The Friday Flash

re:  OOPS!:  
Kent,
First let me say, am I missing something here? The Mary Wells' tune you posted, YOU BEAT ME TO THE PUNCH, following the news on Bobby Bland, I don't seem to get a connection if there is one. I thought there was going to be a Bobby Bland tune.
Second, most of Bobby Bland's songs were, I guess you might say, moderate "hits" here in the OKC area. I just checked and his 1962 recording of YIELD NOT TO TEMPTATION peaked at number 11 in August of that year. One of his bigger records here in OKC.

Larry

What you got there was a combination of two things ... a track incorrectly identified in the digital ID stamped on the CD it came from ... and me not having the time to listen to it before I posted it.  The intention was to run Bobby's "Turn On Your Lovelight" track ... and that's what the computer said it was.  In fact, had you not said anything, I never would have known!  Hopefully we can make up for that by running Bobby's intended tribute track today.  (kk)

>>>I am from Bawston (home of the Future Stanley Cup Champions!) so I respect the fact that your emphasis is parochial to your home town Chicahgo.   Your overall love of all things music comes through loud and clear. I may not read your Newsletter top to bottom, but I do review every iteration you send. I would not go so far as to say I would pay to subscribe but if you can benefit by extra 'hits' I am all for it. You deserve something for all the work you do.  (CharlieOFD)

That's OK, Charlie, save your money ... our newsletter is still free.  Why don't you spend it on one of those Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup shirts that sold out immediately after the final game instead?!?!?  (kk)  

re:  PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS:

Well, I think we've finally nailed it down ...

Although no one officially got back to us about playing the B-Side of the Paul Revere and the Raiders hit "Ups And Downs" (titled simply as "Leslie" on the label), a quick glance at their "Revolution" album cover indicates that this is, in fact, the same song questioned by one of our readers a week or two back.  Check it out:

re:  CHICAGO: 

Hi Kent, 

OK it's always fun to hear from one of my hero bands, Chicago, but I think they should have taken a little longer on this one. ("More Today Than Yesterday")  Not much drive to it. It sounds so tentative. No energy in the track. Where the heck are the drums? Bass is way out in front of the bass drum.  

I think they should go back and listen to one of there 70's era albums and '"Get the Feelin' Again." 

Or maybe they should go back and listen to The Spiral Starecase version too, which is a whole lot better. Gees, I feel awful that I'm trashing one of my favorite bands recordings, but gees.

Bill

I'm with you on this one, Bill.  The original was just such a lively tune (and let's face it, you still hear it nearly every single day all these years later) that I can only describe Chicago's remake as "unnecessary".  Not that there's anything particularly wrong with it ... it just doesn't bring anything new to the table ... and this is one of those tracks that simply doesn't need redoing.  (I remember AGES ago watching Sonny and Cher perform this song on their television show ... and it had more pop than this new Chicago-ized "big band' version.)  I suppose it's neat that Chicago is going a new direction with the Les Deux Love Orchestra, still growing their sound after all these years ... but if this new venture is supposed to be a tribute to classic R&B, let's hope the rest of the new album has a little more "soul" than this track.  (kk)   

re:  SOME MORE AMAZING SHOWS:

Our FH Buddy Ron Onesti has added some more amazing artists to his up-coming concert line-up ... including a show that I know EVERYBODY will want to see on September 13th featuring THE ZOMBIES!!!  (We told you recently that another FH Buddy, Al Kooper, did a show with these guys at the Kewsick Theater in Glenside, PA, on June 21st. We're hoping to feature Al's personal review soon!)

Other up-coming Arcada shows of note:

Tonight:  Bachman and Turner

'80's Music Fans will want to check out THIS double bill ... The FIXX and Wang Chung, together for one show on July 26th

Rockfest (featuring Ten Years After, Edgar Winter, Pat Travers, Rick Derringer and Canned Heat) hits the Arcada Theatre stage on August 8th

John Ford Coley and Terry Sylvester (of the Hollies) team up for a double bill on October 11th

America comes back on November 15th

Michael Bolton hits the stage on December 1st

Jim Peterik and The Ides Of March will put on a rockin' Christmas spectacular on December 7th, followed by another Christmas concert special performed by The Letterman on December 8th.

As always, a GREAT place to see a concert.  More ticket information is available here:

Click here: Arcada Theatre | Oshows  

Just got this from FH Reader Clark Besch about an upcoming show this weekend in Cicero featuring "The Chicago Gold Revue" ... members of The Cryan' Shames, Jimy Sohns of The Shadows Of Knight and Ronnie Rice of The New Colony Six ...

Sounds like a groovy Shame show!!  The Gold Revue show should grab up Gary Loizzo from the Styx show following to sing "Bend Me Shape Me"!!!  I think he's still keyboard / sound man for them, right??

Clark

Really?  I didn't know that.  Unfortunately, we're traveling again this weekend ... and will be hit-or-miss until after the 4th of July Weekend (so limited postings through this busy time) ... but hopefully a few of our readers are able to check this out and get back to us.  Thanks, Clark!  (kk) 


Danbury Fields Forever Beatles Music Festival 
Full Entertainment Line-up Announced!

Danbury, CT: On Saturday, August 3, 2013, in celebration of The Beatles' 50th anniversary, thousands of fans will "Come Together" for "DANBURY FIELDS FOREVER," a day-long music, arts and food festival of at Ives Concert Park, 43 Lake Avenue Ext. in Danbury, Connecticut. The Noon - 8 pm event is a fund-raiser for Sandy Hook, with 100% of net ticket sales benefiting charity.  (The event is seeking sponsorships)

Open to all ages, this returning family-friendly festival will feature 10 bands, each representing different eras or presentations of Beatles music.

The complete line-up of entertainment has been announced, including special tributes to John Lennon and George Harrison. Festival-goers will enjoy acts including "Something;" an acoustic ensemble from New York City; the "BeatlesTracks Band" from Mass., who Cha Chi Loprete of Boston's WZLX Radio called "a really great Beatles Tribute Band;" "Guitar Charlie," a guitar virtuoso who performed at the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral in a special John Lennon Memorial concert; "Fools On The Hill," a Connecticut band who played the first "Danbury Fields Forever" last year; Jeff Slate, who leads the band "Bird of Paradox" featuring members of Paul McCartney & Wings and John Lennon's Elephant's Memory;" hard-rocking "Genetic Control," specialists in psychedelic version of Beatle classics, the "Lennon Legacy Show," a special and touching tribute to John, "The Mystery Tour" performing latter-day Beatles songs in full Sgt. Pepper costumes; and "The Hofners," featuring legendary Mike "Ringo" Streeto on drums, Mark Ehmann ("Hard Night's Day") on bass and Dave Pal ("Beatlemania Again") on rhythm, recreating the Ed Sullivan era with the earliest Beatles classics. Rounding out the event, the final band booked for the extravaganza is The Cryers, who have been performing throughout the U.S. and Canada since 1991. The Cryers have performed with Denny Laine (Moody Blues, Wings), Terry Sylvester (Hollies), Ian Mitchell (Bay City Rollers) and many great rock & roll groups. Sid Bernstein, the man responsible for bringing the Beatles to America, calls this band “Magical!” Cryers' leader Joe Orlando and Belle Liao also co-own the Monmouth Academy of Musical Arts in New Jersey (www.monmouthacademy.com). In keeping with the core philosophy of giving back to the global community by teaching and promoting the love of music, a portion of the band's proceeds goes straight back to the Academy in The Cryers' campaign of Love, Joy, Peace and Purpose Through Music©.  

An entire-day "ticket to ride" admission starts at only $20.00 from http://beatlesmusicfestival.eventbrite.com/#. There are also VIP packages. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Another feature of the festival will be music and memorabilia vendors and exhibits, plus family features such as face-painting and inflatables for kids. 

For further info call (203) 795-4737, email LiverpoolTours@aol.com or visit www.BeatlesMusicFestival.com. 

As The Beatles sang, "... it's guaranteed to raise a smile!" 

All Photos courtesy Liverpool Productions:

The Mystery Tour band, The Lennon Legacy, official Danbury Fields Forever logo, drummer Mike Streeto and also a crowd shot of three fans from last year's Festival

   

 
Speaking of The Beatles, iTunes just published a new list of their Top 12 Beatles Downloads ... and I am happy to report that once again George Harrison's "Here Comes The Sun" tops the list!  (Man, I wish George could have seen this while he was still alive ... after spending his entire lifetime in the shadows of the powerhouse writing team of Lennon and McCartney he would have been thrilled beyond words to find out what the fans REALLY thought!!!)

Rounding out the Top 12 are:

# 2 - Let It Be

# 3 - Hey Jude

# 4 - Come Together

# 5 - Blackbird

# 6 - Twist And Shout

# 7 - In My Life

# 8 - Yesterday

# 9 - Revolution

#10 - While My Guitar Gently Weeps (another George song)

#11 - Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

#12 - I Saw Her Standing There  

re:  TONIGHT:

DJ Stu Weiss continues his Summer Songs program tonight on Oldies Your Way ...

www.oldiesyourway.com  

re:  NEW STUFF: 

EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE THE FREDDIE MERCURY TRIBUTE CONCERT 

FEATURING QUEEN, DAVID BOWIE, ROGER DALTRY, DEF LEPPARD, ELTON JOHN, GEORGE MICHAEL, ROBERT PLANT AND MANY MORE ~ON 3DVD, BLU-RAY, AND DIGITAL VIDEO SEPTEMBER 3~

New York, NY (June 25, 2013)--On September 3, 2013, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert on a triple DVD set, as an SD Blu-ray – with upscaled standard definition original material with uncompressed stereo and DTS-HD surround sound for the best possible quality - and digital formats [Pre-book Order Date August 9, MSRP $29.99 DVD, $24,98 Blu-ray].  This release boasts newly remastered sound across both sections of the concert and represents the first time the opening acts' performances have been made available on DVD or Blu-Ray. 

On April 20th 1992, Roger Taylor, Brian May and John Deacon, the surviving members of Queen, took to the stage at Wembley Stadium for the start of one of the biggest events in rock history, which the band had organized to pay tribute to their former colleague – the incomparable Freddie Mercury. Queen were joined by some of the greatest musical talent in the world to celebrate Freddie’s life and work and to increase public awareness of AIDS, the disease that had prematurely ended his life the previous year.

The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert features many Queen classics in unique performances including: “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “Hammer To Fall”, “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”, “Radio Ga Ga”, “I Want To Break Free”, “Under Pressure”, “Somebody To Love”, “We Will Rock You”, “We Are The Champions” and many more.  Special guests include David Bowie, Gary Cherone, Roger Daltrey, Def Leppard, Joe Elliott, Extreme, Bob Geldof, Guns ‘n’ Roses, James Hetfield, Ian Hunter, Tony Iommi, Elton John, Annie Lennox, Metallica, George Michael, Liza Minnelli, Robert Plant, Mick Ronson, Axl Rose, Seal, Slash, Lisa Stansfield, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Young & Zucchero.

As well as being great entertainment, the concert raised a huge and still growing sum of money for the Mercury Phoenix Trust, a charity formed at the time by Roger Taylor, Brian May and Queen’s longtime manager Jim Beach whose charter is the relief of suffering from AIDS throughout the world.  Profits from this release will be donated by the Mercury Phoenix Trust to AIDS charities around the globe.

For more information on the Mercury Phoenix Trust, go to www.mercuryphoenixtrust.com

For more information on Queen: Phil Symes, PR Contact/philsymes@theprcontact.com

OPENING ACTS*

1) Intro   2) Brian May / Roger Taylor / John Deacon Introduction   3) Metallica – Enter Sandman   4) Metallica – Sad But True   5) Metallica – Nothing Else Matters   6) Freddie Montage (Insert)   7) Extreme – Queen Medley including: Mustapha / Bohemian Rhapsody / Keep Yourself Alive / I Want To Break Free / Fat Bottomed Girls / Bicycle Race / Another One Bites The Dust / Stone Cold Crazy / Radio Ga Ga

 8) Freddie Montage (Insert)   9) Def Leppard & Brian May – Now I’m Here   10) Queen – I’m Going Slightly Mad video (Insert)   11) Bob Geldof – Too Late God   12) Guns ‘n’ Roses – Paradise City   13) Guns ‘n’ Roses – Knocking On Heavens Door   14) Elizabeth Taylor Speech

MAIN QUEEN + SET

1) Joe Elliott, Slash & Queen – Tie Your Mother Down   2) Roger Daltrey, Tony Iommi & Queen – I Want It All   3) Zucchero & Queen – Las Palabras De Amor   4) Gary Cherone, Tony Iommi & Queen – Hammer To Fall   5) James Hetfield, Tony Iommi & Queen – Stone Cold Crazy   6) Robert Plant & Queen – Crazy Little Thing Called Love   7) Brian May – Too Much Love Will Kill You   8) Paul Young & Queen – Radio Ga Ga   9) Seal & Queen – Who Wants To Live Forever   10) Lisa Stansfield & Queen – I Want To Break Free   11) David Bowie, Annie Lennox & Queen – Under Pressure   12) Ian Hunter, David Bowie, Mick Ronson & Queen – All The Young Dudes   13) David Bowie, Mick Ronson & Queen – Heroes   14) George Michael & Queen –’39               15) George Michael, Lisa Stansfield & Queen – These Are The Days Of Our Lives      16) George Michael, London Gospel Choir & Queen – Somebody To Love   17) Elton John, Axl Rose & Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody   18) Elton John, Tony Iommi & Queen – The Show Must Go On   19) Axl Rose & Queen – We Will Rock You   20) Liza Minnelli & Ensemble – We Are The Champions

BONUS MATERIAL

1) Rehearsal performances of Queen +: 

David Bowie and Annie Lennox ‘Under Pressure’

George Michael and Lisa Stansfield ‘These Are The Days Of Our Lives

George Michael ‘Somebody To Love’

2) 10th Anniversary Documentary

3) Photo Galleries  

4) Mercury Phoenix Trust Facts

* Each section features on one DVD disc, all sections feature on the single Blu-ray discs  

re:  CLARIFICATION:

I'm not sure exactly what BMG said or implied that sparked this, but I got this from FH Reader Bob Merlis on behalf of ABKCO Records ... 

New York, June 26, 2013 -  In light of today’s announcement by BMG concerning its involvement in music publishing interests in songs written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, ABKCO Music, Inc. wishes to reiterate that ABKCO, and ABKCO alone, owns and controls 100% of the worldwide copyright to the original 1963-1971 publishing catalog of Jagger/Richards Rolling Stones compositions.  

ABKCO CEO Jody Klein stated that the BMG announcement “has no relevance whatsoever to ABKCO’s ongoing role in its ownership or control of all existing copyrights, including such seminal titles as ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction’, ‘Brown Sugar’, ‘Can’t You Hear Me Knocking’ and others from that period as has been the case for more than 40 years.”   

“We wish BMG all the best with their new endeavor but it must be noted that ABKCO, a wholly owned independent entertainment company, remains the sole source of rights and licensing for these compositions along with the corresponding master recordings by The Rolling Stones.  It is unfortunate that BMG’s statement may have led some to conclude otherwise.”  

About ABKCO:

ABKCO Music & Records is one of the world’s leading independent entertainment companies.  It is home to iconic catalog assets that include compositions and recordings by Sam Cooke, The Rolling Stones, Bobby Womack, Eric Burdon, The Animals, Herman’s Hermits, Marianne Faithfull, The Kinks as well as the Cameo Parkway masters by such artists as Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, Clint Eastwood, The Orlons, The Dovells, ? & The Mysterians, Charlie Gracie, The Tymes and Dee Dee Sharp. Soundtrack releases include Wes Anderson’s 2013 Academy Award® nominated Moonrise Kingdom, The Darjeeling Limited and the 20120 Academy Award® nominated Fantastic Mr. Fox, Independent Spirit Award® Winner Safety Not Guaranteed, Our Idiot Brother, the international blockbuster Fast Five, Edgar Wright's Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Lightning Thief, The Men Who Stare At Goats and the soundtrack to the first season of the hit Showtime® series, Californication.  ABKCO is active on many fronts including the release of critically lauded compilations and reissues from its catalog, film and commercial placement of its master recordings and music publishing properties in all media.   ABKCO Films most recent release is The Rolling Stones Charlie Is My Darling – Ireland 1965.  It has been involved with many successful movies including The Greek Tycoon starring Anthony Quinn and Jacqueline Bisset, La Grande Bouffe  winner of the International Critics prize at the 1973 Cannes Film Festival and The Concert for Bangladesh featuring Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Bob Dylan and Ringo Starr.  Renowned cult director Alejandro Jodorowsky’s classics El Topo and The Holy Mountain, fully restored and remastered to HD, were shown at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival (Classics section) and at the prestigious 44th New York Film Festival. In 2003 ABKCO won a Grammy for the DVD release of Sam Cooke – Legend and the following year released the DVD of The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus to universal acclaim. Upcoming releases include a restoration of the Spaghetti Western Blindman starring Ringo Starr.  ABKCO Films is in

pre-production on a biopic on the life of Sam Cooke.

Bob later told me ...

BMG put out a news release which would leave you to believe they now control or, at least, have a hand in publishing the original song catalog.  We had to counter that with this statement.  

Here's a piece that deals with that: 

http://www.showbiz411.com/2013/06/27/rolling-stones-new-music-publisher-cant-get-no-satisfaction?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rolling-stones-new-music-publisher-cant-get-no-satisfaction

re:  THINGS ARE TOUGH ALL OVER:  
Getting kinda crazy at the gas pumps again ... especially here in Chicago where we reportedly have the most expensive gas prices within the continental United States. 
So as a service to our faithful readers, we thought we'd share this valuable coupon information with you!  

I didn't realize it, but these coupons are good for one gallon of gas at most retailers.  I have seen them around, but until recently never took advantage of them ... I guess I never realized their actual worth. 

You probably have one or two just lying around somewhere, now is the time to use them before they lose their value, and it's too late!!! 

SEE COUPON BELOW >>> 

  

Today Forgotten Hits Is Giving You Goosebumps!

We've all had them ... people like us who are THIS into the music have ALL had our "Goosebump" moments ... a certain song, a certain sound ... something that just grabbed you immediately ... made you take notice and listen ... something so uniquely different than anything you'd heard before that it immediately commanded your complete attention.  

It doesn't happen very often ... but when it does, it's a moment that stays with you forever.  

Hey, I loved The Beatles as much as anybody ... and bought everything they ever did ... as well as any number of OTHER 45's of the day that caught my fancy ... but the VERY FIRST TIME a song gave me goosebumps on first listen was "California Dreamin'" by The Mamas and the Papas.  

Now maybe it was just the right song at the right moment ... but something happened that very first time that affected me like no other song had before ... and, incredibly, after some 10,000+ listens since, I have never grown tired of this track.  

And it's not even my favorite Mamas and Papas song ... their version of "Dedicated To The One I Love" holds that distinction ... this is the one I can listen to and appreciate till the end of time ... but something magical happened the very first time I ever heard "California Dreamin'" ... and whatever it was, that feeling has never left me.  (To paraphrase producer Lou Adler, I couldn't believe my eyes and ears!!!)

 

It happened again in 1970 ... the very first time I ever heard Bread's "Make It With You".  I can't even put into words the electricity that went through me that very first time ... I just HAD to have it.  I went out and bought the single and then the album shortly thereafter ... man, what a disappointment!!!  About the ONLY song listenable (and memorable) about that LP was the hit single, soon to be the #1 song in all the land.  I was SO bummed ... was it just a fluke?  Had they hit the motherlode on their very first song and now the well was dry???   



Imagine my shock when a classmate of mine (Dennis Gilbert, thank you very much!) turned me on to the fact that "On The Waters" was actually Bread's SECOND album ... their first LP had disappeared without a trace, with nary a radio hit hidden in the grooves.  

As fate would have it, I found myself grounded for a week ... came home later than I was supposed to one night ... and Dennis loaned me his LP to pass the time while I served out my parental sentence.  I completely devoured it ... I loved each and every song.  (How could none of these tracks have been a hit?!?!  And, even more surprisingly, where had the magic gone on their second album?)  

I did my week's time locked away in the basement ... just me, my guitar and Dennis' Bread album, during which time I learned every single song on that first LP ... I especially loved "Family Doctor", a James Griffin song, that months later I was shocked to hear ANOTHER classmate play on a bus trip out to a school singing engagement.  (Ron Arturi, thank you very much!)  I think he, Dennis and I may have been the only three students in the entire school who knew this song!  Imagine my surprise when, after "Make It With You" had run its course on the charts, Elektra Records went back to the first LP and released "It Don't Matter To Me" as the follow-up single ... and it was a hit!  

For me, Bread just kept getting better and better.  "Manna" and "Baby I'm-a Want You" remain two of my all-time favorite LPs to this very day ... but nothing will EVER compare to the moment when I heard "Make It With You" for the very first time.  (Seems like everybody else that summer was fixated on the brand new Carpenters' hit "Close To You" ... but not me ... I was a "Bread-Head" all the way!)  

There've been other moments over the years ... other songs ... but these two in particular affected me in a way like no others.  (In fact, I was completely sucked into The Soft Rock '70's ... Carole King's "It's Too Late" remains a favorite some 40 years later ... I dug Sweet Baby James and America and Badfinger, too ... and was COMPLETELY blown away the very first time I heard Free's "All Right Now" ... I had never heard rock and roll played THAT way before!!!)  But Bread was the launch pad that took me into my next phase of musical appreciation, post-British Invasion ... and I just couldn't get enough.  

If you love the music the way I do, you know exactly what I'm talking about.  We've all had those moments ... the electricity that filled the room the first time I saw Paul McCartney ... and Elvis ... those were concert moments I'll never forget ... but if I had to pick TWO "Goosebumps Songs", these would be the two ... "California Dreamin'" by The Mamas and the Papas and "Make It With You" by Bread.  

And now it's YOUR turn.  Can you narrow it down to a specific moment in time ... where the music went straight to your soul upon the very first listen?   

We want to hear from you ... send us your "Goosebumps Tracks" ... and we'll run some of your musical memories on the web page.  (We only ask that you please keep it to just one or two moments so we can run a larger variety of respondents.)  

Like I said, we've ALL had 'em ... I told you mine ... now we'd like to share a couple of yours!!!

Drop us a line at forgottenhits@aol.com ... and then check back to the web page to see if your memories have been posted.
kk
Kent Kotal
Forgotten Hits

Tuesday's Tidings

More from the mail bag ...  

re:  PALISADES PARK:  
The other day we told you about the big Palisades Park Concert that Cousin Brucie was hosting for Sirius XM.  Now here come a few pics from Mitch Schecter of The Rip Chords ... one of the acts who performed on the bill!  
Hey Kent ...  
Had a great time at Cousin Brucie's First Annual Palisades Park Reunion Concert at The Meadowlands, just outside of NYC.  It was an amazing lineup of artists ... all of whom had performed at Palisades Park for Cousin Brucie back in the 60's. We did two songs ... most everyone did two songs ... a concert just like the old days. I've enclosed a photo of the poster, a photo of Richie and Bobby with Ronnie Spector and a photo of us with Cousin Brucie. Next up for us is a big show in Simi Valley, California ... more on that later.

Mitch Schecter / The Rip Chords

 

Forgotten Hits Regular Frank B sent us a review of the concert that he found posted on Ron Smith's oldiesmusic.com website:  
I was there. Excellent show. Several hundred people sitting. Many more standing. Many people clapping. Some dancing in the aisles here and there. The audience really seemed to be enjoying the show. Brucie wore his leopard jacket. To me the high point was definitely Ronnie Spector, who closed the show. She still has a great voice & looks fantastic. Also the Rip Chords sounded great doing "Hey Little Cobra" and a movie soundtrack song of theirs. Lesley Gore also did an excellent short set. The Crests singing the Righteous Brothers song "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" was also a highlight for me. Neil Sedaka was sick and didn't make the show. From what Bruce was saying, this is going to be an annual event. Couldn't beat the price: free with $9.00 admission to the fair & $4.00 parking.

Tommy Withatee   re:  FREDDY CANNON:

You can't really talk about Palisades Park without mentioning Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon!  This rock and roll pioneer is STILL rockin' ... playing around the globe to devoted audiences trying to recapture the magic of those early days of rock and roll ... and still sounding great, I might add!

Freddy has a brand new single release ... on 7" VINYL no less!  It's a rockin' recording of "Keep Movin'" backed with "Move It On Over", recorded with The Gears, an LA Punk Group ... and you can pick up YOUR copy here:  www.wondercaprecords.com ... or download the tracks on iTunes.  (kk)

In fact, we may have an autographed copy to give away to one lucky Forgotten Hits Reader in the weeks to come ... stay tuned for more details!  (kk)

re:  ANOTHER PASSING:

Ron Smith tells us of another recent passing ...

Bobby "Blue" Bland, whose blues recordings hit 18 times on the top ten R&B charts from 1960 to 1966, died Sunday (June 23) at his Memphis home from complications of an ongoing illness. He was 83.

Born in Rosemark, Tennessee, in 1930, Robert Calvin Bland sang with the gospel group, the Miniatures in the late '40s. In 1949, he sang with B.B. King, Rosco Gordon and Johnny Ace in the Beale Streeters. After a stint in the Army, he supplemented his solo career by serving as B.B.'s valet and chauffeur before eventually singing in Johnny's revue. He signed with Modern Records in 1952, but it was on Duke Records in 1957 that he finally charted with "Farther Up The Road" (#43 Pop, #1 - R&B). That was the first of 64 R&B hits, 44 of which crossed over to the pop charts, including "Turn On Your Love Light" (#28 Pop, #2 R&B - 1962), "Call On Me" (#22 Pop, #6 R&B - 1963), "Ain't Nothing You Can Do" (#20 Pop, #3 R&B - 1964), "I Pity The Fool" (#46 Pop, #1 R&B - 1961) and "That's The Way Love Is" (#33 Pop, #1 R&B - 1963). Bobby was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame last year. He received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy award in 1997.

I really got into the blues in high school in the late 50s, amassing everything I could find by Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins and B.B. King.
I found that there were no albums by another of my favorites, Bobby "Blue" Bland, but his singles were great ... but hard for me to find. "Further On Up the Road" was the first one I bought in 1957 and it was a different kind of blues, with much fuller orchestration than Jimmy, John Lee and Lightnin's, but still blues. His first album came in 1961 and then they started really coming and by the end of the seventies I must have had at least 20 of his albums.
He began to cross over to the pop charts in the sixties with "That's the Way Love Is", "Call On Me", "Cry, Cry, Cry" and "Ain't Nothin' You Can Do". His "Turn On Your Lovelight" is the definitive version and nothing in the blues rocks quite like "Don't Cry No More". Bobby became more unique as he grew older because of his "squall" and his many appearances and releases with B.B. King, including their classic version of "Let the Good Times Roll", brought him a larger audience.
One of a kind, Bobby "Blue" Bland.
Danny Guilfoyle  



re:  PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS:  
>>>Back in HS ('64 - '68) I could go to the on-campus Youth Center and have lunch.  Eventually, I noticed on the juke box "Ain't Nobody Who Can Do It Like Leslie Can" by Paul Revere and the Raiders.  It wasn't a real winner, but I played it a lot (apparently I was the only one who did), and finally the manager got tired of it and rejected it.  I never did notice what the flip side was.  Can you tell me?   (Skipper)

>>>The track comes from The Raiders' "Revolution" album ... but I don't show it ever appearing on a single. (Maybe it was on a jukebox EP???)  kk

Hi Kent,

Regarding Paul Revere and the Raiders’ “Revolution” LP (1967) – What a wonderful album that was! Here’s a review of the CD reissue I found on amazon. The reviewer offers some information on the session musicians and also believes that "Ain't Nobody Who Can Do It Like Leslie Can" was issued on 45. However, like you, I can find no evidence of that. Here’s the review:  

“Although this fine album contains one authentic "Paul Revere & The Raiders" cut, "Ain't Nobody Who Can Do It Like Leslie Can", a 1966 B-side (featuring a rare lead vocal from Revere), the rest of the album is performed by Mark Lindsay and producer / co-writer Terry Melcher. Melcher even does much of the lead vocal on the song "Tighter".  

The instruments are by Terry Melcher & Van Dyke Parks (keyboards), Jerry Cole, Ry Cooder and ex-Raider, Drake Levin (guitars), Hal Blaine and Jim Gordon (drums) and an unidentified bassist.  

The techniques used during recording (live during mix down overdubs) means that half of the songs can be presented only in mono; though the stereo remix of "Him or Me - What's it Gonna Be?" that debuted on the "Essential Ride" CD is included, as are several good bonus tracks, including an extended / unedited version of "The Legend of Paul Revere”. Too bad that Sundazed couldn't give us liner notes with complete details about who played what.  

Paul Revere's involvement in the studio obviously ended in late 1966. Mark Lindsay would, from this point onwards, make the records with whomever he wished, whether that meant session men or a combination of session men and some Raiders (but not Revere himself).”  

Best wishes,

Mike Edwards  

Hi Kent:  

For the Raiders Juke box player. I did see that the flip side of “Ups And Downs” is called “Leslie” ... maybe that’s what he played.

Ken Freck

Hmmm ... I didn't see that one ... but you may be right. Anybody have a copy of the single who can say for sure?  (Scroll back to Monday's posting to listen to the track to be sure)  kk  

re:  JAMES BROWN:  
>>>The other day I heard "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" and it reminded me of something that Bob Slade mentioned years ago on his WRKS 98.7 - New York Sunday night "Soul Beginnings" show. He said that the original recording of the James Brown was actually 'sped up', when it was released as a single. Was wondering if you are familiar with the story and does anyone have the 'slow' version that we might be able to hear?  (John) 
>>>I did a little bit of digging around on this but didn't really come up with much.  However the B-Side of that single (Part II) definitely has a slower feel to it ... I wonder if this is how the whole song originally started out. Anybody know for sure?  (kk) 
I recall that James Brown's uptempo hit "I Got You" was previously recorded in a slow arrangement as "I Found You" by Yvonne Fair, who was part of his revue. It wouldn't surprise me if he experimented with slow and fast arrangements of other songs as well.

Ed Salamon  

Hi Kent,
I saw where you were looking for the original slowed down version of James Brown's "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" -- on his Star Time album released in 1991 he has both versions -- an extended "slow version" and the "single" version.  Another favorite of mine by James Brown is "I'll Go Crazy" -- the best version of this song is by the Buckinghams, off their "Kind Of A Drag" album -- Clarence Clemons' "Live In Asbury Park" sounds pretty incredible, too, with his version that features a killer horn section. 

Another song the Buckinghams kicked up a notch was their 1967 version of "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" which was a hit a year earlier for Cannonball Adderley.  Just a brief footnote ... was certainly surprised Rolling Stone did a couple page article on Darlene Love in a recent issue.  Darlene Love's voice, though credited to the Crystal's, on the Gene Pitney-written song of "He's A Rebel" is one of the all time great pop songs.  Was surprised the article didn't make note of her also being in the group Bob B. Sox & The Blue Jeans with their hit "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Da."  She and her group the Blossoms, I am pretty sure did a lot of backing vocals for Elvis during his Vegas gigs too.
Tim Kiley

The Buckinghams' version of "I'll Go Crazy" was their first chart hit here in Chicago, peaking at #19 in 1966, a good nine months before the group caught on nationally with their #1 Hit "Kind Of A Drag".

Darlene first started singing background on Elvis sessions back in the '60's ... in fact, she was part of Elvis' 1968 Television Comeback Special, too.  While there is something familiar-sounding about Love singing with Elvis during the Las Vegas years, I can't find anything to substantiate it.  (I think that role was filled more by The Sweet Inspirations than The Blossoms at this point ... but I'm sure one of the may Elvis experts on the list can verify this for sure.) kk  

re:  VIDEO CLIPS: 

If you like to dance or ever wished that you could ... you'll enjoy watching this.  

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.    

Gary Pike

Let's Dance:  http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ab9i0s4WEY0&feature=related

You'll find more than a few favorites here!  (kk) 

FH Reader Tom Cuddy tells us about a new Chicago remake ... 

The legendary Chicago have recorded a cover of the old Spiral Starecase hit More Today Than Yesterday with the Les Deux Love Orchestra for what may be the start of an entire album of songs of classic R&B. 
Spiral Starecase were an American ‘one-hit wonder’ band whose only hit was More Today Than Yesterday in 1969. The song has been covered by Diana Ross, Sonny & Cher, Goldfinger and was featured in the movies My Girl (1991) and The Waterboy (1998) as well as an episode of Ally McBeal.
Chicago’s Robert Lamm was introduced to Bobby Woods of the Les Deux Love Orchestra by Gerry Beckley of the band America. “Woods had an idea for Chicago and Les Deux to revisit the great music of the era (mostly Classic R&B) – when Chicago was in its formative stage. More Today Than Yesterday loosely fit the concept as I’ve always loved this record by Spiral Starecase,” Lamm said in a statement.
Woods says, Sometimes you have to do things for the fun of it. When Robert suggested More Today Than Yesterday, my immediate response was, ‘Definitely!’ I had a blast working the horns out with Chicago co-founder and trumpet player, Lee Loughnane. It goes without saying that Jason Scheff (bass, backing vocals) is a monster – the guy can do anything”.  
Click here: "More Today Than Yesterday" -Chicago (feat. Les Deux Love Orchestra) - YouTube  
Chicago and the Les Deux Love Orchestra’s version of More Today Than Yesterday is available exclusively through iTunes.Read more: http://www.vintagevinylnews.com/2013/06/listen-more-today-than-yesterday-by.html#ixzz2X5H266ug  

re:  TONIGHT:  
Tonight at 10 PM (Eastern) I will be trying out a two-hour folk music program.  I am calling it RETURN TO BLEECKER STREET!  Lots of music from the 1960's plus some of today! 
There aren't enough folk music shows around so I am going to try this out.

Hope you'll be there.

It all happens at www.oldiesyourway.com

FOLK  MUSIC!!!!!!

DJ Stu Weiss

Helping Out Our Readers

Kent: 
The other day I heard "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag" and it reminded me of something that Bob Slade mentioned years ago on his WRKS 98.7 - New York Sunday night "Soul Beginnings" show. He said that the original recording of the James Brown was actually 'sped up', when it was released as a single. Was wondering if you are familiar with the story and does anyone have the 'slow' version that we might be able to hear? Thanks!  
John 
I did a little bit of digging around on this but didn't really come up with much.  However the B-Side of that single (Part II) definitely has a slower feel to it ... I wonder if this is how the whole song originally started out. Anybody know for sure?  (kk)

How is Bobby Rydell managing with his transplants?  Thanx! 
Pttibg 
Bobby is back out on the road again with a number of dates coming up ... he seems to have rebounded quite well!  (kk)  
Click here: Bobby Rydell's Tour Dates  

>>>My ex-wife’s father was a survivor (now gone on to his reward) of the D-Day invasion at Normandy.  He claimed that the lyrics of the Homer and Jethro song "Crazy Mixed-Up Song" were allegedly inspired by a less humorous poem, written by another D-Day survivor, commemorating the mind-numbing horror of the invasion, shortly after the experience.  That poem goes like this:  
‘Twas on the beach at midnight, Not a streetcar was in sight.  

The rain and snow fell gently, For it rained all day that night.

Knowing the context puts a different spin on the words.   
I have no way of knowing whether that story is true, but maybe someone else out there does.  It seems totally possible to me that someone put together the “Be kind to your web-footed friends” chorus from summer camp or Cub Scout sing-alongs with a sanitized version of the above poem and came up with one of those versatile, well-written tunes that no one ever forgets.  Meanwhile, the heroes of D-Day are gone, but never forgotten.  (Wil Coté)

I remember there being quite a bit of discussion on this one back at the time we first covered it.  Seemed EVERYBODY was familiar with it through some means (I still swear I knew it from an old Three Stooges kiddie record that I had) but we've seen and heard so many possible origins now, who knows.  Here's another one ... from Ron Smith ... 

Now those are the words (sort of) I remember my Dad singing (and always thought they came from his Army days — but he was in the Alleutian Islands):

Twas midnight on the ocean
A streetcar was in sight
A bare-footed boy with shoes on
Was standing in the light 

Oh ain't we crazy ...

Ron Smith

Ron then found and sent me this ... sounds like this song (and the origins thereof) have been driving people crazy for years!!!  
Click here: It was midnight on the ocean, not a streetcar was in sight,I stepped into a cigar store to ask for a ligh

There's the "Oh Ain't We Crazy" part. This thing appears to come from 1900?

Ron

And we found more!

Click here: poeticseduction: The Barefoot Boy With Shoes On [b.Asa Martin]

Click here: It's midnight on the ocean, not a streetcar in sight. The sun is shining bright because it rained all day last - Y

I especially like this one ...

Click here: Wisconsin Humanities Council

Did we ALL grow up learning this ditty???

Click here: Barefoot Boy With Shoes On -- Mark Ortiz - YouTube 

Click here: Barefoot boy with shoes on - YouTube  

>>>I came across your website when trying to find information about the Youngtones. I'm very impressed and added you to my favourites for a definite look back later in the week.  I have a track credited to the Youngtones entitled Come On Baby but can find no sign of it mentioned in any discography I have seen on the band. Do you have anything that you could help me with? I'm researching for my weekly radio programme and thank you for any assistance you may be able to offer.  Many thanks and kind regards.  (Ian Bell, TD1 Radio.com, Scotland)

The Youngtones were a Hispanic group from Coney Island whose group members included Johnny Marsi (lead), Gilbert Rivera (first tenor), Joe Crespo (second tenor), Willy Rivera (baritone) and Louis Lugo (aka Louis Figueroa) (bass). Johnny Marsi later went by the name Jocco. Ronald Jackson was the lead on a couple of the X-Tra sides, he later went on to join the group The Jesters in 1974.
I believe this to be the group's entire discography:
X-tra 104 - You I Adore / It's Over Now (1958)
X-tra 110 - By The Candleglow (accompanied by The Dolls) / Patricia (1958)
Brunswick 55089 - Come On Baby / Oh Tell Me (1958)
X-tra 120 - Can I Come Over / Gonna Get Together Again (1959)
X-tra 121 - Can I Come Over / Gonna Get Together Again (1959) (yes that was issued with two consecutive numbers)
Times Square 31 - I Do / Day Train (by the Blasters) (1964)
Come On Baby is the only 45 listed by the group in my price guide, for whatever reason...
Two of the members of the Youngtones, Johnny Marsi and Gil Rivera later joined with Bobby "Ziggy" Andriani to record as Marci and the Mates for two releases on the Big Top record label, and would later record under other names (Johnny, Gil and Bobby; Hans, Chris & Anderson, etc). I saw on Forgotten Hits where Jocco mentioned recording for Atco -- that would be the Hans, Chris & Anderson 45 that got issued on Atco, The Pied Piper b/w Donna. While Donna is a remake of the Ritchie Valens hit, The Pied Piper is an original tune.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz86oDnKReg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsQrwUpgj6M
Hope that helps some.  
Tom Diehl   

Back in HS ('64-"68) I could go to the on-campus Youth Center and have lunch. Eventually, I noticed on the juke box "Ain't Nobody Who Can Do It Like Leslie Can" by Paul Revere and the Raiders.  It wasn't a real winner, but I played it a lot (apparently I was the only one who did), and finally the manager got tired of it and rejected it.  I never did notice what the flip side was.  Can you tell me?  

Skipper

The track comes from The Raiders' "Revolution" album ... but I don't show it ever appearing on a single. (Maybe it was on a jukebox EP???)  It featured a rare vocal by Paul Revere, who one reviewer referred to as doing a very bad Aunt Jemima accent ...

There's only one truly horrid track, "Ain't Nobody Who Can Do It Like Leslie Can," an unintentional parody of black music sung in Paul Revere's worst Aunt Jemima accent ("Look at that woman dust!"). Its offensiveness would make Jon Spencer look like a sensitive civil rights liberal - if I thought that the Raiders had any idea how offensive they were being; they're just a bunch of clueless whitebreads who don't know what they're doing (hell, there are hardly any black folks in Idaho now, much less three decades ago).

From the sounds of things, you very well may have been the only one playing it!!!  (Of course now I've got to hear it too!)  kk