billy Bryan or Wes Bryan on Unart (I think)?
I believe he did something called "Cradle of My Love" in that period. He
also did some deep doo-wop recording in Hartford, fronting black groups IIRC
and sounding like a young Clyde McPhatter; several of these sides were
re-issued on Relic Records ("The Hartford Groups," LP and CD) but I don't
know their recording dates or if there were commercial issued when new.
Some questions for list members:
John Clemente, I see in the latest UGHA flyer there's a group appearing at
the next UGHA meeting/concert called Four-Man Trio featuring one John
Clememte. Is that you, by any chance - or just an odd coincidence?!?
Jan K. and Wes Smith, thank you for Janice Green's name re: Crescendos. Was
her 45 a good one? BTW, I got the info that Dale Ward was in the group from
the Nashville groups site or somewhere I linked to from there (I didn't keep
a log of the links, unfortunately).
Ronnie Allen:
> Jordan [Christopher] was a label-mate of mine. He fronted a group
> called Jordan & The Fascinations, who had a Dapt recording called
> "My Imagination", which did well on the east coast.
Good record, Ronnie. Two questions: (1) I recently read - on S'pop, I
think - that "Jordan & The Fascinations" was a "beard" name for The Tokens.
Not true? And (2) What was your Dapt output, please? (All this stuff about
you we don't know....)
Country Paul
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Message: 19
Date: Sun, 23 May 2004 08:20:10 EDT
From: Al Kooper
Subject: Re: Carmen McRae Sings Brian Wilson
Phil Milstein is:
> Interested to see some thoughts on favorite cover versions
> of Beach Boys songs -- only those wr. or co-wr. by Brian
> Wilson, though. Female vocals preferred!
Mick Patrick:
> I'll start the ball rolling with Carmen McRae's version of "I
> Just Wasn't Made For These Times". It's from her 1967 LP "For
> Once In My Life" (Atlantic SD 8143). This fine album was cut
> in London with arranger-conductor Johnny Keating. I have an
> idea which S'poppers will like this and who amongst you will
> not. It's playing now over @ musica. Y'all know how to get
> there: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spectropop/files/musica/
She also covered my song "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know"
which I have on a 45. I read they are releasing the album that's
on (Atlantic) on Collectables (Regrettables?) and I suspect it's
on the same album as Brian's tune. Can anyone confirm this?
Al Kooper
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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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