Brian's Weekly Sleevenotes - 5 September 15

From Helen Shapiro to Jimi Hendrix and The Who - discover the stories behind the songs in this week's show...

Let’s Talk About Love - Helen Shapiro (1962)

One of the many songs featured in the very first movie directed by Richard Lester, ‘It’s Trad Dad’ that was re-titled ‘Ring-A-Ding Rhythm’, for the American market as they were unfamiliar with the term “trad”. The story is based around two characters, Craig and Helen, played by Craig Douglas and Helen Shapiro, who along with a group of friends take on a the local mayor and his group of adults who object to the youngster’s crave for traditional jazz and attempt to have the juke box removed from the local coffee shop. The movie also featured Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen, Acker Bilk & His Paramount Jazz Band, The Temperance Seven, Chubby Checker, Gene Vincent, Del Shannon and many, many more.

War Paint - The Brook Brothers - (1961)

Ricky and Geoff Brook really were brothers and originally called The Brooks Brothers. In 1958, they entered and won a talent contest in Southampton that was broadcast on Southern TV’s ‘Home Grown’. After releasing a couple of failed singles, they were offered a deal with Pye under the direction of Tony Hatch and their first single for the label was ‘Say The Word’ at which time they dropped the ‘s’ from their name. When the record failed to make sufficient impact, Hatch found the boys an obscure song written by Barry Mann and Howie Greenfield called ‘Warpaint’. The record looked as though it was going to be another flop but after almost four months after its initial release, the record began picking up airplay and entered the charts on March 30th 1961 and a few weeks later reached number five.

Two Streets - Val Doonican (1967)

We were saddened to learn of the passing of the talented family entertainer, Val Doonican back in July this year. We promised in an earlier show that we’d pay a proper tribute to him at a later date so we thought it fitting to play one of his hits followed by the type of Irish comedy songs that Val always enjoyed performing on his Saturday night BBC TV show. The hit comes from 1967 called ‘Two Streets’ written by Chris Andrews which we’ll follow by one of his most loved story of ‘Paddy McGinty’s Goat’.

Cloud Nine - The Temptations (1969)

Original Temptations member, Otis Williams was a big fan of Sly & The Family Stone’s hit, ‘Dance To The Music’ and suggested to their song writer and producer, Norman Whitfield that perhaps he could come up with a similar but fresh and different sounding record. Dismissing the possibility out of hand and suggested the sound was just a passing fantasy. Some weeks later he arrived at the studio claiming he wanted to do something fresh and different and presented the group with ‘Cloud Nine’. It became their final UK hit of the sixties and Otis Williams claimed, ‘so this is the passing fantasy.

Wicked Woman - Orville Woods (1963)

In 1963, singer James Marcus Smith decided he’d record under the name of Orville Woods and put word out that he was a new black singer on the block with a self written rocker. After its initial release, it received high rotation plays on the American black radio stations but when the truth came out about Mr Woods’ deception, the interest in the record declined. Although it was disappointing at the time, the following year he re-emerged as P. J. Proby and the start of a successful recording career.

Hi-Ho Silver Lining - Jeff Beck (1967)

Still one of the biggest floor filling singles around, the record made the charts for the second time reaching number seventeen in 1972 when it was reissued. The song was also famous for being the anthem of Sheffield Wednesday and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC. It was played at their home grounds of Hillsborough and Molineux as the players ran out onto the pitch, with supporters replacing the highpoint of the chorus with 'Hi Ho Sheffield Wednesday and 'Hi Ho Wolverhampton!' respectively. The song was also an unofficial anthem of the city of Wolverhampton, as the song is often played in pubs, clubs and bars around the city with people singing the same modified chorus lyrics as are sung at Molineux.

Surf City - Jan & Dean (1963)

Co written by Jan Berry and Beach Boy, Brian Wilson, the single topped the American charts for two weeks it was April 12th 1966 that Jan Berry received severe head injuries in a car crash. Doctors said he’d never walk again but refused to listen and ultimately succeeded. Just prior to the accident, Jan and Dean released a single called ‘Batman’, inspired by the American TV series starring Adam West and Burt Ward.

The Asphalt Jungle - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra (1961)

‘The Asphelt Jungle’ was a 1950 hit movie directed by John Houston with a then unknown Marilyn Monroe taking on a small but important part a small role and not originally included in the cast listings. In 1961 a short lived spinoff TV series starring Jack Warden was cancelled after thirteen episodes but its saving grace was having Duke Ellington compose the main theme which was played by his Orchestra.

I Can’t Shake It - Etta James (1964)

Etta James recorded ‘I Can’t Shake It’ for the Chess label in 1964 but for unknown reasons was deemed unsuitable for release. Fortunately the track was rescued from the vaults by the Kent label in 2011 when they issued her compilation, ‘Who’s Blue’ and has subsequently been played on a regular basis at London’s top soul venue, ‘The Good Foot’ by resident DJ Snowboy who also included the track on his recently released CD on the BGP label.

51st Anniversary - The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1967)

Recorded during the sessions for the album ‘Are You Experienced’ by The Jimi Hendrix Experience and often regarded as one of the greatest debut LP’s in the history of rock music, ‘51st Anniversary’ was not included on the original issue of the album but was released on the ‘B’ side of their second hit single, ‘Purple Haze’ It was the first time that Hendrix allowed guitar overdubs on any of his tracks and was later included on re-issues of the album.

I Just Can’t Help It - The Clickettes (1963)

This single bears more than a passing similarity to ‘Easier Said Than Done’ by The Essex, both of which were released in the same year. The Clickettes were just part of a number of female singers that made up girl groups for the American Checker label. Any mix of singers would be used to record under a variety of names but this was the only single made by the original group who had to change their name to The Fashions when they left the label who held the rights to their name.

Rockin’ Fever - Joe Carl & The Dukes Of Rhythm (1960)

We close this week with a track from the eleventh CD release by Ace records in their series ‘Boppin’ At The Bayou’. This is by Nolan Joseph Duplantis, the real name of Joe Carl who is backed by The Dukes Of Rhythm who recorded this 1960 Louisiana rock and roll track ‘Rockin’ Fever’.

I Can See For Miles - The Who (1967)

This became their biggest American hit and their only single to make the US. Pete Townshend was inspired to write the song after meeting his future wife, Karen as a reminder that when he was on tour with The Who, he could still keep an eye on her from miles away.