Brian's Weekly Sleevenotes - 26 September 15

Bite-sized stats and music facts about the songs in our playlist...

I’m The One - Gerry & The Pacemakers (1964)

After a run of three consecutive number one hits, Gerry decided to write his own follow up but it only managed a peak position of number two. The group were originally called Gerry Marsden and The Mars Bars but had to change it to Gerry & The Pacemakers after the sweets company complained.

The Pale Faced Indian - Marvin Rainwater (1960)

The very first recording of the hit song, (The Lament Of The Cherokee) Indian Reservation was by its composer, John D Loudermilk, then Englishman Don Fardon recorded it in 1968 and achieved an American top twenty hit and it charted all over Europe apart from the UK where it reached number three when re-issued in 1970. The Following year, a version by Paul Revere and The Raiders topped the American charts but way before that back in 1960, country singer, Marvin Rainwater recorded the song as The Paleface Indian which is now included on a new thirty-four track CD from Jasmine, “Marvin Rainwater-A Whole Lotta Marvin.

I’ve Got You Under My Skin - The Four Seasons (1966)

The song was originally written by Cole Porter for the 1936 Oscar nominated movie, Born To Dance starring James Stewart and Eleanor Powell and performed by Virginia Bruce. The song was subsequently recorded by dozens of other artists including Ray Noble, Ella Fitzgerald, Al Bowley, Cab Calloway even became Frank Sinatra’s signature tune. It was after The Four seasons’ record producer, Bob Crewe, who sadly died a few weeks ago, saw Sinatra in concert in Las Vegas that he decided he wanted The Four Seasons to record it.

Blue Monday - Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (1965)

On the 17th October, Georgie Fame will embark on an eleven night tour with his band The Blue Flames that now include his sons Tristan and James in the line up. To commemorate the occasion, Universal Music are releasing a deluxe five CD set of Georgie’s complete recordings between 1963 and 1966 together with four of his classic albums, Rhythm And Blues at The Flamingo, Fame At Last, Sound Venture with The Harry South Big Band and Sweet Things along with a bonus disc that includes rarities and collectables.

All Your Love - John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton (1966)

In 1965 John Mayall and his Bluesbreakers were released from their Decca contract after one unsuccessful live album release. Just over a year later they had become the most influential blues band in the Western world and with no hard feelings, re-signed with Decca by which time, Eric Clapton had joined the band. Although they wanted to release a second live LP, they were persuaded into the studio by producer Mike Vernon and their album, Blues Breakers reached number nine on the charts in the UK. This is the opening track on side one, the Otis Rush song, All Your Love.

All Along The Watchtower - The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1968)

Written by Bob Dylan for his album, John Wesley Harding, and a song that Dylan had performed more in concerts than any other of his compositions. Hendrix began work on his version in January, 1968 with Dave Mason on guitar who just happened to turn up for the recording. Halfway through the session, bass player Noel Redding got fed up with the arguments amongst the other musicians, so he packed up and left. Mason then took over the bass part that in the end was replaced by Hendrix himself. Hendrix was still dissatisfied with the final result and continued to make changes to the track overdubbing guitar parts for months to come. Becoming increasingly unhappy with the results, he continued to make changes until finally he was forced to deliver a finished version for release on his Electric Ladyland album in September, 1968 with which he was still not totally happy.

I Do - Chris Ravel & The Ravers (1963)

Chris Ravel was born in Romford in Essex and by the time he was in his teens had formed his own band, The Ravers who would be found playing gigs in some of London’s leading night clubs. In March 1959 he made his TV debut on Jack Good’s Oh Boy! pop show and was re-booked the following month to perform a cover of Cliff Richard’s first hit, Move It. In 1963 his group released their one and only single called “I Do” but when it failed to chart, they were dropped by their label, Decca but Chris would return two years later with his first solo hit, Yesterday Man under the name of Chris Andrews.

What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted - Jimmy Ruffin (1966)

Written by Jimmy Dean, Paul Riser and William Witherspoon who had hoped The Motown Spinners might record it. However, Ruffin was walking past the music room where the writers were putting finishing touches to the song and overheard it. He rushed in begged the team to allow him the chance to sing it as he could relate to the anguished lyric about heartbreak. Originally there was a spoken intro but in the final mix, the words were omitted on this final mix

Another Day - Barry Goldberg Reunion (1968)

Chicago born Barry Goldberg formed The Electric Flag with Mike Bloomfield in 1967 and has played keyboards on records by many leading performers including Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, Leonard Cohen and Percy Sledge as well as forming The Barry Goldberg Reunion in 1968, the year he recorded this track, Another Day.

Prancing - Ike & Tina Turner’s Kings of Rhythm (1962)

Ike Turner was one of the pioneers in field of rock and roll, R&B and soul music, this track, Prancing was originally recorded by him in 1959 with a rock and roll treatment but he decided to re-work his composition in 1961 to fit in with the new sound he was developing at Sue Records. This second version of the piece was released as the ‘B’ side of Ike and Tina’s R&B hit, It’s Gonna Work Out Fine.

The Peppermint Twist - Danny Peppermint & The Jumpin’Jacks (1961)

Rock and Roll singer, Danny Lamego had been trying to find success for half a decade when he recorded The Peppermint Twist, a successful attempt to cash in on the dance that was becoming all the rage at the famous Peppermint Lounge in new York. Danny and The Jumpin’ Jacks released their single two weeks after the club’s resident band Joey Dee & The Starliters had issued their authorised tribute. A few weeks later, Lamego was nearly killed when he received a severe electric shock from a faulty microphone while appearing in a show in Las Vegas. Unlike his career, he eventually recovered.

Then He Kissed Me - The Crystals (1963)

After the success of Da Doo Ron Ron The Crystals and their management team were in search of an equally strong song for the follow up release which finally came in the shape of “Then He Kissed Me” written by hit making husband and wife Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich. It became the first record on which all four members of the group were featured with fifteen year old Delores ‘La La’ Brooks taking up the role as lead singer. The ‘B’ side was an instrumental called “Brother Julius” named after a hamburger stand close to the Gold Star studios where the recording took place.