30 | 4月 | 2009 | more register movement

the official web site of Denny Randell

The Rag Dolls – Dusty（unreleased alternate version）（1964）

Wall Of Sound’ production recorded on October 24th, 27th, and November 12, 1964, was eventually released that December. ‘Dusty’ b/w’Hey Hoagy’ is the second of four singles credited to The Rag Dolls and probably their finest recording. It is assumed that this Stea-Phillips acetate contains the first version of’Dusty’. For some unknown reason, the lyrics were rewritten, and a new recording was made. The Rag Dolls were comprised of lead singer Jean Thomas, Mikie Harris and Susie Lewis. Jean and Mikie were active East Coast session singers often recording with Ellie Greenwich creating magnificent harmonies that graced many a record. Producer Bob Crewe who had just struck gold with The Four Seasons hit,’Rag Doll’ jumped on the’answer song’ bandwagon. The tune’Society’s Girl’ was written as a girl’s point of view with Jean on lead vocals with session singers, Carol Fran, Marilyn Jackson and Ann Phillips on background vocals. The combination proved successful as the single issued on the Parkway label garnered a decent hit. A studio version of the group was formed, publicity photos were taken, and three more singles were issued on the Mala label. A different touring group had to be assembled since Jean did not want to tour and preferred the lucrative supply of session work available to her. Another east coast group, the Reasons, who along with recording as themselves on United Artists Records, also performed as the Rag Dolls.
Jean Thomas cut solo records for Cadence, DynoVoice and M~G~M as well as with other groups comprised of session singers. Most notably as The Beach Girls on DynoVoice, The Beach Nuts on Bang, The Calendar Girls on 4 Corners, Angie & The Chicklettes on APT and The Powder Puffs on Imperial.

The Rag Dolls – Dusty（1964/12）
Composer: B. Crewe, S. Linzer, D. Randell

Zero Five – Dusty（UK:1965/11/05）
Composer: Crewe, Linzer, Randell

The Rag Dolls – Hey Hoagy（1964）

The Rag Dolls – Society Girl

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The Rag Dolls – Little Girl（1965）
answersong “Big Girls Don’t Cry”

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The Rag Dolls – Put A Ring On My Finger（1965）

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Ritchie Adams – Every Window In The City （1965）

（Congress 248） Out of New York, this percussive, Spectorian disc was recorded on June 10, 1965 and features the excellent girl group vocals of Jean Thomas of The Rag Dolls.

The Beach Girls – Skiing in the Snow（1965）

Did not chart nationally in Billboard, but released as a single in February 1965. The lead singer is Jean Thomas, who sang on a lot of girl group records. Mikie Harris and Susan Lewis are the other two members. The Rag Dolls and the Beach Girls are the same group. Later remakes of “Skiing in the Snow” were recorded by the Invitations, Wigan’s Ovation, Pete James and Laura Pallas and the Reputations. Produced by Bob Crewe.
Written by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell.

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The 4 Seasons – Rag Doll（1964/06/02）
ザ・フォー・シーズンス – 悲しきラグ・ドール
Composer: Bob Crewe, Bob Gaudio
produced by Bob Crewe

Pop Chart Peaks: #1 Billboard, Cash Box, and Record World
Frankie Valli and the group’s most popular hit of’64 was the fourth of their six single releases that reached the #1 spot on one or more of the national music trade record charts.