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Jamie LePage (1953-2002)
http://www.spectropop.com/Jamie.htm
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There are 5 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. ERMA FRANKLIN R.I.P.
From: Mick Patrick
2. Just a heads-up on an auction...
From: D
3. Girl group acetates at musica
From: Martin Roberts
4. Vive la Petula!
From: Stuffed Animal
5. Standing In The Shadows of Motown
From: Warren Cosford
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Message: 1
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 19:25:06 +0100
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: ERMA FRANKLIN R.I.P.
Dear all,
One of my absolute favourite vocalists, ERMA FRANKLIN, died a
few days ago. I had cause to write a few paragraphs about her
recently:
Like her younger sister Aretha, Erma Franklin got her start in
the record business in the mid-1950s waxing for fabled Detroit
entrepreneur Joe Van Battle, debuting on his JVB label with
'Say Would You Babe' b/w 'No Other Love', performed with her
teenage girl group the Cleopatrettes.
There are other parallels that can be drawn between the
Franklin girls' careers. As schoolgirls they each acquired a
taste for performing in public by touring as soloists with
their father, superstar preacher the Rev. C. L. Franklin.
Shortly after Aretha was signed by Columbia in 1960, Erma was
placed under contract to the sister label Epic, for whom she
bowed with 'What Kind Of Girl (Do You Think I Am)' in 1961.
Within months of Aretha inking with Atlantic, Erma joined Bert
Berns' Shout label and cut the titanic 'Piece Of My Heart', in
every way as wonderful as her sister's 'I Never Loved A Man
(The Way I Love You)' from a few months earlier.
Shortly after Aretha scored with Goffin & King's 'A Natural
Woman', Erma retaliated with a smouldering version of 'The Right
To Cry' from the same writing team.
But while Aretha and her recording manager Jerry Wexler
continued making legendary music for almost ten years, Erma's
career floundered following the sudden death of her producer Bert
Berns.
She proceeded to the Brunswick label where she released a handful
of excellent singles and an album, before deciding that she had
better things to do with her life. Aretha Franklin went on to
become a vocal deity, while Erma quit the music business and
relocated to Detroit, where she began a whole new career in child
welfare.
Erma spent the next three decades working for Boysville of
Michigan, helping at-risk children. She died of cancer on Saturday
September 7th, aged 64.
MICK PATRICK
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Message: 2
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 15:02:23 -0500
From: D
Subject: Just a heads-up on an auction...
I figure this'll appeal to the Spectropop crowd:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=905277572
Michele O'Malley's "Saturn Rings" backed with Sagittarius's "Blue
Marble." It's an ancient Japanese CD issue, taken from vinyl (as
is the current Poptones/Dreamsville version of Blue Marble), but
EXCELLENT vinyl...the disc is stellar. And Saturn Rings isn't on
CD otherwise!
Check it out.
-D
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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 22:43:46 +0100
From: Martin Roberts
Subject: Girl group acetates at musica
I've been a bit behind with my Spectropop digests but playing catch
up, three cheers for Neil Hever and the three acetates he allowed to
be played to musica. All three are great with "He's Gotta Be Somebody"
being creamo supremo. Download a copy quick.
I'll play Dora Hall's only released version (according to Peter
Lerner's, wonderful Jackie DeShannon Discography) of "Franklin Street".
I'm sure some 'poppers will identify the Bvox.
Martin
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Message: 4
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 00:06:11 +0000
From: Stuffed Animal
Subject: Vive la Petula!
Stewart:
> If I'm not mistaken, Petula lived in Paris during her biggest
> hitmaking years. Vogue has released a seven-volume series
> called ANTHOLOGIE that covers her Francophone sides from the
> late '50s to the early '70s, and it's absolutely essential
> listening for any fan of Petula and/or French pop. I think
> her French songs are at least the equal of her English-language
> material.
Petula has been married to a Frenchman (Claude Wolff) since 1961.
They live in Switzerland, if my memory serves me right. As for
your praise of the French ANTHOLOGIE series, I second it
wholeheartedly. I've been after stateside reissue labels to
serve up some Pet en Français for years now, but they say it
"wouldn't be commercial". Comme ils sont bêtes!
Stuffed Animal
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Message: 5
Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 01:50:35 -0400
From: Warren Cosford
Subject: Standing In The Shadows of Motown
I have never been in a movie theatre where the audience
applauded after the songs. And then....at the end of the
movie.....experienced a 6 minute standing ovation.
It's going to be interesting to see how this all plays out.
One thing for sure. For me.........listening to those old
Motown records is a new experience again. And it's certainly
legitimized the tambourine as a musical instrument.
Thank you to Funk Brother Bob Babbitt for a wonderful time and
to Harry Hinde for making sure it all came off without a hitch.
WC
http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/20020912motown0912p1.asp
Radiopro (TM)
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