This Week's Top 10 Chart

[Dave B]

I have been sort of limiting these posts to the mid-sixties to early eigthies because that seems to be where the majority of members interests lie. However, last week's post seemed to stir up some discussion about the early sixties so I thought I give an extra counter clockwise spin on the Wayback and take us a little farther back than usual.

This week we're in the week of April 27, 1963

Normally, I make very few comments about these charts but I have to say that this week is a good example of why the record buying public was ripe for the British invasion to come in about eight months.


1. I Will Follow Him..................................... ...........Little Peggy March
2. Can't Get Used To Losing You..............................Andy Williams
3. He's So Fine.................................... .................The Chiffons
4. Puff The Magic Dragon.................................. ......Peter, Paul & Mary
5. Baby Workout................................. ..................Jackie Wilson
6. Pipeline................................ ............................The Chantay's
7. Don't Say Nothin' Bad About My Baby....................The Cookies
8. Young Lovers.................................. ..................Paul & Paula
9. On Broadway................................ ....................The Drifters
10. Watermelon Man..................................... .........Mongo Santamaria

[BradOlson]

Great chart.

[Gary]

I only know three tunes here.... :( but it's great to look at!

Will you do a '50's one in the future? I probably would not know any of them but if you can do something with Elvis, the Big Bopper, et all, I would find it interesting. And I *will* know a few! And, as a bonus, Steve will get an influx of new remastering requests..... poor guy will probably never be able to retire! ;)

[Grant]

Originally posted by Dave B
I have been sort of limiting these posts to the mid-sixties to early eigthies because that seems to be where the majority of members interests lie. However, last week's post seemed to stir up some discussion about the early sixties so I thought I give an extra counter clockwise spin on the Wayback and take us a little farther back than usual.


I'll just say I like most of the songs on this week's list, but don't have any real emotional attachment to them.

Hey, next week, do a 70s's list. You tend to do more 60s and 80s.

[Jimbo]

About #9--anyone here old enough to remember the TV commercial for Radio Free Europe that featured the Drifters' "On Broadway"? (That's the real Radio Free Europe, not the REM song!) It had a DJ speaking Polish or Czech or some other Slovic language, and he ended by introducing the song: "On Broad-vay." When I was 10, that struck me as hilarious--but I also thought it was a cool song.

Don't ask me why I remember these things, I just do.

[Steve Hoffman]

Hell yes, I remember that.

I thought it was funny too, but that ad made me want to get into broadcasting!!

[Dave B]

Gary and Grant, Originally when I started these I was trying to post a chart for the exact week in a previous year but I found that I was getting stuck in the same years over and over again. So now I'm still trying to stay with in the same week but not necessarily the exact date. It gives me a bit more room to jump around. I went back and pulled the old posts and you're right I have tended to post more 60's and 80's charts (60's - 5, 80's - 5), but I have also posted 3 70's charts and I have never posted a 50's chart. So, next week as per Gary's suggestion, I will probabably post one from the the 50's but I promise to do another 70's chart soon.
Thanks for the suggestions.

[JonUrban]

Originally posted by Jimbo
About #9--anyone here old enough to remember the TV commercial for Radio Free Europe that featured the Drifters' "On Broadway"? (That's the real Radio Free Europe, not the REM song!) It had a DJ speaking Polish or Czech or some other Slovic language, and he ended by introducing the song: "On Broad-vay." When I was 10, that struck me as hilarious--but I also thought it was a cool song.

Don't ask me why I remember these things, I just do.

Hey, I remember that one too! THey played it Saturday morning along with the one with the Indian crying (something about littering, I think!)

:-jon

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Dave B
I have been sort of limiting these posts to the mid-sixties to early eigthies because that seems to be where the majority of members interests lie. However, last week's post seemed to stir up some discussion about the early sixties so I thought I give an extra counter clockwise spin on the Wayback and take us a little farther back than usual.

This week we're in the week of April 27, 1963

Normally, I make very few comments about these charts but I have to say that this week is a good example of why the record buying public was ripe for the British invasion to come in about eight months.


1. I Will Follow Him..................................... ...........Little Peggy March
2. Can't Get Used To Losing You..............................Andy Williams
3. He's So Fine.................................... .................The Chiffons
4. Puff The Magic Dragon.................................. ......Peter, Paul & Mary
5. Baby Workout................................. ..................Jackie Wilson
6. Pipeline................................ ............................The Chantay's
7. Don't Say Nothin' Bad About My Baby....................The Cookies
8. Young Lovers.................................. ..................Paul & Paula
9. On Broadway................................ ....................The Drifters
10. Watermelon Man..................................... .........Mongo Santamaria


All,

I was 12 years old and already a serious 45 collector and a Top 40 radio fan. I Will Follow Him was introduced on the Perry Como show. Peggy March was still a teenager. I was never a fan of this song, just "too cute" for me. Can't Get Used To Losing You was definitely aimed at the "younger" crowd and it worked. Sonically, this recording has weared well. It is very dynamic and was well recorded. Baby Workout was Jackie Wilson's first recording after recovering from a gunshout wound inflicted upon him by a disturbed female fan in late 1961. The Mono single version still sounds better than the Stereo version to my ears. The Chiffons and Cookies tracks were fine examples of the "girl group" sound. The Cookies were produced by George "Shadow" Morton who also produced the Shangri-las. He was almost as influential as Phil Spector for a time. Another forum member mentioned On Broadway. A great song and recording. The Stereo mix is especially dynamic.
Watermelon Man is a fine jazz-crossover track.

1963 was in many ways the real end of the post World War II "good times" in America. John F. Kennedy was assassinated in November of 1963. Dave mentioned the impending British Invasion. The BI was a very profound historical marker in America. The social influence of the BI affected clothing, musical styles and even the behaviors of young people. It became the musical back drop for social change, the sexual revolution and the protests against the war in Vietnam. In late 63', little did we know that we would lose to assassination a President, a social leader and a Presidential candidate, all in a five year period. 1963 was the end of an age of innocence in America.

Musically, the year produced far too many lame Pop hits but there some great songs from 63' and a number of "sonic" gems as well including (these records all sound great):

I Wanna Be Around--Tony Bennett
Sugar Shack--Jimmy Gilmer & the Fireballs (outstanding, deep low-end on this recording)
Easier Said Than Done--Essex (has always sounded great)
Surfin' USA--Beach Boys (we are all familar with is classic as mastered by Steve)
Since I Feel For You--Lenny Welch (a well recorded ballad)
It's My Party--Lesley Gore (big band sound arranged by Quincy Jones)
In Dreams--Roy Orbison
Up On The Roof--Drifters
Ruby Baby--Dion (best sounding recorded hit for him on Columbia)
You're The Devil In Disguise--Elvis (another SH mastered gem)
Another Saturday Night--Sam Cooke
That Sunday, That Summer--Nat King Cole (hope to hear this mastered by Steve one day!)
Surfer Girl--Beach Boys
Busted--Ray Charles (big band arrangement sounds great)
Little Sister--Elvis (one of my favorites as mastered by Steve)
Danke Schoen--Wayne Newton
Mercy, Mercy--Don Covay
Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um--Major Lance (carried over into 64' as a hit)
It's Over--Roy Orbison (very dynamic recording for the time)
Torquay--Fireballs (deep bass demo cut, very well recorded by Norman Petty)
Don't Make Me Over--Dionne Warwick

My advise is to further explore 1963 beyond the Billboard top 40 for the year!

Bob




:)

[Grant]

Originally posted by Jimbo
About #9--anyone here old enough to remember the TV commercial for Radio Free Europe that featured the Drifters' "On Broadway"? (That's the real Radio Free Europe, not the REM song!) It had a DJ speaking Polish or Czech or some other Slovic language, and he ended by introducing the song: "On Broad-vay." When I was 10, that struck me as hilarious--but I also thought it was a cool song.

Don't ask me why I remember these things, I just do.
I remember it as well. I also remember the Boy's Club Of America (?) using Badfinger's "Come And Get It".

These two commercials were aired in the early 70s.

[Grant]

Originally posted by oblio98


Hey, I remember that one too! THey played it Saturday morning along with the one with the Indian crying (something about littering, I think!)

:-jon

Yes, I remember that one, as well as another one with a bad sounding song that went "hate hurts you", accompanied with an animation with images of swastikas and an indian unity sign twisting together.

[Grant]

Bob,

My favorite Major Lance is "The Monkey Time". It had that classic Curtis Mayfield production and feel. In fact, it sounds like it should have been released two years later, even though it fit in well with the sound on the Impression's hits at the time.

My dad was a huge Impressions fan and played all their albums every day!

I always liked "I Will Follow Him". I always liked the big, progressive production. It was Quincy Jones doing Phil Spector.

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Grant
Bob,

My favorite Major Lance is "The Monkey Time". It had that classic Curtis Mayfield production and feel. In fact, it sounds like it should have been released two years later, even though it fit in well with the sound on the Impression's hits at the time.

My dad was a huge Impressions fan and played all their albums every day!

I always liked "I Will Follow Him". I always liked the big, progressive production. It was Quincy Jones doing Phil Spector.

Grant,

Monkey Time by Major Lance--another one of my favorites, a great, great record. It's All Right by the Impressions is on my "favorites of all time list". Remember Amen by the Impressions? I will Follow Him--I too have enjoyed the Quincy Jones arrangement and the music, but that song! Even at age 12, when it was released, it was just "too cute". However, you are correct in saying that the QJ arrangment is wonderful! Historically, that arrangment and orchestra make the song still sound somewhat "fresh".

Bob

[Grant]

Bob,

I never cared for "It's Allright". I always preferred songs like "People Get Ready", "Amen", "Talkin' 'Bout My Baby", and "Gypsy" Woman". I have most of their classic albums on CD 2-fers.

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Grant
Bob,

I never cared for "It's Allright". I always preferred songs like "People Get Ready", "Amen", "Talkin' 'Bout My Baby", and "Gypsy" Woman". I have most of their classic albums on CD 2-fers.

Grant,

Sorry to hear that you do not like It's All Right, but the other Impressions hits that you named are also very good, as well! Gypsy Woman by the Impressions was always better than the Brian Hyland version, in my opinion!

Bob

[Grant]

Originally posted by Bob Lovely

Gypsy Woman by the Impressions was always better than the Brian Hyland version, in my opinion!

Bob
Well, now, I like Brian Hyland's version just as much! It was just produced in a different musical climate.

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Grant

Well, now, I like Brian Hyland's version just as much! It was just produced in a different musical climate.

Grant,

I agree that it was produced in a much different musical climate (well said), but it never moved me the way that the Impressions version did. I always felt that the song belonged in the time when the Impressions originally recorded it versus when Brian recorded his version, personal opinion, to be sure!

Bob :)

[Grant]

Bob, I dunno, it's also kind of like the song "Baby, It's You". Both are good, but Smith's version was just made for a different time. The same can be said of many songs from that period. Another good example is Little Eva/Grand Funk's "The Locomotion".

[Bob Lovely]

Originally posted by Grant
Bob, I dunno, it's also kind of like the song "Baby, It's You". Both are good, but Smith's version was just made for a different time. The same can be said of many songs from that period. Another good example is Little Eva/Grand Funk's "The Locomotion".

Grant,

I cannot argue with your examples and your point! Maybe I never got over Brian Hyland's sappy Sealed With A Kiss--maybe that is my problem with Brian! Smith--another fun group from 1969, 70! Still have their original LP...

I always enjoy our exchanges, thanks!

Bob :)

[Grant]

The 60s and 70s was a time when even the artists did radical style changes. Dion is a good example. You didn't really see much of a progressive change. It just kind of jumped up and smacked you in the head with "Abraham Martin and John".

It was a big leap fron Bobby Vee's "THe Night Has A Thousand Eyes" to "Come Back When You Grow Up".