Spectropop - Digest Number 293

From:Spectropop Group

Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 06:29:14

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There are 19 messages in this issue of Spectropop.
Topics in this Digest Number 293:
1. Northern soul & Popcorn
From: Alan Miller
2. New Member Seeks Holiday Reading Recos
From: Tom
3. Girl Group Gems
From: John Clemente
4. Re: definitions
From: Andrew Hickey
5. Donna Loren's sausage
From: "Ian Chapman"
6. Girl Group Gems "Soul to Surf" vs. Del-Fi Girl Groups "Gee Baby Gee"
From: Bryan
7. Soul To Surf--jack corrects himself
From: "Jack Madani"
8. Beach Movie Soundtracks
From: "Vlaovic B"
9. Query on Red Bird tracks
From: Geoff Mullins
10. Re: Kenny Karen/Gayle Haness
From: Jeff Lemlich
11. SV: Kenny Karen/Gayle Haness
From: Kristensen Jan Kristen
12. UK Honeys
From: "Ian Chapman"
13. Liverbirds
From: Erin
14. Northern Soul
From: Stewart Mason
15. Re: Beach Movie Soundtracks
From: Bryan
16. Christine Quaite
From: "Ian Chapman"
17. FW: Coumbia matrix numbers
From: "Ron Weekes"
18. Marion Maerz
From: "Ian Chapman"
19. THE HITMAKERS
From: Mick Patrick
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Message: 1
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 19:11:33 -0500
From: Alan Miller
Subject: Northern soul & Popcorn
John Rausch wrote
> Can someone give a definition of the term "Northern
> Soul" Another term that pops up as a definition is
> called "popcorn"
The term "northern Soul" was coined (by I think writer
Dave Godin) to describe the type of non-hit American soul
records that became popular at all night soul in clubs in
the North of England like the famous Wigan Casino. In
these working class soul clubs fans had a thirst for the
rare uptempo soul releases of a thousand Motown wannabee
artists releasing records all over the US during the
mid-to-late 1960's
"Popcorn" was a similar club phenomenon in Belgium
(late 60's early 70's) where there was also a taste for
obscure American soul - more usually mid-tempo tunes and
ballads were popular as there was a specific dance
(similar again to the Northern scene) which lent itself
more readily to records of a certain tempo. (In contrast
to the UK where songs were often speeded up to meet the
demands of the dance floor, Popcorn tunes were more
likely to be slowed down!)
Un-like the Soul scene in the UK, "Popcorn" or "Belgium
Popcorn" as it is sometimes referred to included all
manner of early 60's balladry, novelty cha-cha, european
artists and other strange instrumental oddness which
would bring most Northern fans out in a cold sweat
(quickly wiped from their brows by a patch covered beer
towel).
A few of my favourite popcorn hits include
i'll cry alone & marionette - GALE GARNETT (ex Bonanza actress)
i've got the blues - SELENA JONES
untrue, unfaithful - NITA ROSSI
tarzan' monkey - THE APES
the james bond theme (007) - THE FOUR ESQUIRES
While away a few hours listening to the Popcorn oldies
juke-box at the following web site where I am sure many
will be driven mad as I have been trying to find copies of
these tracks for myself.....
Hushpuppy.
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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 04:24:10 -0000
From: Tom
Subject: New Member Seeks Holiday Reading Recos
Hello;
As I've recently discovered this group and Spectropop,
I'd be happy to know what members consider the best
books on the Brill Building sound and early '60s pop.
All recos most welcome, the postings and the site are
terrific.
And any recos on where the K-Tel Brill Building Sound
box can be had?
Thx
Tom
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Message: 3
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 23:19:00 -0500
From: John Clemente
Subject: Girl Group Gems
Hello All,
This compilation, "Girl Group Gems -- Soul To Surf" was
compiled by my good friend John Grecco, who is the owner
of Red Bird Entertainment. He owns the rights to the
logo, but it is not connected in any way to the material
originally featured on the label when it was active
during the 60s. He liked the logo, so he secured the
rights to use it. The contributors to the CD were cuts
>from the vaults of Old Town and Challenge Records.
Regards,
John Clemente
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Message: 4
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 13:16:15 -0800 (PST)
From: Andrew Hickey
Subject: Re: definitions
> This has been on my mind off and on and finally
> remember to ask. Can someone give a definition of
> the term "Northern Soul"
Difficult to describe because it isn't really a genre
- it means stuff that was played at club nights in
Northern England (particularly Wigan Casino) and stuff
that sounds like that. Generally in the UK at least
when the term is used it means a record that sounds
like Motown but isn't on the Tamla or Motown labels,
although a record like 'War' by Edwin Starr would be
considered Northern Soul even though it was on Motown.
Many record shops lump Motown and Northern Soul
together, and it isn't really a stylistic difference.
If you think of the records Holland-Dozier-Holland
made for the Four Tops or the Supremes, that's the
general kind of sound...
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Message: 5
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 22:53:16 -0000
From: "Ian Chapman"
Subject: Donna Loren's sausage
I go along with everything Jack Madani said about "Beach
Blanket Bingo" and Donna Loren's tracks, except for one:-
> "It Only Hurts When I Cry," is a re-recording with a
> different instrumental arrangement from what was in
> the movie. And while the lp version of "Cry" is
> pretty damn hip, it pales when compared with the
> glorious wall of sound that was in the movie. Hey,
> the movie version can practically bring me to
> tears--and I'm not even peelin' onions!
But, Jack, she's roasting a weenie (to death) while she
sings it!! I have to say I think the LP version is great,
and I'm surprised the UK northern soul scene hasn't
picked up on it, especially with that classic string
intro, missing from the movie version.
Ian
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Message: 6
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2001 19:58:28 -0800
From: Bryan
Subject: Girl Group Gems "Soul to Surf" vs. Del-Fi Girl Groups "Gee Baby Gee"
> Indeed. Seems more like all the tracks are from the
> Del-Fi stable of artists. In fact, there's so much
> overlap with the Del-Fi girlgroups anthology of a year
> or so ago that I decided against purchasing the
> "Red-Bird" disc.
Compare and contrast:
Girl Group Gems "Soul to Surf" CD (Redbird Entertainment
RB-CD-1960) Track Listing:
Because of You (Erlene and Her Girlfriends)
Dream World (Donna Loren)
Cryin' On My Pillow (Dorothy Berry)
He's My Boyfriend (Kriss Anderson)
Better Be Ready (Annette)
He's A Big Deal (Renee Medina)
You're So Fine (Dorothy Berry)
Muscle Bustle (Donna Loren)
The Perfect Boy (Annette)
Big Talkin' Jim (The Blossoms)
Cassanove (Erlene and her Girlfriends)
Little Bit Of Soap (Yvonne Carroll)
Hard To Get (The Blossoms)
Cross My Heart (Yvonne and the Violets)
I Gotta Tell It (The Blossoms)
This new CD compilation for collectors of 60's, soul and
surf music showcases the best of the 60's girl group
talent. Pop songstress Donna Loren is included on two
cuts, "Dream World" and the Brian Wilson penned beach
anthem, "Muscle Bustle". These early recordings for
Challenge Records set the stage for Donna's eventual
contract with Capitol Records. Donna is pictured on the
cover and inside jacket. Liner notes by John Clemente,
author Girl Groups - Fabulous Females That Rocked the
World.
Del-Fi Girl Groups: Gee Baby Gee *
(DFCD #71266)
It's The Last Time (The Ladybugs)
Sooner Or Later (The Ladybugs)
Gee Baby, Gee (The Sisters)
Ooh Poo Pa Doo (The Sisters)
The Home Of The Boy I Love (Lori Martin)
My Love For Thee (Pippy Shannon)
He Is (Pippy Shannon)
Wait 'Til My Bobby Gets Home (The Sisters)
For Sentimental Reasons (The Sisters)
Splish Splash Twist (Desda)
Every Little Bit Hurts (Brenda Holloway)
I Pretend (Pippy Shannon)
Shade Of Red (Pippy Shannon)
Mine 'Til Monday (Lori Martin)
Happy New Year Baby (The Sisters)
All Grown Up (The Sisters)
I'll Give My Life (Brenda Holloway)
Tourne-Toi (Pierre & Anne-Lyse)
His Name Was John (The Sisters)
A Lover's Plea (Mary Sawrey)
Those Memories Of You (Mary Sawrey)
This collection features 21 examples of the "Girl Group"
sound released during the early 60's (by The Sisters, The
Ladybugs, Pippy Shannon's "My Love For Thee", & others).
Some songs were penned by Brill Building songsmiths Barry
Mann/Cynthia Weil, and Ellie Greenwich/ Jeff Barry/Phil
Spector. Liner Notes by Steve Stanley.
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Message: 7
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 20:00:47 -0500
From: "Jack Madani"
Subject: Soul To Surf--jack corrects himself
>>Many of us have seen Girl Group Gems "Soul to Surf"
>>advertised on Donna Loren's website.
>>It's released by "Red-Bird Entertainment" and features
>>the Red Bird record company logo. It's not in the local
>>Tower or Virgin.
>>Red Bird??? I'm pretty sure none of the tracks on the CD
>>are/were Red Bird masters. What gives?
>
Then I wrote:
>Indeed. Seems more like all the tracks are from the
>Del-Fi stable of artists. In fact, there's so much
>overlap with the Del-Fi girlgroups anthology of a year
>or so ago that I decided against purchasing the
>"Red-Bird" disc.
Then John Rausch wrote:
>Looks like most of those tracks (9) were already issued
>on a Mick Patrick comp for ACE called Playin Hard To Get
>(west coast girls) Some great tracks.
And of course, John is right, and I am wrong. What I had
in mind was the Ace comp, which I dig a lot (my favorite
cover art, too), but what my stupid hands typed out was
Del-Fi. Excuse, please.
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Message: 8
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 17:02:03 -0500
From: "Vlaovic B"
Subject: Beach Movie Soundtracks
Can't recall all the tracks but I think in my books, 'The
Ghost in the Invisible Bikini' had a pretty cool
soundtrack. Along with the Bobby Fuller Four it also
featured a luscious Nancy Sinatra singing the ultra
fabulous 'Geronimo' (So terrific that once my sister and
I heard the song some 20 years ago she rechristened
herself 'Geronimo Lollipop' in a shortlived punk outfit...)
and Italian Super-Kitten Piccolo Pupa singing 'Stand up
and Fight' to a sorority of pyjama clad girls. Now that
was terrific!
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Message: 9
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 09:23:44 +1100
From: Geoff Mullins
Subject: Query on Red Bird tracks
Dear Members:
I am interested in any information on two of the more
uncommon releases on Red Bird. Release 10-049 is
supposedly Justin Haywood with London is Behind Me and
Release 10-051 is Ral Donner with Love Isn't Like That.
Can anyone confirm that these two tracks were actually
issued on the catalog numbers listed.
Regards,
Geoff Mullins
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Message: 10
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 05:52:44 -0000
From: Jeff Lemlich
Subject: Re: Kenny Karen/Gayle Haness
--- In Spectropop, "Don Charles" wrote:
> A reminder for any Archies fans out there: Kenny Karen
> was Don Kirshner's original choice to be lead singer of
> this studio group, according to songwriter Mark Barkan.
There is a Kenny Karen demo titled "Love Isn't Tears Only"
on the Fifth Estate "Ding Dong! The Witch Is Back" CD...
and coincidentally, it's the cut directly following "How
Can I Ever Find A Way" by (uncredited) Carol and Gerri.
According to the liners, the Fifth Estate guys wrote it
with the Righteous Bros. in mind, although Bill & Bobby
never recorded it (a group called Two People eventually
did). The CD also has a D-Men/Fifth Estate demo version
of "My Foolish Pride", written for the Highwaymen, and
covered by the Wild Ones on their "The Arthur Sound" LP.
>
> >...classic "Johnny Ander" by Gayle Haness.
>
> I would KILL for information about any of the Gayle
> Haness singles written and produced by Jeff Barry - not
> to mention what I'd do in order to hear them!
"Johnny Ander" appears on the compilation CD "Girls In
The Garage Part 2", although it sounds much better on the
Bang 45. I believe Gayle later became the lead singer of
Jo Mama, and sang the role of Janet Weiss in the Roxy
Cast of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. She also did lots
of session work, including Bill Wyman's "Monkey Grip" LP.
Bang 535 Johnny Ander/Love Love Go Away (both sides
written by Jeff Barry, produced by Jeff Barry, arranged
by Artie Butler)
Jeff Lemlich
http://www.limestonerecords.com
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Message: 11
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 07:56:34 +0100
From: Kristensen Jan Kristen
Subject: SV: Kenny Karen/Gayle Haness
Could Gayle Haness be Abigale Haness who sang background
for among others Carol King (Writer, Music and Wrap
around Joy), Genya Raven, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Kate
Taylor and Bill Wyman's "Monkey Grip" back in the 70's?
Jan K
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Message: 12
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 22:17:13 -0000
From: "Ian Chapman"
Subject: UK Honeys
Keith Moore asked about a group of UK Honeys from the 60s.
Yes, there was a girl-group called the Honeys in the UK,
and I saw them as a kid on a variety bill in '67. All I
remember is they sang "Manana" and one of them was named
Anita. They didn't make any records, but such trios were
staple fare of variety shows back then, and didn't need
to.
Ian
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Message: 13
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 20:39:34 EST
From: Erin
Subject: Liverbirds
hi all,
does anyone know a place on the internet I could order
the Liverbirds anthology? The most info I can find
about it is that it's on a German label. Thanks in
advance!
--Erin
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Message: 14
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 22:05:46 -0700
From: Stewart Mason
Subject: Northern Soul
John Rausch asks:
>This has been on my mind off and on and finally remember
>to ask. Can someone give a definition of the term
>"Northern Soul."
Northern Soul is a retroactive term given to the sort of
very obscure American soul records of the '60s and '70s
that were favored by denizens of the dance clubs of
northern England, most famously the Wigan Casino. As I
understand the term, the archetypal Northern Soul record
was neither as slick as Motown nor as raw as Stax/Volt,
with a sophisticated but still danceable groove, and the
more obscure the better. To give an example of a Northern
Soul-style record you might have actually heard, are you
familiar with Ann Peebles' immortal "I'm Gonna Tear Your
Playhouse Down"?
Stewart
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Message: 15
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 21:21:58 -0800
From: Bryan
Subject: Re: Beach Movie Soundtracks
> Can't recall all the tracks but I think in my books, 'The
> Ghost in the Invisible Bikini' had a pretty cool
> soundtrack. Along with the Bobby Fuller Four it also
> featured a luscious Nancy Sinatra singing the ultra
> fabulous 'Geronimo'....
Yeah, the BF4 can be seen as a surf band in this
one...the movie was originally called Bikini Party In A
Haunted House, btw. Randy Fuller told me that Bobby was
initially excited that their appearance in the movie
would mean everyone back home in El Paso would be able to
see them again (they had moved to Hollywood by then), and
Bobby had seen what happened when Dick Dale appeared in
AIP films too, so they were all pretty excited.
Unfortunately, when they arrive to do their scenes at a
rented house in Pasadena, around the pool in the backyard,
they learned they had to wear swim trunks from the
wardrobe department and would be lip-synching to a
previously recorded soundtrack. The song "Make The Music
Pretty" was actually performed by AIP fuzz-guitar heroes
Davie Allan (who sings!) and his band, the Arrows. Bobby
and the band also backed up Nancy Sinatra during
"Geronimo."
To make matters worse, the instruments they were "playing,"
which were provided by Vox as a freebie to the picture
company for free advertising, were considered the worst
amps, used only by amateur musicians, and Bobby didn't
want his band to be associated with this equipment. Jim
Reese later claimed: "We were forced to use Vox equipment.
I never understood why until about a year ago [1984] when
someone sent me an old poster showing us endorsing Vox
guitars and amplifiers. Man, I never endorsed anything,
and I never received a nickel or a piece of equipment
>from Vox, nor was I ever told by Bobby or [Del-Fi's Bob]
Keane about this."
Reese may have also been upset because he was forced to
pretend to play an electric piano because they only had
one guitar on the set, and Bobby got to play it.
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Message: 16
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 21:52:37 -0000
From: "Ian Chapman"
Subject: Christine Quaite
Elisa asked about Christine Quaite....
Okay. Christine was a Brit girl who recorded six singles
for Oriole and a further two on Stateside. Here's a
quick discog:-
"Guilty"/"Oh My" Oriole 1739 ('62)
"Your Nose Is Gonna Grow"/"Our Last Chance" Oriole 1772 ('62)
"Whisper Wonderful Words"/"Mister Heartache" Oriole 1845 ('63)
"Tell Me Mama"/"In The Middle Of The Floor" Oriole 1876 ('63)
"Here She Comes"/"I Believe In Love" Oriole 1921 ('64)
"Mr Stuck-Up"/"Will You Be The Same Tomorrow" Oriole 1945 ('64)
"If You've Got A Heart"/"So Near So Far" Stateside 435 ('65)
"Long After Tonight Is All Over"/"I'm Hoping" Stateside 482 ('66)
The first three are fairly routine pre-beat-boom
lightweight pop, typical of the period when Helen Shapiro
was the top UK girl singer. "Your Nose Is Gonna Grow" as
James Botticelli guessed, was indeed a cover of the
Johnny Crawford song (Francoise Hardy did it too in
French as "Qui Aime-t-Il Vraiment"). Christine's voice,
never lacking in enthusiasm, was used to much better
effect on the subsequent Oriole records. Particularly on
the breakneck "Tell Me Mama" which was a cover of the
Janie Grant number. Christine's version has the edge as
she romps her way through the lyrics, double-tracked
against a great beaty backing and strings, courtesy Frank
Barber. Did nothing in the UK, although it became a
small hit in the States when it was released on World
Artists. In fact, none of Christine's records made the
UK charts. "Here She Comes" is the Barry/Greenwich song,
as done by the Darlettes and Jelly Beans. Christine
again belts her way through it, backed by the Breakaways
(who of course did their own version of the song, but you
already knew that, didn't you?!) "Mr Stuck-Up" has
already been discussed, a great girlie put-down song, but
the flip, "Will You Be The Same Tomorrow" is also a
goodie - a Chris Andrews song as I recall, without
checking. The two Stateside singles are a bit of an
anticlimax - an okay cover of Bobby Goldsboro's "If
You've Got A Heart" and an over-ambitious attempt at
"Long After Tonight Is All Over". Any Spectroppers
interested in tracking down any Christine material should
aim for the three later Oriole singles. In fact, check
out the musica files for "Tell Me Mama".
Ian
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Message: 17
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 20:03:43 -0700
From: "Ron Weekes"
Subject: FW: Coumbia matrix numbers
I received this today. Can anyone help me with a reply?
Ron Weekes
Hi there:
I'm hoping you can be of some help to me (or know of
someone that can). I'm researching the history of the
Columbia Pressing Plants matrix numbering system (for
outside clients) from 1954 to 1974. I'm seeking any
information on singles and albums that were pressed by
Columbia plants, featuring a matrix number prefix such as
ZTSP, ZTSC, ZTSB, ZTEP, ZTEB, ZTSV, ZSSP, ZTEC,
ZSSB, ZCSV, ZCTV, ZTV for 45's.
And for albums, XCTV, ZCSV, XTBV, XTV, XSV.
Look forward to hearing from you
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Message: 18
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 22:08:48 -0000
From: "Ian Chapman"
Subject: Marion Maerz
I agree with everything Elisa said about Marion. Until
I heard her material, I wasn't quite convinced that the
German language lent itself to interpretations of 60s
pop, but Marion's records are superb. Her '65 hit, "Er
Ist Wieder Da" was the original of the song that Peggy
March covered as "He's Back Again". My particular fave
is "Du Bist Genau Wie Die Andern", which lifts the intro
to Little Eva's "I'm Just A Little Girl" - all "Sun
Arise" percussion blocks and "ah-um"s (if that makes no
sense to you, go check it out at the musica files!)
Marion performed her English-langugae single, "I Go To
Sleep" on German TV's "Beat Club", and I believe there
are videos in circulation. The single came out in the
UK under the singular Marion. Much as I like it, I
still think the best version of "I Go To Sleep" was by
Lesley Duncan.
Ian
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Message: 19
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 22:47:40 +0000 (GMT)
From: Mick Patrick
Subject: THE HITMAKERS
Greetings,
As I'm about to be away from my keyboard for a day or two
undergoing an emergency acid peel, I thought it best to
remind all interested parties now that the much talked
about A&E documentary HITMAKERS - THE TEENS WHO STOLE POP
MUSIC is to be screened next Monday, November 19th at the
NFT on the South Bank. The event is part of this year's
London Film Festival. Click here www.rlff.com or 'phone
(020) 7928 3232 for ticket details.
Those on screen include Brooks Arthur, Jack Keller, Neil
Sedaka, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Shadow Morton, Mary
Weiss, Luther Dixon, Shirley Owens-Alston-Reeves, Don
Kirshner, Hal David, Burt Bacharach, Tony Orlando, Carole
King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Jeff Barry,
Ellie Greenwich and many other significant figures from
the Brill Building era. This could be your only chance
to see one of the best ever pop music documentaries on
the big screen.
See you at the bar for an aperitif. I'll be the tall
chap with epidermis as taut as a tambourine, chewing the
fat with Eddie Rambeau and Mitch Ryder.
MICK PATRICK
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