DISCO MERMAN ON CD!!!!!!

[markydefad]

I saw the Ethel Merman Disco LP on CD at Dorothy's Surrender! in LA. Is it common knowledge that this trashy cult item is on CD??? Seems like folks were talking about how much this was selling for on e-bay not too long ago.

It's not listed in the Merman discography on allmusic--BUT I SAW IT WITH MY OWN BEADY LITTLE EYES!!!! I did not purchase, but know I'm feeling I should go back and grab it. I think it was around $14.00 list price.

Anyone know the 411?????

[BrunoRepublic]

Was it a legit release, or a bootleg? What was the label?

BTW Marky, I'm warning ya... this album is seriously bad. It's up there with William Shatner's "The Transformed Man" at ridicule factor 9.

[Jeff H]

My gut feeling is that it's probably a bootleg that some enterprising homo with a CD burner is marketing. After all, if it were a legit release, don't you think someone here would have heard about it before now?!

But check it out, Marky, and let me know. Unlike Graham (and Jussi in his book), I think this LP is a hoot! In an "oh... my... gawd..." way, of course.

You know how I love me some cheese! :grin:

[Boodikka]

Marky, does it have any of the Valpucci remixes on the CD? The Valpuicci remixes won't make the neighbor's dogs sit up and start howling, unlike the original mixes by La Merman. Of all the dross released during the period, the Merman LP may be biggest offense.

[BrunoRepublic]

On 2002-06-19 09:55, Boodikka wrote:
Marky, does it have any of the Valpucci remixes on the CD?

How many of these were there? Were they commercially released, or just promos? I've only ever come across the album...

Of all the dross released during the period, the Merman LP may be biggest offense.

I second that!

It seems that everyone wants this album -- until they actually hear it! The amusing camp novelty wears off after about 30 seconds; after that you're hit with the realization of just how abysmal it is... and you realize that the joke's on you.

[Boodikka]

Graham, Valpucci definitely remixed "There's No Business..." and one other "song" on 12" promo for A&M. The story is they wanted Valpucci to remix the entire album. La Merman HATED the 12" remixes (probably because humans could actually listen to them). Now the story starts entering urban legend territory. I know that I've seen two different cover photos of this plague from Hell. One is a medium shot of Ethel doing some sort of kung fu contortion. The other is a frightening closeup of the gargantuan head of Disco Ethel. Could one of these be the cover of the Valpucci-remixed albums?
As for Valpucci, he has become an urban legend as well. He was quite a hot property for five minutes, but now I can't find a mention of him anywhere.

_________________
"Is it this sexual RODEO that has you in this STATE?"

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Boodikka on 2002-06-19 20:08 ]</font>

[markydefad]

I called Dorothy's Surrender! and asked a clerk about the CD of the Ethel Merman Disco LP. When I asked, he admitted it does look like a bootleg--but couldn't or wouldn't be definitive. He just said they have a vendor for it. They still have copies, so I'll drag my ass over and inspect--NOT that I'll be able to make a definitive decision.

I saw a copy of that 12" remix of "There's No Business Like Show Business" when Amoeba opened, and I just let it sit there. There was so much more stuff to grab.

Regrets?, I have a few...

[BrunoRepublic]

On 2002-06-19 20:06, Boodikka wrote:
I know that I've seen two different cover photos of this plague from Hell. One is a medium shot of Ethel doing some sort of kung fu contortion. The other is a frightening closeup of the gargantuan head of Disco Ethel. Could one of these be the cover of the Valpucci-remixed albums?

The kung-fu pose (complete with bad paste-up job over what looks like an airport runway at night) is the one I have, which is the regular version in full glory.

I'd certainly be curious to hear the Valpucci remixes... trying to improve that abomination would be the ultimate task from hell. Just being associated with this monstrosity is probably what killed Valpucci's career. :grin:

[keefelc]

Mark, I saw the CD in the Medium Rare Record's window a few weeks back. I too was tempted to purchase but the store was already closed for the evening. Then, as I thought about it, I realized I didn't care for the album way back then. Would I really like it now?

[markydefad]

OK, I bought it.

The clerk at Dorothy's Surrender on Saturday insisted it was REMASTERED and NOT A BOOTLEG.

And, I , rube that I am, fell for it.

BUT, YES, OF COURSE, IT'S A BOOTLEG!!!!!!

Inside, it says on the CD:

Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God

I haven't played it through yet, but the bit I sampled was recorded on the soft side, so...PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Why do I smell TURNIPS?????!!!!!! :roll:

[BrunoRepublic]

If enough people hound me for it (or bribe me instead ) I might be persuaded to do this one up proper. But only so that others will not waste huge sums of money on it! This album goes for insane amounts these days, and for absolutely no good reason ($90 US on GEMM last time I checked). I paid $6 Cnd for it, and that was $5.99 too much. Marky, now that you've discovered the horror first-hand, do you at least agree that it sucks? I mean seriously, this album sucks ass so hard you can get hepatitis or amoebic dysentry just from listening to it.

[keefelc]

Hmmmm, now I'm most curious if the copy I saw in the window of Medium Rare is a bootleg? I guess I better hurry and look before that store goes bye bye.

[Jeff H]

Keefe--

What are you saying? Is Medium Rare CLOSING??!

[keefelc]

Jeff:
That's what Arnold at M.R. told me. Another independent record store that's been hit bad by the lost of tourists to the City along with the lost of sales to the Internet sites. However, he did say there are several potential buyers. Let's cross our fingers. I liked that store!

[Jeff H]

Keefe--

That is very distressing news!!! Shopping and chatting at Medium Rare is one of my favorite things to do when I'm in SF. And it always requires more than one visit; my husband says I should just hand them my credit card whenever we arrive in the city.

So, the word is that tourism is still down in SF, huh? Still blaming it on Sept. 11 or the economy or what...? I'd better get back out there soon and raise those numbers!

[keefelc]

Jeff:
One of my pals is a controller for the Kimpton Group Hotels. He told me that right now and through July, the City seems to be booked pretty well. This weekend is our GLBT Pride Parade which always brings in alot of tourism (this year promises to be fun with Ian McKellan and Sharon Gless as Grand Marshalls!). However, the advanced bookings are way below normal after that. Seems we aren't getting conventions from other parts of the US like normal (people still don't want to go through the security hassle at the airports). Therefore, they are still preferring to go to places they can drive.

I do have to say that downtown SF has been bustling again the past few weeks. The cable car turnaround on Powell and Market Streets has had the huge lines like the days prior to Sept. 11th. Hopefully, that's a good sign that things are slowly getting better.

Let's hope that someone good will buy Medium Rare (or maybe the owner has a change of heart)!

[NickNack]

To all reading these posts and wondering should I look for this album, be warned: STAY AWAY, STAY FAR AWAY!

There's no way to be polite --- this album sucks! (Thank you, Graham.) It sucked when it was first released and it will suck until BIG BANG 2! I didn't know Valpucci had done remixes and why did he waste his talent? If you put him, Luongo, Guttadaro and Moulton on this project together it would still be GARBAGE. Pure junk! The woman doesn't sing --- she screams. No, she SCREETCHES - like chalk on a blackboard. There is no camp factor here. Paul Jabara had to be severely stoned when he wrote those liner notes.

My album is in pristine condition. Proud to say it's never been played. Any takers?

[markydefad]

Hey, either ya gets THE MERM or ya don't.

Obviously, this isn't her best work. She was an old lady and this was a campy attempt to cash in on a craze.

BUT, the woman was peerless as a Broadway performer. Her vocals on GYPSY are astonishing in their force. NO ONE has come close to her vocal power in singing the role of Mama Rose!!!!!!!!

[NickNack]

On 2002-06-26 22:55, markydefad wrote:
Hey, either ya gets THE MERM or ya don't.

I guess you're right... and I guess I'm one who 'don't'. I've never seen her on Broadway (I wouldn't spend money on this woman) but every time I've heard her, she's loud. Nothing else, just loud and LOUDER. What you call, "Force". There's no doubt no one in the back row missed a note, but I've never been able to equate this "Force" with "Talent". (I'm not a good fag, am I? Merman, Minelli, Garland = bored to tears.)

Love ya to death, Mark, but Ethel ain't for me.

_________________
Dancin'... A Thing To Free Your Mind

Nicky

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: NickNack on 2002-06-26 23:05 ]</font>

[markydefad]

Nicky,

Ethel was like a "Force Of Nature".

She belted to the back row of every theater. No need of amplification for her. Unheard of in that day and age, anyway.

Sometimes she appeared to be a "Brick Shithouse" standing there, especially in the latter days--BUT, there was a reason the likes of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Sondheim & Styne wanted HER to sing their tunes on stage. She was the woman who defined the term "Belter" for the musical theater. I love her for her sheer audaciousness and belting power. As the 60's progressed she appeared a relic of another generation, BUT I'll never forget a Tony Awards in the early 1970's where a group of male dancers and 2 costars (Larry Blyden & someone else) attempted to do a medley with Ethel. They were dancing and singing their little hearts out and The Merm just stood there. You didn't look at anyone but The Merm standing still in the middle of all this hubbub. And the other performers knew it. Their looks said, "Why are we even trying?"

Ya gotta give Ethel her props. She was a Force Of Nature, IMHO.

_________________
Make My Feet Wanna Dance!

Markydefad

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: markydefad on 2002-06-27 01:27 ]</font>

[markydefad]

Nicky & Others,

Don't get me wrong!!! I certainly understand why you don't "get" Ethel. She is/was certainly an acquired taste. I learned to appreciate her after listening to her Broadway cast LP's when I was in college and after seeing other performers attempt to sing "her" songs in productions of the shows she starred in. They never even got close.

Prior to that, she was just a loud lady on TV to me, too. Judy Garland once had Barbra Streisand as a guest on her TV variety show and Ethel appeared in a cameo. The three of them (LEGENDS ALL) sang...was it "There's No Business Like Show Business"? Quite a historic moment. At least for me!!!!

I'm quite shocked this topic has a little fire burning next to it. I thought this was a 1-2-3 post---and it's over!!!!

[totoman]

I have heard so much about this album. I am curious to know who were the producers and arrangers on it, anybody well known? Now someone has mentioned that Paul Jabara wrote the sleeve notes, I am dying to know what he said.

Anybody prepared to oblige me

toto

[NickNack]

On 2002-06-27 07:51, totoman wrote:
I have heard so much about this album. I am curious to know who were the producers and arrangers on it, anybody well known? Now someone has mentioned that Paul Jabara wrote the sleeve notes, I am dying to know what he said.

Anybody prepared to oblige me

toto

Hey Toto,

Here you go --- the album reads:

PRODUCED, ARRANGED AND CONDUCTED BY PETER MATZ
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: KIP COHEN
CONCERTMASTER: JERRY VINCI
ORCHESTRA CONTRACTOR: JOE SOLDO
MUSIC PREPARED BY: BILL FORMAN
VOCAL AND ORCHESTRAL ARRANGEMENTS: PETER MATZ
(The musicians and background vocalists are also listed. If you want, just ask.)

There are two sets of liner notes. One by Peter Matz and the other by Paul Jabara. Here's Paul's:

"For decades Ethel Merman has been the heart and soul of the American Musical Theater. Hearing this album, I'm convinced that this Disco Diva may be taking a whole new career! Not only are these songs among the world's favorites, but the sheer joy of Merman's voice makes me want to get up and dance. Bless you for boogeying, Ethel, you're hot as a pistol!"

"P.S. When are you going to sing one of my tunes?"

That's it. Also, these are the notes on the 'original' A&M released lp, not the 'remix' or other versions talked about by Boodikka and Graham.

[Robbie]

Markydefad--

Ethel Merman used to appear on a number of game shows in the 70's, such as "Match Game" and "Hollywood Squares". Ironically, the guy you mentioned (Larry Blyden) hosted "What's My Line" in the early 70's.

[mrbmarco]

The first official CD release of The Ethel Merman disco Album from 1979 is August 27th 2002 from Fynsworth Alley. They specialize in remastering hard to find Broadway Cast LPs. They remaster the original tapes and do a great job--I've heard their CD of JUNO. The Street date is Tuesday Oct 1, 2002.
I remember getting the LP from SCDDJA but I never played it for the crowd. It was a stiff and a joke between us DJ's. But it seems 23 years later it has become a treasured hard to find gem. I will be buying the CD.