Pure Magic - the Shady Dell Attic: 100+ Years of History and Mystery!

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Showing posts with label Kim Weston. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kim Weston. Show all posts

Saturday, February 29, 2020

Dell Rat Tom's Jukebox Giants - Volume 4:
A Tale of Two Ditties - Gimme Some Lovin'


BOOTH ANNOUNCER GARY OWENS:
...and the cow was returned to its rightful owner.


And that's the latest from S-P-M-M news...
fast, up-to-the-minute, completely fake
and proud of it. Now stand by for

 DELL RAT TOM'S 

 JUKEBOX GIANTS 

on the station that's #1 for music and fun - S-P-M-M!

CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
(COLD SHOW OPEN)

START PLAYING VIDEO
AT 1:14 MARK!


"Hanky Panky" - The Shondells
(June/July 1966, highest chart pos. #1)

The Shondells leading us off with "Hanky Panky," another song that
gained a new set of naughty lyrics thanks to me and my Dell rat buddies.
By the way, "Hanky Panky" is a lot older than you might think. It was
written in 1963 and first waxed by a girl group called The Summits -
another cool record. The version you just heard by Tommy James
and his group was first released in early 1964 and again in '65,
but it took until the summer of 1966 to become a #1 smash.




Hi and welcome to the show!
I'm Dell Rat Tom back here on
S-P-M-M with another edition
of Jukebox Giants spotlighting
the greatest hits that played
in the dance hall of my old
hangout the Shady Dell
in York, Pennsylvania.



This special leap year edition is called "A Tale of Two Ditties" because I'm playing
two great versions of the same song -"Gimme Some Lovin'." One version was
released in the U.S. and the other in the UK.  In December 1966 The Jordan
Brothers, a veteran rock 'n' roll band from Frackville, PA, a town 60 miles
from York, became the first to release "Gimme Some Lovin'" as a single.
The record was just catching on when it was eclipsed by a version
waxed by the Spencer Davis Group, a Brit band that featured the
vocals of budding solo star Steve Winwood who wrote the song.

CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!

Although the platter recorded by The Jordan Brothers' merely Bubbled Under
on the national chart, it was big on the East Coast, big in Philadelphia, big on
York's WSBA radio and Lancaster's WLAN, and very big at the Shady Dell.
Listen now to the version of "Gimme Some Lovin'" 4 out of 5 Dell rats
recommend, the one they played more often. Coming in at #63 on
my list of The 200 Greatest Hits of the Shady Dell, a genuine
Jukebox Giant by-- The Jordan Brothers!


"Gimme Some Lovin'" - The Jordan Brothers
(Jan. 1967, highest chart pos. #129)

Frackville's finest - the Jordan Brothers - who began making records
way back in 1958, and their version of "Gimme Some Lovin"
released at the end of 1966.


Now here's the conclusion of my tale of
two ditties, the same song as recorded
by The Spencer Davis Group.

CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!

The two versions of "Gimme Some Lovin'" charted
simultaneously for a couple of weeks in January of
'67, but the Jordan Brothers' record stalled at #129
while Winwood took his catchy composition all the
way to #7. The British record was also popular at
the Dell, ranked #78 on my Dell's Greatest Hits
survey. Listen now to The Spencer Davis Group
and their rendition of-- "Gimme Some Lovin'!"


"Gimme Some Lovin'"- The Spencer Davis Group
 (Jan./Feb. 1967, highest chart pos. #7)


A tale of two ditties - two great versions of "Gimme Some Lovin'" -
both records hot in the Shady in the early months of 1967. 

As much fun as the Dell was in summer...
it was pure magic in winter, and here's
another song from the same time period
that "Gimme Some Lovin'" was popular -
the frigid nights of January and February
1967. I can still see Dell rats huddled in
front of the fireplace to keep warm.
Outside it's chilling. The mercury is
dropping down to minus ten below
(the "feels like" temp). It's snowing
hard. Your parents called you crazy
for going out on a wicked night like
this, but you had to make the scene.
Feel the warmth radiating from that
roaring blaze. John just threw another
big log on the fire. Wet snow clung to
the wood and it’s starting to sizzle.
Can you hear the sound, Dell rats?

CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!

Meanwhile, out on the dance floor, couples cuddle to
Tommy Roe’s solid cold classic-- "It's Now Winter's Day!"


"It's Now Winter's Day" - Tommy Roe
(Jan./Feb. 1967, highest chart pos. #23)

A roaring fire, a smoky haze, body heat, romance, perfumed hair
that I can smell to this day... essence that I liked so well. Sweet, misty
memories of the Dell in winter - "It's Now Winter's Day" by Tommy Roe.

If you're just  tuning in, I'm Dell Rat Tom bringing you Jukebox Giants,
the greatest Dell songs of the mid 60s here on S-P-M-M Radio.

As a teenager there were three coming-of-age
milestones that I couldn't wait to reach: getting
my driver's license, owning my first car and
buying my first Magnificent Men album.
A fact of life, a fundamental part of
growing up in Central PA, was a
love of "The Mag Men."

START VIDEO NOW!

Already soulfully inclined... Dell rats were
all the more receptive to what the Mag Men
were puttin' down because they were a home-
grown act... with roots in York and "The Burg."
Here's one of the great songs from that 1967
album, Dave Bupp, Buddy King and the
Magnificent Men-- "Cry With Me Baby!"


"Cry With Me Baby" - The Magnificent Men
(from 1967 album The Magnificent Men)


Our hometown heroes, The Mag Men, and "Cry With Me Baby"
from their eponymous debut album on Capitol. You're listening
to Jukebox Giants with Dell Rat Tom on S-P-M-M...
where all the cool oldies go to live forever.

Our seven song block party continues now with
a super sound from Motown. Like many other
60s artists, Kim Weston started out singing
gospel before making the switch to secular
Soul. Here's a Kim Weston song that missed
the R&B top 10 but was sandwiched between
her two top 5 hits - her original version of
"Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A
Little While)" and "It Takes Two,"
her hit duet with Marvin Gaye.

CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!

This one played nightly in the Dell dance hall
and ushered in the spring of 1966. At #177 on
the Dell Hits list, Kim Weston is-- "Helpless!"


"Helpless" - Kim Weston
(Mar./Apr. 1966, highest chart pos. #13 R&B/#56 Hot 100)

That was "Helpless," a sensational yet under-performing
song by a sensational and underrated Motown artist -
Miss Kim Weston - who is now 80 years old.

Hey, time's up, and I gotta head for home to
beat the curfew. Stay tuned. Coming up on
the B side of news, it's my good buddy
Ernest P. Worrell with the premiere of
his new show Rock-A-Billygoat right
here on S-P-M-M, the station that's
number one for music and fun.

START VIDEO NOW!

Hang on because I'll be back soon with another
edition of Jukebox Giants - the greatest hits of
the Shady Dell. As I leave you with "My Girl"
 by The Temptations- #83 on the Dell survey,
this is Dell Rat Tom reminding you to make
every day a holiday... and every night a
Shady Dell night!


"My Girl" - The Temptations
(Feb./Mar. 1965, highest chart pos. #1 Hot 100/#1 R&B)

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

How Sarah Got Her Groove Back, Vol. 3:
Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy!


Welcome to volume 3 of my series
How Sarah Got Her Groove Back!

NADV 1502031AM1 Sarah Collins. Picture : Adrian Murray (1502031AM1)

Sarah Collins, as you recall, is the mum of two in Yorkshire, England,
who underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor, bounced back to health
and became a sensation on YouTube in recent years with shot-at-home
videos in which she sings covers of Northern Soul favorites.





Sarah also appears at clubs in England
and other parts of Europe fronting the
Northern Soul band Keep The Faith.
So captivated am I by Sarah's story
and soulful singing that I created
this series to showcase her covers
along with the original versions.





 THE TAMS 

The five man Atlanta R&B group The Tams derived their name from
the tam o'shanter's caps they wore on stage. The Tams specialized
in Carolina Beach Music, the style of music and dance
(the shag) popular in the Southeastern U.S.



The Tams' biggest hit came at the
beginning of 1964 when "What Kind
of Fool (Do You Think I Am)" reached
the top 10, no small feat at the height
of Beatlemania. The group landed their
last record on the Hot 100 in 1968.
"Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy"
was a minor pop hit and penetrated
the top 30 on the R&B chart.

 "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy" 
 The Tams (July 1968, highest chart 
 pos. #61 Hot 100/#26 R&B




 SARAH COLLINS 

Now listen to the exuberant cover performed
by the UK's singing mum, Sarah Collins.

 "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy" 
 Tams cover by Sarah Collins 





 WILSON 
 PICKETT 

Raw, gritty and sweaty are three
adjectives that describe the singing
style of Wilson Pickett, nicknamed
The Wicked Pickett by Atlantic
records executive Jerry Wexler.
In late winter of 1966, Pickett
topped the R&B chart with
"634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.),"
written by Memphis greats
Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper.


 "634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)" - Wilson Pickett 
 (Feb/Mar. 1966, highest chart pos. #1 R&B/#13 Hot 100




 SARAH COLLINS 

Now here's Sarah Collins, a zinger who never phones it in,
with her exciting rendition of "634-5789."

 "634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)" 
 Wilson Pickett cover by Sarah Collins 




 MARVIN GAYE 
 AND KIM WESTON 




By 1964 Marvin Gaye was an established
hit maker for Motown. In the spring of
the year, Marvin released a hit double-
sider as a duo with Mary Wells, "Once
Upon a Time" and "What's The Matter
With You Baby." Both sides cracked
the top 20. At the beginning of 1967
Marvin teamed up with Kim Weston
and scored his biggest duet single to
date, reaching the R&B top 5 with
"It Takes Two," a slab that was also
Marvin's first major hit in the UK.



 "It Takes Two" - Marvin Gaye & Kim Weston 
 (Feb. 1967, highest chart pos. #14 Hot 100/#4 R&B, 
 dancers on Jan. 1967 ep. of American Bandstand

START PLAYING VIDEO
AT 1:15 MARK!




 SARAH COLLINS 

Now once again here is featured artist Sarah Collins
with her interpretation of "It Takes Two."

 "It Takes Two" 
 Marvin Gaye/Kim Weston cover by Sarah Collins 








I hope you enjoyed
the originals along with
these killer kovers by my
good friend in the UK

Sarah Collins.

Have a Shady day!

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Natural Hy - Vol. 1: Ready Or Not, Here I Come!


PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS 15 SECOND SOUND BITE TO
BECOME FAMILIAR WITH HY LIT'S VOICE AND STYLE:




BOOTH ANNOUNCER GARY OWENS:
...and the cow was returned to its rightful owner.


And that's the latest from S-P-M-M news...
fast, up-to-the-minute, completely fake
and proud of it. Now stand by for

 Natural Hy 

on the station that's #1 for music and fun - S-P-M-M!

CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!
(COLD SHOW OPEN)


"1-2-3" - Len Barry
(Nov./Dec. 1965, highest chart pos. #2 Hot 100/#11 R&B,
perf. on Oct. 18, 1965, ep. of Hullabaloo)

The big sound - the bold sound - Philly's own Len Barry,
former lead singer of The Dovells, and his sig-song "1-2-3."


Good day, people! You're taking to the sky on a Natural Hy.
It's my first show here on the greatest little station in the nation, S-P-M-M.
Calling all my beats, beards, Buddhist cats, big time spenders, money lenders,
teetotalers, elbow benders, hog callers, home run hitters, finger poppin’ daddies
and cool babysitters. For all my carrot tops, lollipops, and extremely delicate
gum drops. It's your pal on the radio, Hyski ‘O Roonie McVouti ‘O Zoot.

CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!

Callin' uptown, downtown, crosstown - here, there, everywhere.
Your man with the plan, on the scene with the record machine,
Yours truly Hy Lit, The South Philadelphia Kid, The Potentate
of the Keystone State - all aboard ya'll!


"Love Train" - The Supremes 
 (from 2005 CD The Supremes - Gold)



The Supremes right there inviting us to ride the "Love Train."
Now, from the archives of the Hy Lit TV Show, check out
another super smooth group from the Motor City.

CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!

At the end of 1963 these cool cats brushed the top 40
with a single called "Misery." In '69 they were back
on the chart with this one, "The Ice Cream Song."
They are-- The Dynamics!


"Ice Cream Song" - The Dynamics (Mar./Apr. 1969,
highest chart pos. #59 Hot 100/#17 R&B,
Jan. 1969 perf. on The Hy Lit Show)



One of the coolest sounds ever, "The Ice Cream Song,"
and those mellow fellows, The Dynamics. S-P-M-M
means good music, good memories and good times,
and you're on a Natural Hy with Hyski.

This cool daddy was nicknamed "Lovin John" and
"The Toast of the Coast." He was Mr. John Dolphin,
a Los Angeles record label owner and founder of
Dolphin's of Hollywood. From the late 40s until
his murder in 1958, Dolphin's was one of the
grooviest record stores in the land -
open 24 hours a day.

CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!

Dolphin's artist roster included this fine group, The Ebonaires.
From 1959, on Dolphin's Lena label, the doo-wop classic-- "Love Call."


"Love Call" - The Ebonaires (January 1959,
uncharted B side of "Somewhere In My Heart")

The Ebonaires on Natural Hy... with a pretty one-- "Love Call."


If you're just tuning in, this is your pal on the radio Hyski -
Hy Lit - and you're listening to my first show, my first blogcast
on S-P-M-M, the station that's #1 for music and fun.

CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!

The smooth sound - the sweet sound - The Sound
of Philadelphia. Philly's Phinest, the guys who unleashed
the monster hit "La-La (Means I Love You)." Ready or not,
here they come with another great one-- The Delfonics!


"Ready Or Not Here I Come (Can't Hide From Love)"
The Delfonics (Jan. 1969, highest chart pos.
#35 Hot 100/#14 R&B)




CLICK TO START
THE VIDEO NOW!

You're tuned to Natural Hy on the greatest little station
in the nation, S-P-M-M, yours truly Hyski. From the vaults,
an unreleased slab of Motown magic - soul sensation
Kim Weston and-- "You Hit Me (Where It Hurt Me)!"


"You Hit Me (Where It Hurt Me)" - Kim Weston
(Dec. 1965, unreleased)



That wraps up our first edition of Natural Hy. Glad you could be here.
Stay tuned for The Geator with the Heater, The Boss with the Sauce,
Jerry Blavat, coming up next on the flipside of news.

CLICK TO START THE VIDEO NOW!

I'll be back in no time with another stack of solid senders... platters that matter...
every spinner a winner....right here at the greatest little station in the nation,
the place where the cool oldies go to live forever, the spot on your radio
dial that's #1 for music and fun: S-P-M-M. Now this is your pal
Hyski ‘O Roonie McVouti ‘O Zoot, reminding you to maintain
your cool, don't be nobody's fool. Later, gang... over and out!


"Natural High" - Bloodstone (May 1973, highest chart pos.
#10 Hot 100/#4 R&B, from 1973 album Natural High)