It has been a good start to 2011 for Four Seasons fans and just to finish off January with a flourish we can celebrate the release of another Seasons gem thanks to ‘TheCrewezer’. Once again we return to the late 1973 Bob Crewe produced sessions to find another Bob Crewe – Kenny Nolan penned song that is a superb example of Bob’s appreciation of the Four Seasons sound. Another romantic ballad that would have graced the excellent ‘Close-Up’ album. And ‘Lovers’ is one that would have been a potential single if it had fitted the ‘strategic direction’ for Valli and the group. But they would from 1975 embark on a path of separation of identity which would never happen.! We know now that this was the plan even as the ‘Who Loves You’ album was being recorded. Both would fail to achieve separate successful musical identities as our story of ‘The Rise and Fall Of The NEW Four Seasons” Chapters 5 to 9 describes. But what we are left with is this superb vocal by Valli with once again an anthemic Four Seasons.
Motown Universal are now licensing tracks to companies with a reputation for collectors sets, most notably ACE Records of London, who have recently announced a CD of unreleased tracks from the early sixties by the Motown group The Contours this year. Would they be interested in these unreleased masters? Perhaps if someone close to Valli or Gaudio was able and prepared to act as Exec Producer in the review of the masters with Motown’s or ACE’s sound engineers perhaps a project could be instigated. Although Motown are the copyright holders they wont proceed without agreement with the performer ! However, as Bob Gaudio probably produced very few of the ‘list’ he has little to gain from their release. And we all know who controls the Four Seasons Partnership.
For now you can Review the full list of unreleased tracks here as we finally publish all we had at December 2010. It now remains for Motown Universal, The Partnership or some kind soul to tell us more. But now the mis-information is exposed. But hey….who cares?? Jersey Boys, it appears, is all that matters. Of at least 68 tracks recorded (and there is rumour of more) only 22 to 25 have been released(some being alternative versions). Just 32 % of the session work…and as you can see from fan attendance at one of the sessions and this demo the work was generally completed.
We will continue to urge Motown Universal to share information with us re the sessions and masters and to seek to find every title listed (and maybe some more)…..and get confirmation of the ones that are complete. As for the Four Seasons Partnership….well their position does them little credit and becomes more untenable and lacking in any form of ‘compassion’ towards their rightly labeled ‘loyal and supportive fans’. Will they change their stance or be known forever for suppressing these ‘works of art’?
More information we believe will surface and we will keep you posted. But it now seems impossible to complete our story of the group because without this music it is impossible to judge the Motown period and the real story of their music. OK Bob Gaudio might say, just believe ‘Jersey Boys’…erm…I don’t think so!!!
Casey Chameleon
Exactly right Ray. And Valli decided that pursuing his 'solo' career with 'My Eyes Adored You' from the same sessions was the path to go. Could it be argued that Frankie Valli 'killed' The Four Seasons sound?
Posted by: Ken Charmer | February 02, 2011 at 06:02 PM
Nice track.
The early Motown efforts seemed to be more Motown than Seasons while these later ones nod to their classic harmonies. Sounds a bit unfinished or maybe not a final mix.
Perhaps it's lucky for Frankie that it wasn't released and became a hit. Can't see how he could hit and sustain all thise high notes in concert.
Posted by: Ray Ricci | January 31, 2011 at 05:21 PM