Over the weekend a friend gave me some old albums she thought might be of interest. She's a realtor and they were part of an estate sale. This is one of the albums. I am interested, but not only in the music. This post is split into two parts, the first dealing with the album artist, the second part with the album packaging.
ALBUM ARTIST
Lesley Goldstein, who for some obscure reason decided her Mother's maiden name 'Gore' sounded better, was 17 years old when Quincey Jones got her into a studio to record 'It's My Party'. Despite being recorded by The Chiffons and Helen Shapiro, Lesley's version was the one that took off, becoming a #1 just about everywhere except the UK. Oddly, that happened in 1981 when Dave Stewart (no, not the Eurythmics guy) and Barbara Gaskin did a remake that got to the top spot.
Lesley's follow up to 'It's My Party' was a continuation of the same story. After her boyfriend went off with Judy and Judy came back wearing Johnny's ring, poor Lesley dissolved in tears at her own party. However, that was all turned around in the second song, 'Judy's Turn To Cry' when Lesley kissed someone else and Johnny got pissed off and hit him. Johnny and Lesley then got back together. Basically we have two extremely popular songs about some two-timing violent cheat who goes off with another girl but beats up the guy who's interested in his ex. OK, got it.
Based on those two songs the record company in it's wisdom raced out a full LP using that same theme for the whole album - crying. Lesley was about to cry more than anyone since Johnnie Ray in the early 50's. (If you're too young, Google him). In fact the album contains Johnnie Ray's hit song 'Cry' along with 'Cry Me A River', 'Cry And You Cry Alone' and after all that crying, thankfully 'No More Tears'.
Lesley did redeem herself from this world of pain and heartache though. By the end of 1963 and after 3 charting singles, the two mentioned above and a third about unrequited love, she briefly abandoned her bubble-gum image and recorded what was and still is one of the most powerful feminist anthems ever written, 'You Don't Own Me'. To be sung by this 17 year old from Tenafly New Jersey, straight out of High School, made it even more striking. It was also recorded by one of England's most amazing female artists, Dusty Springfield. She did a chilling version for her LP 'A Girl Called Dusty' in 1964.
ALBUM PACKAGING
It pays to remember that some of the music technology and production used on this album was still quite new in the early 60's and so terminology and technical details were part of the magic and mystique associated with holding this piece of vinyl in your hand. On the back of the album cover there is a note from Quincy Jones giving all the 'HIFInformation' for the recording, followed by a blurb from Mercury themselves with more technobabble. The album label was emblazoned in large letters with the words 'LONG PLAYING HIGH FIDELITY' to make sure you knew you weren't getting an old scratchy 78rpm bit of shellac.
The inner sleeves of LP's have been used for a variety of reasons over the years. Band details, lyric sheets, catalogues of other artists and albums available on the same record label. This inner really does take the cake. One side tells you how thorough Mercury has been in producing this fine work and below are step by step instructions on how to handle, clean and store your records. The other side of the inner sleeve is a masterclass in advertising. Taking two record players made by Philips and rebranding them they offer portable take-anywhere phonographs for the mobile audiophile. A single player and an auto-changer, both with turn-over cartridges to play your latest mono and stereo records and the pile of 78's you've got stored in the attic.
This album is a total package typifying what it meant to be a record buyer 60 years ago. It was an audio, visual and tactile experience that included the aroma of freshly pressed vinyl. Sight, sound, touch and smell. If you licked the record it covered all five senses.
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