Thursday, March 22, 2018

Singles Going Steady Part Toot Toot

Continuing to document what's left of the 1963 Half Price Books 45s and yes.  we are scraping the bottom of the barrel.

UPDATE: I got a reply from RG Bennett about The University Four (Vocal group).and he gives his insights in the comments below.  Thank you for the insight. Sometimes all i have to go on, is what I read from the label and make a observation.  The kindness of you readers to point out makes this all fun.


1)    There's A Boy Who's Crying-The University Four (Chairman 45-4406) 1963

Clinging to the past, this particular band was The Lettermen, The Crew Cuts and The Hi Los all in one.  Basically, Google came up nothing upon this unknown group but they did record two singles, if they were the same guys.  The first one was on Laurie, called the Anvil Rock, a Public Domain song arranged by Ross, who could be Jerry Ross, later of producing Spanky And Our Gang.  The guess is that was a instrumental.  There's A Boy Who's Crying is vocal and probably a different band.  The songwriting tandem of Rubin/Koppelman who later produced Bobby Darin's If I Were A Carpenter and The Lovin Spoonful.   Not exactly memorable but brings memories of a bygone era of pop vocal groups in the style of Lettermen, Four Freshmen, Hi Lo's and so forth.  The other side Buena Suerte... well I've heard it but don't think it's worth your time to seek it out. A product of its times.

Upon further listening, Anvil Rock is not the same University Four but rather a instrumental band.  And just as forgettable too.

2)   Full Moon Above-The Hawkeyes (Capitol F-3813)  1957

They were from Iowa City, Iowa  (of course) and they made two singles for Capitol, to which the songs were written by Tom Ecker.  Dixie Davenport was the lead singer. A white Doo Wop band that was influenced by The Platters so to speak, certainly on the B side I'll Be There.   The record has seen better days but it's the first I ever came across anything from the band The Hawkeyes, which shouldn't be confused with Hawks, who made two albums for Columbia in the 1980s and were more rock and roll.  Full Moon Above was more of a bossa nova number.  Upon research it's revealed that Dixie Davenport was born in Anamosa in 1936 and married Don Nacke and they were married for 58 years.  She died January 1, 2017 at the age of 80 from heart problems.  http://doo-wop.blogg.org/hawkeyes-c26505620

3)   My True Love-Jack Scott (Carlton 462)  1958  #3  Leroy #11

So nice of Alverda Kelley to donate her 45 to the Salvation Army for me to take home and listen to.  Jack  Scott, even in ballads, had a rough and tough tenor to go with the songs and The Chantones are a great backing band.    Scott has always had a place in my heart and on the turntable for his songs and My True  Love is a ballad you can listen to over and over.  The B side Leroy (originally known as Greaseball before Scott re recorded it as Leroy) is better.  First rate rockabilly rock and roll.   Probably the find of this batch of 45.  Too bad Alverda Kelley didn't take better care of her records, she had about 30 others, most were trashed or just plain crappy pop easy listening garbage.

4)    Garzackstahagen-The Keymen (ABC Paramount 45-9991)  1958

An instrumental band that recorded a few sides for ABC Paramount.  One of those instrumentals that was used a minute before the top of the hour broadcast on AM stations.   So so instrumental.  B side Miss You, a Billy Vaughn type of MOR fluff that your grand parents might go for.  Both songs are out there on You Tube.

5)   Speedy Gonzales-David Dante (RCA 47-7860)  1961

To which the cover version sold better than the original.  Dante issued Speedy Gonzales in March of 1961 only to see it not do anything but Pat Boone must have heard it and covered it.  It made number 6 in 1962 for Mr. White Shoes Boone. RCA then decided to release it again (47-8056) and for the second time around, did not chart.   Dante would never be heard from again.  B side K K K Katy is not associated with the KKK but rather another pleasant pop song that didn't differ much from Speedy Gonzales.

6)   Black Land Farmer-Frankie Miller (Starday 45-424)  1959

Starday Records, to me remains the best hillbilly record label. If King Gusto ever decide to issue the complete Starday singles on a 50 CD box set, I'd buy two.  Frankie Miller (no relation to the Chrysalis recording star) made this ode to farming, one of the more sought off singles and I did find a fairly decent copy despite it being out in the elements.  Sleepy LaBeef covered it for Plantation in 1971, but Miller's version is downright real hillbilly music.  The B side True Blue was in poor shape, couldn't play it.

7)    Tiger-Fabian (Chancellor  C-1037)  1959  #3

He was probably more of a plastic teen idol, like Bobby Rydell or Frankie Avalon and Rolling Stone Mag called him The Asphalt Elvis....whatever that means.  It's a cheese cake of a song but it's one of those fun songs that you can sing along with.  Rock and roll is supposed to be fun right?  A fun song and it's still rock and roll to me. (to quote a certain piano man....)

8)    Anytime (Part 1 and 2)-Mr. Bass  (Felsted 45-8694)  1963

Jimmy Ricks aka Mr. Bass has a little fun at the expense of Brook Benton on this light soul number.  Part 2, is a more jazzier take.  Fun Stuff although very slight.

9)   Car Wash-Rose Royce (MCA 40615)  #1 1976

The song that bridges funk and disco and perhaps Norman Whitfield's last shining moment.  Plenty of fond memories of roller skating to this, but now the introduction to the song can be heard at any sporting events.  Even in the grave, Norman is still making money.

10)   You Make Me Happy-Val Martinez (RCA 47-8218)  1963

Produced by Lester Sill (Lee Hazelwood, Phil Spector) and Bobby Darin's production team, this lounge ballad didn't get many buyers.  Martinez recorded a couple other sides for RCA and Groove and disappeared from sight after 1963 anyway. B Side My Souvenirs (or was it the A Side, I couldn't even finish listening).was more blander than You Make Me Happy.  It even bores me to type this out.

Meltdown-The Rest

She's Got My Name-Earther Doss Jr (ABC Paramount 45-10496)  1963
Ain't Gonna Cry No More-Gwen Stacey  (RCA 47-8306) 1964
That's Life-John Gary (RCA 47-8292) 1963
Papa I'm Sorry-Don Schroeder (Sound 7 Stage 45-2509) 1963

Gwen Stacey's single was written by David Gates (Bread) and Papa I'm Sorry was written by Earl Sinks of The Crickets fame (after Buddy Holly).  That's Life is not to be confused with Frank Sinatra and who in the heck is Earther Doss Jr? I'm curious if the B White who wrote She's Got My Name is Barry White.  Doss does have a Ben E King sound to his voice.  A very minor Popcorn classic although the next single I'll Do Anything was a much better song.  Nevertheless these four singles will be available at your nearest St Vincent De Paul in Madison soon (with a few others I can do without).  

1 comment:

RG Bennett said...

I was pleased to see your mention of the University Four (#1 on this post). You surmised correctly - the instrumental and vocal groups were different. My father was the tenor in the vocal group. All four members were from Queens, NY. The group was originally named The Grovetones as they all attended Grover Cleveland High School, and when they started attending college changed to The University Four. They only recorded those two songs. There was a different, more stripped down version of Buena Suerte on an LP compilation of New York vocal groups. Thanks for bringing back some good memories!