Rééditions et archives inédites, 2010

Ace Records, 29 mars

Ace's producer-based series continues with a bumper 28-track collection devoted to the most famous record producer there ever was, the one and only Phil Spector. The set focuses on the legendary eccentric's early work, with all titles drawn from the 1958 to early 1963 timeframe.

Half of the selections are making their CD debut. These include `Nights Of Mexico' by Russell Byrd (the recording alias of songwriter-producer Bert Berns), two titles by Bobby Sheen (soon to reach the Top 10 under Spector's guidance as the lead vocalist of Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans) and both sides of an ultra rare 45 by Terry Day (aka Terry Melcher, the son of Doris Day). More familiar hits by the Paris Sisters, Curtis Lee and Gene Pitney are also featured.

The set contains the first record Spector ever made, `Don't You Worry My Little Pet' by his own group the Teddy Bears, taped in '58 at the fabled Gold Star studio in Los Angeles, the scene of many of his future triumphs. Soon realising the spotlight wasn't for him, Spector then set about building himself a career as a producer. Before long he had inveigled his way into Leiber & Stoller's inner circle at Atlantic Records in New York, where late in 1961 he launched his own label, Philles. But that's another story. Meanwhile, this is where it all began for the would-be genius...


1. I'M SO HAPPY (TRA LA LA) - The Ducanes
2. SPANISH HARLEM - Ben E King
3. WHEN YOU DANCE - Billy Storm
4. I LOVE HOW YOU LOVE ME - The Paris Sisters
5. SHANG SHANG - The Creations
6. YOU TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ME - The Blackwells
7. THAT'S ALL RIGHT BABY - Kell Osborne
8. UNDER THE MOON OF LOVE - Curtis Lee
9. BE A SOLDIER - Terry Day
10. HEY MEMPHIS - LaVern Baker
11. THE BASIC THINGS - The Top Notes
12. HOW MANY NIGHTS (HOW MANY DAYS) - Bobby Sheen
13. HEY THERE MOUNTAIN - Obrey Wilson
14. TALK TO ME, TALK TO ME - Jean DuShon
15. TWIST AND SHOUT - The Top Notes
16. THE BELLS - The Creations
17. I LOVE YOU, BETTY - Terry Day
18. NIGHTS OF MEXICO - Russell Byrd
19. WHERE CAN YOU BE - Tony & Joe
20. BUMBERSHOOT - Phil Harvey
21. LITTLE DID I KNOW - The Ducanes
22. PRETTY LITTLE ANGEL EYES - Curtis Lee
23. WHAT AM I TO DO - The Paris Sisters
24. EVERY BREATH I TAKE - Gene Pitney
25. ANYONE BUT YOU - Ruth Brown
26. LAUGH RIGHT IN MY FACE - Bobby Sheen
27. YOU SAID GOODBYE - The Teddy Bears
28. DON'T YOU WORRY MY LITTLE PET - The Teddy Bears