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Volume #0355 December 13, 1999
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Hitsville, U.S.A.
Subject: Spectropop newsletter questions
Received: 12/12/99 11:32 pm
From: Spxxxxxm.com
To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com
Hello Rob Wicker,
If you get a chance to look at the Christmas Album cover
with P. Spector on the cover dressed as Santa look at his
hand. He is actually wearing an Ace bandage from an auto
accident he was in. and his "S" Ring was actually pressed
to the point that the Doctors had to cut the ring off
sometime after the picture was taken. I do believe that he
had it restored or remade and still wears it.
I hope this counts the kind of interesting info you were
looking for even though it might be on a later album than
you were asking about.
G. Spector
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Subject: christmas
Received: 12/12/99 11:33 pm
From: Joey Stec, Jxxxxxcom
To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com
THE BEST TOO ALL*** MY WEIRD FRIENDS *** I** HOPE YOU ALL
FIND** WHAT EVER IT IS***** YOU'RE LOOKING FOR IN THE NEXT
THOUSAND******************** YEARS....AND******** REMEMBER
JOEY STEC LOVES************** YOU**************************
MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY
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Subject: Jimmy Webb's solo albums
Received: 12/12/99 11:33 pm
From: Harvey Williamxxxxxnetuk.com
To: spectropop, spectxxxxxities.com
Hi there.
Tobias was asking about the titles & quality of Jimmy's
solo LPs. Here's the info (subjective version). Fistly a
warning; these LPs are '70s singer-songwriter' LPs. They
do not have that 5D/Glen C. sound. That said, there's
plenty of great songs to discover in here....
Ignoring the 1968 LP for Epic, entitled 'Jim (sic) Webb
Sings Jim Webb', which was a collection of his demos
tarted up behind his back & released without his
permission, his first LP proper, 'Words & Music' was
released in 1971, on Reprise. Weird but patchy, it
includes the fabulous 'PF Sloan', and the charming 'Three
Songs', amidst much music biz bitterness. It benefits (or
suffers, depending on your point of view) from a very -
ahem- 'low-key' & intimate production technique, as do the
next two. The follow up, 'And so; On', also from 1971, was
equally patchy, but features the sublime 'Met Her on a
Plane' and 'One Lady', as well as the definitive version
of 'If Ships Were Meant to Sail'. Much of the material for
this LP seems to have been destined for some themed concept
work, perhaps even a musical.
His 1972 LP 'Letters', however, is a stone classic. Not a
duff tune in sight, it includes a dark solo re-reading of
Galveston and...so much more. Buy this record!! You will
not be disappointed. 'Land's End' from 1975 has a more
produced sound, removing some of the intimacy of the
previous 3 LPs, and yet is my least favourite up to this
date. The sense of artistry has rather disappeared by this
stage, and the best songs are the most casual (Lady Fits
Her Blue Jeans, fergawdsake!!). Crying In My Sleep is on
here, but it's not as awesome as Artie's version (on
Watermark).
His 1977 LP 'El Mirage' was produced & arranged by Geo.
Martin, so that warm, homespun production technique is, as
you might expect, nowhere to be heard. Tho' you do get to
hear the sound of Jimmy's glider landing on (I think) 'If
You See Me Getting Smaller, I'm Leaving', undoubtedly the
best song title ever. Also includes 'The Highwayman' and
the oft overlooked classic 'Christian, No'. (Christian, of
course, being Webb's son & one half of hot indie combo The
Webb Brothers).
'Angel Heart' from 1982 really is best avoided, its one
redeeming feature being the inclusion of 'Scissors Cut',
but again, Artie's version tops it.
Finally, 'Suspending Disbelief' from 1993 has some great
songs (Adios, It Won't Bring Her Back) but is let down by
What Does A Woman See In A Man, possibly his worst ever
song.
Many of the best songs from his first 5 LPs were collected
in 1993 on a comp. entitled 'Archive'. Very well compiled &
annotated, it should still be on catalogue somewhere in the
world. None of the Lps are currently available on CD, as
far as I'm aware, and I don't think any of them sold too
well at the time, but they shouldn't be too difficult to
find.
BTW, if anyone out there has ever come across his
publishers demo LP, I'd be very interested in hearing from
them....
Best,
Harvey Williams.
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Subject: More Victoriana to amuse...or not
Received: 12/12/99 11:33 pm
From: Kingsley Abbott, kinxxxxxa.freeserve.co.uk
To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com
The recent postings about the lovely Liberty Victorians
reminded me of a different record by another bunch of
Victorians. On Reprise 0434 you will find "Baby Toys"/ "I
saw My Girl". Both sides are marked as Produced by Nick
Massi Productions Inc. and I'm pretty sure date from just
after Nick left The Four Seasons. "Baby Toys" is a perfect
65/6 Philips Seasons sound, and I guess was Nick Massi's
stab at maintaining some similar momentum with a great
soundalike. He also wrote the B side.
On another tack, Spectropoppers may well care to check out
the new Kit Kats double CD on Jamie Guyden. Some great
harmony pop sounds. A bit like a more restrained Lou
Christie meets The Association in parts. The second CD has
a video clip of the band live. A great addition to a 'from
the vaults' compilation, for other companies to follow.
You can get the CD online from their website
www.jamguy.com
As I send all fellow Poppers seasonal greetings, I'm just
finishing up Ripples Vol 5 & 6 "Folk/Rock" & "Beach Bash".
Choosing summer songs in December is total Anders/Poncia
land! What a funny world!
Kingsley Abbott
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Subject: Neil Young and other topics
Received: 12/12/99 11:32 pm
From: Dave Mirich, Dmxxxxxcom
To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com
I was recently listening some CDs getting ready for the
CSNY concert. The old Buffalo Springfield stuff is
wonderful. I don't know why noone mentioned it during the
thread on '60s psyche-rock. And pulled out my old favorite
, Everybody knows this is Nowhere and read the liner notes
at a stoplight. I never realized his first 2 LPs were
recorded before CSNY, before 1969.
Also, although Dr. Sardonicus was 1970 (I think) the
Spirit album is still incredible. Does this bring any
others to mind? Other random thoughts: Did anybody get to
hear a Boulder-based group back then, Zephyr? Very good
stuff w/ a young Tommy Bolin. How about a modern Spanish
band, Los Esclaricidos? Their music is outstanding.
I keep going back to 2 collections in particular of the
most wonderful, polished examples of 60s music and become
ever more impressed: The Sunrays, and Yellow Balloon.
Thanks for the recommendations here for The Critters, and
Smoke.
David Mirich
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Subject: Phil & Tina
Received: 12/12/99 11:33 pm
From: Ian Chapman, iaxxxxx.net
To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com
Last week in the UK, we had a TV showing of a Tina Turner
special, which was basically Tina live in concert in
London on her 60th birthday, interspersed with interview
segments with Tina, plus contributions and tributes from
other artists. Lots of retrospective clips, and of course,
special mention of "River Deep Mountain High". Don't know
if it's yet been aired in the States, but for anyone who
missed it, here's how the Spector bit went:-
First, ex-Ikette P.P. Arnold commented thus: "Phil Spector
wanted to record Tina - Ike allowed it to happen as long as
he produced half of the album and Phil produced the other
half - and that was a great time for Tina."
Cher then appeared, saying "I remember when Philip was
playing it and how excited he was."
Then Tina herself: " He was so much behind that project;
something he strongly, strongly believed in. I gotta tell
you, it was 75 backing vocals, it was a choir, it was
people - the room was full of singers. I just wouldn't
have said no at that time to singing with Phil Spector
because he was the top, top producer at the time."
Then Philip himself appears, (familiar shades, hair
longish and curly) and continues: "At the time I was
working with what I felt were the best songwriters in the
world, and we were writing together - I was recording with
the best musicians in the world, they were recording with
me and I needed someone at that point in time to elevate
everything, more the way I heard it. She added an energy,
and a beauty, and a tone and a quality to the recordings
that I felt I needed, and knowing how good she was made it
a lot easier to write "River Deep Mountain High" and to
record it. She was just that good."
Here, P.P. Arnold continued with the familiar story about
the record being too white for black radio stations and
too black for the white stations.
Then Philip again: "I was disappointed that the record did
not become successful in America because I felt I'd let
Tina down".
Tina: "I'm happy that the song is a classic for me and for
Phil Spector because it was such a loss for him, for it not
to have caught fire, so to speak - but it lasted, which I
think is better sometimes - it goes on."
Near the end of the show, many of the celebs sign off with
a birthday message to Tina. This was Phil's; "I love you -
happy birthday - and if you wanna make some historic
records, just call me."
Ian
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Subject: Re: "Fire"
Received: 12/12/99 11:33 pm
From: Poopdeck Pappy, wuxxxxxet.se
To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com
JLP wrote:
>I think thirty-some years after the fact it is fairly safe
>to say that Brian was intent on evoking moods, much as a
>composer for a film score might, e.g., evoking fear or
>discomfort from a fire.
Excellent point, Jamie. I don't want to play Brian down -
because Fire truly is one of the few completely unique
recordings by a pop group ever - but when was, for example,
Bernard Hermann's "Psycho" score released? 1959? The one
thing I hate about all the "Smile" myths is that "Fire" is
always said to represent Brian's final breakdown, or a
major sign of his increasing mental illness. That's all
NONSENSE in my (and hopefully, everbody else's) opinion.
For one thing, Brian can be heard on the "Fire" sessions
being as sane and completely in control as he was when he
cut "Dance Dance Dance" or "California Girls". Insinuating
that you have to be insane or on drugs to come up with
imaginative music like "Fire" is an enormous insult, both
to Brian's natural talents and to people who actually are
mentally ill.
"Fire" is a damn good example of a songwriter brilliantly
carrying through a thought from the initial idea in his
head/at the piano to the finished version in the studio.
Not many people got the talent to tell professional
musicians "Today we will cut a song imitating a fire", and
get them to actually perform a song that not only imitates
a fire but also evokes feelings of panic and fear in the
listener! It takes REAL TALENT to actually SCARE the
listeners with music [not the same as just making a loud
noise that turns people off; I'm talking about music which
triggers off our primary instincts and forces the body to
pump adrenalin out in the blood veins; in the same way as
Thonk felt when he heard a twig break in the woods 40,000
years ago, frightened a big animal would jump out in front
of him], or move them emotionally in any other positive or
negative way, for that matter (professional comedians
could probably attest to how hard it is to make people
laugh).
I'm positive that Brian still can do it again and again
today, tomorrow and for the rest of his life - talent like
that will never disappear, though self-confidence certainly
can...
>What makes it so eerie? The bass line.
...and the atonal flutes over the chromatic strings
don't exactly sound like Perry Como...what are the two
chords in "Fire"? I can't for the world make them out...
>n.p. "Hicksville" (SOT17 disc one)
Actually, it's "Hitsville".
Tobias
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Subject: Re: "Fire"
Received: 12/12/99 11:33 pm
From: WASE RADIO,xxxxxt.org
To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com
Thanks for the posts about the "Fire" sessions. I have
read so many accounts about this song. I need to find the
books that I have on the Beach Boys, and leave posts on
what they said. I have the Brian Wilson autography
"Wouldn't It Be Nice" and I was truly astounded at how his
life was. Growing up with an abusive father, and how much
pressure all the fame has brought to him. In one point he
mentioned that the song "Fire" was suppose to symbolize
all the inner turmoil he felt inside. The way the
autobiography words it, Being the chief Beach Boy was not
all fun, fun, fun. But anyway Brian Wilson has written
some of the greatest songs of all time. Fun songs like
"Dance Dance Dance", and "Surfin' USA" and really complex
songs like "Good Vibrations", and "Heroes and Villains".
Brad: I said in my last post that "Fire" made for
uncomfortable listening. That was only from hearing about
20 seconds of it on a Beach Boys special. Maybe if I heard
the entire track, I may have a different perspective.
Thanks for the tip. Now if I can find that CD.
Thanks again Carol and the other 349 musicians who worked
the LA music scene for all the great music. You all are
the greatest. Good Luck Carol on getting that special
grammy.
Michael G. Marvin
WASE radio
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Subject: Spector`s sessions
Received: 12/12/99 11:33 pm
From: john rausch,xxxxx.net
To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com
For Carol Kaye:
I was just re-reading the Richard Williams book (Out Of
His head...The Sound Of Phil Spector) and there is a
passage that caught my eye. Talking about Hal Blaine, he
then goes on to say ...(He was later replaced by Earl
Palmer, whom Phil liked even more because "he had better
time." Ultimately, Ritchie Frost was brought into play a
second kit alongside Palmer.) We all know Hal and Earl but
who is Ritchie Frost? And is this true according to your
recollection? On another note I would also like to know
the following questions that have been bugging me for a
long time: Jack Nitzsche as arranger- What does an
arranger actually do? Larry Levine as engineer- What is an
engineer`s actual job? I hope these questions are not too
mundane but I would really like to know.
Thanks,
John Rausch
Phil Spector`s Wall Of Sound at
http://members.tripod.com/~rauschj/
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Subject: The Cake
Received: 12/12/99 11:33 pm
From: Lindsay Martin, lindsay_mxxxxxsnet.com.au
To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com
Hi,
I once had a tape recording, taken from a radio show in
the late 70s, of a female group called The Cake doing a
song called (I think) "Baby That's You". (Not "Baby ITS
You"!) I think the announcer said it had been recorded at
Goldstar Studios. It sounded like something in the Spector
/girl group/Red Bird/Brill style, but I don't know whether
it was original 60s or some later revival.
I've been unable to find any trace of the group or this
(wonderful) song on the Internet. Does anyone here know
anything about them?
Cheers,
Lindsay
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Subject: Capitalism vs. Spectropop!
Received: 12/12/99 11:33 pm
From: Michael White, haxxxxxrlog.com
To: Spectropop List, spectxxxxxities.com
Hi everybody!
I understand that commercial posts aren't generally
encouraged here, but I figure that the following items -
all of which I plan to purge - should be of interest to
some of you fellow Spectropoppers. Please e-mail me
personally at haxxxxxrlog.com if you'd like to bid on
any of the following items. I'll be accepting offers for
the next week (until Dec. 14). All items are in absolute
mint condition.
Best,
Mike White
Vancouver, BC
The Beach Boys
"I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (stereo mix)/
Wouldn't It Be Nice (vocals only)/
Here Today (stereo backing track)
(Sub Pop 7")
*two copies*
The Strawberry Alarm Clock
"Incense And Peppermints" (Universal Japan CD)
"Wake Up...It's Tomorrow" (Universal Japan CD)
"The World In A Shell" (Universal Japan CD)
--------------------[ archived by Spectropop ]--------------------
Subject: Liquid Room Playlist
Received: 12/12/99 11:32 pm
From: Ponak, David, david.xxxxxcom
To: Spectropop, spectxxxxxities.com
The Liquid Room airs every Saturday Morning (Friday night)
from 3-6 on 90.7 FM KPFK. (98.7 in Santa Barbara County).
Also check out my show The Nice Age at
http://www.spikeradio.com Monday and
Wednesday evenings from
8-10, PST.
The Liquid Room 12/4/99:
1.The Comittee-California My Way
Happy Together: The Best Of White Whale Records (Varese Sarabande)
2.Springs-The Way To Another Side
Picnic (Universal-Japan)
3.Jack Jones-Light My Fire
Where Is Love (RCA)
4.Stereolab-The Super It
The Stereolab Underground Is Coming (Tour only 7"-Duophonic)
5.Pizzicato Five-Serial Stories
Pizzicato Five (BRAND NEW ALBUM!) (Heatwave-Japan)
6.Paul Williams-Someday Man
Someday Man (Reprise)
7.Teenage Fanclub-Kickabout
Ain't That Enough (single b-side) (Creation-UK)
8.Lalo Schifrin-Vaccinated Mushrooms
There's A Whole Lalo Schifrin Goin' On (Dot)
9.The Divine Comedy-Vapour Trail (Ride cover version)
The Pop Singer's Fear Of The Pollen Count (single b-side) (Setanta-UK)
10.The Kitchen Cinq-You'll Be Sorry Some Day
The Kitchen Cinq (LHI)
11.The Mark Wirtz Orchestra And Chorus-If Illusion Met Fantasy
The Go Go Music Of... (Sequel-UK)
12.Space Ponch-Tengs Of Thugs
The World Shopping With Space Ponch (Transonic/Flavour-Japan)
13.Yuji Oniki-Amnesiascape
Orange (1 Plus 1)
14.Yellow Magic Orchestra-Rydeen
Solid State Survivors (Restless)
15.Hugo Montenegro-Theme For Thee
Greatest Themes And Schemes (BMG)
16.Fun Lovin' Criminals-Crazy Train (Ozzy cover version!)
Mimosa (Chrysalis-UK)
17.Aimee Mann-Driving Sideways
Magnolia (Soundtrack) (WB)
18.The Beach Boys-Wonderful/Water
Smile (Sea Of Tunes)
19.Dubstar-Cathedral Park
Goodbye (Food-UK)
20.The Cyrkle-Don't Cry No Fears No Tears Coming Your Way
Neon (Sony)
21.Flipper's Guitar (Cornelius)-Coffee Milk Crazy
Three Cheers For Our Side (Polystar-Japan)
22.Our Hour-Anarchy In The UK
Not Dead (LD&K-Japan)
23.The Aluminum Group-A Blur In Your Vision
Pedals (Minty Fresh) (LIVE AT SPACELAND-LOS ANGELES- 12/16/99)
24.The Remo Four-In The First Place (Produced by George Harrison during
the
Wonderwall sessions)
Single (Pilar-UK)
25.Squarepusher-Tommorrow World
Selection Sixteen (Warp/Nothing)
26.Bhen Lanzaroni-Easy (Produced and written by Bob Crewe/Charles Fox)
In Classic From (Dynovoice)
27.Brendan Perry-Saturday's Child
Eye On The Hunter (4AD)
28.Bee Gees-Odessa (City On The Black Sea)
Odessa (Polydor)
29.Faye Wong-Postman
Love For Strangers Only (EMI-Hong Kong)
30.Watermelon-The Gate Of Japonesia
Cool Music (Alpha-Japan)
31.Dodgy-Good Enough
Free Peace Sweet (A&M-UK)
32.The Free Design-The Symbols Ring
Umbrellas (Siesta-Spain)
33.Michel Legrand-Souvenirs
Windmills Of Your Mind (United Artists)
34.Pizzicato Five-Roma
Pizzicato Five (Heatwave-Japan)
35.Combustible Edison-Bluebeard (F.P.M. Old Fashioned Mix)
Bluebeard (single) (Bungalow-Germany)
36.Eartha Kitt-I Want To Be Evil
Purr-fect: The Best Of.. (7n)
37.Bertand Burgalat-Dans L'avion
Quadrille (Soundtrack) (Tricatel-France)
38.Beck-Debra
Midnight Vultures (DGC)
39.R. Dean Taylor-Gotta See Jane
I Think Therefore I Am (Rare Earth)
40.The 98% American Mom & Apple Pie 1929 Crash Band-Summer Wine
The 98% American Mom & Apple Pie 1929 Crash Band (LHI) (Thank You
Anthony!)
41.The Shacklefords-A Stranger In Your Town
Single (Mercury)
42.Scritti Politti-Mystic Handyman
Anomie & Bonhomie (Virgin)
43.Reparta & The Delrons-Bye Bye Baby
Whenever A Teenager Cries (World Artists)
44.Jean Jacques Perry-the Little Girl From Mars
The Amazing New Electronic Pop Sound Of Jean Jacques Perry (Vanguard)
45. Death In Vegas-Neptune City
The Contino Sessions (Time Bomb)
46.Chappie-Seta No Yoru, Kimi Ni....
New Chappie (Sony-Japan)
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