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Showing posts with label Ben E. King. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ben E. King. Show all posts
June 13, 2026
February 16, 2024
45 RPMs 77: Aretha Franklin ~ Spanish Harlem
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45 RPM
Credits:
On the 16th of February in 1971, Aretha Franklin recorded a cover of the beautiful song, Spanish Harlem and it was released on July 9th of that same year. It was written by Jerry Leiber and Phil Spector and produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The song was originally recorded by Ben E. King in 1960.
Where
King's version is languid and dreamy, Franklin's is faster, upbeat,
bouncy and happy. The piano, played by Franklin herself, is absolutely
beautiful, the reason I love her cover of the song. The backing vocals
by The Sweethearts of Soul and Carolyn Franklin are gorgeous. An occasional keyboard riff by Donny Hathaway is a nice touch. The production by Arif Mardin is faultless.
Tracklist:
Side 1:
A - Spanish Harlem, written by Jerry Leiber, Phil Spector - 3:30
Side 2:
B - Lean On Me, written by J. Cobb*, Van McCoy - 4:20
Companies, etc.
Side 1:
A - Spanish Harlem, written by Jerry Leiber, Phil Spector - 3:30
Side 2:
B - Lean On Me, written by J. Cobb*, Van McCoy - 4:20
Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Atlantic Recording Corporation
Recorded At – Criteria Recording Studios
Lacquer Cut At – Atlantic Studios
Pressed By – Plastic Products
Published By – Progressive (3)
Published By – Trio (8)
Published By – Van McCoy
Recorded At – Criteria Recording Studios
Lacquer Cut At – Atlantic Studios
Pressed By – Plastic Products
Published By – Progressive (3)
Published By – Trio (8)
Published By – Van McCoy
Credits:
Arranged By [Strings Arr. By] – Arif Mardin
Lacquer Cut By – DK*
Producer [Prod. By] – Arif Mardin, Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd
Lacquer Cut By – DK*
Producer [Prod. By] – Arif Mardin, Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd
Piano, Vocals: Aretha Franklin
Arranger, Producer: Arif Mardin
Drums: Bernard Purdie
Backing Vocals: Carolyn Franklin
Bass Guitar: Chuck Rainey
Guitar: Cornell Dupree
Electric Piano: Donny Hathaway
Backing Vocals: Erma Franklin
Producer: Jerry Wexler
Backing Vocals: The Sweethearts of Soul
Producer: Tom Dowd
Writer: Jerry Leiber
Writer: Phil Spector
Arranger, Producer: Arif Mardin
Drums: Bernard Purdie
Backing Vocals: Carolyn Franklin
Bass Guitar: Chuck Rainey
Guitar: Cornell Dupree
Electric Piano: Donny Hathaway
Backing Vocals: Erma Franklin
Producer: Jerry Wexler
Backing Vocals: The Sweethearts of Soul
Producer: Tom Dowd
Writer: Jerry Leiber
Writer: Phil Spector
Notes:
"PL" plant code printed in label matrices denotes Plastic Products pressing.
Recorded at Atlantic South-Criteria Studios, Miami, Fla.
[A]: Pub., Progressive-Trio, BMI
[B]: Pub., Van McCoy, B M I
Mfg. By Atlantic Recording Corp., 1841 Broadway, New York, N.Y.
Runouts are etched, "X" in runouts indicates a lacquer blank from Transco was used.
Barcode and Other Identifiers
"PL" plant code printed in label matrices denotes Plastic Products pressing.
Recorded at Atlantic South-Criteria Studios, Miami, Fla.
[A]: Pub., Progressive-Trio, BMI
[B]: Pub., Van McCoy, B M I
Mfg. By Atlantic Recording Corp., 1841 Broadway, New York, N.Y.
Runouts are etched, "X" in runouts indicates a lacquer blank from Transco was used.
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Rights Society: BMI
Pressing Plant ID (On labels): PL
Matrix / Runout (A-side label): A-21311-PL
Matrix / Runout (B-side label): A-21423-PL
Matrix / Runout (A-side runout, variant 1): A - 21311 - 9 AT/DK X
Matrix / Runout (B-side runout, variant 1): A - 21423 - 3 AT/DK X
Matrix / Runout (A-side runout, variant 2): A - 21311 -10 AT/DK X
Matrix / Runout (B-side runout, variant 2): A - 21423 - 3 AT/DK X
Matrix / Runout (A-side runout, variant 3): A-21311-3 AT/DK X
Matrix / Runout (B-side runout, variant 3): A-21423-3 AT/DK X
Matrix / Runout (A-side runout, variant 4): A - 21311 - 10 AT/DK X
Matrix / Runout (B-side runout, variant 4): A - 21423 - 3 AT/DK X
Pressing Plant ID (On labels): PL
Matrix / Runout (A-side label): A-21311-PL
Matrix / Runout (B-side label): A-21423-PL
Matrix / Runout (A-side runout, variant 1): A - 21311 - 9 AT/DK X
Matrix / Runout (B-side runout, variant 1): A - 21423 - 3 AT/DK X
Matrix / Runout (A-side runout, variant 2): A - 21311 -10 AT/DK X
Matrix / Runout (B-side runout, variant 2): A - 21423 - 3 AT/DK X
Matrix / Runout (A-side runout, variant 3): A-21311-3 AT/DK X
Matrix / Runout (B-side runout, variant 3): A-21423-3 AT/DK X
Matrix / Runout (A-side runout, variant 4): A - 21311 - 10 AT/DK X
Matrix / Runout (B-side runout, variant 4): A - 21423 - 3 AT/DK X
Aretha Franklin – Spanish Harlem
Label: Atlantic – 45-2817
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, PL - Plastic Products Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1971
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Soul
Label: Atlantic – 45-2817
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, PL - Plastic Products Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1971
Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Soul
Ben E. King ~ Spanish Harlem
Styrous® ~ Friday, February 16, 2024
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller articles/mentions
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October 27, 2023
45 RPMs 75: Ben E. King ~ Stand by Me
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45 RPM record in sleeve
photo by Styrous®
Sixty years ago today, on October 27, 1960, Ben E. King recorded his first solo songs after he left the Drifters. They were Spanish Harlem (link below) and Stand by Me.
Stand By Me was written by King with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who together used the pseudonym Elmo Glick. According to King, the title is derived from, and was inspired by, a spiritual written by Sam Cooke and J. W. Alexander called Stand by Me Father, recorded by the Soul Stirrers with Johnnie Taylor singing lead. Stand By Me went to number one on the R&B charts and was a Top Ten hit on the US charts twice—in its original release, entering the Billboard chart on May 13, 1961 and peaking at number 4 on June 16, 1961.
The personnel on the song included Romeo Penque on sax, Ernie Hayes on piano, Al Caiola and Charles McCracken on guitars, Lloyd Trotman on double bass, Phil Kraus on percussion, and Gary Chester on drums
The song was covered by The Drifters and Aretha Franklin in 1971. The Drifter's version is a little faster while the Franklin version is way faster and a bit jazzier (links to all below).
Spanish Harlem lyrics
There is a rose in Spanish Harlem
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
It is a special one, it's never seen the sun
It only comes out when the moon is on the run
And all the stars are gleaming
It's growing in the street right up through the concrete
But soft and sweet and dreaming
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
It is a special one, it's never seen the sun
It only comes out when the moon is on the run
And all the stars are gleaming
It's growing in the street right up through the concrete
But soft and sweet and dreaming
There is a rose in Spanish Harlem
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
With eyes as black as coal
Then look down in my soul
And starts a fire there
And then I lose control
I have to beg your pardon
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
With eyes as black as coal
Then look down in my soul
And starts a fire there
And then I lose control
I have to beg your pardon
I'm going to pick that rose
And watch her as she grows in my garden
And watch her as she grows in my garden
I'm going to pick that rose
And watch her as she grows in my garden
And watch her as she grows in my garden
La la la, la la la, la la la la
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
La la la, la la la, la la la la
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
La la la, la la la, la la la la
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Jerry Leiber / Phil Spector
The "B" side on this record, Taste of Love, actually started out as the "A" side with Spanish Harlem on the "B" side. By the time this record was issued, the switch had been made.
First Taste of Love was written by Doc Pomus, who wrote songs for many blues and rock singers, and Phil Spector, record producer, musician, and songwriter who developed the Wall of Sound, a music production formula he described as a Wagnerian approach to rock and roll.
Tracklist:
Side 1:
A Stand By Me, written by King*, Glick* - 2:44
Side 2:
B On The Horizon, written by Leiber, Stoller* - 2:18
Companies, etc.
Published By – Progressive (3)
Published By – Trio (8)
Published By – Adt
Lacquer Cut At – Atlantic Studios
Credits:
Side 1:
A Stand By Me, written by King*, Glick* - 2:44
Side 2:
B On The Horizon, written by Leiber, Stoller* - 2:18
Companies, etc.
Published By – Progressive (3)
Published By – Trio (8)
Published By – Adt
Lacquer Cut At – Atlantic Studios
Credits:
Arranged By, Conductor – Stan Applebaum
Producer – Leiber-Stoller*
Producer – Leiber-Stoller*
Notes:
Both sides recorded at Bell Sound Studios, New York City on October 27, 1960
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Matrix / Runout (Side A label): 60C-5164
Matrix / Runout (Side B label): 61C-5442
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, etched): 45-60-C-5164-13 AT W
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, etched): 45-61-C-5442-11
Rights Society: BMI
Matrix / Runout (Side B label): 61C-5442
Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, etched): 45-60-C-5164-13 AT W
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, etched): 45-61-C-5442-11
Rights Society: BMI
Ben E. King – Stand By Me
Label: Atlantic Records – 7-89361
Label: Atlantic Records – 7-89361
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM
Country: US
Released: 1961
Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul
Style: Rock & Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues
Country: US
Released: 1961
Genre: Rock, Funk / Soul
Style: Rock & Roll, Soul, Rhythm & Blues
Viewfinder links:
50srockin ~ Bell Sound Studios N.Y.C
YouTube links:
The Drifters ~ Spanish Harlem
Ben E. King ~
Styrous® ~ Friday, October 27, 2023
October 27, 2020
45 RPMs 51: Ben E. King ~ Spanish Harlem
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45 RPM record in sleeve
photo by Styrous®
Sixty years ago today, on October 27, 1960, Spanish Harlem by American singer and pianist, Ben E. King was recorded at the Bell Sound Studios in New York City. The song was King's first hit away from The Drifters. It was originally released as the B-side to First Taste of Love.
I
remember hearing it for the first time. It is such a beautiful
little song with its slow and gentle, syncopated and sensual beat with the marimba accompaniment; how could you NOT remember hearing it? The arrangement is by Stan Applebaum; in addition to the marimba there was Spanish guitar, drum-beats, soprano saxophone,
strings, and a male chorus. It peaked at number 15 for rhythm and blues
and number 10 in pop music. It was ranked number 358 on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. King's version was not a hit in the United Kingdom. The song was re-released in 1987, after Stand By Me made number one.
Spanish Harlem was written by Jerry Leiber and Phil Spector and produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
The song was covered by The Drifters and Aretha Franklin in 1971. The Drifter's version is a little faster while the Franklin version is way faster and a bit jazzier (links to all below).
Spanish Harlem lyrics
There is a rose in Spanish Harlem
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
It is a special one, it's never seen the sun
It only comes out when the moon is on the run
And all the stars are gleaming
It's growing in the street right up through the concrete
But soft and sweet and dreaming
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
It is a special one, it's never seen the sun
It only comes out when the moon is on the run
And all the stars are gleaming
It's growing in the street right up through the concrete
But soft and sweet and dreaming
There is a rose in Spanish Harlem
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
With eyes as black as coal
Then look down in my soul
And starts a fire there
And then I lose control
I have to beg your pardon
A red rose up in Spanish Harlem
With eyes as black as coal
Then look down in my soul
And starts a fire there
And then I lose control
I have to beg your pardon
I'm going to pick that rose
And watch her as she grows in my garden
And watch her as she grows in my garden
I'm going to pick that rose
And watch her as she grows in my garden
And watch her as she grows in my garden
La la la, la la la, la la la la
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
La la la, la la la, la la la la
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
La la la, la la la, la la la la
(There is a rose in Spanish Harlem)
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Jerry Leiber / Phil Spector
The "B" side on this record, Taste of Love, actually started out as the "A" side with Spanish Harlem on the "B" side. By the time this record was issued, the switch had been made.
First Taste of Love was written by Doc Pomus, who wrote songs for many blues and rock singers, and Phil Spector, record producer, musician, and songwriter who developed the Wall of Sound, a music production formula he described as a Wagnerian approach to rock and roll.
Tracklist:
Side 1:
A Ain't Got No Home, written by Clarence Henry*
Side 2:
B First Taste Of Love, written by Pomus*, Spector* - 2:17
Companies, etc.
Record Company – Argo Record Corp.
Published By – Arc Music (2)
Credits:
Arranged By [Orchestra], Conductor [Orchestra] – Stan Applebaum
Engineer [Uncredited] – Phil Ramone
Producer – Leiber & Stoller
Side 1:
A Ain't Got No Home, written by Clarence Henry*
Side 2:
B First Taste Of Love, written by Pomus*, Spector* - 2:17
Companies, etc.
Record Company – Argo Record Corp.
Published By – Arc Music (2)
Credits:
Arranged By [Orchestra], Conductor [Orchestra] – Stan Applebaum
Engineer [Uncredited] – Phil Ramone
Producer – Leiber & Stoller
Notes:
Both sides recorded at Bell Sound Studios, New York City on October 27, 1960
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Matrix / Runout (Side A): 60C5161
Matrix / Runout (Side B): 60C5162 II
Rights Society: BMI
Ben E. King – Spanish Harlem / First Taste Of Love
Label: ATCO Records – 45-6185
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: Dec 1960
Genre: Pop
Style: Vocal
Label: ATCO Records – 45-6185
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: Dec 1960
Genre: Pop
Style: Vocal
Viewfinder links:
50srockin ~ Bell Sound Studios N.Y.C
YouTube links:
The Drifters ~ Spanish Harlem
Aretha Franklin ~ Spanish Harlem
Ben E. King ~
Styrous® ~ Monday, September 7, 2020
Phil Spector articles/mentions
mentions:
Percy Faith ~ Latin Themes for Lovers
Ben E. King ~ Spanish Harlem
June 27, 2019
Doc Pomus ~ Doo-Wop Wonder
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Doc Pomus was an American blues singer and songwriter but known predominantly for the lyrics he wrote for some of the greatest songs of the doo-wop and Motown era. He wrote Teenager in Love for Dion and the Belmonts, Suspicion for Elvis Presley, and hits for Big Joe Turner (A Boogie Woogie Country Girl being one of my favorite songs) (link below), the Beach Boys and, of course, Save The Last Dance For Me done by The Drifters (link below).
When he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Pomus said, "Rock and roll wouldn’t have happened without Big Joe Turner."
He was born Jerome Solon Felder on June 27, 1925, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, the son of Jewish immigrants. He became a fan of the blues after hearing a Big Joe Turner record.
When he was a boy, he had polio and was only able to walk with the help of crutches.
Later, because of post-polio syndrome exacerbated by an accident in 1965, Felder eventually had to rely on a wheelchair. His bus, known as the 'Docmobile', had a custom pneumatic elevator lift for his wheelchair.
NY Times ~ Lonely Avenue: This Magic Moment review
Peter Guralnick ~ Magic & Flying: Doc Pomus
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ~ Big Joe Turner
Stereophile ~ Lonely Avenue: The Unlikely Life & Times of Doc Pomus review
Tablet Magazine ~ Blues Brother
Doc Pomus ~
My Good Pott
Send For The Doctor
Save the Last Dance For Me and how it almost wasn't
The Beatles ~ Young Blood
The Coasters ~ Young Blood
Big Joe Turner ~ A Boogie Woogie Country Girl
A.K.A Doc Pomus Official Movie Trailer - 2012
When he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Pomus said, "Rock and roll wouldn’t have happened without Big Joe Turner."
He was born Jerome Solon Felder on June 27, 1925, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, the son of Jewish immigrants. He became a fan of the blues after hearing a Big Joe Turner record.
Jerome Solon Felder
date & photographer unknown
When he was a boy, he had polio and was only able to walk with the help of crutches.
Jerome Solon Felder
date & photographer unknown
Later, because of post-polio syndrome exacerbated by an accident in 1965, Felder eventually had to rely on a wheelchair. His bus, known as the 'Docmobile', had a custom pneumatic elevator lift for his wheelchair.
Doc Pomus - 1980's
photographer unknown
Using the stage name
"Doc Pomus", Felder began performing as a blues singer when he was a teenager. His
stage name was not inspired by anyone in particular; he just thought it
sounded better for a blues singer than the name Jerry Felder.
Performing at various clubs in and around New York City, he performed with Milt Jackson, Mickey Baker, King Curtis and many others. He recorded approximately 40 sides as a singer in the '40s and '50s
for record companies such as Chess, Apollo, Gotham and others.
In the early 1950s, Pomus started writing magazine articles as well as
songwriting for artists such as Lavern Baker, Ruth Brown, Ray Charles
and Big Joe Turner. His first big songwriting break came when the Coasters had a hit with his song Young Blood; I love this song! There was a cool version of Young Blood (link below) performed by The Beatles for the BBC on June 1, 1963. This song was first released on the LIVE AT THE BBC album in 1994.
He was married to actress and dancer, Willi Burke, who was in several Broadway musicals (On The Twentieth Century, Fiorello!, etc.) He wrote the song, Save The Last Dance For Me on their wedding night. It was later recorded by The Drifters (link below).
He was married to actress and dancer, Willi Burke, who was in several Broadway musicals (On The Twentieth Century, Fiorello!, etc.) He wrote the song, Save The Last Dance For Me on their wedding night. It was later recorded by The Drifters (link below).
photographer unknown
He collaborated with pianist Mort Shuman to write for Hill & Range Music Co./Rumbalero Music at its offices in New York City Brill Building. He asked Shuman to write with him because he didn't then know
much about rock and roll, whereas Shuman was familiar with many popular
artists of the day. They wrote the hit songs A Teenager in Love, Save The Last Dance For Me, Hushabye, This Magic Moment, Turn Me Loose, Sweets For My Sweet (a hit for The Drifters and then The Searchers), Go, Jimmy, Go, Little Sister, Can't Get Used to Losing You, Suspicion, Surrender and (Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame.
date & photographer unknown
During the late 1950s and early 1960s, Pomus wrote several songs with Phil Spector, Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber and other Brill Building-era writers. He also wrote Lonely Avenue, a 1956 hit for Ray Charles.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Pomus wrote songs with Dr. John, Ken Hirsch and Willy DeVille
for what he said were "...those people stumbling around in the night
out there, uncertain or not always so certain of exactly where they fit
in and where they were headed." These later songs are considered by some, musician and songwriter Dr. John and producer Joel Dorn, to be signatures of his best craft.
Alex Halberstadt published a book about Doc Pomus entitled, Lonely Avenue: The Unlikely Life & Times of Doc Pomus which refers to his hit song, Lonely Avenue. It was published by Da Capo Press in 1972. It was named a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice and a Best Book of 2007 by The Times (London).
Alex Halberstadt published a book about Doc Pomus entitled, Lonely Avenue: The Unlikely Life & Times of Doc Pomus which refers to his hit song, Lonely Avenue. It was published by Da Capo Press in 1972. It was named a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice and a Best Book of 2007 by The Times (London).
Lonely Avenue: The Unlikely Life & Times of Doc Pomus
The documentary film A.K.A. Doc Pomus, conceived by Pomus' daughter Sharyn Felder, directed by filmmaker Peter Miller, edited by Amy Linton and produced by Felder, Hechter and Miller, details Pomus' life was released in 2012.
Doc Pomus died on March 14, 1991, from lung cancer, at the age of 65 at the NYU medical center in Manhattan.
Viewfinder links:
Net links:
Boogie Woogie Flu ~ Doc Pomus
CJ News ~ TJFF saves the last film for Doc Pomus review
Felder Pomus ~ Doc Pomus
Jewish News ~ Shouting The Blues: A pudgy Jewish kid reborn as Doc Pomus
NY times ~ A.K.A. Doc Pomus review CJ News ~ TJFF saves the last film for Doc Pomus review
Felder Pomus ~ Doc Pomus
Jewish News ~ Shouting The Blues: A pudgy Jewish kid reborn as Doc Pomus
NY Times ~ Lonely Avenue: This Magic Moment review
Peter Guralnick ~ Magic & Flying: Doc Pomus
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ~ Big Joe Turner
Stereophile ~ Lonely Avenue: The Unlikely Life & Times of Doc Pomus review
Tablet Magazine ~ Blues Brother
YouTube links:
Doc Pomus ~
My Good Pott
Send For The Doctor
Save the Last Dance For Me and how it almost wasn't
The Beatles ~ Young Blood
The Coasters ~ Young Blood
Big Joe Turner ~ A Boogie Woogie Country Girl
A.K.A Doc Pomus Official Movie Trailer - 2012
The Genius of Doc Pomus (1 hr, 39 min.)
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