No dark songs this Saturday Night. Some upbeat numbers to take our minds off the depredatory Left and their depredations. Here are some of my favorite Phil Spector productions. It wouldn't have been the 'sixties without him. I avert my eyes from his later misadventures and remember him for his contributions to the Boomer soundtrack, than which, no doubt, no greater can be conceived.
Crystals, Uptown, 1962.
Crystals, He's a Rebel
Ronettes, Be My Baby
Crystals, Da Doo Ron Ron
Curtis Lee, Pretty Little Angel Eyes.
Great dance video. Curtis Edwin Lee, one-hit wonder, hailed from Yuma, Arizona. He died at 75 years of age on 8 January 2015. Obituary here. His signature number became a hit in 1961, reaching the #7 slot on the Billboard Hot 100. When I discovered that the record was produced by the legendary Phil Spector, I understood why it is so good. After the limelight, Lee returned to Yuma for a normal life. This tune goes out to wifey, with love. When I first espied those angel eyes back in '82, I had the thought, "Here she is, man, the one for you. Go for it!" And I did, and its been very good indeed. Forty years and counting.
Ben E. King, Spanish Harlem, 1960.
Crystals, Then He Kissed Me
Beach Boys, Then I Kissed Her. With a tribute to Marilyn M.
Paris Sisters, I Love How You Love Me, 1961.
Ronettes, Walkin' in the Rain