Brian's Weekly Sleevenotes - 20 Jun 15

From Billy J. Kramer to Nancy Sinatra and Donovan - discover the stories behind the songs in this week's playlist...

I’ll Keep You Satisfied - Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas

This became the group’s third consecutive top five UK hit, all of which were written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. It was also at this time that Billy became the first artist from the new wave of British recording artists to visit the US for a promotional trip. Manager Brian Epstein took him there three months before The Beatles followed in his footsteps.

I’ll Take You Home - The Drifters

Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, this single was the closing track taken from The Drifters’ 1963 album, ‘Under The Boardwalk’ and features Johnny Moore on lead vocals. He joined the group in 1955 before he was drafted into the US army then after his discharge recorded as a soloist under the name of Johnny Darrow, then in 1964 back with The Drifters, he became their lead singer following the death of Rudy Lewis and is recognised as being the group’s longest serving member.

Tell Me What He Said - Helen Shapiro

Written by Jeff Barry, who co- wrote dozens hit songs with Ellie Greenwich including ‘Be My Baby’, ‘I Can Hear Music’ and ‘Leader Of The Pack’. ‘Tell Me What He Said’ was a cover of the original American release by Ginny Arnell who started her recording career performing duets with the late Gene Pitney as Jamie and Jane. It became Helen Shapiro’s fourth consecutive top three hits that included her two number ones, ‘You Don’t Know’ and ‘Walkin’ Back To Happiness’.

Jack That Cat Was Clean - Dr Horse

This recording by Dr Horse is recognised by modern jazz enthusiasts as being an undiscovered classic that paid homage to cool but expensive clothes. The monologue by the good doctor Horse tells the tale of Bobo, a tall, handsome man who knew how knew how to dress and what jewellery to wear and irresistibly swept women off their feet with his classy image.

As Tears Go By - Nancy Sinatra

After the success of Nancy Sinatra’s number one single, ‘These Boots Are Made For Walkin’, it was little wonder that her father Frank’s record label, Reprise, demanded an album to be recorded, so under the supervision of the song’s writer and composer, Lee Hazlewood, work began on the album, ‘Boots’ with musical director, Billy Strange. The opening track on Side one was Nancy’s take on the Mick Jagger and Keith Richard’s song, ‘As Tears Go By’.

You’ll Answer To Me - Cleo Laine

She is the only female performer to have received Grammy nominations in the jazz, popular and classical music categories. Cleo didn’t take up singing seriously until her mid-twenties when she auditioned successfully for a band led by her late husband, John Dankworth, with whom she performed until 1958, when she and Dankworth married. She then pursued her career as a singer and actress and in 1962 she appeared in the play ‘A Time To Laugh’ with Robert Morley, a few months after this became her biggest hit single.

You Better Run - The ‘N’ Betweens

Originally recorded by The Young Rascals, this cover version produced by Kim Fowley was released in December 1966 by young Wolverhampton hopefuls, The ‘N’ Betweens whose line up included Dave Hill, Don Powell, Jim Lea and Noddy Holder. Their first gig together was six week engagement in the Bahamas that turned into a four month run after which they decided to change their name to Ambrose Slade and signed with ex Animals bass player, Chas Chandler to become their manager who encouraged them to drop the Ambrose from their name and Slade were born.

Catch The Wind - Donovan

Donovan’s first release and debut hit ‘Catch The Wind’ was, according to him, inspired by then girlfriend of Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones but later to become his wife, Linda Lawrence. Bass player and one time member of The Shadows, Brian ‘Liquorice’ Locking played bass on the recording and also featured members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra directed by Ken Lewis of The Ivy League fame. Donovan recorded a later longer and acoustic album version of the song without the strings.

Interlude (Time) - Timi Yuro

Whilst Timi was in England in 1968 to record some tracks for her album, “Something Bad On My Mind,” the producers of the movie, ‘Interlude’ starring Oskar Werner and Barbara Ferris, made a deal with Miss Yuro to record the title song for the soundtrack. Written by French composer, Georges De La Rue with English lyrics by Hal Shaper, she was so moved by the song that she decided to re-record it for a single release with a longer intro and in a different key.

Handbags And Gladrags - Chris Farlowe

A song written by Mike D’Abo that has been covered by dozens of artists over the years including Rod Stewart, The Love Affair and Engelbert Humperdinck, but Chris Farlowe was the first. The original demo tape of Mike’s original version recorded in the sixties was discovered in 2004 in a closet belonging to bass player Mo Foster. In 2001, The Stereophonics had the biggest hit with the song, reaching number four on the UK charts.