re: JERSEY BOYS:
You from Joisey? I'm from Joisey!
I saw Frankie Valli perform a couple of years ago in Naperville and his singing was so spot-on as to be unbelievable. So I started watching to see if he was lip-synching (easy to do since I was in the second row). I can say for sure he wasn't, but his mic had to be run through an auto-tuner to sound that perfect.As for the finale of the "Jerey Boys" movie, I read that Clint Eastwood was asked to participate in the finale but declined saying, "A man's gotta know his limitations." Now maybe I'm seeing things, but I swear Clint's old "Play Misty For Me" co-star, Jessica Walter, was in the audience during the scene where Frankie is asked to come up and sing with Tommy's group. But I've seen no mention of it. As for the "Jersey Boys" audience -- 71 percent was over the age of 50 and 84 percent over the age of 35. If you want Hollywood to make any more films for older audiences, you'd better get out and see this one. -- Ron Smith
Our kids were every bit as anxious to see this movie as we were ... we've been buzzing about it for close to three years (when it was first announced that they would make a film ... and well before Clint Eastwood was attached to the project.) We saw the same thing with "Mamma Mia" a few years before that. The younger generation WILL fall in love with this music and embrace it if given the chance. The hope would be that Four Seasons music would start to find its way back on to mainstream radio again ... but the reality has been they've pretty much been reduced to a One Hit Wonder ... and THAT hit was their last, "December, 1963", first released in 1976 and then again (in a remixed format) in 1994.
Other than oldies radio (and even they've cut their Four Seasons play list down to next to nothing), you won't hear much else. Hard to imagine a world without "Sherry", "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like A Man", "Rag Doll", "Save It For Me", "Bye Bye Baby", "Let's Hang On", "Opus 17", "Working My Way Back To You" and "C'mon Marianne" ... but sadly that's the world we currently live in. (And they had nearly 20 MORE Top 40 Hits besides those!!!) kk
Kent,
Have not seen the movie, nor know when I will get it into my schedule, but I love the idea that bringing attention to The Four Seasons will gain a new audience. That DOES give it an automatic redeeming quality for me. Of course, I'm wondering why my students are watching an "R" rated movie, but then I wonder that all the time. Hopefully (in my naïve, half-full way) it is an older group of students who are experiencing this media.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
The R-Rating is primarily for the language ... which is consistently vulgar throughout. (Hey, it's Joisey!!!) Odds are they won't hear anything they haven't heard ... and probably said ... before. I still recommend seeing it ... it's a great piece of '60's history and these songs deserve a place in people's hearts. (kk)
Kent,
Thank you for saving me the price of a movie ticket. I had thought I wanted to see "The Jersey Boys", but it doesn't sound like it is a good investment.
Stacee
I say go see it ... there is enough redeeming material in the film to still make it worth seeing. And let's face it ... we all LOVE this music anyway ... (and where else are you gonna hear it anymore?!?!)
"Jersey Boys" is still worth seeing, despite all of its faults and flaws. (And a HELL of a lot cheaper than Broadway tickets!!! lol) I think every time we saw the stage show it cost us something like $375!!! (Tickets, parking, dinner ... now you can see it at the movie theater for about nine bucks a ticket!!! And, in about six months, probably OWN a copy for around that $20 price tag, too!) kk
kk -
I loved Fred Vail's inside scoop on the Dennis and Carl at a 4 Seasons concert!
Mega thanks,
Phil
I haven't seen the movie so in part I'm just reacting to what I've read. I am planning to see it, because I was always a fan of the 4 Seasons.
I'm actually glad that they didn't turn the movie version in to a giant jukebox and spent some time in actually dramatizing their career.
Now if that first hour drags along, that's not good either. As far as being chronologically correct, the musical didn't do the songs in order either. It really bugged me at the time, but it made sense for the storyline so I had to get over it. <grin>
Since the music is the reason that these people became famous in the first place it should have been spectacular and done as well as it could have been with the recordings as the guidepost.
Just my thoughts, and as usual, FH is the best thing to read every day on the planet.
Bill
The "chronologically" aspect that bothered were little things like Frankie Valli singing "Silhouettes" on the street corner to distract a cop while his buddies made off with a safe ... except the movie showed this all taking place in 1951 and the song wasn't written until 1957. There are at least three other similar examples of this early on in the film during their "formative" years ... music playing that just doesn't fit the timeline.
Then you've got the whole Tommy issue drawing to a head. Tommy gets busted for his underhanded dealings and is shipped off to Las Vegas, never to perform with the group again. And then, at the same meeting, Nick Massi quits. Although no actual date is given in the film, the implication is that these two events took place simultaneously ... and that Bob Gaudio quit the group a few weeks later to concentrate on songwriting and producing. But the truth is Massi quit the group in 1965 ... and DeVito was still with them through 1970. Gaudio didn't leave until 1971. Suffice to say that some "dramatic license" was taken in telling the story.
But it's still a story worth telling ... and one worth watching. Again, I recommend our readers see this film. Yes, you will be disappointed by several aspects of it ... but overall it's a celebration of the music that was a HUGE part of the soundtrack to our lives ... so I say go! (kk)
Hi Kent ...
Jersey Boys was a joke! Thirty year old guys who are supposed to be a lot younger sounding like Chipmunks. Not the story of the early days of Rock, not believable!
At The Hop is waiting to be made! The real story of the early days of Rock and what it was like to be young and be a part of this new and exciting new music!
I hope things are good with you my friend!
Lots of love,
John Madara
Still hoping you get your chance to make your movie, John ... I know how much time and energy you've put into this. Who knows ... maybe this will spark a sudden interest in music of the '50's and '60's again! (kk)
I liked your review ... and, mostly agree, although looking at the Top 3 movies - they were all based on familiar territory ... as, I guess Jersey Boys was, too.
It'll be interesting to see how it continues to grow ... and, it will.
Thanks,
David
Since we've seen the movie I've seen more reviews sway toward the positive side ... so I think good word of mouth will brings folks to the theater. (When one considers that something like 13 million people have seen the stage show worldwide, an opening box office of only $13 Million is pretty disappointing. Of course MOST of those 13 million probably saw it multiple times, just like we did! Lol) Regardless, I still consider it a film worth seeing. After several days of reflection, I wish it wasn't quite so dark and depressing ... it's almost as if they weren't even allowed to enjoy their own success, based on the way this is presented ... and we all know this couldn't have been the case. WAY too much pre-story ... and not enough of the hit music we all know and love ... I think the film could have had a better "balance" overall ... but it is what it is ... and that's STILL a film worth seeing. (kk)
Hey Kent,
After reading all the reviews in FH, I think I'll wait for the release of the "Jersey Boys" DVD. I can actually see why Director Eastwood didn't want to duplicate the stage production. (Remember how bad "Chorus Line" turned out?) Maybe Clint will listen to the critics and create a "Director's Cut", by adding more important material and songs, and cutting the monotonous scenes. Maybe he can re-record the bad vocals or electronically tweak them, as well. We will wait and see.
- John LaPuzza
Unfortunately, I think Clint released his version of "the director's cut" ... what he needs is some outside help with an ear more in tune with how to best present this music. With both Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio available, why were they shut out of the process? I think Eastwood made the movie HE wanted to make ... but a little "compromise" here and there would have made it a far more enjoyable film to watch. (kk)
Kent,
I saw the first showing of Jersey Boys at a theater in New Jersey where I live. Yep, Jersey Girl here. Unfortunately, I am not a NY Times movie critic and would like to keep my comments concise. I enjoyed the movie, Jersey Boys! It was biographical and a pretty "spot on" about guys from the poor side of town making it big. It's a "rags to riches" story and shows that with talent, hard work, perseverance, knowing the right people, the ability to stay out of trouble with the underworld, being in the right place at the right time, and getting a break can really pay off - fame and fortune. I enjoyed the music and dancing etc. - very entertaining. On a historical note, I learned a lot about Bob Gaudio and how he was the force behind the band. I never knew the big contribution that he made by writing many of the hits for this group. Also I never knew Bob Crewe was so involved with producing the music. As a young girl, I was grateful to have seen the Four Seasons perform in 1963 in NYC and grateful they made a favorable impression on me. I have remained a Four Seasons fan. If you are a Four Seasons fan, I highly recommend this movie. True, maybe it could have been produced better, but I think it was good as is. As they say, "it is what it is." In other words, "Let's Hang on To What We Got." :))
Blossmwrld
Saw the Frankie and 4 Seasons a few years ago and noticed that he may have been lip syncing parts of songs, but looking at his backup singers I noticed one of them was always singing the lead. When Frankie got to the part of the song that he couldn't reach, he just backed off and the backup singer was heard. The Beach Boys do the same. So somebody will always be on that high note.
CAK
re: CASEY KASEM:
Last week we told you about a radio program hosted by our FH Buddy DJ Stu Weiss in which he interviewed Ronnie Allen, who worked for Casey Kasem for many years.
We are happy to report that that interview is now available for streaming ... so if you missed it last Friday Night, you still have the chance to catch it here on the web:
The interview with Ronnie is up at No# 64 on the Interview Page ... www.oldiesyourway.com
Casey Kasem's family and close friends celebrated him in the same way much of America did — by listening to his unmistakable radio voice.
Mourners at a small private memorial Saturday for Kasem heard his old radio shows, including "American Top 40," where he introduced music from Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell and the Bee Gees. The ceremony came a week after Kasem's death in Gig Harbor, Washington, at age 82.
Family representative Danny Deraney tells The Associated Press that about 100 family members, close friends and business associates gathered at the memorial at a church in the Bel Air neighborhood.
Kasem's three children all spoke, and pop music arranger David Campbell played a violin version of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns," one of Kasem's favorite songs.
-- Ken Voss
Wanna remember the great radio days with Casey Kasem? You can hear tons of airchecks of Casey at Reel Radio site for $12 yearly contribution. Casey has 8 of the top 40 download on the site currently! Have the Beatles ever had that? Probably. Anyway, latest is a video as well on the site and coming July 4 weekend, you can hear Casey celebrate Elvis' career here: http://www.reelradio.com/
Hmm. Elvis & Casey. Makes me wanna play an old fave, "Elvis & Marilyn".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu2UlQ65-6k
Sadly, it seems (much like in the case of Casey Kasem) the children of Glen Campbell are having a similar struggle, trying to determine the best care for dad right now. (Glen has been suffering from Alzheimer's Disease for the past several years.) Vintage Vinyl News has the full report. (kk) Click here: Glen Campbell's Family Feuds Over Care ~ VVN Music
re: THE SATURDAY SURVEYS:
>>>I didn't know that a group known as the 4 Jokers had a version of TRANSFUSION. I assume that's the old Nervous Norvus song. I couldn't find the 4 Jokers' version online. (Larry Neal)
>>>"Transfusion" by The Four Jokers, that was a real record, released on Diamond Records. (kk)
And here is the mp3 (not that anyone asked me for it!)
The Diamond Records label that Transfusion came out on is not related to the New York City label where Ronnie Dove became that label's biggest hitmaker ... though since you asked (ok, so you didn't), I'll give another plug for the brand new release, Ronnie Dove: The Complete Original Chart Hits: 1964 - 1969, from Real Gone Music, again.
This is absolutely the definitive collection of Ronnie's hits. Two of the hits make their CD debut on this collection (one being previously available only as a later recording on cd). Only 5 of the 21 songs are presented in mono, which is due to the absence of stereo sources, be it disc dubs or master tapes. Even some of the mono tapes are long gone ... but these songs have still never sounded better.
Though the cd has not been officially released yet, Real Gone Music has begun to ship orders placed directly through them (and the first 100 customers get a booklet or tray liner autographed by Ronnie himself!) The inside tray liner will appeal to Forgotten Hits "Saturday Surveys" fans in that it shows a survey with one of Ronnie's hits in the #1 position.
http://realgonemusic.enstore.com/item/ronnie-dove-cd Comments on the collection have been mostly positive, with many people exclaiming that the songs have never sounded cleaner or better. With several songs making stereo debuts on CD, and several songs appearing on this cd from newly discovered Diamond label tape sources, this is THE definitive collection to have of Ronnie's hits. Even though I co-produced the cd with Marty Wekser, I'm not biased about the cd at all (ok maybe a litle). However, I AM definitely the most critical of this cd, and my wife and I have listened to it in our car several times and it has sounded absolutely stellar. I couldn't be happier with the outcome of how the cd turned out. The audio, the artwork, the entire package is wonderful. It blows all previous cd's of Ronnie's music out of the water.
Anyway ... back to Transfusion by the Four Jokers. Have you heard the version by Scatman Crothers? It showed up on one of those budget EP's with four knock-off versions of tunes on it ... and notice how they seem to all use the same screeching sound for the sound effects (also heard on I Want My Baby Back by Jimmy Cross).
Tom Diehl
re: THIS AND THAT:
Wow, Kent!
What a picture at the start of Art Fein's article. I'll bet that group shot could be duplicated in almost any city in America at that time. That photo alone was worth reading the article.
I was trying to recall what we called the hair style, first the pompadours held up with 'wave set' then of the opposed curls coming down the forehead and the Duck's Ass "DA" crease at the back of the head ... I want to say a "TC" or Tony Curtis, but my memory fails me. The cigarette hanging from the lip, the defiant look, the raised collars ... oh man, what trip back to the fifties!
Going to the Mickey Finn store to buy 'Garrison Belts with big four corner buckles, and putting 'taps' on our 'Engineer Boots' just to antagonize the teachers. What innocent fun we had driven by the emerging Rock N Roll music, and the harbinger of raging hormones and the best times of our lives.
Once again a fine read, thanks,
CharlieOFD
Check out the CRM Internet Radio Channel ... brand new this week is the all '80's channel ... and coming soon is an all '90's channel. Meanwhile, you can listen to the '60's and '70's channel right now ... or ANYTIME you like!
Click here: CRM Radio Network
A brief synopsis:
The CRM Radio Network -- exclusive Internet radio stations tailored for Chicago audiences and found on the Chicagoland Radio & Media website -- has launched its second station: "Chicagoland Radio - The 1980s."
The new station, "Chicagoland Radio - The 1980s" plays nothing but music from 1980-1989. As was the case with the CRM Radio Network's first station "Chicagoland Radio - The 60s & 70s," all of the artists heard on the station are from Chicago or have a deep connection to Chicago. The music selected spans more than a few genres, including rock, pop, power pop, new wave, punk, soul, R&B, blues, and jazz. Chicago radio DJ parody songs are sprinkled in, as well as a song or two about Chicago, which are not necessarily by Chicago area artists. In addition to all of the big hits, there are also some deeper tracks that received local radio play, but may not have achieved national chart success, as well as rarities.Of course, all of the major record label Chicago area superstars are featured, including Cheap Trick, Survivor, Chaka Khan, Chicago, Peter Cetera, REO Speedwagon, Earth Wind & Fire, Richard Marx, Steve Goodman, Styx, Tommy Shaw, Dennis DeYoung, The Blues Brothers, Dan Fogelberg, Denise Williams, Herbie Hancock, Insiders, Material Issue, Ministry, Enuff Z'Nuff, Jump 'N' The Saddle Band, Koko Taylor, and Muddy Waters.Chicago acts signed to major labels but unable to find national success are here, as well, including Off Broadway, The Elvis Brothers, Nicholas Tremulis, Naked Raygun, Skafish, Wild Blue, Siren (aka Red Siren), The B'zz, Holland, Tami Show, and Big Shoulders.
Many local artists released albums and singles on their own or on small-time labels. While big in Chicago, they never achieved the national fame they were hoping for. Biggest among them was probably The Kind and Phil 'N' The Blanks. Other acts like them heard on this new station include Big Twist & The Mellow Fellows, Dick Holliday & The Bamboo Gang, Mr. Myers, Bohemia, M&R Rush, Jak Makral, Take Me, All Night Newsboys, Big Daddy Kinsey, Vanessa Davis Band, Get Smart, Loose Lips, Rude Guest, Slammin Watusis, and The Edseys.Chicago radio personalities with songs heard on this station include Jonathon Brandmeier, Bob Wall, Steve Dahl, and John Records Landecker.More tracks will be inserted on a constant basis and requests for artists/songs are always welcome.
Coming very soon will be yet another Internet radio station, "Chicagoland Radio - The 1990s."
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