Noreen Corcoran - LOVE KITTEN (1963)

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED - (Vee Jay 555) Out of Los Angeles, one of the better examples of a Phil Spector-styled production produced by someone else. 'Love Kitten was originallly recorded by April Stevens in 1961. This version was issued in September of 1963 and it's no wonder that the 'Wall Of Sound' explodes out of the grooves, since the tune was recorded at Spector's studio of choice, Hollywood's Gold Star. The 'Wrecking Crew', L.A.'s in demand session players who played on Spector's Philles Sessions are featured on this recording as well. The Blossoms, which at this time consisted of Darlene Love, Fanita James and Gracia Nitzsche, lent their vocal talents to many a Spector session and are included on this one. Producer and also 'Wrecking Crew' member, Nino Tempo, had to have been taking everything in while playing his saxaphone at the Philles sessions at that time since 'Be My Baby' had just been released and recording for the famous Philles Xmas album was about to commence. In fact, the sound and style of the backing track of this disc sounds very much like it could have been included as a backing track to a omitted cut from the Philles Xtmas album. Talk about getting your money's worth, the flip, 'Why Can't A Boy And Girl Just Stay In Love' is another Spector-sound jewel. Noreen's follow-up single of the two discs she released on the Vee Jay label, 'Dreamin' About You' brilliantly treads into Spector Sound territory as well with Nino Tempo producing once again.
In 1964, David Gates wrote and arranged a single on RCA Victor for Michael Landon of T.V.'s 'Bonanza' entitled, 'Without You'. The arrangement Mr. Gates created for that disc was obviously inspired by the arrangement of this version of 'Love Kitten'.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Phil Spector
• Spectropop
• Wall Of Sound
• 60's
• Girl Group
• Nino Tempo
• Wrecking Crew
• Gold Star Studio
• Blossoms
• Darlene Love
• Fanita James
• Gracia Nitzsche
• Michael Landon
• Without You
• David Gates
• Teen
• L.A.

[lesgore54]

Good transfer that sounds a lot brighter than some I've heard. Noreen is no great singer (I'll take her over Melinda Marx, though), but she made some good records.

[reichardtaj]

@lesgore54 I used the audio from the actual record rather than from one of the various CD versions. I'll take the brighter, crisper sound with some light background noice any day. Those CD versions seem to have lost some of the fidelity after having been fed through the noise reduction and filtering process.

[bruckner1]

The piano figure sounds like the one on "Moody river" by Pat Boone. Thanks for posting this. Keep up the great work.

[GeneVeeAnachronism]

I like April Steven's version much more

[Phoenix8049]

Much better than my CDversion.Thanks

[quieterrps]

These lyrics are hilariously profound! Our lass is a wee bit more than a little frisky! Very infectious tune which sounds like it could have been cut on the same day as One Fine Day and Wait 'Til My Bobby Gets Home. Very nice!