Voices Of The Millennium on Rev-Ola
This most recent release from Rev-Ola comprises of long lost demos
for "The Blue Marble" album. Recorded at Western/United Studios and
Sound City Studios during 1969-1970, these demos feature radically different
versions of the album's songs. Some of these demos, featuring guest
vocalists like Sandy Salisbury, Lee Mallory, Curt Boettcher, and Chuck Girard,
didn't even make it to the released album. Regardless of that fact,
these lost but now found gems are a joy to listen to. It futher strengthens
my thought that many of Gary Usher's demos could truly be considered as released
masters. The eleven demos that comprise this release were engineered
by Keith Olsen and Dave Batchelor. Olsen and Usher worked together
on these demos as producers. Thanks to Joe Foster and Joey Stec for
getting this jewel out to our blue marble.
For more information.
February 2003
Lee and Sandy on Rev-Ola
The folks at Rev-Ola are helping us Millennium afficianados
in the UK and the USA have easier access to unreleased music by Lee Mallory
and Sandy Salisbury that once was only available on Japan's Dreamsville label.
Thus far they have released Lee's "That's The Way It's Gonna Be" and
Sandy's "Falling To Pieces". Both issues contain exquisitly done demo
tracks that had been hidden in the vaults for years. What is amazing
about these tracks is that sound as if they are completed master tracks ready
for release.
On Mallory's disc, we are treated the varied range of his voice. On
some tracks, his voice reminds me of recent releases issued by the great PF
Sloan. This disc further displays the vast array of Mallory's musical
capabilites.
Sandy's disc is also a treat for the ears. His
unreleased demos beg the question of why they have been hiding in the vaults
for all these years? Always shadowed by the voice of Curt Boettcher,
Salisbury brings his own angelic sounds to the tracks found on this release.
Both issues have additional tracks that are not found on the Dreamsville
releases. Thus, they are a must for the completist's collection! The
only downside is that on Sallisbury's release, "Lonely Girl" is listed on
the track listing but does not appear on the disc. Furthermore, "Married
To The Wind", which appears on the Dreamsville release, does not appear
on the Rev-Ola release. Joe Foster states that they wanted to make the
Dreamsville release unique so it was deleted from the Rev-Ola release.
Either way, you cannot go wrong with acquiring either disc for your collection!
Don't forget to visit this label's website.
September 2002
Poptones Does It Again
If you have been vacationing too much this summer, then you’ve missed
the release of more Gary Usher and Curt Boettcher releases from our friends
at Poptones in England. Even if you knew about them and you still haven’t
added them to your collection, what are you waiting for?
First up is the Curt Boettcher produced supergroup California and
their previously unreleased album “Passionfruit” (MC5037CD). Although
several of the tracks from these sessions were released as singles, the album
never materialized. Titles include “Jamaica Farewell”, “Music, Music,
Music”, “Happy in Hollywood”, “This Is Just to Let You Know I Love You”,
and many, many more. Boettcher produced the album during his
disco DJ time frame. It was interesting to hear The Beatles’ “The Word”
done disco. Barring the several disco tunes that grace the disc, the
lush Boettcher vocals and orchestrations during the first half on the album
are truly amazing. Assisting Boettcher are none other than the likes
of Gary Usher, Brian Wilson, and Bruce Johnston to name a few.
Next is the previously unreleased Gary Usher produced “Add Some Music
To Your Day (A 1970 Symphonic Tribute To Brian Wilson” (MC5038CD).
Recorded at Capitol Records in January 1970, Usher’s label “Together Records”
folded one week before the album was completed. Artwork and liner notes
were even completed. What baffles the mind is why no one ever released
the album until now. Although a Hollyridge Strings style rendition
of Brian Wilson penned songs, this recording is still an enjoyable listen.
Tracks include “Caroline, No”, “The Warmth of the Sun”, “God Only Knows”,
and “In My Room”. One of the true highlights of the album is a medley
which includes “Fall Breaks Into Winter”, “Good Vibrations” and “Heroes &
Villains”. This is Brian Wilson at his best honored by one of his dearest
friends, Gary Usher. My only complaint about the album is that is too
short. Maybe that’s best, wanting more so you’ll play it one more time.
Lastly is the compact disc release of the previously released album
on the Together Records label: The Byrds’ “Preflyte”. Recorded in 1964,
this disc is comprised mostly of early demos of The Byrds before landing their
contract with Columbia Records. As far as I know this is the first
time this album has been available on compact disc. Hearing The Byrds
at their rawest without overdubs is a must for any fan of the group.
For more information on these and other Poptones releases, visit
their website
July 2001
Poptones Releases The Millennium Quartet
For a few months now, hard to find Gary Usher/Curt Boettcher related
recordings have been available in Japan. Acquiring some of those recordings
have become easier thanks to Poptones in England. If you haven’t heard
of Poptones, they are basically the Rev-Ola label reborn. Rev-ola provided
us with some great Usher/Boettcher recordings with the long awaited release
of “The Ballroom” album and a rerelease of “Eternity’s Children” amongst others.
With the four recently released compact discs based around “The Millennium,”
Poptones continues the Rev-Ola tradition.
First up is Curt Boettcher’s “Misty Mirage” (MC5007CD). The
first impression is that what we hear with Boettcher’s voice testifies to
the great angelic voice that Gary Usher and Brian Wilson heard all those
years ago coming out of Colombia Records Studio D. Tracks such as “Misty
Mirage” and “Another Time” just send chills up and down the spine.
Some of the instrumental tracks are also a testimony of Boettcher’s great
abilities not only as a singer, but as a writer/arranger as well. Of
interest are commercial tracks for “Stretch Levis” and “Crown Paper Towels.”
If the pocketbook will not allow you to purchase all four at once, this is
the one to start with.
Next up is The Millennium’s “Again” (MC5012CD). Most of the
tracks that are found on their original LP are available here, but in a slightly
different format. The best way to describe this album is that is it
“Begin Unplugged.” It starts off with “Prelude” and moves onto “Claudia
On Thursday.” One of the bonus tracks is a “Wearing Levis” commercial.
One of not often heard members of The Millennium is Sandy Salisbury.
His “Sandy Salisbury” (MC5008CD) album is geared a little more to the pop
rock genre. His voice definitely fits The Millennium format.
One tune, “The Hills of Vermont” almost has a country feel. Maybe one
of the reasons Salisbury never found popularity as a solo artist was due
to his experimenting with different musical formats. Although a variety
of musical tastes are found on this album, they are an enjoyable listen.
Last up is Joey Stec’s also self titled album, “Joey Stec” (MC5005CD).
Where Salisbury seems to be attempting to find a musical niche with his
solo recordings, Stec’s album shows how he was heading into a country flavored
pop rock style. Not as angelic of a singer as Boettcher or Salisbury,
Stec is a great vocalist in his own right. His voice brings more or
a harder edge to his recordings that fits well with his style of music.
Rev-Ola was known for their great liner notes. I can’t make
mention of the wealth or lack thereof in the Poptones releases since the
advance copies I received to review did not contain liner notes. Hopefully
Poptones retained the services of Dawn Eden who provided just great notes
in Rev-Ola’s “The Ballroom” compact disc. Regardless of the quality
of the liner notes, you can’t go wrong with buying any of these four albums.
For more information regarding this Poptones series, you can surf
to From
The Vaults
March 2001
Now Available!
The Hondells - Vol. 4: More Aliases and Early Recordings
ATM Records of Germany has recently released the long awaited volume
four in their Hondells series. This is the
best one so far! It contains 37 tracks including the complete "Dracula's
Deuce" album from The Ghouls, The
Super Stocks, Lloyd Thaxton, Gary Usher, The Indigos, and The Hondells.
Many of these cuts have never been
available in a legitimate, high quality release. It you can't find
it at your local CD shop, contact ATM
Records directly.
Now Available! From Tiny Ripple
Books
Add Some Music To Your Day
Analyzing and Enjoying the Music of the Beach Boys
This is a book that no Gary Usher or Beach Boys fan should be without!
A new book which presents the best of Add Some Music, the
respected and fondly-remembered Beach Boys fanzine of 1978-1984. Over 40
newly-edited articles, essays and reviews provide a serious and critical
perspective on the music of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys.
For ordering information, click here to contact Tiny Ripple Books.
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