Brian's Weekly Sleevenotes - 18 October 14

I Miss You Baby (How I Miss You) - Marv Johnson

The song was originally titled 'I Miss You Baby' by the writers Clarence Paul and Luvel Broadnax who originally intended it to be recorded by The Marvelettes but was finally assigned to Marv Johnson who recorded it as 'I Miss You Baby (How I Miss You)'. It was only due to his success in the UK with 'I’ll Pick A Rose For My Rose' in 1969 that his label, Motown decided to release the then recently recorded album track as the follow up single achieving a chart placing of number twenty-five.

James (Hold The Ladder Steady) - Sue Thompson

Eva Sue McKee grew up on a farm in San Jose where she learned to play the guitar at the age of seven and developed a love for country music. In 1960 she signed to Hickory Records based in Nashville and the recording arm of the mighty Acuff-Rose music publishers, giving her access to material by some of the best writers including John D Loudermilk whose 'Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)' gave now named Sue Thompson her first American hit reaching number five. She achieved two further top twenty hits with 'Norman' and 'James (Hold The Ladder Steady)' both also written by Loudermilk and all three covered in the UK by Carol Deene.

Bob Stanley profiles the Acuff-Rose publishing company in this week's feature

Take These Chains From My Heart - Ray Charles

Ray Charles

The song was made famous by Hank Williams with his Drifting Cowboys in 1953 becoming his last American country number one after his death. It was written by Fred Rose who started the famous Acuff-Rose Publishing Company and Hy Heath who wrote many scores for successful movies. Ray’s version, released as a single in 1963 first appeared on his album, 'Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music Volume II'.

So Much In Love With You - Ian & The Zodiacs

Beginning life as a trad jazz band, The Zodiacs were formed in 1958 in Liverpool where a local promoter offered them a regular thirty minute spot if they added a singer to their line up, suggesting John Kennedy who was in another band, The James Boys. Two years later he was replaced by Ian Edwards who encouraged them to change their style to become more rock and roll orientated. As Ian & The Zodiacs they recorded three songs for the compilation album, 'This Is Merseybeat'. During numerous trips to Germany they recorded an album and two singles one of which, 'The Crying Game' sold over a quarter of a million copies in America. In 1965 they issued 'Just The Little Things Like That' and 'So Much In Love With You' in the UK as well as recording an album made up mainly of Beatles covers calling themselves The KopyKats. They disbanded in 1967 and Ian occasionally sang solo and with other groups but died unexpectedly in October 2007.

Keep The Ball Rollin' - Jay & The Techniques

In 1966, Philadelphia based writer and producer, Jerry Ross signed a production deal with Mercury records to help find new talent and groom them for stardom. Amongst his successes were Keith of '98.6' fame, Spanky & Our Gang, Bobby Hebb and after hearing a demo of 'Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie', set about finding a group to record it. Jay & The Techniques hailed from Allentown, Pennsylvania, with lead singer, Jay Proctor and second vocalist, George “Lucky” Lloyd. They were teamed with an all white backing band becoming one of the first integrated groups on the pop scene. The record reached number six in the States and this their follow up made it to number fourteen.

Dominique - The Singing Nun

? and the Mysterians

The record of 'Dominique' by Soeur Sourire (Sister Smile) better known as The Singing Nun came about when two nuns arrived at the Brussels branch of Philips records and asked if they could pay to have a few hundred copies of some of their songs pressed up to give away as presents. It was the busy Christmas period and a company executive politely sent them on their way. Three months later, they were back and this time Philips agreed to give them a few hours of studio time in which they recorded over a dozen songs. The company executives were so impressed with the result that they decided to manufacture thousands of albums by the sister and released it throughout Europe and some months later deciding on 'Dominique' as a single that became an International hit.

96 Tears - ? & The Mysterians

The biggest mystery about this single was the identity of the lead singer and although it was a mystery in 1966, it’s no secret today. Behind the sunglasses that he never removed in public, question mark was Mexican born Rudy Martinez. He was raised in Michigan as were his fellow group members. The song, '96 Tears' was written by Rudy some four years before the group came together and started out as a poem called 'Too Many Teardrops'.

Autumn Almanac - The Kinks

The Kinks

This became the group’s twelfth consecutive single to make the UK top twenty, however, they only managed one further major hit in the sixties in 1969 with 'Days', reaching number twelve. They then had to wait almost four years to repeat their success when 'Supersonic Rocket Ship' reached number sixteen in 1972. Davies had inspiration 'Autumn Almanac' whilst watching a local gardener at work at his home town of Muswell Hill in North London.

Everlasting Love - The Love Affair

After Decca dropped the band, they came to the attention CBS where under the direction of ex Spencer Davis Group member, Muff Winwood recorded a version of Robert Knight’s American hit, 'Everlasting Love' but the recording was rejected by company bosses who decided to allow them a second attempt at the song this time with Mike Smith producing and an arrangement by Keith Mansfield. Lead singer, Stevie Ellis was the only member of the group to appear on the record as seasoned session musicians played the rest of the instruments but resulted in a number one hit.

How Wonderful To Know - Pearl Carr & Teddy Johnson

Singing stars Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson were rarely off our television screens during the late fifties and early sixties. Carr had worked with several popular big bands and Johnson had led his own five piece amateur band at the age of fourteen then three years later he was singing and playing drums professionally as well as having a spell on Radio Luxembourg as a DJ. Their first hit came in 1959 when they represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest being placed second with 'Sing Little Birdie'. They then had to wait two years before they next made the charts with their only other hit, 'How Wonderful To Know'.