APRIL, 99 ISSUE

Under-appreciated artists: THE LAMPLIGHTERS (a.k.a. The Sharps) How is it possible they can be overlooked? So many artists throughout the history of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, etc. have come and gone, doing spectacular work, but never receiving the recognition they deserve. Sometimes they had moderate hits on the Rhythm and Blues Charts or even a song or two that ranked in the Billboard Top 100 and then were forgotten. Other times, an artist was not even valued in his/her own time with the respect they deserved, never charting, receiving little or no air play, even though they put out some classy stuff. One such group is The Lamplighters, a group that never had a hit on any charts and yet, a group that spawned many groups or soloists (some successful, some not...) like the Sharps who recorded any number of good songs like Gig-A-Lene and Thurston Harris who recorded Little Bitty Pretty One and the Rivingtons of Papa Oom Mow Mow fame. But as The Lamplighters they were something special, socking out a special brand of raucous rhythm and blues vocal group harmony that utilized catchy phrases, double entendre, etc. Now, through the magic of C.D.'s, many of their songs are available. Two "imports" The Lamplighters/Be Bop Wino and The Lamplighters/Bo Peep are available at The Attic, Grant Avenue, Millvale (1-412-821-8484).

What great CDs they are: Out of Regency Records, Laurel-Ontario, Canada, these are flawlessly remastered and contain gems like Be-Bop Wino, I Used to Cry Mercy, Mercy (a particular favorite of the Shag crowd), Ride, Jockey, Ride, Roll On, Gig-a-Lene, Have Love, Will Travel (featuring Duane Eddy on the guitar), and Lock My Heart {and throw the key away}....plus many, many more. When it comes to their Rivingtons' stuff, EMI Capitol had a fantastic C.D. out (it may, however, be out of print) featuring Papa Oom Mow Mow, Mama Oom Mow Mow, and their spectacular version of Cherry....with the soaring tenor/falsetto. If this C.D. is not currently available, we here at Apple Sauce certainly hope and urge Collectables out in Narberth, PA, to get the rights to secure the distribution rights to it {if they have not already done so} and release it....IT IS A GEM! (Perhaps, as of this writing, they have already done so...check the Attic about its availability...){Collectables is the BEST when it comes to re-issuing those EMI C.D.'s that EMI pulled off the market much too soon!} Anyway...among these three C.D.'s, a fairly intensive catalog of this highly under-appreciated group CAN indeed become appreciated in YOUR collection. Take A Listen!  After you hear their sounds from the Federal days, you'll scratch your head and wonder why they NEVER scored an R&B chart hit nor sent reverberations down the hallways of R n R history!

Hey, y'all...it's getting toward Spring and Summer: weddings, pool parties, reunions, graduation parties, and the Works. Don't forget: Old C.A. has a complete library of new sounds, old sounds, disco, pop, rap, country, etc. to make ANY PARTY.... EXTRA SPECIAL! He's YOUR DJ with the greatest sound and top-flight digital equipment, too.  Call (1-412-734-1146) or email him for availability or free brochure.  "Have Music, Will Boogie!"

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One of the truly great Bass voices of all rhythm and blues history has joined the great vocal group in Soul Heaven: Gerald Gregory, the wildly exciting bass man for The Spaniels, died several days before Valentine's Day, 1999. Gerald had appeared many times in the Pittsburgh area during this decade when The Spaniels performed for SOC or PORCC. What a thrill it was when Pookie would bring Gerald with him, for Gerald's bass voice had the unique ability to bounce along with characteristic rock and roll splash (like his version of Zing Went the Strings of My Heart) and an instant later to become a plaintive and mellow blend (in songs like So Deep Within.). In addition, Gerald was a genuinely kind person .... everyone who talked with him or met him was impressed by his relaxed, friendly candor: he was so appreciative of the enthusiastic reception The Spaniels always received when they came to the 'Burgh. His last appearance in Pittsburgh was for a SOC show several months ago. He was ill even then, but went on stage any way and gave the performance of his life.

The Four Dots: Marvin Brown and his wonderful array of talented vocalists made their smash re-debut at the SOC Show with Harvey and the Magnificents. The Four Dots not only proved that tight harmony still sounds better than anything out there today, but also exemplified to the world that Rhythm and Blues is not simply something for teenagers, but is truly an art form that transcends age and economics: an art form for all men and women in all times and places.