The unreleased Motown tracks were a real treat to research and we will return to the subject as the year unfolds when we hopefully get more info from the ‘Artists Cards’ at Motown Universal to compare with the newly acquired Tape Index. After all the excitement of hearing some of these (even if in a poor sound quality), we have to admit that this is something that is as rare as it gets for fans. But we can guarantee that we will continue the fight to get them released and to try to get some more appetisers.
As I looked at the very last track listed on the last multi-track master tape (P2678) I spotted a very prophetic and significant song….the last recording at Motown. The title ‘Future Years’ reminded me that it was time to get back to the ‘bread and butter’ work of researching and commenting on the Four Seasons sound and the groups full body of work in the ‘Analogue Age’. Jersey Boys and the greatest hits compilations may make one think that the Four Seasons Story is complete but our continuing research is showing that this is far from true.
And the focus is now on the future fans and leaving them a fitting legacy as the Four Seasons UK Appreciation Society turns its focus to ‘succession planning’. The aim is to ensure the ‘true sound’ and the ‘real story’ of the group is not dominated or supplanted by the ‘Jersey Boys’ show and that what we grew up enjoying can be appreciated by future generations particularly ‘dedicated’ fans and the family’s and friends of former Four Seasons. Nothing less than would be expected by fans of The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones or any other ‘iconic’ group of the 60s.
Our plans are progressing to take our research to a new platform to ensure the Four Seasons UK Appreciation Society can be around in 50 years. Read Ken’s challenging essay here ….. “Is 60s music about to go over the ‘generation’ precipice?” to appreciate the questions facing all ‘Baby Boomers’ and their music collections.
Ken was also telling me that we may soon have the excitement and hopefully definitive opener in the ‘Battle Of The Biographies’ as Bob Crewe, is working hard with his co-writer. The breaking news is that he is recovering well from his near fatal fall and…. “His co-writer Steven Whitney is actively moving along with Bob's memoirs and it looks like it's gonna hit big.” according to a very reliable source.
And with Charlie Calello actively seeking a publisher for his biography we can hope one hits the book shops before next Christmas..
So now our catchphrase will be the words of the legendary Leonard Nimoy as Mr Spock in Star Trek. ‘Live Long and Prosper”….and eventually you will get to hear the Motown unreleased. and read the ‘real’ story of how Bob Crewe created the success of the Four Seasons by tapping into and maximizing everyone’s talent. We’ve shown this ourselves in our research over the last 15 years so we have every confidence his book (and our future articles) will prove it.
Casey Chameleon
(Ken would like to thank Lynn Boleyn and Eric Charge for the Four Seasons photographs and recognise the copyright of others re the other illustrative images)
We have learnt to not believe the stories that unreleased tracks don't exist. We believe that the pre 1968 multi-tracks are lost and only 2 track stereo masters remain. The post 1968 masters may be intact(As tracks from this period like "Lay Me Down" extended version have appeared on CD) and the vaults contain 'One Man', 'Give A Damn' and others as yet unheard.
Posted by: Casey Chameleon | February 17, 2011 at 02:39 PM
I may have missed that article. Do I understand that there may be material from the Phillips years?
(64 - 70).
I thought it was all lost.
Ray
Posted by: Ray Ricci | February 14, 2011 at 06:37 PM
Rumour has it that Bill Inglot is working on a rarities collection which hopefully will review and include the 10 or so tracks rumoured to be in the Philips masters acquired by The Four Seasons Partnership. We've asked for a message to be sent to Bob gaudio re our wish for the unreleased tracks to be issued. Casey
Posted by: Casey Chameleon | February 14, 2011 at 03:08 PM
Really enjoying this especially hearing these unreleased tracks for the first time.I really hope that the partnership can be persuaded to release these on c.d. also I would also like to know if anyone has any info on ureleased tracks from the phillips label,as i seem to recall an iterview many years ago in record collector where Bob Gaudio said that there were about an albums worth of unreleased tracks.Would like to know if thats true,or did i just dream it? Kind regards Steve.
Posted by: Steve White | February 10, 2011 at 06:53 PM