Showing posts with label Sunshine pop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sunshine pop. Show all posts

Coming Up: Sandy Salisbury & Curt Boettcher 'Try For The Sun'


Good news for sunshine pop enthusiasts. Out Aug. 25 from Sundazed Records.

Details:

These newly discovered compositions of solar euphony are highlighted by Boettcher’s angelic vocals and Salisbury’s catchy, confectionary melodies. A showcase of premium West Coast sunshine pop!

During the summer of 1966, Sandy Salisbury arrived on the Sunset Strip in his VW Bug. Knowing little of the mainland from his childhood home of Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i, he became friends with his next door neighbor, who invited him to a party.

At that very same time, Curt Boettcher was an up and coming producer, who the Association chose to produce their first album. Introduced by a mutual friend, and Sandy’s neighbor, Boettcher and Salisbury went on to form the Ballroom, and later on, the Millennium. 

Salisbury and Boettcher saved all of their publishing demos – demos that were to become future material for the Millennium. Untouched for over 50 years, step back in time to 1967 with this rare collection of southern California sunshine pop!

  • Features all unreleased demos from ex-Ballroom & Millennium members!
  • New liner notes from an interview with Sandy Salisbury!
  • Three unissued CD-only bonus tracks! 
  • LP cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio & pressed in the USA at Citizen Vinyl!

 

Coming Up: Curt Boettcher and Friends "Looking for the Sun"


Out Oct. 25. Order from Amazon now.

Details:
Best known for his hit productions for The Association (Cherish, long Comes Mary) and for being one of the chief architects of 'sunshine pop,' Curt Boettcher was a founder of the visionary rock bands The Millennium,The Ballroom, and Sagittarius. A Hollywood-based producer and arranger in the Phil Spector mode (some of whose sessions he actually participated in) Boettcher was innovative in utilizing the studio as an instrument itself, impressing no less than Beach Boy Brian Wilson.
In 1966 and '67, he spent so much time at Columbia Studios in Hollywood that some began to call CBS 'Curt Boettcher Studios.' He worked with Tommy Roe, Gene Clark, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Elton John, Emitt Rhodes, and The Beach Boys, among many others.
Looking For The Sun is the first release to focus on Boettcher as a producer and arranger rather than a performer, highlighting cuts that were released as singles, most of which have remained out of print since their initial release.
Collected here are 21 tracks (18 on LP), all sourced from the original master tapes, which Boettcher either wrote, produced, arranged, or sang on. Artists include: Cindy Malone, Sandy Salisbury, Gordon Alexander, Keith Colley, Summer's Children, Jonathan Moore, Ray Whitley, Eddie Hodges, The Bootiques, Action Unlimited, and Sagittarius featuring contributions by Glen Campbell, David Gates, and Gary Usher.

Best Sunshine Pop Sites on the Web

Sunshine Pop: Do You Believe in Magic
Tracing the history of the happy, harmonic sounds of 1960s West Coast pop by the likes of the Association, Millenium, Sagittarius, Curt Boettcher and more. There's a nice, short overview of the Sunshine scene here too.

Millennium & Sagittarius: The Untold Story of the Pioneers of Sunshine Pop
A nice overview of these to great lost groups. Pop fans, particularly those of "Pet Sounds" era Beach Boys will love the glorious melodies and harmonies. More here.

The Yellow Balloon
Tracing the history of the one-album studio band co-led by "My Three Sons" star Don Grady and L.A. super producer Gary Zekley.

The Free Design
A discographical and biographical overiew of the New York 60s soft pop band.

Spectropop's Curt Boettcher Page
Biographical and discographical information on the legendary producer who pioneered 60s harmony pop with the Association, Millennium, Ballroom and Sagittarius.

Sandy Salisbury's Music
The home page of the Saggitarius, Millennium/Ballroom and solo singer. Info about his various recordings and what he's up to now (writing juvenille fiction, mostly, and winnings lots of awards for it).

The Surf and Hot Rod Sounds of Gary Usher
Information about the L.A. producer and Brian Wilson collaborator who pioneered surf'n'drag and the Sunshine sound. Includes a nice discography and info on CDs featuring his work.

Spectropop: Spector, Brill, Gold Star and Girl Groups
A great site dedicated to the glories of U.S. 60s pop, including all mentioned in the subtitle, plus Sunshine Pop, Garage, surf'n'drag and more. Includes a mailing list.

A Sunshine Pop Discography

The Association
And Then Along Comes Mary
Birthday
Just the Right Sound

Curt Boettcher
Misty Mirage
There's an Innocent Face

The Free Design
The Very Best Of Free Design
Cosmic Peecaboo
Heaven / Earth (Ltd Ed)
Kites Are Fun
One By One
Sing For Very Important People (Ltd Ed)
Stars / Time / Bubbles / Love
You Could Have Been Born Again (Ltd Ed)

Harper's Bizarre
4
Anything Goes
Feelin' Groovy
Secret Life of...

The Millennium
Magic Time- The Millennium-Ballroom Sessions
Again
Hourglass
Second Millennium

Sagittarius
Present Tense
Blue Marble

Sandy Salisbury
Sandy
Falling to Pieces

Wendy and Bonnie
Genesis

The Yellow Balloon
The Yellow Balloon

Rare Cowsills album on iTunes

I guess it's not terribly rare anymore if it's on iTunes, but it was rare!

Via IMWAN, we learn that the quasi bootleg Cocaine Drain album is available for download. This is a collection of outtakes and demos from the musical clan that formed the real-life template for the Partridge Family and recorded some excellent sunshine pop back in the late 1960s.

IMWAN posters warn, however, that the sound quality for these tracks is pretty crummy.

You can check for yourself here.

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