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SPECTROPOP - Spectacular! Retro! Pop!
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There are 21 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. The Laurie Johnson Orchestra "Love That Bomb"
From: Mick Patrick
2. Re: "I'm Alive"; Teddy Vann
From: Phil X Milstein
3. Re: Fats Domino, Irma Thomas found
From: Bob Rashkow
4. Evie Sands / Johnny Thunders / Mindrocker Vol. 12
From: Bob Rashkow
5. Betty James...and Jimmy Spruill?
From: Margaret G. Still
6. Re: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"
From: Hans Huss
7. Re: The Orlons
From: Hans Huss
8. Cosimo Matassa and Wardell Quezergue
From: Bill Reed
9. Les Braid 1937-2005
From: Steve Jones
10. Jean Thomas Backing Vocals
From: Ken Charmer
11. Re: Patti Dahlstrom / Emotion
From: Artie Wayne
12. "Loop De Loop"
From: Joop
13. New Orleans Hurricane Relief Benefit
From: S'pop Projects
14. New Orleans Musicians News
From: Kingsley Abbott
15. BMAI Katrina Relief Fund
From: Willie C
16. Re: Fats Domino, Irma Thomas found
From: Lloyd Davis
17. Calla releases Song of the Century!
From: Hans Huss
18. Lesley Gore's "Summer & Sandy"
From: James Botticelli
19. Re: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"
From: Joop
20. Al Kooper's Bloomfield Tribute
From: Dave O'Gara
21. Re: "Loop De Loop"
From: Artie Wayne
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Message: 1
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 19:25:30 +0100
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: The Laurie Johnson Orchestra "Love That Bomb"
Does anyone out there have a copy of "Theme From Doctor Strangelove"
by the Laurie Johnson Orchestra, released as a single on US Colpix
723 in 1964? Actually, it's the b-side, "LOVE THAT BOMB", in which
I'm interested. I believe it's a vocal. The UK version of the single
has a different B-side, btw. Maybe "Love That Bomb" is available on
LP or CD? Does anyone know, because I'm gagging to hear the track. I
know that there are soundtrack experts among us. Maybe one of them
can help me please?
Hey la,
Mick Patrick
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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 04 Sep 2005 21:14:52 -0400
From: Phil X Milstein
Subject: Re: "I'm Alive"; Teddy Vann
Tom Diamond Hunter Diehl wrote:
> Calla being distributed by Roulette would make sense....Johnny
> Thunders (who had a hit on Diamond Records with Loop De Loop in
> 1962, which was in the same building as Roulette in NY) had a
> record on Calla called I'm Alive, it was written and produced by
> Tommy James, and from what I understand, the backing music is the
> music from a Tommy James and the Shondells recording..
Perhaps that is the source of the label credit of "arr. & musical
concept: Tommy James." I've never heard the original version, though,
but love Thunders' enough to have it available at my Probe site
(scroll to or search for Session 2).
The producer, at least as credited on the latter version, is Teddy
Vann, the writer (and also producer?) of Thunders' "Loop De Loop."
Does anyone know of any articles that cover at least the main points
of Vann's career? I've been interested in him ever since hearing the
amazing "Santa Claus Is A Black Man" track he wrote and produced for
his young daughter Akim -- one of the coolest kids records (that is,
with a kid as the featured artist) ever made, in my view. Since then
I've found bits and pieces by him, almost all of which I've enjoyed
for their intelligent eccentricity (a category into which one could
also put, for instance, a Lincoln Chase), but don't have a solid
"overview" sense of his career.
One final question, the interplay of involvement on "I'm Alive"
suggest a working relationship, at least on this one record, between
James, Vann and Thunders. Does anyone know if they did any other
records together beyond this one?
Dig,
--Phil M.
http://www.philxmilstein.com/probe
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Message: 3
Date: Sun, 4 Sep 2005 22:43:10 EDT
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: Re: Fats Domino, Irma Thomas found
I'm really glad to hear that the great Irma Thomas is safe as well.
I am praying for Antoinette K-Doe, the remaining Dixie Cups, Aaron
Neville's family and all of the tremendous musicians who settled in
the one and only New Orleans, which can never, ever be rebuilt the
way we knew it. May you all rebuild and resettle safely and happily
......and please look me up if you happen to come to the North Side
of Chicago and I'll save a space for you in my humble abode!
Bobster
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Message: 4
Date: Sun, 4 Sep 2005 23:04:28 EDT
From: Bob Rashkow
Subject: Evie Sands / Johnny Thunders / Mindrocker Vol. 12
Very fortunate indeed to have Evie's 45 of Any Way That You Want Me
......the groovy version by The American Breed warmed me up for her
wonderful rendition and arrangement of this great song.
Tom "Diamond Hunter" Diehl mentioned Johnny Thunder's recording of
"I'm Alive" on Calla; not to state the obvious, it was indeed the B-
side of Tommy James' "Crystal Blue Persuasion."
I'm real excited about digging MINDROCKER Vol. 12 tonight. In
particular I am thrilled to now have New Colony 6' "Cadillac" (not
heard since 1966, on my friend Mark's transistor on CFL), the
fantastic "Bye Bye Baby" by Nooney Rickett (and the Nooney Rickett 4--
how modest he was!), "Patterned The Same" by The Statesiders, and
"Saturday Night" by The Country Gentlemen. Still have about 7 or 8
CDs in the series to listen to!!!! Still way behind!!!
Bobster
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Message: 5
Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005 03:21:22 -0000
From: Margaret G. Still
Subject: Betty James...and Jimmy Spruill?
Just played my Chess 45 of Betty James' "I'm A Little Mixed Up".
WOW- she sings like Jessie Mae Hemphill, but I found that she was
from New York City, or was there when she recorded this 45 picked up
by Chess but originally on the Joe Evan's NYC Revival label. Evans
also ran NYC Cee Jay Records, which recorded Jimmy Spruill among
others. So- Who is on guitar on Betty James' "I'm A Little Mixed Up"
- maybe Jimmy Spruill? - or Tarheel Slim?
Would the liners of the Chess Box Set, which I don't own and which
includes this single, have any info on Betty James and on the
recording?
And has anyone come out with a Jimmy Spruill compilation? He's
scattered on some good comps like the Fire/Fury and Harlem Rock'n'
Blues sets, but I don't know of any attempts to compile him.
Best,
Margaret G. Still
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Message: 6
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 01:09:10 -0700 (PDT)
From: Hans Huss
Subject: Re: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"
South African musician Solomon Linda, who composed "The Lion Sleeps
Tonight" in the 1920s, and recorded it in 1939, never earned a cent
from the song and died a pauper in the 1960s. Arnold Rypens writes:
Under Apartheid, the rule was simple: "Blacks are not allowed to have
royalties".
A film by François Verster, "A Lion's Trail", tells the story.
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/lionstrail/film.html
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/lionstrail/song.html
Joop's link had some mistakes, here is the correct one:
http://www.originals.be/eng/main.cfm?c==t_upd_show&id=@98
Hasse Huss
-------
Admin note:
An extremely comprehensive account of the story,
'Where Does The Lion Sleep Tonight', can be found at:
http://www.3rdearmusic.com/forum/mbube2.html
-------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]-------------------
Message: 7
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 02:12:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: Hans Huss
Subject: Re: The Orlons
James Botticelli:
> Not to complicate matters but The Orlons also were on ABC in the
> mid 60's for at least one single.
That's right! Two in fact, 'Keep Your Hands Off My Baby'/'Everything'
(ABC 10894) and 'Once Upon A Time'/'Kissin' Time' (ABC 10948), both
released in 1967. None charted. 'Baby', incidentally, is not the
Little Eva song, but 'Kissin' Time' is a cover of Bobby Rydell's 1959
hit. 'Everything', in a slow, Motown groove, is particularly nice.
Hasse Huss
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Message: 8
Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005 16:43:02 -0000
From: Bill Reed
Subject: Cosimo Matassa and Wardell Quezergue
I have been searching about the net for news of two of my New Orleans
favorites: legendary recording engineer Cosimo Matassa and equally
venerated arranger Wardell Quezergue. It is safe to say that the
former recorded every single N.O. great to have ever been committed
to (remember?) wax. Not nearly, but EVERY. Plus a host of visitors
from "up North." In the arranging department, the same can also be
said of Quezergue (pronounced keh-zehr).
Phoning around yesterday afternoon I WAS happy to learn that Matassa
was working on his memoirs at the time of Katrina. Very articulate
and quite a story to tell. Of Matassa, drummer Earl Palmer wrote in
HIS memoirs: "I've seen engineers use two dozen mics to get the sound
he got with three."
Does anyone on the list know the whereabouts of these two gents?
Bill
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Message: 9
Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005 12:01:42 -0500
From: Steve Jones
Subject: Les Braid 1937-2005
Informative obit of Les Braid, bass guitarist and founder of The
Swinging Blue Jeans, here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,,1560095,00.html
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Message: 10
Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005 19:26:06 +0200
From: Ken Charmer
Subject: Jean Thomas Backing Vocals
Thanks to Mick Patrick, Anthony Parsons, and Simon White for the
feedback re Jean Thomas's work with Lesley Gore. Jean's diaries
contain a lot of information which John Clemente was able to use in
his "Girl Groups" book and we are researching her work as part of our
Bob Crewe articles for The UK Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
Collectors Group. When Jean finds time from her busy days at her
Talent Management Co in NYC I am sure she'll get back and we will
pass it on.
Two other related questions whilst on the subject of Jean's work.
Someone suggested that Jean was one of the Ramblettes. She can't
recall. Does any one know the line up for this group?
Also we are aware that Crewe produced 'Runaround" by the Candy Girls.
Does anyone know the group line-up? Could Jean have been involved.
Ken Charmer
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Message: 11
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 11:25:07 -0700 (PDT)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Re: Patti Dahlstrom / Emotion
Joop...Anthony...How ya' doin'? In 1972, I was the Professional
manager of Warner Brothers Music. Ed Silvers, the President of the
company, just back from France, excitedly came into my office with
an album by French singer/songwriter Veronique Sanson, [who at the
time was married to one of our clients, Stephen Stills.]
We had Veronique's sub-publishing rights, but English lyrics had to
be written before we could secure any American cover records. We made
copies of the album and Ed said we had to give the writers we had on
staff the first shot at coming up with what we needed.
None of the writers, however, were able to come up with anything
suitable...so I asked him if I could give a copy of the album to my
friend Patti Dahlstrom, who was preparing to record her second album.
Ed thought that Patti was a great songwriter and singer, knew that
Michael O'Martian was producing, and that Russ Regan, who headed 20th
Century records, was behind her one hundred percent...so he agreed!
After about a week of listening to the album, Patti decided she
wanted to write a lyric to "Amorouse". It was a classical oriented
song with a soaring chorus, that fit her voice perfectly.
Although there had been a lyric written for the song in England, it
was too abstact and esoteric for the American market.
Patti brought in the first draft of "Emotion" and blew everyone
away!! Her words captured the passion of the music perfectly.
Then Michael O'Martian and I made a piano/voice recording with a demo
singer, which would serve as a blueprint for Patti's record. I
proudly played it at our weekly staff meeting and immediately the
"Warner Raiders" [the nickname for my agressive song pluggers]
started yelling names of artists who they wanted to play "Emotion"
for!!
I stood up and said, "Hold it...This time we're not getting any covers
...Patti wrote this for herself and deserves to be the first one out
with it!" Ed agreed, and that was that.
Unfortunately, Patti's record, which was critcally acclaimed, didn't
become a big hit. About a year later I gave the song to my friend
Helen Reddy, who took it to #22 on the Billboard charts.
"Emotion" is still such a timeless, powerful song that it could be a
#1 hit today !!
I'm going to put Patti Dahlstroms recording up on musica, as soon as
I can, so you all can hear what I mean.
regards, Artie Wayne http://artiewayne.com
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Message: 12
Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005 19:11:29 -0000
From: Joop
Subject: "Loop De Loop"
Phil wrote:
> The producer, at least as credited on the latter version, is Teddy
> Vann, the writer (and also producer?) of Thunders' "Loop De Loop".
This remains to be seen, cause "Loop de loo" was a traditional
Caribbean song.
http://www.originals.be/eng/main.cfm?c=t_upd_show&id=2396
Joop greets
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Message: 13
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 20:58:43 +0100
From: S'pop Projects
Subject: New Orleans Hurricane Relief Benefit
Without a doubt, a cause worthy of support:
Like millions around the globe the Sonic Reducer team have been left
shocked and stunned by the devastation wreaked by hurricane Katrina
upon the beautiful city of New Orleans.
Saturday September 10th will see them hold their first night at new
home Filthy MacNasty's, and will feature a hefty dose of the finest
New Orleans/Louisiana-spawned funk and soul 45s, in tribute to the
indomitable spirit of the Crescent City.
Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint, the Nevilles, Dave Bartholomew, and
other New Orleans music greats have (thankfully) survived this
disaster, but other Big Easy notables (including Bobby Charles, Chuck
Carbo, Cosimo Matassa, Frankie Ford, and local resident Alex Chilton)
remain missing at the time of writing.
During this Saturday's shindig, a voluntary collection will be made
for the Trinity Parish Church Episcopal Discretionary Fund, a non-
governmental organisation which is already helping the younger
members of New Orleans' rock'n'roll community who have lost their
homes, pets, jobs, musical equipment, computers, and maybe more than
one loved one.
In conjunction with the good folks at Goner Records in Memphis, and
members of the Goner Message Board, the fund is helping folks like
your good self at street level, with food, clothing, and shelter. No
admin costs are being deducted from the amount collected, save a 3%
PayPal transaction fee.
So come on down to Filthy's, have a drink, a dance, check out the
vintage footage on the big screen, and drop some change in the
bucket.
From: http://tinyurl.com/baek3
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Message: 14
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 20:03:05 +0100
From: Kingsley Abbott
Subject: New Orleans Musicians News
I've copied the following list of New Orleans musicians who are OK
from another site (Net Rhythms), and it may provide some answers for
some:
Theresa Andersson, James "Satchmo of the Ghetto" Andrews, Troy
"Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Marcia Ball, Harold Battiste, Russell
Batiste, Terrance Blanchard, Bonerama, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown,
Henry Butler, Jon Cleary, Davell Crawford, Dirty Dozen Brass Band,
Fats Domino, Snooks Eaglin (and family of 12, now homeless), Jack
Fine (of the Palmetto Bug Stompers), Derrick Freeman, Galactic, Tim
Green, John "Papa" Gros, Corey Harris, Leigh Harris, Clarence
"Frogman" Henry, Corey Henry, The Iguanas, Benny Jones Sr., Kirk
Joseph, Tim Laughlin (unconfirmed), Lil' Rascals Brass Band, Eric
Lindell, Jason Marsalis, Irvin Mayfield, Tom McDermott (unconfirmed),
The Neville Brothers, Charmaine Neville, Ivan Neville, Anders
Osborne, Dave Pirner, George Porter Jr., The Radiators, Rebirth Brass
Band (all members), Marcus Roberts, Coco Robicheaux, Kermit Ruffins,
Mark Samuels (Pres., Basin Street Records), Ben Sandmel, Mem Shannon
and the Membership, Derek Shezbie, Brian Stoltz, Bill Summers, Irma
Thomas, Allen Toussaint, Dr. Michael White
HURRICANE RELIEF: If you have an account with Amazon, you can make a
donation direct to the American Red Cross. You money will be used to
support the relief effort.
http://www.amazon.com
DR JOHN (who's fine) speaks about the NEW ORLEANS DISASTER:
http://www.drjohn.org/
I hope that as a group we also manage to do something.
Kingsley Abbott
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Message: 15
Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005 16:17:03 +0000
From: Willie C
Subject: BMAI Katrina Relief Fund
BMAI Katrina Relief Fund
The Beach Music Association International (BMAI) has established a
fund to help the victims of hurricane Katrina. Elaine Galloway, a
BMAI board member, will be the primary contact for donations to the
fund. Elaine can be reached at 864-226-0503 or via e-mail at
Egalloway@charter.net
All donation checks should be made payable to "BMAI Disaster Relief
Fund" and sent to Elaine Galloway. 509 Estes Drive, Anderson, SC
29621.Thank you,
--
Willie C.
See the Cafe at:
http://www.BeachMusicCafe.com
Listen to the Cafe at:
http://www.live365.com/stations/williecs
(843)455-6689
Member of
The Academy of Carolina Beach Music #1050
The National Association Rhythm & Blues Dee Jay's
The BMAI - Beach Music Association International
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Message: 16
Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005 15:33:50 -0400
From: Lloyd Davis
Subject: Re: Fats Domino, Irma Thomas found
New Orleans's jazz & heritage music station, WWOZ-FM, has a posted
a list of musicians whose whereabouts are known to its website:
http://www.wwoz.org/#music The list isn't confined to those in jazz.
Not sure how often it's being updated.
- Lloyd Davis
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Message: 17
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 01:29:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: Hans Huss
Subject: Calla releases Song of the Century!
For a one-room operation, Calla sure put out some good records (by
Betty Lavette, Jean Wells, Jerry Williams and many others). It's
interesting to note than in 1977, Calla also released two albums by
Bob Marley & the Wailers (featuring Peter Tosh), "The Birth of a
Legend" (Calla AL 34579) and "The Early Years" (Calla AL 34760).
Backed by the Skatalites, the Wailers perform twenty ska classics,
including 'Simmer Down', 'One Love' and 'Maga Dog', remixed and
'cleaned-up' by Tom Moulton and Bob Clearmountain. (This was at a
time when the original versions presumably were considered too rough
for American ears.)
The liner notes state that the albums were "made possible through the
collaborative efforts of Clement Dodd [Studio One's owner] and Nate
McCalla." According to Brian Keyo's Skatalites newsletter, citing
Billboard of 18 June, 1994, in 1976 Dodd accepted a check from
McCalla in payment for licensing the recordings. The check bounced.
Neither Dodd nor Marley's estate ever received a dollar for the
albums (which went on to sell very well, when reissued on CD).
McCalla, a tough character supposedly, died under mysterious
circumstances, it is said. What if he had known that one of the tunes
he released, Bob Marley's 'One Love', in 1999 would be designated
'Song of the Century' by the BBC?
Hasse Huss
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Message: 18
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 15:19:59 -0400
From: James Botticelli
Subject: Lesley Gore's "Summer & Sandy"
Ken Charmer wrote:
> Thanks to Mick Patrick, Anthony Parsons, and Simon White for the
> feedback re Jean Thomas's work with Lesley Gore.
I was listening to my Rhino Lesley Gore CD today and in particular
"Summer & Sandy", penned by Bob Crewe. GREAT song. Sadly there was
precious little bass on it and I was wondering if something happened
during the recording session as Rhino/Bill Inglot always seem to get
it right. I could hear a swingin' walking bassline in the background
during the chorus and was bummed it didn't make the final cut with
more volume on the Rhino reissue. How could something like this
happen unless there was a screwup on the original master? Wondering...
JB
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Message: 19
Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005 19:24:32 -0000
From: Joop
Subject: Re: "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"
Hans Huss wrote:
> South African musician Solomon Linda, who composed "The Lion Sleeps
> Tonight" in the 1920s, and recorded it in 1939, never earned a cent
> from the song and died a pauper in the 1960s. Arnold Rypens writes:
> Under Apartheid, the rule was simple: "Blacks are not allowed to
> have royalties". A film by François Verster, "A Lion's Trail",
> tells the story.
> http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/lionstrail/film.html
> http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/lionstrail/song.html
> Joop's link had some mistakes, here is the correct one:
> http://www.originals.be/eng/main.cfm?c==t_upd_show&id=@98
> Admin note:
> An extremely comprehensive account of the story,
> 'Where Does The Lion Sleep Tonight', can be found at:
> http://www.3rdearmusic.com/forum/mbube2.html
Thanks Hans,
The info on this one gets even bigger and bigger. Let's get the
royalties back to the right people.
Joop greets.
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Message: 20
Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005 21:07:22 -0000
From: Dave O'Gara
Subject: Al Kooper's Bloomfield Tribute
Labor Day weekend provided a real treat for lots of us Al Kooper fans
here in the Northeast. Al's Rekooperators, an outstanding 4-piece
band, did a tribute to the late, great Mike Bloomfield on Saturday
night, 9/3. The setting was terrific under the stars at the Lowell,
MA Summer Music Festival. With Al on keyboards, Mike Merrit on bass,
Anton Fig on drums and the very talented Jimmy Vivino on guitar, (and
handling many of the vocals), the group did an inspiring 2-hour show.
Among the MANY highlights were Al commemorating the 40th anniversary
of his contribution to Dylan's Like A Rolling Stone; a rousing
rendition of That's Alright Mama, with Jimmy joining Al on the bench
for a rollicking instrumental keyboard break; Green Onions, and
Season of the Witch. The only break with the Bloomfield connection
came on I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know, Al's old B.S.& T.
standard. As you might imagine, this really thrilled the crowd.
Afterwards, Al and the band did a signing session which was much
appreciated. (A picture in the photo section) If you get a chance to
see Al and the Rekooperators, don't pass it up. It's a memorable
experience.
Dave 0'
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Message: 21
Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 13:06:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: Artie Wayne
Subject: Re: "Loop De Loop"
Phil wrote:
> The producer, at least as credited on the latter version, is Teddy
> Vann, the writer (and also producer?) of Thunders' "Loop De Loop".
Joop:
> This remains to be seen, cause "Loop de loo" was a traditional
> Caribbean song:
> http://www.originals.be/eng/main.cfm?c=t_upd_show&id=2396
Joop...How ya' doin'? In the United States, a traditional song, that
falls into the public domain, can be adapted and copyrighted. Just
like Teddy Vann did with"Loop de Loop", which I knew as a nursery
rhyme.
Regards, Artie Wayne http://artiewayne.com
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