[Mael-list] Rarities - Info Required

Wed Oct 24 11:22:56 PDT 2007

The most detailed information about this series of recordings is probably
Ruud Swart's fascinating essay written up on Carl van Breukelen's website
http://www.xs4all.nl/~cvbreuke/records.htm  Look down the page until you
find the section on A Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing - Demo LP, which he dates
as 1968, although, as you probably know, it only really came to light again
a few years ago. Apparently the musicians were Russell Mael - vocals & bass,
Ron Mael - keyboards, Earle Mankey - guitar (and lead vocals on Big Rock
Candy Mountain), John Mendelsohn - drums.  It was possibly during the
recording of these songs that Surly Ralph Oswald was recruited to play bass.
Ruud reports Joseph Fleury as a source of information when he wrote, "Rumour
is, that about one hundred copies of the demo were hand pressed onto vinyl
(financed by the band) and the album was sent out to record companies. None
of them reacted positively."  When I knew Joseph, he didn't mention these
recordings although he did play me some other songs including a cover of
Tomorrow's "My White Bicycle"

One and a Half Nelson was released in 1975 on The Amazing Kornyphone Record
Label, which specialised in bootleg recordings before its activities came
under close FBI scrutiny and they shut down in the mid to late 70s according
to http://graphikdesigns.free.fr/sparks-propaganda-live.html.  From what I
remember it was mostly a live studio performance, but I don't know for sure
where it was recorded.  I was always under the impression that it was
recorded in South London somewhere in or near Croydon, but I could easily be
wrong.  The performances probably date from 1974.

As regards the age at which Russell recorded the early stuff, do the maths
and decide what you believe.  Age is but a state of mind and have you ever
known a Mael reveal any personal information that could be corroborated? ;-)
Sparks recorded a couple of radio shows in the mid-70s in which they played
some of their favourite songs from their formative years.  At one point
Russell tells of driving through California with his friends to see The
Doors before they became famous.  Again, do the maths!  Personally I think
it is a real achievement to have consistantly kept their private lives so
private over such an extended period of time.  Not many people could manage
it.

Regards,

derek

-----Original Message-----
From: mael-list-bounces at lists.kuci.org
[mailto:mael-list-bounces at lists.kuci.org]On Behalf Of CRAIG UNKRICH
Sent: 24 October 2007 18:00
To: mael-list at kuci.org
Subject: Re: [Mael-list] Rarities - Info Required

There used to be live broadcasts of bands circa 1974 from the Record Plant
in
Sausalito, California.  Robin Trower and Yesterday and Today are two I can
think of off the top of my head that have the same sort of dull acoustics
and
sparse hand-claps from the audience.  I've always suspected 1.5 Nelson was
one
of these broadcasts, but I don't think anyone has ever confirmed it.

No clue on the very early Halfnelson.  I take it that stuff isn't on French
Pineapple?

On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 06:15:18 -0700 (PDT)
  David Younker <yonkdave at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi Marcus,
>
>  I have wondered the same thing about the demos, and would love to hear
>anyone's insight.  Perhaps any of our "connected" friends with information
>about the band's early history might lend a clue?
>
>  Cheers,
>  David
>
> "Marcus S. Payne" <msp71 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>  Hello fellow Mael-Listers - long time lurking!
>
> I've just acquired a couple of rarities and wanted
> some more information on them from the knowledgeable
> types on here.
>
>Firstly there is this:
>
> Sparks - Halfnelson demos
> 1968
>
> 1. Chile farm farney
> 2. Johnny's adventure
> 3. Roger
> 4. Arts & crafts spectacular
> 5. Landlady
> 6. The animals at Jason's bar & grill
> 7. Big rock candy mountain
> 8. Millie
> 9. Saccharin & the war
> 10. John the firm
> 11. Jane's church
> 12. The factory
>
> My questions are: is this really from 1968? That would
> make Russell a child of 15 years old, surely? Who are
> the players on these songs - Ron, Russell and who
> else? Does anyone know what format this was originally
> recorded on - reel to reel tape? Were these demos sent
> to record companies at the time?
>
> The second thing is this:
>
> Sparks
> "One and A Half-Nelson: The Instant Darling Recorded
> Live" (1974)
>
> 1. hasta manana monsieur
> 2. something for the girl with everything
> 3. talent is an asset
> 4. thank got it's not christmas
> 5. BC
> 6. here is heaven
> 7. this town ain't big enough for the both of us
>
> Bonus B-sides
> 8. lost and found
> 9. barbecutie
> 10. Alabamy right
>
> I gather this was a professionally recorded bootleg,
> released on vinyl, is that right? When was it released
> exactly and what was the date/location of the gig
> which was recorded?
>
> Thanks in advance for any help - if anyone wants to
> know where I got them, I'll be happy to tell you in a
> private e-mail.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Marcus.
>
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