A Time For Giving Thanks

 

So what is amusing Frankie Valli in the studio in 1967? See at the end of this blog post.

As our American friends are approaching their biggest annual celebration ‘Thanksgiving’ it seemed appropriate for us in the UK to reflect on what has been a momentous year for fans of the Four Seasons with links to many special moments.

Lots of great things have happened like the issue of all of the Frankie Valli solo and Four Seasons albums on twofer CD’s at Collectors Choice and after so many requests from us fans, The Motown Anthology appeared. Then we had the Jersey Boys Book and the ‘Jersey Beat’ Box set complete with DVD of great live performances

But aside from getting access to all the music for the first time on CD in such a comprehensive way, it has been a year of ‘togetherness’ with a re-union in the UK and an International Convention in the USA. We also had the Opening Night Celebrations of the West End Launch of Jersey Boys which Lynn, Ray and Tina attended to meet Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio as well as Charles Alexander. Broadway.com captured the night.

Lynn Boleyn’s recollections of the USA event in Raleigh on 25^th October have just become available here and Frank Rovello has done a superb job at the GILG website capturing the event in photos and audio at a dedicated web page. Enjoy all the atmosphere of the event at these links as fans and Four Seasons members reflected on the history of the group and their collective enjoyment of the groups work over the years.

But perhaps for us in the UK the biggest thrill is how the cast of the UK version of Jersey Boys have done such a good job. This video on YouTube perhaps captures just how good these guys are and the interview done with Three’s A Crowd is a nice reflection by the guys on their achievement and it also captures our enjoyment of the show. Whether the music or the story is the key is irrelevant. It is just the experience that is so good.  The excellent Bob Gaudio interview at QTV Toronto  is a good review of his thoughts on the show.

So what a year and although our Newsletter hard copy has been slightly delayed many of the articles are available at our Preview on this blog .We hope to complete News 52 soon.

And check out some related links below……

• The fullundie blog has a reputation for providing free mp3 downloads of many artists and albums and they recently came up independently with a ‘Seasons Connections’ set which features many tracks that appeared in our 8 CD fan club series. The quality of tracks is not to our liking but check out the download here.

• We’ve been helping former Rag Dolls lead singer Jean Thomas compile her first YouTube video of her very first single from 1962 ‘Moon River’.. We hope to feature videos based on mixes of her Rag Dolls hits ‘Society Girl’ and ‘Dusty’ next year. We recently asked Sandy Linzer who co-wrote a number of songs for her,  the Four Seasons and Frankie Valli of his recollections of the Rag Dolls sessions back in 1964 and he told us…”time has erased much of the Rag Doll sessions memories……but the one thing that remains is the high regard and affection that I hold for Jean Thomas……she was not only an amazing singer but also always a joy to work with. There was nothing she couldn't do vocally - who else could have been a female counterpart to Frankie Valli!”

• Harmony heroes like the Four Seasons always set and maintained a standard for ‘harmony’ in the sixties but also in the 70s with songs like ‘Harmony, Perfect Harmony’ and it is good to see that harmony is making a comeback with a phenomenal accapella group from Indiana……’Straight No Chaser’ combine harmony and comedy brilliantly with their ‘12 Days’ but catch their take on the Tokens ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ for expert harmony. If these guys did a tribute to the Four Seasons it would be really something.

It has certainly been a great year for all and we extend best wishes to every Four Season, their fans everywhere and the Jersey Boys cast members as we enter the holiday season.

Ken Charmer

PS The only thing I want to know is where can I get one of those ‘totally cool’ Four Seasons T-shirts featuring the ‘Chameleon’ group photo?

...and back in 1967 it's the hot pants that were obviously necessary to get the right 'sound'...but is this Tommy or Joe that is the 'cross-dresser'?

Photos courtesy of George Schowerer - Sound Engineer

Comments

[Leonardo]

I've been loving all those great studio photos in color, and it's nice to hear some comment from Mr. Linzer. Good Job as always! Cheers LF